《Starting Out As A Goblin Summoner》


 Chapter 1

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Worldwide breaking news: At ten past two in the afternoon, Flame Country Capital time, a sinkhole incident occurred at the country of Adolid, with an entire city disappearing mysteriously, replaced by a gigantic crater¡­¡±


    Though the incident was reported on the international news channel, hardly anyone noticed it. After all, people mostly use their smartphones or computers and rarely watched TV these days¡ªespecially at 3 PM.


    ***


    Flame Country, Mountain Water City.


    ¡°Oh, Yining, the flowers here at home are blossoming! It¡¯s that pot of peonies you brought home a few years ago¡ªit¡¯s so beautiful!¡± Chen Yining¡¯s father spoke from the other end of the phone.


    ¡°But I¡¯ve been working overtime recently, Dad. I won¡¯t be returning home on Labor Day, so ask Brother if he would,¡± Chen Yining replied, holding his phone between his ear and shoulder while sketching with CAD on his computer.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s alright¡­ you two should focus on your work. By the way, your mom and I joined a square dance group, and we would go on outstation trips from time to time¡ª¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m hanging up if there¡¯s nothing important since there¡¯s a lot of work to be done here.¡± Chen Yining cut his father¡¯s babbling short.


    Whenever his father gets going, he would never stop.


    Another brief silence ensued from the other end of the phone.


    ¡°I know you brothers are busy, so I won¡¯t bother you¡­ do your best, and don¡¯t tire yourself out.¡±


    Yining¡¯s mother could be heard from the other end as well, saying, ¡°You codger! Why would you hang up so quickly? I haven¡¯t spoken to my son yet!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s busy, don¡¯t bother him¡­¡± Yining¡¯s father seemed to still be talking to her when the phone call was cut off after a series of beeps.


    Chen Yining placed the phone on a nearby table and stared uneasily at the computer screen in front of him.


    After spacing out for a while, he collected his thoughts and went back to work.


    Humans need to work.


    At the same time, Chen Yining made up his mind to go home during the Dragon Boat Festival no matter what.


    If his boss insisted on him working overtime¡­ he would have to beg a little.


    Being an average university student who had graduated less than three years ago, he now works at an advertisement company¡ªthough it was in fact just a studio.


    They would usually take up various jobs that were related to sketching and designing indiscriminately.


    While the base salary was not high, the commission was a winner. A little hard work and Yining would earn more than enough money to survive at a tier-two city like this one, even saving a considerable amount if he lived frugally.


    Crack-boom~


    There was a sudden clap of thunder from outside the window.


    The skies instantly turned dark.


    However, it was not the pure darkness like night time.


    Instead, it was the interior of the building that was suddenly engulfed in darkness, and only the laptop screen in front of Chen Yining remained lit.


    Suddenly, a bundle of myriad-colored light appeared before him and entered his body directly.


    It happened so quickly Chen Yining thought it was an illusion.


    Then, a round a minute later, the skies outside the window were bright once again.


    Chen Yining whipped out his phone to call his younger brother about what happened.


    Like him, Chen Jing worked at Mountain City as well.


    Being a student specializing in sports, he became a PE teacher in a high school after graduation thanks to his connections.


    Naturally, he was still on probation at the moment.


    However, Chen Yining soon noticed that his phone had no signal just as he was about to make the call.


    The signal was at zero bars.


    No connection¡­ but why? There would be a 2G network even if signals were weak, not to mention that Chen Yining lived in a huge city of over six million.


    Frowning in thought, he then picked up his keys and left his rented house to knock on the door next door.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± A forceful man¡¯s voice could be heard from within.


    ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Chen Yining replied.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Yining.¡± The door opened and the landlord came out in his slippers, wearing a white singlet. He appeared to be in his forties with beard stubble growing over his face, and he asked with a smile, ¡°What is it, did the darkness suddenly frighten you?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re all men here¡ªwhy would we be frightened?¡± Chen Yining replied, unable to decide if he should laugh or cry. ¡°I wanted to borrow your phone to call my brother.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. Here.¡± The landowner took out his black phone from his trouser pocket, unlocked it and handed it to Chen Yining.


    However, just as Chen Yining tried to make a call, he realized his landlord¡¯s phone had no signal either¡­


    Puzzled, the landlord shook and knock his phone around a little. ¡°Weird. Why would there be no signal? Maybe there¡¯s a problem with one of the nearby towers¡ªit would be fixed soon enough.¡±


    ¡°Which school does your younger brother attends?¡±


    ¡°City Eight High.¡±


    ¡°Huh? My daughter goes to the same school, and it¡¯s not far from here. What year is your younger brother in?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a student, but a PE teacher¡­¡± Chen Yining cleared his throat.


    ¡°Oh, a teacher? City Eight High is not a bad place. Do ask your brother to take care of my daughter¡­ oh, and you could use my electric scooter if you are heading there¡ªyou know which, right? The one parked at lot number three downstairs.¡± The landowner headed into his bedroom before coming out again, then passed Chen Yining a key.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Who wouldn¡¯t encounter emergencies when working far from home?¡± The landlord chuckled cheerfully.


    The landowner¡¯s electric scooter was pink and appeared utterly girly, even having a plastic sculpt of a husky¡¯s head attached to its rear.


    Chen Yining heard that it was chosen by the landowner¡¯s daughter.


    Though a divorcee, the landowner¡¯s face was very blissful whenever his daughter was mentioned.


    Nonetheless, Chen Yining felt a pang in his chest just as he inserted the key to the electric scooter and was about to start it.


    A blue light shot out, and a half-meter-long yellow-bronze tome hovered before him.


    Its cover was filled with uneven patterns and it opened itself to reveal three white pages.


    Then, a surge of information poured into Chen Yining¡¯s mind.


    The tome was known as the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, and every person in the city had one.


    They could summon beasts into reality that existed permanently through the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Of course, there were Summoner¡¯s Grimoires that dismissed a summon.


    Everyone would also be allowed to summon a normal one-starred beast at random, which was the starting welfare given to all summoners.


    However, each white page only permitted the storage of a single summoned beast.


    And that was all the information given.


    There was no mention about how one would acquire new summoned beasts or the other functions of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Despite his inward shock, Chen Yining appeared as calm as water.


    He put his fingertip on the first page of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    A ripple pattern unfurled at the point where his fingertip touched.


    Then, a black dot expanded endlessly at the precise center of the white page.


    Then, the outline of the blackness became obvious.


    It was a humanoid summoned beast.


    Its ears were pointy, it had a hunched back, and its limbs were thin.


    As if the page was dyed like an ink painting, the colors slowly became bright and Chen Yining finally saw the face of what he had summoned.


    Having been a gamer during his university days, he identified it immediately.


    It seemed to be a¡­ goblin?!


    More information appeared in Chen Yining¡¯s head, and he instantly understood how to summon the beast in his grimoire to reality.


    He needed no words, and only had to think it.


    The picture of the goblin in his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire hence turned into a flash that entered the real world.


    With that, a green-skinned goblin that stood just short of Chen Yining¡¯s chest appeared before him.


    Its skin appeared a little shriveled, and it looked quite skinny because of malnutrition. Also, both its ears and nose were pointy and its eye was quite red, while its mouth, much larger than a human¡¯s, parted to reveal frighteningly white, sharp teeth.


    It was holding a sharpened tree branch with its right hand and it was very hunched.


    ¡°Master!¡± the goblin squawked loudly at Chen Yining upon seeing him.


    ¡°Is that your mount? So cool! As expected of my master¡ªeven your mount is so cool.¡± It then carefully touched the electric scooter Chen Yining was riding.


    At the same time, everyone in the city had their grimoires floating before them.


    Panic, fear¡ªvarious emotions spread and grew in the city.


    Cars on the roads collided.


    Pedestrians slipped and dropped on their bottoms.


    Ancient folks would be crying out as if they were meeting the gods, but the people had much better tolerance in modern societies, where there was constant overflow of information.


    Once they realized that the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire did not harm them, some of the bolder people would summon their own beast and interact with them.


    If anything, their fear was out of concern of becoming freaks if they were the only individuals who possessed the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    However, if everyone else had one and they were nothing special, they did not have to worry about being nabbed and dissected.


    Though there were some who were still afraid, they calmed down considerably when they saw that the people around them had summoned their beasts, and that those beasts were following their master¡¯s orders instead of attacking them.


    It seemed that¡­ summoning those beasts was not as frightening as they had thought?

 Chapter 2

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The goblin started to prattle on the moment it was summoned and appeared interested in everything around itself. Moreover, it did not appear to question Chen Yining¡¯s identity, and appeared to acknowledge him as its master the instant it was summoned.


    Lines of text appeared on the right side of the goblin¡¯s page in the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire. Chen Yining obviously did not know it, but somehow directly understood its meaning.


    [Beast Name: Goblin]


    [Current Level: 1 (0/100)


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Race: Goblin]


    [Introduction: Goblins are extremely cowardly but cruel omnivores. They enjoy wild parties and bully the weak but fear the strong.]


    [Race Talent: They are very likely to run away when they sense danger.]


    [Bond (Goblin)]


    [(1) Increase in strength by 10% when there are more than 3 goblins.]


    [(2) Increase in strength by 20% when there are more than 6 goblins.]


    [(3) Increase in strength by 30% when there are more than 10 goblins.]


    [Summary: Let¡¯s party, runt!]


    ***


    So, this is the beast I summoned?


    Chen Yining pinched the green-skinned cheek to ensure that he was not dreaming.


    It had no HP bar, nor was there specific stats such as attack or armor.


    The only thing that resembled stats was ¡®bond¡¯.


    But what did bond here mean? Did that mean that if he summoned more than three goblins, they would have an increase in strength by 10%?


    Still, this goblin seemed a little weak. How could he focus on developing a minion hunted by newbies in all major games?


    Whatever the case may be, it was his first summoned beast and it was special to him.


    ¡°How about I name you Green Skin?¡± Chen Yining told the goblin then.


    Seeing that Chen Yining was staring at him, the goblin promptly squawked, ¡°Master, the name you¡¯ve given is wonderful! I like it so much!


    Then, it raised its stick high, looking as if it would smite anyone who disagreed.


    ¡°Crouch,¡± Chen Yining said then.


    The beast appeared taken aback, but tamely dropped to a crouch and used both hands to clutch its head.


    ¡°Stand up.¡±


    The goblin stood up obediently, picking up its stick.


    ¡°Sing a song.¡±


    Understanding Chen Yining¡¯s intention through the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, it started singing about its joys and sorrows with a shrill voice.


    Chen Yining muffled his ears. ¡°Alright, stop.¡±


    The goblin promptly stopped wailing and continued to stand where it was, staring guilelessly at Chen Yining.


    It appeared a little wretched, but it was at least obedient.


    ¡°Little sycophant,¡± Chen Yining chuckled in satisfaction.


    Nonetheless, he was about to let Green Skin get on the electric scooter as well since it was a two-seater, when he remembered something.


    He would have to sit up front to drive, while the goblin would be wrapping its arms over his waist from the back seat¡­


    Why did that feel so weird?


    ¡°Return inside the grimoire for now. I¡¯ll summon you later.¡± Chen Yining said.


    Green Skin appeared helpless, even assuming that it had somehow incurred its master¡¯s displeasure.


    Still, it shrunk its neck just as Chen Yining turned his eyes toward it.


    After withdrawing Yining inside the grimoire, Chen Yining rode the electric scooter out of the car park.


    He noticed along the way to the school that the power was out for most roads.


    On the street, an old woman tried to summon her beast, and it turned out to be another green-skinned goblin.


    But did she ever encounter such freakishness before? She naturally dropped on her bottom in fright, her hand shaking as she pointed at the goblin, muttering, ¡°M-Monster¡­¡±


    On the streets, there were many others who had familiars following them around as well.


    All at once, the city seemed to have become a playground of fantasy.


    Young people had better adaptability, and since the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire was not constrained to just a few people, they soon got used to it.


    As Chen Yining passed by the zebra crossing and stopped his scooter in front of the school gates, he saw many parents waiting outside City Eight High, with some of them parking their vehicles on both sides of the road.


    Why were there so many parents?


    Chen Yining sensed something foreboding.


    Both the main gate and the smaller entrance were closed. Outsiders were not allowed in either since school was still in session.


    ¡°My younger brother is a teacher. Could you let in me in?¡± Chen Yining asked one of the security guards at the school entrance, sliding him a cigarette.


    Though he did not smoke, Chen Yining usually carried around a pack of cigarettes since having it usually made speaking to strangers easier.


    The security guard gave Chen Yining a look and took the cigarette. ¡°What¡¯s your young brother¡¯s name?¡¯


    ¡°Chen Jing.¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment.¡± The security guard lifted a notebook from nearby.


    ¡°He has just joined the school this year and is on probation.¡±


    After confirming Chen Jing¡¯s details, the security guard allowed Chen Yining in after registering his ID.


    Although Chen Yining had no idea where Chen Jing¡¯s office was, he simply asked a few people and soon found it.


    ¡°Eh, Brother? Why are you here?¡± By chance, Chen Jing was not having classes and getting a drink from the water dispenser. He appeared quite surprised to see Chen Yining.


    Chen Jing was a head taller than Chen Yining. Standing at 1.9 meters tall, he appeared outstandingly robust.


    He had also shaved his hair inch-length, revealing his thick brows and large eyes that were a genetic trait of the Chen family.


    ¡°It went dark just now, so I came to see you in case something happened.¡± Chen Yining said. ¡°I¡¯m relieved to see that you¡¯re alright.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that. I was actually going to visit you after school too.¡± Chen Jing grinned.


    There was clicking of heels behind Chen Yining then¡ªit was a woman in a gray formal jacket and shoulder-length hair, holding a document folder as she entered the office. ¡°The administration has just informed that all remaining physical education classes for the day are canceled.¡±


    The PE teachers in the office all nodded calmly, gesturing that they were aware.


    They were already used to it.


    ¡°The higher-ups are still having a discussion, so don¡¯t leave the office yet since there might be new developments.¡± With that, the woman left the office.


    ¡°Brother, do you have that Summoner¡¯s Grimoire?¡± Chen Jing gave Chen Yining a look just then, and called out his just as he spoke.


    That was the first time Chen Yining had seen another person¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire from up close.


    ¡°Of course. Didn¡¯t it give the information that everyone would have one?¡± Chen Yining brought out his own Summoner¡¯s Grimoire as well. He had seen many others call forth their own summoned beasts on the way here, but it was mostly the same summoned beasts¡ªperhaps for starters, the standard summoned beasts were goblins.


    At this level, the summoned beast¡¯s ability to fight was more or less equal to an average person¡¯s.


    As the brother¡¯s observed each other¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, they realized that there was not that much of a difference.


    However, the shapes and lines on the covers were a little different.


    Chen Jing then called forth his own beast.


    It was almost the same as Chen Yining¡¯s goblin, though its ears were larger and pointier than Green Skin¡¯s, while its eyes were smaller and its skin was yellow.


    It was almost around 1.4 meters tall, just like Green Skin.


    However, Chen Jing¡¯s summoned beast wore a black belt and brown, torn shirt, along with a pair of old yellow pants beneath. The front end of its boots was also worn out, leaving its toes exposed.


    Though it appeared miserable and dressed just like a beggar, it was at least much better than primitive creatures like goblins.


    ¡°That¡¯s your summoned beast?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a gnome!¡± Chen Jing laughed. ¡°Did you know, Brother? When I was teaching a class at the field, everyone suddenly had a book fly out of their chest, almost scaring the students to death. Still, some of the braver students yelled ¡®there¡¯s no fate but what we make¡¯¡ªwhich almost killed me.¡±


    Chen Jing then showed Chen Yining the information on the first page of his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, but all he saw was a blank page.


    Likewise, Chen Jing only saw a blank page when he looked at Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    ¡°Okay, it seems that each person can only read the contents of their own Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, so let me read it to you.¡± The brothers had moved their conversation to a safe corridor.


    [Beast Name: Gnome]


    [Current Level: 1 (0/100]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Race: Gnome]


    [Introduction: A diminutive species adept at crafting, gnomes are incredibly intelligent, but also indifferent and selfish.]


    [Race Talent: Crafting speed +1]


    [Bond (Gnome):]


    [(1) +1 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 2 gnomes.]


    [(2) +2 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 4 gnomes.]


    [(3) +3 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 8 gnomes.]


    [Summary: I am the great gnome, ye filthy inferior races!]

 Chapter 3

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The brothers spoke a bit more when shouts could be heard, calling Chen Jing over.


    Returning inside his office, Chen Jing asked, ¡°What¡¯s up, Bro Xu?¡±


    The one called Bro Xu was a PE teacher nearing thirty.


    ¡°Xiao Li from admin just came by. School will be on break and there won¡¯t be classes starting tomorrow, although there will be a meeting for teachers tomorrow afternoon. PE teachers like us may leave,¡± Xu Mingzhi said.


    ¡°Alright. Thanks, Bro Xu, I¡¯ll treat you to something nice someday.¡± Chen Jing smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go eat for now,¡± Chen Yining told Chen Jing then.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell Mom and Dad that you¡¯re busy at work for the day?¡± Chen Jing asked.


    ¡°I am¡ªmore clients during holidays, but I¡¯m definitely going home during the Dragon Boat Festival.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tire yourself out and take care of your health. Don¡¯t earn so much money that you¡¯d only end giving it off to someone else,¡± Chen Jing teased.


    ¡°Shush. I was going to treat you to a feast, but now I¡¯m not!¡± Chen Yining shot back, smiling. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going home either?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see what the school¡¯s arrangement is. I¡¯m going home if there¡¯s a long break¡­ wait, what feast were you talking about, Brother?¡±


    ¡°Game! Ever had grilled hare?¡± Chen Yining asked.


    ¡°Not really, but I¡¯ve seen pictures.¡±


    Giving Chen Jing a ride on his landlord¡¯s pink electric scooter back to his place, Chen Yining went upstairs and returned the keys back to the landlord.


    ¡°The school might be on break starting tomorrow? Okay, got it¡ªthanks, Yining.¡± His landlord gave him a friendly wave.


    After returning downstairs, Chen Yining and Chen Jing hailed a cab to go to a restaurant, but there were none passing by.


    It took a long time for them to stop one.


    ¡°Red Lane, up the northern suburbs,¡± Chen Yining replied after they got on and the driver asked them where their heading.


    For some reason, the driver promptly shook his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s too far and I¡¯m changing shifts soon, kiddo¡ªget another car!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out of gas too and I need to refuel,¡± the driver added when he saw that the brothers were not getting off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I would know what time you change shifts after living around these parts for so long, Driver? It¡¯s half past three to five, and the dashboard shows that you¡¯re still at half-tank,¡± Chen Yining said, pointing at the oil indicator.


    The driver¡¯s expression stiffened at that. Realizing that he had run into the real deal, he could not help saying miserably, ¡°Don¡¯t put me on the spot, kiddo. Ask another driver if you don¡¯t believe me¡ªno one dares to head out to the suburbs now!¡±


    ¡°Are you taking us for thugs?! We live in a society of rules, and there are cameras in taxis these days. What do you have to worry about this early in the day?¡± Chen Jing was getting a little impatient and was speaking rather discourteously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean it that way.¡± The driver hesitated for a moment, before saying carefully, ¡°The city administrators are forbidding our taxis from going to the suburbs¡ªthe order was just issued just now.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, I heard from other drivers returning from the suburbs that forests surround the suburbs now, and the highways are all blocked!¡±


    ¡°Forests? No way, did those trees suddenly grow out?¡±


    ¡°I heard from one of the drivers that it appeared right after the sky turned dark, and that there¡¯s no way out of the city now.¡±


    Chen Jing noticed an important point at that. ¡°You drivers can still communicate with other? Can your phone receive a signal?¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t¡ªit seems that no one is getting any signal now. The same thing is happening throughout Mountain Water City, but we taxi drivers can still keep in touch since we have walkie-talkies.¡± The driver took his out to show them then.


    Chen Yining¡¯s heart sunk nonetheless. It was simply outrageous to have an entire tier-two city¡¯s network paralyzed¡ªit was basically impossible.


    ¡°Where did you get your walkie-talkie, Driver?¡±


    ¡°Online.¡± The driver smiled. ¡°With logistics as advanced as it is now, we naturally buy everything online if we could. Still, I know a place if you two want a pair¡ªTrade City.¡±


    ¡°Drive us there, then,¡± Chen Yining said.


    ¡°Sure. I won¡¯t put the meter on, then, and I¡¯ll charge you thirty bucks,¡± the driver said.


    ¡°How about I pay you three hundred bucks and reserve your car for the afternoon?¡± Chen Yining said.


    The driver thought about it and soon agreed.


    ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t really earn much actually, and that¡¯s about the amount I earn running around for a whole afternoon,¡± he explained.


    ¡°So, Trade City it is, then?¡± The driver moved efficiently, promptly releasing the handbrake and jamming his foot down on the pedal.


    ¡°Brother?¡± Chen Jing was puzzled.


    ¡°Just play along. We need to buy some stuff first,¡± Chen Yining told him.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Chen Jing said nothing else; he trusted his brother.


    ¡°What was that about the forests surrounding all of the city, driver?¡± Meanwhile, Chen Yining continued talking to the driver, jumping erratically between different topics.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure either, but that¡¯s what the other drivers were saying through the walkie-talkies. They are saying that trees had grown out of the highways heading out of the city¡ªin fact, it¡¯s not just the highways, since every road heading outside the city is now forest.¡±


    ¡°It is so weird that there¡¯s no telling if it¡¯s real.¡± Chen Jing appeared doubtful.


    ¡°Hehe! I didn¡¯t believe it at first either, but you two should have that Summoner¡¯s Grimoire or whatnot right now, don¡¯t you?¡± The driver carefreely gossiped with the brothers. ¡°Think about it. Having a forest surrounding the city is not that hard to accept when something else so mystical has appeared, right? Haha.¡±


    Static suddenly could be heard from the driver¡¯s walkie-talkie.


    Then, a panicked voice spoke, ¡°Don¡¯t head to the suburbs, don¡¯t bother with making spare change over there! Someone has just died there!¡±


    There appeared to be no deceit in the voice.


    Then, concerned voices asked after him.


    ¡°Old Huang, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Where are you right now?¡±


    ¡°Nothing has happened to you, has it?¡±


    It was after a long time that Old Huang¡¯s relieved voice could be heard from the walkie-talkie. ¡°I¡¯m alright since I sped off and escaped. I¡¯m telling you¡ªI advised him not to, but he offered to pay more, though it¡¯s orders from above. In the end, he told me he would pay fifty bucks more, and that he lives right at the edge of the city, just a little short of the highway exit. So, thinking that it would be alright, I drove him there. He paid and left, while I got off as well because I was feeling thirsty and went to get a bottle of water from the convenience store nearby.¡±


    ¡°That was when I saw a bunch of those green-skinned midgets dashing out of the forest and bludgeoning him as if they were crazy.¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about the goblins?¡± Another driver interrupted over the walkie-talkie just then¡ªthe description matched his summoned beast.


    ¡°Goblin? You know their names?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the summoned beast called forth from the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.¡±


    ¡°Huh. I think it¡¯s true now that you¡¯ve mentioned it.¡±


    ¡°No way. What grudge could there be? Is there a bunch of people hiring killers for money?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s horrible.¡±


    The drivers discussed away over their walkie-talkies, and all of them believed that the goblins were summoned creatures because of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    ¡°At first, the man was protected by a halo around his body and he had sent out his own summoned beast as well, but the poor thing was killed immediately and the halo gone. After that, the goblin charged at me as well, so I promptly drove off.¡±


    Chen Yining and Chen Jing traded glances as they listened to the driver¡¯s conversation.


    They were suddenly glad that they were both in the same city to take care of each other.


    After arriving at Trade City, the driver parked the car and got off with the brothers. They had not paid after all¡­ what if they ran off?


    It took trips between several shops to find one selling walkie-talkies, and the owner even claimed that he was the only one to sell them in the entire city.


    ¡°Huh, there¡¯s still electricity here, even though it¡¯s out for the rest of Trade City? Do you have a generator?¡± Chen Yining exclaimed in surprise then.


    The shop owner laughed out loud at that. ¡°My friend sells those, so I got one from him. I need to use it so I won¡¯t sell it, but I could introduce him to you if you want.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    A cheap generator would cost at least a thousand dollars, while expensive ones would cost more than ten thousand. The shop owner was naturally quite warm since it could be considered a huge deal.


    But it was only then that he suddenly remembered¡ªthere was no cell signal¡­


    Slapping himself in the forehead, the shop owner said embarrassedly, ¡°No wonder you want to buy walkie-talkies. How about this? I¡¯ll give you my friend¡¯s address and you guys can head straight there. Just say that Huang Dasheng sent you¡ªshe would give you a discount and you¡¯ll be friends in no time.¡±


    The address, however, was of a location at the suburbs east of the city.


    Chen Jing and Chen Yining traded glances upon hearing that it was in the suburbs, appearing hesitant just then.


    The news they heard on their journey was why they were rather hesitant.


    ¡°We can¡¯t go there,¡± Driver Wang quickly said.


    Chen Yining mused to himself as he thought things through¡ªwhile it was certainly dangerous to go to the suburbs, they were three men and they had a car.


    Most importantly, they had the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, and three people meant three summoned beasts. Moreover, since there was ¡®level¡¯ and ¡®EXP¡¯ on the summoned beast¡¯s data, it meant that there was a way for summoned beasts to gain EXP.


    However, the first thing that came to mind would be hunting and killing monsters.


    ¡°Mister Wang¡­¡± Chen Yining said, turning to the taxi driver¡ªhe had caught Mister Wang¡¯s name since the taxi driver¡¯s ID had his photo and name.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t we go to the suburbs? What happened out there?¡± Boss Huang asked nervously then, and returned forty dollars to Chen Yining. ¡°How about this? I¡¯ll round off the price on these walkie-talkies, and charge you two hundred instead of two hundred and forty.¡±


    ¡°Tell him, Old Wang.¡± Chen Yining decided to tell the shop owner after musing to himself for a while. He was not about to save that piece of information like treasure anyway, and he was not the only one aware about it.


    With so many taxi drivers and their passengers onboard learning about it, and with there being many who lived in the suburbs, how long could that information be hidden anyway?


    Chen Yining promptly felt the urgency to buy and store food right then!


    When the news spread, there would be major panic across the city once the citizens realized that there was no way out of the city, and a lot of people would be panic buying food.


    Prices might skyrocket then, and the same thing would happen for other daily necessities as well¡­


    Moreover, it was only power outage right now. If gas and water were out as well¡­


    Chen Yining did not dare to imagine what would happen next.


    At the same time, Boss Huang was left dumbstruck by Old Wang¡¯s story.


    Would he still have the mood to keep working? He quickly packed up and was about to close shop.


    ¡°Thank you, thank you,¡± he said nervously, before flashing an awkward smile. ¡°May I ask for your help?¡±


    Chen Jing frowned. He was finding the shop owner getting more demanding just then.


    ¡°I was hoping that you could accompany me to the suburbs. I absolutely would make it worth your while¡ªwith one free generator.¡± Boss Huang said. ¡°The quality assured type, too.¡±


    Noticing the looks on the other three men, he flashed a begrudging smile. ¡°I¡¯ll come clean then¡ªthe one in the suburbs isn¡¯t my friend, but my wife. I own that shop too.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I really wouldn¡¯t lie to you¡­ the generator needs diesel, and I have some I could give to you for free. If what you¡¯ve said is true, both the generator and the diesel would much more expensive and difficult to obtain.¡±


    Initially, Boss Huang had presumed that the power outage was only limited to the local subdistrict, and that the loss of network signals was a malfunction of local cell towers. There was no way he could imagine that the entire city was out of power and Internet.


    Moreover, it was clear that he was really suffering a loss, what with him giving away a generator worth a few thousand dollars at the drop of a hat.


    After thinking to himself for a while, Chen Yining then spoke frankly, ¡°That¡¯s fine, but I have a condition too¡ªshould things get dangerous, we would absolutely not get out of our car, and we would drive off immediately.¡±


    In the end, he was not about to endanger himself and his younger brother over someone he did not even know.


    Boss Huang was silent for a while, but then nodded.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    He had his own car and he promptly ran to the parking lot to drive off.


    Driver Wang¡¯s taxi tagged behind.


    But even as he drove, Driver Wang muttered thoughtfully, ¡°You two are being impulsive here¡­ anyway, I really would drive off if there¡¯s any danger¡­ it¡¯s not like I¡¯m gutless¡ªI¡¯m actually quite brave, but I have a wife and children waiting for me to go home.¡±


    Nonetheless, they arrived at their destination an hour later.


    It was a street near the suburbs and the landscape here was flat. The border of the city was visible there, and just like what they were told over the walkie-talkie, everything outside the border of the city was now forest.


    There were giant trees that stood up to sixty meters into the air, forming a dense canopy that stretched on endlessly and appeared to be an emerald ocean from a single glance.


    The sight left the four men incredibly shocked.


    Furthermore, having specialized in garden design at university, Chen Yining had vast knowledge when it came to flora, but he recognized none of the trees in the forest.


    ¡°It really is a forest.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so big.¡±


    Boss Huang finally believed what Chen Yining and the others told him about the city changing.


    Then, his heart tightened when he saw that his other shop was closed!


    He promptly ran to it and rapped the door, yelling his wife¡¯s name.


    A reply could be heard from within, and Boss Huang held his wife once she walked out the door.


    It was naturally a happy ending since she was fine.


    After that, Boss Huang and his wife pushed out a red-black generator, which resembled a car engine, although there were many power sockets on its side and four wheels beneath.


    ¡°It¡¯s over a hundred kg,¡± Boss Huang introduced. ¡°It has two voltage outputs at 220v and 380v, and it doesn¡¯t make much noise.¡±


    After that, Boss Huang taught Chen Xiaoning how to work the generator, such as where to fill the diesel, its switches, and how to fix certain simple malfunctions.


    Through it all, Boss Huang¡¯s wife was standing in a corner without saying a word with a terrible look on her face.


    After all, that was hardware worth several grand.


    Moreover, Boss Huang took out three large 18L cans of diesel.


    The look on his wife¡¯s face turned darker then¡ªthose cans were worth two hundred dollars each!


    However, she did not embarrass Boss Huang in front of outsiders, and merely made plans in her head to educate him that night because they should not be wasteful even if they were rich.


    Meanwhile, Boss Huang warmly exchanged walkie-talkie frequencies with Chen Yining and the others.


    On another note, the mileage of the generator he gave was 265g/kw.h, with 1L of diesel providing approximately 0.84 kg.


    It meant that one liter of diesel could power the generator for over three hours, and each can of diesel could last it around 57 hours.


    Naturally, they couldn¡¯t use the generator 24/7 and would only start it up in necessary situations, such as to use it to charge their walkie-talkies and boil water.


    After pondering for a moment, Chen Yining decided to spend four hundred dollars to buy two more cans of diesel from Boss Huang.


    The only issue was that the taxi could not carry any more¡ªit was not a truck, and its trunk capacity was limited. Moreover, Chen Yining was going to buy food from a nearby supermarket.


    ¡°Ah, they¡¯re here¡­ the monsters are returning.¡± Boss Huang¡¯s wife pointed at the edge of a distant road then.


    A group of goblins had stepped out of the forest and were looking in their direction.


    They did not approach, however, since there were quite a lot of people around there.


    Those goblins varied in height as well¡ªthe tall ones stood around 1.5 meters, while the shorter ones appeared juvenile and were just 1.2 meters tall. Their skin was all oily green, and they were carrying sticks and stones.


    It was just like encountering a pack of wild dogs in the wild.


    Wary but cunning, the wild dogs would always observe if their target was strong.


    ¡°They look a little wild and don¡¯t seem to be summoned,¡± Chen Yining said, frowning.


    If those were summoned beasts, that many goblins would have meant over ten summoners behind them.


    However, there was no summoner to be seen nearby.


    And the forests lay behind the goblins.

 Chapter 5

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Just now, I saw some passerby being bludgeoned in the head before being dragged in the forest,¡± Boss Huang¡¯s wife quickly said. ¡°Luckily, I closed the door just in time, and the goblins smashed it around for a while before leaving.¡±


    Chen Yining was raring to kill those goblins and attempt earning some EXP.


    However, there were too many. Chen Yining counted twelve goblins, while there were only five humans on their side¡ªten if they included their summoned beast.


    That meant they were lacking two heads compared to the other side.


    Moreover, Driver Wang was unreliable, since he had said from the start that he would not hesitate to drive away if there was danger.


    And Chen Yining believed that a family man like him would do it.


    Likewise, it did not seem like they could count on Boss Huang¡¯s wife either.


    She might even be the type who would betray her own, but there was nothing to argue about that since it was human nature. In fact, Chen Yining himself would run if there really was danger, and it would depend entirely on who runs the quickest then.


    From that perspective, he had sided with a shady crowd with no hope of working together¡­


    In the distance, however, the goblins had retreated into the forests when they saw that there were many people over here.


    Their green skins blended perfectly with the forest.


    ¡°Brother, it¡¯s late. We won¡¯t be able to buy anything if we don¡¯t go now,¡± Chen Jing said then.


    Chen Yining nodded. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s get to the supermarket then.¡±


    Once they arrived, however, they found the supermarket to be much crowded than usual.


    The supermarket appeared to be equipped with backup generators and they only accepted cash since the networks were down.


    The brothers first bought salt that would last them two years along with numerous condiments. Aside from those, they also got canned food, flour, rice, dried beans, milk powder, and honey¡ªitems with longer expiry dates.


    After bringing everything to Chen Yining¡¯s rented house, the two brothers went off to buy vacuum-packed rice and purified water. Such rice would stay fresh longer with a shelf life that extended over a year and a half.


    Since the power was still out, they had to take the stairs, which was fortunate since Yining was living on the third floor.


    It would be despair for those who lived over twenty floors above.


    Still, they did buy many things, and Chen Yining summoned his goblin with his grimoire.


    ¡°This must be your mount, Master! It¡¯s so huge!¡± Green Skin exclaimed as it stroked the taxi. The metallic sensation of the car seemed to affect it so much, and it even spat on its palm before wiping the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Alright, now carry this stuff up.¡± Chen Yining pointed at the food in the car and had Green Skin carry it upstairs with him.


