Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 2 Only Moving Forward
Galley's words failed to resolve Lu Mingfei's inner conflict, but they were like a thin straw, allowing him to grasp a sliver of comfort on the verge of collapse.

—At least, we can still walk a little further.
-
There's no way back right now, and we can't stay trapped in the church forever, so the only option is to move forward.

With a large number of enemies entrenched at the checkpoint ahead, Lu Mingfei naturally wouldn't advance rashly.

His philosophy of life was simple: to live frugally.

If you can avoid dying, then do so.

Since runes can enhance strength, I'll level up here. I'll hone my skills against the demi-humans on the beach and the soldiers in the jungle until I'm strong enough to move forward.

Do you understand the significance of the Sword Saint of Shilipo?

however.

Not long after, the plan was declared bankrupt.

Whether it's the demi-humans or the Grek soldiers, the runes they provide are now negligible for Lu Mingfei.

Of all the places left in this beginner village, there are perhaps only two that could be of some help to Lu Mingfei.

The forest-side caves guarded by Grik soldiers, and the coastal caves occupied by the demi-people.

To be honest, Lu Mingfei really didn't want to go to those two dark and gloomy places; who knows what bizarre ways he might die there.
But there's absolutely no rune left to be extracted from other places.
After making thorough preparations, Lu Mingfei headed towards the neighboring cave.

He skillfully concealed himself, crouched and advanced, and delivered a precise backstab, easily eliminating the scattered Grik soldiers in the mountains and forests.

However, as they approached the cave entrance, they alerted the last guard.

But it doesn't matter.

He already knew the soldiers' sword techniques by heart.

And he, Lu Mingfei, is no longer the same as before.

Lu Mingfei ended the battle cleanly and efficiently.

As he watched the soldier in the battle robe embroidered with trees and wild beasts slowly fall, a thought struck him, and he took out a torch from his storage space.

This otherworldly high-tech torch is truly amazing—it can be automatically lit with a simple pull, and it won't go out no matter how the wind and rain blow, and it can even be used as a weapon.

Do you have any torches like these? They're really bright and blazing.

He grumbled as he walked toward the cave entrance.

Not far ahead, a dim golden emblem appeared faintly in the darkness. Lu Mingfei skillfully activated the blessing and continued his exploration.

To be honest, Lu Mingfei had been curious for a long time about what was hidden in this dark and secluded cave.

The Grik soldiers pacing back and forth on the road, and the sentries resting at the cave entrance, all testify to the special nature of this place.

What are they searching for? Or what are they guarding?
Lu Mingfei had no idea.

He held his breath and slowly descended the damp rock face. Soon, a faint light appeared ahead.

Behind a protruding rock wall, the ground suddenly dips down, creating an open space.

"This is way too dark."

Lu Mingfei muttered to himself and held the torch forward.

The flickering firelight spilled down, illuminating a patch of gray fur.

In an instant, countless pairs of emerald green pupils suddenly lit up like will-o'-the-wisps.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Lu Mingfei's forehead.

Not good.

"Roar"

The low growls of wild beasts echoed through the cave.

Lu Mingfei swallowed hard, gripped the knife in his hand, and unconsciously took two steps back.

Within the torchlight's glow, three gray wolves, baring their gleaming white fangs, slowly approached.

Their hind legs were taut, and a growling sound, indicating an attack, rolled from their throats. Behind them, a giant wolf, the size of a calf, was pawing at the rocky ground with its front paws.

This thing looks way more difficult to deal with than regular soldiers!
With the sound of rubble rolling, the gray wolf on the left suddenly leaped up!

Swish!
Without conditioned reflex, Lu Ming swung the torch horizontally, sending it flying in a crimson arc.

Bang!
The burning flames collided with the wolf's claws, unleashing an astonishing impact.

The gray wolf howled and rolled away, wisps of black smoke rising from its front paws.

"Ow!"

Sometimes, fire is far more lethal than swords.

Why is it so weak?
Lu Mingfei was slightly taken aback.

In an instant, another gray wolf pounced, its movements appearing to Lu Mingfei as if in slow motion.

With a flick of his wrist, Lu Mingfei's dagger slashed precisely across the wolf's throat, splattering blood. He then followed up with a side kick, sending the gray wolf flying.

Ah, yes, it turns out it wasn't that they were too weak, it was that I became stronger.

The runes he accumulated from fighting with rabble day after day had already transformed his body.

Every life-or-death battle became muscle memory, causing his fighting instincts to grow at an astonishing rate, almost illogically.

Am I really an S-class hybrid?
This thought invigorated him, his blood boiling. He lunged forward, eager to press his advantage and kill the gray wolf before him.

However, the sound of wind breaking suddenly came.

swoosh————

A shadow looms!

A giant wolf the size of a calf pounced down from mid-air, and under the pressure of the wind, Lu Mingfei rolled over to dodge the attack.

Even with such a quick reaction, the wolf's claws still left four stinging claw marks on his thigh.

"hiss!"

Fresh blood dripped out and splashed onto the rocks.

The excruciating pain actually made his mind clearer.

Lu Mingfei flipped and spun around, plunging the dagger deep into the wolf's waist.

Warm wolf blood sprayed all over his hands, but before he could draw his knife, a sharp pain struck him. A fourth wolf had somehow circled around to his side and was already biting his shoulder.

At the critical moment, Lu Mingfei suddenly turned the torch and stabbed it hard in the wolf's belly. The beast, in pain, instinctively released its grip and staggered backward.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lu Mingfei gulped down a mouthful of the Holy Grail bottle.

The power of the dew flowed slowly through his body, healing his wounds and replenishing his energy.

"come!"

He was panting heavily, assuming a fighting stance, blood flowing down his left shoulder through his leather armor before falling and tracing discontinuous lines in the air.

tick.

The giant wolf's dark pupils narrowed into a vertical line, and the stench of blood from both humans and beasts filled the air.

The man and the two wolves faced off, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

Lu Mingfei gripped the single-edged knife tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.

Ahhh.

He abhorred fighting wild beasts more than human enemies.

These beasts not only hunt in packs with no strategy or method, but what's even more terrifying is their fate after defeat: their flesh is torn apart by sharp teeth, and they listen to the sound of their internal organs being devoured amidst excruciating pain.
So, don't back down. If you do, you'll really become dog food (a metaphor for being forced to watch your partner's

"Die to me!!"

(End of this chapter)