13: Chapter 13: How to Kill in One Strike?

The ridges between the fields beneath their feet were gradually replaced by wild grass and exposed gravel.

Passing through the last patch of low bean trellises, the view suddenly opened up, only to be instantly filled by an even more massive presence.

The Duanshan Mountains were already right before their eyes.

No longer a distant smudge of dark blue on the horizon, they stood truly majestic upon the earth, like a giant beast crouching there since ancient times, silently casting a massive shadow.

The continuous mountain range was jagged and steep, covered in layers of primeval forest ranging from dark green to deep brown that seemed to stretch on forever.

Dozens of meters ahead, a small but densely wooded grove of mixed trees served as the final buffer between the fields and the massive mountains.

The trees weren't particularly tall, but their branches grew wildly, vines were entangled, and thick layers of fallen leaves covered the ground, where the light was dappled and mottled.

"Stop for a moment."

Zhang Zhi raised his hand, signaling the Qinglan Hunting Dog to slow down, then looked back at Lin Chen and the Flame Claw Beast following closely behind.

Lin Chen showed no fear on his face, merely observing the woods ahead and the wall-like mountains in the distance with a calm gaze, while the Flame Claw Beast lowered its body, a soft growl rumbling in its throat.

"Once we cross these woods, we'll have truly entered the outer regions of the Duanshan Mountains."

He paused, and seeing that Lin Chen's expression remained focused and steady, without any sign of shrinking back or blind excitement, he continued:

"Of course, our mission scope ends here."

He raised his hand and pointed toward the quiet grove ahead. "Those two fellows should be in there."

Lin Chen keenly caught the detail in his words: "Brother Zhi, there are two pet beasts?"

"Yeah."

Zhang Zhi nodded, his gaze returning to the woods, his eyes suddenly sharpening:

"Based on the distribution of footprints in the vegetable patch, the gnawing marks, and the residual energy aura Zhuifeng detected in the air, there should be two pet beasts."

"One large and one small; the footprints vary in depth, and their auras share the same source but differ in strength. If I'm not mistaken, they should be Velvet-Tusk Boars."

"Velvet-Tusk Boars?"

Lin Chen quickly searched his mind for relevant information.

This was a Wood-attribute pet beast that mainly inhabited low mountains and hilly areas, with a racial rank of Low-class Extraordinary.

They were stoutly built with rough, grayish-green skin, possessing strong vitality and an affinity for plants.

"These guys usually range within the sparse forests and shrublands on the outskirts of the mountains, feeding on roots, tubers, young leaves, and fruits, occasionally foraging for insects."

As Zhang Zhi spoke, he signaled the Qinglan Hunting Dog to search more carefully along the edge of the woods:

"They generally move in family units, with parents bringing their young."

"But according to their habits, even if food is scarce in the mountains, they'll use their snouts to root around the ground for food. They rarely risk leaving their familiar territory to intrude into human town areas..."

He frowned slightly, looking thoughtful: "So this time is a bit unusual."

"Did they truly just get lost and wander in, or did something in the mountains disturb them, forcing them to flee here?"

This question had no immediate answer.

Zhang Zhi shook his head, brushing aside his doubts for now, and turned his gaze to Lin Chen to ask the key question:

"From the current signs, these two Velvet-Tusk Boars shouldn't be very aggressive."

"According to protocol, we need to drive them away. This counts as a good opportunity for real combat. Do you want to experience a real wilderness battle?"

This wasn't a spar on a training ground with a referee's protection; he would be facing wild pet beasts with untamed natures and unpredictable behavior. Although the assessed danger level was low, any accident could happen.

Lin Chen didn't hesitate for a second: "Of course."

The opportunity was right in front of him. He needed real combat, he needed to test the results of his training, and he needed the Flame Claw Beast to accumulate actual battle experience.

This was one of the benefits of working as a temporary employee at the Beast Control Bureau: he could bypass formal, rule-bound battles and come into direct contact with the most authentic wilderness combat.

"Good."

Zhang Zhi nodded slightly:

"I'll let you take action later, depending on the situation."

"Understood."

Lin Chen nodded and turned to look at the Flame Claw Beast.

"Gagu!"

The Flame Claw Beast waved its claws, fighting spirit rising in its eyes.

Just then, the Qinglan Hunting Dog, which had been searching carefully, stopped. It didn't bark; instead, it leaned forward slightly with its head and neck lowered, ears pointing straight toward a particularly dense thicket to the front-left, a very low warning growl coming from its throat.

Zhang Zhi and Lin Chen immediately went silent, following the direction indicated by the Qinglan Hunting Dog and peering intently.

The afternoon sun filtered through the layers of leaves, casting flickering spots of light onto the leaf-strewn ground.

In the deepest part of the shade, two stout figures could be faintly seen huddled together under a large tree.

Their skin was very rough, its color almost blending in with the surrounding lichens and moss. Only their curved tusks, fluffy like green pom-poms, glinted with a faint matte luster in the light filtering through the leaves.

The larger one was nearly three meters long, lying on its side, its body slowly rising and falling with its breath as it seemed to be napping.

The smaller one was huddled closely against its side, about half the size of the larger one, idly rooting with its snout at the vegetables scattered on the ground nearby.

Sunlight, shade, stolen food, and pet beasts huddling together to rest.

This scene, if one ignored their unauthorized intrusion into human fields and the potential damage caused, actually appeared somewhat eerily cozy and peaceful.

Zhang Zhi looked at the scene and smiled slightly: "Heh, they sure are bold."

"They stole things and didn't hurry back to the mountains, but instead took a nap right next to the scene of the crime. They really don't take us seriously at all."

He turned his head and gave Lin Chen a wink: "The small one is yours. Don't be in a rush for your first battle, and don't be nervous."

"Remember, safety first."

Lin Chen nodded, then looked at the Flame Claw Beast.

To his surprise, the fierce-looking Flame Claw Beast was already swaggering toward the Velvet-Tusk Boar. Faint flames brewed in its mouth, energy surged around its body, and its eyes burned with heat, showing no tension or worry about the upcoming battle.

Lin Chen was momentarily stunned.

That made sense. To get stronger, this guy had bullied countless pet beasts in the Nursery; the word 'fear' simply didn't exist in its vocabulary.

When it came to pet beast battles, Lin Chen was a novice, but the Flame Claw Beast was not.

"Don't rush."

But with a thought, Lin Chen called out to the Flame Claw Beast in time, his gaze calm: "Before the battle, we need to fully understand the opponent's basic information."

"The Velvet-Tusk Boar is a Wood-attribute pet beast with thick skin and flesh. So, you know what to do, right?"

The Flame Claw Beast sized up the Velvet-Tusk Boar from top to bottom, recalling the killing techniques its elders had once taught it. Its gaze finally landed on the latter's neck: "Gagu!"

It remembered; attacking this spot could kill with one blow.