    Green Skin poked its head at the rear of the car.


    It was pitch-black, and the exhaust pipe still stank of fumes.


    Green Skin closed in, sniffing it and about to lick it, when Chen Yining shoved it in the buttocks with its foot. ¡°What are you doing? Go do your job.¡±


    The goblin hence tamely picked up a bag of rice and followed Chen Yining.


    Its gait as it walked upstairs was quite weird, as it spread its legs wide just like a crab.


    ¡°Gnome, you carry some too.¡± Chen Jing told his own summoned beast after calling it forth then.


    The gnome shook its head fervently, however, and said seriously while pointing at its own head, ¡°Smart gnomes never work hard. Only foolish goblins sell their own bodies.¡±


    Chen Jing started looking around for a good stick.


    The gnome promptly picked up a bag of rice and dashed upstairs while shrieking, ¡°But exercising from time to time wouldn¡¯t be a problem!¡±


    The party went upstairs and downstairs for around a handful of trips before moving everything they had bought into the rented house.


    After that, they went to the supermarket and convenience stores again to buy more food.


    Several round trips later, their stock would now last them a long time.


    The two brothers had also spent most of their spare change.


    ¡°Brother, are we fighting a battle of attrition here?¡± Chen Jing said, wiping sweat off his brow.


    ¡°Yeah. I keep having this bad feeling, and I can only hope that I¡¯m mistaken,¡± Chen Yining said.


    In the evening, Chen Yining knocked on the door next door, which was his landlord¡¯s house.


    A young girl opened it, and she rolled her eyes in irritation after seeing that it was Chen Yining. ¡°Dad, your renter is looking for you.¡±


    A voice replied from the bathroom, ¡°Please wait two minutes, Yining!¡±


    Soon, the landlord arrived smelling quite pungently, and said awkwardly, ¡°Sorry about the smell, I only realized that the water supply has been cut as well when I tried to flush.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I didn¡¯t wait for too long¡­ anyway, I would like to keep renting the house for another six months,¡± Cheng Yining said.


    His lease on the house would expire in another month, so he would renew it for six months ahead of time.


    ¡°Oh, no rush. It¡¯s already late, but I¡¯ll welcome you if you want to keep renting it!¡± The landlord smiled cheerfully. ¡°By the way, my runt told me that there would be classes tomorrow when she returned home today¡ªit seems that she wanted to run off to play.¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± A girly snort of dissatisfaction could be heard from the bedroom next door.


    ¡°By the way, Landlord, I¡¯ve just received word that the water and power would be out for a long time. I also saw a lot of people stocking up at the supermarket today, so you should do the same just in case,¡± Chen Yining suggested, aware that his landlord was the shut-in type and it would not be weird to see him not leave the house the entire day.


    After thinking about it for a while, the landlord nodded. ¡°Makes sense. Thanks, Yining¡ªI¡¯ll try to stock up on food later, and it¡¯s necessary since the food stored in the fridge would rot and can¡¯t be stored for too long.¡±


    Earlier in the day, Chen Yining had already withdrawn all the money he had in his account, and Chen Jing did the same on their way back.


    There was silence outside the window when night arrived.


    There were no streetlights or any other lights, only a few candles illuminating the corner of several windows.


    However, visibility was fine on the streets since the moon was bright that night.


    Chen Yining took a fruit beer and sat on the window ledge. The breeze from outside the window felt relaxing.


    As he leaned against the wall, he looked upward¡­ and rubbed his eyes before looking again.


    ¡°Did I get drunk from half a can of fruit beer?¡± Chen Yining murmured in confusion.


    ¡°Brother, come out here¡ªdo you see two moons up in the sky?¡±


    Chen Jing, who was doing planks in the living room, jumped up. Beneath his red jersey was his muscular chest, and his forehead was dripping with sweat.


    ¡°You have to be drunk from half a can of fruit beer, how could there be¡­ wait, there really are two moons!¡±


    Chen Jing¡¯s jaw almost dropped from the shock, and he muttered in bewilderment. ¡°How could this be? Could we have transmigrated?¡±


    Despite his nonchalance, his audience was attentive.


    Chen Yining¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Are we no longer on Mercury?


    Moreover, was transmigration not supposed to limit to a single person? Was there ever any plot where everyone in an entire city transmigrated?


    He had never read such a novel before.


    Nonetheless, it was reality that the city had no power, water, gas, or network, as well as was suddenly surrounded entirely by a forest. Moreover, there were those curious trees he had never encountered before and creatures of fantasy such as goblins¡­ which convinced Chen Yining considerably.


    It was merely his subconscious that was unwilling to think further in that direction.


    ¡°Have your gnome try to strengthen these rebars,¡± Chen Yining then said, pointing at the two-meter long rebars that were placed on the ledge. ¡°Let¡¯s get prepared before we go off to hunt goblins in the suburbs. There might be answers as to whether everything is real after we kill those goblins.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Chen Jing nodded somberly and clapped a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Brother¡­¡±


    Chen Yining turned toward him with a question in his eyes. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you whatever happens.¡± Chen Jing flexed his biceps then.


    Chen Yining smiled. Shaking his head in relief, he tapped a fist on Chen Jing¡¯s chest. ¡°Fine, then watch your brother do this.¡±

 Chapter 6

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    After that, Chen Jing summoned his gnome, pointed at the rebars on the floor, and told it about Chen Yining¡¯s request.


    The yellow-skinned gnome blinked. ¡°For a smart gnome, this is all too easy.¡±


    However, it gasped in surprise after it picked up one of the rebars and tried to bend it firmly, only to no avail.


    ¡°Master, your technology is so advanced! The steel you forged is too hard,¡± it said. ¡°I would need some tools or strengthening this steel bars would take too long.¡±


    While there were some tools in the rented house, there was no cutting machines or chainsaw.


    Nonetheless, the gnome went off to a corner and went to work after getting his tools.


    Green Skin¡¯s ears straightened. It sneaked a peek and wanted to watch but would not prostrate itself to do it.


    However, perhaps because the sounds of the gnome working had a strong impression on it, Green Skin could not help slithering over.


    Soon enough, the gnome was barking angrily from the other side, ¡°Get lost! You green-skinned midget who only starts trouble! I¡¯ll gouge out your feces with this bar, believe it!¡±


    Despite being upset, Green Skin ran off, fuming.


    Finding itself a corner to sit, it glared unhappily at the gnome from afar.


    Then, unable to sit still, the goblin soon stood up and strolled aimlessly around the house.


    Like a bumpkin, it would look and touch here and there.


    While Chen Yining and his younger brother were having a heart-to-heart conversation and heard the sound of pot and pans crashing to the floor, he actually thought that there had been a burglar.


    He ran to the kitchen to find Green Skin wearing a pot on its head, holding a spatula with its left hand and a cleaver on its right, staring blankly at himself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch anything in the kitchen from now on,¡± Chen Yining said as he took the pot off Green Skin¡¯s head and placed it on a stove, and returned both the spatula and the cleaver to their wall hooks.


    Disarmed and reverting to its 1.4-meter stature, Green Skin stood where it was, unsettled. It kept sliding peeks at Chen Yining, believing that its master would punish it.


    However, Chen Yining did not do so, and merely instructed it not to do so again before leaving the kitchen.


    Green Skin gulped and stared at the weapons in the kitchen, reluctant to part with it.


    Those weapons were all shiny and bright¡ªfine treasures it had never seen before.


    Oh, how rich its master was!


    ***


    On the other hand, Chen Jing was quiet ever since he saw the two moons on the skies, and had been sitting on the ledge and staring out the window, his thoughts inscrutable.


    Chen Yining brought two beers, placing one in front of his younger brother.


    ¡°Brother¡­ do you think Mom and Dad are alright?¡± Chen Jing suddenly asked.


    ¡°What good is worrying? Let¡¯s stay alive for now, or do you think we could trek across hundred miles of forests?¡± Chen Yining said, shaking his head.


    The truth was that his head was a mess as well, and no words could describe what was running through his mind.


    He even wondered if they were no longer on Mercury, and there was no telling if their parents had transmigrated as well.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    ***


    As dawn came, the goblin¡¯s nose twitched even as it slept on the floorboards of the living room. It lifted its chin before finally opening its eyes.


    It could smell the sweetness from the kitchen!


    Meat!


    Gulping, the goblin swallowed its spit while its eyes lit up.


    Chen Yining stepped out of the kitchen with a bowl.


    ¡°Everyone gets two fried eggs, a chunk of fried beef, a slice of a cake, and a cup of milk.¡± He said.


    The bowls he used for the goblin and the gnome were special, and it certainly was not a pet¡¯s, but two wide yellow-brown bowls he bought separately yesterday instead.


    ¡°Master, do I get some too?!¡± the goblin squealed in delight.


    ¡°You do. We¡¯ll be eating like kings since we¡¯re heading to the suburbs today, and our meals won¡¯t be as good as it is today.¡± Chen Yining gave it a look.


    They would not be excessively frugal with food in the first few months with food since there were expiry dates.


    It was also why Chen Yining did not hoard too much food. While it was fine to keep food past their expiry date for a brief period, they would definitely be inedible once kept too long and starting to grow mold, which made hoarding meaningless.


    Moreover, the most important thing to do was to find a way to obtain new food sources, and the forests outside the city definitely would not lack that.


    ¡°By the way, let¡¯s try to buy a cutting machine when we head home in the afternoon. Things would be much easier if we could get one.¡± Chen Yining said, suddenly remembering about it.


    Both him and Chen Jing found breakfast rather plain, nonetheless. Chen Yining was not a good cook after all, and people in modern city would have tasted nothing else other than delicacies.


    The two summoned beasts were relishing their food, nonetheless¡ªboth runts were eating while seated on stools at first, but finding it uncomfortable, they resorted to squatting on the floor and eating with their own hands, appearing rather wretched as they wolfed down their food.


    After breakfast, Chen Yining gestured for Green Skin to get his equipment and get sortied.


    The equipment included a child-sized helmet with military camo that Chen Yining had gone out of his way to buy.


    Then, there was the meter long rebar that was specially fashioned for the goblin. It was made in consideration of the goblin¡¯s strength, since it would be out of stamina if it swung the rebar more than twice if it was too heavy.


    The tip of the rebar was also specially processed to a spiral pattern, which allowed for an improved exertion of strength.


    Some tape which was anti-slip and anti-sweat was also applied to the handle.


    Aside from that, there was also simple plastic armor plating.


    The plastic plates were also covered with a jumper¡ªthe jumper protected against lacerations, and the plastic plates further strengthened it by preventing stabbing.


    Though crude, it was light and the goblin could easily wear it.


    ¡°Dumb green-skinned dwarf! Use the items daddy gnome made for you well!¡± Chen Jing¡¯s gnome said proudly.


    Then, it could not help yawning.


    After all, it was too sleepy since it had worked an entire night.


    Bringing along some food, Chen Jing withdrew his gnome into his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire so that it could rest. After that, the two brothers and one goblin headed to the forest together.


    Along their journey, the goblin appeared dazzled by everything going on at the streets. In fact, every passing vehicle would leave it twitching.


    As a matter of fact, Chen Yining had tested the goblin¡¯s strength and speed, and it turned out to be two degrees weaker than an average adult male.


    Still, that was enough to surprise Chen Yining, since the goblin appeared very thin and weak.


    When it comes to speed, however, it was much slower than an adult person, probably because it was very short.


    Likewise, its stamina was the same¡ªa short burst of strength was alright, but it would be left useless as time goes on.


    After having tested the goblin¡¯s physique, Chen Yining was now confident that he could defeat a goblin.


    As they headed to the suburbs, they found many pedestrians on the streets. Since many enterprises and schools were on break or holiday, everyone was coming out for a leisurely stroll since they had nothing else to do.

 Chapter 7

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Upon arriving at the suburbs, Chen Yining noticed that there were more people around than he had imagined.


    Many were armed to the teeth, with some carrying cleavers and others clothes rail.


    Still, Chen Yining was not surprised¡ªthe population of Mountain Water City numbered up to millions. There would be many people even if just one percent of that came to the edge of the city to kill goblins.


    Moreover, the most important thing here was that the citizens who were living near the city¡¯s borders were vulnerable to attacks by the monsters in the forests. Under such circumstances, it was likely that some citizens might have killed those monsters already.


    Chen Yining¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted.


    There was a black-clad man with three goblins following him.


    All three goblins were standing tamely behind him and there was no one else around the black-clothed man.


    Could all three goblins be his summoned beasts?


    At the moment, the black-clad man was buying water at a convenience store. Judging from how he conversed with the store owner, he appeared close with the shop owner as well.


    Chen Yining walked to them and said to the store owner, ¡°Two bottles of mineral bottles please, boss.¡±


    ¡°Sure, Red Spring or Green Gem? Neither are chilled, though¡ªeverything is room temperature with the power out,¡± replied the store owner, a man in his fifties.


    ¡°Two Red Springs, then.¡±


    Arching his back to pick up two bottles from a box, the store owner then handed them to Chen Yining. ¡°Eight dollars.¡±


    ¡°Eight?¡± Chen Yining paused just as he was about open his wallet¡ªthe price had been doubled from the previous day.


    ¡°Yeah, prices are inflating even here at convenient stores,¡± the store owner chuckled cheerfully. ¡°Heck, I¡¯m selling these cheap, since there are others who sell them at five dollars per bottle. And do you see that forest? There¡¯s no telling when rescue would come, and I don¡¯t know about the supermarkets, but they would be inflating their prices soon.¡±


    Chen Yining said nothing, and merely handed the store owner a ten-dollar bill. Then, while the store owner went to search for change, he turned toward the black-clad man and look at the three goblins behind it, asking casually, ¡°Eh? Bro, are these all your summoned beasts?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The black-clad man nodded.


    Chen Yining noticed then that the black-clad man¡¯s fingers was yellowed, caused by long-term smoking.


    He hence took out the packet of cigarettes in his trouser pocket and passed one to the black-clad man.


    The man stared at the cigarette box¡ªRed Inn, worth thirty-five dollars.


    Taking the cigarette, he then took out a lighter from his own pocket and lit it.


    As he puffed out a ring of smoke, the air between both strangers seemed to be more harmonious.


    Then, the black-clad man said offhandedly. ¡°You¡¯re thinking about asking me on how to increase your number of summoned beasts.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am a little curious.¡± Chen Yining did not deny it.


    ¡°Go kill some monsters in the forest.¡± The black-clad man did not beat around the bush.


    ¡°Kill monsters?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You tame the monsters that you kill. However, since there is a limit to the number of pages of your grimoire, you could summon three beasts at most, and no more than that,¡± the black-clad man explained.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Chen Yining replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. You would find out after you kill your first monster anyway even if I hadn¡¯t told you¡ªconsider it a token of friendship.¡± The black-clad man smiled. ¡°Many in the city still aren¡¯t aware so the competition is still low, though there would be scarcity when more people come.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Well, I¡¯ll be going then¡­ it¡¯s my treat if I see you again,¡± Chen Yining said, and took his change of two dollars from the store owner before heading to the forest.


    Chen Jing, who had been getting some fresh air in the distance, jogged toward him. He was also fully armed¡ªhe wore a motorcycle helmet over his head, carried a large backpack, and held a rebar.


    Arriving at the edge of the forest, Chen Yining dropped to a crouch and lightly pulled apart the grasses, revealing a perfect border, with one part being the city¡¯s concrete landscape and the other filled with grass.


    It was as if the border had been carefully and neatly measured before being marked.


    Then, Chen Yining dug out some soil, revealing that the concrete had been cut off, leaving a perfectly even surface.


    ¡°What are you looking at, Brother?


    ¡°These plants do not seem to have grown through the roads and concrete. Instead, they appear to be growing here in the first place.¡± Chen Yining told him.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Chen Jing scratched his hand, not quite getting it.


    After a brief silence, Chen Yining said directly, ¡°I mean, our city might be the real foreigner here.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying¡­¡± Despite having steeled himself, Chen Jing still found it hard to accept.


    ¡°Alright, stop thinking too much. Get yourself ready for a fight,¡± Chen Yining said with a complicated tone.


    Chen Yining rose to his feet, clapping the shoulder of his brother, who was still spacing out.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, stop spacing out. Live well!¡±


    ***


    The trees in the forests were exceedingly huge and the tree canopies dense.


    Such lush vegetation certainly meant a sufficient underground water source.


    The fifty-meter-tall trees were as tall as apartments, and would give mid-sized apartment buildings a run for their money.


    Moreover, they stretched on as far as the eye could see.


    As such, it was quite dark in there and there was substantial algae growing out of the tree roots.


    Rustle¡­


    Nearby, the sound of bushes shaking could be heard, and it certainly did not sound like a small beast.


    The two brothers¡¯ nerves tightened and they clenched upon the rebars they were holding.


    After a while, a yellow-green figure poked out from some bushes.


    It was around two meters long, its body was marked with ink-green spots, and it had an exceedingly long beard that dangled.


    Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire suddenly leapt out of his body and hovered before him. Opening on its own, a translucent page then floated over one of the blank pages.


    [Beast Name: Wood Leopard]


    [Current Level: Level 3]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Species: Beast]


    [Introduction: The wood leopard is a midsized predator that dwells in forests, and prefers to hunt its pray openly.]


    [Race Talent: +20% agility at complex landscapes.]


    [Bond (Beast):]


    [(1) Gain an increase in strength by 5% when there are more than two beasts.]


    [(2) Gain an increase in strength by 10% when there are more than five beasts.]


    [Summary: I like watching your helpless self from the bushes.]


    If a two-meter-long animal was a midsized predator, how huge would a large predator be?


    Chen Yining stared warily at the wood leopard, and headed toward a nearby tree at the same time.


    If the wood leopard closes in, he would have to use this tree and circle around it to try to flee.


    However, the beast appeared to be wary as well since Chen Yining¡¯s side had advantage in numbers. It backed away slowly after staring at them for a while, and leapt up a tree before disappearing from sight.


    Right then, Chen Yining thought that he would not be lacking meat since the leopard might last them half a month.


    ¡°Where do you goblins usually live?¡± He asked Green Skin then.


    The goblin scratched its head.


    Its master really was getting weirder. Why would he ask where I sleep?


    Could it be¡­


    ¡°Master, we usually sleep on the ground and occasionally in caves.¡±


    Green Skin said, just before demonstrating the typical goblin sleeping postures: sitting on the ground, it folded its arms before its chest, leaned backwards until it was lying on the ground, and closed its eyes.


    ¡°Do your kind usually sleep like that?!¡±


    ¡°Or like this, occasionally.¡± Green Skin then spread its limbs in a ¡®´ó¡¯ shape.


    ¡°Alright, I get what you mean¡ªnow get up.¡± Chen Yining got the general idea then, as well as a deeper understanding about the goblin mind.


    Nonetheless, he did not dare to venture too deep into the unexplored forest, as there would be more unknown threats within.


    His hard work paid off, regardless. After a twenty-minute search, Chen Yining finally found the traces of the wild goblins¡¯ whereabouts.


    There were some gurgling voices from the forest ahead.


    Be that as it may, there were thick dried leaves piling over the ground, and stepping on it would make distinct sounds.


    Still, Green Skin had an idea.


    Throwing aside its weapon, it wrapped its legs around a tree trunk and climbed it.


    Like a monkey, it easily made it up to a tree branch.

 Chapter 8

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    So, goblins could climb trees?


    Still, it was understandable that they could do so since they lived in the forest.


    Soon, Green Skin slid down the tree and said, ¡°Master, there are these many goblins up front¡­¡±


    Using both hands and feet, it held up all its fingers and two toes on its right foot.


    ¡°Twelve.¡± Chen Yining frowned¡ªthat definitely wasn¡¯t a number they could handle.


    Moreover, the goblins must have lived their days nearby, and would have had the advantage of familiar ground.


    ¡°Forget it. Let¡¯s keep looking.¡±


    Chen Yining turned to leave.


    They could not afford to provoke those goblins at the moment.


    ¡°Are there usually that many goblins at your settlements?¡± Chen Yining then asked.


    Green Skin thought about it, and shook its head. ¡°Those are just wild goblins. There aren¡¯t many of them.¡±


    ¡°Twelve isn¡¯t many?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really not.¡±


    Seemingly under the impression that its master was doubting it, Green Skin¡¯s face and ears were a brighter green, and it spread its hands exaggeratedly. ¡°Big tribes would have many, many goblins.¡±


    Then, as if its own description was not convincing enough, it paused and added confidently, ¡°More than the leaves on that tree!¡±


    Chen Yining held his forehead, gesturing that he understood. ¡°Would there be groups of two or three?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Green Skin nodded. ¡°Wild goblins do not have tribes. They¡¯re poor.¡±


    Chen Yining studied the skinny and craggy ribs of Green Skin then.


    Where did this fellow get the guts to insult others for being poor?


    After that, they continued searching the edge of the forest.


    Meanwhile, Chen Yining continued searching the edge of the forest.


    Around twenty minutes, later, they finally found two wild goblins who were by themselves.


    They were sitting on the ground and clawing off dirt, before pulling chopstick-length purple-red worms that they had put into their mouths.


    Munching twice, they gulped and swallowed it.


    Chen Yining turned in shock toward Green Skin. Did their kind usually eat that? How frugal.


    That was when he saw Green Skin salivating at the sight of the worm the other two goblins were holding.


    Kicking it in the butt, Chen Yining forced Green Skin out from behind the tree.


    The two wild goblins sitting on the ground stared dumbly at Green Skin.


    Nonetheless, they became green with envy when they saw the ¡®luxurious¡¯ equipment Green Skin wore, strong greed welling out of their eyes just then.


    Shrieking, they charged toward Green Skin.


    Green Skin, too, bellowed as it stabbed out with the rebar which Chen Jing¡¯s gnome had specially fashioned.


    Splat¡ª


    The oncoming goblin was stabbed through the chest, but the rebar got stuck just after a small portion pierced it.


    The wild goblin shrieked and stumbled backwards in panic, while Green Skin took another stab forward and stabbed again with its full strength, their simultaneous movements ending up nailing the goblin onto a tree trunk.


    Meanwhile, the other wild goblin seemed to have no intention of avenging its companion at all, and had started to flee in panic instead.


    However, both Cheng Yining and Chen Jing had expected it, and cut off its escape through the flanks.


    Be that as it may, Chen Yining spaced out in hesitation for an instant when he had a good look at the humanoid creature.


    On the other hand, a fearsome glint flashed in the wild goblin¡¯s eyes when it saw that its escape route was blocked.


    It leapt toward Chen Yining arm with a bite.


    Chen Yining pulled back.


    The wild goblin¡¯s target was not Chen Yining¡¯s arm at all, but the weapon he was holding.


    Catching Chen Yining¡¯s weapon with both hands, it leaned backwards with the advantage of weight. In fact, Chen Yining¡¯s almost left his weapon right then, but he soon reacted and firmly held tight to it.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Chen Jing then charged forward from the side, and kicked the wild goblin above the hip to send it flying.


    The wild goblin slammed into the dirt and rolled several times.


    Then, holding his rebar high with both hands, Chen Jing stabbed it viciously!


    The wild goblin¡¯s limbs flailed like a fish on a cutting board.


    Chen Jing pulled out his rebar and was about to stab the wild goblin again when Chen Yining stopped him.


    ¡°Brother?¡± Chen Jing appeared confused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± Chen Yining shook his head.


    Chen Jing smiled¡ªnow that was the brother he knew.


    During their younger days, the brothers would knock down the door to give anyone a trashing if either of the brothers was bullied. Even if they could not win because the other guy was older, they would at least make it hurt.


    Now, as Chen Yining stamped a foot on the wild goblin¡¯s chest, the goblin stared tightly at him as if sensing its fate.


    Chen Yining returned its glare and stabbed down viciously!


    The slain goblin hence turned into a white light that flowed into Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Its pages flipped on its own, with the image of a goblin that seemed alive hence appearing on its second page. However, the image was a silhouette and not solid.


    After that, a piece information appeared in the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Any slain monster would be captured into a page of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Though one may decline the capture, declining it also meant that they could not capture the monster again.


    In that case, there were two choices: one would be to leave the monster dead, while the other was to convert it into EXP.


    And should the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire¡¯s pages be filled, no monsters could be captured and there would be no option of capturing, unless the user chooses to release one of the summoned beasts.


    In addition, newly captured summoned beast would forget their vengeance in life, and would maintain a close rapport with the owner of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire instead.


    Chen Yining understood that as a rather stirring automated adjustment.


    Aside from that¡­ there were also vaguely visible hints written in tiny letters on the page, as if it should not be seen in the open.


    It was as obscure as it was curious.


    Drag me~


    Drag me~


    Drag~


    Drag~


    Drag? Drag what?


    Chen Yining pondered, and his eyes fell upon the half-transparent goblin¡¯s silhouette.


    Chen Yining poked at the silhouette, and¡­ he really managed to drag it.


    But where was he supposed to put it?


    From the second page to the third? That made no difference.


    Unless¡­


    An idea occurred to Chen Yining then.


    Tentatively, he pulled the goblin silhouette so that it overlapped with Green Skin¡¯s portrait, which was on the first page.


    In the next instant, a miracle happened.


    Once the images of both goblins with minute differences overlapped, the image blurred like ripples over water.


    It spread outward, and Green Skin¡¯s body altered.


    When it ended, Green Skin¡¯s appearance changed significantly.


    At first, Green Skin¡¯s portrait was a hunched-back, crafty-looking goblin less than 1.42 meters tall.


    Now, it was a big fellow standing at almost 1.7 meters tall with a much sturdier physique. The curves and outlines of its muscles was much more pronounced and its eyes were much larger.


    The stats panel to the right of Green Skin¡¯s portrait also changed dramatically.

 Chapter 9

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    [Summoned Beast: Hobgoblin]


    [Current Level: 1 (0/100)


    [Rank: Normal ??]


    [Species: Goblin]


    [Introduction: Goblins are extremely cowardly but cruel omnivores. They enjoy wild parties and bully the weak but fear the strong.]


    [Race Talent: Has a certain chance of triggering Raging Cry when threatened, which accelerates the summoned beast¡¯s speed.]


    [Bond (Goblin)]


    [(1) Increase in strength by 10% when there are more than 3 goblins.]


    [(2) Increase in strength by 20% when there are more than 6 goblins.]


    [(3) Increase in strength by 30% when there are more than 10 goblins.]


    [Summary: Let¡¯s party, runt!]


    Not only had Chen Yining¡¯s summoned beast changed from goblin to hobgoblin, but it had also gained a new race talent, which was quite interesting as opposed to fleeing.


    ¡®Has a certain chance of triggering Raging Cry when threatened, which accelerates the summoned beast¡¯s speed.¡¯


    But did that mean it would flee quicker?


    Be that as it may, it was much better than having fleeing as a race talent.


    At the very least, he would not have to worry that his summoned beast would escape at the drop of a hat.


    And just as Green Skin evolved, it growled while it fought nearby, with its size expanding at a visible rate.


    It turned identical to its portrait in the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire within the blink of an eye, after of which it lifted the other goblin, which had lost all ability to resist, within its grasp with a single hand. Growling, Green Skin then slammed it into the dirt, leaving it dazed before picking up its rebar to end it.


    Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire shone again.


    This time, however, nothing changed after Chen Yining dragged the image, though there was now something resembling a progress bar on top of Green Skin¡¯s page that read [1/2].


    So, he needs to drag two to evolve this time?


    And there was no telling if the required number would multiply each time.


    One could only hope that it was the former.


    At the same time, Green Skin was skipping excitedly after evolving.


    ¡°I feel stronger now!¡± it exclaimed, swelling with arrogance. ¡°I feel as if I could punch a green dragon dead and send a titan flying with a kick!¡±


    Chen Yining looked away then. Green Skin had always been like that.


    ¡°Do you want to capture two goblins?¡± he asked his younger brother.


    Chen Jing shook his head. ¡°Since you have a goblin, I should choose something different¡ªI think the leopard before is not bad.¡±


    ¡°Help~¡±


    ¡°Help~¡±


    A cry of distress could faintly be heard from the distance.


    Chen Yining spaced out for a moment before trading glances with his brother.


    The cry appeared to be getting closer.


    However, Chen Yining found the cry rather unnerving as there was something weird about the tone.


    Likewise, although Chen Jing was a jock, he was not impulsive.


    The brothers traded glances and started backing away.


    Nonetheless, the cry of distress kept approaching, and it stopped just as Chen Yining stopped with his back to a tree.


    Something was wrong.


    ¡°Master, I know what that is¡ªit¡¯s a Faceshifting Spider,¡± Green Skin said nervously.


    ¡°Faceshifting Spider?¡±


    ¡°Faceshifting Spider.¡± Green Skin appeared disgusted at the mere mention of it. ¡°It tastes disgusting, its meat sour and its innards bitter.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not poisonous?¡± Chen Yining appeared confused, as spiders would more or less be toxic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I was fine since I took a nap after eating it.¡± Green Skin scratched its head earnestly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Could this goblin actually be a honey badger?


    Rustle¡­


    They faintly heard the sound of dried leaves being stepped upon.


    Then, a black behemoth came rushing in from the distance.


    It was just like a heavy tank.


    Thanks to dull light that got through the gaps between the tree canopies, the appearance of that behemoth was reflected in Chen Yining¡¯s eyes as well.


    It was a spider the size of a sedan.


    However, its eight limbs were as thin as bamboo poles.


    Its abdomen and its head were round, just like an egg which was around half a meter wide.


    And on top of its head were eight tiny oily-green eyes.


    Disgustingly, however, the spider had a woman¡¯s head dangling at its abdomen, her hair cascading like a waterfall even as it groaned in agony.


    ¡°Help¡­ Help¡­¡±


    The harrowing scene left Chen Yining¡¯s scalp numbed.


    At the same time, the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire opened on its own, and the spider¡¯s stat appeared.


    [Species: Faceshifting Spider]


    [Introduction: Faceshifting Spiders are cunning magical beasts that use the skulls of their prey to mimic its cries, hence drawing more prey to it.]


    [Current Level: 1]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Race Talent: Vocal Mimicry +2]


    [Bond (Goblin)]


    [(1) When there are more than 4 spiders, attacks have a low chance of releasing spiderwebs that have a fractional chance of binding prey.]


    [(2) When there are more than 8 spiders, attacks have a low chance of releasing spiderwebs that have a low chance of binding prey.]


    Vocal mimicry?


    Was that why the creature could mimic the woman¡¯s voice?


    At first, Chen Yining thought that it was the woman¡¯s head crying out, but now, it appeared to be the Faceshifting Spider making those sounds.


    It was likely that the woman was crying for help before she died.


    That said, the spider was even uglier than goblins.


    Meanwhile, Green Skin rushed forward excitedly after seeing the Faceshifting Spider. It appeared to have fought its kind before, and managed to evade a leg which the Faceshifting Spider stabbed toward its face by arching its back and lowering its head, just as it flailed and brandished the rebar it was holding.


    Pow!!!


    One of the Faceshifting Spider¡¯s legs was cut off by one of Green Skin¡¯s swiping blows then.


    Snarling, Green Skin threw the rebar away and directly caught two of the spider¡¯s legs by the joints and viciously bent them as if it was snapping two branches of the tree.


    The spider panicked upon losing three limbs in a row.


    Hence, the Faceshifting Spider, which had been immeasurably sinister, panicked, reduced to the likes of a young wife being teased by hoodlums.


    It tried to flee in a hurry, but moving had become too difficult after it lost three of its legs, and it almost stumbled and fell.


    Green Skin swung its rebar and viciously batted it, the air whistling as its weapon whipped through the air.


    Yellow, white, and green goo splattered.


    The Faceshifting Spider was killed on the spot.


    Chen Yining saw then that another Summoned Beast page was added for the monster.


    He hesitated on capturing it. While appearance was of secondary importance, Chen Yining did not like having the spider as his companion.


    He dragged its image so that its page overlapped with Green Skin¡¯s page, but their images did not combine after Chen Yining released it.


    Instead, it did not mix, just like water and oil.


    Chen Yining was therefore left stunned.


    Why didn¡¯t it work? Could it be that only beasts of the same species could fuse and upgrade?

 Chapter 10

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    After hesitating for a moment, Chen Yining decided that the Faceshifting Spider¡¯s bond skill was not as good as the strength increase for goblins.


    There was only a fractional bind effect after getting four spiders, after all¡­


    Not only was the chance low, the effect was weak as well.


    Most importantly, it required four spiders gathered to activate the bond skill!


    At the moment, Chen Yining could only summon a limit of three summoned beasts. He could not trigger the bond skill even if he gathered three spiders since it meant he was one spider short, not to mention that he had no idea how to increase the number of summoned beasts.


    In the end, goblins were simple and crude.


    Just three were needed to activate their bond skill.


    Moreover, there were a lot of them, and they could be strengthened even if they were weak!


    After all, Chen Yining had seen how easily Green Skin had wrecked the Faceshifting Spider on its own.


    Still, something was unusual.


    He had seen the summoned beasts of other people along the way, which were basically all goblins, slimes, or gnomes.


    There was nothing wrong with that.


    However, Chen Yining had not seen someone else with an evolved summoned beast.


    Reasonably speaking, even if some of them had a collector¡¯s impulse to gather all summoned beasts, there was no way every person would behave like that.


    Perhaps only Chen Yining himself could fuse summoned beasts?


    ¡°Brother, your goblin has evolved!¡±


    Chen Jing appeared shocked, and being a perpetual joker, his series of stunned expressions could ultimately be summed up with a single sentence. ¡°How did you do it?¡±


    ¡°Skill, nothing else.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just joking.¡± Chen Yining chuckled. ¡°You could just drag it.¡±


    ¡°Drag?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I think I get it,¡± Chen Jing replied steadily, pulling up his backpack which was sagging slightly over his 1.91-meter frame.


    Meanwhile, it turned out that the Faceshifting Spider had earned Green Skin 10 EXP, and its level bar reads: [Level 1 (10/100)]


    It would need to kill ten Faceshifting Spiders to level up.


    And judging from that number alone, leveling up was more difficult than evolving.


    Moreover, they seemed to have run out of luck after getting rid of the Faceshifting Spider.


    Along the way, they encountered small creatures such as rabbits and sparrows, but they were all ordinary animals.


