**The sky grew darker.** Just when I thought we were about to reach the safe zone, who’d have guessed we’d run into *big trouble* right at the entrance of the so-called "beginner’s village"? It was like a giant tiger blocking our way.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1DI3Ba0T9
As Lu Feng and his Shadow Cat neared Twilight Fortress, a foul, nauseating stench suddenly filled the air—like some cheap biochemical weapon had leaked, reeking of rotting corpses and pungent sulfur. Lu Feng wrinkled his nose, his stomach churning.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvLQnq1YIY
*What the hell is this? A Resident Evil cosplay?* He muttered under his breath, quickly covering his nose with a makeshift cloth mask. These days, if you didn’t have some kind of anti-toxin gear, you couldn’t even call yourself an isekai protagonist.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O035GnNxK
The Shadow Cat, alert as ever, pricked up its ears, its sapphire-blue eyes gleaming sharply. A low growl rumbled in its throat—clearly, it sensed danger ahead. That little furball’s nose was way sharper than Lu Feng’s. *Something’s definitely wrong.*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhPGHKwMru
Lu Feng halted, squinting as he cautiously scanned the surroundings. In the distance, Twilight Fortress loomed under the sunset like a dormant beast, eerie and menacing, straight out of a horror movie. A faint crimson mist hung in the air, reducing visibility to almost nothing, with only the vague outlines of ruins barely discernible. *This smog’s worse than doomsday!* He couldn’t help but complain.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpztUquSdp9
"Stay sharp, Xiao You," Lu Feng whispered, gripping his dagger tightly.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTLxafBqx1
That dagger—a limited-edition merch from his gaming days—had unexpectedly become his lifeline now. *Who knew official merch would actually come in handy?*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3F6ktCrFe
"Meow~" The Shadow Cat vanished into the darkness, scouting ahead.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSOhjwxHjC
Having an invisible little helper like this sure upped their survival odds.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRUWXiwm4c
Then, a bone-chilling gust swept past, making Lu Feng shiver.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqPjoSVkip
He felt *watched*—goosebumps rising all over his body.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H3C4V0Hd7
*This place is freaky as hell!* He clenched his fists, inching forward cautiously.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGphotY5tX
Suddenly, the Shadow Cat let out a shrill cry before disappearing into the abyss.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ZEAdjufB
"Xiao You!" Lu Feng’s heart lurched as he bolted toward where the cat had vanished. That little guy was his right-hand companion—he couldn’t afford to lose it!
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPDizNrWXo
But before he could take more than a few steps, the ground *quaked* violently beneath him. Then, from the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes slowly *opened*...
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxshtd78ubz
*Holy crap, what the hell is that?!* Lu Feng cursed under his breath, adrenaline surging.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigwqcoY7dZ
Was this some kind of monster battle royale?
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxGqm9sO7J
He froze, activating his gamer-like "scan" mode, trying to identify the creature lurking in the dark.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaA0XffjUK
But the crimson mist was too thick—visibility was practically zero.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTeyZAW8U6
All he could make out was a massive silhouette and those猩猩-red eyes glowing ominously.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xQZl6XLu6
*That level of pressure… Definitely a boss-tier enemy.* A cold sweat trickled down his back.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOSNkfEWDk
Just as he was about to pull out his "family heirloom"—a glorified brick (well, a large rock)—the scene before him sent chills down his spine.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y6C1IWAPf
The once-tranquil Moonlight Lake suddenly shimmered with a silvery glow.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRTgC6VCc
The water’s surface, mirror-smooth, reflected the moon with surreal clarity—stunningly beautiful.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxFPZwUxdl
But the peace didn’t last.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpR1VmL6w1
Rapid footsteps shattered the silence, followed by a desperate cry: *"Help! Someone, please help me!"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HeIxpFIxG
Lu Feng turned to see a young woman—graceful, ethereally beautiful—being pursued by several black-clad assailants.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1kTeqoc7I
Her long silver hair cascaded like liquid moonlight, almost divine in its radiance.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9TRjOs7xE
*"Whoa… An elf girl?!"* Lu Feng blurted out.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh2IrSMvsA
Her beauty surpassed every idol from his world combined.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVJjg28EeH
But this was no time to admire aesthetics.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PIC60IRhJ
The black-clad figures reeked of malice, outnumbering her. She was clearly outmatched.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUx8KWJdTI
A surge of impulsiveness hit Lu Feng: *This is the perfect damsel-in-distress moment!*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp7LoRfqH0
Even in his own precarious situation, as a morally upright beta tester, how could he just *walk away*?
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4njVYNFMI
"Hey! You lot—bullying a lone woman in broad daylight? What kind of cowards are you?!" He shouted.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOOnGlUcnl
The moment the words left his mouth, the attackers’ attention snapped toward him.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrXGvxH6Ak
One sneered, "Kid, scram if you wanna live!"
