CHAPTER 84: HUSK FLY [3]

The strenuous trek uphill continued for the entire night... until dawn when we finally emerged above the tree line.

There were no more trees in front of us and the terrain here was rocky and dominated by scree, large boulders, and patches of alpine moss.

The worst part was the unbearable cold, which was biting, especially this early in the morning.

We all shivered as we tiredly made our way to look for a rock shelter, following the whisperglobe’s guidance.

It took a bit of time for us to find a small overhang tucked beneath a massive granite slab, just large enough to shield us from the biting wind and the rising sun.

We rushed to take shelter, then quickly lit up a large fire. All of us, including the bonds gathered round it for warmth.

A few minutes later, and we were already skinning and cooking one of the mountain cats that we killed. Before long, the rich smell of roasted meat permeated the air.

Ino was the one who prepared it. I gave her a few of the seasonings I brought along with me in my inventory, and she did a really good job.

The meat was tender and incredibly delicious. It was also the first large meal that we had since arriving in this world.

I stuffed myself with a generous portion, and then I began drinking water from a pouch. While I was doing so, I heard Evelyn’s voice. "Woah, that’s a lot of water."

I flinched and lowered the pouch, and that was when I realized that I had nearly emptied the large pouch.

"I’m thirsty," I replied, before raising the pouch to continue drinking. I could see Aika through the corner of my eye looking at me with an unreadable expression on her face.

When I was done emptying the pouch, I leaned back and rested a hand on my knee.

’Thirsty... I’m so thirsty.’

My body was desperately dehydrated, and I could feel my throat scorching as if I had been without water for days.

I wanted to reach into my inventory to grab another pouch of water, but then all of sudden, a fierce wave of vertigo washed over me.

In the next instant, everything around me began to blur. I couldn’t see the faces of the members of my party any longer.

’...’

I closed my eyes and shook my head.

When I opened my eyes again, my vision settled and I could see the faces of my colleagues again.

’It’s getting worse...’

I thought as I blinked a few times to check if my vision would blur again, but it did not.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, only to look at my palm and see several detached strands of my hair.

’As if the pain is not enough... now I’m losing hair?’

I felt myself beginning to feel angry for no reason.

I looked to the others then muttered through gritted teeth. "I’m going to sleep."

Grabbing my sleeping bag from the inventory, I unfurled it violently beneath the granite overhang and climbed inside, pulling the zipper up with an aggressive, frustrated jerk.

***

Minutes later...

Aika was sat with her knees folded against her chest by the fire. Her expression was of one who had a lot on her mind but decided not to speak.

She repeatedly tucked a stray strand of her long black hair behind her ear, still lost in her own world, when Celeste spoke, drawing her attention:

"What is wrong with my brother?"

Aika slowly raised her head and looked to Celeste. Then after a moment, she asked, "What do you mean?"

Celeste glanced quickly at Cedric’s lump in the sleeping bag, then looked back at Aika and replied sharply, "Anyone with eyes can see he’s not okay. Tell me what’s wrong with him."

Aika turned her gaze away from Celeste, back to the fireplace. She sighed and eventually spoke in a low voice. "He got bit by the Huskfly."

"What?!" Celeste exclaimed, her eyes widening in immediate alarm as she suddenly sprang to her feet. "Why didn’t any of you say anything?"

The others also snapped their gazes toward Aika, their expressions shifting from weary exhaustion to immediate alarm and concern.

With her gaze still fixed on the fireplace, Aika responded. "Because there was no point. Nothing can be done until the fly matures."

She paused briefly, her own anxiety creeping into her voice as she added, "Since it’s been a while, the larvae must have begun growing by now. We just have to wait until it’s matured enough to force it out."

Celeste spun away from Aika and quickly crossed the short distance to Cedric. She dropped beside him and was about to ask where he had been bit when she suddenly saw the black, bulging veins creeping up Cedric’s neck and jawline.

A look of pure horror suddenly crossed Celeste’s face.

Trembling, she reached out a shaky hand and pulled back the collar of his shirt. That was when she saw a dark, sickly nodule on his neck, swollen like a festering plum. It kept pulsing like a strained heart and was visibly writhing slowly beneath the skin. From the spot of the glistening wound, multiple large blackened veins spiderwebbed across his skin.

Celeste gasped, immediately covering her mouth upon seeing the horrific sight.

At this point, the others had also gathered behind her.

"That looks so painful," Dion muttered, staring intently at the wound.

"It is painful," Ino stated grimly. "I can’t even imagine the pain he’s currently feeling."

The mood grew somber.

Then, just a few seconds later, Cedric began to tremble violently, like one seized by a severe fever. Seeing this, Celeste reached out a comforting hand to touch his head. But before her hand could reach him, his eyes suddenly snapped open, causing everyone to flinch.

Unlike normal, his eyes were now twin pools of intense, swirling black. He suddenly sprang upright and whipped his head toward the party members. Evelyn and Ino took a cautious step back. However, in the next instant, Cedric lunged at the person closest to him, which was Celeste.

His hands clamped onto her sides, and he pinned her flat, staying atop her.

Then he opened his mouth wide, revealing rows of greenish, dirty teeth that were unnaturally elongated and growing from the inside of his mouth.