    Then, a big snake with brown, angular scales hanging off a tree suddenly dropped down, but Green Skin moved swiftly to catch it.


    The snake promptly coiled itself around Green Skin¡¯s wrist and bit it.


    Green Skin simply slammed its hand heavily on a nearby tree trunk, which looked as if it was wearing a boxing glove with the snake on it.


    Thud, thud, thud~


    The snake¡¯s movement gradually stiffened and its coils loosened.


    Green Skin then nailed his rebar through the snake¡¯s head, pinning it against the tree.


    At the same time, Green Skin¡¯s EXP bar also increased marginally: [Level 1 (11/100)]


    It appeared that the snake did not meet the standards of summoned beasts, and nothing else happened aside from gaining 1 EXP.


    There was no new summoned beast page either.


    And as usual, Green Skin claimed credit for killing the snake from Chen Yining.


    Chen Yining, however, was worried that Green Skin had been poisoned, since the snake¡¯s head was triangular. Usually, that would mean that said snake was venomous as it would store its venom sac and fangs within empty spots of its cheeks, and as time went on, genetic inheritance caused most venomous snakes¡¯ evolved triangular heads.


    Of course, there were certain non-venomous snakes that mimicked the triangular head, but those snakes were rare.


    As such, Chen Yining was a little worried. ¡°You were bitten. Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Just a trifle, no matter.¡± Green Skin said pompously.


    Five minutes later, it started wobbling, and swayed left to right even as it walked.


    A little dizzy, Green Skin clung on to a tree for around three minutes, and become better after shaking its head a little.


    It even became spirited, and stopped wobbling as it walked now.


    That was quite similar to honey badgers, which also recovered by simply napping after being bitten by a viper.


    After that, the brothers and goblin strolled through the forest for over three hours.


    It was noon¡ªthe forest was hot and stuffy.


    And since they were dressed heavily, they were now sweating buckets.


    ¡°It¡¯s so hot.¡± Chen Yining wanted to take off his thick town jacket, underneath of which he had worn layers of clothing, not to mention that he had duct taped coils of plastic plating over his arms and wrists.


    He did not know what the climate of this world was like.


    It had been cooler earlier in the morning, but it was colder than Mountain Water City in April at night.


    And yet, at daytime, it was hotter than Mountain Water City in April.


    The fruits would be sweeter given the huge difference in temperatures between day and night, right?


    Despite that, Chen Yining was merely rambling¡ªsuffering the heat would always be better than being bitten by mosquitoes and the like.


    Soon, they crossed a small slope, beneath of which was a mire.


    It was quite vast, and as they looked further along it, they could vaguely see a water source that resembled a lake.


    ¡°Brother, someone¡¯s there,¡± Chen Jing said then, pointing at the distance.


    There were four other people and their summoned beasts in a faraway slope.


    They were holding sticks and poking it into the mire. Then one of them spotted Chen Yining and his brother, and started to wave in their direction.


    Chen Yining, however, did not want more issues to deal with. Moreover, having more people meant more people to share any profits with, and it was safer to travel in pairs instead of traveling in a large group in a forest.


    Therefore, Chen Yining waved back to decline¡ªthey would mind their own business.


    And since he was unwilling, the other group did not try to force the brothers to join their group either.


    The mire they were poking at was neither large nor small, and it was a public area that was not labeled as a private property.


    ¡°Brother, look at that.¡± Chen Jing then pointed at something rolling in the mire.


    It looked like a puddle of slimes, but they were coated with a thick layer of mud.


    Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire reacted at the same time that he noticed the creature.


    [Species: Slime]


    [Introduction: Slimes are a lesser magical beast, mildly-tempered and weak in attack. They consume insects and tree leaves to sustain themselves.]


    [Race Talent: Regeneration +2]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Bond (Elemental)]


    [(1) +15% elemental damage when there are more than 4 elementals.]


    [(2) +30% elemental damage when there are more than 8 elementals.]


    A piece of dried leaf floating near the surface of the swamp was then engulfed by one of the slimes, hence inching closer within its body.


    ¡°How do you guys usually kill slimes?¡± Chen Yining asked Green Skin then.


    Green Skin shook its head. ¡°We goblins don¡¯t usually eat slimes. They don¡¯t taste good and we would get an upset stomach.¡±


    ¡°Are you interested in a slime, then?¡± Chen Yining turned to ask his younger brother.


    Chen Jing showed a look of contempt. ¡°I don¡¯t like such soft-looking summoned beasts. I prefer domineering ones, and the leopard we saw just now suits me.¡±


    Then, looking at Green Skin for a while, it suddenly said, ¡°Come on, Green Skin, let¡¯s test each other¡¯s strength.


    Green Skin turned to look at Chen Yining, who did not refuse.


    He was curious as to how strong Green Skin was after evolving too.


    After some thought, Chen Yining instructed, ¡°Don¡¯t use your full strength at the very start. Just strengthen your grip bit by bit.¡±


    With that, Green Skin and Chen Jing shook hands and began to test each other¡¯s strength.


    Chen Jing had intended to test his brawn discreetly.


    However, although he appeared calm at first, his expression soon changed, with his neck turning red and veins bulging over the back of his hand.


    ¡°Phew¡­ alright, stop.¡± Chen Jing breathed a long sigh of relief and promptly loosened his grip, speechless. ¡°You are too strong after evolving¡ªyour hand felt like pincer pliers.¡±


    Chen Yining then asked Green Skin. ¡°How much strength did you use just now?¡±


    Green Skin scratched its head¡ªa question of that sort was too complex for him.


    What does ¡®how much strength¡¯ mean?


    After Chen Yining explained it in detail, it finally understood, and warily answered, ¡°Half.¡±


    Chen Yining nodded thoughtfully.


    The increase in strength was significant¡ªit had more than doubled.


    Moreover, it was still a goblin. If it kept evolving and leveling up, the gap between the average human and summoned beast would get even larger.

 Chapter 11

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    From now on, summoned beasts were their primary fighting force.


    While humans would be able to fight to some extent during the early stages, their abilities would diminish as summoned beasts and their opponents become stronger.


    ***


    ¡°Guys, look at that goblin of his. It seems different from ours.¡± In the distance, a fair-skinned youth with a mohawk hairstyle said then.


    The other three looked in surprise as well.


    ¡°We¡¯ve never seen such a summoned beast before, have we? Is it a new species?¡±


    ¡°It looks a little like a goblin.¡±


    ¡°An evolved form of goblins?¡±


    ¡°Is that what goblins look like at level 2?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. Let¡¯s put our backs into it and try to reach level 2 by the end of the day!¡±


    Since there was no lack of tree branches in the forest, they could quickly find new ones to lure the slimes in the mire. They did not appear to be smart either, and were easily lured ashore.


    Since they were covered in thick mud, it would keep flowing off their bodies as they kept moving, covering any corner they went with a thin layer of mud.


    As a matter of fact, the sight of Green Skin hitting a slime was just like a baker kneading a dough mixture with a rolling pin¡ªthe dough would change shape according to the baker¡¯s will: round, flat, or even square.


    However, the slime¡¯s resistance to physical damage was very high, and it was not actually hurt much despite many physical blows inflicted upon it.


    In the end, they had to use the blades they carried to cut it into sixteen smaller pieces to finally destroy it.


    When they were cut in two, the slime had actually attempted to reattach itself.


    Indeed, it was surprisingly resilient.


    Be that as it may, it was severely lacking when it came to offensive moves.


    In fact, it only had two attacks, and one of them was spitting corrosive mucus.


    Green Skin was inadvertently struck and a dense pile of bubbles arose over its arm, forming red speckles.


    And that was only thanks to Green Skin itself quickly applying mud to its wound to neutralize some of the corrosive mucus, reducing the corrosion considerably.


    As for the other attacking method, the slime would wrap itself around a target and suffocate it.


    Moreover, a slime¡¯s body was slightly corrosive in the first place, although not to the extent of its mucus.


    According to Green Skin, slimes were unsavory, causing stomachaches and lacking meat¡ªeating them was no different from chugging water.


    However, Chen Yining had his opinion since he believed that there was nothing that could not be eaten, only food ingredients that had yet to be fully processed.


    While he was certainly no professional chef and had not studied the subject extensively, it remained that there were several million people in Mountain Water City, and someone must know what to do.


    Indeed, Chen Yining keenly awaited the day where he would have a taste of mint herbal slime cake with red sugar, grilled slime fillets, Chinese yam rib soup slime stew¡­


    After they managed to kill it, the slime earned Green Skin 8 EXP.


    Using the same method, Chen Yining and Chen Jing managed to lure out two more slimes from the quagmire, which provided Green Skin with 7 and 8 EXP respectively.


    That was when Chen Yining learned that different individuals would provide different amounts of EXP.


    However, there was a limited number of slimes although the quagmire spanned over a hundred hectares, and had trees going out of it.


    There must be a throng of slimes living within. After Chen Yining and the party in the distance hunted them, their numbers were dwindling rapidly, and they could not find a single slime in the next half hour. There was no telling if they were completely gone or were afraid to come out.


    ¡°Brother, do you think the slimes would respawn?¡± Chen Jing asked.


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve played too many video games.¡± Chen Yining smiled.


    ¡°But aren¡¯t we playing a game right now? There¡¯s summoned beasts and a data panel.¡±


    ¡°Sure, but do you see stuff like health bars, mana bars, or attack speed?¡± Chen Yining countered.


    Chen Jing scratched his head at that.


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s just my theory¡ªthere¡¯s a chance that you are right,¡± Chen Yining added.


    ¡°Blurb~¡±


    ¡°Blurb~¡±


    The quagmire was suddenly bubbling violently, and a geyser suddenly shot out from the center of the quagmire.


    Chen Yining¡¯s first reaction was to lead the others and run away.


    It was only after they reached the top of a slope that they stopped to look back.


    A huge sphere that was three meters in diameter had risen out from the quagmire.


    ¡°It¡¯s so huge,¡± Chen Jing muttered.


    It was definitely the largest monster that they had seen so far.


    Three meters was just slightly wider than a car¡ªto be specific, while a normal slime was around seventy meters in diameter, the giant slime was quadruple their diameter. Moreover, by applying the mathematical formula for calculating the mass spherical objects, (4/3)r^3, its mass would at least be 64 times that of the smaller slimes!


    Chen Yining narrowed his eyes.


    Would the difference in mass mean an equal difference in EXP?


    If they could kill that slime, Green Skin would at least level up once.


    At the same time, the information on the slime appeared on his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire too.


    [Monster: Giant Slime]


    [Species: Slime]


    [Level: 2]


    [Rank: Normal ??]


    [Introduction: Slimes are a lesser magical beast, mild-tempered and weak in attack. They consume insects and tree leaves to sustain themselves.]


    [Race Talent: Regeneration +3]


    [Bond (Elemental)]


    [(1) +15% elemental damage when there are more than 4 elementals.]


    [(2) +30% elemental damage when there are more than 8 elementals.]


    If Chen Yining¡¯s hunch was right, giant slimes were an evolved form of normal slimes, and they had also reached level 2.


    Still, once he remembered how difficult it was to deal with the other slimes and that the giant slime would have a stronger regeneration ability, he realized that it would be a little difficult to get rid of the giant slime with only the clubs and sticks they had.


    Chen Yining mused to himself and then decisively said, ¡°Let¡¯s return for now. We¡¯ll come back with some gasoline.¡±


    Chen Jing¡¯s eyes lit up and he exclaimed, ¡°Yes! The slime may be resistant to physical damage, but it might not withstand magic damage! It would be incredible if we have a bomb, since it would blow even slimes into pieces.¡±


    ¡°Bomb? Dream on.¡± Chen Yining rolled his eyes¡ªhow was one supposed to get their hands on something like that?


    The city was now in lockdown, meaning that they could not make online purchases and could only rely on physical stores. In fact, most physical stores were already going bankrupt due to rapid development of online commerce in recent years, not to mention that Mountain Water City was a tourist destination that had gained viral fame and was not an industrial city, let alone have renowned heavy industries.


    Still, Chen Yining thought that they could buy a lightweight mobile chainsaw if they were able to, but he was unsure if there were any such physical stores available.


    Moreover, there was a chance that whoever had it might not sell it to them.


    Meanwhile, as Chen Yining hesitated, the party of four in the distance was beside themselves in excitement, just like a party of dungeon explorers running into the Boss.


    They should have a try whether they could win this, should they not?


    Moreover, despite the giant slime being larger, it was not too intimidating in appearance.


    How intimidating could a supersized yoga ball be to humans, after all?


    Round and plump, it kept bouncing and whirling at the same spot, and it looked as if it would start leaking with a poke.


    Meanwhile, though the party of four was trying to fight it, they were very cautious and used a long branch to keep poking at its general direction. Since they were too far from the giant slime, they had to use that method to provoke it for now.


    That was when the giant slime bounced out of the quagmire, leaving a small portion of its body in the mud, with the rest of its body exposed in the air.


    It rolled forward and started forward across the quagmire, and it was not actually slow.


    That was thanks to the giant slime¡¯s own massive size, which left the party of four a little flustered. One of them even ran off and poked his head out from behind a tree for a peek.


    In total, their summoned beasts consisted of nine slimes and three goblins, making it a total of twelve¡ªeach of them must have used up their quotas for summoned beasts.

 Chapter 12

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    The nine slimes all fired acid straight ahead.


    Even so, the giant slime did not slow down at all when their acid reached it, as if the acid was completely ineffective.


    Hence, the slime which had been the furthest ahead did not even manage to scream when the giant slime pinned it down beneath itself and assimilated it within its own body.


    ¡°My summoned beast is dead.¡±


    The man with the crewcut exclaimed in heartache, making a face right then.


    Meanwhile, the three goblins were stabbing viciously at the giant slime with sharpened branches, leaving three holes in its body. The goblin in the middle had stabbed the deepest, and half of the front end of its branch snapped off.


    It would have been a serious injury to other monsters, but for slimes, that level of injury was no more than some jelly off its body.


    That was when the center of the giant slime¡¯s belly split open in a vertical slit, and it shot out a thick deep-purple liquid!


    The goblin in the middle was hit directly and its flesh instantly began to melt.


    ¡°Argh~¡±


    The screams echoed afar.


    Chen Yining could hear it even with so much distance between them.


    That goblin had been hit squarely in the face, and all the flesh on its cheeks melted off, exposing the stark-white bone into the air.


    The maimed goblin loosened its grip over the branch and dropped to a crouch as it tried to rub its cheeks. However, more flesh would drop off the more it did so.


    In the end, it fainted directly from the agony.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Chen Yining turned and left without watching whatever happened next.


    It served no purpose.


    Normal slimes were completely ineffective against the giant slime.


    Their acid breath was futile, as it would only strengthen the resistance that the giant slimes had toward normal slimes.


    A flamethrower would be much more effective.


    And though those were not easily available, they could make a Molotov cocktail or two.


    It was not difficult to make one, since the materials needed were gasoline, alcohol, a bottle, and other items frequently used in daily life.


    Moreover, the lasting devastation of gasoline and alcohol was especially destructive.


    ***


    It took them an hour return the way they came, after having carved markings on the trees they passed by on the way in.


    They ran into a group of goblins on the way. There were less than ten of them this time, but Chen Yining did not attack them after a few moments of hesitation, and merely noted down the scenery around, although it would be futile to do so in the forest.


    They did not venture too far inside the forest so that they did not lose their way, and they finally returned to the border of the city by moving along the way they came in.


    Be that as it may, they returned to another street instead of the position from which they entered the forest. They had to ask directions to learn that they were around one kilometer away from their entry point.


    It was fortunate that the city was vast, and it was like a magnet stuck fixedly in the middle of the forest¡ªanyone could return to the magnet as long as they did not venture too far.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± Chen Yining said. ¡°We could buy some items along away.¡±


    The experience in the forest had somehow given Chen Yining the feeling that, if there was no other influencing variable, most modern items in the city¡ªand not just food¡ªwould become rare in the days to come.


    Many shops on the way were closed, while crowds were competing to make their purchases in the occasional shops still open.


    The situation was most serious on the city¡¯s edge, though it eased up on the way to the center of the city.


    Still, Chen Yining could see that many people were driving toward it.


    With communications down, exchange of information became stagnated.


    However, no paper could extinguish fire.


    When the truth was revealed, a raging storm would engulf the entire city.


    Chen Yining was suddenly pleased that he still had kin with him, so that he was not alone against the oncoming storm.


    ¡°Summoned beast,¡± he murmured.


    Having seen the strength of the summoned beasts and other monsters, he knew very well that in the upcoming revolution, one must strengthen their own summoned beasts!


    Then, on one of the streets they passed by on the way back¡­


    ¡°No sale. I¡¯m not selling anything now.¡± An argument could be heard from a nearby shop.


    The shop owner, a middle-aged woman, was yelling, her hands of her hips as she stood off against several of her customers.


    ¡°Am I not paying you enough? I could give you more!¡± a middle-aged man dressed in a suit said with composure.


    ¡°No, I mean I¡¯m not selling!¡± the woman said, pointing at the two large bags of instant noodles the man was holding. ¡°I¡¯m not selling anything not matter how much you pay me. Put the goods down and I¡¯ll give you a refund.¡±


    ¡°For what reason? None of us are saying a thing even though you are selling your stuff at five times the normal price. What you¡¯re doing is price gouging¡ªdon¡¯t you believe the Bureau of Industry and Commerce would get you for this?¡± another customer grumbled.


    ¡°Heh. Call them then, go on. The bureau? Does your phone have signal?¡± The woman sneered. ¡°Fine. I won¡¯t refund the stuff I¡¯ve sold, but I¡¯m not selling anything else.¡±


    As she spoke, the shop owner packed up, ready to close shop.


    After all, there were many people nearby arguing, with many of them having weird looks in their eyes, as if expecting something.


    In fact, they were like a pack of hyenas, quietly looking as if awaiting a certain signal.


    On the other hand, the woman¡¯s movements were a little rushed, and her husband who had been sitting inside the shop all along stood up to help then.


    Thud.


    A bottle of water dropped on the floor then and rolled away.


    The atmosphere stiffened a little just then.


    A red-shirted man stepped out from the cloud, arching himself to pick up the bottle.


    Then, with a hasty ¡®thanks¡¯ to the husband, he threw a five dollar-bill on the ground and ran off.


    He ran so quickly that he was gone in the blink of an eye.


    It was just a signal for a charge.


    The onlooking crowd raged then and rushed toward the shop.


    ¡°What are you doing! It¡¯s robbery, robbery!¡± the woman shrieked, ignoring the money on the ground and clawed at the people trying to steal food.


    Her sharp nails left bloody scratches all over the people¡¯s faces.


    Her husband, on the other hand, was not so overbearing. He simply mumbled quietly in his attempt to stop the people trying to get inside the convenient store.


    However, there were too many people, and they all dropped some money before running off.


    Then, one of them slammed heavily on the husband¡¯s shoulder, and he dropped on his bottom, staring helplessly at the sight.


    There were also those who ran away after stealing what they wanted.


    The entire shop erupted into chaos from front to back.


    Many would join the fray from time to time, while others looked on, hesitating.

 Chapter 13

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Chen Yining clapped his brother on the shoulder, gesturing that it was time to go.


    Chen Jing hesitated for a long while, and eventually could not help saying, ¡°Those people¡­¡±


    ¡°They are just doing things they wouldn¡¯t dare otherwise in a lawful society,¡± Chen Yining replied.


    ¡°Huh¡­¡± Chen Jing breathed a quiet sigh.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Despite his own words, there was a troubled look on Chen Jing¡¯s face.


    It had only been less than two days.


    There was even a chance that even more horrible things happened where he was not seeing.


    ***


    They finally returned to the neighborhood.


    Chen Yining checked on their food storage once he got home.


    He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was not touched.


    One must be cautious.


    ¡°Brother, should we get a house on the edge of the city?¡± Chen Jing asked then. ¡°Going there every day like this would waste a lot of time.¡±


    Chen Yining thought about it. ¡°What if the monsters from the forest invade the city? The first ones they would attack are the people living there, which makes staying at the edge of the city too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°But there¡¯s not much difference whether it¡¯s at the border or inside the city if that happens¡ªhigh risks, high rewards,¡± Chen Jing countered.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the people living at the border would buy time for us,¡± Chen Yining said after some silence, an unspeakable coolness in his tone.


    Chen Jing stopped talking at that.


    ¡°Would be nice if we had a vehicle, even if it¡¯s an electric scooter,¡± he said, pulling a face after a while.


    ¡°Any vehicle would need electric or oil, and both are non-renewable resources. Heaven knows if you could find an oil field anywhere here,¡± Chen Yining said, shaking his head. ¡°And aren¡¯t you afraid of it getting stolen? The whole city is in Che Guevara mode now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking too badly of people, Brother¡ªthere¡¯s no way things could get bad that quickly since we are all city folks.¡± Chen Jing groaned, but soon became depressed. ¡°What should we do, then?¡±


    ¡°Staying here is actually quite good since it¡¯s around an hour¡¯s walk to the edge of the city. That is acceptable considering that those in the center of the city would need up to five hours to go there, and we would have the time to react if something actually happened.¡± Chen Yining consoled his younger brother.


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    Chen Jing nodded.


    They were finally outside their apartment building and had just arrived downstairs when they saw a man with a face mask squatting sneakily at the parking spot for electric bikes. When he saw the brothers, he acted as if he was tidying his own vehicle.


    Even so, the toolbox and the half dismantled rechargeable battery beside him exposed him¡­


    He promptly pulled up his hood and left in a rush with the battery, though the brothers could see the two huge words ¡®Rain Wash¡¯ on his back.


    When they went upstairs, they could hear the landlord scolding someone from next door.


    Being a single dad, the landlord often rambled on about how hard it was for him to raise his daughter. It was fortunate that he had acquired thirteen apartments thanks to his old house being demolished for relocation, two of which he sold over the last few years. Even so, the man would keep moaning about how he was only left with eleven each time the matter was brought up.


    At the time, Chen Yining kept a straight face and offered him a toast.


    That being said, the landlord was nice to his renters, and it was no trouble if they had some issues and had to pay their rent half a month later.


    Even so, he was very strict towards his daughter, prohibiting her from staying the night away from home, going to bars, or even being a relationship¡­ and their arguments could always be heard.


    Once he returned to his house, Chen Yining closed the door and summoned the now-taller Green Skin, who exchanged glances with Chen Jing¡¯s gnome.


    The latter took two steps back, as if doubting that the 1.7-meter hulk before him was the goblin he saw just this morning.


    Both of us were supposed to be 1.4 meters tall, and you grew behind our back!


    Nonetheless, it closed in, attempting to touch Green Skin¡¯s muscles.


    Green Skin snorted in disdain and stopped him.


    ¡°Touch your own tiny ribs,¡± it said with a tsundere tone.


    ¡°You have to be putting on airs!¡± The gnome then pulled out pliers, a screwdriver, and an awl from a corner.


    In response, Green Skin stretched out its index finger and gently shoved the gnome on its forehead, and it stumbled backwards, dropping on its buttocks.


    ¡°Kaka.¡± Green Skin could not help laughing out loud at the sight.


    The night¡¯s dinner was egg pancakes¡ªa layer of oil was added with stirred egg over a flat pan, with chopped onions sprinkled over it.


    The aroma was fragrant, but Chen Yining knew that without a freezer or a fridge, they would not be getting such food in half a month.


    Meanwhile, at Starlight Square, located at the center of the city, a stone tablet reaching a hundred meters tall had appeared there, seemingly out of thin air and occupying the centermost spot of the city.


    Its surface was sparkling clean, and the giant number ¡®364¡¯ was on top of it.


    The number was 365 yesterday, but it became 364 after one night.


    There was no sign of human activity, and it was reality that no human could do it.


    Still, many people had sneakily chiseled it, but its material was unique¡ªdespite looking like any other rock, it could not be destroyed by any material, and the chisels did not even leave any white scratches on it.


    A group arrived at night, setting up a perimeter to protect it and preventing people from touching it.


    However, its massive size and it being at Starlight Square meant that there were various office and commerce towers around it, which made the perimeter rather meaningless¡­ there was no hiding the stone tablet, and they could at best only prevent citizens from touching it.


    They might meet the requirements for it in times of peace, but with the power out in most of the city now, it was difficult to integrate human and physical resources.


    In fact, the local government was slowly losing control over Mountain Water City.


    ***


    Item prices all over the city skyrocketed in less than two days.


    With the city cut off from any contact to the outside, the word that circulated throughout was that the city is now surrounded by forests.


    At the same time, there were two moons in the night sky and the mysterious Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Aside from the rare few bright lights from factories and industrial buildings, power and water supply was out for most areas in the city.


    The city was utterly dark at night.


    Patrol cars filled the streets. The city was now under martial law and a curfew was imposed at night, with all citizens forbidden to move around from one to five in the morning.


    However, the patrol cards on the main streets and alleyways had to stop after two hours.


    Most surveillance equipment in the city was down following the power outage, and without any source of light, the shadows of the hundred-meter-tall buildings would consume the lower levels of the city.


    Therefore, patrolling in that manner was too ineffective and a waste of what resources they had left.


    Considering those factors, the local government of Mountain Water City cancelled the patrol curfew.

 Chapter 14

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Nighttime at Mountain Water City was silent.


    Green Skin, who was sleeping on the balcony with its limbs sprawled, could hear a sudden rustling. It stood up, eyes open, looking around and eventually determined that the sound was from the next window.


    Tiny pale-white hands were carefully opening the window before a head with pale-green hair, gray-green eyes, and long thin ears looked inside.


    ¡°So, a despicable fellow.¡± Green Skin grumbled¡ªit was no wonder why he picked up a hateful scent.


    It was a nasty halfling, a fellow resident of the forest.


    Those halflings were utterly loathsome, however, and would try to steal food the goblins managed to hunt, and the goblins could never catch up no thanks to their speed.


    On the other hand, the halfling was startled to see Green Skin after poking its head through the window.


    A hobgoblin!


    The halfling promptly shrunk behind the window.


    A girl around 1.65m was standing behind the window, and she quickly asked, ¡°How is it, Yoyo? Could you slip inside the living room?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a hobgoblin living next door, Master, and it¡¯s staring at me,¡± the halfling said in grief.


    A hobgoblin?


    Chi Xiaomo frowned.


    Why would he put his summoned beast on the balcony?


    Even so, her teeth were gnashing at the thought of the man who had ratted her out to her father.


    How outrageous.


    Backstabbing even as an adult? Did he even know shame?


    She had agreed to go to the playground at the suburbs with her classmates, but the other three had gone while she did not. The very thought of being mocked for not showing up left her quite upset.


    She therefore decided to get revenge on Chen Yining by having her summoned beast sneak her own bra into his room, then say that it had gone missing so that Chen Yining would be utterly embarrassed when they find it in his room.


    A pervert who steals the undergarments of the landlord¡¯s beautiful daughter¡­


    Chi Xiaomo thought about that, unable to hold back an evil smile just then.


    Halflings were swift and traversed forests as if they were flat land. While there were some differences between the concrete jungle of the city and actual forest, there should not be much difficulty.


    Even so, Chen Yining¡¯s goblin being on the balcony messed up her plans since she planned to have her summoned beast sneaked her underwear inside¡­ but now that her halfling had been spotted, there was no way it could sneak inside Chen Yining¡¯s house.


    ¡°Can you defeat that goblin?¡± Chi Xiaomo asked, her eyes blinking with expectation.


    It was time for plan B since plan A had fallen through. All she needed was for her halfling to beat up that goblin.


    Unexpectedly, the halfling shook its head firmly and exclaimed in panic, ¡°I can¡¯t! It¡¯s a hobgoblin¡ªI could try if it¡¯s a goblin, but I am definitely no match for a hobgoblin.¡±


    ¡°Hobgoblin?¡±


    Chi Xiaomo finally noticed the ¡®hob¡¯ in the goblin and asked perplexedly, ¡°Is there a difference?¡±


    ¡°Hobgoblins are bigger, taller, bigger.¡± The halfling searched hard for the right word from its poor vocabulary.


    Be that as it may, halflings were smart¡ªbeing deadly rivals of the goblins, he would know the extent of a goblin¡¯s fighting strength even if it was not sure of its own. Therefore, it was well aware that it would have the snot beaten out of itself if it bothered the hobgoblin.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Chi Xiaomo nodded muddleheadedly, rolled her eyes, and crashed into her own bed.


    ¡°Forget it¡­ you can return inside the book, I¡¯m going to sleep.¡± With that said, she withdrew her halfling into her Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Meanwhile, Green Skin was still staring tightly at the next window, and its eyelids became heavy after staring for over ten minutes and finding no movement.


    ¡°I must have frightened it so much it didn¡¯t dare to come out.¡± Green Skin laughed weirdly, shifting its sleeping pose on the balcony before continuing its great undertaking of sleeping.


    Behind a curtain was the living room, where the gnome was sleeping on the sofa with one leg slung over it while its head dangled off the edge, a bubble hanging over its nostril amid its choppy snores.


    ***


    In the outskirts, the forest had become lively once night arrived.


    Predators were appearing everywhere, from beneath the tree roots, tree holes high above, and in the bushes.


    The massive city that had suddenly appeared in the forest had drawn the attention of countless of those creatures.


    Boom, boom, boom¡­


    Rumbling footsteps and shaking branches formed a symphony in the forest.


    A behemoth could vaguely be seen crossing the forest, heading toward the city ahead.


    And yet, the behemoth was stopped by force in the split second that it was about to enter, its scarlet eyes staring tightly at the dark, vast and silent city just ahead from behind the lush tree canopy.


    An invisible presence was extending out of the stone tablet at the heart of the city.


    The behemoth stared at it for a long time and eventually left.


    Even so, ¡®little ones¡¯ such as goblins, halflings, slimes, and gnomes did not sense that intimidating presence at all despite being at the edge of the forest as well, and crossed the border between city and forest directly.


    ***


    The next day, the sleeping gnome was jolted awake no thanks to Green Skin.


    The hobgoblin had somehow placed its foot over its nose, and even if the gnome¡¯s sense of smell was not that sharp, the stink woke it up regardless.


    It was even left retching from time to time during breakfast, with its belly twitching inwardly.


    That was why it glared at Green Skin with utter grief even as it ate.


    Meanwhile, as Chen Jing finished his breakfast and started cleaning up, he told Chen Yining, ¡°Brother, I think we should get some diesel and steel or we wouldn¡¯t be getting those anymore.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Come here, Green Skin¡ªwash the plates, I need to train your hands.¡± Chen Yining stopped his brother just as he was about to wash the dishes.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much water left. Even though we did buy many buckets of water, we would use it up if we¡¯re don¡¯t use it sparingly,¡± Chen Jing said.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t let them go unwashed, can we? There are not many plates around here, and we just need to hold back a little,¡± Chen Yining said nonchalantly.


    ¡°What about placing a storage tank on the balcony?¡± Chen Jing asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re staying on the fourth floor, and there are thirty-three floors on this building. Do you have the skill for it?¡±


    Nonetheless, Chen Jing racked his brains. ¡°There¡¯s no lack of water in the forest, right? Surely you remember the lake we saw last time.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too far away. Not only is it hours of walking, we would also have to journey through the forest¡ªdon¡¯t you think that it¡¯s dangerous?¡± Chen Yining heartlessly retorted.


    ¡°By the way, do you think the forest outside is owned?¡± Chen Jing muttered then. ¡°It should be masterless since we transmigrated.¡±

 Chapter 15

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    ¡°Are you going to be the king of the hill?¡±


    ¡°No, I just think that we could claim the forest, don¡¯t you agree? If our summoned beasts become powerful enough, they would be able to help us carve out a territory in the forest, and we could block off the entire area, selling food and fruits to others from the city. We don¡¯t have to worry about not making sales since they would definitely need to eat.¡±


    Chen Yining was quite amused. ¡°You¡¯re imaginative, kid. Why didn¡¯t you say that yesterday when we found that lake? Selling the water from it alone would be much profitable than selling fruits.¡±


    ¡°That works too.¡± Chen Jing nodded somberly and feigned a pensive look.


    Chen Yining then shook his head in irritation. ¡°Alright, quit daydreaming. Wait until you fill the pages of your Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m being prudent here. There¡¯s no way I could pick on a whim since each page must be used carefully,¡± Chen Jing said quietly, but acted nonchalant when Chen Yining turned toward him. ¡°Oh, what was I saying?¡±


    Chen Yining shook his head feebly.


    Locking the door, they returned to the suburbs with their summoned beast.


    Green Skin¡¯s previous simple equipment no longer fit after its size had changed, and it would look as ridiculous as a child wearing an adult¡¯s clothes when it put those ones on. That was why the gnome woke up early to make adjustments to Green Skin¡¯s equipment, sewing here and there like a good housewife, although both the gnome and Green Skin were male¡­


    But this time, the brothers stopped after arriving at the suburbs.


    The road ahead was a scene of carnage.


    Shards of glass was mixed with dried blood stains, and several cars parked on the road had their windows smashed through and the doors dented inwards.


    The roadside trash cans were knocked over, and there were signs that the contents were rummaged.


    However, the road was empty with no one to be seen.


    The anti-theft net of a nearby house was ringing then¡ªsomeone was peeking at Chen Yining and the others from behind a window.


    ¡°Chip~ Chirp~¡± A bird of unknown species flew through the houses.


    Chen Yining found the suburbs unfamiliar right now.


    They then turned at a junction to find someone wearing a black shirt and white pants lying in a pool of blood that dyed his pants red.


    ¡°A corpse left lying in the middle of the road? Is nobody going to clean this up?¡± Chen Jing felt a numbness on his scalp at the sight.


    Chen Yining was the first to withdraw his gaze, having felt an inward chill at the sight of the corpse lying out in the distance.


    After all, a corpse was the state of a person after their death.


    And it was frightening to see the death of a fellow human being.


    Staying silent for a while, Chen Yining then turned away when the sound of a trash can being knocked over could be heard from a nearby alley.


    Frowning, Chen Yining barked, ¡°Who is it?¡±


    There was no answer.


    The alley was eerily silent.


    Chen Yining approached it carefully, keeping a safe distance between himself from the alley.


    As he drew level with the alley, Chen Yining could see a goblin far inside the alley. It was crouching before a huge blue trash can that has been knocked over, and was rummaging through it while keeping its own back towards Chen Yining.


