39: Chapter 31 Don’t Get Distracted 39: Chapter 31 Don’t Get Distracted The Rusted Monster, also known as the “Underground Scavenger” and “Underground Wanderer.”

Like other insect-like creatures, they typically dwell in the countless deep, winding tunnels of the “Dark Territory.”

The pitch-black environment caused their vision to gradually deteriorate, covering this vulnerability under their hard shells’ protection.

Feather-like antennae on either side of their heads and their long tails covered in dense bristles act like cane guides, helping them move freely in the shadowy caves.

To some extent, these creatures, which do not primarily feed on meat, are inherently docile.

If given ample food and care, they can even be tamed to become obedient pets like cats and dogs.

However, having been given the suffix “Monster,” the Rusted Monster can sometimes exhibit extremely aggressive behavior.

The Rusted Monster feeds on metal.

Iron, refined gold, Mithril…

they welcome it all; most metals are on their menu.

Their highly developed perception allows these peculiar demons to detect the presence of those delectable metals from miles away.

Naturally, the armor and weapons adventurers carry also fall under the category of “delectable metals.”

According to the adventurer association’s statistics, many adventurers die each year during their exploration of the “Dark Territory” due to attacks by Rusted Monsters—

Even though they clearly know they could survive if they just discarded their weapons and equipment.

Like camels in the desert or migrating herds during the dry season, the unique feeding structure of these insect-like demons gives them the innate ability to locate various veins.

Their highly corrosive saliva helps them easily corrode and soften hard metals, making them easier to consume.

As neighbors also traversing various veins, the dwarves, known for their forging and mining skills, naturally despise these demons.

Some clans even send specialized “Pest Control Teams” annually to clear out these “borers” residing in the veins.

Xia Nan, coming from the Otherworld, had only interacted with dwarves once, specifically the bearded Barn at the Rock Hammer Blacksmith Shop, whose height surpassed his own by a few heads.

But now, looking at the menacing figure crouching not far ahead on the ground, he couldn’t help but share the sentiment.

From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the one-handed hammer on the grass, almost entirely corroded by the dense green saliva.

His mouth felt dry, his Adam’s apple moved, and he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

The palm gripping the sword hilt was already covered in sweat.

At this moment, he even seriously considered the possibility of using the two daggers at his waist for battle.

“The pressure… it’s really getting to me!”

Hesitation lasted but a moment.

Despite his inner turmoil, Xia Nan held onto his longsword and instinctively rushed forward to support.

He had chosen to rest in a corner and was thus positioned almost an entire campsite away from Larry.

Even with timely reactions, he couldn’t compare to the Wanderer sitting by the central campfire.

Just as he stepped forward a few paces, the figure with incredibly low presence was already next to the first Rusted Monster, like a shadow.

“Shatter!”

The air tore apart, and a sharp silver cross-shaped light suddenly burst forth.

Xia Nan only felt a blur in front of Wood, then the surface of the two daggers in his hand was already stained with a layer of yellow-green insect blood.

“Hiss—”

A sharp and mournful insect cry echoed through the forest.

The thick shell of the Rusted Monster, which barely cracked under the blow of a hammer, was easily sliced open by the two palm-length daggers in Wood’s hand as if it were fragile paper.

Insect blood splattered!

The fin-like long tail whipped around like a whip, only to helplessly land on the soft grass.

Wood had long since vacated the spot.

His ghostly, feather-light body leaped up, landing on the back shell of the Rusted Monster.

Brows furrowed.

Failing to deliver a fatal blow, the slash that severely injured the Rusted Monster seemed to still leave him dissatisfied.

The Wanderer’s battle skill, “Abdominal Strike,” capable of dissecting viscera and bone cavities, hadn’t achieved the desired result against the demon with an anatomy unlike that of a human.

Yet, his extensive combat experience and knowledge of demons allowed him to instantly realize the vulnerability of this large insect.

“Swipe!”

The short dagger in his hand darted out like a venomous snake, precisely stabbing down through the crevice in the Rusted Monster’s neck shell.

Like the sting of a wasp.

The sharp insect cries abruptly ceased.

The heavy body under the Rusted Monster Shell fell to the ground with a thud, as if it had lost its mechanical drive.

Thus, one Rusted Monster was down.

Not having had a chance to breathe, Wood, having just pulled out the dagger from the insect beast’s body, seemed to sense something.

He suddenly looked up.

Pupils contracted!

Unbeknownst to him, an insect had circled around, reaching the other end of the campsite amidst the tense battle.

And that direction was where Hai’an was!

“Young master, watch out!”

He shouted at the top of his voice.

At the same time, his figure, balancing on the insect shell, suddenly turned into a blur and disappeared from the spot.

Having retreated to the rear since the battle started, Hai’an, with silver-white hair stuck to his cheeks from sweat, already had his bowstring pulled tight, ready to support any combat situation.

“One’s been dealt with by Wood; one’s with Larry and Doris, one hasn’t reached the camp yet, I must first…”

“Wait, where’s the last one!?”

Hai’an’s mind raced, analyzing the battlefield situation.

Suddenly startled, Wood’s shout through the air reached him.

No time to think!

Because in the next second, a sharp hissing accompanied by a rancid smell approached from behind.

He spun around abruptly.

In sight was the Rusted Monster’s menacing body reared up high.

The bone-white sharp mouthparts opened and closed, brewing deadly thick green venom.

The approach of death made time and space before Hai’an seem to momentarily freeze.

But immediately following.

An iron-gray arc of light burst from the darkness beside him, instantly snapping Hai’an back to reality.

[Vortex Slash]

The extremely sharp sword light arc resembled a fleeting crescent moon.

Following the crevice along the shell, the incision was neat, with half the insect brain whirling away.

“Plop.”

The heavy insect body, propelled by inertia, crashed to the ground, spewing out foul insect blood like a spring.

Sword retracted by the momentum.

Xia Nan’s peripheral vision caught the sword’s surface, seeing it only stained with insect blood, relieved it hadn’t touched the corrosive venom.

He then looked at the half-elf in front of him, seemingly distracted by the surprise attack, with a dazed expression on his face stained with dense green insect blood.

He frowned and said:

“Be careful, don’t get distracted.”