Chapter 342: Dragon Roar, Mermaid Might, The Epic Dragon-Fish Battle (Heavy Fog)
Isn't that Nonsense? I rolled my eyes severely. Even an idiot would know what was going on just by looking at the Surroundings.
It was still a Forest of Towering Ancient Trees, but it was covered in patches of "frost and snow." Looking closely, these "frost and snow" were actually white Spider Nests. Between the dense Tree Leaves, on the forked Tree Branches, between two Trees, and even connecting over a dozen Trees, horizontally covering the entire open space above, these places were all covered with countless Spider Webs. The small Webs were only the size of a thumb, some were palm-sized, others basin-sized, and the largest one, the one we just saw connecting over a dozen Trees and spanning the entire open space, was half the size of a football field, with Spider Silk as thick as two fingers.
Such a Giant Spider Web, let alone ordinary Prey, even an Elephant would surely be unable to break free if it got stuck. We didn't know who its Master was or how big it was, because as soon as we saw it, Phoenix quickly pulled us away. According to his Statement, the owner of the Spider Web should be the Lord of this Domain. For such an unknown Powerful Enemy, especially one with Home Field Advantage and countless large and small Spider Minions under its command, it was better not to provoke it if unnecessary.
We were in this white web-like world, covered in Spider Nests and crisscrossed with Spider Webs. Looking up, there might be a basin-sized Spider hanging above you, its Tusks dripping with disgusting saliva, using its three pairs of eerie green compound Eyes to Scry upon you from above. And underfoot, Spiders digging Holes could pop out at any moment, foolishly biting you and trying to drag you into their Nests. There were also countless large and small Spiders, either among the Green Leaves, inside Tree Holes, or hiding in their Nests, glaring at us through the white Nest membrane. The cold and cruel Gazes from all directions made me realize for the first time that having an overly sensitive Sixth Sense wasn't necessarily a good thing. At first, I still had the patience to clear away the surrounding Spider Webs and Spiders, but I quickly gave up. Unless this entire Forest was burned down, no one would be able to escape this spine-chilling white web-like world.
Alright, let's Recall the Nonsense Phoenix said earlier. If you still don't understand where you are, then please go die.
"Swoosh—"
A Fire Bolt shot out, tracing a fiery red trajectory and opening a Passage blocked by countless Spider Webs ahead. A few unlucky Spiders standing on the Spider Webs were grazed by the Fire Bolt. They shrieked a few times and fell to the ground, struggling with scorched bodies before their eight legs retracted tightly, shrinking into a ball and dying.
"I say, is the Spider Forest Waypoint really in this godforsaken place?"
I hugged myself tightly, surveying the Spider world we were in. This was simply challenging my limit of endurance.
"Of course. Who do you think I, Phoenix, am? How could I take the wrong Path?"
"Then why isn't there a decent Road around? If it's a Waypoint, shouldn't there be many Adventurers coming and going? How could this Situation occur?"
Angrily kicking over a Spider that tried to Sneak Attack me, I couldn't help but question. The Spider Webs from all directions completely covered the entire Forest. It was clear at a glance that this was a small Path that hadn't been walked on for at least several years.
"Because I specifically chose this small Path that no one walks on," Phoenix said proudly, as if he had done a great deed, seemingly unaware that disaster was imminent.
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is. You're responsible for all this..." I muttered, a layer of Dark Aura enveloping my Body.
The next moment, I had lifted Phoenix like a Chick, tied him up securely in a few moves, and then looked around.
"Since you like Spiders so much, I'll throw you onto one of those Spider Webs for a close encounter."
Just as I finished speaking, Three-No Princess, who exuded a sense of non-Existence, suddenly gently tugged at my Clothes from behind, then stepped forward a few steps and pointed to a giant Spider Web in our blind spot. Oh, oh, that's really great. But speaking of which, Little Molly, how did you find this place? Were you planning to throw Phoenix into a Spider Web all along?
"Oh, no, Little Brother Wu Fan, let's talk, let's talk!!"
Seeing the Spider Web Marissa pointed to, Phoenix's Complexion changed. Although that Spider Web wasn't as exaggerated as the half-football-field size we first saw, it was definitely half a basketball court. Hanging below the Spider Web was a "fake mountain" the same color as Stone. Looking closely, we realized this "fake mountain" was shaped like a curled-up Spider. His Complexion immediately turned pale—Giant Slaughter Stone Spider. As its name suggested, its Size was about the size of a small car, its Skin was stone-colored, and it loved to torture its Prey to death, famous throughout the Dark Continent for its cruelty and bloodlust.
"It's okay, it's okay, it's just a close encounter. Adventurers are fine as long as their Life doesn't drop to zero, right?" I kindly comforted Phoenix.
