Mutated Porcupine Spotted

"Should?"

The fat leader frowned again. He had spent a great deal of money on this mission in order to collect enough wolfhound fangs.

Now that someone was showing up just to coast along, he was naturally unwilling to accept it.

"Leader, don't worry. I'll help Qin Yue. Just pay me the standard price for an ordinary summoned beast."

Song Xiaomei hurriedly stepped forward to guarantee it. She was worried that the fat leader would refuse to let Qin Yue join.

"Since you've put it that way, refusing would make me seem too heartless. Fine, I agree."

The fat leader finally nodded, then looked at Qin Yue. "Little girl, you have a very good friend."

"Mm, Xiaomei has always taken good care of me, and I'm very grateful to her." Qin Yue spoke from the bottom of her heart, her little hand tightly gripping Song Xiaomei's.

Song Xiaomei clasped Qin Yue's hand in return, a sincere smile on her little face.

Ever since that life-saving favor, the two had become very close. Song Xiaomei had helped Qin Yue many times, and they had become the best of friends.

In fact, many people had contacted Song Xiaomei last night, hoping to team up with her to hunt mutated beasts, but Song Xiaomei had turned them all down.

Because if she teamed up with others, no one would look after Qin Yue. That was something Song Xiaomei could not bear.

So, she would rather join a large-scale event with lower pay than not team up with Qin Yue.

First, it was to repay her kindness. Second, she regarded Qin Yue as a sister and was willing to care for this younger girl.

Qin Yue also hoped to become stronger quickly. As long as she became stronger, she could in turn help Song Xiaomei, so she had high hopes for the little milk cat.

"Alright, there are twenty-five of us in total. We'll split into five groups and head to the Black Forest in squad formations."

The fat leader clapped his hands, gathered everyone, and began assigning groups.

Song Xiaomei was assigned to Group One, the vanguard group, because her Earth-Burrowing Black Bear was powerful and well suited to leading the way.

Qin Yue, meanwhile, was assigned to the central Group Five. Mainly because the little milk cat looked too weak, and the leader truly could not put his mind at ease.

So, the fat leader put Qin Yue in his own group, in the very center of the team—the safest area.

This decision made the accompanying bounty hunters frown. Some of them felt a little resentful. If not for Song Xiaomei, they definitely would have objected.

But Song Xiaomei's Big Black Bear was Black Iron rank. Though everyone had their grievances, they could not say much and could only express their feelings through indifference.

"Blackie, I'll leave the scouting to you. If you spot danger, make sure to warn us in time." The fat leader looked at a dark-skinned woman beside him.

"Don't worry, Leader. Not only does my scouting eagle have sharp eyesight, it can also share its vision with me. Its scouting ability is absolutely among the best." Blackie proudly raised her head.

She did indeed have reason to be confident. Ordinary scouting summoned beasts could scout as well, but they could not share vision. Blackie's eagle, however, could.

This also raised her status somewhat and made her more popular, second only to Song Xiaomei.

"Good, move out!"

At the leader's command, the team quickly set off toward the Black Forest.

Along the way, Song Xiaomei and Qin Yue had their eyes opened as they saw the desolate scene outside the city.

Tender green weeds covered the ground. There were trees of every kind, dead branches and fallen leaves everywhere, as well as small mutated creatures.

In short, this mission was a rare experience for Song Xiaomei and Qin Yue, and both of them became somewhat nervous.

Seeming to notice Qin Yue's unease, the fat leader smiled.

"Don't be nervous, everyone. The Black Forest is a low-level mutated beast zone. Most mutated beasts can't even beat ordinary people. The strongest ones are wolfhounds.

"These wolfhounds are mutated from wolfdogs. They're only a little stronger than wolfdogs, so there's no need to worry too much."

Only a little stronger than wolfdogs?

Hearing the leader's words, Qin Yue relaxed slightly. As a newcomer leaving the city for the first time, she was still quite anxious.

For that reason, she had specifically worn protective gear beneath her clothes and carried a sharp dagger at her waist, fully preparing herself for battle.

Now that the leader had reassured her, Qin Yue finally relaxed a little. Even the atmosphere in the entire team became much lighter.

Everyone vaguely sensed the shift in mood, and their pace quickened somewhat.

After several close calls, they finally arrived at the Black Forest.

"So this is the Black Forest. Sure enough, all the trees are black, even beneath the bark."

Song Xiaomei was very curious about the trees. She even ordered the Big Black Bear to dig into one so she could take a look and study it.

"Everyone, be careful. Once we enter the Black Forest, the trees will obstruct my scouting ability, so be more cautious."

Blackie loudly warned everyone to prevent any accidents.

"Huh? Is that a wolfhound? It looks like a wolfdog with bulging muscles!" Someone suddenly pointed toward the southeastern corner of the Black Forest.

Everyone turned to look and indeed saw a canine creature that resembled a wolfdog.

This wolfdog was very large and sturdy, with muscles bulging all over its body. It looked extremely fierce.

"Two-Headed Snake, go deal with it!"

Someone in the group shouted. Instantly, a Two-Headed Snake slithered forward and charged at the wolfhound.

Awoof!

With a bark, the Two-Headed Snake and the wolfhound began fighting. They advanced and retreated against each other before quickly falling into a fierce battle.

The surrounding summoners also began issuing orders, searching the Black Forest for wolfhounds and engaging them in battle.

Among them, Song Xiaomei's Big Black Bear was by far the most eye-catching. The massive and powerful bear fought five opponents alone, easily beating down the wolfhounds.

Its fan-sized bear paws killed a wolfhound with every strike. Its combat power was exceptionally formidable.

"So amazing. Kitty, it would be wonderful if you could become as strong as the Big Black Bear someday." Qin Yue said enviously.

After saying that, Qin Yue suddenly noticed that the little milk cat was staring toward the southeast with an unusually serious expression.

"What's wrong, Kitty?" Qin Yue asked quietly.

Meow!

Li Xuan pointed at Qin Yue's pocket, signaling for her to take out what was inside.

"Okay, here you go."

Qin Yue took paper and ink from her pocket. She had prepared them in advance specifically to communicate with the little milk cat.

She was very puzzled. What was wrong with her little milk cat? Why had it suddenly become so serious?

When Qin Yue saw what the little milk cat had written, she too became serious.

Because the paper read: Behind the tree to the southeast, there is a Mutated Porcupine.

Mutated Porcupines were actually very dangerous. They could fire sharp quills at people from a distance, making them extremely dangerous for ordinary summoners to face.

One careless mistake could result in a flying quill piercing the heart and causing death.

So Qin Yue realized the danger and immediately shouted, "Everyone, be careful! Behind the tree to the southeast, there's a Mutated Porcupine!"

"Mutated Porcupine?"

Everyone's expressions changed at once upon hearing that, and they immediately began backing away.

Blackie, who was in charge of scouting, asked doubtfully, "That can't be right. Mutated Porcupines have never appeared in the Black Forest. Did you see it wrong?"

"I didn't see it wrong. My kitty found it. It's right behind that tree." Qin Yue anxiously assured them, her little face turning red from worry.

"Is that so? Hasn't your kitty been in your arms the whole time? It didn't go scouting, did it?" Blackie remained doubtful.