    It appeared to be a wild one since there was no one else nearby.


    Nonetheless, the goblin then turned around upon hearing the footsteps behind it, revealing its green face that was caked in red blood.


    Its scarlet eyes were filled with bloodlust.


    However, while the goblin appeared fierce when it first saw Chen Yining, it did a double take when it noticed that Chen Yining was with his brother. Wariness showed in its eyes, and it took two careful steps backward.


    It seems to be alert about being outnumbered and was ready to run.


    Then, when Chen Yining summoned his hobgoblin, the other goblin shrieked upon seeing Green Skin, its pupils contracting as it promptly turned to run.


    Green Skin gave chase, covering ten paces with each stride, its long legs easily crossing over the trash can while it raised its rebar, aiming true at the fleeing goblin before throwing it.


    It pierced the goblin through the chest like a lightning bolt.


    The dead goblin then disappeared into white light.


    An ethereal page then appeared over Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, and he gently dragged it over to Green Skin¡¯s page.


    With a flash of light, the [1/2] sign instantly changed to [2/2].


    At the same time, Green Skin¡¯s caricature changed as well.


    [Hobgoblin¡úGoblin Warrior]


    Green Skin had evolved again.


    Its form was even larger and more fearsome, with clearly lined muscle, long thin ears, long narrow eyes, and sharp canine teeth revealed unwittingly.


    At the same time, it was now two meters tall, throwing a dark shadow underneath itself as it stood, just like a tiny titan.


    Moreover, how Green Skin changed on the page was reflected in reality as well.


    It was quite obvious even to the naked eye, as Green Skin was still in the alley that was surrounded by tall walls on both sides, and no one aside from Chen Yining and Chen Jing could see it.


    [Beast Name: Goblin Warrior (Third Phase (0/8), (0/1))]


    [Current Level: 1 (34/100)]


    [Rank: Normal ???]


    [Race: Goblin]


    [Introduction: Goblin]


    [Race Talent: Goblins are extremely cowardly but cruel omnivores. They enjoy wild parties, bullying the weak but fearing the strong.]


    [Bond (Goblin):]


    [(1) Increase in strength by 10% when there are more than 3 goblins.]


    [(2) Increase in strength by 20% when there are more than 6 goblins.]


    [(3) Increase in strength by 30% when there are more than 10 goblins.]


    [Summary: Let¡¯s party, runt!]


    Having evolved from hobgoblin to goblin warrior, Green Skin claimed that it now counted as a big shot even in its previous tribe, as rarely any goblins among them could become a goblin warrior.


    ¡°Those goblins must have come out of the forest,¡± Chen Yining said.


    ¡°Yeah, but their sticks wouldn¡¯t have broken through the anti-theft net and doors, so most people are hiding in their homes.¡± Chen Jing said.


    Just as he spoke, there was a major commotion nearby as a group of over ten people was leading dozens of summon beasts boisterously out from a corner.


    They were carrying things like clothes-drying poles or mop handles tied with blades on one end, and had wrapped themselves tightly like dumplings.


    Of course, neither Chen Yining nor Chen Jing were any better¡­ it would only be like the pot calling the kettle black.


    The group¡¯s summoned beasts that flanked them had a variety of equipment as well, such as slimes that were plastered with cardboard armor, gnomes holding bricks, and goblins armed with pan covers as shields and cleavers for weapons.


    They had armed all their summoned beasts imaginatively.


    Then, when they saw Chen Yining, their eyes lit up and they quickly ran up to him.


    Chen Yining¡¯s heart skipped a beat. There was no telling what those people were going to do, so he ran when he saw them run toward him.


    And when they saw Chen Yining run as well, they quickly shouted from behind, ¡°Don¡¯t run, bro!¡±


    ¡°Then why are you chasing me?!¡± Chen Yining shot back.


    ¡°We just wanted to invite you into our group, and we could kill monsters together!¡± one of them stopped and yelled.


    ¡°We know a spot with a lot of goblins, and there¡¯s safety in numbers.¡±


    Chen Yining paused and turned toward the other group hesitantly.


    With over ten humans and more than twenty summoned beasts, the group numbered over forty.


    A lone lion could not win against a pack of hyenas¡ªthere was no assurance that Green Skin could win against the entire group even after evolving twice.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Chen Yining turned toward his younger brother, asking for his input.


    Chen Jing shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t know them or the forest we¡¯re heading inside, and there¡¯s no telling what they have in mind. We¡¯ll stick as a pair for killing monsters.¡±


    Chen Yining though so as well, and refused the other¡¯s invitation.


    Moreover, he did not want the others to find out about his secret.


    Judging from all the signs that he had thus far, everyone else¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire did not have his fusion function.

 Chapter 16

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    After learning about that little fact, Chen Jing prudently told Chen Yining that it should be kept between them, and no one else should be told.


    Naturally, Chen Jing was sincerely happy for Chen Yining that he possessed that special ability¡ªhe could flatter his big brother since he was awesome.


    On the other hand, the other group had varied reactions to Chen Yining¡¯s refusal to join them.


    Some were sneering while some were indifferent, and there were those who mocked them too.


    After that, they passed through the block ahead, and soon saw the jungle at the edge of the road beyond a corner.


    A group of gnomes could be seen dismantling everything in sight at the front gate to a residential complex nearby.


    They were drunk with delight as everything in the city seemed to stir their interest and bliss, including iron garbage cans, artistic marble sculptures, street lamps, and the window panes of beautiful houses.


    Some of the gnomes had even started fighting over a steel bench and paid no attention to Chen Yining even after seeing him.


    After all, Chen Yining was less interesting to them than an iron garbage can.


    The only thing that kept the gnomes wary was the goblin warrior standing beside Chen Yining, but they became noisy again once they realized that the goblin warrior had no other companions, while they numbered up to a hundred.


    That was when one of the windows high above the residential complex suddenly opened and two blue cans were thrown out.


    It took less than two seconds for the cans to land in the middle of the gnomes.


    Bang!


    Boom!


    It was very loud, and there was no more than one second in between as one unlucky gnome was smashed to death by the first propane tank, while the second one exploded.


    Powerful shockwaves and fire engulfed everything around it, instantly vaporizing five other gnomes!


    Chen Yining could clearly see that there were two propane tanks.


    Perhaps because the second propane tank had fallen some distance from where the first propane tank, the explosion did not extend to the first propane tank.


    Nonetheless, the remaining gnomes¡¯ reactions changed drastically after six gnomes were killed instantly.


    They were in an uproar, with some looking above at the building, though none of them noticed which house dropped the propane tank.


    Some of them even glared vengefully at Chen Yining, but did not dare to approach with the goblin warrior standing beside him.


    Nonetheless, the residential complex was quite heavily populated, and what happened just now appeared to have alerted the others in the complex.


    After that, some of the people who had unwanted furniture or dangerous objects such as propane tanks appeared to be inspired, and it began to rain objects from above all across the residential complex.


    The gnomes around the building hence suffered.


    Their legs were too short for them to run and everywhere around him was danger. Moreover, some of the people throwing objects were doing so too inaccurately for a human to predict where the projectiles would land, let alone the gnomes.


    Many of the gnomes were killed right then.


    Some of the gnomes hence ran out of the residential complex, while others dashed up the stairs of the building.


    While the thrown objects did not kill many gnomes, they were scared off nonetheless.


    Five little gnomes ran out of the front gate of the residential complex then.


    Chen Yining smiled. He was going to leave at first, but he would not hold back from accepting these little presents that came running towards him.


    ¡°Hit them, Green Skin.¡±


    Green Skin smiled ferociously. Clenching its left hand into a fist under its right, its finger joints cracked loudly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to get another gnome to strengthen the bond?¡± Chen Yining asked Chen Jing then.


    Chen Jing felt he was put on the spot. His standards have increased a lot after seeing that his brother¡¯s summoned beast could evolve, and he really could not be bothered with plain gnomes like these¡­


    I was getting ahead of myself¡­


    Chen Jing was both disappointed and frustrated.


    Meanwhile, Green Skin had already ran over, swinging his casserole-sized fist viciously into the first gnome¡¯s head.


    Its body stiffened and dropped to the ground with a thud, and disappeared as a puff of white light.


    The other four gnomes shrieked, and one of them whipped out something resembling a crossbow¡ªhowever, it was much cruder than the crossbows found on the markets, and it had a snow-white bolt that resembled a beast¡¯s tooth.


    It aimed at Green Skin and was ready to fire it.


    Chen Yining promptly warned, ¡°Watch out, Green Skin!¡±


    As a matter of fact, Green Skin had noticed the crossbow even before Chen Yining warned it.


    With sirens wailing in its mind, it gave up on attacking another gnome and dashed forward to the gnome with the crossbow, flooring it with a single slap.


    The bolt fired from its crossbow hence missed, but it still brushed over Green Skin¡¯s arm, leaving a deep bloody gash.


    However, the gnome that was slapped to the ground did not turn into white light¡ªit was not dead, but merely unconscious.


    Meanwhile, the three gnomes had seized the opportunity to run far away.


    Green Skin quickly caught up and killed one, but did not pursue the other two. Instead, it returned to defend Chen Yining, rearing its head as if to request a compliment.


    ¡°Not bad, you did well.¡± Chen Yining praised it while taking out a small piece of extra-spicy beef jerky and handing it to Green Skin.


    Green Skin¡¯s nose twitched as it carefully sniffed the of extra-spicy beef jerky. However, the chili scent seemed to sting its nose, and it frowned and sneezed.


    Green Skin gulped at that¡ªwas its master trying to kill it?


    Seeing Green Skin¡¯s reaction, Chen Yining threw the extra-spicy beef jerky down his own mouth in irritation.


    ¡°It¡¯s edible.¡±


    Green Skin was left gaping in regret.


    Meanwhile, Chen Yining converted both dead gnomes into a total of 15 EXP for Green Skin.


    He then asked his little brother, ¡°That gnome knew how to craft a crossbow. Are you going to capture it? It might be smarter than an average gnome.¡±


    Chen Jing pondered for a while. Since his first summoned beast was a gnome and the gnome bond bonus only required two of those creatures, should he give it a try?


    In the end, Chen Jing walked over to the fainted gnome with the crossbow and captured it.


    ¡°Huh!¡±


    Chen Yining then heard his young brother cry out in surprise.


    ¡°This gnome has a prefix!¡±


    [Beast Name: Smart Gnome]


    [Current Level: 1 (0/100]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Race: Gnome]


    [Introduction: A gnome smarter and more thoughtful than the average gnome. Adept at problem-solving, they stand a high chance of evolving into higher-tier gnomes.]


    [Race Talent: Machinery crafting speed +1]


    [Bond (Gnome):]


    [(1) +1 machinery alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 2 gnomes.]


    [(2) +2 machinery alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 4 gnomes.]


    [(3) +3 machinery alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 8 gnomes.]


    [Summary: I am the great gnome, ye filthy inferior races!]


    Chen Jing then told Chen Yining about his summoned beast¡¯s stats.


    It left Chen Yining a little surprised¡ªthere was no wonder this gnome could use tools, it was a gifted beast with a prefix!

 Chapter 17

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    This was the first time they had ever run into a special monster with a prefix and there was no telling if they could get a prefix for summoned beasts without one.


    If possible, he should get Green Skin a prefix too.


    The Strong Goblin Warrior or the Agile Goblin Warrior, for example?


    Either way, Chen Jing was in good spirits after capturing the gnome with a prefix.


    Chen Yining appeared very curious. ¡°What¡¯s the function of the bond? Would they be glowing?¡±


    Chen Jing summoned both his gnomes then and had them stand side-by-side.


    There was no light of any color shining over them, nor did they have more heads.


    In fact, they were no different than before.


    Since the effectiveness for a gnome in creating machinery alchemical items was +1, perhaps they would only see the bond bonus after they crafted something.


    Also, there was not much difference between the Smart Gnome and an average gnome, aside from a larger head.


    That was why Chen Jing gave it a temporary nickname: Big Head.


    Big head, big head, not worried about the rain. (1)


    Meanwhile, the gnomes fleeing across all directions around the residential complex had become the ¡®treasures¡¯ of the people present around the residential complex.


    After thinking about it, Chen Yining then beamed. ¡°Come, let¡¯s help them out.¡±


    Their aim was to kill monsters in the first place, and that applied to killing them in the forest or these straggler gnomes in the residential complex.


    The residential complex was naturally much better compared to the complex, unfathomable landscape of the forest.


    Most importantly, these gnomes were scattered¡ªlike army ants, they were only frightening butchers of the forest if they were sticking together, but one operating alone was a little insignificant pudding.


    Altruistic as always, Chen Yining¡¯s group started to help out, with the goblin warrior and two traitor gnomes fighting with them.


    There were gnomes that thought they won¡¯t be found after hiding in bushes, while some concealed themselves beneath slides as well as inside garbage cans¡­


    They would find one gnome after another and get rid of them consecutively.


    Those gnomes had lost their wits and had no guts to fight back at all.


    After killing some, Chen Jing did not capture a third gnome, and instead converted every gnome killed into EXP.


    He had made up his mind to capture a high-level gnome for his last slot.


    Although there were still almost a hundred gnomes around the residential complex, they were all scared witless.


    These remaining gnomes were therefore a lot less threatening compared to an actual large horde of gnomes.


    There were also more people coming out of the residential complex to hunt the gnomes now, while Chen Yining and Chen Jing managed to kill nine.


    Chen Yining made a face in hesitation then.


    Green Skin¡¯s EXP had reached [97/100], and would soon reach level 2.


    However, there appeared to be no wild gnomes remaining around the residential complex, and they could not find one after more than ten minutes later.


    Any stragglers around the area would be searched and destroyed, just as the residents kill off any they found hiding around the stairs.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Chen Yining said then.


    They would lose more than what they gained if they kept searching¡ªit was time to end the game of cat-and-mouse.


    ¡°Where did you guys come from?¡± Chen Jing asked the recently captured Big Head then.


    Though they were opponents just before, Big Head immediately acknowledged Chen Jing as his master after it was captured.


    Big Head then told Chen Jing everything it knew: these gnomes had belonged to a tribe in the forest, numbering up to a hundred.


    The city that had suddenly appeared in their forest captured their attention, and in their point of view, it was an enigmatic concrete jungle.


    There were endless tiny holes close to each other on the thick, gigantic trees of steel, and some hairless bipedal monkeys were actually living within!


    Naturally, those hairless bipedal monkeys referred to humans.


    It was worth mentioning that Big Head had memory about humans.


    In fact, the gnomes did not even know the concept of ¡®human¡¯, nor heard or even seen them, which was why humans were hairless bipedal apes in their perspective.


    Still, they had a further understanding of the forest thanks to Big Head¡¯s description.


    Overall speaking, their part of the forest was a low-level zone, and the magical creatures living there were not powerful.


    According to Big Head, they could reach a mountain, where a huge giant dwelled on top of the peak, if they walked an entire night and half a day


    The giant could easily pull out the trees of the forest, roots and all, and its strength was so frightening that the Thunderbear of the east would never dare to venture inside the giant¡¯s domain.


    However, Big Head shook his head when Chen Jing asked how big Thunderbear and that giant actually were¡ªit had never seen them with its own eyes, and had only heard rumors about it.


    Nonetheless, they found out that there were many goblin and gnome grimes in the area, along with halflings wandering the forests. On the other hand, large globs of slimes could be found near quagmires and swamps, which were their preferred environment.


    There would be traces of slime near rivers and streams too.


    Aside from goblins and gnomes, fire fowls, doll monkeys, and faceshifting spiders were the common magical creatures around.


    Of those, fire fowls were known to be delicious with fresh, succulent meat.


    Doll monkeys were despicable creatures that threw fruits at them from on top of trees.


    Faceshifting spiders were very disgusting, and they could get poisoned from eating their meat.


    That was Big Head¡¯s opinion towards the three most common magical creatures.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°A small tribe consists of a hundred members, whereas large tribes would be more than ten times that population,¡± Big Head said then.


    Chen Yining nodded after verifying that there were no midsized tribes.


    There were also no population size above large tribes.


    After all, overpopulation was a burden¡­ in Green Skin¡¯s own words, ¡°No one would have their fill.¡±


    Only two outcomes awaited if there were too many individuals in a tribe¡ªthe first would be the tribe¡¯s forces attacking large magical creatures, and if they succeeded, the tribe champions would be the ones to consume those large magical creatures¡¯ flesh. Should they also evolve by chance, the tribe could further expand the upper limit of their population, since having more stronger goblins in a tribe would allow them to occupy a larger territory to sustain more tribesmen.


    However, if they were to fail to take down their quarry, they would have to move their tribe far away.


    The other outcome was splitting the tribe.


    A large tribe would split into two smaller tribes, which in turn would move far away.


    Most small tribes would have hobgoblins at best, while goblin warriors would only be found among large tribes.


    As a matter of fact, goblin warriors were not merely a name, but an honor¡ªwarriors of the forest, they had the courage to challenge large magical creatures, thus dying gloriously.


    ***


    Happy Huarong City was a new residential complex located near the suburbs of Mountain Water City and a shopping plaza had been built nearby.


    However, there were not many residents nor human activity around the area since it had been recently built.


    The fountain at the center of the shopping plaza was no longer spurting water since the city transmigrated as well, with the pool of water within remaining perfectly still.


    At the moment, the center of the shopping plaza had been occupied by a tribe of goblins that moved in from the north.


    Some of them were sitting or sprawled over the ledge beside the pool, poking their heads in to have a drink.


    Others were dragging along items they had stolen from the various shops on the streets as decorations.


    It appears that these goblins were prepared to make this place their new home.


    Meanwhile, on the main walkway that connected the shopping plaza to the outside, a group of sixty people was leading summoned beasts that outnumbered themselves, even as they approached from the distance with unfriendly looks on their faces.


    ***


    Translator¡¯s note:


    (1) A verse in the children¡¯s song Big Head (´óÍ·).

 Chapter 18

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Their objective was simple and obvious¡ªthey were going to hunt down the goblin tribe.


    Still, there was a goblin that appeared stronger than the other goblins at the center of the goblin tribe, and it could be a hobgoblin judging from its size.


    Led by the hobgoblin, the other goblins followed as they went to meet their uninvited guests directly.


    Both sides held on to their weapons. The battle could start at any moment.


    Time slowly ticked passed¡­


    The group of humans stared at the goblins hostilely, just as the goblins stared fixedly at the humans.


    An unusual atmosphere extended over the air.


    ¡°How long are we going to stand here?¡± asked someone in the group.


    ¡°We¡¯re not moving if they don¡¯t,¡± answered someone beside him.


    Seeing that the people around them nodded in agreement, it seems that they were sticking to the strategy of not moving unless the enemy moved¡­


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t those goblins moving as well?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    How am I supposed to know why they aren¡¯t moving?!


    The goblins all appeared ferocious like a pack of hungry wolves, but all they did was stand on at the plaza, silently watching the humans as if they had no intent to attack.


    Nonetheless, after the standoff lasted for almost ten minutes, those people finally came to a realization.


    It turns out that the goblins were afraid, too¡­


    Ah, whatever.


    They are the only ones scared, not us.


    Not everyone had been a part of a mass brawl, not to mention that this was far bloodier and crueler than that.


    ¡°Charge!!!¡±


    Many of the humans roared, and the rest of the group soon followed suit.


    Perhaps doing that dispelled the terror inside their bodies, so that they had the courage to dash forward.


    On the other hand, the goblins¡¯ gazes remained sinister. Though they fidgeted a little when the humans charged, they soon managed to regain composure.


    In an instant, both sides collided. Those with long-hilted weapons naturally had the upper hand, though close-range weapons such as blades or swords became more effective as the battle escalated.


    The strong survive while the weak die.


    Both sides were untrained bunches of misfits without any tactics to speak of, and so clumped together in a melee.


    Some of the humans who had summoned goblins were having hard time since their summoned beasts were almost attacked by other humans. Moreover, the goblins summoned were seen by wild goblins as clear enemies for some reason, and trying to impersonate them as wild goblins would not work.


    Nonetheless, humans had one layer of insurance, since they could use their Summoner¡¯s Grimoire to recall their summoned beast.


    Moreover, any goblins killed would become a summoned beast, and so the advantage leaned toward the humans.


    Bizarrely, however, despite holding the overall advantage, once more than a tenth of the human forces were killed, their side was the first to collapse¡­


    The first to run away were those whose summoned beasts had been killed¡ªhaving no summoned beasts meant that they were denied the protection of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire as well, and were no different from fat meat exposed in air.


    As insecurity extended from head to toe, they lost all confidence to remain in the chaotic battle.


    Moreover, there were quite a number of them. While they were not exactly vital, they were still a cornerstone of the forces.


    And after they ran away, the human side had clearly decreased in number.


    Those remaining behind either had surviving summoned beasts or had gained something in the fight. Even so, their summoned beasts faced the same problem everyone faced¡ªa limit to the number of summoned beasts.


    The maximum limit of three summoned beasts denied the existence of any sort of messiah who could stand alone.


    It also meant that the group must work together to achieve final victory.


    Even so, this group had been random people drawn together by slogans and profit¡­ When some of them had reached the upper limit of three summoned beasts, they would goof off or avoid fighting altogether to keep their summoned beasts alive.


    After all, from their own perspective, the summoned beasts were their own profits gained through much difficulty¡ªwhy would they sacrifice it for some people they did not even know?


    There were few with long-term vision and the resolve to make sacrifices.


    And this minority were considered fools who would never change anything by the majority.


    All they could do was stop the situation from falling apart.


    Even so, fools would never remain foolish eternally¡ªthe time would come that they would become smart and calculating, and learn to raise thick shields around their body.


    Like trees, the more humans reached toward the light, the deeper their roots would extend to the darkness of the ground.


    As such, the already-weak cohesion between the group of humans collapsed further.


    Hence, the goblins managed to reach a stalemate against the hastily formed group.


    The side which could not last would break the stalemate.


    If the goblins could not hold the line and scatter, the humans would chase them down en masse.


    Likewise, if the humans could not hold the line and retreated en masse, the same outcome awaited them.


    Time continued to tick by.


    ¡°Argh!¡± One of the goblins abruptly shrieked then before dashing away in retreat.


    And like a stack of dominos, the remaining twenty or so goblins panicked fled in every direction.


    Some of the remaining humans would chase them down, while others stared stupidly at the corpses laying in pools of blood.


    ***


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Chen Yining, who was ready to enter the forest, heard footsteps behind him then, and turned to find in delight two goblins running toward him in panic, with more goblins behind them.


    ¡°Did they all come to offer themselves?¡± Chen Yining muttered.


    He soon noticed that there were humans chasing down the goblins, but he had no intentions of holding back.


    The goblins would definitely be running into the forest if he did not do a thing anyway, and he did not believe that residents of a modern city who was unfamiliar with forests could find those slippery creatures.


    After all, the goblins were just like rats.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving it to you, Green Skin. Leave none alive,¡± Chen Yining said.


    Green Skin smiled fiercely in content.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master! None of them will survive!¡±


    The two goblins that were running up front promptly stopped when they saw Green Skin.


    Dropping to the ground, they felt a sharp pain on their neck before they took to the skies, and soon lost all senses.


    The goblins to the rear all turned to flee at different directions when they saw Green Skin as well, as if they were facing a natural calamity.


    Green Skin intimidated them more than the humans behind them.

 Chapter 19

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Green Skin bared its ferocious tusks. It seized the nearest goblin, its exceedingly large palms holding the goblin up with a vice-grip in the air, seemingly having no mercy toward a former green skin comrade.


    Pow!!!


    The other goblin was slammed heavily to the ground, and there was not telling how many bones throughout its body was broken.


    Green Skin then raised its right leg and stomped on the goblin¡¯s head, crushing it.


    It seemed to enjoy using such overwhelming power to crush its opponent¡ªit had never tried anything like that before.


    After becoming a goblin warrior, Green Skin completely overwhelmed any average goblin in terms of strength.


    Meanwhile, another goblin beside them could tell that it was not getting away, and so shrieked in fear as it smashed its stick at Green Skin¡¯s butt cheeks.


    They bounced elastically, while Green Skin¡¯s brow twitched as well.


    While its buttocks were not injured and were merely aching a little, it lost face since it had been hit in the rump by another goblin in front of its own master.


    In response, it swung its palm from high above down onto the other goblin¡¯s neck.


    Smack!


    The goblin¡¯s head swiveled half a circle before it fell limply to the ground.


    Woah, such a fierce hobgoblin!


    The pursuing humans were exceedingly irritated that the goblins they had chased so hard were being killed by someone else, but their indignation faded away entirely after they saw the violent sight.


    See you around.


    They did not doubt that the green-skinned muscular monster, which was endlessly stronger than the average goblins, could punch through their belly in just one try.


    ¡°What level of goblin is that?¡± someone asked somberly.


    In their perspective, a goblin that powerful would have at least reached level 3.


    ¡°At first, I thought goblins were weak and didn¡¯t think that goblins are that ridiculous after they level up. I¡¯ve made up mind¡ªI¡¯ll level goblins!¡± someone added excitedly.


    ¡°Maybe the other guy had developed his goblin well.¡± Another man discouraged him.


    ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be too huge a gap even if it¡¯s a matter of development¡ªhow much could individual goblins differ from each other anyway?¡± the first person retorted.


    ¡°Fine, you do have a point anyway.¡±


    Either way, the four goblins that had been killed were now Chen Yining¡¯s loot, and he first converted one for Green Skin, earning him 6 EXP that brought him up to level 2 with 3 additional EXP.


    [Level 2 (3/1,000)]


    Chen Yining rubbed his eyes, checking what he saw before and that his eyes were not playing tricks on him.


    One level up, and the EXP was multiplied by ten?


    Chen Yining had expected several other possibilities¡ªsuch as each subsequent level needing an additional one hundred EXP or even double the EXP cost from before, just like the formula for fusing goblins.


    He just did not expect that leveling up again needed ten times the EXP.


    With this formula¡­ leveling would become extremely difficult.


    Did that not mean that improving from level 3 to level 4 would require 10,000 EXP?!


    It seems that leveling up was going to be exceedingly tough, but it would also mean that the improvement between each level would be considerable.


    At the moment, Chen Yining was staring fixedly at Green Skin, who did not seem to change visibly after reaching level 2.


    The single difference was that its presence appeared just a littler fiercer now.


    While Green Skin might be aware of how it had specifically changed itself, the goblin itself could not describe it¡ªall it managed to do was mumble for half a day before concluding, ¡°I became stronger¡±.


    Yes, yes, you¡¯re stronger now, whatever¡­


    Meanwhile, after Chen Yining fused the remaining three dead goblins to Green Skin, its fusion progress was (3/8) (0/1).


    While Chen Yining knew that the ¡®8¡¯ in front denoted goblins, Chen Yining was not sure about the ¡®1¡¯ at the back.


    His guess was that it could be some necessary item, or the corpse of some evolved hobgoblin or goblin warrior.


    Looking at the forest ahead, Chen Yining hesitated for a moment.


    There was no telling if something might change if they went in at night.


    Given how the gnomes and the goblins in the city had come from the forest, it was obvious that magical creatures could enter the forest.


    What if they ran into powerful magical creatures if they headed inside the forest then?


    It was safer to farm these goblins and gnomes in the suburbs.


    While it was impossible to ensure perfect safety, it would at least be relatively safer.


    As Chen Yining and the others moved along the streets, they found that many of the facilities on the way had been destroyed.


    Some of the unluckier shops would be completely wrecked.


    Chen Jing even narrowed his eyes with lingering fear.


    It was fortunate that they were not living in the suburbs, or it would be too unbearable.


    There was no way they could sleep soundly at night¡ªin fact, they would be afraid to sleep too soundly, since they would be worried about magical creatures quietly slipping into their homes.


    After walking some distance and getting off a downward slope, Chen Yining soon saw a nearby factory.


    There was a large tent set up in the yard of the factory and the walls surrounding it was 2.6 meters tall. A group of goblins was outside, shrieking urgently and even hammering the gates with their sticks.


    Even so, the steel gates of the factory were huge and thick with no gaps between its bars, preventing the goblins from sneaking inside.


    Chen Yining remembered that some factory gates would have gaps between the bars that skinnier humans could crawl between, let alone smaller goblins.


    Then, from the distance, Chen Yining managed to smell the stench of pig dung coming from within.


    The factory must be a farm.


    A sharp rake extended out of a gap at the bottom of the gates and stabbed one of the goblins in the leg, flooring it with the injury.


    ¡°One, two, three, four¡­¡±


    Licking his lips, Chen Yining quietly hid behind a wall to count the goblins.


    He counted three times to confirm that there were thirty-four, along with one hobgoblin.


    This was the first time Chen Yining had seen one out in the wild too.


    Surrounded by normal goblins that were only as tall as its chest, the hobgoblin stuck out like a sore thumb.


    Then, it raised a huge steel pipe it picked up from somewhere¡­ and with a weird cry, smashed it on the gates.


    Bang!


    Chen Yining could clearly hear it even from far away.


    Then, Chen Yining watched with his own eyes as the hobgoblin stumbled two steps backward, the steel pipe flying out of its grasp.


    What an idiot.


    Chen Yining thus inwardly critiqued the hobgoblin.

 Chapter 20 - Killing a Hobgoblin

    Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation


    Chen Yining had an idea when it comes to killing an idiot.


    It would be difficult if the quarry was smarter, but since that hobgoblin did not appear that way, Chen Yining would just need a little trick to dominate over it in a battle of wits.


    Gently stroking his chin, Chen Yining considered how he should deal with the idiot hobgoblin.


    Misdirection? Isolation? A diversion?


    Various strategies appeared in Chen Yining¡¯s mind.


    Nonetheless, he soon realized something troubling¡ªeven with his own summoned beast and his younger brother¡¯s, they only amounted to five people.


    Honestly, five was too few.


    There was quite a gap when compared to a group of thirty-four goblins.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for the trouble, Master.¡±


    Nonetheless, Green Skin clapped a hand on Chen Yining¡¯s shoulder, its eyes seemingly flickering with a glint of confidence.


    The corner of its lips lifted as it looked at the distant group of goblins with contempt, clenching its fist. ¡°I, Green Skin, am enough.¡±


    ¡°All goblins are cowards. They would all be scared off once I reveal my heroic form,¡± it added nonchalantly, patting itself on the chest and assuring Chen Yining that he alone could take down the group of goblins.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a goblin too?¡± Chen Yining was speechless¡ªwho talks about themselves like that?


    ¡°I¡¯m not like those coward goblins¡­ I¡¯m a great goblin warrior!¡± Green Skin vehemently denied that it was a goblin and solemnly declared itself a goblin warrior.


    With that, it was ready to rush forward and fight all thirty-four goblins.


    Chen Yining stopped it, however. He turned toward his brother and said, ¡°Have your gnome strengthen Green Skin¡¯s rebar.¡±


    Chen Yining remembered that having both gnomes provided a bond bonus of +1 effectiveness in crafting alchemical items.


    The underlying principle was unknown, but they should not waste it.


    Green Skin then handed his rebar to the two gnomes, who took out their crude tools and hammered away on the rebar.


    Amid the loud clanging, the rebar seemed to be altered mysteriously.


    It appeared¡­ straighter?


    With that, the gnomes returned the rebar to Green Skin.


    Green Skin swung it around a little but did not sense anything special, nor was there a change in its weight.


    After brandishing it for a while, it kept the rebar on its right hand, while excitedly picking up a brick with its left hand before dashing forward!


    Pow!


    The thirty-four goblins that were hiding in the distance turned around when they heard the series of approaching footsteps.


    Even the goblin which was lying on the ground after being stabbed by a rake extending out of the farm turned toward Green Skin.


    Green Skin was swift thanks to its two-meter height and long legs.


    It covered ten paces with each stride, and raised its rebar, swinging it ferociously.


    Pow!


    It landed an audible hit on flesh, and the closest goblin was sent flying over six meters away and dropped to the ground, rolling like a bottle gourd.


    Three other goblins nearby squawked, flailing their weapons as they charged at Green Skin.


    In response, Green Skin slammed the brick it was holding with its left hand into one of the goblin¡¯s faces while fighting off multiple foes at once with its right. Soon, the other two goblins were knocked down to the dirt, and they would not be getting up soon.


    Knowing neither strategy nor technique, Green Skin relied entirely on overwhelming strength to clear a path toward the hobgoblin.


    ¡°Gobbo!¡± It roared in fury, hitting itself fiercely on the chest with its left fist.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The other goblins around it all froze, afraid to even get closer.


    Upon seeing that sight, the hobgoblin, which had remained to the rear of the goblin group, raised its weapon ferociously.


    Green Skin threw it a look of disdain, its look of contempt saying it all.


    However, the hobgoblin did not dare to charge even if it was left utterly indignant.


    It was aware that it would not win against a goblin warrior.


    Leveling a hateful look at Green Skin, the hobgoblin started to squawk randomly then and pointed its steel bar at Green Skin.


    Even so, the other goblins around it traded glances, exchanging some verbal gibberish and soon backing away.


    None of them dared to take the lead.


    Having observed it all, Chen Yining realized why Green Skin was brave enough to fight that group of goblins alone.


    The talent of average goblins that had yet to evolve as hobgoblins was to run away in the face of danger.


    They truly worked with the mindset of a mob and only picked fights they could win.


    If there was no chance of winning, all of them would run away.


    Such was the shortcoming of a goblin.


    On the other hand, Chen Yining was able to strengthen his goblin to hobgoblin and then to goblin warrior, and there was a chance that Green Skin could become an even stronger goblin.


    Moreover, once Green Skin evolved into a hobgoblin, its race talent had improved as well¡ªnow, it had a certain chance of triggering Raging Cry when threatened, which accelerated its own speed.


    It was a much better talent than fleeing.


    Moreover, the hobgoblin had a stronger fighting spirit than an average goblin.


    Chen Yining¡¯s gaze flickered then.


    The lowest bond bonus requirement for a goblin was three goblins.


    It would be meaningless to have the goblins occupy his three-page slot of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire if the bond bonus was not activated.


    As for the bond bonus itself, three goblins would gain 10% boost in strength, whereas six would gain 20% and ten would gain 30%.


    But was he really prepared to use up all his summoned beast slots on goblins?


    Chen Yining fell silent.


    Goblins appeared frequently in the anime, movies, and video games of Mercury.