"That's exactly why it's not okay, you pair of Demon Master and Servant! Let go of me, let go of me!" Phoenix struggled even harder upon hearing this.
"Honestly confess, what are you trying to do this time?"
Of course, I didn't really intend to throw Phoenix to the Spiders to grind their Teeth. After scaring him for a while, I let him down and held a grand interrogation. Little Molly, bring the Dog Head Guillotine over, we'll just chop this fellow.
Ahem, never mind, let's interrogate him first so he dies understanding why.
"Well, I found this Road a long time ago, but I was alone and afraid of encountering any accidents, so I didn't dare to venture in. And Spiders are disgusting, aren't they? It's better to walk with a few more people," Phoenix said with an embarrassed chuckle.
"So you dragged us into it?"
Indeed, the Dog Head Guillotine is too lenient for him. He should be stripped naked, tied up, and hung upside down at the entrance of the Lut Gholein Market, with several thick, rough, sharp-pointed, red-hot Staffs prepared below for anyone interested to poke his chrysanthemum until he explodes and dies.
"Wait, wait, I still have something to say!!" Seeing that the two of us were showing signs of Blackening, Phoenix exclaimed repeatedly.
"Haven't you been curious why I kicked open those Spider Egg Sacs along the way? Actually, there's a certain Chance of finding good things inside. Spiders almost all have a habit: whatever they find that they like, if it's troublesome to carry around, they'll store it in their Nests. Look, this Staff of mine was kicked out of a Spider Egg Sac."
Saying this, he even showed off his Normal Staff. I had seen its Attributes; it only added +3 Warmth and +1 Frozen Armor. It wasn't considered Excellent Grade.
Actually, the Warmth Skill is very important for a Sorceress. Equipment with +2 Warmth is already considered Excellent Grade for a Sorceress, but a certain person isn't a Sorceress and has a whole set of Excellent Grade Equipment, so he has no such Epiphany.
"What good things could be hidden in such a godforsaken place? Tell me, what good things did you kick out along the way?"
I somewhat understood why Phoenix would casually kick Spider Egg Sacs. At first, I thought he had a grudge against Spiders, so that's what it was. But he had kicked no less than a hundred along the way, and I hadn't seen anything come out. It was either a puddle of disgusting green liquid or a few fist-sized young Spiders scattering in panic from the ruptured Egg Sacs.
"That... it's just a matter of Chance. If it were that easy to kick things out, we wouldn't need to kill Monsters; we could just focus on kicking Spider Egg Sacs," Phoenix said, chuckling evasively.
"Chance? I think it's wishful thinking."
I let out a Cold Snort. My Gaze swept around, and I happened to see a Spider Egg Sac not far away. I couldn't help but step forward a few steps and kick it.
"Clink—"
To everyone's Dumbfounded Gazes, over a dozen Gold Coins made a crisp Collision Sound and flew high into the air.
"Hmph, just over ten Rare Item small Spiders," I said fiercely, reacting with lightning Speed and stepping the Gold Coins into the mud.
"Nonsense! You're clearly lying through your Teeth! It was over ten Gold Coins! You just want to throw me to the Spiders, right?!" A string of complaints burst from the exasperated Phoenix.
Your Eyes are quite sharp, huh? Facing Phoenix's complaints, I let out a sigh. This time doesn't count. Next time, I'll definitely find an excuse to let you get intimate with the Spiders. My Gaze continued scanning. Luckily, I found another Spider Egg Sac not far away.
This time, it won't be wrong. Heaven, please grant me a few fist-sized Spiders so I can catch this fellow Phoenix and feed him to the Spiders. Praying like this, I kicked again.
"Clang—"
The sound of Metal friction rang out. A cracked Emerald, a bottle of Full Rejuvenation Potion, and a Magic Chain Mail dropped to the ground under my and Phoenix's Dumbfounded Gazes.
The Atmosphere was frozen for a long time...
"So that's how it is, that's what's happening. I've been an unlikable child since I was young, I loved peeking at the Neighbor's Big Sister taking baths, I loved lifting girls' skirts..." Phoenix stood up from the ground with a dejected look, muttering incessantly.
I say, it would be strange if anyone liked such a kid.
"Even the Goddess of Fortune dislikes me so much. I finally understand, I am not accepted by this world, I am an Existence that is rejected..."
In an instant, his thoughts went to extremes again. He's really a guy who loves to overthink.
I originally thought Phoenix would be depressed for at least a whole day after such a big blow, but unexpectedly, he Resurrected before nightfall. Eating Crocodile Meat, he showed his signature cheerful smile. No, rather than cheerful, I think single-celled is a more appropriate description. The next day, he continued his treasure hunting journey, calling it "there's no Fun without challenge." He said someone like me, favored by the Goddess of Fortune, wouldn't understand the Fun of unexpectedly getting a Single Point of Gold Coin.
