The off-road vehicle reached the border of the Safe Zone. They couldn't go any farther by road and had to continue on foot.
Otherwise, the noise of the vehicle might attract Demon Beasts. After all, the wilderness was nothing like the city; it was extremely dangerous, and they had to stay alert at all times.
There were six people in the team. They walked cautiously through the forest, constantly scanning their surroundings for signs of a Demon Beast attack.
Fortunately, they were in luck. Aside from a One-Eyed Demon Wolf appearing some distance away, they didn't encounter any other Demon Beasts along the way. It had been relatively safe.
At last, after traveling for some time, they finally reached their destination.
"That's right. This should be the place."
Team leader Wang Dakun checked the map, then compared it with the information their client had provided. He was certain that the Bone Healing Grass they were looking for grew inside the cave before them.
He turned to the others and gave them a serious warning.
"Once we're inside, everyone be careful. There may be a Magic Wolf in there. Xiao Yu, you're a Shadow Element Mage, so you'll take the lead this time."
"Understood!"
Cheng Xiaoyu nodded. He stared at the dark, cavernous entrance, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The others immediately followed behind Cheng Xiaoyu, disappearing into the darkness.
"Fsssh~"
A flame flared to life in Wang Dakun's palm, dispelling the darkness around them.
In the pitch-black surroundings, Cheng Xiaoyu, a Shadow Element Mage, was unaffected and could see everything before him clearly.
He kept a wary eye on their surroundings as he led the others deeper into the cave, searching for traces of Bone Healing Grass.
Fortunately, they didn't encounter the supposed Magic Wolf along the way. They safely reached a much more spacious area.
It looked like a larger cave, with a hole in the ceiling. Blinding sunlight streamed straight through it, driving away the darkness in that area and making the place feel reassuringly safe.
The sunlight fell on a dense patch of grass, where several strikingly beautiful plants grew. They immediately caught the eye.
"What is this...?"
Everyone stared at the sight in surprise. Wang Dakun hurried forward to inspect it.
"That's right. These should be the Bone Healing Grass. Nice work, Xiao Yu."
He crouched down and examined the plants for a moment before recognizing them. A delighted smile spread across his face as he patted Cheng Xiaoyu on the shoulder.
"I didn't really do anything..."
Cheng Xiaoyu scratched his head. He had only led the way... Well, that counted for something, didn't it?
"Let's gather the Bone Healing Grass quickly and get out of this godforsaken place."
Wang Dakun took off his backpack and swiftly began gathering the Bone Healing Grass. When the others still hadn't moved, he turned around, puzzled.
"What are you standing around for?"
Luo Hao stood nearby, staring blankly ahead, his eyes flashing with alarm.
"Captain, th-there's a Demon Beast up ahead!"
Cheng Xiaoyu pointed into the dimness. Though it was dark, he could see clearly: a Demon Beast was slowly approaching.
It was a brown-skinned Magic Wolf. Unlike the One-Eyed Demon Wolf, which stood on two legs, this one stood on all fours. Its silver fangs were exceptionally sharp, as if they'd been forged from steel!
"Damn it, it's a Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf! Everyone, get ready to fight!"
Wang Dakun stowed the Bone Healing Grass. Now that they had completed the commission, they couldn't linger here any longer. They had to leave at once.
"It's fine. I'll keep the beast occupied. You all fall back slowly."
Luo Hao told the others. A breeze swept around him, and he became a streak of wind, darting back and forth at a distance from the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf to draw its attention.
No... Something was wrong. This Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf seemed different!
Cheng Xiaoyu stared intently at the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf. Its presence felt oppressive, and an uneasiness stirred deep in his heart.
"Come on, you little beast! Let your Grandpa Luo see how fast you are!"
Luo Hao beckoned to the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf, darting left and right. But the next moment, he couldn't smile anymore.
The Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf flashed forward and lunged right at him. He had no time to react before its sharp claws came down.
Whoosh!
A flash of cold light, a spray of blood—the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf cut Luo Hao in half, and he collapsed in a pool of blood.
