CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38 HUNTING TRIP (3)

Chapter 38: Hunting Trip (3)

"Get back on your mount," Lin Mu said calmly before moving towards his weapon and pulling it out of the beasts flesh.

As if planned by him, the instant he pulled it out, the creature vanished into fragments as well, unbeknowst to the tribesman who had long since found his way.

Turning in another direction, He prepared to face another wave of the creatures.

In the blink of an eye, he continued on with his ruthless slaughter, whenever he encountered a mutated rat above the 6th stage, Autumn Wind would lend him a hand in killing it, which meant that within the battlefield, he wasn’t hindered at all.

Unlike the others, he was like a dark knight charging through enemy lines with his trusty stead by his side, clearing those who dared to stand in his way.

By the time the pack was defeated, the sand was stained with blue and red blood, both Serinerian and beast but not of a humans. Lin Mu’s arms ached from the effort, but he remained alert, scanning for any additional threats.

Lin Mu wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath steadying as the last mutated rat twitched lifelessly at Autumn Wind’s feet.

Around him, the Serinerians were regaining their composure. A few were visibly shaken, but the tension in the air slowly gave way to murmurs and glances in his direction.

One of the tribesmen, a broad-shouldered Serinerian with blood stains on his face, hesitated before stepping forward. His weapon dangled loosely in his grip, and his voice carried a gruff but sincere tone. "You... you fought well. I... thank you, outsider."

Lin Mu looked at the man, blinking in surprise. He wasn’t used to gratitude from these people nor was he even expecting it, but nevertheless, he replied in kind."I just did what I had to," he said, brushing off some rat blood from his sleeve.

" No.. he’s right."Another Serinerian, younger and with a fresh scratch across his arm, rode his Mount over. "If... if you hadn’t stepped in when you did, I might’ve been—" He paused, swallowing hard, the words catching in his throat. Finally, he bowed his head. "I owe you my life."

Lin Mu shifted uncomfortably under the sudden praise. "Don’t worry about it. You would’ve done the same for me, right?" He shot a half-hearted smile, but the group’s silence was telling.

The broad-shouldered one nodded, his expression grim. "Perhaps. But not with the same skill. We mocked and doubted you. Yet here you are, proving us wrong." he ended with a self ridiculing laughter.

A Serinerian, his spear still dripping with rat blood, approached next. His voice was quiet but firm. "The two of them are right. We all saw what you did, throwing yourself in front of those creatures. For someone who doesn’t owe us anything... you sure acted with honor." The Serinerian struck his chest with visible approval.

Lin Mu scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond. "I just—well, let’s just leave it at that and get going, I’m sure non of you are willing to end the hunt after that little skirmish." Lin Mu tried brushing it off, he really wasn’t used to others being the kind towards him.

"Hahaha I think I’m beginning to like you more and more outsider." The Serinerian added.

" A true warriors spirit I’ll say." Another said.

A few more Serinerians began to gather around, murmuring their thanks or nodding in silent acknowledgment. The scene felt surreal to Lin Mu, who had been on the receiving end of their disdain just hours earlier.

One of the Serinerians who was the first he had saved and also the one who had mocked him earlier, had the most gratitude in his gaze, as he finally rode forward on his mount. His jaw was tight, and his pride was clearly warring with his conscience. "Outsider," he began, his voice low, "I may not like you, but I cannot deny what you’ve done. You saved us. For that... I owe you respect."

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Is that so?, I guess I’ll just take what I can get."

The tribesman grunted, crossing his arms. "Don’t push it."

’ Well someone clearly can’t take a joke’

" Hahaha I was just joking." Lin Mu tried apologizing, Before he could say another word, the younger Serinerian from before spoke again, his tone softer. "We... we may not understand you, outsider. But today, you showed great courage. When we get back, if not the others, I for one will be willing to tell the elders of your kindness."

Lin Mu nodded, his chest tightening slightly. Despite the tension and their earlier hostility, their words carried a weight he hadn’t realized he needed. For a fleeting moment, he felt less like an outsider and more like... someone who belonged, if only just a little.

"Well," he finally said, his voice lighter, "let’s just make sure no more of those rats show up. I’ve had enough of those teeth for one day."

The group chuckled softly, and the tension eased further, Unfortunately, Others, particularly the suitors, seemed less enthusiastic. A knot of them stood to the side, muttering amongst themselves, their disapproval loud enough for Lin Mu to catch.

" Stop acting like you saved anyone!, You didn’t have to step in," one of the Lang brothers, Lang Shi said, his tone defensive. "We had it under control."

"Sure you did," Lin Mu replied dryly, wiping his bone spear clean.

"Tsk...Just because you killed a few rats doesn’t mean you belong here," one scoffed, a wiry Serinerian with scarred markings on his arms. "Non of you should forget that he’s still an outsider. He’s weaker and barely worth the attention we wasted on him."

Another sneered, trying to back up Lang Shi as well, crossing his arms. "Agreed. He’s probably just showing off to impress the chief’s daughters. Typical outsider behavior, seeking to climb where he doesn’t belong."