Chapter 40: The Real Enemy Attack

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Real Enemy Attack

Adventurer’s Manual for Gelan Forest

Chapter 4: Monster Characteristics and Identification -

Section 2: Identification at Night and in Low-Light Environments -

[Night is a time when monster attacks are extremely common. If you detect something unusual beforehand, do not flee in a panic. You should immediately identify the monster species and make an appropriate decision based on your party’s composition and condition...]

[Goblin: Though adept at hiding while stationary, they make considerable noise once they start moving. Their eyes glow red in the dark, but the reflection is weak and not obvious from a distance...]

[Giant Spider: If the strange sound is coming from the trees, it’s one of these.]

[Kobold: Typically move in groups. Their eyes glow a distinct green in the dark. If you catch a foul, gamey stench on the wind or hear widespread, unusual noises, it often means they are nearby.]

[Tree-man: ...]

...

...

Lu Wei ran out of the woods as fast as he could.

However, he remained in Stealth and was extremely careful to stay hidden, so the pack of Kobolds didn’t notice him.

This showed that even when faced with such sudden danger, he maintained a level of calm far beyond that of an ordinary person.

This was undoubtedly thanks to the high Spiritual Tenacity Level granted by his high Perception.

Although that last scene had certainly given him a scare...

’Holy shit, there have to be at least a dozen of them.’

’And they’re Kobolds, no less.’

’Their combat strength is on a completely different level from goblins.’

’Good thing I spotted them early. If I run now, I should be able to make it...’

As he quickly calculated in his head, Lu Wei was worried that making too much noise would provoke the Kobolds into launching an "all-out attack" prematurely. He planned to sneak back, wake up Bai Ya and Furen, and then escape in the opposite direction.

That way, if the short-haired woman’s team didn’t react in time, they might even serve as a "rear guard" for them.

However, as it turned out, no one was a fool.

"What is it?"

A few seconds later, just as Lu Wei slipped out of the woods, an urgent voice spoke up beside him.

He turned his head and saw her—the "cannon fodder captain" from his plan.

And it was obvious she had been waiting here for him to come out.

"Kobolds. At least a dozen."

Lu Wei didn’t bother hiding it... mainly because, given his current state, she wouldn’t have believed him if he’d said it was a wild boar. It was better to be direct.

Glancing at the woman, he quickened his pace toward Furen and Bai Ya and warned her:

"Don’t make a sound. We can still make a run for it."

"..."

Hearing those three words, a flash of astonishment crossed the short-haired woman’s eyes, but it vanished just as quickly.

She immediately fell into step behind him, her voice low and rapid:

"No, we can’t run. Kobolds have keen hearing and sense of smell. Since they’ve locked onto us, we won’t be able to escape."

"Especially not in the forest at night. They’ll catch us right away, and we’ll have to fight them then anyway."

"Instead of fighting them in an unfavorable environment, we have a better chance of winning here, where it’s open and we have a light source."

She spoke quickly, but her tone was calm.

Following behind Lu Wei, the short-haired woman finished her explanation in the most concise terms possible, concluding with:

"So, unless one of our groups stays behind to cover the retreat, facing them together is our only option."

"..."

The campfire was just ahead. Lu Wei faltered for a moment. Though he immediately started walking again, his pace was slightly slower than before.

He had to admit, the short-haired woman must have a wealth of adventuring experience.

And judging by how quickly she assessed the situation, she had a remarkably cool head.

What she’d just said was true.

A Kobold’s sense of smell and hearing were far keener than an ordinary human’s. While their vision was slightly weaker, it was still better than a human’s in the dark.

So if they fought in the woods at night, their chances of survival were almost zero.

But the question was, could they actually win, even if they fought in this clearing?

They were up against nearly twenty Kobolds!!

"Following your plan will just get us killed faster, unless your team has a Professional."

Shooting the woman a sidelong glance, Lu Wei still felt that running gave them a better chance.

Under normal circumstances, seeing him act so "selfish and foolish," most people would have already started cursing him out in anger.

