Two or three hours later.
"Asi, why hasn't that kid come out yet? It's been so long. Did he head into the central region? Or did he die at the hands of an Eerie Beast or those hunters?"
The short, stocky man could not help asking.
"Probably not. Otherwise, how could he have made it back safely the last two times?"
Asi was puzzled too. Though he denied it aloud, doubts crept into his heart.
After all, the entrance before them was the closest explored route to Greenwood City.
More than ninety percent of those entering the Rotting Forest from Greenwood City chose this route.
As his thoughts wandered through wild guesses, he suddenly noticed a figure darting out of the bushes at the forest entrance.
The figure moved quickly, but Asi was no weakling either. Once he made out the figure's face, his eyes lit up.
"He's out! That's the kid!"
Calling to the others, Asi shot forward first.
The two behind him exchanged a glance and followed close behind.
The three blocked Lin Sheng's path.
Seeing the bulging backpacks on his back, Asi's eyes shone, and he could barely conceal the greed on his face.
"Stop right there, kid!"
He immediately roared.
The two behind him raised their short-barreled guns on cue.
Their faces brimmed with delight, their greedy gazes roaming over the bundles on Lin Sheng's back.
But the older Guard Army soldier keenly noticed that many of the young man's bundles were stained with blood, seemingly not yet dry.
This gave him a vague sense that something was wrong. He was about to speak up and warn the others when Asi's shout rang out.
"We're with the Guard Army, conducting a routine inspection for Wicked Poison contamination. You'd better cooperate, kid..."
Asi folded his arms, wearing