Crossing the River

Hank excitedly pushed the boat to the lake and hopped in without much thought.

Kenjaku and Kevin followed.

Just like that, the wooden boat that they built painstakingly was finally put to use. As the boat floated above the water, Kenjaku had a sense of accomplishment.

However, it didn't last long as the wooden boat began to shake.

"In addition, we still need to protect the boat against these damned piranhas to cross safely. Once damaged, it will sink and we won't have a choice but to swim.

With a strong physique, Hank took it upon himself to row the boat. He kept rowing which made the boat gradually pick up its speed and gather a strong momentum. Unlike on Earth, the strength of humans in this world is enhanced. This made Hank, who was above level 15, row effortlessly, and the boat was almost at the speed of an average road bike.

Kenjaku stood guard on Hank's left with his daggers ready while Kevin stood on the right with his saber pointed at the black shadows on the surface of the water.

They didn't have to wait before the Piranhas head resurfaced in the water. Following that, their eyes glowed yellow light as they accumulated force for their scene.

With continuous splashes in the water, six Piranhas shot into the air, their heads and sharp teeth pointed at the group.

With his saber, Kevin immediately used his skill, causing the saber to produce a buzzing sound. He waited for the right time when one piranha in arms reached; he hacked his saber, successfully beheading it. The spurt of blood hit Kevin on the shoulders but he didn't have time for distraction because more and more piranhas began to jump one after another. In every four waves of piranha, he could kill two to three, but there's always one that he couldn't take care of and had to dodge.

Kenjaku didn't stay on the boat. He used the bodies of the fish in the air to cushion his feet, effectively killing them before they could even attack.

"Hank! This high-intensity battle is draining for our stamina. I won't last long with this kind of pace. My cardio isn't as good as yours."

"I'm doing my best here! Damn it!" Hank rowed crazily, waves after waves were created on the trail of the boat.

In just a few minutes, the wooden boat began to be riddled with holes and the river began to be dyed with blood, turning the puddle of water in the river to look like dirty blood. Fortunately, the distance between them and the shore had been greatly shortened, and it would only take another few seconds to arrive.

Dylan watched the group's struggle against the fish with a hint of amusement. Unfortunately, he didn't have a long-range attack to help at such a distance. He looked at Orochi who was sitting crossed-legged in the air with his eyes closed and asked:

"Hey, won't you really help your members? After all, they didn't leave you when you're about to die."

Orochi didn't even spare Dylan a glance. With no response, Dylan could only watch helplessly. His Firebody and Buster Tongue's range weren't sufficient. If push comes to shove, he'll have to use his Fly skill and help them.

Honestly, he still needs their help so it would be bad if they die halfway.

Kevin's labored breathing and trembling arms, as he struck the flying piranhas in the direction one after another, signified the effort that he needed to make. Suddenly, a piranha changed its trajectory mid-air, causing Kevin to miscalculate and miss.

The mouth of the piranha was wide open, intending to gnaw Kevin's head in one breath.

'Shit!' In the face of death, Kevin felt his heart turn cold, and his perception of time slowed down significantly.

Before the big piranha could take a chomp. A black-red energy suddenly appeared and blasted it to pieces. Every bit of piece had been swallowed from flesh to the tiniest drop of blood.

Kevin felt a warmth in his heart. As expected, Orochi would help them when things get serious!

With that, the wooden boat gradually broke to pieces as it reached the land. A flame erupted on Dylan's body and took the shape of a dragon, burning the piranhas that were still hot on the chase.

The piranhas couldn't even last a second before they turned to ashes scattered in the wind.

Kenjaku was the first to land followed by Kevin and Hank. "Fucking finally!"

"This river puts so much trouble. Fortunately, those piranhas weren't too strong. There's just a lot of them and they're too persistent."

Kenjaku sat on the ground with difficulty. He was forced to this extent just at the first obstacle already drained him of his stamina. How about the second and third? A bitter smile appeared on his face.

He looked at Dylan resentfully and at Orochi. "You could've stayed in the boat with us instead of going ahead with yourselves."

"Shut up." Orochi gave Kenjaku an intense glare which made the latter shudder.

Kenjaku was afraid that Orochi would do something impulsive. After all, it was a fact that he abandoned him for survival in the Green Beast Forest.

Dylan could only chuckle. He took out three red potions and threw them at them. "Take this. Consider it as my compensation for not helping."

Kevin and Hank stared at the shimmery red liquid inside the bottle in a daze. Hank blinked twice and drank the potion.

"W-wait?! Isn't this an intermediate-grade potion!!?"

Hank could feel his health was filled in just a minute, and the vigor in his body reignited.

What does this mean? The potion wasn't a low-level one!

"Yes, it was 1 gold coin per bottle. A little expensive if I must say." Dylan chuckled.

"What? Just a little expensive? It's expensive as hell!" Hank exclaimed and then drank the potion to recover his energy as well. "You're really a lot richer than us now. Say, are you doing some shady business or something?"

"It's all things to the hard workers under me," Dylan said with a meaningful smile. His equipment from head to toe and his pocket are all thanks to his goblin workers after all.