"Luo Hao!"
Everyone stared in shock, their faces filled with disbelief and fury. How could they accept that someone who had been alive beside them just moments ago had died right before their eyes?
While the others stood frozen in panic, the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf didn't stop. It burst forward again, charging at another member of the team.
"Water Shield: Protect!"
Xiao Ke reacted quickly, immediately casting a Water Element spell around the team member. It should have been enough to withstand an attack from a Servant Class Demon Beast.
But against the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf's claws, even a second-level Water Shield was as thin as paper. The water burst apart, and several deep gashes appeared across his chest. His pale ribs were visible as he was tossed aside like garbage.
"Earth Wave: Slow!"
The burly man cast Earth Wave beneath the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf's feet. Seeing that he had finally slowed it down a little, he hurriedly shouted to the others.
"I've got it trapped! You—"
Before he could finish, a shadow flashed before him. A gaping maw snapped down and swallowed him whole.
It had torn through Water Shield with one swipe, then unleashed three bursts of speed. This Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf was definitely at the Advancement Stage!
Cheng Xiaoyu stared in a daze as his teammates died one after another. It was the first time he'd ever seen someone killed by a Demon Beast right before his eyes, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"Xiao Yu, Xiao Ke, run!"
Wang Dakun's face was full of grim resolve. He tossed his backpack to Xiao Ke, a ball of flame ignited in his hand, and he charged at the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf.
"Captain!"
Tears welled in Xiao Ke's eyes. Cheng Xiaoyu grabbed her and ran toward the cave entrance. He knew he couldn't let the captain's sacrifice go to waste.
Flames erupted behind them, and a thunderous explosion rang through the cave. Out of the corner of his eye, Cheng Xiaoyu saw sparks burning across the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf's body as it roared and charged after them.
It looked like the captain hadn't managed to stop it. He might already have been killed...
"Xiao Ke-jie, this isn't going to work. I'll use Shadow Evasion to lure it away for a bit. Otherwise, neither of us will get away."
"No! I can't leave you behind!"
"Now's not the time to say that. The rest of the way is straight. Just keep running."
With that, Cheng Xiaoyu shoved Xiao Ke forward, then threw a rock at the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf. He turned into a shadow and slipped off to one side.
Enraged, the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf stared at the human who had vanished. It opened its gaping maw and roared, spewing a mass of dust and sand. The blast immediately knocked Cheng Xiaoyu out of the darkness.
"Damn it!"
With several scrapes on his body, Cheng Xiaoyu lay on the ground, looking battered. He hadn't expected the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf to have an ability like Flying Sand and Rolling Stones.
He'd thought he could escape using Shadow Evasion, but it still hadn't worked.
Of course, there was one thought in his mind: if the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf went after Xiao Ke-jie, he might survive...
Cheng Xiaoyu scrambled to his feet and ran for his life, gritting his teeth as he tried to overcome his panic and fear and connect the Shadow Element Star Track. His adrenaline surged as he desperately tried to escape this godforsaken place.
But then pain shot through his arm, and he stumbled. From the corner of his eye, he saw that his left arm was gone. Blood poured from the stump.
"Ah!"
His face contorted in a scream. He clutched the stump of his left arm, and in the next moment, the world spun around him. He was flung hard onto a patch of grass.
Pain stabbed through his leg. The Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf had bitten off one of them too. Now he had no way to escape.
Blood streamed from Cheng Xiaoyu's mouth. Blood continued to seep from the stumps of his arm and leg, staining the grass beneath him red.
He gazed up at the cave opening, feeling his life slowly ebb away. Warm sunlight fell on him, yet he felt colder than ever.
No... I don't want to die... My little sister is waiting for me to come home... Mom hasn't even woken up to see me yet...
The voice inside Cheng Xiaoyu grew fainter. The sunlight in his eyes grew more and more blurred, and he felt as if he were about to sink into a deep sleep. All he could do was watch as the Steel-Toothed Demon Wolf's claws came down.
If only... if only I had another chance...
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