Upon stepping into the forest, Neo and the other party members felt a tingling sensation on their skin as the surroundings grew drastically darker.
It was like moving from day to night, and Neo couldn't help but feel that it was unnatural. The trees weren't even that large.
After witnessing this phenomenon, the party continued in tense silence.
Actually, only Neo did.
The others moved calmly and relaxedly. However, upon closer inspection, one could see that they were alert and ready for danger—they simply had a better way of concealing it.
Their posture was flexible and guarded, their eyes scanning the surroundings for the slightest detail.
Neo was impressed by the team's efficiency. By maintaining such a calm state of cautiousness, they would be able to prevent burnout for a long period.
"Nice piece you've got there, boy."
Neo heard a gravelly voice whisper in his ear and nearly recoiled in shock.
Did this man know nothing about personal space?
Neo glanced down at the pale-skinned man who barely reached his shoulders.
He was so short, yet how had he managed to make his voice echo directly into Neo's ear?
It must have been some strange magic trick.
Neo followed the man's gaze and saw that he was staring at the black spear in his hand.
After using the Void Stone in the battle with the monkey, Neo had decided to keep it within reach and in spear form, just in case another 'accident' occurred.
He had to stay on guard now...
"My spear?"
"Yeah, would you mind selling it to me?"
Neo was flabbergasted. Had this man just asked that question? Why would he ever want to sell his only weapon?
And in the Spirit Realm, of all places?
Neo's reply was short and curt.
"I would."
After saying this, Neo expected the conversation to be over and was planning to walk a bit faster when the pale man grabbed his arm.
The man's hand was cold and bony...
"Tsk, you haven't even asked how much I'm willing to pay! I have a spear manual that would be perfect for this spear, so I really wish you'd sell it to me."
Neo didn't care. He wasn't going to sell the Void Stone—a mysterious artefact of unknown origins and quality—to a man he had met just a few hours ago.
Besides, Neo wasn't the type to sell gifts he had received, even if they came from the parents he hated.
"I really can't. It's a gift from my parents."
Neo hoped the man would get the hint and let the matter drop. He watched as a brief frown flashed across the man's pale features and took a small step back.
"Oh, okay. Just tell me if you change your mind."
"Sure."
"You really don't want to sell it to me? I'd pay you 15,000 credits right here and now."
Neo was exasperated. This man was too pushy and stubborn. Couldn't he just accept that no meant no?
Neo could only shake his head in response. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would go too far and make the man paler than he already was.
Neo already didn't have a good impression of the man after he had unnecessarily scolded him following the previous battle. Neo felt that he was someone who wasn't used to things not going his way, especially from weaker people.
Too bad he met Neo.
"How about thi—"
"Shhh!"
'Great timing!'
Neo and the other members halted abruptly at the hushing sound from the leader.
He had been the only one completely focused on scanning his surroundings and had been extremely serious and cautious.
At first, Neo could only hear his thumping heart and had to concentrate closely to hear anything more.
Shing!
The leader calmly pulled out his red katana and assumed a battle stance. Although the other party members still hadn't heard a sound, they trusted their leader and his bloodline perk, and began readying for battle at once.
Neo's reaction was swift and calculated. He took large but silent steps and hurriedly positioned himself beside the team leader.
Since they didn't know where the attack was coming from, Neo couldn't just stay at the back. He was pretty sure his rotten luck would probably make the beasts attack him first.
It would have been a completely foolish decision to isolate himself.
Silence.
There was a brief lull where the party did nothing but breathe.
Neo took this time to try to steady his breathing and calm his pounding heart.
He also took the time to focus and listen for any out-of-place sounds.
His heart lurched as he finally detected something—a growl!
Boom!
Dozens of wooden javelins coated with a red, sharp aura pierced through the trees and shot towards the group.
It was an ambush!
A large, strong hand coiled around Neo's neck and flung him away from the ambush spot. Neo's body sailed through the air, passing over the barrage of wooden javelins.
His mind raced, and he instantly deduced that the team leader must have pushed him away at the last moment to save his life.
Neo's body flew strongly for a brief moment before descending in a curve directly towards the gaping maw of a hairy, black... gorilla?
Shit!
If Neo's heart could have stopped beating, Neo was sure it would have. His body shook with fright as he hurtled straight for the monstrous beast!
What terrible luck!
The world wanted him dead!
Neo's body felt cold as he hurriedly tried to right himself and assume a piercing stance mid-air.
His plan was to let the momentum from his throw boost the power of his thrust.
Dang!
With a strong flick from the gorilla's thick middle finger, a tremendous force passed through the spear and into Neo's arms, numbing them and nearly making him lose his weapon once again!
'Oh no, you don't!'
Neo was already prepared for this and had made a special effort to clutch the spear shaft tightly.
He couldn't afford to lose his weapon now—it would be certain death!
The force from the flick had deflected the thrust away from its intended target and left him completely exposed.
A large, black palm whooshed towards Neo's chest.
The palm alone was as big as his chest!
Neo twisted his body and placed the body of the spear midriff in an attempt to block the attack.
Boom!
The palm struck strong and fierce.
Neo was blown away like a broken kite, literally soaring over the trees in the forest!
Pfft!
Blood spewed from his mouth as the spear shaft dug powerfully into his chest.
Neo realised why blocking powerful attacks was still almost as dangerous as taking them head-on.
His ribs had cracked for sure!
His vision swam briefly, and the battle between the party and five Uncommon-grade gorillas grew farther and farther away from his sight.
Thud!
His body dropped and crashed into the ground, breaking more bones. If not for his unnaturally high pain tolerance, Neo would have passed out from all the pain.
He sure as hell wanted to!
Hee! Hee! Hee!
Neo jolted up instantly, his face paling.
Around him were three monkeys, staring at him with a playful glint in their eyes.
Neo realised his luck was truly fucking rotten!
He was surrounded.