The zoologist shook his head, voice trembling despite his training.
"It does exist This is the largest centipede species known Specimens exceeding thirty centimeters are documented Some reach close to fifty in rare cases Venomous Extremely aggressive It hunts birds reptiles even small mammals"
The centipede lunged forward suddenly.
A man fired in pure reflex.
The shot cracked through the forest like thunder.
That single gunshot shattered what little calm remained.
Multiple guns fired at once, bullets tearing into the creature's armored body. It writhed violently, legs thrashing, venomous mandibles snapping at empty air. The sound it made was wet and sharp, something between a hiss and a crack.
Miles did not move.
He only watched.
The centipede collapsed after several seconds, its massive body twitching before going still. Bullet holes peppered its segments, dark fluid seeping into the soil.
Silence returned slowly.
