Chapter 56: Trap

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Trap

She seemed to want to say more, but immediately realized Belte and Laila were still sound asleep nearby. Belte’s snores were even quite rhythmic.

Seeing this, Hesia suggested, "Since we’re both awake, how about we take a little walk? Check on the Thorny Wild Boars, and while we’re at it... chat about novels?"

He pointed toward the fog-shrouded fields.

Zoya immediately nodded vigorously.

One after the other, they left the campfire and slowly paced at the village entrance, which was thick with fog.

Bruce, meanwhile, remained lying on the ground, catching up on his sleep.

Just as Captain Hulk had predicted, the faint sounds of boars rooting for food and their satisfied grunts could be heard from the distant fields. They had stayed peacefully in the food-rich area all night, showing no sign of approaching the villagers’ houses.

After confirming everything was safe, Hesia broached the topic again. "It sounds like... that novel is a horror story?"

Zoya seemed to have completely opened up. Although she still spoke in her unique style, she was clearly much more fluent.

"A... lonely man. He lives in the forest."

"Likes... skinning Elves, to make... pretty clothes."

"Very, touching."

’Touch... touching?’

’How is a plot like that even remotely related to the word "touching"?’

Zoya seemed to realize she had said a bit too much, or perhaps she noticed Hesia’s odd reaction. She quickly changed the subject. "You... what type, do you like?"

Hesia was stumped.

’What do I like to read? *Breaking the Heavens*? *Master of Mysterious*? Or *Mysterious Resurgence*? I obviously can’t tell her about these.’

He began to frantically scour the memory fragments of this body’s original owner, trying to find popular fiction genres in this world, but for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Zoya’s amethyst-like eyes stared at him curiously through the morning fog, awaiting his answer.

In a pinch, Hesia blurted out:

"Romance novels."

"..." Zoya was clearly taken aback. She tilted her head, her hood slanting to one side along with it.

Her beautiful eyes filled with confusion, as if she were trying to reconcile the term "romance novels" with the image of the mysterious Mage before her, who could instantly cast the [Earth Spike Technique] without a staff.

But it was obvious the match had failed.

To prevent the brain of this... unique Stalker from overloading, Hesia quickly added, "Uh, actually, I also read some adventure-themed novels."

His clarification seemed to work. Zoya’s tilted head slowly straightened, and the confusion in her eyes dissipated, replaced by a sense of "database match successful."

She immediately recommended in a soft voice, tinged with the joy of sharing:

"*Golden Wine Glass Inn’s Strange Tales*."

"Recommend!"

Hesia understood. She was recommending an adventure novel that she considered excellent.

"Okay, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll look for it next time I’m in town."

This wasn’t just him being polite. He really did want to use novels as a medium to gain a deeper understanding of this world’s culture and customs.

Zoya added another sentence: "It’s, finished."

Then, she shook the copy of *The Skin Peeler in the Forest* in her hand, her tone filled with an irrepressible resentment:

"This one... the author, stopped writing!"

As she spoke, she made a throat-slitting gesture with her free hand.

In that instant, Hesia genuinely felt a murderous intent spread through the morning fog.

He couldn’t help but shiver.

’It seems being a novelist is a high-risk profession, too. Especially in a world with Extraordinary Power. Readers can actually track you down through the... uh, publication information and come after you with a knife.’

The two continued to chat quietly as they strolled through the morning fog.

The sky gradually shifted from inky blue to grayish-white, and their field of vision began to widen.

A rustling sound came from the direction of the campfire not far away. It seemed someone else was awake.

The two ended their chat and headed back toward the campfire.

Hesia thought for a moment, then said to Zoya, "Actually, I’ve read quite a few... um, pretty scary stories in the past. I probably can’t find the original books anymore, but I could tell you the plots sometime if I get the chance."

Zoya’s steps faltered. Her hood snapped toward Hesia. Though he couldn’t see her expression, he could feel her surprise and delight. "Okay!"

[Affinity with Moon-eyed Elf Zoya Selene has increased. Decryption Points +3]

’Moon-eyed Elf???’

’Zoya is an Elf?!!’

The sudden system prompt sent ripples through Hesia’s heart.

He discreetly glanced at the mysterious, cloaked teammate beside him, temporarily suppressing his astonishment.

By this time, Hulk was already fully dressed and was stretching his muscles.

He saw the two of them returning.

"Morning, Galen. How did you rest?" he greeted, pointing to Bruce, who was still on the ground feigning sleep. "Last night, Zoya insisted that we shouldn’t wake you. She said she and your partner could handle the night watch so you could get some more rest."

A warm feeling spread through Hesia’s chest, and he felt a surge of gratitude for the silent Elf Stalker.

’You really can’t judge a book by its cover. Zoya is nothing like the cold, unapproachable person she appears to be.’

"I rested very well, thank you, Captain. And thank you, Zoya," Hesia said sincerely. He then looked at Hulk. "Captain, why are you up so early? Didn’t you want to sleep in a bit?"

Hulk chuckled as he continued to stretch. "When you get older, you sleep less. Besides, there’s no harm in getting up early to observe the terrain and the boars’ movements."

"Alright! Time to get to work! Watch me chop down all those stinking boars!" With a high-spirited shout, Belte kipped up from the ground.

Laila also sat up, rubbing her eyes, and shot Belte an irritated glare. "So noisy... You’re like a mule in heat first thing in the morning."

Seeing this, Hulk clapped his hands. "Since everyone’s awake, let’s get ready to move. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can get back to town for a hot ale and a proper rest."

"No problem!"

"Right, Captain!"

Everyone immediately sprang into action, starting to put on and check their gear.

Hulk also retrieved his set of what looked to be extremely heavy and sturdy Chain Armor from his Land Bird’s saddlebag, skillfully donning it.

Next, he took out a Kite Shield and a Longsword, his entire presence instantly transforming from a plainly dressed traveler into an iron fortress.

He gazed toward the distant fields and, based on his and Zoya’s morning observations, began to lay out their tactics:

"That pack of boars... four of them have gone back to their nests to rest. They’re in the thatch pile in the middle field. There are still three wandering around outside."

He used his scabbard to draw a simple diagram on the ground.