The path leading to Gray Mist Lake was shrouded by dense tree canopies, with dim lighting and air thick with moisture and the scent of decaying plants.
Yano's footsteps crunched on the damp fallen leaves, producing a rustling sound, yet his expression remained calm despite the unsettling environment.
He even had the leisure to gently adjust his breastplate, ensuring the little boss inside was sitting comfortably.
"Boss, there seem to be quite a few tails following me, they've been tracking me the whole way."
Compared to his tension in the tavern, Yano felt much more relaxed after leaving Rusty Key's territory.
And this time, the boss was accompanying him. When he looked at this perilous swamp nearby, it felt like looking at home.
It was practically like strolling through his own backyard.
"Munch munch munch..."
"Hmm, just a pack of hyenas sniffing out prey. When we reach the dungeon entrance, we'll prepare a surprise gift package for them. For now... let's just consider it walking the dogs."
Most adventurer teams wouldn't dare provoke them lightly, making them sufficient to protect Yano's safety.
After finishing the last piece of dessert, Chen Yu reminded:
"Ahead, behind the rocks, three adventurers are hiding, probably targeting you..."
Before he could finish speaking.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"
Three figures with clear murderous intent suddenly leaped out from the bushes and giant rocks ahead, blocking their path.
A half-beastman, a ranger, and a thief - the standard ambush combination.
Yano's steps halted, a flicker of tension rising within him as he tightened his grip on his worn knight's sword.
"'Miracle' Yano? This was easier than expected!"
The half-beastman sneered, slowly approaching.
Chen Yu felt somewhat bored.
They hadn't caught the big fish from Rusty Key yet, but these small fries kept popping up.
"Yano, have them leave their money pouches."
Yano cleared his throat and, following the boss's instructions, said calmly:
"Gentlemen, leave your money pouches behind and depart immediately. It'll be better for everyone."
After a brief silence came raucous laughter.
"Hahaha! Hand over our money pouches? I still need your head to claim Rusty Key's bounty!" The ranger laughed so hard tears nearly came out.
"Attack!" The thief growled, his figure instantly blurring.
[Stealth]
The half-beastman roared, his massive battle axe descending with vicious force, while the ranger's arrow simultaneously left its bowstring, aimed straight at Yano's knee.
Too fast!
Perfect coordination!
Yano's pupils constricted sharply, instinct making him raise his sword to block the giant axe.
"Clang—!"
Sword met axe, the heavy impact still making Yano's arm slightly numb and his palm stinging, forcing him half a step back.
This half-beastman's brute strength was indeed considerable.
Even he, as a warrior, couldn't withstand it head-on.
Just as he adjusted his center of gravity, the chilling murderous intent from behind arrived as expected.
The thief's dagger, like a scorpion's stinger, aimed directly for his back.
[Petrification]
"Clang!"
A crisp sound like striking granite rang out.
The thief's sneer instantly turned to astonishment. He felt like he hadn't stabbed flesh and blood, but rather a piece of hard, cold stone.
The massive recoil sent sharp pain through his wrist, nearly making him drop his dagger.
Yano breathed slightly heavily, but excitement sparkled in his eyes.
Was this what it felt like to control a curse...
It was absolutely marvelous.
"Damn it! Does he have a magic scroll or instant activation? I can't break through his defense!"
The thief cried out in alarm, his voice cracking as he quickly retreated to create distance.
"Roar!"
Seeing his attack ineffective, the half-beastman grew even more enraged, swinging his axe horizontally again, while the ranger nocked a second arrow, his eyes darting suspiciously as he searched for "weak points" on Yano's body.
"Need help?"
Chen Yu wriggled his chubby little slime body, seemingly trying to find a more comfortable lying position.
"No need, boss."
Yano's tone brimmed with excitement and eagerness.
"Perfect chance to practice with them."
Instead of meeting the axe blade head-on, he abruptly crouched and charged forward, his petrified left shoulder boldly slamming into the opening at the half-beastman's waist exposed by his axe swing.
Petrified Charge!
"Thump!"
A dull impact sound echoed.
The half-beastman staggered from the collision, his tall frame actually tipping backward.
At that moment, the ranger's arrow shot forth again.
Yano couldn't dodge in time, the arrow grazing the outside of his thigh, leaving a trail of blood.
Sharp pain shot through him, making him hesitate momentarily.
"Perfect opportunity!"
The stealthed thief reappeared like a ghost, his dagger stabbing toward the tendons of Yano's injured thigh.
Yano grunted, the skin on his arrow-grazed thigh instantly covering with stone.
