"Well, not bad, full of energy!"
Su Nian slapped the shoulder of the bird demon leader, Ji Taimei, with his claw, showing his approval.
Then, he looked Ji Taimei up and down, circling around her while she watched him nervously. Finally, he said:
"Your back looks pretty decent now. Take off those dreadlocks. You and your tribe members, all of you, take them off."
"Wash your hair clean, then come to me outside the dragon's nest. I'll give you only half an hour."
Although Ji Taimei didn't quite understand his request and felt reluctant to undo the dreadlocks she had painstakingly styled, she dared not defy the black dragon. She nodded in agreement.
...
Half an hour later, outside the dragon's nest.
A group of bird demons stood stark naked in front of the black dragon, led by Ji Taimei.
They never wore clothes to begin with.
Previously, their feathers could at least cover some key areas. Now, with not a single feather left, they were completely exposed. However, they seemed indifferent to it.
Monsters have no sense of shame.
Su Nian surveyed the state of the bird demons.
To be honest, they looked much more pleasing to the eye after removing the dreadlocks.
If you ignored their faces and only focused on their figures, they could pass as stunning beauties. The addition of wings even gave them an exotic charm.
Especially the bird demon leader Ji Taimei.
After the baptism of dragon blood, her skin had become not only fuller but also fairer.
Now, with her long hair cascading over her shoulders and her curvaceous, alluring figure, her mere back view could easily captivate a group of human males.
And this was precisely what Su Nian needed right now.
For some time, the players from Sakura Island's No. 1 Novice Village had been staying within the safety zone of the village, refusing to venture out.
Even when they did leave, they went to other places, avoiding Silvermoon Forest at all costs.
This greatly displeased Su Nian.
How could he execute his plans with players being so cautious?
This wouldn't do. He had to find a way to lure the players out and kill as many as possible, boosting his own strength as well as that of his subordinates.
Moreover, with so many days having passed, these players should have accumulated some loot from opening treasure chests.
Why not capture a few to open those chests?
"Follow me. Later, I'll tell you what to do. You just do as I say, got it?"
Su Nian faced the group of bird demons, his expression full of cunning and malice.
...
"Yo, Motono-kun, good morning!"
"Motono-kun, you're doing pretty well today, already level 9! How many chests have you opened?"
"Not many, just one wooden chest, haha..."
Haruta Motono forced a fake smile and discreetly distanced himself from these overly enthusiastic players.
"Tch, what's he pretending for..."
"Exactly, just because his level is higher? Fat like a pig, how did someone like him even get chosen for the game?"
...
Faint murmurs of discussion reached his ears.
Haruta Motono's face darkened as he clenched his fists, but eventually, he took a deep breath and said nothing.
As long as he could become stronger.
Ignore what others said.
Now, he was already among the highest-level players in Sakura Island's No. 1 Novice Village.
Apart from Yamaguchi Muraki, a gangster boss with subordinates helping him kill monsters, who had reached level 11, most players were hovering around levels 6 or 7.
His ability to reach level 9 was largely due to his hard work and luck.
Three days ago, he had found a Silver Chest in a Ghostface Scorpion's lair.
The Ghostface Scorpion had been teleported outside the novice village's safety zone, leaving the chest unguarded.
From this Silver Chest, Haruta Motono obtained a rare item called Nasth Silver Flask.
The effect of this item was mana regeneration.
It could fully restore his current mana three times a day.
Thanks to this, he could kill far more beasts each day than others, leveling up much faster.
"Instant noodles, drinks..."
Haruta Motono opened three wooden chests, finding only food items inside, which left him somewhat dissatisfied.
He continued opening chests.
"Clock, insoles, condoms... What the hell? Condoms in this godforsaken place, really?"
Haruta Motono stuffed the pile of miscellaneous items into his game backpack, almost fuming with anger.
Today's eight wooden chests all contained junk.
Previously, he could at least get some magical materials.
"Opportunities come with risks."
"The better chests are often found in more dangerous places. The ones in the safety zone are mostly wooden chests."
Haruta Motono pondered, his determination growing stronger.
"I still need to go to Silvermoon Forest, no matter how dangerous it is. As long as I can become stronger!"
"Time to find Orihime-chan."
With that thought, Haruta Motono donned his oversized mage robe, grabbed his staff, and headed to his neighbor's house.
"Knock knock knock."
"Orihime-chan, are you there?"
After a while, heavy footsteps echoed from inside the room, followed by the door flying off its hinges with a "bang."
Standing at the doorway was a girl who looked adorable and delicate.
Of course, this was if you ignored her nearly six-foot-three height and bodybuilder-like physique.
Every time Haruta Motono saw Inoue Orihime, he couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of the world.
"Oh my~ So sorry~ The door broke again~ Silly me~"
Inoue Orihime held her face with her fan-sized hands, full of embarrassment and shyness. Yet her voice was deeper than most men's.
"Well..."
Haruta Motono rubbed his nose, suppressing his disgust, and tried to focus his gaze on Orihime's face, feeling somewhat more comfortable.
"I'm planning to explore Silvermoon Forest to find more treasure chests and opportunities to level up. Orihime-chan, would you like to join me?"
Haruta Motono extended the invitation.
The Orihime-chan before him was a level 8 warrior with terrifying combat power. She was different from other players, having inherited ancestral martial arts.
"But Silvermoon Forest is so dangerous~ I'm really scared~ Unless Motono-kun protects me~"
Inoue Orihime twisted her hips, almost breaking the doorframe. Her face showed no trace of fear, and her last sentence revealed her true intention.
She had a strong favorability toward Haruta Motono. Going to Silvermoon Forest together would be a great opportunity for them to spend time alone.
Perhaps she could get closer to Motono-kun and have some deep communication.
"..."
Haruta Motono suppressed the urge to vomit.
Thinking to himself, "A mage protecting a warrior, isn't that a bit absurd?"
However, to ensure that Inoue Orihime's formidable combat power accompanied him, Haruta Motono forced a reluctant smile and nodded:
"Don't worry, Orihime-chan, I'll definitely protect you." """
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