(Thanks to Dragon Power of Sun Moon Island for the generous "Godlike Certification" gift.)
Just as Zhong Yi was puzzling over why Zoe was acting so strangely toward him, an eerie wolf howl suddenly rang out.
"Awooo~~"
The Frenzied Direhowl being utterly crushed by Stormshock Bear suddenly threw back its head and howled at the sky.
Within moments, pair after pair of scarlet eyes lit up in the boundless darkness.
"A whole pack of... Frenzied Direhowls!?"
Zhong Yi's expression immediately darkened.
One Frenzied Direhowl was easy enough to handle. After all, the Pals in this area weren't particularly high-level.
But a whole pack of Frenzied Direhowls attacking at once was a different matter altogether.
"Miss Zoe, it's dangerous here."
Zhong Yi took a deep breath and stepped in front of Zoe.
"Hm?... Mm."
For some reason, looking at Zhong Yi's tall figure suddenly made Zoe feel at ease, and she lowered her head in a fluster.
Just then.
Zhong Yi fumbled around at his chest and pulled out two rings.
Under Zoe's incredulous gaze, Zhong Yi held the two rings out to her.
"Huh?"
Zoe's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Take these."
Zhong Yi spoke with a solemn expression.
"M-me?"
Zoe's heart involuntarily sped up as she stared helplessly at the two rings Zhong Yi offered.
"F-first... firstfirstfirst! Let me say this first! I-I won't just... because you give me rings or anything..."
The girl bit her lip lightly and glanced at Zhong Yi out of the corner of her eye. Her throat felt as though it were smoking, and she couldn't get the rest of the words out.
"And another thing! You... do you even know what rings are for...?"
Zoe's voice grew softer and softer, yet her hands obediently accepted the rings from Zhong