The moment the shadows shuttled him through space, the nausea of spatial distortion hadn't even fully faded before a pungent stench of avian musk and the chaotic sound of flapping wings assaulted his senses.
Vic had just formed from the flickering shadow beneath Donovan's feet. Before his vision cleared, his ears were filled with a scalp-numbing, cacophonous Caw-caw!
He focused his eyes and his heart tightened slightly.
Inside this already cramped cabin, it had now become a frenzied crow's nest.
Dozens, perhaps a hundred, pitch-black crows were crazily crashing around in the limited space, as if driven by invisible whips.
Their scarlet eyes flashed with an abnormal, manic light as they lunged desperately at Donovan, who was cornered.
Feathers flew like black snowflakes. Talons and sharp beaks glinted coldly in the dim light.
Donovan had his back to the wall, arms shielding his head and face. He looked quite wretched, but for now, he was unharmed—
This was entirely thanks to several loyal Shadow Khan using their bodies as shields, guarding him tightly in the center.
They wielded ninja swords, their figures flashing like ghosts. Blade light wove a deadly net. Crows were constantly struck down, emitting shrill screams before turning into black smoke and dissipating.
But there were simply too many crows. The assault came in endless waves like a tide.
Vic watched as one ninja, exhausted from the sustained battle, was torn apart by the murder of crows, turning into green smoke and returning to the Shadow Kingdom to await rebirth.
"Ants biting an elephant to death..."
Vic murmured, frowning deeply.
In the instant he assessed the situation, a cold, slimy gaze climbed up his spine like a venomous snake.
Vic whipped his head around, his sharp gaze sweeping toward the only window in the cabin, which was covered in dust.
On the window lattice, a crow stood quietly.
It was completely different from its frenzied kin inside.
It was slightly larger, its feathers a deeper matte black that seemed to absorb light.
Most strikingly, it had only one eye. The other eye was pale, and the area around it bore scars from burns.
That single pale eye was staring dead at Vic, unblinking, with a cold scrutiny that felt almost human.
Vic narrowed his eyes. The image of the silent, one-eyed crow in the woods flashed through his mind instantly.
"That day in the woods, was it you, Cyclops, watching us too?"
His thoughts raced back. A few days ago, a hurried glance outside the Weathervane Café... the quiet crow on the roadside utility pole... it seemed to be the same one!
"Vic!"
Venom's signature raspy voice sounded from his shoulder. His giant black head formed, white eyes locking onto that one-eyed crow as well.
"Remember last semester? On the road when you first came to this ghost town, those three crows that followed us all the way... I think this guy was one of them."
Venom's tone carried a hint of realization and offended annoyance.
"I thought it was because you, my idiot host, did something wicked to anger the heavens that attracted crows... Turns out, it wasn't a coincidence at all! This feathered beast has been targeting you! Stalker!"
Vic's eyes sharpened. He raised his hand subconsciously, his palm glowing faintly red as the energy of Dragon Blast began to gather.
But sweeping his gaze over this crumbling, pitiful cabin and the still-shaken Donovan inside, he forcibly suppressed the urge to blast everything.
This was Donovan's last shelter. One Dragon Blast later, the crows would be gone, but half the house would probably collapse too.
"Tsk, troublesome."
Vic curled his lip and changed his mind instantly. He bumped Venom's protruding head with his shoulder.
"Venom, time to shine. These noisy feathered beasts—clean them up."
"Hehehe... now that's more like it!"
Hearing this, Venom let out a burst of excited, raspy laughter. His giant white eyes curved into a ferocious arc.
"Should've let me handle it sooner! Those broken Talismans are flashy and useless compared to your original partner—convenient and affordable! You use them every day, making me feel like I'm about to lose my job. My family status is in jeopardy, brother!"
While complaining about the grievance of being "cold-shouldered" recently, he surged out from Vic's neck and shoulders eagerly!
The black symbiotic substance spread rapidly like living tar, covering Vic's whole body. At the same time, it split into over a dozen thick, flexible tentacles tipped with sharp claws or hammer-like ends!
"Party time!"
Venom roared, controlling Vic's body and charging into the flock of crows like a tiger into a flock of sheep!
Tentacles danced wildly!
Some swept like whips, knocking dense clusters of crows flying like bowling pins;
Some opened gaping maws at the tips, swallowing and crushing crows directly;
Others smashed down like heavy hammers, blasting crows on the ground into pulp along with the floorboards!
His fighting style was savage, efficient, and filled with a violent aesthetic, instantly clearing a vacuum zone in the center of the cabin!
When Venom finished cleaning up the last crow in the room, a black tentacle—still wanting more—curled up a twitching crow leg and stuffed it into that giant mouth, chewing with a crunch-crunch sound.
Only then did Vic and Donovan notice that the one-eyed crow on the window lattice had vanished at some point, leaving only a few matte black feathers.
"Tsk, ran away pretty fast."
Venom mumbled in dissatisfaction. His giant white eyes scanned the messy room, his tone carrying the regret of "Didn't get to play enough."
Then, as if remembering something, he added with a hint of spite:
"Alright, trash mobs cleared. I'm going back to reproduce. Don't use those flashy Talismans all the time when there's nothing major; remember to think about the goodness of your original bro!"
With that, without waiting for Vic's response, the massive black body shrank rapidly, whoosh, retracting back into Vic.
Leaving only the faint smell of blood in the air and several cracked floorboards as proof of his existence.
Vic shrugged helplessly. He just took it as his symbiote partner throwing a small tantrum over "family status" again and didn't take it to heart.
Right now, there were more important matters.
He walked to the only dilapidated sofa in the room that was still somewhat intact and sat down heavily.
With a wave of his hand, the dutiful Shadow Khan sank silently into the shadows like melting ink and disappeared.
The cabin instantly felt much emptier, leaving only the lingering smell of burnt feathers and faint blood.
"So, Mr. Donovan."
Vic adjusted to a more comfortable posture, looking sharply at the former sheriff, who was still shaken and trying to stand steady against the wall.
"Now that the crows have flown and the trouble is temporarily 'cleaned up,' surely it's convenient to tell me—"
"—what exactly did you and your unfortunate partner investigate that would make someone so eager to silence you, even sending these feathered beasts to raid your home?"
Donovan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his face still pale.
He looked at Vic, then at the nearly destroyed cabin, a look of struggle and worry appearing on his face.
"Vic, listen... I'm grateful you saved me, really. But because of that, I can't drag you kids into this. This water is too deep, more complex and dangerous than any case I've ever handled..."
"You, Wednesday, and Enid... you should stay as far away as possible."
Hearing this, Vic rolled his eyes dramatically, his tone carrying unquestionable firmness.
"Save it, Mr. Donovan! The moment I stepped into this room and moved against those crows, I was already involved!"
"Do you think those masterminds will believe I was just passing by to buy soy sauce? We are grasshoppers on the same rope now!"