    Nonetheless, every incarnation of their race could not be considered powerful or attractive.


    Moreover, every man has their own ambitions.


    Chen Yining himself hoped to capture two dragons¡ªthe godly beasts of divine myths.


    Power is temporary, but looking cool is for life.


    That being said, there was another option¡­ he could utilize bond bonus, but without focusing on it excessively.


    Chen Yining then remembered that he alone had the fusion function.


    With it, having the bond bonus would be best, but he could fuse or level up his summoned beasts if there were no bond bonuses to be had.


    If he could level up his summoned beast over a dozen times or so, it would become powerful even without the bond bonus, would it not?


    Even as those ideas crossed his mind, the fight was already over.


    Green Skin had successfully killed the hobgoblin, which was reluctant to run away.


    It turned into a white light, fusing into Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Chen Yining opened it and dragged the picture of the hobgoblin to fuse it with Green Skin¡¯s picture on the first page.


    Once it combined with Green Skin¡¯s picture, Chen Yining was delighted to find that the (0/1) beside Green Skin¡¯s name became (1/1).


    He smiled.


    It was done.


    Moreover, he felt confident that he had grasped the formula and pattern for leveling up and fusion.


    After that, he fused all the remaining goblins that were killed to Green Skin as well.


    With that, the (3/8) beside Green Skin¡¯s name became (6/8).


    ¡°Those goblins are really spineless,¡± Chen Jing could not help saying then.


    ¡°They are, but that works to our favor in hunting them down.¡± A smile showed on Chen Yining¡¯s face then.

 Chapter 21

    A wary eye appeared behind the slit at the gate, staring at Chen Yining and his brother¡¯s summoned beasts in the distance.


    Seeing that the brothers were going to leave, the chains behind the gates of the farm could be heard unlocking.


    The noise was rather conspicuous amidst the silent environment.


    Chen Yining paused, turning to find the gates of the farm opened, just as a head poked out.


    She had pale cheeks and large round eyes.


    ¡°Thank you! I knew you were the good guys!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The brothers shared a look, a little unsure as to what she meant.


    ¡°Brother, she has just put you in the friend zone.¡±


    ¡°I think she was talking to you.¡± Chen Yining shrugged.


    ¡°There¡¯s many dangerous monsters out there, come in.¡± The girl behind the gates waved to Chen Yining then.


    After considering it for a moment, Chen Yining made his way to her with his brother and summoned beasts.


    Green Skin walked ahead, staring cautiously at the girl, its right hand clenching tightly on its rebar.


    At the same time, Chen Yining studied the inside of the farm from the outside, and only entered after ensuring that there was no danger inside.


    ¡°I¡¯m really grateful for your help just now¡­ I really don¡¯t know what would have happened if not for you.¡±


    The girl behind the gates was around 1.65 meters tall, and wore an apron along with two arm gloves, and she was quite young at around eighteen.


    After a little chat, Chen Yining found out that the girl¡¯s name was Gao Qian and the farm belonged to her family. Though it was not exactly huge, there were over a thousand pigs reared there. Her parents were always busy, and to ease their burden, she had always helped out at the farm during holidays since she was a kid.


    In the morning, her parents would send a batch of pigs to the next city while having her stay at the farm. They would return on the same day since the next city was not very far off.


    However, after the skies suddenly turned dark two days ago, it was fortunate that there were still some noodles and rice left at the farm. With that, she tended to the pigs at the farm and waited for her parents¡¯ return.


    But there were no signs of them ever coming back.


    Then, in the morning, she heard the loud noises out in the courtyard, and saw the goblins standing outside the gates through the slit.


    Startled, she cried out since she had never seen goblins before, which in turn caught their attention.


    Chen Yining and his brother knew what had happened next.


    ***


    The odor in the farm was strong and the stench from the pigs¡¯ pens stung noses, which was why there were not many people living nearby, keeping this location rather isolated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know when my parents would come back.¡± Gao Qian¡¯s gaze darkened.


    Be that as it may, Chen Yining was convinced that they would never return because their entire city had transmigrated¡­ unless her parents had transmigrated too.


    On another note, the farm was average in scale, with over five hundred adult pigs and more than a thousand piglets.


    In this city where food source decreased by the day, this many livestock were undoubtedly an invaluable treasure.


    And to tell the truth, Chen Yining would be lying to himself if he said he was not interested in the pigs.


    If they could get suitable food for the pigs in the forest, the piglets would keep breeding¡­ and they might be able to set up a monopoly over the pig¡¯s market in this area.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Gao Qian thanked them again, and it was obvious that she was an earnest person. Pursing her lips, she then cautiously said, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll give you each a piglet.¡±


    Chen Jing did a double take and scratched his head, clearly interested in the offer.


    Chen Yining, however, took a long look at Gao Qian and smiled meaningfully.


    Normally, gratitude would be conveyed with money or other gifts¡ªwho would go so far as to gift piglets?


    It also shows that she understood that the piglets were the most precious things there were right now.


    While it does not actually mean much, this proved from a different angle that she was not completely obvious, and that she understood the current situation.


    ¡°Do you know how to kill pigs?¡± Chen Yining suddenly asked.


    Gao Qian appeared taken aback, but she nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ve helped my parents kill some pigs before.¡±


    Having killed a pig meant seeing pig¡ªand a person who had done that meant seeing blood. Moreover, such mental fortitude already made her better than eighty-percent of the city¡¯s population.


    ¡°Alright¡­ how about this? We¡¯ll have a piglet for now, but we¡¯ll leave it here so you could raise it, and get it from you later. That is because we still have a lot of food back home that would expire if we don¡¯t eat them, and you can¡¯t leave fresh meat around for long either.¡± Chen Yining grinned.


    Gao Qian nodded.


    With that, she led Chen Yining and the others to the pig¡¯s pen to pick a piglet.


    Chen Yining ended up picking a piglet with a heart shaped mark over its back, and it grunted away when he picked it up.


    Gao Qian then told them that she would take care of the piglet and provide it additional portions of its meal, ensuring that it would be fat and round.


    After the brothers left the farm, Chen Jing could not help saying, ¡°There were a lot of pigs in there, Brother.¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    ¡°My goodness¡­ with that many pigs and every chance that her parents are not coming back, can a young girl like her watch over such a huge farm?¡± Chen Jing muttered, shaking his head.


    ¡°Are you worried about here?¡± Chen Yining smiled.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m just worried that our pig would be stolen,¡± Chen Jing replied.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what we want? That way, we have a reason to be involved.¡± Chen Yining¡¯s eyes twinkled at that¡ªGreen Skin had granted him some confidence in their strength, and it might surprise Chen Yining further with a little strengthening.


    As for the piglet, they would have finished it in two meals or so, and it was more ideal to have backup while they were not lacking food for now.


    Staying at the farm to protect Gao Qian was unnecessary as well, since anything else could wait after self-preservation after the city was reduced to this state.


    It was a straight path to the forest past the farm. The ruins of the ring road around the city could vaguely be seen from the edge of the forest.


    The ring road appeared as if it had been cut in two by a gigantic farm.


    Though farm was very close to the forest and had been the city¡¯s borders before the whole city transmigrated, the farm was built there because of the strong smell and the isolated location.


    On another note, only two more goblins were needed for Green Skin to evolve, and Chen Yining was hoping to meet some wild goblins as they ventured on.


    Nonetheless, there was a rustling at the ticket at the forest border, just as Chen Yining was going to keep exploring the suburbs by moving along another road.


    The bushes shook violently, and judging from the movement, something big was hiding behind it.


    Seconds later, a blue-green head poked out.


    It resembled a chicken¡ªthe feathers on its head and neck were orange-green and a little loose like a lion¡¯s mane, the bright colors making it stand out from the forest.


    Indeed, the giant chicken was around the height of an average adult human, and it was sharply studying its surroundings with its big, round eyes.

 Chapter 22

    The pages of the brothers¡¯ Summoner¡¯s Grimoires began to flip then, revealing the information about the fowl before them.


    [Species: Fire Fowl]


    [Introduction: A giant fowl that dwells in the forest. Possessing a dazzling plume and omnivorous, it has a very short temper]


    [Current Level: 2]


    [Rank: Normal ??]


    [Race Talent: Fire breath +1]


    [Bond (Beast)]


    [(1) Each beast gains a 5% increase in strength if there are more than 2 beasts.]


    [(2) Each beast gains a 10% increase in strength and an intimidation halo (minor) if there are more than 5 beasts.]


    [Summary: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!]


    The fire fowl suddenly turned its head sharply and stared tightly at Chen Yining.


    Man and fowl stared at each other¡ªthe beast¡¯s reputation of having a short temper was certainly deserved.


    Angry bird¡­ or the fire fowl, to be precise, abruptly puffed its comb, the down around its neck bristling just like an angry lion.


    In the next instant, it breathed a straight jet of flames from its beak.


    It shot to a distance of five meters before it finally faded.


    Chen Yining, however, was standing over ten meters away from the fire fowl.


    As such, he was not affected at all, aside from feeling a heat wave in the air in front of him.


    On the other hand, the fire fowl realized that Chen Yining and the others were not backing off.


    Extending its talons out of the bushes, the beast clawed the ground, putting up a look that said ¡®I¡¯m very angry¡¯.


    Chen Yining realized with a start then¡ªthe bird wanted to intimidate them and scare them off.


    ¡°The noisier you are, the more obvious that you¡¯re hiding something.¡± Chen Yining flashed a nasty smile.


    He waved his hand, gesturing for Green Skin to advance.


    Holding the steel shield in front of itself with its left hand and protecting its head, it carefully advanced while holding the rebar with his right hand.


    The fire fowl shook its neck warily, blood filling its eyes instantly as it widened its beak, revealing the tight rows of tiny razor teeth within.


    It flapped its wings, making itself appear huge and menacing.


    Puffing its neck again, it breathed another jet of flames once more.


    This time, however, the flames were much smaller than the one before.


    It appeared that breathing fire in rapid succession had taken a toll on the beast.


    Nonetheless, the fire fowl¡¯s flames managed to hit Green Skin¡¯s shield this time and pushed it backwards, though Green Skin managed to steady itself.


    The flames appeared to carry a considerable impact force, and it was fortunate that the shield they prepared for Green Skin was heatproof thanks to a layer of heatproof materials embedded within it.


    Bellowing, Green Skin rushed forward and swung its rebar viciously as a weapon.


    There was a dull sound as it struck the muscles over the fire fowl¡¯s shoulder.


    As if anguished, the fire fowl shook its head in irritation and crowed furiously.


    It opened its beak that was lined with rows of razor-sharp tooth while flapping its wings wildly, using that momentum to crash toward Green Skin.


    Green Skin kept its shield in front of itself and the fire fowl was knocked half a pace backwards after it slammed its head into the goblin¡¯s shield.


    In the distance, Chen Yining was quite surprised.


    After all, Green Skin now possessed frightening strength after evolving twice. Just moments before, it had completely overwhelmed the hobgoblin they had encountered in front of the farm in the strength stat.


    And hobgoblins were virtually twice stronger than the average adult human.


    It was therefore certainly unnecessary to mention Green Skin there, who had evolved into a goblin warrior.


    ¡°That fire fowl seem to be stronger than the faceshifting spider,¡± Chen Jing said.


    ¡°That seems to be the case for now, but that might not be the case.¡± Chen Yining nodded. ¡°The faceshifting spider was dealt with too quickly and did not manage to reveal many of its techniques.


    ¡°Doll monkey, fire fowl, faceshifting spider¡­ those are three most common magical beasts in this forest, barring the goblins. We might run into more of them in the future,¡± Chen Jing said as he studied the fire fowl seriously, stroking his chin.


    Chen Yining¡¯s gaze twinkled then.


    Thanks to the unique ability he possessed, under most circumstances, the more summoned beast he owned, the better.


    With high basic stats as a prerequisite, he could could develop excellent individual summoned beasts, which also helped with fusing summoned beasts.


    But through the same principle, a rabbit that was strengthened ten times would never win against a dragon strengthened twice.


    That said, the difficulty in strengthening said rabbit over ten times was much simpler¡ªthe condition being the ability to gather the strengthening materials needed.


    Everyone had to weigh the pros and cons themselves.


    Therefore, there was nothing much to worry about with fire fowls, since they were quite common in this forest.


    Judging from the one they are looking at right now, the base stats of the fire fowl was much higher than the goblins. In fact, they might not be a match for those birds after evolving just once to hobgoblins, and logically speaking, the fire fowl should be stronger than goblin warriors which evolved twice.


    After all, its fire breath had a range of up to five meters and it had considerable strength as well as razor-sharp talons. It would be over if it managed to hit one¡¯s belly and claw out one¡¯s guts.


    ¡°Do you want that fire fowl?¡±


    Cheng Jing hesitated for a moment, but shook his head. ¡°No. I¡¯ll tame my own summoned beast; I don¡¯t want to rely on you.¡±


    Chen Yining chuckled. His younger brother was proving a little obstinate after recently graduating from university.


    Whatever.


    Chen Yining did not try to force him either.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to tame it,¡± he said then.


    That left Chen Jing quite surprised, since the fire fowls¡¯ bond bonus was bad no matter how he looked at it, not to mention that beast bonds were the most common bond.


    ¡°There are a lot of fire fowls in that forest,¡± Chen Yining explained. ¡°Moreover, there¡¯s nothing definitive when it comes to evolution¡ªwho knows, a few more evolutions and it would become a phoenix.¡±


    ¡°A fire phoenix?¡± Chen Jing chuckled.


    Still, he thought that it was logical¡ªsince his brother had that special ability of his, taming common beasts like the fire fowl was definitely the smartest thing to do, since it would allow rapid evolution.


    Meanwhile, the fire fowl, flapping its wings, bounded up to five meters in the air and streaked toward Chen Yining!


    The fire fowl actually understood the principle of defeating an enemy by capturing their chief!


    Chen Yining promptly darted behind some obstcales nearby.


    However, two of the fire fowl¡¯s talons were about to land on Chen Yining¡­ but the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire floating in front of him suddenly released a bright white fluorescent light that shielded him.


    The fire fowl felt as if it claws had touched an invisible screen when it reached the fluorescent light, which nullified its attack and knocked it backward.


    Chen Yining tried to seize the moment for a counterattack with the protection of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire. Still, he soon realized that the invisible screen blocked both attacks targeting him as well as his own attacks, keeping him isolated beyond the battle.


    Still, it was simple if he wanted to continue the fight¡ªhe just had to dispel the protective screen from Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, allowing him to fight again.


    But Chen Yining was not that much of a fool.


    Right now, he should play the role of a summoner as it was intended.


    Meanwhile, Green Skin was beside itself in fury when it saw that his master was attacked.


    It charged viciously and seized the fire fowl by its rear talon, pulling it down firmly and slamming it to the ground.


    Then, pinning itself atop the bird, it repeatedly stabbed its rebar sharply down the fire fowl¡¯s neck.


    Having been refined by gnomes, the rebar had spiraling sharp edge at it front.


    As if a dam was punctured, blood shot out furiously in the instant that a single wound was pierced into the fowl.

 Chapter 23

    The fire fowl¡¯s struggling weakened then, its bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at the goblin that was straddling it.


    Rage and misery filled its eyes.


    Nonetheless, it took a long time for the fire fowl to slowly turn still and giving up on struggling.


    After that, it turned into a streak of white light that fused into the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    A transparent page was added within.


    The picture on it was lifelike, and the stats remained the stats Chen Yining had read before¡ªthe fire fowl¡¯s level remained on Level 2, but everything else was reset.


    Regardless, Chen Yining had planned to tame the fire fowl right away.


    The transparent page was hence added to the second page of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, the picture on it becoming more solid just then.


    And once it was done, the clear image of the fire fowl appeared, and Chen Yining summoned it.


    A streak of red light shot out of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire to the flat ground before him.


    ¡°Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~¡±


    The summoned fire fowl paced back and forth on its talons. Tilting its head to give Chen Yining a glance, it then lowered its head and continued strolling.


    [Need food, hungry]


    The fire howl did not appear to be very intelligent, and its thoughts were reflected into Chen Yining¡¯s mind through the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    ¡°What do you want eat?¡± Chen Yining asked.


    [Fruity, delish]


    The fire fowl skipped excitedly. Rearing itself to its full height of 1.7 meters, it spread its wings and flopped toward the bushes.


    Giving chase, Chen Yining held up a hand in front of his own cheek as he split a path through the thicket. The foliage here went as high as two meters and grew lushly despite having thin branches. The leaves were small and round, with many red berries growing out of it.


    Even so, the fire fowl¡¯s objective was clearly not the red berries that could be found everywhere, and it seemed to have no intention of staying in the thicket.


    In fact, it was becoming more cheerful after it traversed the thicket.


    It flapped its wings even more rapidly, randomly clawing anywhere its talons reached.


    Every tree trunk along the way was left with streaks of claw marks.


    Nonetheless, the fire fowl slowed down after heading fifty meters into the forest, stopping in front of an unusual plant.


    The bird craned its neck forward, staring tightly at it.


    The plant was around two meters tall. It was basically green, but there were also many golden stripes drawn upon it.


    Still, the most curious part about it was the flower blooming at the center. Its dark golden petals were almost wilting and about to fall off, and at their center was a little golden fruit.


    It appeared to have grown by absorbing the nutrients of the petals.


    As a beam of sunlight incidentally shone through the canopy overhead, it built into a single warm ray that descended upon the golden fruit.


    Nonetheless, the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire showed no reaction¡ªit did not provide any data of the fruit.


    ¡°Golden fruit,¡± Green Skin exclaimed in delight then.


    ¡°You know it?¡± Chen Yining asked.


    ¡°I have heard about it, Master. It is a mystical fruit, and goblins would become golden goblins if they eat it,¡± Green Skin replied excitedly.


    ¡°Golden goblins¡­ are they awesome?¡±


    Green Skin did a double take. It had no idea whether golden goblins were awesome since it had only heard about them and had never actually met one.


    ¡°Probably!¡± It answered without hesitation regardless, before adding greedily, ¡°Why don¡¯t you let me eat it, Master? We¡¯ll know whether golden goblins are awesome after I do.¡±


    ¡°Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~¡±


    [Mine! Mine!]


    The fire fowl turned to glare furiously at Green Skin.


    Both summoned beasts could understand each other, perhaps because they had been tamed.


    Green Skin sneered, folding its arms before its chest and throwing a lofty look at the fire fowl.


    Foolish chicken. I am our master¡¯s most beloved and most trusted summoned beast¡ªhow do you even measure up to me, mighty Green Skin who is the embodiment of all affection?


    Master would definitely bestow that fruit upon me.


    As Green Skin throw another look of confidence and contempt at the fire fowl, Chen Yining spoke.


    ¡°Alright. Fire fowl found the golden fruit, so it can eat it.¡±


    Green Skin was dumbstruck.


    It slapped itself in disbelief.


    Am I dreaming?


    Aren¡¯t I your most beloved goblin?


    On the other hand, the fire fowl was standing guard in front of the golden fruit and staring fixedly at it, throwing wary looks around it from time to time.


    The golden fruit truly matured when the final dark golden petal of its flower falls off.


    Every golden shine seemed to be completely withdrawn within, and it turned into a small and plain earthen-yellow fruit.


    The fire fowl swallowed it in a single swoop, then crowed from satisfaction through its throat in the next instant.


    With that, a golden radiance enveloped the bird.


    As if dyed by sunlight, its feathers that were orange and green turned golden.


    Soon, it became a golden fire fowl with a fully golden body, rearing its head as it crowed at the skies.


    The Summoner¡¯s Grimoire Chen Yining was holding heated up just then, and he opened it.


    [Species: Fire Fowl]


    [Title: Golden Bloodline (10%)]


    [Current Level: 2 (0/1000)]


    [Rank: Normal ??]


    [Introduction: A giant fowl that dwells in the forest. It possesses the Golden Bloodline.]


    [Race Talent: Fire breath +2]


    [Bond (Beast)]


    [(1) Each beast gains a 5% increase in strength if there are more than two beasts.]


    [(2) Each beast gains a 10% increase in strength and an Intimidation Halo (minor) if there are more than five beasts.]


    [Bond (Golden Bloodline, inactive)]


    [(1) Every summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there is more than one summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline.]


    [(2) Every allied summoned beast gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there are more than ten summoned beasts possessing Golden Bloodline.]


    [Summary: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~]


    Chen Yining noticed the [Golden Bloodline (10%)] title that was added to the fire fowl.


    It was a data that never showed up before, and another bond bonus for Golden Bloodline showed up because of it.


    Still, the Golden Bloodline bond bonus was gray and inactive for now¡­


    Aside from that, the fire fowl¡¯s fire breath talent had become +2.


    Chen Yining had the fire fowl test its abilities, realizing soon that its flames increased in both reach and head.


    In fact, it could now reach out to more than ten meters¡ªwhich was twice more than its previous reach.


    Moreover, even though he was standing afar, Chen Yining could clearly feel a rushing wave of heat coming at his face because the heat of the flames increased.


    Such was how the golden fruit improved the fire fowl.


    After bathing itself in the golden light, the fire fowl stepped out then, the color its feathers now reverted to be more or less the same as before it ate the golden fruit. The most major difference there was that the tip of each feather twinkled with pale golden sparks.


    The bird appeared to sparkle with a golden luster at that, and was much more elegant now.

 Chapter 24

    Chen Yining found riding the fire fowl not bad.


    It could not fly, but could briefly take to the skies and glide.


    Indeed, it had no problems gliding over a dozen meters while carrying a person.


    Then, they heard the sounds of creatures dashing through the forest.


    Chen Yining turned to find some distant thicket rustling, a sight that was rather familiar¡­


    In the next split second, an orange-green blur dashed out.


    It appeared that fire fowls, familiar to the scent of maturing golden fruits wafting in the air, were drawn toward it.


    However, when this particular fire fowl dashed out to the thicket and saw Chen Yining¡¯s group, it promptly screeched to a halt, turned, and tried to flee.


    That was certainly reasonable, given that a goblin and another fire fowl was leering at itself the instant it came out of the thicket.


    What else was it supposed to do other than run? Stay and become someone else¡¯s lunch?


    After all, fire fowls were known to kill their own kind.


    A fight was inevitable should any fire fowl recklessly intrude upon another fire fowl¡¯s territory¡­ unless both fire fowls were of different genders and it was mating season.


    Either way, the intruding fire fowl would either be chased away or hunted down and killed.


    And now, the fire fowl that had inadvertently intruded into another¡¯s territory could see that, aside from another menacing fire fowl, there was also a very huge goblin.


    It was not aware of the title of ¡®goblin warrior¡¯, but it had clearly sensed that Green Skin was not one to be easily provoked.


    On the other hand, Green Skin reacted intuitively, moving to the rear to intercept the intruding fire fowl¡¯s path when it came to them.


    It charged toward the fire fowl as it retreated.


    The fire fowl¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot at once, opening its beak and breathing a stream of flames at Green Skin!


    Green Skin held up its shield in front of its own body, diverting the flames scattered toward other directions over it.


    Then, with its other hand, Green Skin seized its one of it wings and pulled backwards fearsomely, knocking it down to the ground.


    ¡°Back, Green Skin!¡± Chen Yining¡¯s voice echoed from the distance then.


    Green Skin promptly withdrew at his command.


    And right after it got clear of the area, Chen Yining¡¯s fire fowl descended from above, breathing a jet of flames!


    Its flames, twice thicker than the wild fire fowl, plunged from skies above.


    In an instantly, the fire fowl that fell on the ground was consumed.


    Green Skin spaced out for a moment at the sight, its gaze toward the fire fowl carrying its master subtly changing right then.


    The fire fowl¡­ was a little scary.


    Looking upon the other summoned beast somberly, Green Skin felt that its position was threatened.


    Meanwhile, the fire fowl on the ground was not dead yet¡ªits feathers were fireproof to an extent. Even so, most of it were charred, and there was a faint aroma wafting from its body¡­


    Nonetheless, the fire fowl¡¯s body was fireproof to a certain extent as well since its kind was naturally capable of breathing flames.


    Taking to the air despite its severe injuries, lunacy showed in the fire fowl¡¯s eyes as it attempted a last-ditch struggle.


    But Chen Yining was not about to afford it that chance.


    Green Skin charged out from the flank. Gripping its rebar tightly with both hands, it stabbed it viciously down the fire fowl¡¯s throat.


    A crunching sound echoed over the fire fowl¡¯s rather short neck.


    It slammed heavily into the dirt before turning into a white light that fused into the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Chen Yining then fused the fire fowl¡¯s image to his own and there was a flash of white light.


    After that, the image in the second page of his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire slowly altered.


    The fire fowl appeared much larger and fiercer.


    Its talons were sharper and its wingspan wider, not to mention that its beak now arched like a scythe.


    [Species: Blazing Chicken (0/2)]


    [Title: Golden Bloodline (10%)]


    [Current Level: 2 (0/1000)]


    [Rank: Normal ???]


    [Introduction: A giant fowl that dwells in the forest. It possesses the Golden Bloodline.]


    [Race Talent: Fire breath +2]


    [Bond (Beast)]


    [(1) Each beast gains a 5% increase in strength if there are more than two beasts.]


    [(2) Each beast gains a 10% increase in strength and an Intimidation Halo (minor) if there are more than five beasts.]


    [Bond (Golden Bloodline, inactive)]


    [(1) Every summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there is more than one summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline.]


    [(2) Every allied summoned beast gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there are more than ten summoned beasts possessing Golden Bloodline.]


    [Summary: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~]


    Be it in color or the markings on its feathers, the three-star normal rank blazing chicken appeared more awesome in contrast of than


    Even the scarlet fiery patterns on its feather seemed to be dancing.


    And to tell the truth, Chen Yining was a little emotional that only two fire fowls were needed for the next evolution.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, Master¡ªfire fowls are not collective creatures. Since the two fire fowls in this area have been tamed and killed respectively, there won¡¯t be another around here.¡±


    Furthermore, it appears that the battle had scared off the other large beasts and they could not find anything aside from insects.


    Chen Yining then raised his hand to check the time.


    They had been out for five hours.


    ¡°Let¡¯s stop here. We¡¯ll come back tomorrow,¡± he said.


    Chen Jing finally realized that it was late thanks to his brother¡¯s probing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, then!¡± he exclaimed as he wiped the sweat off his brow¡ªoverall speaking, they had a satisfactory day.


    After all, both him and his brother had managed to secure new summoned beasts, though it was a little upsetting that they did not manage to hunt down that many magical beasts. As a matter of fact, the others tend to flee afar each time they managed to kill a few.


    Magical beasts were quite smart¡­ they would run when they couldn¡¯t fight, and they ran very quickly.


    ***


    On the way home, Chen Yining and his brother made a detour because they were unfamiliar with the path, running into a small group of gnomes. Thanks to the blazing chicken¡¯s ability to fly firefly, only one out of the seven wild gnomes escaped, while the other six all became EXP for the brothers.


    When they returned to their own doorstep, Chen Yining dropped to a crouch to study the door slit.


    His eyes narrowed into a dark expression. ¡°Someone opened our door.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Chen Jing was quite angry.


    ¡°I kept a strand of hair on the door slit before we left, and it¡¯s gone now,¡± Chen Yining explained, looking up at the CCTV which was supposed to monitor the hallway¡ªit must have long since stopped working due to the power outage.


    He smiled then, though there was an iciness in his smile.


    With that, he summoned both Green Skin and the blazing chicken, which left the hallway a little congested because of the latter¡¯s size.


    However, the flames it breathes would be inescapable in such a narrow space.


    At the same time, Chen Yining whipped out his keys and opened the door.


    The house was still very clean and it looked just the way they had left it¡ªthere was no obvious signs of rummaging.


    Nonetheless, the brothers checked the entire house, including the cabinet under their beds. It was only after they ensured the absence of magical beasts that they began making inventory.


    They soon found out that they had lost a box of preserved meat, as well as some of their condiments and bee honey.

 Chapter 25

    Chen Yining rubbed the bridge of his nose and thought for a while before speaking.


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep this stuff here anymore¡ªafter he comes the first time, he would definitely come a second time. Our food won¡¯t be safe, unless we stay home to guard our house and stop heading to the suburbs to hunt magical beasts.¡±


    On the other hand, Chen Jing¡¯s eyes were red from frustration and absolute heartache over the stolen food, the impulse of devouring the burglar¡¯s flesh engulfing him. ¡°We¡¯ll kill him if he dares to come steal again! What is a person after I¡¯ve already killed so many magical beasts?!¡±


    ¡°Brother, let¡¯s not leave tomorrow. We¡¯ll just stay home for one day and wait for him to come,¡± he added, scowling with a hint of bloodlust in his eyes.


    ¡°What if he doesn¡¯t come?¡± Chen Yining replied calmly. ¡°Are we going to stay home until he comes?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°Hunting magical beasts is the most important thing here. After we become powerful enough, we would be able to survive thanks to that forest even if we don¡¯t have food at home. If we sit around and do nothing while others improve themselves, we would be regressing,¡± Chen Yining reminded him.


    Chen Jing said nothing, but he knew that his brother spoke reason.


    ¡°Could it be¡­ our landlord? He has backup keys, right?¡± Chen Jing asked.


    Chen Yining shook his head.


    Chen Jing was surprised. ¡°You don¡¯t think it¡¯s him?¡±


    ¡°No, I just don¡¯t know,¡± Chen Yining replied. ¡°Moreover, he doesn¡¯t seem like the type of person, judging from our previous interactions, and he shouldn¡¯t be running out of food since I did remind him to buy it before.¡±


    Afterwards, the brothers sat around the living room for a while¡ªdespite having food piling around the house, they felt no sense of security at all.


    Right now, the city was surrounded by forest. However, there would be no problem if the forest was fully utilized to sustain the six million people in the city.


    Even so, development the forest would take time, just as there were endless magical beasts in the forests.


    And through that period, there was no telling how many people would die or how many people would fight or slaughter each other over food.


    What was worse was that food would become scarcer as time passes.


    Still, every household should have some food stored, and the situation would not escalate to extreme conditions for the time being.


    However, what was a household supposed to eat when their food supply was exhausted?


    Any person was capable of anything when hungry.


    Right now, the most question that bothered Chen Yining the most was that he had no idea where the burglar came from.


    The feeling that there was a snake in the grass left him extremely unsettled.


    If the burglar was observing their movements in secret, and resolved himself to only get inside their house when they left, Chen Yining and his brother were never going to encounter him no matter how long they waited.


    It would be great if he had something like a void storage.


    Chen Yining fiddled with his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire then and found that it had no function other than summoning after half a day.


    Then, turning to the blazing chicken, he asked, ¡°Could you picked out the scents in the air, or the scent of the stranger in this house?¡±


    Blazing chicken was dumbstruck.


    I¡¯m a chicken, not a dog!


    Nonetheless, the brothers decided not to leave the house, considering that the burglar might return.


    They had wanted to buy some materials, but would have to put it off due to sudden situation.


    ***


    It was nighttime at Unit 4-06, Block B of the same residential complex. There were six houses on each floor, with three on each side, divided by the elevators and the stairs.


    Beside Chen Yining rented house, which was adjacent to his landlord¡¯s house, the remaining house had also been occupied.


    Five men sat in the living room.


    They were wanted criminals who had escaped here from a different province, having secured themselves an unoccupied house to wait out the storm and evade capture.


    There was a cardboard box placed on top of the living room tea table, with rows of dried meat kept neatly within. Two large cans containing bee honey and other condiments stood beside it.


    ¡°You stole all that from the next house?¡± a bald man sitting on the couch exclaimed excitedly, licking his lips.


    ¡°Yes, but that is only a fraction of it since I didn¡¯t have the time to take more¡ªI saw them returning from above the balcony,¡± a rather skinny man sitting beside him replied.


    ¡°You won¡¯t believe it even if I told you, but that whole house was packed with food! It¡¯s enough for us five to keep eating for half a year, but I didn¡¯t have enough time, damn it.¡±


    ¡°For real?! Did they store the food knowing ahead of time that all of this would happen?¡± the man who sat furthest to the right asked¡ªhe was an avid reader of novels, wearing a black jacket and had slightly tanned skin.


    ¡°How did you know that there was food in that house?¡± another man with a crewcut asked then, carrying a stool to sit in front of the skinny man.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stay in your room and wait out the storm? Who allowed you to move freely?¡± Their leader¡ªa pudgy man with inverted triangular eyes¡ªspoke, having stayed quiet as he sat at the middle of the sofa all along.


    ¡°Fifth¡¯s kleptomania has most likely kicked in again,¡± suggested the bald man with a laugh.


    The leader shot the bald man a glare and the latter stopped laughing right then, settling down on the sofa with an awkward smile.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that to happen ever again.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t, Boss. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Fifth promptly replied, subtly breathing a sigh of relief just then.


    The leader nodded quietly as his eye twinkled.


    If it had been the old days, disobedient lackeys like this one would have been squeezed into a barrel filled in concrete and thrown to the bottom of the sea.


    However, things were different this time.


    In the morning, he had led the other three out of the city, ready to abandon Fifth in the first place.


    He would have left directly if he could find the route of the city.


    If he could just get out of the country, he would be living free and easy with his foreign accounts that was loaded with millions.


    However, he saw that everything beyond the suburbs were forests after strolling through the northern side several times! Even the highways were cut off!


    And what was worse? The most frightening part of all that was the innumerable magical beasts in the forests.


    There was something wrong with this city and they were not going to escape for now.


    The only good news was that communications across the city was cut off, and supplies of water and power were out. Moreover, with magical beasts crawling all over the forests outside the city, neither the municipality nor the police of Mountain Water City would have the mood to search for his gang in the middle of this chaos.


    They would have no problems as long as they were not pompous enough to go plaza dancing in front of the municipality.


    That was why he had spared Fifth¡ªnot because he was a coward, but his skill in lockpicking was definitely useful.


    Boss then asked, ¡°How many people are staying next door?¡±


    ¡°Two, judging from the daily necessities they¡¯ve kept. Both of them are men, too,¡± Fifth replied.


    ¡°Two? And both are men?¡± Second¡ªthe bald man¡ªturned toward the man with a crewcut, giving him a weird look. ¡°Third, those guys¡­¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡± Third warned coolly while fiddling with a throwing dagger.


