It was getting late, and the air had turned crisp and cold.
Daniel turned to the others and spoke:
"It's already quite late. Everyone, return to your assigned tents and get some rest. You and Francis, stay behind—there's a small task left."
The person Daniel referred to respectfully was Edward. As per Daniel's request, everyone except Edward and Francis left the camp area and returned to their tents to rest.
Once the others had gone, Daniel, Francis, and Edward began walking together.
Following behind them was Edward.
Feeling the cold creep through his skin, Francis reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it.
He took a long drag and exhaled into the air.
In the freezing night, that little cigarette brought him a moment of warmth and comfort.
As they walked, Daniel turned to Edward and explained:
"We didn't call you here for anything major. After tonight's dinner, there's a little bit of pork left. To preserve it until tomorrow, we need to dig a small pit and bury it. That way, the meat won't spoil overnight."
Edward didn't say anything, only nodded in agreement.
The three of them reached the spot where the leftover meat was kept. Nearby, three pointed iron rods had already been prepared to dig the pit.
They started digging. It took a bit of effort, but eventually, the work was done.
Francis brought out two large leaves that he had cut earlier and placed them inside the pit.
The pork was carefully wrapped and lowered into the pit.
They then covered it back with soil.
As they prepared to return, Edward spoke up:
"Guys… I think that pork didn't sit well with me. You two go ahead and return to the camp. I still have one more small thing left to do."
A slight crooked smile crossed Edward's lips.
Daniel looked at him curiously.
"You're going back alone?"
"Come on now… the tent is barely a kilometer away. Just a short walk, right? You can do me a favor—leave me your torch and a cigarette."
He looked at Francis while speaking.
Francis, without question, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and handed it to Edward.
Daniel passed him the torch.
Daniel then gave a final piece of advice:
"Just don't take too long to get back. Don't wander around at night—it's extremely dangerous."
"Alright, Daniel," Edward replied calmly.
And with that, Daniel and Francis headed back toward the tent, walking under the soft glow of the moonlight.
The moment they disappeared into the darkness, Edward turned back toward the pit.
He uncovered it again.
From inside, he pulled out the pork.
He took two pieces and slipped them into his pocket.
Then, covering the rest with soil once again, he sealed the pit like nothing had happened.
The night deepened. The cold grew harsher.
Edward, now on his next task—disposing of the pork from his stomach—walked into the darkness.
Then he heard it.
A sudden sound from behind.
He froze.
Slowly, he turned around.
Nothing.
Just fog. Thick and silent.
He dismissed it, choosing not to make it a big deal. He continued with what he was doing.
But that doubt still lingered.
Something wasn't right.
So he turned again.
This time—
He saw it.
Between the trees…
A shape.
Hair-raising. Unclear. But terrifying.
Two glowing eyes stared at him through the mist.
Still. Watching. Silent.
Edward screamed in terror.
Without thinking twice, he ran toward the camp, desperate to escape.
In his panic, he stepped on a sharp rock, slipped, and fell.
But what he saw as he hit the ground froze his blood—
A terrifying beast, with sharp claws and gleaming teeth, was charging straight at him.
Somehow, Edward pulled himself up and ran again—limping, gasping, barely able to breathe.
As he turned his head to look behind—
He saw it.
A giant black hellhound crouched at the very spot where he had fallen…
Its thick tongue licking the blood from the ground—
Blood that had dripped from Edward's injured leg.
Edward pushed himself harder, breath ragged, heart pounding.
Somehow, he made it to the tents.
By then, everyone had already gathered outside, awakened by his scream.
They stood under the cold night sky, alarmed.
Edward staggered forward—collapsed right in front of Daniel.
They quickly laid him down and splashed water on his face.
He finally opened his eyes, panting heavily and sweating profusely.
Daniel leaned down.
"What happened, Edward?"
Still gasping, Edward recounted everything he had seen.
Everyone listened in disbelief.
For the first time, fear began to creep into their expressions.
"Are you serious?" Francis asked skeptically.
"What I saw… it was real," Edward said breathlessly.
"It looked like a massive hound. But not just any animal—its body looked almost human. Dark. Monstrous. And its teeth… like knives."
Daniel's face grew serious.
"If what you say is true, then we need to be extra careful.
We are in a jungle, after all. We don't know what kind of creatures roam here."
He turned to Francis.
"Let's go check. Just to be sure. Maybe what Edward saw was real… or maybe it was just a hallucination."
Daniel lit the torch and began walking.
They headed toward the spot where they had buried the leftover pork.
They searched the area thoroughly, scanning every inch with the torchlight.
But…
Nothing.
Not a single sign.
After a few minutes, they began walking back toward the camp.
"Looks like… whatever Edward saw wasn't real," Daniel said.
"We didn't find anything at all."
Edward overheard them.
"So now you're saying I'm lying?" he snapped angrily.
"That's not what we meant," Daniel replied calmly.
"We just didn't find any trace of it."
But Edward was too upset to listen.
Without another word, he stormed back to his tent.
After he left, Daniel addressed the others.
"Everyone… be alert. Stay sharp. Get back to your tents."
One by one, the survivors returned to their tents in silence.
The campfire crackled in the center, smoke curling into the freezing air.
Its glow flickered…
Warming the night—
But unable to chase away the fear that now lingered around them.
To be continued...
Next chapter release date 5/7/25