Digging a Hole and Being Dug Into

This giant black-furred monster possessed four massive goat hooves, its upper body covered in black, tentacled fur, with each tentacle sprouting a murky green eyeball. As those tentacles lashed out, they swiped aside every tree blocking its path.

The moment he saw this thing, Hu Wenxu didn't say a word; he turned and bolted, cursing as he ran: "Is this game instance trying to kill us? How could a monster of this caliber appear here? Run, Strange Light, this guy is a high-tier species—touch it and you're dead!"

Hu Wenxu was kind enough to offer a warning, and Xu Haoran and Gao Xiaowen reacted instantly, turning to flee. Unfortunately, the monster was far too fast. It whipped a tentacle out, sending a tree flying; the trunk clipped Gao Xiaowen, who was running slightly behind. Despite it being only a glancing blow, the immense force sent her spiraling to the ground, her left arm bone snapping instantly.

By the time she fought through the pain to stand, the monster was already beside her. Its goat hooves stepped past her, and beneath its four-legged frame sat a single, massive eye. The eye blinked, locking gazes with Gao Xiaowen for a second. A trail of viscous slime slid from its eyelid, dripping right next to her head. The black-furred beast lumbered on, leaving Gao Xiaowen collapsed on the ground, clutching her broken arm in sheer terror.

Xu Haoran took advantage of the monster being distracted by Gao Xiaowen to sprint away, while Lu Li had already unleashed his leg muscles to bolt the moment Hu Wenxu started running. Lu Li even had the leisure to glance back. Seeing Hu Wenxu's pace slow down, the two realized the beast's trajectory was headed straight for the beach, not targeting them specifically, so they ducked aside to observe closely.

"Something's not right. This isn't that kind of monster; it's just similar. It must be a copy!" Hu Wenxu analyzed, sounding somewhat relieved. "I've seen files on this type of creature before. I almost thought it was the real high-tier species. Honestly, if it were the real deal, we'd all be suffering from mental corruption for a while before being crushed to death."

Xu Haoran spotted Lu Li and Hu Wenxu hiding nearby and immediately grasped the situation. He changed course, veering off to hide behind a tree and observe.

The monster charged all the way to the beach. The three men regrouped, looking at the path the beast had literally plowed through the earth. Xu Haoran said, still shaken, "It's a good thing that monster wasn't targeting us. We couldn't handle that kind of raw power and speed."

"True. Even if it isn't the genuine article, its size and appearance are close enough. It's far beyond what we can fight right now." Hu Wenxu nodded in agreement, then looked at Xu Haoran with a burning gaze. "Did your reconnaissance skill pick up any info on it?"

"No. The level gap is too wide; I didn't get any data at all. Besides, shouldn't we check on Gao Xiaowen? She's been lying there for a while now!" Xu Haoran said with a bitter smile, gesturing toward Gao Xiaowen, who remained motionless on the ground.

"Fine, fine. She is a teammate, I suppose, might as well see if she's dead..." Upon learning there was no data on the monster, Hu Wenxu instantly lost interest, while Lu Li watched the direction the beast had vanished with great curiosity.

Hu Wenxu had previously warned that the sea held immense danger, and the beast had charged straight for the shore. Combined with the bone meal piled along the banks, the water here ran deep. If he wasn't mistaken, all of this was the work of that so-called Witch. This revealed the extent of the Witch's power; no wonder the game warned them that she was completely unbeatable and that they had to obediently complete her tasks to earn a chance at mutation.

"Come over. Gao Xiaowen is fine, just likely shocked or suffering from some form of mental pollution. She should be okay after a rest. Even though she isn't from the Inner Demon Path, the Implant Path has high resistance to mental corruption." Xu Haoran examined the unconscious Gao Xiaowen, pulled back her eyelids, and saw her pupils were dilated and murky before delivering his verdict.

"Bring her along. She's still a combat asset, no point in discarding her. Rookie, she's your responsibility." Xu Haoran stood up. Players like them, who had survived several instances, were accustomed to life and death. In any game, some players were bound to die—some more, some less. Perhaps one day, they themselves would remain in an instance forever. Maybe that was why most players were terrified of death yet fully capable of risking their lives; those who didn't fight were already buried six feet under.

"Fine, happy to help." Lu Li looked at the woman on the ground and scooped her up in a princess carry. The moment he made contact, his expression shifted, turning strange. Lu Li felt Gao Xiaowen's left arm; the bones were completely gone, replaced by something writhing beneath the skin. This wasn't just mental pollution—Xu Haoran's assessment was wrong.

Just as Lu Li was wondering what to do, Gao Xiaowen half-opened her eyes and shook her head at him. The fingers of her right hand, resting on Lu Li's shoulder, tensed, her sharp nails digging into his back before she "fainted" again.

Well now... this is interesting. Lu Li smiled. Gao Xiaowen's left arm had mutated, and for some reason, she wanted to hide it from the others. Lu Li looked up and saw Hu Wenxu wearing a cryptic, half-smile. After glancing at a jewelry-like object seemingly buried in the dirt nearby, he realized Hu Wenxu had likely discovered Gao Xiaowen's ruse but chose to keep it to himself.

Watching Xu Haoran lead the way, Lu Li wondered if he should offer a mocking smile. It seemed that of everyone, Xu Haoran—the one with the reconnaissance skill—knew the least. The atmosphere of this game was truly fascinating; everyone was digging pits for others, and everyone was busy avoiding being buried in them.

As it stood, excluding himself, the one with the greatest information advantage was Hu Wenxu, the seemingly research-obsessed madman. Judging by the information leaked, Hu Wenxu was also the strongest in terms of physical stats and skill count. Then there was Gao Xiaowen, the "weak girl"—she had already dug a pit, and the team's nominal leader had jumped right in. Xu Haoran, who appeared capable and was eager to trigger side quests, might end up being the one most thoroughly screwed over in this instance.

As for Lu Li, his exposed strength was the weakest of the four, but he knew more than the others and had hidden the bulk of his true power. In this dangerous game, he held a significant advantage. Of course, it was only an advantage; until the end, no one knew who the final winner would be. Perhaps they would all be wiped out...

These chapters focus more on the supporting cast; the protagonist's role will increase in the coming plot. By the way, does anyone know the prototype for the black-furred monster? Also, requesting votes, requesting votes, requesting votes...