    ¡°But¡­ I also saw that they had rebars and other knives,¡± Fifth added then.


    ¡°Knives? So what? Can those things match this?¡±


    Second sneered and whipped out a pitch-black handgun from his hip, slamming it on the tea table. ¡°Moreover, they are just two men and that makes six summoned beasts, eight if we count in the men as well. The five of us, with our fifteen summoned beasts and our guns? Do we even have to worry about not snuffing them out?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s put this to a discussion then, people¡ªare we going to kill them tonight or steal their food after they leave?¡± Boss asked for the others¡¯ opinions then.


    ¡°I think it would be better if we wait until morning after they leave the house. There¡¯s no need to cause a disturbance since we are still wanted, and we just need the food for now,¡± the novel lover said.


    The bald man cursed at him in return. ¡°Are you an idiot? Why would the police be bothered with us after all that has happened? And with both the Internet or power out, who could call the cops anyway? You¡¯re too much of a coward, Fourth, and weren¡¯t you talking about transmigration or some thingmajig yesterday? What¡¯s there to be afraid of after we¡¯ve transmigrated already? No one gives a damn now that we¡¯re no longer on Mercury. If I had my say, we should just charge inside, kill them both, and take their food.¡±


    ¡°I was only suggesting the possibility. What if we didn¡¯t actually transmigrate?¡± Fourth scowled even harder at that. ¡°Moreover, guns are too loud¡ªthe whole residential complex can hear us.¡±


    Third narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, ¡°Are you sure we can survive for half a year with the food?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure!¡±


    Fifth assured him, patting his chest before adding hesitantly, ¡°Boss, after I¡¯ve stolen one box this morning, I¡¯m afraid that they would notice and decide to hide their food someplace else.¡±


    Boss¡¯s eyes came alive at that¡ªthe possibility was there.


    ***


    Later, opening their own door quietly, all five men arrived in front of Chen Yining¡¯s house, their Summoner¡¯s Grimoires hidden just around them.


    They would warily study their surroundings from time to time to ensure that no strangers would sudden pop up from downstairs or behind them.


    Since Fifth had opened the door in the morning, he managed the routine with ease.


    Indeed, he was so skilled at it that he did not make much of a sound even after he opened the lock.


    With a soft click from the door, it was slowly opened¡­

 Chapter 26

    However, a trail of flames shot out from behind the door once it opened.


    The searing blaze filled the hallway, engulfing it instantly with terrible heat. Almost everyone was completely consumed by the fire, and smaller flames could be seen extending out of the gaps between their bodies.


    Boss, meanwhile, had kept himself in the last row thanks to his rich experience. And when the fires came, he somersaulted backwards to evade it.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    Amid two screams, Second and Fifth¡ªwho were standing at the very front¡ªdropped to the floor.


    It was a trap, damn it!


    That was Boss¡¯s very first thought.


    He aimed his handgun that had never left his grip at the door.


    Meanwhile, a burning scent filled the corridor.


    The clothes weaved from polyester and other chemical fabrics were left as a pile of charred blackness, clinging tightly to the victims¡¯ skin. Behind them, the hallway was filled with dark scorch marks.


    Even so, neither Second nor Fifth died right away¡ªthey were lying on the floor, dying.


    Summoned beasts! We still have summoned beasts!


    All five thugs called out to their summoned beast in panic. In the already narrow hallway, the dozen or so creatures that had materialized in that instant left it stuck completely.


    ¡°Let me through! Let me through right now!¡± After Second and Fifth fell, the one closest to the door was Third, but he seemed to have seen something so horrific that he was shrieking crazily and trying his best to back away.


    Even so, the goblins behind him had completely blocked off his retreat, preventing him from running just then.


    Then, another streak of raging flames surged toward them.


    It was much smaller than the first burst of flames, but no human¡¯s physical body would survive it either.


    Soon, the fire was followed by massive talons resembling giant meat hooks that kicked toward Third.


    Third¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire, which was floating outside his body, abruptly lit up, forming a screen of light which blocked the blazing chicken¡¯s attack.


    In the end, summoners were immune to damage before the death of their summoned beasts.


    Be that as it may, Third¡¯s summoned beast instantly appeared before him after he was attacked, as if a certain rule had been invoked.


    It¡¯s a duel!


    Even if summoners could stay immune from the attacks of other summoned beasts, their summoned beasts must duel directly! It was therefore impossible to stay immune by giving orders beforehand or hiding a summoned beast in a certain corner¡ªthe Summoner¡¯s Grimoire would forcefully bring your summoned beast to your side until every summoned beast you have is dead.


    As such, the goblin that was force summoned by Third¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire was still spacing out, not quite realizing what had happened¡­


    Before its belly was torn apart by razor-sharp talons in the next instant, gutting him in a split second.


    Fresh, piping-hot innards spilled out of the goblin¡¯s belly right then.


    Bang!


    A deafening gunshot resounded in the hallway just then.


    Most of the people in the residential complex were hence jolted awake from their sleep.


    The blazing chicken¡¯s body twitched right then¡ªa few feathers over its shoulders were pierced and a bloody hole appeared in it.


    Enduring the pain, the blazing chicken¡¯s eyes went blood shot. It stretched out its wings like an eagle would, blowing a gust as it kicked out with its talons, instantly covering the few meters between itself and Boss.


    Boss fired two more shots.


    One missed, while the other hit the blazing chicken in the belly.


    And after he was attacked, Boss¡¯s summoned beasts appeared before him to repel the blazing chicken.


    Boss had three summoned beasts.


    The first one lasted two seconds.


    The second lasted three.


    The third fled right away¡­


    The blazing chicken looked askance.


    Oh, a goblin. Not surprising.


    Now, it was not just Boss and his goblin trying to escape¡ªthe rest of the gang and their summoned beasts were trying to get away as well. In fact, only one particular halfling and a slime turned out to have a stronger will to protect their masters, and stayed in front of them even if they couldn¡¯t win.


    Green Skin walked up then, sending the nearest goblin flying to a wall with a slap before lifting one of the thugs with one hand.


    Disdain, arrogance, and indifference showed all over his face.


    Soon enough, Boss was found leaning against the wall, glancing between the blazing chicken and the goblin warrior before laughing self-deprecatingly.


    Back in the day, he had been one of the kings of the capital city. Just by holding a cleaver in one hand, he could gather protection fees along a whole straight row.


    Death had most certainly crossed his mind, especially since he had resolved himself to that ever since he got into a life of crime.


    He just did not expect to die to a nobody in the middle of nowhere.


    He had imagined that if he were arrested or killed, his name would be reported in the news so that everyone across the provinces or even the whole country would know him.


    On the other hand, no one would know him even if he died right here¡­


    It was a mess of troubled feelings the instant he thought about it.


    ¡°Bro, I¡¯ll apologize because we were in the wrong¡­ I do have some money, though¡ªthere¡¯s over twenty million bucks in my accounts, and I¡¯m giving it all to you as my penance. I promise you that I won¡¯t cause any trouble for you from now on, and all this happened only because they goaded me¡­¡±


    Boss sighed inwardly at the sight of his two summoned beasts that were killed in an utterly gory fashion. He was aware that he would never get away, but he was not willing to just wait for his death either.


    Chen Yining merely looked at him with a vague smile.


    What good was money now?


    It was worth less than toilet rolls¡ªthey could at least clean their bottoms with those.


    Indeed, Chen Yining would only change his mind if Boss could offer a hundred big, fat top-grade pigs.


    And at the mention of pigs, he remembered the girl at the pig-farm in the suburbs¡­


    ¡°How did you manage to break into our house?¡± he then asked.


    Boss held nothing back and told Chen Yining everything¡­ though he did distort the truth a little, claiming that the others wanted to break into Chen Yining¡¯s house, and that he was forced to go with them.


    There was a strange expression on Chen Yining¡¯s face after he heard Boss¡¯s story.


    ¡°Bro, what do you think? I promise I won¡¯t ever show up again.¡± Boss said earnestly.


    Even so, Chen Yining had Green Skin kill his last summoned beast and smiled, shaking his head. ¡°Sorry, I prefer rooting out trouble.¡±


    ***


    Later, they found two guns, four bullet clips, four three-sided blades, and one machete from the five bodies.


    They also had some cash, three lighters, a few packs of cigarettes, several gloves, nylon rope, and over a dozen different IDs¡­


    Chen Yining was unfamiliar with guns, but it appears that each clip had seven bullets, and there were twenty-five remaining after the used clips were accounted for.


    He then checked on the blazing chicken. The summoned beast had stopped bleeding, although there were scabs where the bullets struck.


    The bullets did not pierce its body, and it seems that the blazing chicken would not be wounded as seriously as he had thought as long as it was not struck in the vitals.


    Naturally, that also had to with the small caliber of the bullets.


    Chen Yining fiddled with the gun, deciding then that the gun could not really be used for killing magical beasts and was for intimidating other humans instead.


    After all, the Flame Country enforced strict control over firearms¡ªmost citizens went their entire lives without seeing one, let alone touching them.


    Eventually, Chen Yining sighed at the sight of the corpse-strewn floor.


    This was going to a pain to deal with.


    And could they still stay in this residential complex after something like this had happened?

 Chapter 27

    With such a huge commotion, everyone staying at the residential complex would never be able to fall asleep, let alone those staying in the same block. There were firearms after all, and especially in Flame Country where strict gun control was enforced.


    In the end, things were rather confusing at the moment and most citizens knew nothing. Some did manage to guess the truth, but the majority of the people were still drawing a blank and under the impression that they were still on Mercury.


    They were expecting help from beyond or some announcement from the municipality, not knowing that their officials were left at a loss¡­


    After all, the hordes of magical beasts invading the city from the suburbs had been causing devastation and inflicting casualties.


    Although the incidents mainly occurred around the suburbs, should this situation prolong, it was a matter of time until it extended within the city.


    It was not as if the municipality was ignoring the problem either¡ªthough they were willing, they did not have the power.


    Without the modern communication technology they had come to depend upon, how effectively could messages be passed through word of mouth in a city of six million such as this one?


    It was fortunate that the municipality discovered that walkie-talkies were still functioning, though there were no factories for them in Mountain Water City for now. As such, they carried out a two-pronged approach, for now, searching for experts on one end while gathering any available walkie-talkies.


    At the same time, the Mountain Water City tactical forces and officers from the various districts made camp at each of main entry points into the city, where they would hunt down magical beasts¡­


    In the end, the municipality did have their own ideas. It was the universal truth that only the one carrying the gun gets to talk, and now, summoned beasts were the new metaphorical gun in this situation!


    To claim authority here, one¡¯s summoned beasts must be ahead of others, which was why the various garrisons were hunting down magical beasts with deadly efficiency.


    As for the interior of the city, they would have to leave it alone for now.


    As a matter of fact, the situation inside the city was quite strange. Even though the citizens had suddenly come to possess the supernatural ability of summoning beasts, being subjects of the law for a long time before kept them restrained by morals and rules.


    ***


    But now, the gunshots had startled countless people.


    The abrupt banging allowed insecurity, panic, and fear to breed and spread. In no time at all, everyone carefully searched for the source of the gunshots from behind their own windows.


    ¡°How are we going to deal with the five corpses, Brother?¡± Chen Jing asked.


    Just a while ago, the younger Chen had summoned both of his gnomes. However, they simply played the role of onlookers while Chen Jing took up a crude spear, rushed forward and killed two goblins in the chaos. It was so gutsy of him that Chen Yining almost assumed that his younger brother was a goblin in human skin.


    As each of the slain summoned beasts turned into white light and disappeared, five corpses were left on the floor.


    Both brothers had grim looks on their faces as they stared at the five corpses.


    While human corpses were equally as disgusting as goblin corpses, goblin corpses would quickly disappear as a ray of white light.


    Chen Yining pinched his nose as the air wafted with the smell of charred meat.


    It was not actually that hard on the nose, but Chen Yining found it unbearable¡ªeven repulsive from a psychological perspective.


    ¡°Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~¡±


    The blazing chicken turned its head just then.


    It had sensed something and was staring at the landlord¡¯s house next door.


    Who was hiding there?


    Chen Yining just needed to think briefly to realize that the gunshots and screams just now would have startled his landlord.


    Still, he took not mind¡ªif his landlord saw it, so be it. He was not the one who had caused trouble, but it was those five who came looking for him. In fact, if the blazing chicken did not warn him when it heard many footsteps outside their door, he would have been the one ambushed.


    After going through all that, Chen Yining¡¯s mindset changed slightly as well.


    Might makes right.


    Some people might reason with you, but others would not, because they only recognize might.


    Chen Yining thought about it, and had Green Skin search the bodies for keys.


    Just before, Boss had told Chen Yining that his actual next-door neighbor had gone overseas, and it seemed that the thugs had found the two sets of keys he had kept in the cabinet. Now that the whole world had transmigrated, the original owner would not be returning.


    Naturally, that was what Boss had said. As for whether the original owner was¡­ Chen Yining was not bothered to look into it since he was no detective anyway.


    On the other hand, Green Skin gulped, leaning in on the corpses and sniffing them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t eat them.¡± Chen Yining commanded both Green Skin and the blazing chicken then.


    Green Skin blinked, but obediently pried its eyes away from the corpses on the floor.


    Chen Yining then went in front of the landlord¡¯s house. He could vaguely hear rapid breathing behind the door.


    It was Chi Xiaomo, her eyes widened as she kept her right hand over her chest.


    ¡®What should I do? What should I do? That demon king is coming¡­¡¯ she thought, having labeled Chen Yining a demon king now.


    She was just a high schooler, and her life perspective was now in tatters after she had suddenly seen such a sight of gore.


    The halfling she had summoned was much better despite being afraid. Still, he was not afraid that Chen Yining killed, but of that goblin warrior.


    Oh my gosh! It¡¯s a goblin warrior!


    The halfling was absolutely terrified.


    After all, goblin warriors were much stronger than hobgoblins, and it was partnered with a fire fowl¡­ no, it¡¯s something that resembled a fire fowl but was more horrific¡ªcould it be an evolved form of the fire fowl?


    The landlord, who was watching the hallway through the peephole, patted Chi Xiaomo on the head and had her return to her room.


    Door knocks could be heard then, followed by Chen Yining¡¯s mild voice.


    ¡°Sorry for startling you guys, Landlord¡­ I can¡¯t really explain everything at the moment, but I mean no harm¡ªI just need to borrow your electric scooter to clear up some stuff at the hallway.¡±


    The landlord was silent as he found himself in a dilemma.


    Outside, Chen Yining presumed that he had frightened the landlord since he did not respond.


    But just as he was about to turn and leave, the landlord¡¯s door opened quietly and a palm holding up a car key extended from it.


    ¡°Use my car. The tank should still be half-full.¡± The landlord¡¯s voice could be heard.


    Chen Yining took the key and thanked him politely.


    ¡°It¡¯s the white SUV parked at the basement zone E, lot 88,¡± the landlord added from behind the door.


    After getting the key, Chen Yining returned inside his room, taking out two massive plastic fabrics, which he wrapped around the corpses.


    Because they were killed just recently and burned, there was lingering heat to them, and they even felt soft and fluffy.


    Enduring the discomfort, Chen Yining closed his eyes and told himself that it was a dead pig, a recently dead pig¡­ pork belly¡­ pork fillet¡­ pork ribs¡­


    It took him and the others considerable effort to load all five corpses into his landlord¡¯s car, which they drove to a nearby unfinished building.


    They dumped the corpses into one of the pits there, sprinkled soil over it¡­ and the rest was history.


    It was worth mentioning that Chen Yining spotted another corpse in another pit then.


    There was no telling who had dumped it there, but someone seemed to have had the same idea.


    Grinning awkwardly, he thought then that this unfinished building was going to be quite popular in the future¡­

 Chapter 28

    Long after Chen Yining and the others had left the hallway, the door next to theirs opened with a small click.


    The landlord stepped out, carrying a bucket of water and a mop.


    He sprinkled some bleach and water on the floor before mopping the dirt off the floor.


    After that, he returned to his house and locked his door.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Chen Yining and the others were on their way back. Even though the five corpses had been wrapped with thick plastic fabrics, there was no helping that some odor was left lingering inside the car.


    He therefore opened the car window to let some cool breeze in, which came whistling in as it blew away the unbearable smell inside.


    On the other hand, Chen Jing was a little drowsy, and was leaning on the window of the passenger¡¯s seat groggily.


    One of his gnomes were sitting side-by-side with Green Skin at the backseat¡ªa picture of friendship of harmony.


    However, the gnome felt utterly uncomfortable, and kept shifting its little rump away from Green Skin.


    It certain did not expect Green Skin to slither an arm over its shoulder and pull it close.


    Caught off guard, the gnome slammed into Green Skin¡¯s chest.


    It could not help shooting Green Skin a look of grief. ¡°Can¡¯t you be gentler?¡±


    Its words fell on deaf ears, however, since Green Skin listened to no one aside from Chen Yining.


    Still, it soon became interested in the interior of the car, and would touch various objects or stare, leaving the gnome alone.


    Just outside, moonlight shone upon the highway like water.


    Rarely were the lights on in any of the tall buildings on both sides of the road.


    Right now, almost household was reluctant to use their candles or torchlights.


    They were learning¡ªone candle unused was one candle saved, and most citizens were reserving their remaining resources.


    Soon, they returned the car to the underground carpark, alighting and locking it.


    They were just one floor below the first floor, but the underground carpark appeared eerily silent.


    ¡°Could there be ghosts?¡± Chen Jing chuckled in an attempt to clear the air.


    Chen Yining remained impassive as he looked around¡ªhe had maintained that expression ever since he killed those thugs, whereas Chen Jing had been acting carefree through it all, as if he was unaffected.


    In the end, they all returned to their place on the fourth floor uneventfully. They were perhaps imagining things.


    Chen Yining returned the car key to the landlord then and thanked him again.


    The landlord, on the other hand, appeared to have something to say but ultimately stopped himself.


    The brothers then returned to their rented house and lay on the couch.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s safe if we keep the food in this house, Brother.¡±


    ¡°Where do you think we should keep it, then?¡±


    Chen Jing frowned in thought, and eventually suggested hesitantly, ¡°¡­ Next door?¡±


    After all, he had thought for a long while, but realized that no place was really safe wherever they keep the food.


    There were too many magical beasts prowling near the suburbs if they tried to store their food there, and heaven knows if those creatures had some special ability that helped them track down food.


    Likewise, their recent bloody experience was a precedent against keeping their food in their own rented house¡ªagainst the skilled, a sturdy door was basically nothing.


    Moreover, the landlord had the keys to this house as well, and it was ultimately not theirs¡­


    It would also be difficult to rent a new place for the time being, since they had so much food that it would take up to eight rounds to move everything.


    Despite all those conditions, however, moving their food to the next house was a good choice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll shift half of our food over there¡ªnever put all your eggs in one basket,¡± Chen Yining said.


    They hence went to work. It took quite a while for them to shift half their food to the storeroom of the next house, covering them with some random objects.


    After they stepped out, Chen Yining was suddenly looking down at the cleaned floor of the hallway. There were tiny puddles of water that had yet to dry off and there was a faint smell of bleach in the air.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Brother?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Chen Yining shook his head.


    After they closed their door, Chen Yining passed the gun to his brother.


    Chen Jing kept fiddling with the pitch-black firearm, as if reluctant to part with it.


    It was heavier than imagined, and Chen Jing only took one full magazine.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s only used for intimidating other humans, it just needs to fire,¡± he said as he kept it on his hip, lowering his gaze to study how it looked.


    He pulled down his T-shirt to conceal it, but the protruding outline over his clothes left him chuckling stupidly. He even went on repeatedly pretend that he was drawing his gun, mouthing ¡®bang-bang¡¯ without end.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this so cool, Brother?¡±


    Chen Yining narrowed his eyes as he studied his younger brother and could not help flashing a mocking smile. ¡°Just like an idiot.¡±


    Chen Jing groaned and fell back limply on the couch. ¡°You¡¯re definitely jealous.


    Chen Yining smiled but said nothing. He merely held up his handgun for a while, imagining that he was aiming at a target before eventually lowering it.


    Regardless, neither of them slept well that night, and were jolted awake by something loud as dawn crept over the skies of the next day.


    Someone was honking their car very loudly.


    ¡°Community committee members and logistics management of the residential complex, please gather at Gate A. I repeat, community committee members¡­¡±


    Chen Yining looked out of the balcony to find a car parked within the residential complex. Soldiers, armed with real guns, were standing guard over both sides of the vehicle, while a white-shirted man stood in the middle, holding up a megaphone wired to loudspeakers affixed on the roof of the vehicle¡­


    Chen Yining breathed a sigh of relief. Those people probably were not here for them.


    After breakfast, both him and his brother left the house fully armed, and locked it as they usually did.


    Once they were gone, Chi Xiaomo¡ªwho had been hiding behind the door like paparazzi¡ªpromptly sprang to her feet and dashed into the living room, ¡°Daddy, Chen Yining has gone downstairs.¡±


    ¡°I asked Shortie, and it seems that those two summoned beasts are powerful magical beasts of the forests. They must be going to the forest to catch those babies and we should go too,¡± she added excitedly.


    Shortie was the name she gave the halfling.


    ¡°You¡¯re only seeing the whole picture here. If summoned beasts were that easy to capture, those five men wouldn¡¯t have died yesterday,¡± Chi Zhouhu countered.


    Still, he looked at his daughter then and mulled over the idea, before saying, ¡°Come.¡±


    He led her to the fourteenth floor and opened the door to one of the houses handily, while Chi Xiaomo was left in a daze. She only knew that her father was a landlord, and never found out that this was another one of his houses as well.


    Be that as it may, this particular house was special¡ªsimilar to a vault, one could pass through with a double security verification involving fingerprints and the right keys.


    Chi Zhouhu allowed his daughter in before heading to the washroom and opened the mounted mirror cabinet inside, behind of which was a password-protected safe box.


    Sliding an army knife and a handgun on his hip and concealing them, Chi Zhouhu then closed the safe box and looked into the mirror. Finding a man with rather thick stubble, he touched it and picked up his army knife, shaving it off and leaving only a thin layer.


    Outside, Chi Xiaomo was standing on her toes and looking curiously through the door.


    She promptly shrank when she saw his father stepped out, feigning indifference as if she had not been curious at all.


    Chi Zhouhu patted her head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°To the suburbs.¡±

 Chapter 29

    The streets were a little bleak today. Most roadside shops¡ªespecially convenience stores and shopping centers¡ªwere closed.


    ¡°Mister Chen!¡±


    Chen Yining heard someone call out from behind then, but did not entertain it.


    On the other hand, Chen Jing thought the voice was familiar and turned around, finding several youths waving at him.


    ¡°Students from my class,¡± he told his brother.


    Aside from three students, there were four older people who must be their parents.


    ¡°Mister Chen, are you going to hunt for magical beasts in the suburbs as well?¡± a girl with a ponytail, dressed in denim shorts that revealed her long, fair legs asked excitedly then.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Chen Jing nodded, throwing them a glance.


    While he studied their group, they were observing him and his brother as well.


    It certainly goes without mentioning that Chen Jing, a PE teacher who stood at 1.9 meters tall was very imposing. Chen Yining was slightly shorter than his younger brother but was still 1.85 meters, putting him among the taller group of Mountain Water City, which was in the southern reaches.


    ¡°Mister Chen, should we team up?¡± The ponytailed girl quickly asked then.


    Chen Yining had not said a word from the start.


    Chen Jing glanced at his brother. Knowing his sibling¡¯s attitude and understanding his silence, he could guess that Chen Yining would turn the kids down.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got something else to do, and we¡¯re heading into the forest after we¡¯re done,¡± Chen Jing said apologetically.


    ¡°You¡¯re going into the forest?!¡± Another girl, who had round, pudgy cheeks could not stifle her gasp.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Chen Jing nodded.


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t dare to go inside the forest since the city council was saying that it¡¯s very dangerous and told us to kill magical beasts only within the suburbs. It¡¯s risky there, sir¡ªwhy don¡¯t you join us at the suburbs, where there¡¯s strength in numbers?¡± the round-cheeked girl asked Chen Jing.


    ¡°Xiao Yu, that¡¯s quite enough. Mister Chen must have his business in the forest¡ªlet¡¯s just stick to the suburbs.¡± One of the adults¡ªa woman in a jersey patted the girl on the check and spoke quietly.


    For adults, not agreeing to something was equal to a refusal. And since Chen Jing had indicated that he was going to refuse anyway, pressing him further would only be a cause for disgust.


    With that, both sides shared a nod before going their separate ways.


    ¡°Were all those kids your students?¡± Chen Yining asked after they¡¯ve gone far.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°A third-year?¡±


    Chen Jing stopped in his tracks and turned to look uncertainly at his brother.


    ¡°What? Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Chen Yining frowned.


    ¡°She¡¯s a first-year.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Chen Yining thumped a fist on his brother¡¯s chest. ¡°As a teacher, you need to act as a role model. Don¡¯t keep thinking filthy thoughts all day long.¡±


    ¡°Why did you even ask¡­ there¡¯s a dozen of them in the class I teach. To tell the truth, I don¡¯t even remember her name¡ªshe just look a little familiar.¡± Chen Jing appeared perplexed.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just find that kids these days eat more than we do, and grow up much quicker than we do,¡± Chen Yining replied, saying what came to mind.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Chen Jing rubbed his chest at that.


    Why did he suddenly have the feeling that he had taken his brother¡¯s punch over nothing?


    ***


    It was a completely different scene when both Chen Yining and Chen Jing arrived at the suburbs today.


    There were people everywhere.


    It was as if some grand carnival had taken place, with groups of people parading their summoned beasts grandly across the streets.


    Some even approached the brothers, inviting them to join their team.


    ¡°Come on, join us! The forests are very dangerous, bro, and no more than a handful of people would dare to enter. Bro Zhang here has been in there twice¡ªhe¡¯s quite familiar with the place!¡± one of them exclaimed excitedly as he tried to recruit Chen Yining.


    Chen Yining could not help laughing at that. He wondered what the veteran hunters of the mountains would think if going in a forest twice was all it would take to become familiar with the landscape.


    Still, there was something he was curious about. ¡°Why are there so many people around here today? There weren¡¯t this many when we came yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ you came here before¡­¡± That man smiled awkwardly, and only then did he study the brothers closely then.


    He had tried to recruit them because he saw that both men looked strong enough to handle two goblins at the same time, and presumed they were newbies¡­ but they turned out to be ¡®elders¡¯ who had already been there yesterday.


    The man himself lived closer to the suburbs than most city folks, which was why he had encountered magical beasts where he lived yesterday. Since that was still earlier than most others, he subconsciously considered himself an ¡®elder¡¯, and finds himself superior compared to the other newbie hunters.


    While he never sensed that he was carrying that air of superiority, it did exist.


    It was just like when a flock of people grouped up to visit a certain scenic spot. If one of them had been there before, even if just once, he couldn¡¯t help showing off in front of his companions. Still, such actions did not exactly embody ill-will, because it was merely a sort of mindset: I have what others don¡¯t, and when they finally have it, I have something better.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a question, Brother.¡± Chen Yining handed the other man a cigarette then.


    The man accepted the cigarette, his attitude easing up just then as he whipped out a lighter from his pocket to light it.


    ¡°You want to ask why there are so many people around, right?¡± The man grinned, revealing his big, yellowed teeth.


    ¡°You really understand me, bro,¡± Chen Yining replied with a smile.


    ¡°The fact is that the city council has sent word over three districts last night near the city center. They approached the community council and the estate management, giving them a lot of information about the magical beasts in the suburbs. That¡¯s why so many people have come¡ªword has it that some of them got up as early as four before coming over.¡±


    Chen Yining understood right then.


    So that was what it was.


    He had thought of the possibility that the vehicle parked outside their residential complex just this morning was from the city council.


    That means that the others staying at the residential complex would now be aware of the forest that appeared around the city, as well as the magical beasts that dwelled within.


    With that being the case¡­


    Glancing at the suburbs, which was now overcrowded, Chen Yining mourned for the magical beasts that would step inside the suburbs.


    Not even ashes would be left of them.


    Thanking the man and declining his offer once more, Chen Yining led his younger brother toward the edge of the forest.


    Though the forest lay at the edge of the road ahead, there were many others crowding it.


    The towering trees of the forest stood in the distance, stretching on endlessly.


    The space beneath the trees were covered by the lush canopy. Strands of golden sunlight left tiny beams as they pierced the gaps between the canopy to which the dark places beneath, making it appear at once mysterious and dangerous.


    Nonetheless, it was completely different from when Chen Yining first came. After all, with so many people around, no insect cries or bird singing could be heard at the edge of the forest now.


    A group or two would enter the forest occasionally, while others stared enviously as they watched them go.


    They tend to desire following them inside, but being wary of the unknown threats in the forest, they would only enter after they had formed groups. For that, the best candidates would be familiar faces who had been in the forest before.


    In the end, you only live once, and this was no game. You get nothing if you die, which was why everyone was planning meticulously to stay alive.


    ¡°Recruiting hobgoblins, recruiting hobgoblins.¡± A voice speaking through a megaphone echoed in the distance.


    Chen Yining looked out to find a very fat man wearing a suit, yelling as he stood atop a very fearsome ORV.


    ¡°I¡¯m offering anyone who could get me a hobgoblin this Humvee beneath my feet! One full tank along with three large barrels of gas!¡±


    Someone who recognized the vehicle exclaimed, ¡°It does look like a Humvee! It¡¯s at least worth a million bucks, and that one looks high-spec, which is at least two million!¡±


    ¡°My gosh¡­ that thing is extremely great off the road, has low gas consumption, and is equipped with bulletproof glass. It would be great if I could get a hobgoblin¡ªI¡¯m definitely trading it!¡±


    Several people were soon standing around and telling the others how impressive the vehicle was, as if they were afraid that they didn¡¯t know what that ORV was.


    On the other hand, Chen Yining found himself chuckling at the sight. Those people must be actors hired by that bigwig, and they were really dedicated to their job too¡­ probably earning a hundred bucks per day.


    Still, one must say that it was effective, as Chen Yining saw that some among the crowd were convinced.


    Others aside, the appearance of the black Humvee was certainly attractive, and it appeared even more extraordinary with the two-million-dollar halo revolving around it.

 Chapter 30

    That bigwig was a smart man, and Chen Yining did approve of his style.


    Gas was a non-renewable resource after all, and there were many other needs for it in the city, what with its legions of vehicles. Therefore, a liter of gas unused was a liter of gas saved¡ªthat is, before anyone found a new oil-field.


    Most importantly, there might not be petroleum in this world.


    If that was the case, every car was just a steel bucket.


    And yet, that bigwig had the guts to trade a vehicle worth two million bucks for a hobgoblin at this phase. That decisiveness and boldness alone was outstanding, and certainly not to be eclipsed by his appearance.


    Moreover, at this stage, having a single hobgoblin definitely kept one ahead of the competition.


    It was because Chen Yining had yet to see anyone else who had tamed a hobgoblin.


    Nonetheless, he withdrew his gaze. Though he was quite interested in the ORV, if he had to choose one between the ORV and hobgoblin, he would choose the hobgoblin.


    A glance enough to tell that the ORV was a monster of gas consumption¡ªthat bit of gas would not even last it a day.


    Moreover, even an idiot would know how rare gas would come by in the future.


    What good was the vehicle without gas? For lifting like a brick to hit your target?


    ***


    Meanwhile, Chen Yining and Chen Jing passed though the crowds and entered the forest.


    They distinctly felt an oncoming chill at their faces right then.


    Summoning Green Skin and the blazing chicken, Chen Yining pushed himself over the latter¡¯s back and wrapped his arm around its neck.


    The down around its neck was thick and fat, which also felt good to the touch.


    All of its feathers were also shrouded in a faint golden radiance, and the bird appeared spirited as it looked left and right.


    As it walked through the forest, it looked just like a king surveying its lands, and it strode ahead with an exceedingly pompous gait.


    On the other hand, Chen Jing did not have that sort of luxury. In fact, it was already amazing that his gnomes did not demand that he carried them¡ªit was not as if both of them could carry him on piggyback either.


    Soon, Chen Yining found the sights around him familiar.


    This appeared to be the same street where he had first entered the forest.


    He then remembered the swamp and the giant slime inside it.


    While Green Skin¡¯s physical attack did no good against it, they had the blazing chicken now. With its fire breath, they could attempt hunting that giant slime themselves.


    Chen Yining always believed that he had good memory, and the fact that he recognized the route to the swamp was good news.


    ***


    It soon turned out that he might have overestimated his memory¡ªhe had successfully gone the wrong way.


    In the end, the forest looked the same everywhere in the absence of road signs. Moreover, the slightest of divergence would put them on a completely different path as well.


    Still, they did not have to worry about the way back, since Chen Yining would carve markings on the trees as pointers.


    That was when a rustling could be heard from up front. Green Skin excitedly climbed up a tree, but soon climbed down miserably.


    ¡°There¡¯s a fire fowl just ahead, master.¡± It reported disinterestedly.


    After all, Green Skin knows that the only way it could get stronger was by killing other goblins.


    Any fire fowls, on the other hand, would go to the chicken his master was riding.


    A fire fowl?


    Chen Yining¡¯s eyes lit up.


    Right now, he just needs two fire fowls to evolve the blazing chicken.


    ¡°Are there any threats other than the fire fowl?¡± He quickly asked.


    ¡°None. I only saw that bird.¡± Green Skin replied.


    ¡°Kill it, then.¡±


    For this outing, Chen Yining¡¯s objectives were fire fowls and goblins, as both Green Skin and the blazing chicken needed two goblins and two fire fowls respectively to evolve.


    At the thicket ahead, the fire fowl was grazing on some wild fruits.


    It was strolling nonchalantly, no different from an old man having a walk at the park.


    After all, fire fowls did not have many natural enemies in the forest¡ªnormal goblins would never stand a chance against it in a duel.


    Moreover, not every being in the forest was a magical beast, since there were quite a number of normal animals.


    At the same time, the fire fowl seemed to pick up a scent that left it restless.


    It looked up carefully, studying its surroundings, and strode off as it headed elsewhere to graze.


    That was when a figure leaped out from behind the trees.


    Caught unawares, the fire fowl was startled and breathed a gust of flames by instinct at the figure charging toward it.


