Chapter 115: Looking Back, Preparing.
“Is this really just a tree?”
The blond man looked up, and the term “giant tree” hardly described the world before his eyes.
This was a three-dimensional, aggregated forest.
Entry points to this forest were everywhere; one could climb the sprawling roots and crawl into the gaps formed by the conglomeration of tree trunks.
Whether it led to a dead end or an expansive new world remained to be seen.
But he stopped in his tracks and didn’t enter.
“Though it’s not very satisfying, we must make this the endpoint of our exploration this time.”
“Meow?”
Shān Máo looked at his companion with confusion.
“This isn’t something one person can explore and map alone, nor is it an action that the current investigation team can support.”
“If we go in, I don’t know how much time it will take for us to return, to willingly return.”
The Team Leader patted the fluffy head of the Ailu Cat, gave his shoulder a pat, then turned around:
“Comrades, I have the courage to move upward, but that doesn’t mean being overly ambitious. We need to firmly plant the guild’s flag on the New Continent and take responsibility!”
They walked resolutely, only turning back when they reached the edge of the valley overlooking the Giant Tree.
He didn’t know when he’d get another chance to step foot here again. After all, he was the leader of the investigation team, not a top-ranked master.
No matter though, whenever he returned, the thirst for exploration would never cool in his veins.
“To the end, men remain boys at heart.”
The young Team Leader with shining golden hair laughed, waving towards the Ancient Tree.
On the other side, a capable woman used her staff to cut through overgrown vines and branches, arriving at the base of the Ancient Tree.
The Field Master paused, silently scanning the world so close yet unreachable, then stepped forward without hesitation.
“Perhaps it’s recklessness, the same kind of recklessness as my teacher.”
The one-star master had not returned from the New Continent, and she wasn’t sure if she could return to base either.
But like her teacher, she followed her own will.
…
A week later, the Team Leader met the second group of investigators returning from their exploration on the way back.
Jié Jié, who had transformed into a different form, quietly watched them exchange greetings and intelligence from atop a branch.
The Team Leader did not return to report after exchanging information but instead continued the mission with the newly dispatched investigators.
“So, his idea is to lure the Slaying Dragon into the dense nearby forest to save manpower on logging?”
“That’s what the commander meant, what do you think, Team Leader?”
After saying this, the investigator tilted his head back to drink coconut juice.
These coconuts were brought back by the Team Leader and distributed to them first.
“A wildly imaginative plan, but it does have potential.”
The Team Leader nodded, looking down at the forest floor, imagining the scene of the Slaying Dragon being lured to work, cutting trees with abandon.
It was somewhat exciting, but also dangerous.
One misstep, and they might end up like the trees, split in two.
“The signaling device is yours, the Master Swordsman and hunters are ready.”
Seeing that the Team Leader didn’t object, the squad leader handed him the signal flare for calling reinforcements.
“Did you bring the Smoky Snow Weasel to lure the monster?”
The Team Leader looked left and right in the group but couldn’t spot the snowy white figure.
“It would indeed be convenient if we had the Smoky Snow Weasel, but unfortunately, we haven’t seen that little guy in a week.”
“Has it gone exploring with you? Did you encounter it?”
“Unfortunately, I haven’t met it. Don’t lose hope; if there’s fate, we’ll meet again.”
Patted the investigator’s shoulder, the Team Leader led them to the location marked on the map where the Slaying Dragon was sighted, tracking its trail.
A week had passed, and the traces had faded considerably. They could only scatter and search in all directions for the Slaying Dragon.
Prioritize finding the one with the severed tail; if unsuccessful, look for the steel-colored sword-tailed Slaying Dragon.
From their movements, Jie Jie roughly guessed what they were searching for.
No longer observing the hunters, the Flying Bird swelled and transformed into a monster called Nightbird, searching for the Slaying Dragon in the sky.
As time slowly passed, while the investigators gathered at night to rest and exchange information from the day,
a snow-white weasel stealthily joined them.
“Eh!”
“Shhh~”
An investigator noticed the Smoky Snow Weasel and was surprised, while others gestured for silence and tried to encircle it with outstretched hands.
With a light jump, the Smoky Snow Weasel escaped the circle and leisurely wagged its tail.
“This little guy is truly elusive. Who will bring it along? Or, who will it follow?”
The Team Leader tore off some food and offered it to the Smoky Snow Weasel.
Jie Jie grabbed the food and climbed onto the muscular arm of the blond man until reaching his shoulder.
“Alright, alright, looks like the heavy task of luring the Slaying Dragon falls on me.”
“Don’t take unnecessary risks; just gradually attract it to the position.”
The investigator, guessing the adventurous thoughts in the Team Leader’s mind, advised.
When there was no Smoky Snow Weasel, the head chef had prepared props to lure monsters. Setting multiple locations could attract the Slaying Dragon.
“That’s too troublesome, trust me.”
The Team Leader raised his arm, showing off his bulging biceps.
Jie Jie pressed his claws against the Team Leader’s bicep—it was hard as a rock.
“Little guy, eat more. You’re skinny under all that fur, not a single muscle.”
Seeing the Smoky Snow Weasel’s curiosity about his muscles, the Team Leader smiled and broke off more food to offer him.
Jie Jie didn’t take it, slightly disdainful since it had been bitten by the Team Leader.
Since crossing over, he had never let himself go hungry. This time, he came after finishing eating.
By the way, he had already found the Slaying Dragon’s trail.
As the moon ascended in the sky, after selecting those who would keep watch, everyone in the investigation team gradually fell asleep.
The night deepened, and with the dawn breaking, the darkness faded, and the sun rose.
The investigators tidied up their equipment, extinguished the campfire, and headed toward the direction with the most traces discovered yesterday.
To their surprise, they noticed that the Smoky Snow Weasel had unknowingly taken the lead as they crouched down to observe the traces more frequently.
“Follow it; maybe it has already made a discovery?”
Everyone in the investigation team followed the Smoky Snow Weasel, passing by various footprints of the Slaying Dragon, and finally arrived before the beast in the afternoon.
It took them two days just to find the Slaying Dragon, which was actually quite fast.
If facing a flying dragon monster, from preliminary work to the final operation, it might take a month, with a high risk of losing the target.
The investigators hid silently behind obstacles, occasionally peeking at the massive beast dragon feeding on minerals.
Following the Team Leader’s gestures and lowered voice, the next arrangements became clear.
For the remaining time today, they would observe the Slaying Dragon on the New Continent.
Until tomorrow morning, when it was suitable working hours, they would carry out the first task on the New Continent: the Slaying Dragon Induction Operation.
Chapter 116
