Chapter 190: Volume 1, Chapter 190 – Mermaid? Shark Person? (7)

She shook off the strange thought, propped her chin, pondered, then said: "We can first lure those monsters."

If they could obtain those three protective suits, they could also defend themselves when the blood mist arrives tomorrow. Most importantly, she wanted to wear the protective suit to meet those people, investigate who lives on the island, what their purpose is, and what the monster lurking beneath the sand is.

Chen Qi Bai saw her determined attitude, fell silent for a few seconds, then agreed: "Okay."

They didn't know how long they'd have to stay on the island; the blood mist had clearly spread to the cave, so obtaining those three protective suits would be a good thing for them.

Chen Qi Bai's tone was solemn, not allowing her to refuse: "I'll go lure them."

He is male, his stamina is better than a female's, and he often exercises, giving him a greater chance when running.

Jiang Zhi agreed.

After the division of labor was clear, they walked along the edge of the jungle until they were directly opposite the beach where the monsters hid; Chen Qi Bai nodded at her, then stepped forward.

As he approached, the monsters beneath the thick sand became visibly agitated; Chen Qi Bai could clearly sense a dangerous aura. When the monsters leapt out of the sea, he sprang his legs and ran away at top speed.

The monsters followed behind, the honey‑colored sunset striking them, revealing ever more ferocious and terrifying faces; they had no eyes, relying solely on hearing to move.

Jiang Zhi, hiding, saw them run farther away, hurried over to the protective suits, bent to pick one up, then suddenly drew her dagger to block the monster that leapt straight at her face.

It was the largest among the monsters, its fish tail bare of skin, the remaining flesh like a desiccated corpse, oily bones faintly visible; its face was sharp as a monkey's cheek, with pointed fangs, speed absurdly fast, claws sharp enough to easily rip open a human's belly and crush the skull.

Jiang Zhi remained vigilant, blocked its first attack with her dagger, then clutched the protective suit in her arms and ran.

The monster actually leapt out of the sea, landing directly in front of her, blocking her path.

It dropped to all fours, split its mouth, and let out a roar at her.

The sound was sharp and piercing, tormenting people's nerves like a fingernail scraping a blackboard, making the scalp go numb.

Jiang Zhi was so close she nearly went mad.

The monster before her was likely the leader of the pack; its speed and strength were exceptional, and most terrifying of all, it possessed intelligence on par with a human's.

What she hadn't expected was that the monster wasn't afraid of land; it seemed its earlier hiding in the sea sand was merely a lure to draw outsiders in.

Jiang Zhi's thoughts raced; she simply set down the protective suit she was holding, gripped her dagger tightly, and tried to evade its pursuit.

The monster gradually pushed her toward the sea, yet showed no intention to kill her.

Cold seawater swiped over her ankle, waves repeatedly slapping her hind leg; Jiang Zhi tried to speak: "You… what do you want?"

The monster leader did not answer her words, but instead lowered itself to the ground facing a certain direction.

Jiang Zhi saw fear etched into its soul on its face.

After doing that, the monster leader vanished in a flash into the seawater, leaving no trace.

Jiang Zhi stood frozen in place, unsure whether it was the icy seawater or something else, her shoulders trembling involuntarily.

As she realized she wanted to run, a familiar dark‑gold fish tail coiled around her waist and pulled her whole body into the sea.

Salty, icy seawater flooded her face; the sudden sensation of suffocation was unpleasant, forcing her eyes open as she tried to resist, while the mermaid that had wrapped itself around her from behind swam to face her.

That face, perfect as a deity's, was inches away; dark‑blue hair slid past her neck, the mermaid's cheeks spread with deep‑blue scales, beneath its slanted eye corners lay a blood‑red mole, lending his visage an increasingly wanton, enchanting look, while his whole body exuded an unfamiliar, unknown dangerous aura.

"Zhizhi~"

It did not speak, yet its voice fell into her ears.

It was low and pleasant like a zither's note, yet also like a call from an endless hell, bewitching the heart and mind.

Jiang Zhi held her breath; perhaps because this was their second meeting, she wasn't as frightened as before, unable to speak, she silently thought: Sorry, I'm Jiang Zhi, not Zhizhi.

"Jiang Zhi?" that voice sounded again, this time tinged with confusion.

Jiang Zhi: "???"

How could it hear her inner voice?

The mermaid extended a snake‑tongue‑like scarlet tongue, licked her face, its narrow eyes slightly squinting: "You are my mate; I can naturally hear your voice."

Jiang Zhi: When did I become your mate?! I haven't agreed yet!

The dark‑gold fish tail gradually tightened; its transparent webbed claw reached to her nape, its pure black pupils deepening to show thick, endless malice.

"If you disagree, I will dissect your body, eat you bit by bit, and finally hang your skull from my waist."

A gentle, ethereal voice, like lovers whispering, yet the meaning of the words sent chills down one's spine.

Jiang Zhi's face shifted like Sichuan opera: "Agreed, I especially agree! You're so handsome, how could I disagree?"

777: "……" Sometimes it admires the host, able to yield and stand firm, truly a talent.

The mermaid squinted its eyes and smiled; the finger with a transparent webbed membrane moved from her nape to her chin, slightly lifting: "I like you praising me."

Jiang Zhi also rather liked being praised, but meeting that reptilian‑like icy, inorganic gaze, there was not a hint of fondness for her in the depths of its eyes; it looked more like the stare of a dying, struggling prey.

As expected, she glanced at the system's numbers.

So far, its Love Points toward her were still just zero.

Since it's zero, why hasn't it killed her, yet calls her its mate?

Eighty percent of the reason is Yun Jin's old perverted consciousness at work.

Even without any memories, the soul fragments would not kill her.

Jiang Zhi's breath had reached its limit; her face turned pale, her body began to struggle.

Seeing this, the mermaid brought its head close, pressing against her lips.

Jiang Zhi thought it was giving her breath; her lips slightly parted, a cold‑feeling tongue slipped in, pressing her lower jaw, the tip probing her soft cavity, the exposed skin rubbing against the mermaid's hard, icy scales, she faintly felt an unknown warmth.

She pushed it a few times; her waist crossed over the mermaid's cold, white, slick arm, firmly pressing her into its embrace, the dark‑gold exquisite fish tail clinging to her legs.

The setting sun was swallowed by darkness, sinking into the boundless ocean; in the dim, blurred vision, she peripherally caught a glimpse of the golden sheen on the fish‑tail scales wrapped around her waist, flashing like a deep‑sea treasure, beautiful as if it were the most splendid creature in the world.

Jiang Zhi, with the last shred of reason, took advantage of the mermaid's lowered guard, drew her dagger and stabbed it at its weakest point, then surged to the surface, raced toward the beach, grabbed those few protective suits, and stumbled away.