When Lin Yuan left the Town of Beginnings for the second time, it was almost dark.
The grasslands outside the city remained the same as during the day, with wild boars slowly roaming their designated areas, while the distant forests sank into an increasingly deep twilight.
A large crowd had gathered near the archway, but few actually left.
Some people gripped their weapons, repeatedly checking the red line; others were urging their companions to wait until tomorrow. Many more simply stood at the edge of the safe zone, gazing at the low-level monsters that wouldn't normally frighten them.
Once death becomes a reality instead of a mere declaration, even stepping out of the city gates requires courage.
Lin Yuan did not linger.
He headed north along the path he had memorized during the day. Although the map was no longer visible, the roads, rivers, and distant mountains did not vanish into thin air. As long as he kept his eyes on the enormous stone pillar piercing the sky in the center of the floating city, he would not completely lose his way.
Several footsteps approached from behind.
Two young boys, one carrying a sword and the other a short gun, crossed the Lin Yuan. They walked quickly, as if they could prove they weren't afraid simply by not looking back.
"Let's level up to level three tonight," the sword-wielding youth said. "Tomorrow we'll head to the next village. The closed beta players have definitely already set off; if we're any slower, we won't even be able to get any monsters."
"But that person just said wolves will spawn tonight."
Where did the wolves come from on the grasslands?
Their voices gradually faded into the distance.
Lin Yuan did not offer any warning.
He had no idea what would happen here at night, nor was he obligated to take responsibility for the choices made by two strangers.
Even after night had completely fallen, the light on the grassland did not disappear entirely. Every now and then, a faint blue-white glow would appear on both sides of the road, and false stars would appear at the bottom of the sky.
Lin Yuan stopped beside a grove of low bushes.
The sound of rapid clashing weapons came from ahead.
Two boys leaned against a tree, surrounded by four gray wolves. The red line on the swordsman's weapon was only half visible, and the one holding the pistol was even lower, with red marks from the claws still visible on his shoulder.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't chase us if we got out of range?!"
How was I supposed to know they'd chase after me together?
A gray wolf lowered its body, and the mark on its head turned from yellow to red.
Lin Yuan could have gone around to the other side of the woods.
But the monster is on the way.
He drew his sword and stepped into the battle.
The outermost gray wolf immediately turned its head. Without hesitation because of the additional enemy, it pushed off the ground with its hind legs and lunged at Lin Yuan's throat.
Lin Yuan sidestepped the blade.
He didn't strike, but simply pressed the spine of his sword downwards as the wolf's head passed in front of him. The gray wolf was slammed into the ground by its own momentum, and a section of the red line on its head suddenly fell off.
The second one pounced from the left.
Lin Yuan kicked it in the stomach. The gray wolf flew sideways, crashing into the third monster, and both figures tumbled into the bushes at the same time.
"Don't just stand there," he said.
The two boys then raised their weapons and pounced on the remaining gray wolf.
Blue light shone from the sword and the short spear in succession.
The two accelerated simultaneously, hitting their target one after the other. However, the boy with the short gun did not retreat immediately after his move. The gray wolf, who had been kicked away earlier, had already gotten up again and pounced on his back from the side.
Lin Yuan took a step forward.
There was no light, nor any sudden acceleration. He simply arrived at the position faster than the wolf, his longsword piercing through its outstretched paws and down its chest.
The monster shattered into blue light in mid-air.
Another crack appeared near the hilt of the sword.
Lin Yuan didn't use his sword again. He grabbed the fourth gray wolf by the hind leg, swung it up, and slammed it into his companion who had just gotten up from the ground. The two monsters rolled into a ball, and the red line was cleared by the sword skills of the two boys.
The woods returned to quiet.
The sword-wielding youth caught his breath, and the panic on his face gradually turned into excitement.
"We did it... we really killed four!"
"There are five." His companion looked at Lin Yuan. "He killed one of them."
A brief flash of light appeared above each of their heads, as if they had received some kind of reward. Lin Yuan, however, received nothing.
The sword-wielding youth took two steps closer and raised his hand, tapping the air a few times.
"I've sent you the team invitation. Let's go to the village in the north together; it'll be safer with three people."
Nothing appeared in front of Lin Yuan.
The boy pointed again, his expression growing increasingly confused. "Why isn't there a target? Stand closer."
"No need."
"We didn't coordinate well just now. With you here, we'll definitely get out of the grassland."
Lin Yuan looked at the remaining red threads on the two of them.
"In your current state, you'll die if you keep going."
That's why I wanted to team up with you.
"Go back to town to replenish supplies, find out what monsters are around at night, and then decide when to set off."
The sword-wielding youth tried to persuade him further, "You can take us there."
Lin Yuan sheathed the cracked longsword.
"You were in danger just now, and I happened to be passing by, so I intervened."
"What about next time?"
Next time, you'll have to rely on yourselves.
He passed the two men and continued north along the road.
After a moment of silence, the sound of footsteps returning to the Town of Beginnings finally rose behind them.
Lin Yuan did not turn around.
I can save you this once.
The night breeze swept across the grass, carrying his voice back to the two boys' ears.
But I won't help you survive.