Hmm, there's indeed no need to understand. It's not like I'm a Beggar...
After dancing with Spiders for two full days, we finally noticed that the overwhelming Spider Webs around us began to decrease. At least we didn't have to clear the Path ourselves anymore. There were three Possibilities for this Situation: one, we were about to leave the Spiders' Territory; two, Adventurers frequently came and went around here; as for the third Possibility...
We were approaching the Territory of a certain big Boss.
However, even with the Protagonist's Halo on, I don't always have Fortuitous Encounters one after another. Phoenix told us this was because the Spider Forest Waypoint was approaching.
Soon, we found the small Path leading to the Waypoint. Along the way, we even encountered a Team of Adventurers. About an hour later, we arrived at the Town Ruins, which seemed to have been destroyed by some giant Monster. In a secluded Corner of the Ruins, I finally found the first Waypoint in Kurast—the Spider Forest Waypoint.
Two Black-robed Mages responsible for the Waypoint greeted us warmly. They seemed to know Phoenix. After registering, everyone started chatting.
"By the way, Kanc, why did you build the Waypoint in a place like this?" I had always wondered why it wasn't built somewhere else, but specifically in this godforsaken place full of Spiders. Even timid people wouldn't dare to come.
"Hehe, Lord, you don't know."
The Black-robed Mage named Kanc threw a dry branch into the red-hot Campfire. The Boiled Water in the Iron Pot simmering above began to boil.
"Actually, the Forest is so Dangerous, it's the same no matter where the Waypoint is built. But compared to other places, don't you think there's something special about this place?"
"You mean... there are only Spiders here?" Thinking back and forth, I couldn't think of anything else more special about this place.
"Exactly, there are only Spiders here. Compared to other places where various Monsters appear, although it's a bit terrifying here, there's only one type of Monster, the Spider. Their living habits have also been thoroughly understood long ago. Isn't it simpler to deal with them?"
"So that's how it is. But I'm still very curious. Since there are only Spiders here, their Food must not be enough. How do they survive? Do they prey on their own kind?"
"That's one of the Methods. Spiders don't move around much to begin with, so even if they are huge in Size, their demand for Food isn't high. Every month, they will swarm out from their Domain and hunt in the outer Forest. If Food is still not enough, they will start preying on their own kind..."
This kind of uninformative conversation continued until late at night. But even if it was uninformative, even just humming and hawing was something the People of the Dark Continent were happy to spend Time doing. Because there was simply too little entertainment here.
Early the next morning...
"I say, Little Brother, do you really not need me to accompany you?"
Phoenix looked at us eagerly from the side. It seemed he had truly gotten addicted to being a Guide. However, I think he was more likely thinking about where else he could drag us for an Adventure. No, I must quickly Exorcise this Dangerous person.
"Yes, go die," I said coldly, nodding.
Ah, he cried.
"Ah, right, wait..."
Just as Phoenix was about to enter the Waypoint and go back, drooping like a defeated rooster, I called out to him.
"Here, take this, this, and these things."
I handed him a Magic Orb, a pair of Rare Item Heavy Boots, and ten bottles of Rejuvenation Potion. The Magic Orb was the one this fellow generously gave to me, its Attributes were +2 Lightning, +1 Fire Ball, +2 Blizzard, +Strength. It should be more useful in Battle than his Normal Staff. As for the Rare Item Heavy Boots, they dropped when we killed the Elite Thornwood Fiend the first time we encountered them. The Attributes were also good, after all, they were Wu Fan's production.
These two pieces of Equipment were dropped during the Adventure with Phoenix. Although I was the only one doing the work, it was reasonable to distribute them under the name of Teammates. However, for Phoenix, the most precious things among them were probably those Full Rejuvenation Potions. In Adventures, Full Rejuvenation Potions are now in short supply, more valuable than Gold Equipment. One Rejuvenation Potion might not be able to exchange for a piece of Gold Equipment, but if you take out three bottles, I guarantee there will be a large crowd of people wanting to trade.
To be honest, this stuff is like drinking Boiled Water for me. With a Microwave Oven, three bottles of Mana Potion + three bottles of Healing Potion + a Chipped Gem, it's easy to make. If Akara hadn't forbidden me from selling them in bulk, I would have become a rich man in Diablo long ago. The amount of Full Rejuvenation Potions I have on me is so much that I even have the idea of squandering Full Rejuvenation Potions.
