Chapter 2: Setting the Stage — Choosing Weapons

The group carefully surveyed their surroundings — a dense forest with towering trees, exotic flowers, and seemingly lifeless bushes that surpassed their height. Despite the vibrant appearance, an eerie stillness lingered in the air.

"Bu...but, we haven't eaten anything all day," a voice, thin as a mosquito's, broke the silence at an inopportune moment.

The leader's gaze swept past the front-row individuals, fixing on the source of the sound — a slightly chubby youth. Startled, he collapsed to the ground at the intimidating presence.

"Ssh...ssh..."

The leader approached the trembling youth step by step. Those in the front instinctively lowered their heads, making way for him.

The youth felt a massive black shadow looming over him. Trembling, his baby fat seemed to squeeze together as he shivered, making his round cheeks even more pronounced.

After a long while without any movement from the looming figure, the youth cautiously raised his head, only to quickly lower it again.

"Continue," the leader said, crouching down without a hint of emotion.

The youth didn't immediately grasp the leader's meaning. Instinctively, he prostrated himself on the ground, stammering, "Not me, not me, I didn't...not me..."

Panic-stricken, he kept his head low, seemingly believing that if he made himself small enough, the looming figure would ignore him.

"What's the hurry? Keep going," the leader said, surprisingly with an encouraging tone. The atmosphere relaxed a bit.

The youth, hearing the slight warmth in the words, found a measure of peace. Taking a deep breath, he nervously explained, "This place looks...looks deserted. There might be...wild animals. We haven't eaten all day, and we're too weak."

The youth, still feeling uneasy, observed the leader's reaction. Seeing no immediate response, he relaxed a little.

"Ah!!!!"

Blood splattered, and the surrounding people screamed involuntarily. After the outcry, they realized the youth's head had been severed from his body.

Dong Lier and Ah Long were closest to the youth, and blood splattered on them almost instantly. Dong Lier reacted swiftly, covering Ah Long's eyes.

Ah Long stood still, allowing Dong Lier to cover his eyes. He seemed unaffected, absorbing the calming touch on his back.

For a moment, Ah Long remained motionless, then he shook his head, indicating that he was okay. Dong Lier let go, using her not-so-clean sleeve to wipe the bloodstains off Ah Long's face.

After a couple of wipes, Dong Lier shook her head with a wry smile, thinking, 'Ah Long must be fearless. He didn't react at all when the shooting happened.'

These actions of Dong Lier caught the leader's eye. He glanced at Dong Lier, showing a mix of appreciation and curiosity.

"Here, we don't tolerate disobedience. This is the second warning. I'll only say it once — follow orders, and you'll be fine!" With that, the leader walked toward the weapon rack.

The leader continued, "Begin choosing your weapons."

The group approached the rack, staring at the variety of weapons available — knives, swords, short spears, whips, daggers... almost anything one could think of.

Uncertain about how to use them and if they were suitable for themselves, they hesitated while observing each other's choices.

Dong Lier glanced at Ah Long, who had already made his choice. He went for a belt concealed with circular throwing knives.

The belt seemed to be made of some sturdy material, neatly holding eight throwing knives on its inner side. Each knife exuded a chilling aura.

Ah Long took out one of the knives, comparing it in his hand before putting it back into the belt, which he then wrapped around his waist.

Dong Lier could tell Ah Long had made his decision. With a smaller stature, limited strength, and good agility, throwing knives were indeed a suitable choice for him.

In the same group, Liu Xiaojiu chose a curved sword. Yu Hao opted for a concealed dagger, and Congwen Hu selected a long staff.

After arming themselves, the leader stated, "This is your first night here. Learn quickly, adapt faster. Tomorrow, more challenges await you. Those who survive will progress. Those who don't... well, you understand."

The group exchanged glances, realizing that their journey had just begun, and more trials awaited them. As the night fell, they settled in, knowing that they needed each other's support to face the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

"Use this, it should be suitable for her." Ah Long appeared out of nowhere, holding a sleeve arrow.

Dong Lier's eyes sparkled as she took the sleeve arrow from Ah Long, gesturing and muttering to herself. "Ah Long, you're really smart! I love it."

Ah Long, watching Dong Lier's joyful expression, couldn't help but smile. "She said she loves it. No one has ever said such a thing to me. Maybe I'm not so bad after all," Ah Long thought, his eyes brightening.

"To use it, fix it around your wrist. There's a mechanism here. In case of danger, aim at the target, pull this, and the arrowhead will shoot out. Got it?" Dong Lier patiently explained the use of the sleeve arrow to He Fei, who nodded with a somewhat confused expression.

Ah Long, observing Dong Lier's familiarity with the sleeve arrow, felt a bit surprised. This group had been captured from different places, and Dong Lier, with her sturdy build and strength, seemed to be different from the ordinary girls. Ah Long wondered if she was from a martial arts family.

Dong Lier noticed Ah Long's gaze but didn't show it. Instead, she continued instructing He Fei, who seemed puzzled.

"It's okay. You'll have plenty of chances to use it. Use it a few times, and you'll understand."

After finishing, Dong Lier pulled both of them towards where Liu Xiaojiu and the others were standing.

By now, Yu Hao and Congwen Hu had also chosen their weapons. Yu Hao carried a ox-horn bow on his back, while Congwen Hu wielded a long sword. Watching Congwen Hu swing the sword casually, Dong Lier could tell he had some skills.

She couldn't help but feel fortunate. Perhaps this journey would be easier for her. It seemed like fate was favoring her.

