**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.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcTNSDdYrI
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.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2DhKCJXUQ
*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.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxxHIVw8Q8
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.*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGOKLYRJvP
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.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1UBXHzvpu
"Stay sharp, Xiao You," Lu Feng whispered, gripping his dagger tightly.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K1Ub7N8KU
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?*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpQxqbjOlt
"Meow~" The Shadow Cat vanished into the darkness, scouting ahead.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5HzdkNHbd
Having an invisible little helper like this sure upped their survival odds.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPIp974Zr8
Then, a bone-chilling gust swept past, making Lu Feng shiver.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGoAQz5e4K
He felt *watched*—goosebumps rising all over his body.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ndGpE5Xgo
*This place is freaky as hell!* He clenched his fists, inching forward cautiously.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0rzDO7EIh
Suddenly, the Shadow Cat let out a shrill cry before disappearing into the abyss.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v0F4pTKQ8
"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!
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbhgqjUs2r
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*...
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxBG57HNOE
*Holy crap, what the hell is that?!* Lu Feng cursed under his breath, adrenaline surging.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHgZ0eLqgA
Was this some kind of monster battle royale?
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yt5Mh5EX1
He froze, activating his gamer-like "scan" mode, trying to identify the creature lurking in the dark.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9P97HL33l
But the crimson mist was too thick—visibility was practically zero.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKZnKChaAb
All he could make out was a massive silhouette and those猩猩-red eyes glowing ominously.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTzuU8WPar
*That level of pressure… Definitely a boss-tier enemy.* A cold sweat trickled down his back.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDPINEBmNi
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.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtQJxSH58O
The once-tranquil Moonlight Lake suddenly shimmered with a silvery glow.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoskoCazVRp
The water’s surface, mirror-smooth, reflected the moon with surreal clarity—stunningly beautiful.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ571QmDFfZR
But the peace didn’t last.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTbf9jSnpx
Rapid footsteps shattered the silence, followed by a desperate cry: *"Help! Someone, please help me!"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFAsajElWX
Lu Feng turned to see a young woman—graceful, ethereally beautiful—being pursued by several black-clad assailants.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn1yUpodZB
Her long silver hair cascaded like liquid moonlight, almost divine in its radiance.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb277JsMpj
*"Whoa… An elf girl?!"* Lu Feng blurted out.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2kBaOyhzQ
Her beauty surpassed every idol from his world combined.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPQGzjeLwb
But this was no time to admire aesthetics.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6X28Tp5By
The black-clad figures reeked of malice, outnumbering her. She was clearly outmatched.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9RzPZuUQY
A surge of impulsiveness hit Lu Feng: *This is the perfect damsel-in-distress moment!*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZyUnU7VN9
Even in his own precarious situation, as a morally upright beta tester, how could he just *walk away*?
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWG3K5Zzft
"Hey! You lot—bullying a lone woman in broad daylight? What kind of cowards are you?!" He shouted.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbivYDctpAC
The moment the words left his mouth, the attackers’ attention snapped toward him.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN70IFEy9hM
One sneered, "Kid, scram if you wanna live!"
