Night Without End

The fog before the valley mouth seemed to have been enchanted. Instead of gradually dispersing with the passage of time, it grew thicker and thicker, like a heavy curtain that tightly shrouded the entire area. The night wind seemed to be fighting the fog as well, constantly pushing it back toward the valley mouth and making this already hazy place even more indistinct, rendering its scenery impossible to see clearly.

A sharp, sour, fishy stench permeated the air. The smell was unusually intense and lingered for a long time, as if it could pierce through the nose and reach deep into the throat. Every breath brought that stench surging through the throat, accompanied by a faint burning sensation that caused extreme discomfort and even a touch of nausea.

The stakes along the defensive line had originally been arranged in neat rows. They were like loyal sentinels, guarding the safety of the area. Now, however, the stakes looked as though they had suffered a powerful impact. They leaned in every direction, some even broken and scattered across the ground. The trigger ropes had also gone slack, losing their former tension, as if they had ceased to serve their intended purpose.

Acid splashed all over the muddy ground, forming patches of dark stains. Under the cover of night, the stains appeared indistinct, making it difficult to discern their exact shapes and locations. Yet amid that blur, the most muffled sound suddenly rang out. It was as though several enormous feet had stepped into the mud at once. The deep tremor passed through the thick fog and reached the eardrums directly, making one's heart tighten.

Only a few seconds passed before three or four enormous shadows emerged from the thick fog like ghosts. They moved incredibly fast, as swift as lightning, and pressed