From a certain perspective, perhaps beneath the Mist Forest lies the tendrils of the Dark Territory, although adventurers have yet to find a stable entrance into this underground world.
Most of the Zor Elves in this world also reside within the Dark Territory.
"Haha, it’s certainly not a good place for you all."
Without turning around, the soft laughter of Vireis reaches my ears.
"There’s air to breathe and food is fairly abundant, but the people living underground will never see the sky in their lifeti."
"Many groups, including my clan, inherently despise creatures from above, viewing surface dwellers as slaves, consumable materials."
"They’re not as easygoing as your sister Vireis."
She gazes at the spider web before her, her eyes glowing faintly in the night, faintly reflecting the web-like white spider silk and the small spider in the corner waiting for prey to get caught.
"Spiders living in the Dark Territory are larger than those above."
"They are cold and ferocious, weaving webs that even the strongest Beastman finds hard to escape."
Buzz——
Perhaps attracted by the nearby campfire, a small fly flutters its wings and crashes straight into it.
The spider web trembles softly.
"And once the prey falls into the trap, those hairy giants lurking in the shadows will slowly crawl up, injecting venom with their sharp deadly fangs into the prey."
The spider, with fine hairs on its limbs, moves lightly on the web, its body no larger than half a palm, gradually approaching the prey.
"The venom not only paralyzes the body, depriving you of the ability to resist, but it also has strong corrosive properties, turning internal organs and flesh into a pool of sli."
On the web, the wings of the small fly twitch spasmodically, but the body’s struggle gradually slows down.
"It won’t take long, maybe after dozens of minutes, you might still look like a human on the outside, but under the skin and bones, you’ll be empty, left only with a shell."
"At that point, the spider will suck the blood-turned sli dry as if drinking soup."
As soon as she finishes speaking, Vireis suddenly turns around, staring closely at Xia Nan by the fire.
As if trying to find so expression of fear on his face.
But what Vireis sees is only Xia Nan’s inexplicable expression caused by his teammate’s strange behavior.
She can’t help but feel disappointed.
"Aren’t you scared?" She pouts, "I’ve described it in such detail, and it’s nightti in the Mist Forest; any normal person would have so reaction, right?"
Xia Nan smiles and shakes his head.
He certainly won’t tell Vireis that when he heard the word "food," his thoughts had already started to drift away.
Thinking about whether mushrooms grown in the Dark Territory would taste better than those above.
He heard there might be strange creatures like Mushroom n (Mushroom People); he wonders if they can be eaten.
As for the rest of what Vireis said, he only listened to it fuzzily.
He opened his mouth, about to respond casually.
"Ding pong!"
A sharp noise suddenly pierces through the forest not far away.
It’s the sound made when a warning trap is triggered.
They had just started to sleep, and without needing Xia Nan’s reminder, Cash and Mint are awakened by the noise, jumping up, instantly on guard.
They swiftly and silently arrange themselves in formation, gathering in the brightly lit camp.
While watching the direction where the sound ca from, they also cautiously observe the surrounding bushes.
They certainly won’t leave the area illuminated by the firelight and venture into the dimly lit grove, which would only make the situation more dangerous.
Initially, defending their position and waiting; if no attacker appears, then plan what to do next.
Rustle——
Accompanied by a rush of footsteps, the fog envelops the area, making the shrubs tremble.
Everyone’s hearts tighten along with it.
"Bang!"
Fallen leaves mix with broken branches abruptly exploding.
What ets their eyes is a stag as tall as an adult’s chest, its four long hooves appearing tense.
Suddenly frightened by the unexpected firelight, it unconsciously steps back two paces.
Imdiately, a small knife not laced with poison, ant for dissecting the corpse, erges from the shadows beside it.
Precision and decisively, it pierces the heart.
A single lethal strike.
The impact sends the stag’s entire body tumbling sideways, unable to struggle, with no chance of escape.
Just a few kicks with its four hooves, only to turn into a warm corpse.
Holding the knife, wiping the remaining blood off its blade on the stag’s fur.
Vireis crosses over with her long legs, her pointed leather boots firmly pressing on the corpse’s head.
"Thought we encountered another attack."
"Damn, scared half to death!"
Seeing this, Cash, gripping his blue-gray Stone Spear tightly at the front of the team, visibly relaxes.
Reaching out for a signal, seemingly wanting to say sothing.
From behind, however, cos a short, incisive voice.
"Return."
Expression serious, the iron-gray blade of the Beheading Longsword reflects the orange-red firelight, Xia Nan speaks.
Though puzzled inside, there’s no questioning or hesitation.
Once on the edge of the camp, Vireis’ tall figure flashes back into the team.
"Not just this one."
Xia Nan explains briefly.
As soon as he finishes, the three around him, including Mint, instantly beco alert.
His outstanding Perception Ability has beco an acknowledged fact within the Sea Thorn Squad over the past month of teaming.
Though he appears to be from a "warrior" class, his perception is sharper than Mint, who cos from a "Druid" subclass.
Thus, at this mont, no one doubts Xia Nan’s judgnt.
Even as ti passes slowly, and surroundings grow quieter with no other sound.
They maintain formation, keeping vigilant.
The patience of wild beasts is always limited.
The Sea Thorn Squad doesn’t wait long.
A few minutes, or maybe even just several seconds.
Rustle——
Far louder than the stag’s previous noises, movent cos from all directions of the forest.
It is only now other mbers of the group realize what’s hidden around them.
"Roar!"
The first to charge out of the forest is a thick-skinned, stinking foul-scented, mud-armored long-haired boar.
Like a small tank, bulldozing through the underbrush, heading straight for the group.
Its size is slightly smaller than the one Xia Nan previously killed, but it doesn’t move much more agile, naturally restrained by Xia Nan’s combat style.
It doesn’t even require teamwork, he can handle this one alone easily.
A few seconds is all it takes to end the battle.
But at this mont, neither Xia Nan nor Cash and Vireis dares to act rashly.
Because along with the boar charging out, a pair of either cunning, or ferocious, or icy eyes quietly appear in the deep dark night.
They may vary in size and shape, but what they share is the savage beast nature within.
Like a radar map, in Xia Nan’s perception, small dots densely populate the dim-lit forest around, centered on the camp.
One warning trap after another triggered, yet they’ve lost all significance.
He can feel the surface of his skin, particularly concentrated around vital areas like the heart or neck, those countless gazes treating him as prey, laden with murderous intent.
His extrely sharp perception makes his skin crawl with goosebumps.
And before him, moving on four stout short legs, confidently roaring as the long-haired boar charges towards them.
Along with Cash’s shout that shakes eardrums:
"Prepare for battle!!!"
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