Chapter 41: The Real Enemy Attack

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Real Enemy Attack

As Lu Wei stepped back into the forest, he immediately felt an immense sense of oppression.

It was like being plunged into the ocean; pressure bore down on him from all sides, instantly washing away most of the bravado he’d mustered just moments before.

Perhaps playing the Hero was like confessing your love for the first time, or going for round two late at night—you had to do it all in one go.

If you hesitated or dragged it out, you’d just overthink things and end up backing down.

’Get a grip!’

’Worst case, if I can’t win, I can still escape!’

’Besides, I have to take this step sooner or later!’

HAAAH!

After a moment of psyching himself up, Lu Wei took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and continued moving in the direction where the Kobolds had appeared.

He bent his knees slightly and lowered his center of gravity, moving forward quickly with a pounding heart. About two minutes later, he once again saw the dense cluster of green eyes in the thick woods ahead.

He counted them. Exactly twenty pairs.

This meant he had to kill five of them just to meet Mirana’s "minimum requirement."

To be honest, if it weren’t for his Stealth ability, Lu Wei wouldn’t have been able to handle even five goblins, let alone five Kobolds.

After all, even though he was a Professional, his three most important Close Combat Attributes—Strength, Agility, and Constitution—weren’t very high.

His Agility of 12 after putting on his Equipment was about twice that of an Ordinary person, which was decent enough.

But his Power of only 7, and his Physique of 9... that was roughly the level of "the Strongest young man in the village."

Compared to Ordinary people, he was still in the same league; the gap was nowhere near a "whole new Level."

And it was a known fact that an adult male who could kill a goblin one-on-one stood almost no chance of defeating a Kobold.

Just getting away would be considered a good outcome.

’So I can only rely on Stealth for a one-hit kill.’

’Then I’ll immediately use the mobility from my high Agility to disengage and wait for another chance to strike.’

’And I have to be careful not to get surrounded.’

Hiding beneath a giant vine, Lu Wei stared intently at the approaching pack of Kobolds, quickly finalizing the battle plan in his mind.

His current position was on the flank of the Kobold "formation," and a few meters ahead was the one on the far left.

He was close enough to see it clearly—

a lizard’s head, three-toed feet, and a long tail. In its hand, it clutched a Wooden Stick with a sharp stone tied to the tip. Its skin, covered in fine, dark scales, reflected a greasy sheen in the moonlight.

According to the Introduction in the Adventurer’s Manual, Kobold scales were "soft scales" and didn’t offer much defense.

Still, to increase the chances of a fatal blow, it was best to avoid those scales.

’You’re the one...’

His gaze locked onto the Kobold’s neck as he silently waited for the right moment.

A dozen or so seconds later, with a RUSTLING sound, all the Kobolds had slowly moved past his position. His target now had its back to him.

His heart hammered against his ribs—THUMP, THUMP, THUMP—and a fine layer of cold sweat slicked his palms.

After waiting a few more seconds, Lu Wei suddenly held his breath and rose silently, closing in on the outermost Kobold from the side and rear like a specter.

Though his eyes remained fixed on his target, it was as if his Perception guided him, allowing him to naturally and precisely avoid the roots and loose stones underfoot without breaking stride.

It was as if he wasn’t moving on his own, but that the surrounding darkness was propelling him forward.

Five meters, three, one... A rank, pungent odor washed over him, and Lu Wei’s expression grew taut.

Then, in the very instant the Kobold finally sensed something was wrong, instinctively tilting its head and twitching an ear—

Lu Wei Burst into action!

His left foot shot off the ground, closing the final meter in the blink of an eye. At the same time, he put all his strength into the Dagger in his right hand, which drew a simple yet fatal silver line through the dark and plunged precisely into the back of the Kobold’s neck!

SHLIIICK—

The sound of tearing flesh wasn’t loud as the entire blade sank almost completely into its neck.

A warm, metallic-smelling liquid gushed out, splattering his wrist, clothes, and face, leaving a nauseatingly sticky sensation.

Simultaneously, the Kobold’s body went through a violent spasm before going completely limp. Besides the final THUD as it hit the ground, it never had time to make a single sound.

"Withdraw!"

There was no joy in his success. Lu Wei’s mind was on high alert, and he acted purely on his prior plan. He immediately darted backward, vanishing into the darkness once more.

Two or three seconds passed before a sharp, piercing, and alarmed shriek, like a broken horn, tore through the silence of the woods.

"GRAWL!!!"

"ROOOAAR!!!"

"AWOO!!!"

...

...

CRACKLE... POP...

In a clearing in the woods surrounding the Dome Tree, flames blazed fiercely.

Six figures of varying heights and builds huddled together, holding torches, their gazes fixed on the pitch-black woods nearby.

If tension and Fear were the backdrop for everyone’s expressions, then Furen’s and Bai Ya’s faces showed something more: worry and anger.

"This isn’t working! I have to go help him!"

Suddenly, Furen seemed unable to take it anymore. With a shout, he gripped his Longsword and started forward.

But a second later, a cold voice rang out from behind him.