    Green Skin, who was prepared for it, raised his shield to block the flames, which kicked up fiery sparks as it struck the shield.


    Since he was ready for the impact as well, Green Skin managed to brace the flames with his shield and firmly took two steps forward.


    Then, it raised its rebar and stabbed forward viciously, wounding the fire fowl.


    However, the injury triggered the bird¡¯s ferocity.


    Instead of backing down, it lunged fearsomely at Green Skin.


    Meanwhile, the blazing chicken which had subtly moved behind the fire fowl, had hidden itself in a corner, watching the battle between the fire fowl and Green Skin.


    As the fire fowl flew into a fit of rage, it actually overwhelmed Green Skin¡­ but the situation turned around in just two minutes.


    Despite gaining an advantage thanks to its might and ferocity, the bird had merely been riding a high.


    And once the high was over, actual ability came into play.


    The fire fowl was at a disadvantage when it comes to a pure contest of strength and endurance.


    Moreover, that sudden burst of strength had worn out the fire fowl as well.


    Stabbed by Green Skin on the neck with his rebar, it dropped to the ground with a plop.


    With that, Green Skin ended it.


    Chen Yining then passed the essence of the fire fowl to his blazing chicken, which was now at [1/2] of its evolution phase.


    The killing of that fire fowl seemed to bring him good luck as well¡ªafter continuing ahead for a while, he soon saw a lake glimmering in silver radiance.


    If there were no other lakes in the area, that must be the same lake they had found the last time.


    And since they found the lake, the previous swamp would be nearby.


    Nonetheless, Chen Yining paused as he traversed the woods beside the lake.


    He saw a small hut near the shores of the lake.


    It was unlike the other buildings in Mountain Water City. Vines had grown all over the yellow hut and there were wind chimes dangling beneath the roof.


    The hut had no windows either, and had only one door.


    ¡°Is there anyone inside?¡± Chen Jing muttered.


    It was indeed bizarre to find a hut standing there in the middle of the forest.


    A curious thought occurred to them then¡ªcould it be a building constructed by intelligent lifeforms of this world?


    Green Skin shook his head at that. He claimed that he had occasionally encountered such huts as well, but the goblins never entered and were never able to destroy them. Moreover, the huts would mysteriously vanish and appear at other places soon enough.


    Since Green Skin said that there was no danger, the brothers approached the hut, maintaining a safe distance when their Summoner¡¯s Grimoire suddenly heated up.


    Both tomes opened themselves, and a picture of that hut appeared on one white page, labeled with two words beside it: bounty house.


    It was not in a language they recognized, but they somehow knew its meaning.


    Then, with a creaking sound, the wooden door was slowly opened, with warm, orange-yellow radiance flowing through.

 Chapter 31

    Through the door, one could see that the hut was empty, aside from a small desk and the candle on top it.


    It was all very mysterious and otherworldly.


    But if there was no one inside, how did that door open?


    ¡°Brother, I¡¯m going in for a look¡ªcome in only if there¡¯s no danger,¡± Chen Jing said.


    He had entered even before Chen Yining could refuse, though he soon stepped out. ¡°Come in, there¡¯s no danger inside. You can receive quests inside this bounty house, too!¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done that. What if it proved dangerous?¡± Chen Yining was a little angry at that.


    Chen Jing flashed a silly grin in response. ¡°You¡¯re always protecting me¡­ I just want to do something for you, too.¡±


    As he entered the hut, Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire heated up, and several lines of text appeared.


    [Bounty House: Accept bounty quests and receive rewards. Fighting is forbidden within. (Time remaining¡ª16:24:23)]


    The ¡¯23¡¯ part of the timer was counting down by each second, and Chen Yining became certain that it equated sixty seconds to one minute after twenty-three seconds.


    As the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire remained warm, it flipped itself as another page appeared, listing three quests in total.


    [Quest One¡ªLakeside Phantom (title quest, one-time): A dark figure could be spotted appearing momentarily in the lake beside this bounty house. Search and destroy.]


    [Quest Rewards: Mysterious title]


    [Quest Two¡ªTerminator of Fire Fowls (EXP quest): fire fowls are multiplying in numbers for some reason. Kill eight fire fowls.]


    [Quest Rewards: 300 EXP]


    [Quest Three¡ªGoblin Slayer (item quest): The goblins in the forests are too noisy, please slaughter those noisy midgets. Kill twenty goblins.]


    [Quest Rewards: two mysterious items]


    ¡°There¡¯s still sixteen hours.¡± Chen Yining¡¯s eyes lit up since he was certainly surprised by the bounty house.


    Would the hut disappear in sixteen hours, as Green Skin had described?


    But how could it? Would a blackhole suddenly appear there to devour it, or it would just fade away?


    Chen Yining then remembered that when Green Skin said that he had seen these huts, he must have meant that they existed since a long time ago¡­ or at least, before the city transmigrated.


    Were there other cities that had transmigrated here before?


    But there were no signs of other cities.


    As Chen Yining studied the bounty house, he suddenly paused when he noticed an indentation over one of the walls. There was a small stone tablet inside which was around twenty centimeters tall, and had a smooth surface without much floral patterns sculpted into it.


    A countdown timer that was fully synchronized to the timer on his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire was inscribed upon it¡ªthe time inscribed on the stone tablet would tick away with every passing second as well.


    Even so, that was supposed to be a stone tablet¡­


    Carefully stroking it, Chen Jing ascertained that it was made out of actual stone, and not an electronic clock disguised as a stone tablet.


    That left him utterly astonished. It was simply mystifying that the stone could change its form!


    On the other note, it turned out that they could only accept bounty quests in the bounty house, and that they had to return to it after they had completed their quest to receive their rewards.


    It appears that there was no time limit for receiving quest rewards, but they would have to return to the bounty house where they accepted the quest.


    In other words, if the bounty house disappeared before they could return to it, they would have to find that bounty house again if they wanted their rewards. The worst part of that was that no one knows where that bounty house might go.


    Still, there was no limit to number of quests that could be taken, though one-time quest had completion priority.


    It meant that while many summoners could accept that particular quest, only the first person to accomplish and submit said quest would receive the rewards. After them, the other summoners could not submit it as the quest was one-time only.


    Both Chen Yining and Chen Jing hence decided to accept all three quests.


    At present, the easiest task would be goblin slaying, but they often moved in groups and rarely would they wander alone.


    That was why Quest Two and Three were more or less equal in difficulty.


    Fire fowls were different from goblins, however. Those birds tend to be solitary, and it was only during mating season that one would run into two or more fire fowls being at the same place at the same time.


    At least, that was what the blazing chicken told Chen Yining.


    As for the first quest, it must be referring to a single monster dwelling in the nearby lake¡­ indeed, one could judge the monsters¡¯ ability from the bounty placed on them.


    Indeed, the quota of twenty goblins made obvious that fire fowls were more dangerous since the quota on them was eight. On the other hand, the mysterious phantom in the lake was that one and only¡­


    Coupled with the unique environment of the swamp, the monster would definitely be very tough.


    As a matter of fact, the serene surface was so vast that they could not get a full picture from where they were standing.


    Be that as it may, Chen Yining¡¯s arrival seemed to have startled something hiding under the surface of the lake near its shores and it stirred rings of ripples over the lake.


    However, Chen Yining decided that he was not going to accomplish quest one right then. He would wait and see after he was done with the first two instead.


    Chen Jing, on the other hand, was dissatisfied since it was a time-limited quest and there was no telling when they could get another if they missed this one.


    With that in mind, he said, ¡°Brother, should I lure some of the monsters in the forests to see if we could get some goblins and fire fowls? Meanwhile, you should take the time to kill that lake monster.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be easy,¡± Chen Yining replied, shaking his head. ¡°Furthermore, we¡¯ve not brought any tools with us¡ªhow are we supposed to draw that lake monster to us?¡±


    ¡°Simple,¡± Chen Jing said. ¡°We could make our very own fishing rod.¡±


    He smiled confidently when he noticed the doubt in Chen Yining¡¯s eyes then.


    ¡°Leave that to me.¡±


    Chen Jing soon found himself a branch as thick as an adult¡¯s wrist and measuring up to four meters. Incidentally, its weight was more or less passable for a fishing rod as well.


    ¡°What about the fishing line?¡± Chen Yining asked.


    Chen Jing took out a roll of thick nylon rope from his pocket and Chen Yining stared at it speechlessly.


    ¡°Are you trying to choke the fish to death?¡±


    ¡°Why not? These aren¡¯t aquarium fishes who got smart after getting scooped out so many times¡ªthey would definitely take the bait since they have never had to run.¡±


    After that, Chen Jing dug through the moist soil by the lake, and managed to catch a purple-red worm. It was as long and as thick as a chopstick, and wiggling around in a lively manner.


    ¡°Just look at that huge, fat worm. I would eat it if I were a fish!¡±


    Chen Jing hooked a safety pin through the worm, tying it to a nylon rope.


    With that, a crude fishing rod was complete.


    Chen Yining, however, could not help feeling skeptical as to whether that crude fishing rod would actually work.


    ¡°I think any fish you catch with that is dumb¡­¡±

 Chapter 32

    Chen Jing threw the fishing hook into the water.


    Time ticked by as he stared solemnly at the surface of the lake, gripping on his fishing rod tightly with both hands.


    But to tell the truth, he was not convinced that he could fish anything.


    Chen Yining silently observed at a corner. However, while he expected that this would take over ten minutes, the spot where the fishing line touched the surface of the lake abruptly stirred just after three minutes and the fishing line plunged deeper while rings of ripples extended outwards.


    Something big was biting.


    A huge shadow appeared just beneath the surface, and both brothers stared tightly at it, ready to bark orders to attack at any instant.


    ¡°W-What the heck is that?¡± Chen Jing exclaimed in shocked.


    What they had managed to catch was a black-green object that resembled seaweed. However, it seemed to be alive and was aimlessly flailing its dark-green tentacles, and the worm which Chen Jing used as bait was at the center of that curious magical beast.


    Their Summoner¡¯s Grimoire heated up then, and its pages flipped on their own as it revealed information about the creature.


    [Species: Water Demon]


    [Rank: Normal ?]


    [Introduction: A magical beast that dwells beneath the waters, feeding on various critters and microscopic lifeforms. Low intelligence, but fueled by strong hunter¡¯s instincts.]


    [Race Talent: Rebirth+1]


    [Bond (Snake):]


    [(1) Increase strength of constriction when bond number is higher than 6.]


    [Summary: Let me coil around you¡­ papapapa]


    It was a snake?


    Chen Yining frowned and looked closer at the creature then, and soon noticed something¡ªthe flailing tentacles weren¡¯t tentacles, but thin dark-green snakes!


    Somehow, these snakes had gathered and formed that revolting and otherworldly creature.


    On another note, the water demon struggled violently by instinct while it was still underwater. When it left the water, however, the strength with which it struggled instantly became much weaker.


    It was as if it admitted defeat.


    Now, the water demon was basically a fluffy object that dangled lifelessly like a just like a clump of seaweed, with water streaming down the countless tentacles and kicking ripples over the lake.


    Even so, neither Chen Yining nor Chen Jing believed that the water demon was dead.


    After all, their Summoner¡¯s Grimoire were not notifying them that it had been killed or had received their essence.


    The only possibility, therefore, was that it was playing dead.


    Trading a glance, the brothers grinned in tacit mutual understanding.


    With that, Chen Jing firmly and abruptly pulled it with a loud roar!


    The hooked water demon was hence pulled up to the shore. Green Skin, who had been waiting for quite a while, darted forward and slammed the pot cover it was holding onto the water demon!


    Splat.


    A sound that only a living creature could make could be heard, whereas the water demon was left flattened like a pancake.


    But despite being struck, it still did not turn into essence.


    Chen Yining promptly warned Green Skin to stay on its toes, since the water demon was not dead.


    But just as he spoke, Green Skin felt as if its left leg had been pricked by a needle.


    It bounced, skipping on one foot as it cried out in pain.


    At the same time, the prefix (poisoned) instantly appeared on the page which showed Green Skin¡¯s status in the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Meanwhile, the blazing chicken bounded forward, slashing its razor-sharp talons through the water demon and slicing it in two.


    Definitely dead this time, the water demon turned into a streak of light that fused into Chen Yining¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    However, he was feeling heartache and frustration just then¡ªhe warned Green Skin, but the goblin was still acting carefree and got hit right after that.


    Such intelligence.


    Now, it limped to a tree beside the lake, sat down, and looked up at the sun over the horizon in melancholy. It could feel its entire body heating up.


    ¡°Master, I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t go on with you.¡± It rubbed its cheeks, appearing utterly despondent. ¡°I¡¯m poisoned and would soon die.¡±


    In fact, Green Skin could feel its own body turning into jelly, and its head felt as if it was splitting. Though it had been leaning against the tree, it began slither downwards¡­ and eventually ended up on the ground altogether.


    Puzzled, Chen Yining turned to read the status on the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    [Species: Goblin Warrior (lightly poisoned)]


    It was (poisoned) just now¡­


    Perhaps lightly poisoned was more serious than poisoned?


    That was not even funny.


    Meanwhile, Green Skin had closed its eyes, holding its fingers crossed before its own chest.


    Its eyebrows and eyelids were twitching endless.


    At the same time, its delusions continued¡­


    How am I not dead yet¡­ or am I already dead¡­ how long would it take for me to die¡­


    But as time passed, it seemed to hear its master and the blazing chicken, who were continuing to fish water demons.


    That left it feeling sore.


    Unable to help itself, it turned its body because lying like that was rather uncomfortable.


    Soon, its head no longer hurts and its body was no longer hot. Hence, even as it laid on its side, it sneakily opened one eye.


    It then found its master petting that chicken¡¯s head!!!


    Oh¡­


    Green Skin was green with envy right then.


    I was here first!


    I can still fight!


    It promptly got up and ran up to them.


    ¡°You¡¯re up? I thought you were going to sleep the entire day,¡± Chen Jing said.


    Green Skin¡¯s eyes widened.


    Sleep? What sleep¡­ I was clearly poisoned! How is being poisoned the same as sleeping?!


    Chen Yining then said, ¡°You¡¯re coming with me to the forest. Having them here is enough.¡±


    He was going to leave the blazing chicken near the lake to hunt and kill water demons. Of course, it would be best if they managed to lure the big one at the bottom of the lake.


    That being said, the water demons did provide a generous amount of EXP¡ªthe first one alone earned Green Skin 12 EXP.


    ***


    From Chen Yining¡¯s perspective, the importance of the three quests went in the order of two, three, and one.


    The title quest naturally had the best reward. With its Golden Bloodline, the blazing chicken would have a bond bonus added along with gaining strength.


    It would naturally be the best if the mysterious title could add a bond for his summoned beast.


    For Quest Three, which has the second highest priority, the reward was two mysterious items, although there was no telling what items they were. But considering the mystery surrounding the bounty house, said rewards were worth looking forward to.


    It was no different for two games quests that offer two mysterious treasure chest and 300 XP respectively¡ªno one had to think about which quest they would accept.


    After all, 300 XP was merely a moderate amount of EXP gained, and it could not even improve Green Skin from Level 2 to 3.


    In addition, they had a steady source for EXP at the moment since they were going to kill some magical beasts anyway. As such, Chen Yining did not have high hopes for Quest Two.

 Chapter 33

    ¡°Stay here and fish more water demons. Remember, safety first¡ªrun away if things get dangerous and don¡¯t push yourself,¡± Chen Yining warned Chen Jing then.


    That being said, he was not that worried about his younger brother, since he was not as dumb as Green Skin.


    ¡°Run away if you encounter the big one of the lake,¡± Chen Yining reminded Chen Jing again then.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Brother. I get it.¡± Chen Jing nodded.


    Indeed, it was quite profitable to fish for water demons here, since each of those would earn them over ten EXP, and they were not that dangerous once they were pulled ashore, as they would be free for anyone to attack. It was therefore outstanding prey in terms of cost-profit value, and people might start congesting this area if they found out about this place, and the brothers would not get their own share.


    Hence, Chen Jing raised his fishing rod once more. He managed to catch a silver-scaled fish that was half a meter long this time, though it was just a normal fish and no magical beast.


    As a matter of fact, there were plenty of normal animals in the forests aside from magical beasts.


    Chen Jing thought about it and decided to kill the fish, gutting it to cut off a small piece of its innards.


    He attached it to his hook, and perhaps because that piece of organ was pungent with blood, another water demon soon took the bait.


    ***


    At the same time, Chen Yining had returned to the forest with Green Skin.


    Intending to check out how vast the lake was, he circled around it, although the landscape on the far side was out of reach.


    It might be a favorite spot of fire fowls, however, since Chen Yining ran into another even as he strolled along.


    The bird scampered out of when the bushes in front of it shook.


    It was in a terrible state as well¡ªits body was stained with blood and it appeared to be panicking, even crowing anxiously.


    Chen Yining decided to be the good guy upon realizing its suffering, and had Green Skin kill it.


    Green Skin had an easy time against this particular fire fowl. It was not as if they were a match for it even in peak form, let alone this wounded specimen.


    After dying, the fire fowl turned into a strand of essence that fused into the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire after it died. Chen Yining then dragged it up to the blazing chicken¡¯s page, and its image soon changed drastically.


    It was already huge, but it grew further and became taller than 2.5 meters now.


    Now, it had a fierce glare, while its scarlet beak become such a bright red it was essentially dripping with blood. The outlines of its chest muscles were distinct, while its soft feathers stick closely to its skin, and its dark-red feathers was lined with multiple golden stripes just like a Buddhist monk¡¯s robes.


    [Species: Red-Caped Fowl]


    [Title: Golden Bloodline (15%)]


    [Current Level: 2 (25/1000)]


    [Rank: Rare ?]


    [Introduction: A giant fowl possessing both the Golden Bloodline and the Fire Bloodline that dwells in the forest. Its body temperature constantly reaches 40 degrees.]


    [Race Talent: Fire Bloodline +1]


    [Bond (Beast)]


    [(1) Each beast gains a 5% increase in strength if there are more than two beasts.]


    [(2) Each beast gains a 10% increase in strength and an Intimidation Halo (minor) if there are more than five beasts.]


    [Bond (Golden Bloodline, inactive)]


    [(1) Every summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there is more than one summoned beast possessing Golden Bloodline. (Passive)]


    [(2) Every allied summoned beast gains Sun¡¯s Blessing if there are more than ten summoned beasts possessing Golden Bloodline. (Passive)]


    [Summary: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo~]


    Right now, one particular question plagued Chen Yining¡¯s mind.


    If the red-caped fowl¡¯s body temperature was constantly forty degrees, would he not get hemorrhoids if he rode it too often?


    On another note, it appeared that the summoned beasts would improve by one rank with ever three stars gained.


    After evolving, the red-caped fowl¡¯s Golden Bloodline also increased by 5%¡ªdoes that increases by each improved rank?


    Nonetheless, Chen Yining was unable to observe the specific changes to the red-caped fowl since it was not around.


    Having dealt with the fire fowl that basically ran straight into their arms, he and Green Skin left.


    Later, not long after they were gone, a group of people dashed out of the location where the fire fowl was fleeing from.


    ¡°Where did it go?¡± The youth leading them turned around to ask.


    ¡°Let me see.¡± Another youth with dark skin and wore a pair of camo sleeves came forward, dropped to a crouch, and gently brushed his fingers over the ground, observing the nearby plants that were crushed at the same time.


    The youth with the camo sleeves appeared perplexed and became pensive.


    ¡°Can you really do this? You look like you¡¯ve been at a loss for some time now¡ªweren¡¯t you saying that you¡¯re from a family of hunters? You don¡¯t even seem to have the skill to track footprints¡­¡± Someone mocked nearby.


    ¡°Knock it off. Wang Hao is a huntsman taught by his grandfather, though you could take a shot at tracking if you think you could.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, we¡¯re all classmates here. Stop arguing now.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s gone¡± Wang Hao said hesitantly then.


    ¡°What do you mean, gone? Just admit that you can¡¯t find it.¡±


    Wang Hou scowled at the retort.


    However, the youth who was in the lead spoke out then. ¡°There¡¯s a reason for it going missing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Did you guys forget that magical beasts would disappear after they¡¯re killed?¡± he said quietly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Talk about a voice that stirred storms.


    Wang Hao realized with a start then, and quickly look around their surroundings as if he gained enlightenment.


    At the same time, he was sliding glances at a certain girl in the group.


    ¡°Here¡­ no, what¡¯s this? Wait, could it be there¡­¡± Wang Hao suddenly regretted not learning more of what his grandfather was trying to teach him back in the day¡ªthings would not be this difficult if he did.


    Of course, if his grandfather learned that Wang Hao was only regretting his laziness because he was embarrassing himself in front of a girl, there was no telling what his grandfather would think either.


    ¡°Got it. It¡¯s probably in this direction,¡± he eventually said, wiping sweat off his forehead after determining a general route.


    He was beside himself in anxiety just now, and it was lucky that he managed to remember what he thought to be his long-winded grandfather¡¯s words.


    ¡°It took us great lengths to defeat that fire fowl, only to end up for someone stealing it from us¡­ we must find them, and have them explain themselves.¡±


    The group of students grumbled in righteous indignation.


    ***


    ¡°Truly, you¡¯ll never find anything if you¡¯re searching for it, but it falls right into your lap when you¡¯re not.¡±


    Chen Yining¡¯s eyes had lit up after spotting a certain location.


    It was a goblin village, with dozens of goblins residing within.


    They had just hunted a fire fowl and two wolves, and were dragging their spoils into the village.


    It was worth noting that Chen Yining had hidden himself masterfully behind a tree. At this position, he could look down at the tribe, whereas the goblins would have a hard time spotting him.

 Chapter 34

    ¡°One, two, three, four¡­¡±


    Chen Yining quietly counted the number of goblins below.


    With that many goblins, he could complete Quest Three even if he killed half of them.


    ¡°Are you confident you could take them down?¡± He asked Green Skin then.


    The goblin warrior patted its chest confidently. ¡°No problem!¡±


    Still, Chen Yining hesitated to put his faith in the blockhead. While it was not as if Green Skin was unintelligent, its rather unique way of thinking¡­ was truly extraordinary.


    He considered calling the red mantle fowl to him then, since that would ensure that there would be no problems.


    But just as he thought that, Green Skin suddenly patted his shoulder and pointed behind him.


    Chen Yining turned to find the silent forest, with nothing out of the ordinary.


    ¡°Master, someone¡¯s there¡­¡± Green Skin whispered.


    Considering his options for a moment, he gestured at Green Skin to hide with him.


    Soon, a group of university students showed up from the direction Chen Yining did.


    The one walking ahead was thin and dark, and he was arching his back as he observed traces of plants that were trampled over.


    Soon, they noticed the goblin village nearby.


    Since it was situated on lower ground within the forest and was surrounded by towering trees, one would never spot the village unless they got close.


    Moreover, the goblins¡¯ buildings were quite low¡ªjust around two meters¡ªsince they were quite short.


    However, as there were quite a few people in the university students¡¯ group, the goblins noticed them the instant they noticed the goblins.


    The conflict ignited at the drop of a hat.


    The goblins began to squawk and swarm the student group.


    It was as if they had violated some goblin taboo¡ªall of them threw their prey to the ground, picked up their parents, and cried out as they charged toward the students.


    Indeed, the goblins were acting so crazed that the one at the front tripped over a rock and fell from overexcitement, while the other goblins continued forward by trampling over it.


    Every student was hence left dumbstruck. They had never seen such a crazy sight since they were usually well-behaved in campus, never once fighting physically, let alone joining a brawl.


    As a matter of fact, they had come on this adventure out of impulse and were regretting it right now.


    The student who was standing up front backed away slowly then, and looked ready to run. However, in that critical moment, the male student who was leading the group yelled loudly, ¡°Don¡¯t run! We would never outrun goblins in the forest¡ªthe only way we can survive is repel them!¡±


    Hence, the students called forth their summoned beasts panickily.


    They had a total of fourteen summoned beasts with them.


    But upon seeing so many goblins charging toward them, the goblin summoned to the very front promptly threw away its club and ran away¡ªthe goblins¡¯ race talent tends to kick in with full effect in such situations after all.


    It should be noted that goblins would get pompous when the tides were in their favor. On the other hand, they would not hesitate to run away should they be outnumbered or encounter a grave threat.


    Chen Yining, still hiding on top of a nearby tree, was focusing on one particular summoned beast those students had.


    It was a monkey with gray fur and around 1.2 times the size of a normal goblin. Weirdly, however, it had a machine spring on its temple, along with a faint outline along the bridge of its nose.


    From the distance, it resembled the threads of a puppet.


    It was a new summoned beast and Chen Yining had no idea how those students had managed to tame it.


    He felt his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire heat up then, and the data about the doll monkey soon appeared.


    [Species: Doll Monkey]


    [Level: 2]


    [Rank: Normal??]


    [Introduction: A foul-tempered magical beast that dwells in the forest. Enjoys toying with weak prey.]


    [Race Talent: -10% elemental damage]


    [Bond (spectral doll)]


    [(1) When there are more than 3 spectral dolls, every spirit shall gain an elemental barrier that keeps them immune to a certain amount of elemental damage. The elemental barrier would refresh intermittently as well outside of combat.]


    [Summary: Bullying weaklings¡­ is what we do best.]


    The doll monkey hesitated for a moment at the sight of the oncoming goblins, but soon could not hold back its own rage.


    It was holding a javelin, and it leaped over four meters into the air before throwing it.


    The goblin in the lead was instantly pierced through the belly, and dropped to the ground.


    The doll monkey then somersaulted with both legs mid-air, bounding forward and kicking one foot into another goblin¡¯s face and sending it flying. Then, using the momentum, it grasped a tree branch with one hand and took to the air, before landing steadily on a branch and looked down loftily from above.


    Chen Yining, who was nearby and observing in secret, studied the doll monkey then.


    That monkey was not bad.


    Although it looked a little ugly and grayscale, its agility and reflexes far surpassed Green Skin when the goblin was still of the same rank.


    There was no way Green Skin was agile as that doll monkey when it was a hobgoblin.


    In a complex landscape like the forest, the doll monkey had a higher chance of winning in a one-one-one fight against a hobgoblin.


    ***


    After that doll monkey¡¯s assault, the summoned goblins that were starting to flee paused, remaining where they were hesitantly.


    Zhou Xiao breathed a sigh of relief at that. It was fortunate that they had the doll monkey helping, or things could get nasty.


    At the same time, he was taking in his surroundings in search of a direction to escape.


    He knew very well that his group¡¯s numbers would never be a match for the goblin tribe, since he did see the hobgoblin that was coming from the rear of the goblin horde, standing out like a sore thumb.


    They could test their luck against normal goblins, but goblins which have a hobgoblin leading them was another thing entirely.


    There was less chance of those goblins fleeing in panic unless the hobgoblin died, and it would be very difficult to kill it anyway with the waves of goblins flanking it.


    Moreover, he really did not want his doll monkey to get killed, after he had gone through such lengths to tame it. The city council rarely handed off ownership rights for high-ranked magical beasts, and he owed a great favor to his parents who had managed to get that doll monkey for him.


    At the same time, many among his group were turning pale in fright and trembling all over.


    ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, Zhou Xiao! I wouldn¡¯t have come if I had known!¡± Someone cursed amidst fits of tears.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s all Zhou Xiao¡¯s fault! Haven¡¯t you been telling us how powerful your doll monkey is?!¡±


    Zhou Xiao appeared troubled.


    I¡¯ve already conceded the goblins and slimes you people demanded without saying a word.


    Moreover, before they departed, he had told them that it could be dangerous despite the rewards, but those people said that they were fine with that¡­


    Though he had been blaming himself a little for running away before, he felt zero guilt now.

 Chapter 35

    Zhou Xiao glowered, clenching his face as his gaze turned cold.


    Every goblin in the tribe were charging at his group at the hobgoblin¡¯s furious roar.


    Before this, those students had imagined that they would fight and win gloriously when they had their backs up against the wall.


    They had even envisioned it in this very confrontation between themselves and the goblin horde.


    However, when they smelled the goblins¡¯ stink from up close, saw their maniacal glares, and realized that the goblins outnumber them by several fold, all magnificent aspiration disappeared in a puff of smoke, and only the most primitive of terror was left in the depths of their minds.


    They had to run!


    Or what, stay and be magical beast fodder?


    Without needing anyone to tell them, the students all fled, pushing themselves even harder than when they were violently suckling infants.


    While the goblins attacking them were not tall, they were familiar with the landscape, well aware of any slopes or pits nearby.


    Moreover, because they had been constantly dwelling in the forests, some of those goblins were more physically fit than those university students who lacked training.


    Two goblins soon caught up to the slowest girl, and the one of the left pounced, swinging his club at her head.


    A transparent barrier hence appeared over her body to deflect the blow, and her summoned beast¡ªa slime¡ªwas called forth as regulation dictated.


    The slime sprang up, spitting purple acid ooze which streaked through the air in an arc.


    One of the goblins was almost struck in the eyes. It was lucky to have raised its arm at the very last instant to block the acid ooze.


    The slime managed to wrong foot those two goblins, proving itself very useful just then.


    It managed to buy some time for its master.


    Forty-four seconds later, three goblins beat it into a pile of pulp, destroying it completely.


    One minute and fifty-seven seconds later, the goblins caught up with the girl again.


    There was no one who came to protect her this time¡ªthe one and only companion she had was the slime, which had literally been beaten into a pulp.


    She had no other summoned beasts aside from that to buy her time. After all, she had grumbled about how gnomes and goblins were ugly, and so did not take any¡­


    Amid one final scream, a fresh flower wilted.


    ***


    As the hobgoblin walked just beneath his tree, Chen Yining stared at the defenseless back of its head, feeling an immeasurable thrill right then.


    This was he best moment for an ambush.


    He hesitated for a brief instant before calling an attack.


    Green Skin needed just two more dead goblins to evolve. Once it did, it would be two ranks above hobgoblins¡ªwhich was equal to an adult beating up a kid, let alone average goblins that were three ranks below.


    And at his command, Green Skin leaped off the tree from on high, shrieking weirdly as it did.


    The hobgoblin promptly looked up toward the bizarre cry and reacted swiftly with a barrel roll forward.


    It did not realize that Green Skin was not aiming for it, but the two goblins behind it.


    All those two could saw were two fists that kept enlarging in their vision.


    Pow! Pow!


    Their heads were dented.


    On the tree, Chen Yining moved quickly to drag both strands of essences that appeared on his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    [8/8], [1/1]


    All conditions met. Evolve!


    [Summoned Beast: Goblin Chieftain]


    [Current Level: 2 (74/100)


    [Rank: Rare ?]


    [Race Talent: While attacking, goblin chieftains have a fractional chance of inflicting fear upon a unit with lower rank.]


    [Bond (Goblin)]


    [Summary: Remember, runts¡ªI¡¯m not the chieftain, I¡¯m the arch-chieftain!]


    This time, Green Skin¡¯s figure remained just over two meters tall and did not change much, but numerous yellow and blue bands had appeared over its face and arm.


    Since it had evolved in a split second, when the university students eventually turned to look behind, all they saw was Green Skin lifting the enemy hobgoblin by the neck with a single hand.


    The hobgoblin struggled as hard as it could.


    Terror could be seen in its eyes.


    A chieftain¡­ how did a chieftain appear out of the blue?


    Goblin chieftains only appeared in large goblin villages, and those were situated deeper inside the forests!


    Green Skin gripped its right hand firmly then, the veins over its palm protruding.


    With a crunching sound, the hobgoblin¡¯s head drooped feebly and it faded into a white light.


    Chen Yining studied the required materials for Green Skin¡¯s next evolution then, and felt that it was not possible for the time being.


    It was [0/32], [1/4] and [0/1], and if what he surmised was right, it meant thirty-two goblins, four hobgoblins, and one goblin warrior.


    While goblins and hobgoblins would be easy, Chen Yining had yet to encounter any wild goblin warriors.


    Meanwhile, the remaining goblins were left at a loss following their hobgoblin¡¯s death. In fact, two extremely cowardly goblins were trying to make their quiet escape.


    ¡°Squawk-garble~¡± A goblin nearby was hopping and yelling something nearby.


    Green Skin glared at it and bared its sinister teeth, and the goblin¡¯s feet promptly caved. Dropping limply to its knees, it started bawling and kept squawking a load of stuff that Chen Yining did not understand.


    Still, Green Skin appeared to understand. Touching its cheeks and then its own pecs, it casually waved at the goblin, gesturing for the goblin to make itself scarce.


    ¡°Twenty goblins¡­ you¡¯ve only killed three for now, so do what you will,¡± Chen Yining said quietly.


    He had no idea what the other goblin was saying, but what Green Skin did allowed him to make a wild guess.


    Green Skin quivered at that, and promptly ran off to hunt down the other goblins.


    ***


    ¡°Thank you¡­ really, thank you.¡± The university students who ran away just now returned when they saw what happened.


    Since they had yet to escaped the dangerous forest and return to town, they were naturally going to latch onto the most powerful person around them.


    ¡°You¡¯re awesome, bro.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, bro.¡±


    Be that as it may, they were not all that barefaced and were not great at flattery, which was why they could only manage those few lines. Most of them were just standing around hesitantly, and would quickly smile when Chen Yining¡¯s gaze reached them.


    He did not have to ponder much to guess their intention¡ªthey want to return to the city with him.


    With the one student who had tamed the doll monkey gone, the remaining students were all noobs.


    But I don¡¯t want do go back to the city right now¡­


    After all, Chen Yining needs to seize the moment and accomplish all three quests on hand, since the presence of the bounty house was constrained by time. There was no telling how long they would have to wait if they missed this one chance, not to mention that his younger brother was still beside the lake¡ªwhat if something dangerous happened to him if he was away for too long?


    Someone ran towards them then and cried out in panic, ¡°Mingli is dead!¡±


    The students panicked further at those words.


    After all, a human who was still alive and kicking a moment ago was gone in the blink of an eye.


    Fear grew among their hearts.


    All of them turned toward Chen Yining. He was now their savior, after all.

 Chapter 36

    Chen Yining did not say anything harsh like ¡®the forests beyond the city is too dangerous, why would you come here?¡¯¡ªthe university students had naturally come to hunt and capture stronger summoned beasts.


    Why else would they be here?


