Chase in the Dark Alley

Yet, just as it was about to display its prowess, break through the roof, and consume more flesh and blood, that blond-haired person appeared.

For the first time, it couldn't pierce a human body. The thorns touching that person's skin were like mere tickling feathers, almost breaking against that skin—it was truly terrifying!

Sharp thorns were Jian Guang Teng's only offensive weapon. If even its sharp thorns were useless, it had only one option left: frantic escape.

Run! Absolutely must not let that human catch it!

It fled in panic, plunging into a dark alley. The alley floor was full of dirty puddles; because the ground was uneven, the water couldn't drain away, only collecting in hollows, hoping for sunlight that never reached this place to dry it.

That was impossible, just as it was impossible for Jian Guang Teng to escape the grasp of its pursuer behind it.

It crashed into the wall, desperately crawling up, intending to use the wall to climb straight onto the roof. However, behind it, a vine had been firmly grasped by someone. It turned its head, intending to use another branch to "self-amputate its tail to save its life" like a gecko, but before it could even do so, that branch was also seized.

What a complete loss, Jian Guang Teng thought to itself.

Immediately after, it felt a strong pulling force from the two vine branches, almost tearing it in half. Jian Guang Teng clung tightly to the wall, causing its vine body to twist and distort, struggling to grasp a sliver of a chance at survival. But its body, suspended in mid-air, made it realize that all its struggles were futile.

Thump! It was slammed hard into a puddle. The green vine was covered in dirty water. Perhaps the noise was too loud, because someone opened a window on the wall, revealing the face of an annoyed old man. Before he could clearly see what was happening outside, he opened his mouth to scold: "What are you people doing! If you want to fight, go somewhere else!"

He spoke too quickly, so much so that even after seeing the vine wildly thrashing in the dark alley, and a young man stepping on the vine, hidden in the shadows, the old man still finished his sentence. Only his voice grew softer and softer, until finally, only a clear gulp remained.

"Um... you guys just... just carry on, I don't see anything... I know, you're 'urban hunters' who exterminate demons and monsters, right? Or special forces soldiers fighting monsters for three hundred rounds?"