11 - Ling Huan

[You have acquired the title "River Claw"!]

'Attributes, and now titles…what a good game-like system.'

Tang Han was slightly surprised by this title. He had previously suspected such a feature existed, but he hadn't expected it to appear so quickly.

[River Claw!]

Type: Title

Description:

This title Increases attack power by 25% when facing all aquatic creatures and reduces their overall strength by 10%.

'Not bad!'

Tang Han muttered, satisfied with this unexpected gain. This title was extremely useful!

After examining the title momentarily, he didn't waste any more time and quickly stored the golden carp he had caught in [Storage]. He turned, ready to leave the water, but suddenly noticed another faint golden glimmer deep in the river, shimmering softly in the darkness.

'Hmm? Another golden carp? Why do I always stumble upon other things while trying to eat?'

The light's reflection in his keen eyes made him frown, and he muttered to himself. A strange instinct pulled him downward, but he restrained himself for a moment. He decided to surface first to replenish his air supply before diving again.

"Splash!"

He gracefully emerged from the water, took a deep breath, and immediately dived back into the river, this time heading directly toward the source of the light. With his swimming speed and water skills, he reached the riverbed in seconds, where the light source was partially buried in the mud.

'…Not a carp?'

Despite the darkness, Tang Han could see clearly. The golden light source was buried in the dirt.

'Is this… a treasure?'

His sharp eyes examined it before cautiously extending his claws to sweep away some of the dirt. With each movement, the shape became clearer. It was a rectangular object, resembling an ancient waterstone, but when he completely removed the mud, its true form was revealed—it was a book!

Its title read: [Tome of Fate's Inevitability]!

'Hmm? What's this? A cultivation technique? Damn, the name is incredible!'

He couldn't hide the excitement flaring up inside him. How had a book with such a powerful name ended up at the bottom like this? Had it belonged to someone? Had it fallen by accident, or was it deliberately hidden here?

'Oh… Could it be a legendary cultivation technique? Tsk tsk, I must have stolen someone's fated opportunity…'

'Thinking about it, this is a chance to test that cultivation attribute.'

Tang Han couldn't help but smile—this book was an unexpected treasure. Then, he looked at the book again. Regardless of everything, he had no plans to return it. "Opportunities belong to those who take them," right?

Silently, he stored the book inside [Storage] and then swam back to the surface.

As soon as he emerged, he quickly dried himself off. The weather was cold, and he had spent a long time in the river.

'Hmm... I need to find some branches.'

Tang Han looked around, planning to find something to start cooking with, but he saw someone approaching him in the distance.

'What now? This is getting annoying! Just let me eat, for god's sake!'

He frowned and saw the figure;

It was a fat man in a white robe running toward him. He looked sweaty and breathless, his plain—or perhaps below-average—face flushed red from exertion. His hair was tied back messily, and his features held no remarkable traits. However, what caught Tang Han's attention the most was his expression…

The moment the man saw him, terror flashed in his eyes. Then, a mix of kindness and fear followed. Despite his breathlessness and exhaustion, his emotions were not lost on Tang Han's sharp gaze, making him feel puzzled. Who was this man?

'Strange... Why is he looking at me like that?'

Tang Han didn't feel afraid of him, nor did his instincts warn him of any danger. He maintained a safe distance and observed him calmly.

"Huff… Huff…"

The fat man was panting heavily, looking utterly exhausted as if he had run a marathon. His breaths were ragged, and it took him minutes to calm himself. He drank some water, and once his face regained some color, he respectfully bowed toward the black cat—Tang Han.

"Greetings, esteemed sir. I am Ling Huan, a wandering cultivator from Qing Village at the foot of Mount Ming."

Tang Han frowned, unable to shake off his suspicion.

'Is talking to beasts s normal thing in this world? Or is he specifically targeting me? I haven't seen any half-intelligent beasts other than the golden carp so far, so the second option is more likely… but why?'

Tang Han didn't understand.

Ling Huan, the chubby young man, noticed the silent cat's gaze and smiled sheepishly before lowering his head and saying in a low voice, "I swear I am not suspicious!"

"Ah… But saying that makes me seem even more suspicious…"

"Hmm, esteemed sir, you could communicate with me by writing on the ground with… Oh, wait."

He looked around, then randomly picked up a dry branch and wrote:"I am Ling Huan."

'Interesting…'

Tang Han suddenly felt that this young man wasn't as simple as he seemed.

Tang Han took the branch and wrote: "Tang Han."

A bright light flashed in Ling Huan's eyes, and he spoke with his round cheeks slightly flushed, "To be honest, I came to you for one reason: I want to trade with you!"

'Just as I thought, he came to see me personally… How and why? Hmm, this world is deeper than I expected…'

'Shouldn't the beginning of my story be about leveling up by slaying beasts and gaining skills? This's what I call - plot change....'

Tang Han wrote on the ground with the branch:"Alright, what will you offer in return?"

Without waiting for Ling Huan to answer, Tang Han instantly activated a skill—[Terror]!

"Whoosh!!"

"Ah!"

Ling Huan collapsed to the ground, his face turning pale. Fear gripped his chest like a shadow of death brushing against his heart. His eyes widened in horror as he stared at the black cat!

Quitely, Tang Han wrote another question:"Who are you, and what do you know about me?"