"Do you know the location?" Haechan asked once they were out as Jeno nodded. The older had his eyes on the phone, a small smile creeping on his lips.

"It's not that far"

"That's great then" rubbing his arms a bit due to the coldness Haechan wandered his eyes around. The streets were empty. Houses were dimly lit. It felt oddly creepy to even walk by the road.

"Are you sure we'll win this?" Haechan, though he didn't want to think anything negative, couldn't help but whisper as his brother hummed.

"I'm sure we will. Let's not lose hope?"

Nodding the smaller male looked forward, his hands still on his pockets and his lower lip between his teeth. He was nervous. And that was something that surprised him. Why was he getting nervous? Even when he exited the house, even when he bid Renjun goodbye, the monster didn't have any problems. Talking to the human felt relieving.

But something did bother him. What if they won't make it out of this battle they're about to have? How will Renjun feel in their absence?

Renjun

He didn't even know but his brain was filled with the thoughts of the human who was laying in his bed, probably waiting for the two to go back. What will the human think if he won't see them on time? How will he react if he finds them dead?

But then again monsters are not immortal. Sure enough, they can't be destroyed easily but if the monster or the human, who comes across one, knows how to kill one then the chances of that monster's survival is low. Four of them knew this. If their opponent, for the night, is that skilled to the point he knows how to kill them then that'll be the end of them.

It's either them or him.

Taeyong was their group's advantage. Being the oldest among the four he had learned basics regarding how to defeat another monster. Not just that but many more, including the ways one could kill a monster.

Aim at his heart

Crawl it out

Pierce a cross and a clove of garlic

Set fire

That's what Taeyong said. The older even said that he would bring the garlic and cross with him and they need not fret.

One may ask how the monsters could carry a cross, a symbol of divine and purity if they are anything but that.

The monsters, having come across an invention called gloves have come up with the idea of one of them holding the cross using gloves. Though it wouldn't resist the pain, the direct contact with the skin would be reduced.

"It's the holy cross, something you should not touch. It'll burn you. Burn you alive" Haechan remembered the words of aunt soyeon. When enquired she had a surprise for him.

"You always ask why I cover my palm, don't you? See for yourself kiddo" she had removed the scarf covering her palm and a gasp left the little monster's mouth. The skin has burnt and there were little to no places left. It looked wrinkled and when he leaned to touch it the old woman backed away.

"Don't! It will hurt. It's been so long yet I can't get over this pain"

Haechan hummed backing away. Thereafter he had been careful enough to not come across anything holy as he didn't want to end up having hands like his aunt soyeon.

"You know we're not the ones handling the cross. Hyung does so don't worry" Jeno reassured him as the latter sighed nodding. He didn't know how long they had been walking until he saw faint figures of the two monsters.

"Both of you are finally here. Let's move quickly. We shouldn't let him slide away, you know what I'm saying right?" Taeyong started as the two nodded their heads following the elder's suit. Sungchan had been painfully quiet and this weirded out Haechan.

"Why are you so quiet?" Haechan asked as sungchan snapped out of his thoughts.

"I'm kind of afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"Will we win?" Haechan could understand the younger. Even he was going through that state of emotions but then again to not let the other down he faked a smile.

"Yes, we will. Just you wait"

"Hopefully"

"Also this doesn't mean that we're close. I still hate you"

The younger monster rolled his eyes turning away murmuring.

"Never thought so to begin with"

Offended, haechan looked at the younger.

"You do know I can hear you right?"

"I didn't intend on hiding it so-"

"Shh! We're near the territory. Keep quiet or else we'll expose ourselves"

The two were quick to shut their mouths after hearing the stern voice coming from taeyong. The male had been leading the team of four and was cautious enough to not make a sound.

"Are you sure he's around here hyung?" Jeno uttered as Taeyong hummed.

"He's hiding somewhere around here. Pretty sure about that. Now what I want you all to do is to split into teams of two and lead him to that ground right there" Taeyong said pointing towards the ground nearby as they watched in awe admiring his planning skills.

"Jeno and Haechan, go in that direction. We'll be going this way. And remember to alter his intentions and lure him into that place. I don't care what means you use as long as you get him there. We'll be waiting there if you get him."

"But how will we let you both know that we've got him?"

"Whistle thrice under the pretense of us being the ones who you want to introduce him to. Seriously I thought that I had made it clear to you sungchan" the older glared as the latter sheepishly smiled.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention
to what you said."

Shaking his head the male looked forward nudging Jeno.

"Let's go and remember to whistle. That'll be the clue that he's indeed with us."

The siblings nodded before walking towards the direction they were instructed to.

"Jen, hold my hand"

"Why?"

"I'm getting scared you idiot"

Jeno giggled a bit shaking his head.

"Haechan-ah I thought you were all brave. You were brave enough to set out from our land. This is nothing compared to that"

Well, he had a point. Haechan was ready to break the rules even if it cost his life.

"You don't understand why I'm acting like this. It's not like I'm afraid to die or something. If I die before even seeing him that would be a huge loss for me"

Rolling his eyes Jeno walked forward only to be tagged back.

"Okay...maybe I'm really afraid...we're going to face someone whom we haven't met Jen. What if he's dangerous enough to know how to kill us? What if-"

"Like I said chan, stop bothering about that. We're going to make it out. Well even if we won't make it out we're still dying together. Ain't that lovely?"

"Would be even lovelier if Jaemin joins huh?"

"Hey! Don't bring him into this"

"Fine but one question? Wouldn't you miss him once we set back to hell? And don't even try to come up with excuses. I can read you like an open book you know"

"Well, there's no point in lying" chuckling dryly Jeno faced his brother.

"I'll miss his bubble gum hair and his annoying yet charming personality. I'll miss his beautiful smile. I'll miss everything about him"

"You're so whipped my guy. How about this? Let's kidnap him!"

"That won't work. Taeyong hyung nor father will agree"

Pouting he grabbed Jeno's shoulders making him face him.

"We're going back to hell with our boys no matter what they say. Got it?"

"Got it, sir!"

Haechan smiled ruffling his hair. But as soon as he was about to reply he heard rustling nearby.

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Something's moving around the bush"

TBC

First of all a big sorry for the late update. I was planning an update spree but exams came right on time. I'm supposed to be studying now but oh well. I'll be offline btw. See you on Monday (hopefully)

And I can't believe it's the 25th chapter. I'm more than inspired to complete all of my ongoing books by the end of this February. Oof. Speaking of that the updates for monster will be from Monday to Thursday every week starting from next week. Make sure to not miss out on that. Double triple updates per day :)

Also, guys do you have any tips on how to stop browsers from lagging? The browsers I use frequently(Microsoft edge and google chrome) both keep lagging. Due to that, I can't even do my work properly.