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墨書 Inktalez
I first unscrewed the cap of the Handheld Signal Flare, and the fuse immediately ignited the burning material containing White Phosphorus. The Signal Flare erupted like fireworks, splattering brilliant flames everywhere. The rain had little effect on extinguishing the burning material with White Phosphorus; at most, it muted its colors but did not stop its combustion.
Snakes rely on their tongues to sense heat sources, track, and capture prey. However, when they are within visible range, they no longer need to depend on taste and heat to lock onto their target; vision becomes their primary means of targeting. The blinding light emitted by my Signal Flare unexpectedly stung its eyes. The Phosphorus Fire that burst forth from the Signal Flare did not spray far due to the torrential rain, and it didn't even reach the giant python. Yet, the phosphorescent glow was bright enough to temporarily blind it.
I could see the giant python's pupils constrict into slits from the intense light, its eyes reflecting the flames and my shadow. Reacting instinctively to this stimulus, its head jerked back. As its head tilted backward, its jaws opened wide, clearly indicating that while the light blinded it, it also provoked its ferocity; in the next moment, it would swallow both me and the Signal Flare whole.
This fleeting moment was enough for me. I couldn't describe my state at that instant; the giant python's massive body appeared sluggish as it moved, but in reality, it was merely a blink of an eye. Everything around me felt exceptionally slow, as if time had slowed down. It wasn't that my movements were faster than its; rather, my brain was able to grasp every detail clearly and determine what I should do in that moment.
For instance, in this detail, I unhesitatingly threw the handheld signal flare into the giant python's open mouth.
The moment I released the handheld signal flare, splashes of Phosphorus Fire hit my arm like a pot of boiling oil being thrown on my skin, pain penetrating deep into my muscles—a piercing agony. I remained still in that position, watching as the handheld signal flare flew into the giant python's mouth like a rocket trailing flames.
From the giant python's gaping maw, I could see its writhing esophagus. The flare tube spewed White Phosphorus Fireworks as it disappeared into its mouth. In that instant, the white backward-curving teeth and the bright red interior of its throat were vividly illuminated by the phosphorescent glow.
I stared at this astonishing scene, my nerves numbed to the point of forgetting fear. The image before me was starkly bloody; the hot breath and foul odor emanating from the giant python's mouth were overwhelming—only sound was missing; otherwise, this would constitute one of the most terrifying three-dimensional visuals I had ever witnessed. It was almost like a 4D experience.
I waited for the giant python's next move.
My brain clearly instructed me not to act impulsively. At that moment, I could accurately assess the situation and precisely control every action of mine; however, I had no way of knowing what move the giant python would make next. The behavior of lower animals is often too random for human intelligence to predict instantly.
Of course, my most instinctive desire was to escape from here, but my alert mind told me that aimless fleeing offered no hope for survival. I needed to wait for its reaction.
The giant python reacted faster than I had anticipated, not even giving me a moment to wait. In the instant the phosphorescence vanished, its head, neck (if it had one), and massive body suddenly lunged toward me. It wasn't a bite; its jaws were already closed, and the movement seemed like it was trying to crash itself against the tree trunk.
The python's enormous body slammed toward me like a wall, the rainwater first hitting my face as if a curtain of water had been splashed over me. I stared ahead without blinking; despite my mind being incredibly clear, I couldn't think of any way to evade this strike. Perhaps jumping down was the only way to avoid being crushed, but then what? I didn't believe I would survive falling into the swamp below. There was no guarantee I'd even survive hitting the water; the branches that branched out below could easily take my life.
Just as despair began to engulf me, I saw a rope swing past in front of me, though it was slightly off-target, almost heading toward the python. I guessed it was thrown by Buasong; there was no time to complain about his poor throwing technique—I had to jump for it. The rope's direction was too far off for me to grab it, so I could only choose to leap in a nearby direction.
I barely brushed past the python, its cold, deathly scent unmistakable, and the scales the size of teacups glimmered with an oily sheen. In an instant, a loud crash echoed behind me; it must have slammed itself against the tree trunk. I chuckled bitterly in midair—what luck! Just before death, my hearing returned.
Suddenly, my heart began to race violently. I saw that rope hanging in the distance; it cracked through the air like a whip before swinging back toward me. My body was already in free fall, and this rope might be my only chance at survival. At that moment, my mind went blank except for three words: grab it.
Rainwater, branches knocked away by the python, even blood dripping from it splattered onto me and around me. All of this nearly blurred my vision, but at that moment, the swinging rope appeared as clear as lightning. I distinctly saw my hand reach through the flying branches and splashing droplets; just as the end of the rope swung straight, I grabbed hold of it.
Yes, what luck! If my body had extended even an inch further, I might not have caught it because I had grasped only the end of the rope. A wave of immense joy and pain crashed over me simultaneously, almost overwhelming me. Due to its angle, I could only grab the rope with my right hand; as my body fell, gravity and inertia pulled me sideways. The sharp pain in my right side overshadowed any joy from narrowly escaping death. My body stiffened like a corpse; one leg cramped painfully under severe agony while my jaw clenched tightly enough that my mouth filled with blood.
I suspected my right arm might be dislocated; unable to bend it to pull myself up or switch hands, I could only swing rigidly through the air. My mind began to return to normal but teetered on the edge of confusion again. I heard Buasong's loud shouts and the sound of the python repeatedly crashing against the tree trunk while everything around me spun. Only my will to survive remained strong—like my name suggested—my right hand clung to the rope despite trembling.
At that moment, something struck my face and jolted me awake. Having lost all ability for self-rescue, I swung back and forth in midair with the rope until I finally saw what had hit me.
It was another rope thrown by another Lao person.
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