"Hey, hey, why are you crying again?" Seeing Phoenix wipe away another tear while looking at the Equipment and Potions I handed him, I couldn't help but feel Dumbfounded.
"Wuwu, Little Brother Wu Fan, I've always Misunderstood you. I didn't expect you to be such a good person."
Hey, hey, what do you mean "didn't expect"? Give me back the Staff, give me back the Boots. And the Crocodile Meat you ate these past few days, spit it all out.
In the end, Phoenix accepted the Orb and the Rare Item Heavy Boots. As for the ten bottles of Full Rejuvenation Potion, he only took two bottles. According to his Statement: What kind of person is Phoenix? Do I need to rely on these things? These two bottles of Full Rejuvenation Potion are for the Guide fee, I reluctantly accepted them.
Watching Phoenix swagger away and disappear into the Waypoint, I sighed. Getting Along with Adventurers is truly a great art. Each one is incredibly proud. Even when given something, they have to weigh it. If you accidentally give too much, you'll be Misunderstood as looking down on or pitying the other person. Even someone with a carefree Nature and reckless actions like Phoenix is unwilling to take an extra bit of Advantage.
That's why my own women are the best. I can give whatever I want to whoever I want, and it doesn't matter how much I give. Those who don't obey will be dealt with by Family Rules. I turned around and hugged Three-No Princess. Under her bewildered Gaze, I kissed her snowy white face fiercely again and again, then unfolded the Tent and gathered the girls, ready to get down to business.
Those with dirty minds, go stand in the Corner by the Wall.
Inside the Tent, three people, one Fish, and one Dog sat around. Their Expressions were solemn. The firelight from the Stove in the middle flickered slightly, illuminating our solemn faces and making the Atmosphere even heavier.
"First, before we discuss, I need to clarify one Matter." My stern Gaze swept across everyone's faces, seeing faces as resolute as Warriors who had experienced countless Wars. I nodded with satisfaction.
"The first thing to clarify is..."
Finally, my Gaze fell upon our Golden curly-haired Pekingese Dog Commander. Influenced by the Atmosphere, its posture seemed to straighten slightly, looking like it was waiting for instructions.
"Dogs cannot participate in the Meeting." The next moment, I indifferently lifted the Dead Dog by its Rabbit Ears and tossed it to the Corner.
"Gah—oh—gah—oh—"
The exasperated Dead Dog pounced and bit.
"Wuwu, Xiao Fan is really something. We finally had a bit of Atmosphere. I wanted to keep acting."
With the commotion from my fight with the Dead Dog, the solemn Atmosphere in the Tent instantly vanished without a trace. Little Ghost rested her beautiful Chin on her hand in boredom, sighing, her silver Eyes rolling around.
"Even if you understand Human Language, you can't speak. Besides, what good Suggestion could a Dog have?"
I said this while pulling the Dead Dog's two Rabbit Ears. See, even when facing Emergency Rations, even if it's just a mere stupid Dog, I still speak Principle and state Facts. What is a Sage? Please refer to me.
"Gah oh gah oh—"
While biting my thigh tightly, the Dead Dog let out muffled Sounds from its furry mouth and pointed a paw at the Little Mermaid, who had rarely woken up.
"You mean why can the Little Mermaid participate?"
For some reason, I could always easily understand the Dead Dog's barks, which weren't even Dog Language. Could it be cursed by some Vicious Curse? I shivered violently.
"That's because..." Little Ghost, who was watching us quarrel with a smile, joined in, fearing the world wouldn't be chaotic enough.
"That's because Leona, your Status is lower than Eriya's."
Hey, hey, you're trying to provoke. You Little Squirt are definitely trying to provoke.
As expected, upon hearing Little Ghost say this, the Dead Dog immediately loosened its teeth biting me and shifted its Gaze to the Kind Little Mermaid who was watching us quarrel with curiosity from the side.
Hmph hmph, how could we, the mighty Dragon Race, lose to you Merfolk Race? Don't think you're great just because you have a Golden Tail. Let me tell you, The Princess's true form is a Golden Dragon, my whole Body is Golden, much nobler than your half-baked Gold. It's time. Today, let's decide who is the Boss of the Team.
Feeling Leona's Hostility Gaze, the Little Mermaid immediately became vigilant. She secretly felt behind her back, and a Golden Trident instantly appeared in her hand. She held it diagonally across her chest, assuming a stance of being ready for Battle.
"Gah oh—gah oh—"
"Yi ya—yi ya—"
For a moment, the entire Tent was filled with non-human fighting Sounds. Qi was startled. I didn't expect to receive so many recommendations and Monthly Passes. It could be said to be the best Result this year. I'm really happy, so I immediately started working as soon as I got back. I hope to present the second chapter by midnight.