Chapter 190: Encountering an Alpaca

The four of them made their way through the mountain forest, stopping and starting as they went.

As soon as the puppet exploded, Shi Zhile’s coordinates had returned to her. They hadn’t gone far, instead choosing an extremely remote path up the mountain.

Shi Zhiyi and Jiang Jing had explored this mountain range before. There was a cave halfway up the second mountain, perfect for hiding and resting—and even better for setting a deadly trap.

With the explosions on the hillside over, Shi Zhile’s score had soared to an unbelievable height. The second-place player had no chance of catching her; in fact, the combined scores of the top 100 players probably weren’t enough to surpass hers.

They passed through a stretch of woods with a clear view and came to a field of shrubs of varying heights.

Wen Bai suddenly stopped, his expression serious as he stared ahead. “On guard! I hear something.”

The four of them gripped their weapons. The bushes rustled for a moment before a round, white head poked out.

Tang Yan instantly relaxed. “Phew, it’s just an alpaca. You know, for something so goofy-looking, it’s actually pretty cute.”

The words had barely left his mouth when the alpaca stepped out of the bushes.

It was half the height of a person, its body covered in pristine white, fluffy wool that was quite beautiful.

It held its head high, and as it walked up to the four of them, it spat a wad of saliva right at Tang Yan.

Tang Yan: “…”

Sun Ci froze for a second, then burst out laughing. “That’s what you get for calling it dumb. It just looks dumb, but it’s not actually dumb.”

The next moment, the alpaca gave him a mouthful too.

Sun Ci: “…”

Wen Bai smiled but said nothing. He didn’t dare open his mouth, afraid the alpaca would get upset and give him a dose as well.

As it turned out, the alpaca didn’t spare him either.

Wen Bai: “…”

Shi Zhile thought for a moment, then pulled an apple from her backpack. “Want a bite?”

The alpaca spat the saliva it had been brewing in its mouth onto Tang Yan again, then lowered its proud head and nuzzled ingratiatingly against Shi Zhile’s hand.

The soft wool against the back of her hand made Shi Zhile’s eyes light up, and she gave it a couple of good pets.

‘Who could say no to a fluffy animal!’

With a bit of force, she broke the apple in two and offered one half to it.

The alpaca took a bite, then eyed the other half of the apple.

Its greed was on full display.

Shi Zhile couldn’t help but laugh. She ruffled the fur on its head. “Finish that first. The other half is yours too.”

Once the alpaca finished eating, Shi Zhile handed over the other half.

Tang Yan, having been spat on twice, had wiped his face multiple times but still couldn’t get rid of the stench.

He sniffed, couldn’t hold it in, and let out a dry heave.

“This thing really holds a grudge. All I did was call it dumb once, and it spits on me twice. Zhile, are we even teammates? It’s bullying us, and you’re giving it apples.”

Before Shi Zhile could speak, the alpaca darted in front of Tang Yan again. Just as Tang Yan covered his face to brace for more spit, the alpaca bucked its front legs and kicked him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Not only that, but it pounced on top of Tang Yan and refused to get off, its mouth full of saliva, ready to let fly at any moment.

Tang Yan: “…”

Wen Bai, Sun Ci: “PFFT!”

Shi Zhile: “Pfft~ Tang Yan, why don’t you apologize? Little Bai is very well-behaved, and it’s so soft and adorable.”

Tang Yan lay on the ground, the picture of despair. His voice came from behind his hands, “Sheep Ancestor, you’re the bigger person, so please don’t hold a grudge. Just get off me!”

The alpaca didn’t move.

Although Sun Ci found it hilarious, the thought that they were still being hunted kept him from just enjoying the show.

He remembered how contented the alpaca looked while eating the apple and took one out from his space as well.

“Little alpaca, stop spitting on him. Come here, I’ll give you an apple.”

He was close enough that the alpaca could have reached it by just tilting its head. Unfortunately, just as the alpaca took a step forward, he took a step back.

Seeing the apple get farther and farther away, it took aim at Sun Ci with the saliva in its mouth.

“PTUI~”

Sun Ci: “…”

Shi Zhile, Wen Bai: “…”

Tang Yan: “AHAHAHA!”

“PTUI!”

Tang Yan: “…”

Perhaps from spitting so much, the last mouthful was just a bit of spray. It wasn’t much, but it was just as foul.

Seeing the two men looking completely defeated, Shi Zhile suppressed a laugh and pulled a handful of wild grass from her Planting Space, offering it to the alpaca’s mouth.

The alpaca sniffed it, gobbled it down in one bite, and finally deigned to get off Tang Yan.

Although the creature was cute, Shi Zhile had no intention of keeping it.

There were already many animals in her Breeding Space, and the fodder they consumed each day was enough to keep her busy. If she added a spit-happy one to the mix, she really wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Shi Zhile took out a basin of spring water from her Planting Space and let the three of them wash their faces before they set off again.

The alpaca seemed to think for a moment, then turned and followed behind the group.

The farther they went, the more difficult the path became. It was not only deserted but also overgrown with weeds.

As they walked, the alpaca ran ahead of them.

Tang Yan was just about to say something when he saw the alpaca’s ears twitch. With a SWOOSH, it shot forward.

A moment later, the sound of cursing came from up ahead.

“Son of a bitch, where did this damn alpaca come from? It spat right in my face.”

“You dumbass, you dare spit again? See if I don’t slaughter you.”

“Enough! It’s just a dumb animal. Don’t forget our mission: kill Shi Zhile… Holy shit! This beast’s spit stinks so bad! Kill it!”

Hearing the conversation, the four exchanged a look. As the footsteps drew closer, they immediately split into pairs and hid in the bushes to the side.

Before long, two men came over, chasing the alpaca.

The alpaca stopped where the four had disappeared. It looked left and right, then finally turned to face the newcomers and let loose another wad of spit.

The two were far enough away that they weren’t hit, but they were still disgusted.

“Damned beast, I’ll kill you for sure.”

He raised his machete, but in the next instant, an arrow pierced his thigh. From the other side, Tang Yan also attacked, firing three bolts from his Crossbow that all struck the other man.

Only after confirming the two were no longer able to fight back did the group reveal themselves.

Tang Yan tentatively petted the alpaca’s head. When it didn’t spit on him, he was so happy he gave it a couple more good pets.

“Such a good alpaca. If you spit on them, you can’t spit on me.”

Wen Bai rested his longsword on one man’s neck. “Hand over your supplies, and I might spare your life.”

The man clutched his injured leg and said nothing. The next second, his head hit the ground.

Wen Bai: “I forgot. If I kill you, your supplies become mine anyway.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he cleanly and efficiently slit the other man’s throat.

After the points and supplies were credited to him, Wen Bai looked at the alpaca. “Good ‘paca!”

The alpaca held its head high, looking rather proud and aloof.

This time, it walked in front. When it saw the four of them weren’t following, it turned back, tugged on the corner of Shi Zhile’s clothes with its teeth, and pulled her forward.

Although she didn’t know what it wanted to do, she remembered how intelligent it was and didn’t resist, letting it lead her onward.

About ten minutes later, the alpaca led them to a gentle slope.

The view here was wide and open. Looking out, they could clearly see a small patch of grassland.

Shi Zhile took out her binoculars, but the next moment, the alpaca was tugging at her clothes again.

“We’re not there yet?”