Bro, give me a hug

The fresh larvae were especially pale, tender, and juicy, sizzling and crackling as they met the fire.

In no time, they had roasted golden all over, oozing clear fat as a distinctive, delicate aroma drifted through the air.

Mu Yi shifted his heels and backside, deftly scooting up to the fire. He leaned in for a sniff and declared, "Smells pretty good."

"Tastes even better." Having made a successful recommendation for once, Zhong Xuezhi was in an excellent mood. He held a roasted larva to Mu Yi's lips, letting him have the first taste.

"Try it."

Mu Yi leaned back to dodge it. "Untie me. I'll eat it myself."

Zhong Xuezhi kept the larva raised and said apologetically, "I really can't do that."

If the other man really was a mutant, removing the ice restraints would leave him completely unprepared for a sudden attack.

Fortunately, Mu Yi couldn't be bothered to waste time arguing with him. He was starving, and eating came first.

"Forget it," he muttered, then dipped his head and bit into the roasted larva in front of him.

It was still a little hot, making Mu Yi tip his head back and pant a few times before he managed to swallow.

"How is it?" Zhong Xuezhi asked, watching him intently.

Mu Yi smacked his lips. It tasted fragrant and soft, with a hint of sweetness, and grew more tender the farther in he bit.

So he said, "Kind of like toasted bread with a molten filling."

Zhong Xuezhi immediately brightened at that and laughed. "That's a pretty accurate description."

His features were so sharply defined that he looked rather cold when he wasn't smiling, but when his eyes and brows softened with a smile, he instantly radiated a warmth like a spring breeze melting snow.

Here and now, framed by the dappled shadows of the trees, he looked especially striking.

But here and now, the man sitting before him was Mu Yi, whose heart and mind were occupied entirely with eating.

"Tch. What the hell are you laughing at? Bring that stick over."

"Here, here." Zhong Xuezhi turned the roasted larva to the meatier side and held it to his lips again.

This time, Mu Yi bent his head and tore off a large bite, chewing slowly with his cheeks bulging.

Seeing that he was enjoying his food, Zhong Xuezhi began casually chatting. "By the way, my name's Zhong Xuezhi. It means 'snow in midwinter.'"

"Also, that chubby guy with the buzz cut holding a gun across from us is Qiu Cai. His codename might be easier to remember: Absolute Gun."

"The big guy with the green braid is Du Jing, codename Devil Vine."

"The one with purple eyes is Wenren Jin, codename Wanderer."

"And finally, the scholarly-looking guy with glasses is An Beize, codename Sage."

After listening, Mu Yi thought it was rather interesting. Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Then what's your codename?"

Zhong Xuezhi scratched his cheek and paused for half a second before saying, "Other people gave it to me. Something like Snow God."

Saying his own codename felt awkward, so Zhong Xuezhi immediately changed the subject. "What about you, bro? What should we call you?"

Mu Yi raised his eyes to give him a sidelong look, then sneered. "Quit trying to buddy up to me."

As if he didn't know this guy was laying the groundwork for that bullshit research business.

Zhong Xuezhi flatly denied it. "How is that buddying up? The world's so big-meeting each other is fate. Exchanging names is only natural."

Mu Yi laughed again, this time out of sheer irritation. "What kind of fate? The kind where you steal my mushroom the moment we meet, tie me up while I'm unconscious, and then try to sweet-talk me into being some saint who helps with your research?"

Zhong Xuezhi fell silent. Bad move. This one's got a sharp tongue.

"No problem. You don't have to tell us." Zhong Xuezhi chose to retreat in order to advance, waving the now-bare wooden stick. "Want another one?"

Mu Yi certainly wasn't going to stand on ceremony. "Two."

"Sure. Coming right up."

Once more than half the bag of larvae had been eaten, Zhong Xuezhi couldn't resist asking again. "Bro, you don't seem to have any teammates. How did you end up in this forest alone?"

Mu Yi swallowed his mouthful and replied, "I'd fucking like to know that too."

Jumping off a building had turned into plunging into water, and the world around him had changed completely.

Zhong Xuezhi assumed he simply didn't want to answer, so he switched to another question. "Why don't you have an Identity Bracelet?"