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl5OeFRQN9
Lu Feng smirked. *"Oh, you think I’m scared?"* He struck what he thought was a heroic pose. *"Today, justice gets served!"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyHwQ713Re
With that, he brandished his rock and charged.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy18tW4jxa
The black-clad figures scoffed, weapons flashing as they met his assault.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqCG3LPRyK
Chaos erupted.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSGnFfijCb
Lu Feng’s combat skills were mediocre at best, but his gamer reflexes and terrain knowledge kept him barely afloat.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpinivPyESJ
Yet the enemies were no pushovers—their coordination was flawless, attacks ruthless. Soon, Lu Feng was cornered.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQXFZsHFOI
*Crap, crap, crap! Is this where I bite the dust?!*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXXcnDKJzL
Just as despair set in, the elf girl *moved*.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjTNyIbSKY
Hands clasped, she chanted softly—then a *silver light* erupted from her, illuminating the entire lakeshore.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjuzMEAnNq
The attackers screamed as the radiance seared them, black smoke rising from their bodies.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDsey0vtII
*"This… Is this lunar magic?!"* Lu Feng gaped.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYaAJsD56L
*"Run! I can’t hold them long!"* The elf girl panted weakly.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUHQprKnN1
Lu Feng didn’t hesitate—he scooped her up and *bolted* toward Twilight Fortress.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2bzljjRsN
But the pursuers broke free, closing in fast.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjicHdPKCzd
*Ugh, these guys are like cockroaches!*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsoE5nmnKh
Then—*ambush*.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6724qyB9LH
The Shadow Cat reappeared, darting through shadows.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6X3fbglk
One by one, the black-clad figures collapsed, howling in agony.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vU6COcFeN
*"Xiao You, you legend!"* Lu Feng cheered internally.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAlF4fI7O3
With the cat’s help, they finally shook off the pursuers, reaching the fortress outskirts.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBGepP5lTO
*"Thank you… for saving me,"* the elf girl murmured gratefully.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz1Ror3SK2
*"No biggie. Couldn’t just leave you there,"* Lu Feng waved it off. *"What’s your name?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEck9c60vXv
*"Aylia,"* she whispered. *"I’m… the last heir of Moonlight Forest."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1h7bMukVn
*"Moonlight Forest?"* Lu Feng frowned. *"What’s that?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRyWC7X4h3
Aylia’s voice trembled. *"It was… the most beautiful woodland in this realm. Until the Blood Pact annihilated it."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EJNtXKsKT
*"Blood Pact?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBVyqLj694
*"A cult of dark cultivators,"* she spat. *"They slaughtered my kin… burned everything."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggtHv9K1u6
Lu Feng fell silent.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJvCipMEAW
Beneath this world’s serene surface festered unspeakable cruelty.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67J5FjD0tD
*"So… what now?"* He asked gently.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8oOMzrk1i
Aylia lifted her chin, eyes blazing. *"I’ll make them pay."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg1oxp0mYt
*"Need a hand?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9gmipzhwI
She hesitated. *"You’d… help me?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WCYIUUPIA
*"Sure,"* Lu Feng grinned. *"We’re friends now, right?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57w69RGkAg
Aylia smiled faintly. *"Thank you."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGos1DWhNQd
*"But the Blood Pact won’t go down easy,"* he warned.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa83K3mfH66
*"I know,"* she nodded. *"But I won’t give up."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjreq1HlmcX
*"Then let’s team up,"* Lu Feng declared. *"Together, we’ll kick their butts!"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTS4cV8cxA
As they stood side by side, gazing at Twilight Fortress, determination solidified.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJygCW68kG0
*"Oh, you never told me your name,"* Aylia suddenly said.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZTzuKX7An
Lu Feng paused dramatically. *"Call me…"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHLPA99R4p
He savored the suspense before grinning.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6MAvGdY2a
*"Lu Feng."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6xm8HeB9Z
Aylia’s breath hitched. Her gaze turned complex—recognition flickering.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2H1C0nzn0
*"I…"* She bit her lip.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarpulSF5Ur
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’?"*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijdAmfCxCi
Aylia burst into laughter—a sound like wind chimes. *"I’d be honored. For Moonlight Forest… and to repay my debt."*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8myVHMT6WZ
**Ding!** A game prompt echoed in Lu Feng’s head:
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJVxU5trWL
*[Congratulations! Hero Unit Recruited: Elf Princess Aylia! +10 EXP for "Cross-Realm Lord"!]*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLGDNWmgyP
*Heh. Feels like playing Heroes of Might and Magic IRL.*
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWRp3gp5l6
But just as he fantasized about their future crusade, a *guttural roar* shook the earth.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxuXiQ0GWW
The air itself grew heavy with primal dread.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAhd35U2ji
*"What now—Godzilla?!"* Lu Feng cursed, hairs standing on end.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOQ7YHwSoH
Aylia paled, gripping her staff.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUTc3b3xKn
Then—she seized his arm.
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpN8MV7vMz
**"Run."**
ns216.73.216.144da2
