The creature dragged Kana deeper into the room, its tentacles writhing with malevolent intent. She clutched her hammer, pounding the floor, but the tentacles' grip was relentless, squeezing her wrist until the weapon slipped from her hand.
"Let me go! Stop!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the room.
The creature only laughed, low and guttural. "Little lamb… you're a special toy. In the master's garden, I'll savor you slowly."
Kana was thrown to the floor, and the tentacles slithered closer. Cold and slimy, they coiled around her ankles, creeping up to her knees with a pulsing, living rhythm that sent shudders through her. The tip of one tentacle nudged her uniform's hem, grazing her thigh as she twisted away.
"Stop… it's disgusting!" she cried.
Unfazed, the creature summoned more tentacles. One snaked around her arm, slithering from wrist to elbow, pinning her to the floor with crushing force. Another brushed her neck, its icy suckers latching onto her skin, crawling slowly. Her breathing hitched, tears spilling from fear and revulsion.
A tentacle tugged at her collar, exposing her shoulder. Slime dripped, sizzling as it began to dissolve the fabric.
"No… I said stop!" she pleaded.
The creature's maw split wider, grinning. "Such a sweet voice. Scream louder… I'll wrap you up soon."
The tentacles surged, spewing white threads mixed with slime. The strands coiled around her legs, encasing her knees, layering like a cocoon. Her arms were bound, the threads creeping up her chest, locking her movements. She was nearly immobilized.
"Help… Akira…!" Her voice broke, the cocoon inching toward her neck.
Slime dripped onto her face, burning with a sharp sting. Her vision blurred white, consciousness fraying.
The creature piled on more threads, nearly sealing her in. It growled with satisfaction. "Perfect. Before I offer you to the master, I'll have my fun."
Then, a faint noise cut through—a clatter from the room's corner.
The creature turned. One of the students Kana had freed was stirring, crawling across the floor. A male student coughed, blinking in confusion. "Where… what?! Kana?!"
His voice roused the others. A female student shook off cocoon fragments and stood. "Kana saved us… What is that thing?!"
She pointed at the creature. The male student grabbed a splintered piece of wood. "Let her go!"
He hurled it, striking a tentacle.
The creature roared, redirecting its limbs toward them. "Meddling vermin… you dare interfere?"
But the students didn't flinch. United, they moved to save Kana.
One grabbed a bedpost, slamming it against the creature. Another reached for Kana's cocoon. "Hang on, Kana! We're getting you out!"
The female student tore at the threads, grasping Kana's hand. Kana's eyes flickered, her voice a whisper. "Everyone… thank you…"
They ripped away half the cocoon, freeing her arms.
As the students rallied against the creature, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the dormitory.
The night's battle was far from over.