Once everyone had chosen their weapons, it was completely dark outside. If not for the torches held by the black-clothed individuals nearby, they would be in complete darkness.

"Next, take your weapons. According to the previous grouping, enter the forest one after another. Inside the forest, there are no rules. We'll meet here three days later at the Rooster Hour," the leader said, raising his hand.

A black-clothed individual immediately understood, approached, and handed over a piece of paper. It recorded the time each group took to choose their weapons. The leader glanced at it, nodding to signal the start.

"You, the first group, go in," the black-clothed person pointed to the group directly opposite Dong Lier's.

The first group was a bit surprised to be named first, but they followed the command and hesitantly walked forward. After a while, only the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the calls of birds and animals remained.

"You, the second group," this time it was the group on Dong Lier's right.

Dong Lier had noticed this group earlier. Unlike the others, this group consisted entirely of girls. Dong Lier found it hard to believe it was a coincidence. Examining their sizes, similar to hers, and their choice of delicate weapons, Dong Lier couldn't help but pay more attention.

The black-clothed person named Dong Lier's group. They started walking towards the deeper part of the forest, and their steps were light and composed.

...

"You, the sixth group."

Dong Lier's group was called this time. He Fei almost burst into tears at the sudden mention of their group. Nobody knew what awaited them inside the forest, and the unknown was the most terrifying.

He Fei looked at the black-clothed person, then up at the pitch-black sky, seemingly ready to face death. As she was about to step forward, Dong Lier grabbed her.

"Don't worry; we'll protect you. Come with us." Dong Lier pulled He Fei with one hand and followed the group with determined steps.

Ah Long kept a close eye on Dong Lier's movements. Seeing her like this, he felt relieved and more determined. "I'll protect you too," Ah Long thought, with a resolute step.

As the group proceeded, Liu Xiaojiu took the lead, clearing the way with his large knife whenever they encountered obstacles. Congwen Hu guarded the right, Dong Lier the left, Ah Long at the rear, and He Fei and Yu Hao in the middle.

It was pitch dark, and they didn't know where the other groups were or when the following groups would catch up. Dong Lier's group, however, encountered no fierce beasts, making their journey relatively smooth.

"Bang...click..."

He Fei suddenly fainted, and the sound of broken twigs echoed.

Startled by the sudden noise, everyone looked around. "He Fei, He Fei, wake up!" Dong Lier squatted down, gently shaking He Fei, but there was no response.

"She just fainted from hunger," Yu Hao examined He Fei's exposed skin and concluded. 

Talking about hunger made everyone subconsciously touch their stomachs.

Suddenly, Ah Long spoke up, "Listen carefully. There seems to be the sound of flowing water around."

The forest was silent, and everyone, holding their breath, strained to listen. The almost inaudible sound of water flowing became clearer.

"Staying here isn't an option. I'll carry her, Ah Long, you lead the way. When we find the stream, we'll rest and make a plan," Liu Xiaojiu suggested, and everyone agreed.

"Good."

"Then, I'll be at the back," Congwen Hu volunteered.

After a brief discussion, the group continued forward in their designated positions. Ah Long led, with a dart held tightly in his hand, ready to react to any danger. The journey continued, and after a while, the faint sound of flowing water became more audible.

"Ssss...ssss..."

Hearing the noise, the group instinctively gathered in the middle, facing all directions.

At this moment, Yu Hao had already nocked an arrow on his bow, ready to shoot as soon as something showed itself. Congwen Hu unsheathed his sword, staying vigilant in the direction of the disturbance.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom..."

Suddenly, a black shadow charged towards the group.

"There!," Yu Hao shouted, releasing the tension on the bowstring, and the arrow grazed past the side of the black shadow. Although it was a close call, considering Yu Hao's age, it was indeed a skilled shot.

However, the mysterious black figure, with incredible speed, managed to evade the arrow. It swiftly changed direction upon seeing the arrow coming towards it, displaying remarkable agility.

"Now what?" Yu Hao kept his eyes on the black shadow, slightly turning his head to ask the others.

"I'll distract it," Dong Lier looked at Liu Xiaojiu's back, where He Fei was, contemplating for a moment before speaking.

If they all gathered together, the target would be obvious, making it inconvenient for everyone to escape. Moreover, after traveling for half a day, they were already exhausted. They had no choice but to take a risk.

"I'll go with you," Ah Long grabbed Dong Lier's sleeve, his eyes filled with concern.

Dong Lier, feigning ease, smiled and replied, "Trust me! I'm pretty capable."

Despite her words, Ah Long still tightly held onto Dong Lier's sleeve, showing no signs of letting go.

Dong Lier looked at the sky with a somewhat speechless expression, thinking, "Okay, then. You and Yu Hao stay back, and Congwen Hu, protect Liu Xiaojiu and He Fei."

Given Dong Lier's performance, the others weren't sure where her confidence came from, but seeing her earnest expression, they hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Dong Lier then dismantled the sleeve arrow from He Fei's hand and secured it to her own arm. After that, she cautiously moved toward the direction where the black shadow was.

The black shadow, having been shot by Yu Hao's arrow, was bleeding, making it somewhat hesitant. It circled around the group, seemingly undecided on whether to continue approaching.

Taking advantage of this, Dong Lier quietly circled around to the back of the black shadow, staying out of sight from the others. Ah Long only realized he had been deceived when she disappeared from view.

Thinking that Dong Lier planned to confront the black shadow near the group, Ah Long felt worried. But in reality, Dong Lier had moved far enough away that she was no longer visible to anyone.