Identity Bracelet?

Mu Yi discreetly glanced at the black ring around Zhong Xuezhi's wrist and answered offhandedly, "We don't have those where I'm from."

"There are still places where Identity Bracelets haven't been introduced?" Doubt filled Zhong Xuezhi's eyes, and he followed up, "Which safe base are you from?"

"What's with all the questions?" Mu Yi was annoyed. For the sake of the protein, he'd humored him with a couple of answers, only to discover that the man's questions never ended.

Zhong Xuezhi didn't want to keep asking endlessly either, but there were too many things about Mu Yi that didn't add up. Before taking him back to Crystal City, he had to get a clearer picture.

But now that the man plainly didn't want to share, he couldn't very well keep pressing.

He would just have to... take it slowly.

In the end, Zhong Xuezhi hadn't gathered any useful information about Mu Yi, but lunch had been reasonably amicable.

After a brief break to let their food settle, he gathered his teammates to discuss the hunt.

"Beibei, go over the information we collected on Spine Celery last time."

"Yes!" An Beize straightened his back and slowly recited the information stored in his mind.

"Our targets are a new type of plant mutant, provisionally named Spine Celery."

"The mutant population is a medium-sized colony located in the western forest. The leader is B-rank, and the rest are E- and F-rank. All have infection levels below 20% and are noninfectious."

Zhong Xuezhi nodded. "Report their skills."

An Beize continued, "Their currently observed primary attack is biting. Their mouthparts are hidden among their petals, and they secrete saliva with a paralytic effect when they bite their prey."

"The second phase is defensive. Upon entering this phase, they use the skill Petal Projection, which deals high damage. Dodge promptly or prepare your defenses in advance."

"Review complete."

Zhong Xuezhi nodded again, then added, "That information is from two days ago. We can't rule out the possibility that they've undergone a second mutation and advanced in the meantime."

"Also, we only encountered them briefly last time and never actually fought them, so we definitely haven't seen all their skills. Stay sharp and adapt as needed."

"Yes!"

"All right, let's move out!"

Seeing the five of them about to leave, Mu Yi hurriedly called out, "Wait!"

Thinking he was worried about being left alone somewhere unsafe, Zhong Xuezhi volunteered an explanation. "We've cleared all the threats in the vicinity. You can stay in the Rest Area without worrying. We'll be back in an hour at most."

Instead, Mu Yi said, "Take me with you."

Qiu Cai looked at the ice restraints binding him and asked bluntly, "How?"

Mu Yi said, "Easy. Carry me over your shoulder."

All four teammates turned to look at Zhong Xuezhi. After a moment's thought, he agreed. "Then we'll bring him along."

But when Du Jing stepped forward to hoist Mu Yi up, Mu Yi leaned away again and demanded, "Have your captain carry me."

Du Jing's brows shot up. "Hey! Aren't you pushing your luck?"

Mu Yi lifted his chin slightly. "So what?"

He'd already figured it out. The whole team worshipped Zhong Xuezhi like he was their dad, so targeting Zhong Xuezhi would piss all of them off.

And that would make him happy.

If they messed with him, none of them would have a good time.

Sure enough, the four were thoroughly infuriated, each glaring fiercely at him.

Strangely, Zhong Xuezhi himself seemed entirely unruffled. He waved a hand without the slightest sign of offense, signaling his teammates to move aside.

Though reluctant, the four obeyed their captain and took a few steps to the side.

Zhong Xuezhi approached unhurriedly, then bent down and scooped Mu Yi up from where he sat propped on the ground.

Mu Yi was stunned for a moment, then immediately began struggling. "Wait, you've got the wrong position."

Zhong Xuezhi shifted him a little higher in his arms and said with a perfectly straight face, "No, I haven't. You ate a lot at lunch. Carrying you over my shoulder would be uncomfortable."

"I like being uncomfortable!" Mu Yi struggled fiercely again.

His pride as a rare double-S-rank Alpha would not allow him to nestle in another man's arms.

Zhong Xuezhi secured him in a few quick movements, then strode forward, saying, "Don't move. Don't move-we're pressed for time."

Mu Yi thought, Fuck.

This bastard was absolutely doing it on purpose!