Zorka Slavy : Rise of the Supreme Sorcerer

Chapter 4. Venomcoil

Meanwhile, the wooden cart pulling a wagon of children moved at a moderate speed. Zorka couldn't sleep all night.

The rattling wheels crossing the rocky road shook the small bodies inside the wagon. Suddenly, the cart stopped.

Slam!

The wagon door opened roughly. A bald man opened the door. Behind him, a middle-aged man was seen starting a bonfire.

"Hey, kids, wake up!" Hogs barked.

"Tsk, Hogs. Don't be rough on them. You'll only make them scared," said the man who lit the bonfire.

"Hurry up, Wellder. Those kids need to get ready now," Hogs replied sharply.

Wellder chuckled at Hogs' attitude. "Take it easy; the slave auction is tonight. We've got plenty of time. Treat them well, Hogs. Don't let them get hurt; it reduces their resale value."

This time, Hogs growled. "Yeah, yeah... I get it, old man. Now, where are their spare clothes? They need to clean up in the river so they're not all stinky."

"Just look behind the wagon. I'll prepare breakfast for them. It could be risky if they get sick from hunger during the auction," Wellder said, setting up a toaster over the campfire.

"Whatever," Hogs replied nonchalantly.

The kids inside watched silently as their two captors interacted. Fear was evident in their eyes, except for Zorka.

Since Hogs opened the door, Zorka had been observing. He assessed the situation, seemingly deep in thought, possibly planning something.

Zorka touched his belt; the poison she made in the woods was still there. Hearing the kidnappers' words, he was sure they intended to sell him and the kids.

In his original body's memory, Renata often warned about child abductors like Hogs and Wellder. Zorka's mom always cautioned him if he played outside the Kayleigh mansion.

"Watch out for child abductors. They target unsuspecting kids playing alone or those who get lost. Right now, Mom can't give you magical protection because Dad has his confined."

Zorka pondered, not because of his caring mom's advice, but wondering why her mom was confined.

The memories of the original body were hazy, as if something intentionally got erased.

Zorka snapped back when he heard Hogs yelling. The bald man ordered the kids to line up and follow his instructions.

"Line up neatly, take these clothes, clean yourselves in that river. Afterward, come back here for your breakfast.”

A piece of boys' pajama resembling a nightgown is handed to them. Hogs points to where the kids should clean up.

They're on a savanna valley with a breathtaking view. Below, there's a small river with clear water. Some trees grow near the river, adding beauty to the place.

Kids are told to bathe in a river hollow resembling a pool. The river is shallow, only up to an adult's knees, but it's suitable for the kids to clean themselves.

After handing out the clothes, Hogs warns them threateningly, "Remember, don't even think about running from us! Even though the distance from the river to the wooden train carriages where we park is quite far, we'll be keeping an eye on you. See this!"

Hogs raises his palm. Instantly, a greenish-black flash of light appears, forming a small snake figure.

A 15 cm-long snake with green scales on its back and black on its belly hisses. Its shining red eyes are menacing.

"This snake is named Venomcoil, a level 2 beastmaster creature. It's got potent poison, strong enough to take down a hundred people in a single strike.

Now, for you folks planning to take a dip in the river later, be cautious! Venomcoil won't hesitate to greet you with its fangs.

Oh, don't be surprised by the size you see now. Actually, Venomcoil has a body as big as the trunk of a centuries-old oak tree."

Hogs tossed Venomcoil into the air. Suddenly, the snake was enveloped in magical energy. Returning to its original form, Venomcoil emerged as a large snake with menacing fangs, raising its head and hissing.

Some kids screamed in fear, hugging each other spontaneously. Only Zorka widened his eyes upon seeing the true form of Venomcoil.

"Wow, in their world, that would definitely be called a magical snake!" Zorka thought to himself.

The children's cries echoed, blending with Venomcoil's hissing, as if threatening their ears.

"See that, huh? So, follow my orders! Now, head to the river without making a fuss. Venomcoil will tag along. While we'll be sitting here, watching you guys."

The kids followed Hogs' commands. Zorka reluctantly obeyed too. Despite being impressed by Hogs' beastmaster, something worried him.

"Uh-oh! How can I poison those two kidnappers?" Zorka thought, "And I didn't expect the bald guy to have a magical creature like this."

He looked up, gazing at the beastmaster snake. Venomcoil seemed aware of being observed by a child. He turned his head towards Zorka, who was standing among the kids.

Seeing Venomcoil's reaction, Zorka quickly lowered his head. However, Venomcoil sniffed something alarming from the children.

The snake sniffed a few times, flicking its tongue to sense something dangerous. Venomcoil's pupils enlarged. He sensed the presence of poison in the air, a quite dangerous one. However, he couldn't yet identify which among the kids carried the poison.

The children slowly undressed one by one. Then, they entered the river to clean themselves. Venomcoil kept an eye on each kid bathing in the river.

The atmosphere by the river was truly refreshing. A few meters from where the kids were bathing, there was a not-so-high waterfall, surrounded by tall and lush trees.

While scrubbing his body, Zorka gazed towards the waterfall. He felt something pressing from behind the waterfall, as if there was an electric current flowing, sending shivers through his entire body.

"There's something behind that waterfall," Zorka thought.

However, Zorka's attention shifted after hearing the cries of other children. Venomcoil went berserk, hissing at the kids.

"Psssssh, whose clothes are these? Answer or I'll eat you!" Venomcoil threatened.

None of the kids claimed the clothes hanging from Venomcoil's tail, except Zorka, who remained calm upon realizing that a beastmaster could speak.

Hogs, observing the threat from Venomcoil in the distance, approached the river.

"Wooo, big snake. Easy there!" Hogs said, patting Venomcoil's scaly back.

Venomcoil hissed again.

"Look at this, sir! A child hiding poison. Seems like one of these kids has prepared a defense."

Venomcoil tossed the clothes onto the ground near Hogs' feet. Some poison concoctions spilled onto the ground.

"These poisons are well-crafted, sir. One of them can even rival my venom," Venomcoil said.

Hearing this, Hogs' eyes turned cold. A chilly, murderous aura emanated from the bald man.

Zorka, eavesdropping on the conversation between two beings from different realms, was startled.

“Damn! My crafted poison is exposed!”