He leaped down the stairs, but his momentum was too great. He lost his footing, twisted his ankle, and tumbled to the ground with a THUD. The sharp pain made him grunt, but an intense will to survive forced him back to his feet. He continued to flee, limping.
But as his flashlight beam cut through the darkness, he screamed. Another black-robed figure had appeared ahead, blocking his path. The monster reeked of a foul stench. Its outstretched hands were swollen, as if they had been submerged in water for a long time, and its long, black fingernails were as hard as blades.
Trapped from both front and back, the boy's face filled with despair. He leaned against the wall, trembling all over, his mind a complete blank.
Suddenly, a pale flame flared to life, illuminating the dark corridor. Zhou Chen leaped out of a fiery vortex, his fists glowing. With two quick punches, he sent the two Corrupters flying.
