Entwining Vines

The corpse of the One-Eyed Frog King indeed disturbed the underwater creatures, swiftly attracting a horde of corpse beasts. Soon, the water's surface was dotted with black-and-white striped sea spiders. Although the One-Eyed Frog King was merely a second-level monster, its flesh, as a leader-class creature, was evidently extraordinary. Once thrown into the water, it caused a commotion, drawing numerous corpse beasts and sea spiders that quickly overwhelmed its massive body.

Those unable to feast upon the corpse began climbing up the balcony, advancing towards the trio.

"An opportunity presents itself," Long remarked, not the least bit frightened. He did not regard these lower-level corpse beasts and sea spiders as threats.

"Simon, what level are these giant spiders?" Long inquired, gripping his steel shovel, ready to confront the encroaching creatures.

"They're called sea spiders, third-level ordinary monsters," Simon explained, seizing his iron rod and stepping forward.

"Third level? Excellent." Long, a fourth-level spirit warrior, knew that slaying third-level monsters would yield valuable spirit sources. He swung his steel shovel, striking a lower-level corpse beast, sending it tumbling inward.

"Millie, this one's yours. Kill it and the spirit source will help your wound heal faster," Long said, charging towards another sea spider.

"Be cautious not to get bitten by the sea spiders—they're venomous," Simon warned as he advanced.

Suddenly, a figure darted past him—Millie. Ignoring her pain, she surged ahead, targeting not the lowly corpse beast that Long had struck but a sea spider instead.

She disregarded the minor prey, aiming straight for the sea spiders. One, the size of a basin, leapt at her, fangs bared. Millie's left hand extended, summoning vine-like tendrils from her palm. These entwined around the sea spider like a serpent, immobilizing it. Her right hand, wielding the machete, struck down swiftly.

With a faint hiss, the sea spider was cleaved in two, its viscous innards splattering. Millie absorbed a spirit source, and her chest wound began healing visibly, shrinking rapidly. The efficacy of the sea spider's spirit source far surpassed that of lower-level corpse beasts, accelerating her recovery in mere moments.

"Millie is quite formidable," Simon observed, watching Millie effortlessly dispatch two more sea spiders. The green vine shot from her left hand entwined them while her right hand's machete delivered swift kills.

Though agile, the sea spiders could not evade the grasp of her vine.

"Millie, what is that vine from your left hand?" Long, having just killed his second sea spider, looked on with bright eyes and couldn't help but ask.

"This is the 'Entwining Vine'," Millie responded, simultaneously slaying a third sea spider.

Simon also dispatched a sea spider with his iron rod, then kicked two lower-level corpse beasts back into the water.

By now, the One-Eyed Frog King's corpse had been completely dragged into the depths, dispersing the sea spiders that had swarmed it. Only a few lower-level corpse beasts remained, floating in the water.

"What a pity," Long muttered, itching for more action. "I'd love to go down and kill a few more sea spiders. But their nest is below, with too many of them, and they're venomous. It's too dangerous—one bite and we're in trouble."

Simon felt similarly. He needed seventeen more spirit sources to advance, and with enough sea spiders, reaching level four wouldn't be difficult. But the risks were high—if they were surrounded by swarms of sea spiders, especially considering the unknown terrors of the spider queen, it would be perilous. After all, even the second-level leader, the One-Eyed Frog King, had been challenging enough.

"Shall we give it another try?" Millie asked Long, ignoring Simon's opinion.

Long quickly shook his head. "The underwater realm isn't our territory—it's too risky. Besides, nightfall is approaching. We should rest and regain our strength, then hunt them from the rooftop where it's safer."

Millie considered his words and agreed. Charging into the sea spider's nest was too dangerous, so she abandoned the tempting thought.

"Let's head back. Lily is probably getting anxious," Simon suggested, glancing at Millie's chest. Her wound had vanished.

Having absorbed the spirit sources of three sea spiders, her healing was remarkable. In a short time, the wound had fully healed, leaving her skin as smooth and white as snow, without a trace of the severe injury from moments before.

Noticing Simon's gaze lingering on her chest, Millie hastily covered herself and cast him a strange look.

Simon, feeling like he was being perceived as a lecher, quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand, I was just checking on your wound's healing progress."

Ignoring his explanation, Millie turned and walked away.

Long immediately leaned in and whispered, "Simon, what's going on? She seems to have a problem with you. Did you take advantage of her?"

Simon replied softly, "I have a girlfriend. Why would I take advantage of her? I think she's just overthinking it."

Long chuckled, clearly not believing Simon's explanation, and patted him on the shoulder. "We're all men here; no need to explain. Sometimes women's thoughts and actions are quite the opposite. She might actually have a crush on you."

Simon said, "I think she likes you more than me. I don't see any signs of her liking me."

Long shook his head, "No, she respects me. That's not romantic interest. I did have some thoughts about her, but it looks like there's no chance. You, on the other hand, might have some hope."

Simon looked at Long, exasperated. "Brother Long, you're almost forty. Are you seriously interested in a girl in her early twenties? That's nearly a generational gap."

Long gave him a look and said, "The new trend is that middle age starts at forty-five. Like you, I'm still considered a young man. Why can't I pursue my love? Besides, in love, does age matter? There are plenty of men in their fifties and sixties marrying women in their twenties."

"Alright, you're right. Then you'd better seize the opportunity."

Long laughed quietly, "I'd love to, but it looks like there's no hope. Let's go. No point in thinking about unrealistic things. We should focus on what to eat and preparing for tonight's hunt."