    For a stroll? For sightseeing?


    Everyone here was an adult. They must therefore take responsibility over their own choices.


    Moreover, Chen Yining was not their papa or mama¡ªhe had no reason to indulge them.


    ¡°I¡¯ve left X-markers on the way in. You could follow those and return to the city,¡± Chen Yining said.


    That was all the charity he would afford them. He did save them just now, and he now sent them in the right direction home.


    Even Chen Yining thought that he was being kind.


    Nonetheless, one of the girls was on the verge of tears, and murmured softly, ¡°Can¡¯t you come with us?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please come with us. Would we dare to go if you¡¯re not with us? This forest is so dangerous!¡±


    Chen Yining was rendered speechless.


    Why would you come if you knew it was dangerous?


    Holding back a wisecrack, Chen Yining flashed a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I still have matters to see to.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t do that. Why won¡¯t you help us out to the end?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already saved us. Can¡¯t you escort us back? Or maybe we could follow you¡ªwe promise we won¡¯t disturb you.¡±


    ¡°Mingli wouldn¡¯t have died if you had helped earlier,¡± a hoarse voice suddenly spoke then.


    The other students¡¯ face fell.


    ¡°What are you saying, Wang Hao?!¡±


    ¡°What does He Mingli dying have to do with him?¡±


    Apparently, the students were not exactly foolish¡ªthey knew that they could plead and guilt trip Chen Yining, but they definitely could not be at odds with him.


    Leaving aside his powerful summoned beast, they were definitely not going to win against him if he turned on them.


    Most importantly, what if he was reluctant to return to the city with them if he got annoyed?


    Be that as it may, Wang Hao was glaring at Chen Yining. It had been three years since he fell head over heels for He Mingli, and everyone else knew that.


    He also knew that the others mocked him for that in secret, though he did not understand why he was scorned for having feelings.


    In fact, those feelings never changed even if He Mingli had two boyfriends in those three years.


    Even up til then, he still remembered the girl with long, silky hair sitting beside the window on orientation day at university.


    The long petal skirt that accentuated her figure.


    He fell for her in that very instant.


    Mustering his courage, he asked if he could sit beside her.


    She smiled at him, and he decided that she must have had a good opinion of him¡ªwhy else would she have smiled at him?


    He was convinced all along that liking a person needed no reason.


    While he was a plain and ordinary male student before the city transmigrated, he realized that he was different from the others after.


    His grandfather was a hunter, and would instruct him in various things so that his knowledge would not be lost.


    It was a pity that he was simply not interested in that back then.


    In fact, he would not have bothered if his grandfather was not old and alone.


    Back in the present, he was asserting angrily, ¡°You just stood by and watched. Your heart must be black and filled with maggots.¡±


    Chen Yining was mystified. ¡°What does her death have to do with me? I did save your group, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    Shaking his head, he turned to leave.


    All those books must have gotten to the kid¡¯s head.


    By the next second, however, the others were crying out.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    Chen Yining could feel a monumental force from his back, and stumbled two steps forward.


    He turned to find that his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire had pulled Green Skin automatically to his side, and the tome itself was floating beside him.


    It was only then that he realized he had been attacked. He certainly did not expect to be blindsided since the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire protect their respective summoners.


    Glowering, he locked his gaze upon the halfling behind him.


    Meanwhile, the other students were crying out.


    ¡°How could you do that, Wang Hao? He saved us!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an ingrate, Wang Hao!¡±


    They were certainly shocked by Wang Hao¡¯s behavior.


    You must have gone mad! Don¡¯t drag us down with you even if you¡¯re suicidal!


    They promptly made it clear that they had nothing to do with Wang Hao at all.


    At the same time, Wang Hao could not help feeling regret after he set his summoned beast on Chen Yining.


    He just remembered that he could not kill Chen Yining with the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire around, unless all of Chen Yining¡¯s summoned beasts were killed off.


    Indeed, he had a rush of blood to the brain just then and lost all rationality.


    He then looked at Chen Yining in panic, his body shuddering uncontrollably.


    His mind had regained sanity as the red mist cleared.


    Chen Yining was looking at him impassively in return.


    He then reached behind himself and drew out a handgun.


    The other students all gasped in shock at Chen Yining.


    He actually had a gun!


    At the same time, Chen Yining had brought his gun level between Wang Hao¡¯s brows.


    ¡°You were trying to kill me,¡± Chen Yining said.


    Even if he was lacking in marksmanship, it would not be a problem for him to hit Wang Hao in the head from there.


    Wang Hao paled, but soon calmed down when he remembered that he was immune to harm before all his summoned beasts were killed.


    ¡°It¡­ it was just a prank,¡± he stammered.


    Chen Yining simply glanced at the other goblins, which had ran afar now, and saw that he is completion rate of Quest Three was 9/20.


    He grinned. ¡°This is, too.¡±


    Then, he pulled the trigger.


    Bang!


    The gunshot echoed into the distance.


    The bullet struck the barrier cast by the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire outside Wang Hao¡¯s body, knocking it violently as sparks flew.


    Wang Hao fell on his bottom and it took a long time for him to regain his senses.


    Beside his feet was a bullet with lingering heat embedded in a soil, leaving a deep mark in the ground.


    When Wang Hao finally looked up, that man had already left, and there was no one around him.


    Humiliated, he dug the bullet out of the soil. His expression was almost maniacal, a fearsome wild look just like a demon¡¯s.


    ¡°Just you wait¡­ Someday, I will repay this humiliation tenfold¡­ no, a thousandfold!¡±


    Wang Hao clenched his teeth to the point that his lip bled.


    He remembered Chen Yining¡¯s face.


    Meanwhile, the other students had long since fled.


    There was no telling how many magical beasts would be drawn to the scene after the echoing gunshot.


    They were not going to get away if they didn¡¯t leave right then.


    Wang Hao was about to leave as well and called forth his summon beasts, when he realized that one of them had been killed unbeknownst to him¡­


    The image of its final moments remained on its page in the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire: its neck had been snapped and it was dangling from a tree.


    He inhaled deeply. It did not matter since he had two other summoned beasts.


    Be that as it may, a nearby bush was rustling wildly right after he walked over a hundred meters.


    The motion made it obvious that it was a behemoth.


    Wang Hao turned to find a dark-red behemoth dashing out of the forest. It had many golden markings over it as if it had an unusual cape draped over itself.


    Its scarlet beak was as bright as blood and it was pecking toward him!


    Panicking, Wang Hao summoned the two remaining goblins to defend himself.


    The dark red behemoth kicked out in response, and the goblin in the front was disemboweled before fading into a white light, leaving an image of its death in its page within the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    Soon, the dark red behemoth kicked out again, and the remaining goblin was kicked over eight meters away, its innards all torn apart as it slammed into a tree and died.


    Wang Hao screamed in terror.


    ¡°No¡ª¡±


    Then, the blood-curdling cries ended abruptly.


    ***


    The red-caped fowl bathed in piping-hot blood as it trampled over the corpse, and raised its ice-cold gaze to study its surroundings.


    Some of the animals and magical beasts that were lurking nearby scattered.


    The red mantle fowl snorted at that and left in irritation¡­

 Chapter 37

    Two of the students stumbled as they dashed out the forest and almost cried out loud when they saw the silhouette of the city.


    There were six of them when they came in, but only two of them came out of the forest.


    ¡°But Zhou Xiao did escape before we could. It wouldn¡¯t be a problem for him to return to the city with his doll monkey,¡± one of them, a girl, said.


    ¡°That stupid Wang Hao¡­ if he hadn¡¯t wronged that the man, he might have brought us back.¡±


    ¡°Did you see him anywhere?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ but I think I heard his screams while we were running. The gunshot must have drawn some magical beasts and they must have killed him.¡±


    ¡°From where I¡¯m standing, the man was quite forgiving¡ªhe merely killed one of Wang Hao¡¯s summoned beast as punishment¡­ talk about being merciful!¡±


    Both students conversed softly as they returned to the city, never once mentioning any sort of reprisals against Chen Yining.


    In the end, there was no argument between both sides, and it was only that fool Wang Hao who had ended up provoking the man.


    There was no way they would bear ill-will towards a superior player over a dead man.


    How were they supposed to confront an elite who had gathered such powerful summoned beasts in this early phase anyway?


    Moreover, Chen Yining was their savior and they owed their lives to him, which was why they would not really hold a grudge against him.


    Nonetheless, as the pair reached the city, a man behind a nearby wall was watching them.


    It was Zhou Xiao, the one who had fled earlier.


    He glowered at them from behind, while studying them suspiciously.


    Two of them escaped? How did they manage it?


    Once he thought that those two might spread the word that he had abandoned his teammates, his mood soured.


    ***


    Chen Yining patted his red-caped fowl¡¯s head in praise.


    It lowered its head, appearing as tame as a rabbit in front of Chen Yining despite its sheer ruthlessness an instant ago.


    The bird was actually cooing from the throat too, the feathers around its neck ruffling gently in tandem with the low-pitch sound¡ªjust like a gentle giant.


    For his part, Chen Yining did not regret using a bullet¡ªfiring the handgun was exhilarating, though it would soon not matter once his summoned beasts evolved twice more.


    Returning to the lake, he found Chen Jing working diligently with his two gnomes.


    As if they were playing whack-a-mole, Chen Jing would fish out water demons. Beside him, both gnomes that were holding clubs would smash it together, just like little runts helping their mother clean their laundry.


    Thud¡ª


    Thud¡ª


    Thud¡ª


    They were certainly enjoying themselves as they clubbed away and the water demon soon stopped moving after twenty or so hits.


    Twitching as it died, it turned into a streak of white light, absorbed by Chen Jing¡¯s Summoner¡¯s Grimoire.


    He stood up in delight when he saw Chen Yining return. ¡°Brother, my gnomes are at Level 2 now.¡±


    Chen Yining was quite surprised. ¡°So soon?¡±


    Chen Jing nodded. ¡°I had no idea there were that many water demons in the lake¡ªit¡¯s as if one would bite right after I throw in my hook. I think the bottom of the lake must be flooding with them.¡±


    ¡°What would they even eat¡­ is the whole lake full of them?¡± Chen Yining wondered.


    If the bottom of the lake was filled such frightening masses of water demons¡­


    It was possible that one high-ranked magical beast or two would be born.


    Staring at the deep lake, Chen Yining decided that if they have the chance in the future, they should bring a waterproof camera to photograph the depths of the lake.


    That being said, waterproof cameras were rare and they would be even rarer now in Mountain Water City.


    ¡°Master, I think we could hang a goblin from a stick, put a glass helmet over its head, and lower it into the water. With that, it could see what¡¯s beneath the water,¡± Big Head suggested wisely then.


    Being an intelligent gnome, Big Head¡¯s brain was highly effective in this very moment.


    Green Skin, however, was upset. It retorted, ¡°Why goblins? Why not gnomes?¡±


    ¡°Because gnomes are smarter!¡± Big Head said confidently.


    ¡°Which is why smart gnomes should go under the lake. Wouldn¡¯t you be able to explain things better, after all?¡± Green Skin reasoned with logic.


    ¡°???¡±


    Big Head was stumped, unsure how to counter that just then.


    He looked in confusion at Green Skin¡ªwas that really a goblin?


    ¡°Goblins are never stupid,¡± Green Skin suddenly spoke with composure.


    Big Head patted its own head that was twice larger than normal goblins¡¯, but said nothing in response.


    ¡°Brother, it seems that the gnomes¡¯ crafting abilities improved after they reached Level 2. I find this fishing rod much better after they¡¯ve strengthened it,¡± Chen Jing said then, and offered it to his brother


    When Chen Yining took the fishing rod, he found that there was a layer of vines wrapped around the grip that prevented slipping, and had been processed so that it didn¡¯t sting the hand.


    While the fishing line was still the old nylon rope, the knot was changed in favor of a more complex one, and the reach of the line had also been extended. It was a setup that distributed strength more evenly.


    At the same time, the fishing hook was fashioned out of some exquisite white fragments of an animal bone, and the unknown bone appeared much sturdier.


    The bait was processed as well¡ªthe gnomes¡¯ crafting abilities had definitely increased significantly after reaching Level 2.


    Chen Yining even wondered if they would become polymath after they leveled up a few more times.


    Either way, it was very convenient to have these gnomes with them in the forest.


    Chen Yining handed the fishing rod to Green Skin, who put bait on the hook before throwing it in the lake¡­


    Suddenly, a humongous shadow flashed in the distant surface of the lake.


    It was not only Chen Yining¡ªeveryone else could see it very clearly.


    The shadow did not breach the surface, however, and merely disappeared in a flash right after showing up just underneath it.


    Green Skin steadied its arms, staring fixedly at the fishing rod.


    In three minutes, the fishing rod moved.


    The fishing float sank and the fishing rod tightened into a round arc.


    ¡°You can rein it in now,¡± Chen Jing quickly said.


    Green Skin promptly pulled the fishing rod with a loud whoop.


    The fishing rod arced elegantly through the air, dragging out a messy pile that was another water demon, and Green Skin earned 11 EXP after killing it.


    In truth, Chen Yining wondered if he should capture a water demon himself. Since the water demon was an aquatic magical beast, he would increase the type of enemies he could handle, and it seemed that there was no lack of water demon in the lake either.


    However, he had not encountered the evolved form of the water demon, and they were a little ugly.


    In fact, they were basically a pile of tangled ropes, and those countless diminutive snakes kept extending their tongue.


    It was so ugly to the point that Chen Yining could not ignore its unruly appearance.


    Chen Yining looked at the lake for a while more. Just as he was about to remind Chen Jing to be careful while he returned to the forest to finish his other two quests, he suddenly saw another group of explorers who had ventured into the forest and were settling down by the lake as well.


    Those people appeared to have seen them as well and were waving at them.

 Chapter 38

    The other group could not help ridiculing and heckling when they spotted Chen Jing fishing.


    Still, Chen Yining promptly waved his hand and shouted at them when he saw that they were going into the water.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t go into the lake!¡±


    However, they were too far from each other and Chen Yining¡¯s voice could not transmit that far.


    They simply presumed that Chen Yining was greeting them.


    Still, just as one of them was going in the water, the others stopped him, and what appeared to be an argument started.


    Going down the water at this hour¡­ truly, anything was possible in this world.


    Chen Yining looked away.


    Whatever¡ªthey would just have to suffer the consequences of their own actions.


    In the end, the one who wanted to jump into the lake resorted to crouching beside it, washing his face and arms.


    Another one of them appeared to enjoy the water, slipping his hands underwater or tapping the surface.


    Then, there was a sudden cry of shock from the other side of the lake.


    Chen Yining looked up and saw that someone was falling into the water with a loud splash, with black tentacles coiling around his face and arm. Fortunately, someone nearby had managed to grab his legs.


    Chen Yining recognized that it was a water demon, and it seems that they would ambush animals drinking by the lake.


    The other group was now a mess. They were dragging the victim by the legs ashore, while some were swinging clubs at the water demon.


    Nonetheless, Chen Yining¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted.


    A massive shadow just beneath the lake surface was rapidly closing in.


    Chen Yining could see it clearly because of the angle.


    In fact, the shadow was so massive that a large wave had arose over the lake as it moved.


    In the next instant, surging tides tore through the placid lake and a behemoth breached the surface!


    Chen Yining could see a huge dark figure leaping out, splashing water everywhere!


    In no time at all, the behemoth swallowed both the human and the water demon before crashing back beneath the lake, kicking up more waves.


    The air seemed to turn still.


    However, the serene surface of the lake rippled endlessly, leaving waves of splashes.


    The group at the opposite side of the lake was left dumbfounded then. When one of them then looked down to find himself holding one leg, he dropped it and fell on his bottom before darting in panic into the forest.


    The mere sight of lakes might traumatize that group of people now.


    On the other hand, Chen Yining was still staring at the surface of the lake with narrowed eyes.


    If his hunch was right, that big one just now was the shadow they kept spotting in the lake, and the objective of Quest One.


    It probably would not be hungry after feeding just now, so there was no telling if they could lure it out now.


    His Summoner¡¯s Grimoire warmed up slightly then. As if the monster made a huge impression despite appearing for a fleeing moment, it was now recorded in the pages of the tome.


    [Species: Big-Toothed Megamouth]


    [Introduction: A smooth-skinned creature that dwells in lakes and enjoys sneak attacks. A glutton that isn¡¯t picky with its foot.]


    [Rank: Rare?]


    [Race talent: Razor-sharp teeth+1]


    [Bond (Aquatic beast)]


    [(1) When there are more than four aquatic beasts, increase speed if underwater by 10%.]


    [(2) When there are more than eight aquatic beasts, increase speed by 15% and 20% endurance if underwater.]


    [Summary: Water demons are delish, munch, munch¡­ what should I have for tomorrow night?]


    Underwater, a rare one-star aquatic magical beast might be a match for a rare two-star magical beast.


    But it would be easy if they were ashore.


    Chen Yining thought to himself then that it would not be hard to bully the megamouth on land, given that he had two rare one-star summoned beasts¡­


    But if they were in the water, not even two of them together could be a match against it.


    Still, he observed from the summary that the megamouth was quite the eater.


    They just might be able to lure it with a water demon.


    As such, after fishing out another water demon, Chen Yining killed it but kept it as a physical corpse, and attached it to the fishing hook. It was the first time they had used that as bait.


    As usual, they kept the fishing rod aloft over the water.


    One, two, and soon three minutes passed¡­


    Suddenly, a dark, colossal shadow jumped out of the placid lake, and Chen Yining finally saw the big-toothed megamouth¡¯s full appearance from up close.


    It was probably over seven meters long and its gigantic jaws was just like a black hole. Its scales were a dull yellow, and it had two strands of something that could be brows or bears, that looked rather conspicuous¡­


    In an instant, it bit onto the water demon¡¯s corpse and the fishing rod before falling back inside the lake with a massive flash.


    Tremendous waves unfurled away from where the megamouth splashed.


    Meanwhile, the fishing rod fashioned out of the huge branch had snapped off.


    Everything on the tip, from the nylon fishing line to the fishing hook, ended up in the megamouth¡¯s stomach.


    Truly, it had quite the appetite.


    As Chen Yining mulled over the idea poisoning the bait next time, he realized that the megamouth was probably immune to poison since it would happily gobble up water demons.


    Either way, their plan to fish the beast out had failed.


    First and foremost, the strength of their fishing rod was lacking.


    Secondly, they did not have the strength to drag it out of the water.


    However, they could have another go if they could resolve those two issues.


    Chen Yining was neither too disappointed nor guilty.


    There was no time limit to the quest, after all¡ªthe only limit imposed was that they must submit the bounty to the bounty house before it shifted.


    It would be no different if they submitted the bounty later, provided that they encountered the same bounty house again.


    Chen Jing himself was stroking his nose. He still felt lingering shock after witnessing the terrible sight of someone getting eaten beside the lake, and felt that he was quite lucky.


    Thank goodness he did not wash his hand beside the lake or whatnot, or he would have ended up the same.


    Afterwards, he did not dare to stay beside the lake himself to keep fishing water demons either, no matter what Chen Yining would say.


    To tell the truth, he was traumatized.


    Chen Yining did not force him either, since no one had developed the lake into a holy ground for farming levels at the moment.


    Indeed, the water demons and the big-toothed megamouth would be dangerous magical beasts for most at this phase, more so than forest dwellers such as the goblins.


    For now, the brothers just had to finish Quest Two and Three, then return to the bounty house beside the lake so that they could help Green Skin and the red-caped fowl reach Level 3 as soon as possible.


    This time, they returned to the forest together.


    They were quite lucky as well, and managed to find a small group of wild goblins in just about ten minutes.


    Setting a trap to wipe out half of them, Chen Yining managed to complete his quota for goblins killed, whereas Chen Jing had also reached fourteen out of twenty.


    Meanwhile, four hours has passed since they entered the forest, and it would be soon two in the afternoon.


    The forest became very hot and stuffy, with swarms of mosquitos perching over the canopy.


    It was thanks to Green Skin and the red-caped fowl¡¯s high level that they had managed to repel the mosquitos.


    Those insects appear afraid to approach high-level magical beasts in general¡ªtheir aura constantly exerts pressure upon normal creatures.


    Rustle¡­


    The trees overhead shook just then.


    Startled, Chen Jing looked up to find a gray bipedal creature fleeing from the branches high above.


    It looked like a monkey.


    However, it probably was not a magical beast since his Summoner¡¯s Grimoire did not react.


    Still, after they walked further ahead, the trees atop were shaking again. The same gray creature darted through the branches, even stopping to look at Chen Yining and the others.


    As the same thing repeated several more times, Chen Jing stopped and said, ¡°That monkey must be crazy or something. It keeps disturbing us?¡±


    Chen Yining pondered for a while and continued forward¡ªjust as expected, the monkey returned, catching their attention before fleeing again.


    ¡°Come. Let¡¯s go have a look.¡±

 Chapter 39

    As the brothers followed the monkey, they appeared to be heading to a quieter place.


    They must be heading deeper within the forest.


    Still, Chen Yining did not forget to leave a marker along the way.


    While the forest had been very still at first, they could hear the gushing sounds of water after walking for another stretch.


    The deeper they went, the surer Chen Yining was that they were heading towards a waterfall.


    ¡°Eek-eek-eek¡­¡±


    The monkey screeched at the brothers from the trees above, as if summoning them.


    Then, it leaped off its perch. However, it suddenly stopped mid-fall at a gap between the branches ahead, as if it had suddenly gained powers of levitation.


    The monkey struggled furiously then, but it appears that it was being bound by something that tightened its grip the more it struggled, and the monkey¡¯s efforts were soon weakening¡­ until it eventually lay there, immobile and almost dying.


    Chen Yining frowned. ¡°Be careful. There¡¯s a spiderweb nearby.¡±


    Green Skin lifted his steel bar and brandished it, and the thicket rustled loudly as it was parted.


    A startled palm-sized bug darted away, hiding itself deep inside the thicket.


    ¡°I have no idea what that is¡­¡± Green Skin was at a loss.


    In the end, the forest was very vast, and even the goblin had things it did not know off.


    The withered leaves beneath their feet were thick and damp, with untold swarms of poisonous bugs lurking beneath.


    Startled by the two summoned beasts¡¯ auras, many insects and snakes were sneaking away from the branches.


    Then, Green Skin¡¯s steel bar seemed to touch something and he felt it become stuck.


    It was as if some invisible gel in the air had latched on to his steel bar.


    The group came closer to see that a translucent string of spider silk was sticking on the steel bar, and it took Green Skin great strength to tear the string off.


    The spider silk was far more adhesive than any of them could imagine¡ªit should be noted that Green Skin had great strength, which meant that the spider silk could bear a lot of weight.


    Then, the red-caped fowl took two steps back, its eyes turning scarlet as if it was bleeding.


    It opened its beak and breathed out a trail of flames.


    The flames did not reach its usual range, however, though this extent was just right¡ªevery strand of spiderweb the flames reached were immediately melted away. It seemed that those webs had terrible fire resistance.


    While the spiderweb would melt off in a puff of blue smoke after it was burned, the fire did not spread since the nearby leaves and plants were quite damp and did not catch fire.


    After that, Green Skin took point, advancing ahead while the red-caped fowl cleared their path with its flames from the rear. Since evolving, the bird could breathe a lot more flames now, and breathing out that much was not taxing.


    Soon, they cleared a wide path.


    But once they crossed over, they stumbled upon a harrowing scene.


    Endless dried bones were strewn all over the place, and the air swirled with the scent of rot.


    Numerous cocoons were dangling off the tree tops, the tip of which were opened¡ªtiny gray furry heads with their eyes kept tightly shut were poking out, all of which were monkeys smaller than the one leading them on just now¡­


    Chen Yining finally realized why that particular marking would bring them here and jump into the spiderweb on its own free will.


    There was no telling how long those cocoons had been spun, and few of those little monkeys would have survived, and barely alive even if they did.


    Soon, there was rustling from the distance.


    Two gigantic spiders were moving alongside each other, drawn toward the group by the trail of torn webs left in their wake.


    It was difficult for them to move through the forest due to their huge bodies, which was why they kept to the trees and climbed around them with pinpoint precision. As each of their legs plunged into wood, they shifted as if streaking through the forest, approaching the group as if they could cross valleys in the blink of an eye.


    It must be said that they were so huge they could well be as tall as a two-story building, though half of that height was from their legs. One of them had a plump abdomen, with its rear half being twice the size of its front half¡ªit basically had to drag its rear half along as it moved.


    There was a ring of white down on both sides of their cheeks like a neck warmer.


    Nonetheless, the one up front had a short temper, and was clicking furiously the instant it saw Chen Yining and the others.


    Then, gaping its jaws, it spat out voluminous strands of silk.


    It was just like a streaming geyser as the milky-white fluid engulfed a fan-shaped area ahead of itself.


    Not about to be outdone, the red-caped fowl retaliated with its fire breath. Its fearsome flames collided with the spider¡¯s spit¡ªstill in liquid form, bursting into thick white-smoke.


    It was as if mist had suddenly appeared in the forest, and the white smoke soon wafted into Chen Yining¡¯s nostrils whilst carrying a stinging scent.


    He pinched his nose. There was no telling if that stuff was poisonous, so the best thing to do was not inhale it.


    Both him and his brother took out their respirators from their bags that they had bought ahead of time.


    In the end, the protection of the Summoner¡¯s Grimoire proved a little vague. They could never tell for sure which attacks would be blocked, and which would bypass its safety mechanism to hurt them.


    There were millions of different of magical beasts while they only had one life. It never hurts to be careful.


    On the other hand, the giant spider was becoming even more angry upon seeing that its attacks were nullified, and it was shrieking shrilly through its mandibles.


    It appeared to be going on a show of force, declaring that this was its territory.


    Still, Chen Yining felt calmer at that sight.


    It seems that despite its might, the spider was not that much stronger than his pair of summoned beasts¡ªthey might even be on the same level.


    Why else would that pair of giant spiders start things off by spitting silk instead of attacking them directly with brute force?


    Chen Yining backed a few paces away then, keeping Green Skin and the red-caped fowl in front of himself.


    His Summoner¡¯s Grimoire had been heating up for a while, and it was only now that he had the free time to read it.


    [Species: Grayhead Huntsman Spider]


    [Current Level: 3 (4)]


    [Rank: Rare ??]


    [Introduction: A magical beast that hunts prey with their spiderwebs. It waits silently in dank, cold environment as its prey come to them, but they would go on active hunts during mating season to nourish their young.]


    [Race Talent: Strengthened Spider Sac +3]


    [Bond (Spider):]


    [(1) The spider¡¯s silk would have a low chance of triggering a very weak binding effect on prey if there are more than four spiders.]


    [(2) The spider¡¯s silk would have a low chance of triggering a weak binding effect on prey if there are more than eight spiders.]


    [Summary: The spider sits at its home as prey comes to it.]


    These were rare two-stars monsters and there were two of them at that. Since one was Level 3 and the other level 4, both must be veterans.


    Still, one appears to be pregnant, and there was no telling if that affected their abilities.


    The many cocoons dangling over the trees must be the nourishment that they had been stocking up.


    On another note, a one-star magical beast provided around eight EXP.


    There would be some degree of difference in EXP earned when it came to the species of magical beast and the specific specimen that was killed.


    As such, Chen Yining certainly could not tell how many EXP a rare two-star magical beast could provide in one occasion¡­


    Perhaps more than a thousand?


    Generally speaking, all creatures were as dangerous as they were vulnerable during pregnancy.


    Studying their surroundings, Chen Yining hatched a plan in his mind just then.

 Chapter 40

    Up front, Green Skin had started to provoke the spiders, mocking them loudly and hammering his weapons loudly on a nearby tree.


    Perhaps because Green Skin was born with a contemptible face, its mockery well and truly drew the spiders¡¯ scorn upon himself.


    The male gray-headed huntsman spider brazenly leaped higher up the trees then, its monstrous form somehow proving capable of dangling among the branches.


    However, as it leapt up into the air, its gray-white abdomen was exposed.


    Digging its right talons deep into the ground, the red-caped fowl reared its head skyward and breathed a shot of flames.


    It hit the spider with supreme marksmanship.


    Its abdomen abruptly shrunk inward and a drip of white fluid was squeezed out of its rear tip.


    The flames appeared to have hurt its abdomen seriously.


    In fact, the spider seemed to be extremely vulnerable to fire. After it was struck, it promptly leaped backwards to get away from Chen Yining and the others.


    Meanwhile, the female spider appeared displeased with the male¡¯s fleeing and shrieked indignantly at the male twice.


    In response, the male spider stopped in its tracks and turned around to look at the female spider.


    Nonetheless, after clicking its mandibles in annoyance twice, it reluctantly moved to confront Chen Yining¡¯s group again.


    At the same time, the female spider remained where it was, sprawling itself over the ground so that its bloated abdomen was laid upon even ground as much as possible, even as it stared at the red-caped fowl warily.


    It must be being cautious about its children, which is why it did not take the initiative in attacking.


    In contrast, the male spider was frightened of the female spider, seemingly having been subjected to strict spousal discipline.


    As it headed for its rematch, both Green Skin and the red-caped fowl had split, flanking the male spider on its left and right sides.


    It was left pacing back and forth, unsettled and constantly looking back and forth between Green Skin and the red-caped fowl.


    ¡°Screech!!!¡±


    The forest echoed with its cries of utter anxiety.


    Regardless, the summoned beasts¡¯ tactic seemed to be effective. It could not protect both its flanks even as both Green Skin and the red-caped fowl closed in from different sides, not to mention that its mate did not come forward to help it¡­


    Instead, the female was endlessly spitting more silk around itself to build a protective circle. It indifferently kept the male spider outside the barrier while it remained crouched on the ground, its abdomen squirming endlessly, contracting and expanding¡­


    Be that as it may, the male gray-headed huntsman spider ultimately decided to lock its gaze on the red-caped fowl.


    Its fire breath did hurt it grievously just a moment ago, after all, and its simple mind judged that the bird posed a great threat.


    Then, as the red-caped fowl charged toward the male huntsman spider, Green Skin followed suit from the rear as well.


    The male spider dodged the bird¡¯s blow. Its massive body appeared prepared this time and managed to evade its fire breath.


    Using three of its legs to hold itself steady, it pushed¡ªits entire body springing like a fluffy pudgy man bouncing off a tree branch.


    Nearby, after having slowly making its approach, Green Skin suddenly moved.


    Still like a mountain but moving like thunder, its terrific form burst out with unprecedented dynamic force.


    Its streamlined muscles were brimming with violent explosiveness.


    Snarling in rage, Green Skin grabbed a branch with its left hand and stomped its right food on the tree behind.


    ¡°Gobbo!¡±


    Pushing itself with that momentum, it threw out the rebar it was holding with its right hand like a bolt from the god of thunder.


    It turned into a black, blurred afterimage as it shot forth.


    Whoosh!


    It tore through the air, causing a sharp whistling as it bounded forward.


    ¡°Screech¡ª¡±


    The male gray-headed huntsman spider abruptly tightened the rear tip of its abdomen¡ªthe curbed rebar which was +1 in sharpness and hardness thanks to gnome crafting had struck it there.


    The thin layer of gray-white fur over it did not stop the projectile at all, and its abdomen split apart, exposing the tender, milky-white innards inside.


    Half of the two-meter-long rebar had plunged into the spider!


    Maimed, the male spider¡¯s entire body tightened inward like a bow.


    Milky-white fluid was gushing out from its wound.


    Each of its legs was pulling into itself and it resembled the fearsome talons of a bird of prey when seen from afar.


    Either way, it was an extremely serious blow to the male gray-headed huntsman spider.


    It abruptly turned around, all six eyes on its head glaring ferociously at Green Skin in wounded rage and cruelty.


    ¡°Hiss¡ª¡±


    Three of its legs swiped out toward Green Skin rapidly, striking out like dark phantoms toward Green Skin.


    The seemingly plain black legs of the spider were actually incredibly sharp, tearing through branches along the way with great ease.


    Green Skin promptly leaped aside, but all three legs had craftily covered all angles.


    As such, after Green Skin managed to dodge the first two, the last leg came at it from an angle it could never hope to dodge. Nonetheless, in the direst of moments, Green Skin shifted so that the leg only brushed over its arm.


    For the male gray-headed huntsman spider, it was as if its leg had only reached Green Skin¡¯s arm with the faintest of touches. To Green Skin, however, it was no different from having a spear pierce his shoulder.


    Its shoulder muscles were pried apart forcefully, the torn section left ragged as if serrated and a large chunk of flesh dangled outward. Green blood flowed freely from the wound, and it certainly was a gruesome sight to behold.


    That was when the red-caped fowl saw its chance. Spreading its wings, it was about to attack the male spider¡¯s defenseless rear¡­


    But then the female spider, which was basically absent through it all, moved.


    Clenching its abdomen¡ªas if using any degree of strength right now was extremely taxing¡ªit then opened its mandibles, spitting out a massive stream of silk fluid.


    The female spider had even given enough lead so that it fired the spot just behind the male spider, because it had determined that it was where the red-caped fowl would charge into.


    Still, a cunning twinkle appeared in the red-caped chicken¡¯s eyes then.


    It suddenly stopped flapping its wings and screeched to a halt.


    In that split second, its wings seemed to turn redder.


    Either way, it did not continue forward, and breathed a large jet of flames instead!


    The surging fire engulfed everything ahead, incinerating every withered leaf and leaving the very air twisted.


    The male spider, which just had its butt pierced by a rebar, was immediately struck by the flames. The fires streaked along its wound into its insides, rendering it in an anguish that was beyond words.


    The rear tip of its abdomen was now charred and it could not even hold itself then¡ªas its abdomen shrunk within its own body, it dropped down from the branches to the ground with a resounding slam, its legs flailing wildly at the skies.


    Seizing his chance, Green Skin dashed forward and leapt on top of the male spider¡¯s abdomen. Gripping the rebar that was sticking out with both hands, it pressed the steel downward.


    The protruding end of the metal weapon was hence plunged inside entirely.


    While the male gray-headed huntsman spider was as tall as a two-story building, more than half its height was occupied by its legs. In fact, the widest section of its abdomen was just three meters.


    As such, the rebar cut deep inside its abdomen this time.


    It was a critical hit to the male gray-headed huntsman spider!