I put on new clothes as Bailey and I kept talking about the strange creatures we’d just tangled with. We figured they were probably chowing down on the adamantine, which would explain their weird gold coloring. It looked like they’d even figured out how to use the stuff, just like the Mesoselenians.


    “Well, as long as that machine keeps pumping it out, they’ve got an all-you-can-eat buffet. “It’ll just take them a while to build up another stockpile,” I said with a grin.


    “So, which way’s up now?” I asked, turning to Bailey.


    “Seems that way, alright,” Bailey replies, pointing towards a tunnel branching off to the side.


    We got to our feet and headed towards it. I stopped Bailey again. “This place is awfully quiet… again,” I reminded him, a little uneasy. I told him to keep his mask handy and to keep an eye on his device. We proceeded cautiously into the tunnel, thankfully free of the blue fog this time.


    But a familiar, eerie blue glow emanates from the tunnel’s end. What isn’t familiar is the cacophony of heavy breathing, gnawing, and a disturbingly wet, nipping sound.


    Did we stumble into an underground monster park? Why are there so many creatures down here?


    Another nest… this time packed with at least half a dozen rodent-like creatures. These creatures are even larger than the slugs we had encountered before. They have no eyes, but possess a large snout and massive ears.


    "What in the world is goin'' on with the size of everything here?" Bailey exclaimed, eyes wide.


    “So, what are these now?” I asked with a sigh.


    When could we just get back to safety? This adventure was seriously overstaying its welcome.


    "Looks like a nest of Umbrynus. They must''ve dug these tunnels. And looks like they''re havin'' a snack. That blue goo...well, that''s what''s left over after they''re done eatin''." Bailey said after a closer look.


    Ewww…. I remember touching and smelling it when we came across it before… Double ewww.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    A closer inspection revealed a network of tunnels branching off from the main nest. It looked like a subterranean highway system built by oversized, blind moles with questionable interior design skills.


    “Any idea which way we should go?” I asked Bailey as he swept his device around, hoping for a technological miracle.


    "Sorry, can''t tell ya this time. Too many tunnels, and I can''t figure out which one''s got the fresh air. Too much air movin'' around." Bailey said, shaking his head.


    As we considered our decidedly limited options, the glowing blue goo scattered around the nest abruptly began to evaporate, like a scene from a low-budget horror movie. Simultaneously, a deafening alarm blared from Bailey’s device. He frantically fumbled for his mask.


    “Turn it off!” I yelled, already bracing myself for the inevitable. But it was too late. By the time Bailey finally silenced the alarm with a frustrated grunt, we were completely enveloped by the blue fog, and the Umbrynus, alerted by the sonic boom emanating from Bailey’s device, had surrounded us.


    I yanked the laser gun from my bag and fired at the largest rodent, hoping for a disabling shot, or at least a good scare. The oversized rat twitched to the side, and while its armor-like fur scorched, emitting a rather unpleasant burnt-hair smell, the blast didn’t penetrate.


    I tossed the gun to Bailey. “Don’t worry about me, just shoot anything that gets too close!”


    I punted a smaller rat away like a furry football as Bailey scrambled to escape the encircling horde. It squeaked indignantly and bounced off a tunnel wall.


    The massive rat I’d shot earlier—now sporting a stylishly singed patch of fur—swiped at me with its claws. I didn’t bother moving, taking the hit full-on. Sparks flew, and the rat’s claws shattered against me like cheap plastic toys.


    Of course they did. What was I expecting? A scratch?


    The other rats tried to body-slam and pile on, but I dodged nimbly, narrowly avoiding each clumsy attack. I retaliated with a flurry of punches and kicks, connecting squarely with several rodent snouts. It was less a terrifying monster attack and more like a chaotic, furry mosh pit.


    However, Bailey was having a rough time of it. The laser gun was keeping the rats at bay, but the fog was still messing with his breathing and vision.


    Suddenly, the rats changed direction, charging Bailey en masse. He panicked and held down the trigger, a searing red beam lancing out. The rats scattered in every direction, several sporting fresh burns on their faces. Bailey watched in horror as the continuous blast overheated the weapon, causing it to sputter and die.


    Seizing the opportunity, I slid under a larger rat, bracing myself with my arms and one leg before launching a powerful upward kick with the other. My foot connected with the rodent’s abdomen, and it shrieked in pain. A geyser of crimson liquid erupted, thoroughly drenching me.


    Lovely. Just lovely. Now I’m covered in… rat juice.