"Clang!"
The dagger failed once again!
"Damn it! What the hell is this thing!" The thief's composure was nearly shattered.
After several rounds of back and forth, Yano's stamina was heavily depleted from resisting the half-beastman's brute force attacks. His breathing grew labored - he needed to end this quickly.
He spun around abruptly, ignoring the half-beastman's downward chop from behind, his long sword carrying a determined momentum as he fiercely stabbed toward the ranger, who appeared somewhat dazed from his two failed attacks.
The ranger hastily raised his knife to block.
"Thud!"
This time, Yano's sword tip precisely pierced through the blocking gap, penetrating the ranger's chest.
"Argh—!" The ranger screamed as he collapsed.
Warm blood splattered across Yano's face, awakening his long-dormant knightly instincts.
It was a cold, focused ruthlessness honed through life-and-death struggles. He yanked back his sword and turned to face his enraged opponent.
The half-beastman roared as he activated his beastman bloodline, his skin turning crimson, muscles swelling, his attacks growing even more frenzied as his heavy battle axe fell like a storm.
Yano gritted his teeth, his stamina draining rapidly.
He no longer met force with force, instead utilizing the defensive advantages of petrification to dodge and weave through the axe shadows, searching for openings revealed by his opponent's rage.
Each block and dodge consumed his precious stamina.
Finally!
After withstanding a powerful diagonal chop from the half-beastman, he saw his opponent's center exposed from the full-force swing.
The opportunity had arrived.
Yano mustered his last strength and thrust his sword forward with all his might!
"Thud!"
The sword accurately pierced through the half-beastman's throat, opened wide from roaring.
The half-beastman's roar cut off abruptly, his massive body stiffening momentarily before crashing to the ground, blood gushing out.
Yano breathed heavily, sweat and blood dripping from his forehead, feeling every muscle in his body aching and trembling, his lungs burning.
This half-beastman's brute strength was ridiculously powerful.
He was nearly completely exhausted.
The petrified defense had kept him alive, but the battle's toll was very real.
Only the thief remained. Having witnessed this brutal and bizarre fight, he was utterly terrified. He didn't dare stay a moment longer, turning and desperately fleeing deep into the dense forest, moving so fast he left only an afterimage.
Panting heavily, Yano watched the thief's back about to disappear into the bushes, a strong sense of helplessness washing over him.
He could barely stand straight, let alone give chase.
It seemed the opponent would escape...
Just then—
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three gray-white sharp lights shot out like lightning from inside his breastplate.
The stone swords accurately pursued the desperately fleeing thief, instantly piercing through both his legs and throat.
"Thud!"
Yano looked at the fallen figure, an awkward expression on his face.
"In the end, I still needed your help."
Chen Yu didn't mind, instead nodding with satisfaction.
"It seems this Stone Scion Bloodline really has something to it."
All three lying on the ground were seasoned veterans among adventurers.
In the past, Yano would have had to flee if he encountered them, let alone win against them.
"Quick, see if they have anything valuable on them."
Yano searched them for a long time but only found a few gold coins.
"More paupers."
Chen Yu's tone was disappointed.
These desperadoes living on the edge, leading precarious lives, had no habit of saving. They spent every coin in taverns as soon as they got money - having a few gold coins left was considered wealthy.
"Boss, what should we do with these corpses?"
"Throw them in the water for the fish."
These corpses didn't even have magic organs, and the remaining equipment couldn't be carried away. Might as well feed them to the piranhas.
Wouldn't want to scare off those Rusty Key thieves.
"Got it."
Three corpses splashed into the water, leaving only blood stains on the ground.
After covering them with sand, it was as if no battle had ever occurred.
Long after Yano left, several figures quietly approached.
"Do you smell blood?"
"Blood? Ha! They say you have a dog's nose, being able to smell that."
Beneath Gray Mist Lake were bone-devouring piranhas. The lake always had the scent of blood drifting from it - smelling blood was completely normal.
Only after heavy rain did the lake's scent become somewhat "fresher."
Compared to that, they cared more about that generous bounty - rich enough to let them escape their current lives, clean their records, and return to the kingdom to live in wealth.
A full fifty gold coins!
Wasn't this exactly the kind of quick money they desperadoes sought?
Afraid of death? Worried about risk?
Hahaha, that's what those softies in Ironboot Town should worry about.
Greed had completely overwhelmed these adventurers' reason. They didn't want to be a step too slow, letting someone else claim the bounty.
"That guy's probably injured, hurry and chase."
"Fine to chase, but don't call me dog nose."
"Dog nose."
"..."