Apocalypse: Reborn with a Soul Sync Farming Space System-Chapter 181 Monsters

Ida’s grip tightened around the gun as her gaze remained fixed on the direction the sound had come from.

Her expression slowly turned into one of seriousness as the unease in her chest grew heavier with each passing second. After a brief pause, she inhaled sharply before turning toward the children.

"Stay here," she said, her voice calm but firm, carrying a weight that made both Tina and Jack straighten slightly. "Don’t move no matter what happens."

Tina looked up at her, her small brows furrowing as fear crept into her eyes, while Jack’s posture stiffened, his gaze sharpening as he tried to remain composed despite the tension building around them.

"I’m going to check what that sound was," Ida continued, her tone calm, though the slight tightening of her fingers betrayed her concern, because she knew very well that the sound could mean the soldiers they had been waiting for had found them, or something far worse that they were not prepared to face.

She did not give them time to question her decision as she reached to her side and pulled out her butcher knife, placing it firmly into Jack’s hand while holding his gaze to ensure he understood the weight of what she was asking.

"Protect her," she said quietly. "No matter what happens, you stay with her and don’t let go."

Jack’s fingers closed tightly around the knife, his jaw clenching as he nodded, determination replacing the hesitation in his eyes.

"I will."

Ida’s gaze softened for the briefest moment before returning to its earlier seriousness, and she shifted her attention to Tina, who was already clutching her clothes tightly.

"If anything happens," Ida added, her voice lowering slightly as if to emphasize every word, "you both run. Don’t look back, don’t stop, and don’t wait for me. Find somewhere safe and hide."

Tina swallowed, her small hands trembling slightly, though the fear in her eyes was impossible to hide.

"But... we should never leave anyone behind..." Tina trailed off.

Ida’s gaze softened, forcing herself to remain stern. "You are not leaving me behind... Because I will be right behind you guys."

Only then did Tina nod her head.

Ida gave them one last look before turning away, her grip tightening around the gun as she swallowed, her steps slow as she moved toward the direction of the sound, her eyes sharpening as she carefully scanned the trees ahead.

Behind her, Jack immediately stepped in front of Tina, positioning himself protectively as he held the knife with both hands, his body tense as he watched the surroundings closely.

Tina lowered herself slightly and pulled out the dagger Ling Xuan had given her, her fingers wrapping tightly around it as she tried to calm her breathing.

The forest remained quiet for a moment.

Then a deep, animalistic growl echoed through the air, low and heavy as it vibrated through the ground beneath their feet. It was far more terrifying than anything they had heard before, causing both Jack and Tina to freeze as the sound seemed to linger in the air.

The growl was not like the one the infected usually make.

Before they could react, another sound followed, the sharp snapping of wood breaking under pressure, then another, and then more, as the sounds began to echo from every direction, surrounding them as if something was moving through the forest, circling them slowly.

Ida stopped in her tracks as her body stiffened, her eyes moving quickly from one direction to another as she stepped back, placing herself firmly in front of the children. Her breathing calm despite the rapid beating of her heart as she scanned the environment carefully.

Then a pair of black eyes staring directly at her from afar. The black eyes were cold and empty as they locked onto her without hesitation, and as the creature stepped forward, its form became clearer, revealing a body shaped like a panther but far larger.

Its muscles ruffled beneath its dark skin as it moved with bloodthirst, its presence alone enough to make the air feel suffocating.

Its fangs were curved like daggers hanging down past its chin even with its mouth closed. The monster opened its mouth letting out a terrifying growl.

Ida’s eyes widened as she stared at it, her grip tightening around the gun as more movement followed, shapes emerging from thin air, circling them slowly, their eyes glowing faintly.

Tina’s fingers tightened around her dagger as her body trembled, her breath catching in her throat as fear gripped her, while Jack adjusted his stance, lowering himself slightly as he placed himself more firmly in front of her despite the tension in his hands.

Then the space behind the monsters tore open like a knife through a fabric, revealing a darker world. And from the split, more monsters stepped through.

Tina gulped, her throat tightening as her fear deepened, her small hands gripping the dagger so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. "They are coming through the air... is that a magical portal?" She asked, her voice wavering.

"Whatever it is, it is not good news for us."

Ida said before stepping forward, placing herself fully in front of them. Her shoulders trembled as she kept her gaze locked on the creatures.

"If I count from one to three," she said, her voice firm yet they carried hidden sorrow, "you run."

Her eyes did not leave the monsters as she continued.

"Jack, you and Tina must run straight back to our hideout and don’t stop."

Jack nodded, his grip tightening around the knife as he prepared himself, while Tina nodded as well, though her fear remained evident.

Ida drew in a slow breath as the monsters’ bodies brizzled, their bodies lowering as if preparing to strike.

"One," she began, her voice steady.

The growls deepened as the tension in the air thickened.

"Two," she continued, her finger tightening around the trigger.

The monsters moved slightly closer, their claws digging into the ground.

"Three."

The moment the word left her lips, Jack grabbed Tina’s hand tightly as Ida raised the gun and fired, the sound of the shot ringing through the forest as the bullet struck one of the creatures directly in the head, its body collapsing and creating a brief opening in the circle.

"Go!" she shouted as the creatures roared, their bodies lunging forward with terrifying speed as they charged toward them, their claws slashing through the air. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Jack hesitated for only a fraction of a second before pulling Tina along, their bodies moving quickly as they ran toward the opening, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws and reaching claws of the creatures that tried to intercept them.

For a brief moment, their eyes met Ida’s, before running through the gap without looking back.