Elena was too stunned by the monstrous snake's head to speak, and I felt the colossal creature trembling violently on my back. Its human face revealed a disturbing grin before it flicked out an elongated red tongue from its maw - ten out of ten people would mistake that for vampire saliva if they captured it on film.

Even more surreal was this gargantuan serpent bearing six legs, and when it lowered its head I glimpsed two pairs of wings sprouting from its back! What the hell is this?! The world had clearly lost all logic.

The abomination made no pretense at civility. Its body coiled toward us with deadly intent. At nearly ten meters long, if those sinews wrapped around me it would be curtains for certain. I vaulted clear just in time - but this human-faced serpent was deceptively cunning, pivoting instantly to launch another attack before its movements fully solidified.

Faced with a serpentine adversary bearing a human visage, I found myself paralyzed. Though formidable in strength, the creature's reach didn't extend my way without effort. The stalemate stretched as neither side gained advantage.

"Hehehe..." The monstrous serpent suddenly emitted mocking laughter that cut through the tension. Its expression was unmistakably scornful toward me.

A fire ignited within me then - when had I ever truly feared anyone? Was this twisted visage alone enough to cow me into inaction? My blood boiled, heart pounding like an overdriven engine pumping nutrient-rich lifeblood through my veins. Lost strength surged back instantly as I clenched my fists with satisfying cracks of resistance.

I launched myself upward while Elena clung to my back, gripping its wings as if they were handles. With a guttural roar I wrenched one pair free in an explosive motion!

The serpent howled in agony, contorting violently to fling me off. Its tail lashed out, coiling around both of us before squeezing with bone-crushing force. Elena choked under the pressure as her torso became trapped between our bodies - a torrent of milk sprayed across my back cascading down toward the small sibling pressed against my spine.

The serpent reared its head to swallow us whole, but while its coils ensnared most of me, my hands remained free. With a sudden lunge I seized both jaw halves and screamed through clenched teeth as I yanked them apart with all my might!

A sickening *crack* erupted into the air as noxious blood rained down from above. The serpent's body split down its maw in two, convulsing wildly before going limp and sliding off our bodies. Elena gasped for breath: "I almost suffocated!"

With the leader slain, the remaining serpents lost their will to fight. A thunderous roar sent them scattering through the undergrowth until only the stench of blood lingered in the air.

I stared at the severed body as I muttered: "Another bath coming up."

Elena hopped down from my back, exclaiming: "You're still thinking about baths when things are this serious? Look at it - a human face fused with snake physiology!"

Her chest was a mess of milk and serpent blood. Though her fruit shell had long been lost to the chaos, the smeared mixture obscured whatever curves might have remained. A pity.

"I'm new to this era myself," I said, "but I do know that six thousand years from now the Black Robed Order possesses terrifying metamorphic viruses. When implanted through secret methods, human hosts can transform under specific conditions."

"Viruses? Metamorphosis?"

"There are twelve disciples in the Black Robed Order I've encountered - one was a ram-tribe oracle and another a living embodiment of viral mutation. While I don't know exactly how this worked six thousand years ago, that serpent definitely shows genetic chaos in this era."

Elena nodded: "I agree with your analysis. All these abominations we've seen suggest either Earth has always been like this or some ancient civilization deliberately engineered them. Why would prehistoric humans do such things?"

"Prehistoric motives elude me," I replied, "but right now on our Earth human-animal hybrid research is already underway. Eagle Kingdom recently approved a chimera embryo experiment - though such studies existed before in other nations. If there were no extraordinary profits involved, would they risk global condemnation to conduct these experiments?"

Elena said: "Such research holds immeasurable value for science and medicine. As long as scientists maintain ethical boundaries I believe it's beneficial."

"Hehe," I smirked, "if nuclear research had maintained ethical boundaries it might have been good too - but human greed has a way of eroding all moral limits. Today's principles become tomorrow's absurdities in the endless cycle of self-destruction and creation."

Elena laughed: "Zhao Qian, you're so philosophical these days. Did you switch from being an action hero to a philosopher?"

I strode forward without looking back: "Forget it - you wouldn't understand anyway. This stench is unbearable. Let's go!"

Elena shouted after me: "Hey wait! I can't walk anymore, carry me!"

We soon found another riverbank suitable for bathing. After setting Elena down I said: "Let's rest here tonight and cleanse ourselves first. I'll return shortly with some snake meat to roast."

Elena plunged into the water exclaiming: "You're still eating its flesh?! Just looking at it makes me sick - is this thing human or snake?!"

Washing the blood off my skin, I responded: "We consume ordinary snakes without hesitation. Observing that serpent's anatomy, it lacks independent reproductive systems entirely. It isn't a natural hybrid but rather an artificial fusion of human and serpentine genetics. You can't classify it as either species - just accept it as what it is."

As she bathed, Elena asked: "Zhao Qian, do you intend to investigate this fully?"

I replied with conviction: "Absolutely! Are you afraid now?"

Elena countered: "Afraid? I'm afraid *you'll* give up halfway! With a powerful fighter like you by my side, I don't fear death itself. We've risked everything just to reach six thousand years ago - wouldn't it be a shame to return without uncovering the truth completely? Let's promise now we won't stop until our goal is achieved."

"Deal," I agreed, "as long as you don't abandon me first, I'll never give up. In fact I'd rather carry you back together - leaving you alone here gives me pause."

Elena flung her fruit shell bra into the river: "Forget it! You've already seen everything anyway. Let's go!"

Frankly speaking, part of me wished this endless prairie would stretch forever. Imagine carrying a foreign beauty dripping with milk across desolate grasslands in total nakedness - how thrilling!

Returning to our battlefield, I located some stones to cut portions from the serpent meat. Its smooth hide beckoned though - while I wanted Elena bare, if we left the prairie she couldn't remain exposed before other primitives. Such exposure was intolerable for any possessive male.

As I began peeling the serpent's hide, Elena covered her nose and groaned: "Zhao Qian what are you doing?! Don't touch that thing!"

I countered: "Will this endless grassland last forever? If we meet another man wouldn't you want them to see you like this too?"

Elena suddenly smirked: "So you're jealous now, have feelings for me then? By the way, do you have a girlfriend back home? If not I'd consider it - your looks are striking, fighting skills extraordinary, and..."

"Already taken," I answered truthfully.

Elena giggled: "Don't worry, isn't one-night stands common in your country these days? I'm getting more interested by the minute! Besides you rescued me - according to movie tropes I should give my first to a savior even if our romance won't last."

My thoughts were instantly drenched in sweat. American sexual liberation was truly extreme!

By now I had successfully peeled away an entire strip of serpent hide. After tidying up, I carried Elena back to the riverbank.

Executing another fire technique from my repertoire, I soon produced flames through friction. As we roasted snake meat around the fire, Elena whispered into my ear: "Do you think she'll add milk to her portion?"