20-The Wild Boar Forest To Conquer!

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With a piercing squeal, the wild boar struggled for a few more breaths before finally going still. 

Su Mo eyed the boar he'd just killed, puzzled. 

So close to Tianfu City, and an escaped instance monster shows up?! 

Escaped Instance Monster: A creature that, for some unknown reason, breaks free from its instance. 

Unlike in-instance monsters, their corpses don't vanish after being killed. They still grant experience, but no gear drops—not even from bosses. 

Jiang Xueting, clad in a sleek navy outfit that hugged her agile frame, stood nearby. Her long, toned legs and tight waist gave her the look of a nimble cheetah. 

Her jet-black hair was tied high, stray strands dancing in the breeze, exuding a wild, spirited vibe. 

In a few swift steps, she reached Su Mo, her brows slightly furrowed as she asked, "You okay?" 

Su Mo shook his head, leapt off the boar's head, and kicked its jaw with his left leg. 

The 15-meter-long beast flew upward, spinning 180 degrees in the air before crashing back down with a heavy thud. 

The 2.5-meter Zhanmadao stood upright where it landed, its already red handle now glaringly vivid with the boar's blood. 

Jiang Xueting's pupils shrank at the sight. 

This guy—just now, with no skills, using pure strength, he'd sent that escaped monster flying! 

What terrifying power! 

He looked young, still in a Tianfu High uniform—another student, maybe? 

But how could a peer have this kind of strength? 

A family scion, perhaps? 

Stepping forward, she gave Su Mo a slight bow. "Hi, I'm Jiang Xueting. Thanks for earlier." 

"Su Mo." 

His curt reply threw her off a bit. Her mind raced—any prominent Su families nearby? 

Su Mo ignored her, stepping forward to grip the blood-red blade. With a flourish, he sliced open the boar's belly, spilling its colorful guts everywhere. 

Escaped monsters' only value lay in their parts, but Su Mo had no clue which were worth anything. 

No big deal—he'd just carve off some meat for his sister. Heard it was great for the body. 

He hacked off a 30-pound chunk and stashed it in his system inventory. 

Jiang Xueting watched silently from a distance, not interrupting. 

Seeing him take just 30 pounds and ditch the massive corpse reinforced her guess—he must be from a big family. 

Escaped beasts' real value was in their bones, hides, and select organs. 

Yet Su Mo didn't even glance at those—just grabbed some meat. 

In truth, he didn't know what was valuable. Even if he did, he wouldn't bother. 

With 8 million in his pocket, scavenging junk parts wasn't worth it—farming instances for gear was way faster. 

The meat? He just wanted to eat it. 

"Su Mo, you here to run the instance?" 

He nodded, silent. 

"Alone? Where's your team?" 

"Don't have one." 

Her eyes lit up, and she jumped at the chance. "My team's short an attacker—want to join us?" 

Su Mo paused, almost laughing at her nerve. 

He'd just saved her from that monster, and now she wanted him to carry her through the instance—splitting his experience? No way! 

Without hesitation, he said, "No thanks—I'm good solo." 

Jiang Xueting opened her mouth to argue, but spotting her teammates approaching, she gave Su Mo a quick "Take care" and left. 

Two guys and a girl joined her. The woman spoke first. "Xueting, who was that guy?" 

"No big deal—he just helped me kill an escaped monster." 

"Solo? Seems he's got some chops. Wonder which family he's from." 

"I didn't get to ask once you guys showed up." 

"No worries—we'll see him at the exams soon enough." 

… 

Su Mo trekked onward with his blade, soon reaching the Boar Forest instance. 

Unlike the desolate 5-Kilometers Slope, this place buzzed with activity—a makeshift market lined the path. 

Groups hawked wares, recruited teammates, offered pro carries, sold gear—you name it. 

Even a few trading houses had set up branches. 

Walking the short street, Su Mo got five or six team invites. 

Some were paid carries, but he brushed them all off. 

Not even counting the ones charging cash—after rejecting that woman earlier, no way he'd team up. 

These people would leech his experience and his money? Dream on. 

He didn't stop, heading straight to the entrance. Under stunned gazes, he picked Hell difficulty and stepped in. 

"Holy crap, that kid's nuts—did he just pick Hell mode?" 

"I've been at Boar Forest forever—first time I've seen someone this reckless." 

"Sure, I've seen people die, but dying this way? That's a new one." 

"If I'd known he was suicidal, I'd have bought that gear off him cheap—such a waste losing it in there." 

"Yeah, that blade looked badass. Shame—a fine weapon like that." 

"Kids these days…" 

… 

Inside, Su Mo gazed at the primal forest and took a deep breath of crisp air. 

The outside wasn't bad, but this was a cut above. 

If anyone else saw him, they'd probably yell at him! 

Hell difficulty, and he's strolling in, soaking up nature instead of staying on guard? That's asking to die! 

But for Su Mo? Defense? What's that? Do I need it? 

Since awakening, he'd never known the word "defense"! 

As a dedicated damage-dealer, his job was to attack—his body could handle the rest! 

Rustling came from the brush ahead. Three 7-to-8-meter-long boars charged, eyes blazing red. 

[Slash!] 

A flash of steel—two 120-kilogram pig heads sailed off into the distance. 

The last boar barreled toward him. Su Mo stretched out a hand, grabbing its tusk mid-charge. 

With a slight flex, he hoisted the two-ton beast off the ground! 

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