The squad enduring the scorching sun's journey received their corresponding reward.

Everyone crouched low in the grass, peering ahead. Just as Cody had reported earlier, two cat demons were curled up under a tree dozing, while another had just finished eating and was licking its paws.

The remaining one was pretending to survey the surroundings, but its energy was clearly depleted, appearing drowsy and lethargic.

Bern glanced toward Cody, and the newly joined assassin immediately understood the unspoken command. He reversed his grip on the short sword, slowly taking a deep breath.

Cat demons weren't like goblins—they weren't so easily dealt with. Although there were only four opponents against their five-person team, three of their members were unreliable newcomers. A direct frontal assault would certainly lead to victory, but injuries would be unavoidable.

While injuries were normal for adventurers—like the wounds several team members sustained in their last battle that hadn't fully healed even after visiting the church—being wounded meant decreased combat effectiveness and increased risk. If injuries accumulated or became severe, they'd have to withdraw, return to town for recovery, and start over.

This wasted considerable time, and many missions had deadlines. The round trip might cause them to miss their window entirely.

But if he could stealthily eliminate one first, turning the situation into five against three, that would change everything.

They'd have a high probability of completing this battle completely unscathed.

This was the value of an assassin—when enemies dropped their guard, it was the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills!

Cody adjusted his mindset, held his breath, and quickly entered his assassination preparation state.

Bracing himself with one hand on the ground, legs tense, he stared resolutely at the enemies ahead.

In that moment, he resembled a venomous snake hidden in the grass, waiting to strike.

It had to be said, he looked quite professional.

Lin Mo watched the assassin's performance with keen interest. Although his strength had improved significantly since first transmigrating, Lin Mo hadn't become arrogant and wouldn't pass up such learning opportunities.

Time passed second by second. The well-fed cat demon leaned against the tree, using its paws as a pillow, preparing to sleep.

The cat demon responsible for watching the surroundings grew increasingly drowsy, its eyes barely able to stay open.

In just a little while, one of the previously sleeping cat demons would take over its guard duty.

This final brief period was when it would be most impatient and least attentive.

The moment it turned to check the other side, Cody—who had been waiting patiently—precisely seized this opportunity, bursting forth from the grass!

His movements were swift, fierce, and crisp, yet the sound he made was minimal, like a breeze passing through, barely noticeable.

"Backstab!"

Cody mentally recited—this was his skill, granting additional power when attacking enemies from behind.

He had executed near perfection, demonstrating the qualities of an experienced assassin. However...

Just as his blade was about to pierce the enemy's back, the previously drowsy cat demon suddenly perked its ears high, fur bristling. Its keen perception had detected the approaching danger, triggering an instinctive forward roll. Cody's well-prepared strike barely grazed past, leaving only a moderate wound on its back.

Had he failed after all?

Cody frowned tightly, showing clear frustration.

The cat demon's perception was simply too sharp... Among all lower-tier monsters, they were nearly the most difficult to successfully ambush.

With his first strike unsuccessful and the cat demon's shrieks already awakening its companions, Cody didn't dare pursue recklessly. He could only grit his teeth in disappointment, temporarily retreating to prepare for a frontal assault with his teammates.

Yet at that very moment, a figure suddenly appeared within his field of vision.

Behind the three newly awakened cat demons, the figure emerged like a ghost—so fast Cody could barely track the movement. The cat demons seemed completely unaware, showing no notice of the danger behind them.

In the blink of an eye, a sharp blade sliced across one cat demon's neck. Like a hot knife through butter, it effortlessly separated the head from its body.

Only then did Cody finally recognize the figure.

It was actually him?!

The intense shock left Cody momentarily stunned. Meanwhile, the remaining three cat demons fully entered combat mode. Behind them, Bern emerged from the grass with Evan, while Miriam drew her bow and fired a precise arrow at the cat demon Cody had wounded.

The other two cat demons, realizing their companion had been killed, immediately emitted sharp shrieks and charged toward Lin Mo, who had already withdrawn to a safe distance.

Lin Mo remained completely calm. He tossed his short knife into the air while simultaneously drawing the Wolf Bone Sword from his back. Gripping it single-handedly, he blocked one cat demon's attack.

As the second cat demon attacked from the other side, Lin Mo appeared completely unaware, his attention fixed on the short knife he had just thrown upward.

The knife rotated through the air, glittering brilliantly in the afternoon sunlight.

Gravity began pulling the knife downward as the cat demon closed the distance—now less than 5 meters away.

[4 meters]

The reflected light from the short knife vanished into the dense forest as it fell. The rotating blade cut through the air with a "swish-swish—" sound.

Lin Mo raised his hand toward the sky...

[3 meters]

The cat demon watched its prey—currently restrained by its companion—whose hands appeared empty, without any weapon to defend against its attack.

Its shriveled almond-like brain couldn't comprehend Lin Mo's seemingly meaningless actions earlier, nor did it notice the descending short knife.

Its eyes focused solely on Lin Mo's neck—that soft yet vital area. Just a strike with its sharp claws would kill this human, adding a fine meal to tonight's feast.

[2 meters]

Lin Mo spread his fingers in a grasping motion while twisting his body. Using the confrontation with the other cat demon, he adjusted into a power-generating stance.

The seemingly certain victory and Lin Mo's still-empty left hand made the cat demon drop all caution. It closed the distance at maximum speed, sharp claws extending toward his throat.

[1 meter]

Lin Mo precisely caught the hilt in a reverse grip. As the cat demon charged forward, the short knife reached its target almost the moment it touched his hand.

Fierce power generated cutting wind. By the time the cat demon sensed the danger, it was already too late.

"Slash!"

Six points of strength combined with swift speed produced results beyond normal limits. The now Level 4 Slash skill demonstrated even greater explosive power.

Before the cat demon's claws could reach Lin Mo, the short knife had already penetrated its throat from the side, piercing through without any resistance!

"Crack—!"

The remaining force on the blade sent the cat demon's head flying immediately after. Using this rotational energy, Lin Mo twisted his body and exerted force with his right hand simultaneously, sending the other confronting cat demon flying backward and preventing its follow-up attack.

Everything had happened within a single second...