Chapter 341 - 220: Versatile Bamboo Craft

Chapter 341: Chapter 220: Versatile Bamboo Craft

This was not the first time he’d seen a Green Iguana, so he recognized it almost instantly as a hatchling, only a few months old.

The last time he’d seen a Green Iguana was just last month. He and Andre had been wandering around near Panama City when they spotted a number of the big creatures sunbathing motionless on the riverbank in broad daylight.

They were brown, tan, pale yellow, and even light blue—basically every color but vibrant green.

They were massive, averaging over a meter in length. Their bodies were covered in folds of skin, and the spines on their backs rose high like a skeletal frame. The sight alone was intimidating.

He didn’t have an encyclopedia of reptiles and knew nothing about the Green Iguana, a creature unique to Central and South America. What he did know, he’d learned from a local guide.

"Don’t let their fearsome appearance fool you. They’re actually one of the most docile and timid animals known to man. In many countries, they’re quite popular as pets."

"That’s right, you heard me—pets. Though I’m not sure if it’s the breeds that get this big."

"The very green ones are juvenile iguanas. Their body length is probably only about half a meter, making them a few months to half a year old. A two-year-old adult, on the other hand, will be at least a meter long, and can even reach two meters if it eats well."

"Once they reach adulthood, their skin color changes. They’re only green when they’re young."

"I’ve heard their meat tastes a lot like chicken. Want to catch one and give it a try?"

Not only were they among the most docile animals, but they were also among those that loved to sunbathe the most.

Besides eating and sleeping, they spent the rest of their days sunbathing.

The local guide had said that they needed to raise their body temperature to a certain level after eating to help digest their food, and sunbathing was their only way to do that.

Lin Chen stared at the Green Iguana for a while. Just as he expected, it was simply lying lazily on a tree root, sunbathing, with no intention of moving.

’Although they’re docile, that doesn’t mean they won’t run. On the contrary, they’re notoriously timid, especially in the wild. The moment they encounter another animal, their first instinct is to flee.’

He was about three or four meters away from the iguana, positioned just behind it and to the right.

A Green Iguana’s eyes are on the sides of its head, and it also has a ’third eye’ on top that can sense changes in light, helping it detect approaching danger.

’If I want to get close, the best way is to sneak up from behind and be as quiet as possible.’

’Phew... Good thing it hasn’t gone in the water yet, or it’d be impossible.’

He cautiously took half a step back, his eyes glued to the Green Iguana. When he saw that it didn’t turn its head at his movement, he relaxed and continued to back away.

After backing away seven or eight steps and getting completely out of its line of sight, he began to circle around, approaching the iguana from directly behind its tail.

As he moved, he constantly scanned the ground and the iguana, making sure every footstep landed on a spot free of anything that could make a sound.

At the same time, he slowly raised the bamboo sword he was gripping, holding it in a position ready to strike down at any moment.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

As the distance between them shrank, Lin Chen held his breath completely, terrified that the wary little creature would discover his presence.

The length of his arm plus the bamboo sword was about 1.2 to 1.3 meters. Factoring in a forward lean and a lunge, his attack range could extend to between 1.5 and 1.6 meters.

’No, this isn’t close enough. If I linger for too long, its Celestial Eye will easily detect my approach.’

At 1.8 meters tall, he was practically a giant to a short creature like the iguana. To avoid startling it from above, he actually hunched over and crept forward stealthily, taking small steps.

Finally, he reached the riverbank.

One more step and he’d be in the water, which would certainly alert it.

But there were still about two meters left to cover.

’What should I do?’

’If only I had a throwing skill or a slingshot right now, this wouldn’t be such a hassle.’

’Anyway, there’s plenty of smoked venison back home, and I have to bring back a lot of oyster meat later. It’s no big deal if I miss. I’m not short on protein.’

Once he had the right mindset, his worries vanished instantly. He tightened his grip on the sword’s hilt and leaped forward without hesitation.

SWOOSH—

The bamboo sword swung down fiercely.

Just as the sword was about to strike the Green Iguana, in the nick of time, its small body erupted with incredible speed. It shot up the tree trunk like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it was perched on a branch at the very top of the canopy, poking its head out to peer down in confusion.

SPLASH!

Lin Chen’s foot landed in the water, sending up a huge spray.

He slammed his fist against the tree trunk and sighed in frustration.

"Damn, it’s so fast. No wonder they’re overrunning this place. I heard their reproduction rate is insane, too. If there weren’t dedicated Hunters to cull them, they’d probably become a full-blown plague in a few years."

Punching the tree trunk wasn’t enough to vent his frustration, so he gave it a vicious kick.

The trunk, as thick as an arm, actually wobbled noticeably from the kick, and the leaves at the top rustled loudly.

Then, with a PLOP, something seemed to fall.

???

Lin Chen stared, dumbfounded, at the Green Iguana flailing belly-up in the water. Seeing that it was about to right itself, he instinctively brought his sword crashing down.