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gf55YguF1
Lu Feng smirked. *"Oh, you think I’m scared?"* He struck what he thought was a heroic pose. *"Today, justice gets served!"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRVFASgrS6
With that, he brandished his rock and charged.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZFwtZc5Gx
The black-clad figures scoffed, weapons flashing as they met his assault.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBroryYLAt
Chaos erupted.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqINJNfYXY
Lu Feng’s combat skills were mediocre at best, but his gamer reflexes and terrain knowledge kept him barely afloat.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzQJGRWaPV
Yet the enemies were no pushovers—their coordination was flawless, attacks ruthless. Soon, Lu Feng was cornered.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHOYEnpTb0
*Crap, crap, crap! Is this where I bite the dust?!*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLnzyuXUSS
Just as despair set in, the elf girl *moved*.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwLmDlLOn4
Hands clasped, she chanted softly—then a *silver light* erupted from her, illuminating the entire lakeshore.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkV2IToNab
The attackers screamed as the radiance seared them, black smoke rising from their bodies.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLqMzNddCt
*"This… Is this lunar magic?!"* Lu Feng gaped.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnfyR75geb
*"Run! I can’t hold them long!"* The elf girl panted weakly.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cuG4fuhDv
Lu Feng didn’t hesitate—he scooped her up and *bolted* toward Twilight Fortress.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eXUUw8phb
But the pursuers broke free, closing in fast.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cOdurJGf2
*Ugh, these guys are like cockroaches!*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5EkkU1pkt
Then—*ambush*.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZXm2jq0si
The Shadow Cat reappeared, darting through shadows.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AGZfgYQcB
One by one, the black-clad figures collapsed, howling in agony.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCtwj8dI97
*"Xiao You, you legend!"* Lu Feng cheered internally.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26lWLf6TcY
With the cat’s help, they finally shook off the pursuers, reaching the fortress outskirts.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd2qLxUTdQ
*"Thank you… for saving me,"* the elf girl murmured gratefully.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oGFHiWwYz
*"No biggie. Couldn’t just leave you there,"* Lu Feng waved it off. *"What’s your name?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SMkWAtPe7
*"Aylia,"* she whispered. *"I’m… the last heir of Moonlight Forest."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxqWFW3va5
*"Moonlight Forest?"* Lu Feng frowned. *"What’s that?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhP410HxMM
Aylia’s voice trembled. *"It was… the most beautiful woodland in this realm. Until the Blood Pact annihilated it."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWldvcF7iAM
*"Blood Pact?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu86DFPdJk
*"A cult of dark cultivators,"* she spat. *"They slaughtered my kin… burned everything."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA5A9wcLda
Lu Feng fell silent.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDxTiDBl04
Beneath this world’s serene surface festered unspeakable cruelty.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3oSmvo5PI
*"So… what now?"* He asked gently.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMdm4Vcz3k
Aylia lifted her chin, eyes blazing. *"I’ll make them pay."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDiNfKc9P8
*"Need a hand?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ25p4DQHjv
She hesitated. *"You’d… help me?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGK4CSefuZ
*"Sure,"* Lu Feng grinned. *"We’re friends now, right?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYmsV1Phkc
Aylia smiled faintly. *"Thank you."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjcVKzufvI
*"But the Blood Pact won’t go down easy,"* he warned.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9wpcnLaiH
*"I know,"* she nodded. *"But I won’t give up."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUZ6Xd3c7s
*"Then let’s team up,"* Lu Feng declared. *"Together, we’ll kick their butts!"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcEweZWO4x
As they stood side by side, gazing at Twilight Fortress, determination solidified.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hNoaORbnM
*"Oh, you never told me your name,"* Aylia suddenly said.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IA1Z4b2g9
Lu Feng paused dramatically. *"Call me…"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBviBwvmxbo
He savored the suspense before grinning.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuHkd5osWS
*"Lu Feng."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw79lqXg9oR
Aylia’s breath hitched. Her gaze turned complex—recognition flickering.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHuqSiUf42
*"I…"* She bit her lip.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp4FiHcqFu
Lu Feng chuckled, diffusing the tension. *"Relax, I’m not some cliché OP protagonist. More allies mean better odds—wanna join my ‘Anti-Blood Pact Justice League’?"*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWvz2hlriz
Aylia burst into laughter—a sound like wind chimes. *"I’d be honored. For Moonlight Forest… and to repay my debt."*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8bOiYlDSy
**Ding!** A game prompt echoed in Lu Feng’s head:
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSFOl7JbPO
*[Congratulations! Hero Unit Recruited: Elf Princess Aylia! +10 EXP for "Cross-Realm Lord"!]*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgyHYiXF1g
*Heh. Feels like playing Heroes of Might and Magic IRL.*
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6RoJ4DFk
But just as he fantasized about their future crusade, a *guttural roar* shook the earth.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxPFDZOzh2
The air itself grew heavy with primal dread.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N2AzennX4
*"What now—Godzilla?!"* Lu Feng cursed, hairs standing on end.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchddHQ9FSM
Aylia paled, gripping her staff.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqkAyb4JWY
Then—she seized his arm.
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlFU0SzzmF
**"Run."**
ns216.73.216.65da2
