Chapter 12: The Mountain Snail, Threat of the Steel Teeth Pig

Praying Power originated from quests, and a significant part of these quests stemmed from "killing".

For every new type of monster he killed, he would receive varying amounts of Praying Power.

The stronger and more challenging the monster was to kill, the more Praying Power he would receive after killing it.

Of course, this only applied to the first kill.

Like when he previously killed the white cotton rabbit, the Purple Quail, the Green Skull Ghost Spider, and now the brown-tailed roe deer, he received Praying Power, but no more would come from killing them again.

In addition, the creatures you kill must be from the "Monster Atlas"—although this "Monster Atlas" did not actually exist, Char believed there was such an atlas in some mysterious way.

Otherwise, a real world would have millions of animals at the very least, and if they were all monsters, wouldn't that be a mess?

Not to mention, in these days alone, the sheer variety of insects he had killed was countless.

If these insects were considered monsters, he would have already accumulated hundreds of strands of Praying Power; why would he be as constrained and strapped as he was now?

With the brown-tailed roe deer on his shoulder, pheasants and small birds in hand, and a bamboo basket fastened at his waist, Char moved effortlessly through the mountain forest.

He hadn't walked far when the Star Worm accompanying him suddenly emitted a faint light, drawing Char's attention.

"What's the matter?"

He paused.

The Star Worm fluttered back and forth for a bit, and Char, who had been with it for several days, immediately understood.

The Star Worm wanted him to follow.

He trusted the Star Worm completely.

Before he had managed to recruit the Lantern Firefly, it was the Star Worm that helped him survive the initial days, so even though he did not know what the Star Worm had discovered, Char followed without a second word.

Morning light swept past, and the Star Worm flew about ten meters before finally stopping on a rocky outcrop.

Most of this rock had been eroded by rainwater and was hollowed out, leaving only a moderately thick layer at the top, resembling an eave.

Seeing that both Char and the Lantern Firefly had caught up, the Star Worm lifted off again and flew under the eave; Char crouched down and glanced inside, only to see the inner wall was densely covered with spiral "Mo Yu".

The system text popped up in time.

[Mo Yu Snail]

[Introduction]: The Mo Yu Snail, also known as the "mountain snail", is one of the delicacies cherished by the Florentine people due to its unique taste and medicinal value that has gained fame worldwide. Although Mo Yu Snails are widely distributed, they are scarce and relatively common only in the Florence Forest. Florentines believe that eating Mo Yu Snails can cure illnesses, and indeed, the snails do contain a trace amount of Magic Power, which mages often use to craft potions that enhance Magic Power.

Compared to Demon Beasts like the Green Skull Ghost Spider, the Mo Yu Snail's profile was even simpler, lacking both Skills and a Challenge Level and only presenting a basic introduction.

But this didn't stop Char's eyes from lighting up because the system had already clearly indicated to him that this thing was rare and delicious.

Since his arrival in this world, he had yet to taste anything truly delicious.

Even roasted rabbit meat, roasted partridge, or roasted eggs were far from delicious without seasonings.

Thrilled by the discovery, Char immediately began prying the tightly adhered Mo Yu Snails off the rock wall with his dagger.

Beads of moist "Mo Yu" fell, dropping into the bamboo basket waiting below.

Just then, the nearby Lantern Firefly stirred, the membranes of its wings buzzing as it swiftly moved to shield Char.

Suddenly, the grass beside them shook, and one after another, a few little boars popped out.

[Little Steel Toothed Pig]

[Skills]: Fierce Body Charge (0 circle)

[Challenge Level]: 1/4

[Introduction]: The offspring of the Steel Teeth Pig, originally just ordinary wild boars, but apparently underwent a mutation after gnawing on an abundance of Mo Yu Snails, their bones and fur grew tough, and their fangs became as solid and sharp as steel, capable of unleashing an "X"-shaped steel toothed assault in mid-air.

Char was startled, these Steel Teeth Pigs had clearly evolved after consuming the Mo Yu Snails, and these little Steel Toothed Pigs were here foraging for food.

Without any doubt, these Steel Teeth Pigs had made this place their feeding ground, and now they had unexpectedly come face-to-face with Char.

Suddenly confronted by a human, the little piglets were visibly taken aback, but then the little Steel Toothed Pigs displayed their wild and aggressive nature as demon beasts.

They didn't flee, instead, they took the initiative to attack.

Char faintly saw a thin layer of steel-colored shimmer flit across the body of the little Steel Toothed Pigs, and then the leading piglet charged at him like a small cannonball.

"Fierce Body Charge"!

A red shadow flashed, and the charging little cannon came to a sudden stop, as the Lantern Firefly struck,"True Red Thorn" activated, pinning the leading Steel Teeth Piglet to the ground with a single thrust, and then swung its lantern!

Several points of Red Glow were flung out, flying like candle flames in different directions, and lightning-fast struck the rest of the piglets that were also ready to launch a "Fierce Body Charge".

The seemingly frail Red Glow revealed a shocking impact force, directly flinging the little boars into the air, sending them squealing chaotically mid-flight.

The "Red Glow" quickly spread over the skin of the Steel Teeth Pigs, which was hard like steel needles, burning them and causing their cries to become even more distressing.

Quickly, the Lantern Firefly drew its sword, flying toward those piglets struck by the "Red Glow", delivering the finishing blows and swiftly ending their suffering.

In just a few seconds, the Lantern Firefly had sent the little boars off.

This was not surprising, as in "Mobile Castle·Fantasy Forest," the gap between level 1 creatures wasn't large—the maximum level in "Mobile Castle·Fantasy Forest" was 120, and the level 1 disparity was negligible.

However, within the DND worldview, a level 1 gap was significant, and overcoming such a challenge was almost impossible. If a gap of one level could be so daunting, let alone the challenge level.

If the Challenge Level was one higher, don't even think about taking it on—better run as far as possible when you encounter it, as that might be the only chance of survival.

The Lantern Firefly's Challenge Level was a full level, and more, above that of the Steel Teeth Piglets, and with the added advantage of flight, how could the Steel Teeth Piglets possibly resist?

However, although the Lantern Firefly easily dealt with the Steel Teeth Piglets, providing Char with two wisps of Praying Power and a generous supply of meat—adult wild boar meat is tough to chew, with a strong stench, but young wild boar is not, and its taste is quite good.

Yet, Char's expression did not improve because of this.

The presence of little wild boars here suggested the Wild Boar Mother was not far off, and perhaps not just her, but an entire tribe of Steel Teeth Pigs.

This was definitely a significant threat to Char.