But the short-haired woman didn’t seem anxious or displeased by his lack of trust. Instead, her tone became even more firm:

"We don’t have a Professional, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a chance."

"Sorry, but I don’t see where this ’chance’ is."

"It lies with you."

"Me?"

Lu Wei was taken aback. "Why?"

"You know Stealth, and your Perception must be very high. You have the ability to take some of them out from the shadows."

The woman answered quickly, "As long as you can double back and kill some of them before they arrive, we’ll have a chance."

"Not too many. If there are twelve or fewer left, I guarantee we can all make it out alive."

"If that teammate of yours also knows Combat Skills, then we can handle up to fifteen."

"Please, don’t hesitate. We don’t have much time. I hope you can trust me."

Taking two quick steps to block Lu Wei’s path, the short-haired woman looked him straight in the eye, using pleading words like "please" and "hope" for the first time.

Her expression, however, remained as cold as ice.

Lu Wei, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded after hearing her out.

’Go back and take some of them out beforehand???’

’Let me repeat—that’s nearly twenty Kobolds!!’

’Leave fifteen for you, which means I have to kill five by myself?’

’Do I look like a Kobold to you? If I kill myself now, does that count as one?’

’And what’s with this "twelve" and "fifteen"? How did you calculate such precise numbers??’

’Even when you’re bullshitting, you should at least try to make it sound believable!’

"I’m not that capable."

Shoving the woman aside through gritted teeth, Lu Wei had no intention of undertaking such a suicidal act.

The next second, however, the woman blocked his path again.

"You have to do it. You can use Stealth to escape, but what about your teammates? Can they get away?"

"I..."

Lu Wei trailed off, stunned. His voice died in his throat.

Because it was only at this moment that he realized: if he chose to run, Bai Ya and Furen would most likely die.

It wouldn’t be the "clean getaway for everyone" he had initially imagined.

After all, he was the only one with Stealth, the only one who could evade the Kobolds’ Tracking.

CRACKLE... POP...

The crackling campfire burned just ahead. In the flickering light and shadows cast by the flames, Furen and Bai Ya were still fast asleep in their sleeping bags.

After a full day of arduous travel, both of them were undoubtedly exhausted.

Especially Bai Ya. She probably wouldn’t even wake up if an earthquake suddenly struck.

’Speaking of which, if I don’t count the previous owner’s relationships, they’re probably the only two friends I’ve made since coming to this world, right?’

"I understand..."

A few seconds later, Lu Wei tore his gaze away from the two of them, took a deep breath, and looked at the short-haired woman who was staring intently at him.

"But how can you guarantee you’ll keep your promise after I leave, instead of just taking your people and running?"

"You don’t need to worry, I would never—"

The woman immediately shook her head, but Lu Wei cut her off before she could finish:

"That’s not a guarantee."

"..."

The firelight flickered behind them, casting their two wavering shadows at their feet.

Faced with Lu Wei’s doubt, the short-haired woman froze. She opened her mouth, but no words came out, as if she had no answer.

After all, in a moment of life and death, everything came down to conscience.

And "human nature" was the most unreliable guarantee of all.

Of course, if she had money, she might have been able to hand her coin purse to Lu Wei as a "security deposit."

But she didn’t think an amount like "3 Silver Coins and 55 Copper Coins" had much "persuasive power."

So she could only stare at Lu Wei in silence.

Until at last, he shook his head with a sigh of resignation.

"Forget it. Like you said, they’ll die if we run anyway. It seems I have no choice."

"I rarely trust people... especially a stranger whose name I don’t even know."

"In any case, I hope you won’t disappoint me."

"I’m leaving things here to you. I’ll hit the number you mentioned."

After his last words, he took one more deep look at the short-haired woman. Without further hesitation, Lu Wei turned, drew his Dagger, and strode back toward the forest.

The crackle of the fire, the sound of the wind, the rustling of the approaching creatures, and a few distant wolf howls—all the sounds wove together, a somber prelude to a brutal battle, enveloping him in their weight.

Just then, a serious reply came from behind him—

"My name is Mirana."

"Mirana Winterspur."