After checking for snakes and insects, Lin Mo leaned against the tree with the Wolf Bone Sword placed within easy reach, closing his eyes for a brief rest.

His young body barely withstood the fatigue from a sleepless night, though it still somewhat affected his condition.

Ultimately, his constitution attribute was too low at only 4 points. If it had been enhanced like his strength and agility, he probably wouldn't feel so uncomfortable.

"Speaking of which, Brother Lin Mo, which team were you with before?"

During the break, Evan moved closer and asked curiously.

Lin Mo opened his eyes and shook his head: "I've never joined any team."

"You've always been alone?!"

Evan was instantly shocked. When he first started following Uncle Bern two years ago, he had experienced that difficult novice period, which was completely different from what he had imagined... While in town holding a wooden sword, he had fantasized about countless battle scenes, defeating enemies with all sorts of cool moves.

But when he entered the forest and faced real enemies, he couldn't even hold his sword steady, lacking the courage to fight even Goblins.

Fortunately, Uncle Bern had his back, allowing him to gradually grow into the qualified adventurer he was today.

Evan couldn't imagine at all how someone could face those hardships and dangers that had made him break down countless times.

Nearby, Bern and Miriam also looked over with surprised expressions.

Following the unspoken rules among adventurers, they hadn't previously probed for information about Lin Mo, but they were quite curious about this capable solo practitioner.

Why hadn't he joined an adventurer team, choosing instead to venture out alone?

He looked so young yet possessed considerable strength—when did he actually begin his adventuring career?

These questions seemed about to have their mysterious veil lifted today.

However, the truth spoken from this handsome youth's mouth gave them a sense of dreamlike absurdity.

"Pretty much, though actually it hasn't been many days. When I met you all, it was the second day of my adventuring career and only my second time leaving town."

Lin Mo thought about it and felt there was no need to mention the matter of Renn and the others. It was better not to let people know he had been conscripted into the forest to avoid potential future troubles.

"Just as I thought—a complete novice."

Cody crossed his arms while leaning against the tree, not surprised by this revelation.

He never doubted his judgment. Lin Mo's various mannerisms were no different from other novices he'd seen before, and during the previous battle, he had stayed hidden in the back, hesitant to engage.

What puzzled him was that the captain and the others didn't seem very familiar with this kid, meaning he wasn't someone who got in through connections?

The exclamations that followed interrupted his self-satisfied contemplation.

"Second day?!"

Bern, who always maintained a calm demeanor even when struggling against the Bloodsea Gang, completely lost his composure for the first time. He stood up, looking at Lin Mo with utter astonishment as if gazing upon a monster.

Indeed, he had always sensed a subtle peculiarity about Lin Mo. Some of his behaviors did resemble those of newcomers like Miriam.

But he had always thought this might be because Lin Mo chose to operate alone without joining a team.

Because the strength Lin Mo displayed had nothing in common with "novices" except that they were both human.

Even as a knight whose solo combat ability wasn't particularly strong, Bern didn't believe he could defeat Lin Mo—a stalemate where neither could overcome the other was more likely.

And it had taken him a full twenty years to progress from a complete beginner to his current strength!

Now he was suddenly being told that this young man before him was a pure novice who had been adventuring for less than a week?

This completely shattered his worldview—was this still the Doria Kingdom?

Bern's face showed complete disbelief, while Evan was rendered speechless, feeling like his past two years had been utterly wasted.

Only Cody remained confused, not understanding what the captain was so shocked about.

Vaguely, he seemed to recall what that kid called Evan had said during their first meeting: "He's really strong!"

But from beginning to end, he hadn't taken those words seriously.

A novice—no matter how strong, how powerful could he really be...

Besides, what Evan considered "strong" was probably just strong from his own perspective, right?

And to be blunt, Evan's ability was completely that of a rookie.

In this entire team, only Captain Bern's strength earned his recognition, and it was precisely because of him that Cody had chosen to temporarily join this team.

But now, seeing the genuine shock on Captain Bern's face, Cody couldn't help but fall into self-doubt.

Had he really misjudged? Did this kid actually have some real capability?

...

Until the rest period ended, the team didn't speak much more. Mainly because Lin Mo had completely killed the conversation, leaving the three team members in a state of self-reflection.

As the sun reached its zenith, they ate some simple provisions to replenish their energy before setting out again, officially entering the habitat range of the Cat Demons.

That being said, monster distribution was inherently vague. This area certainly didn't contain only Cat Demons, nor did entering guarantee quickly encountering them—everything still depended on luck.

Their team's luck didn't seem particularly good.

The scorching sunlight beat down, making people somewhat dizzy. It was early summer, and the temperature in the forest was high, with the air showing faint distortions.

In such weather, adventurers still wearing armor naturally suffered extreme heat. Lin Mo's clothes were soaked with sweat, while Bern and Evan were even worse off—both wore iron armor that became burning hot under the sun.

But this timing was crucial, leaving no room for rest.

Even diurnal monsters often chose to rest briefly during the hot afternoon, let alone creatures like Cat Demons that preferred nocturnal activity.

Noon was precisely when they were most relaxed, drowsy, and vulnerable.

The forest filled with the increasingly heavy breathing of the group. Lin Mo wiped sweat from his forehead and continued carefully scanning their surroundings.

At no time could they easily let down their guard.

This was the lesson that a young man named Barnes had taught him with his life.

Bern and Evan remained equally vigilant, while the assassin Cody leaped onto a branch to scout more distant areas.

Only Miriam seemed dispirited by the hot weather, but as a ranger walking in the middle of the formation, she wasn't in particular danger.

"Captain, spotted targets!"

Besides hiding in shadows waiting to ambush, assassins often served as the team's "information position."

As an experienced adventurer like Bern, Cody competently fulfilled his professional duties.

"40 degrees southeast, approximately four hundred meters away. Four Cat Demons total—two resting, one feeding..."

The team members immediately perked up, raising their alertness to maximum.

Seeing everyone's focused gazes, Bern drew his sword and pointed toward the direction Cody indicated, saying in a low voice: "Prepare for combat!"