Ryan's frail body lost its balance in the anaconda's coils, and he tumbled awkwardly into the water, ripples spreading rapidly across the surface.
At the same time, he could feel the damp chill of its body and the tremendous force pressing in from every direction. His flesh compressed inward, and his chest was constricted so tightly that even breathing became difficult.
"Damn it..." Ryan gritted his teeth, his face flushed red.
He struggled to adjust his position, getting his head high enough to stay above water before he became completely immobilized.
Facing the two jaguars earlier had only looked dangerous. To him, they were really just two big cats he could play with like toys.
But this was different. The huge snake, far thicker than his entire body, was like a chain forged from steel, and it had almost wrapped him up completely.
His limbs were firmly pinned, leaving only his fingers and head free to move.
"Stupid snake, rotten snake, filthy snake! Let me go!"
Ryan cursed in fury, venting his frustration while trying to break free. But even with all his strength, he accomplished nothing. Instead, the anaconda tightened its coils.
Breathing grew difficult. In desperation, he thrust out his head, the only part he could still move, and opened his mouth to bite the anaconda's slick body.
His little mouth was not even as big as one of the scales on its belly.
"Ptooey!"
His biting attack failed. Ryan spat, feeling as though he had taken a bite of mud from the riverbed. The taste rivaled the West Lake Vinegar Fish from a few days earlier.
The anaconda kept applying more force, its thick body tightening coil by coil, its movements sending waves across the water again and again.
Gradually, it too noticed something was wrong.
In