My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

Matt was stunned when he saw the Frosthorned Lizard Dragon lying on the ground.

A sword strike that he was determined to win, one that he poured all his strength into.

In the end, the needle only struck the already cold and stiff scales of the lizard dragon, making a crisp "ding" sound that made his wrist go numb.

The fierceness and excitement of impending success on his face froze completely, turning into incredulous astonishment.

He turned his head sharply and saw that Lin Mo had already sheathed his sword and was standing in the same spot, as if he had just casually dusted off some dust.

"you!"

Matt immediately panicked, as this level 30 elite monster could provide him with a lot of experience points.

He just got his kill stolen like that? How could he accept that?

However, upon seeing the scene behind Lin Mo, the question he was about to ask immediately caught in his throat.

On the left, the giant lava scorpion's head was completely pierced through.

Thick, lava-like blood gushed out from a bowl-sized hole.

The ground sizzled and crackled from the heat, and it lay there, limp, like a lump of extinguished charcoal.

On the right, a large hole exploded in the middle of the mutated wood sprite's torso.

Vines and broken bones were scattered all over the ground.

Those disgusting yellow eyes all burst out, leaving only a few black holes.

Two level 30 elite monsters!

In the short time that he and Shi Xuan were fighting the lizard dragon, it was resolved silently!

How...how is this possible?!

The anger on Matt's face was instantly replaced by shock.

A chill ran down my spine.

Just what kind of monster is Lin Mo?!

Shi Xuan also witnessed this scene. He leaned on his knife, panting heavily, and his expression of shock was slightly less than Matt's.

More than anything, there was a sense of disorientation after surviving a catastrophe and a near-numb awe.

Lin Mo seemed oblivious to the fascinating changes in Matt's expression.

He simply sheathed his sword and spoke calmly.

"No time to waste, kill the Beast King and head back to the village before dawn."

After saying that, he strode towards the path on the left.

He had already sent out several souls to scout ahead before the battle even began.

Since these souls were controlled by Lin Mo, the illusions cast by the Summoning Beast King had no effect on them.

Therefore, he could clearly perceive that the other two paths were dead ends.

Seeing this, Shi Xuan followed.

Matt, however, started to have some ideas.

Lin Mo's demonstrated strength and ruthless efficiency far exceeded his expectations.

If this continues, I'm afraid he might really kill the Demon King.

No, we have to do something.

Thinking this, Matt forced a relaxed smile onto his face.

He stepped forward and pointed to the widest path in the middle.

"When we were stationed here before, we sent people to scout the route. This road leads directly to the deepest part of the valley. Let's finish this quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Xuan hesitated.

Lin Mo also snorted coldly and turned to look at Matt.

Matt, seemingly oblivious, continued:

"Don't worry, just follow me. The intelligence this scout risked his life for can't be wrong."

Just then, Lin Mo spoke up.

He didn't look where he was going, but calmly turned his gaze to Matt.

"What? You think you can't control the situation, so you're trying to make me get lost?"

Upon hearing this, Matt's smile instantly froze, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself and put on a bewildered expression, as if he had been wronged.

He chuckled and said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand. We have the same goal: to eliminate the Demon King and save Stoneclothes Village! How could I..."

"Shared goals?"

Lin Mo interrupted him and took a small step forward.

It was just a small step, but it made Matt feel an invisible pressure coming at him.

Lin Mo stared at him, her voice clear and cold.

"If I'm not mistaken, the real order you, or rather the City Lord of Mingbei behind you, gave you wasn't to 'annihilate' the Summoning Beast King, but rather to 'protect' it, right?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Xuan's breathing suddenly quickened and his eyes widened.

Lin Mo continued.

"Therefore, Shiyi Village was besieged and attacked for more than half a year. Mingbei City clearly had the power to resolve the situation, but it never provided any decent support. Only you few soldiers who were 'assisting in the defense' were guarding a path to prevent others from easily entering the valley."

Lin Mo paused, looked at Matt, and said calmly.

"You're not helping the village; you're keeping this beast king as a gift for those brave heroes."

"you……"

Matt's face turned ashen, and he instinctively took a half-step back.

His hand gripped the sword hilt tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Lin Mo's words almost completely exposed his shady mission and the city lord's hidden intentions!

He was utterly horrified.

"Am I talking nonsense?"

Lin Mo tilted his head slightly and looked at Shi Xuan, whose face was flushed with anger and whose body was trembling slightly.

"If I'm not mistaken, you came with us to ensure that the 'gift' isn't killed by us at the most crucial moment, right, Captain Matt?"

Matt opened his mouth as if to refute, but didn't say anything.

After a long while, he let out a long sigh.

"I was just... carrying out the city lord's orders."

This sentence was spoken with unusual dryness.

Upon hearing Matt admit it himself, Shi Xuan, who was standing to the side, was immediately enraged.

These days, the village has been ravaged by monsters!

The villagers were either dead or injured...

It turns out that all of this was because of the city lord's future prospects.

"Matt—!"

Shi Xuan let out a roar like a wounded beast.

[Stone Skin Technique] Wraps around the arm, and the rock texture covers the entire fist as it slams down.

This punch was fast, ruthless, and heavy, showing no mercy whatsoever.

However, Matt neither blocked nor dodged the attack.

He even slightly adjusted his posture, straightening his back.

boom--!

A dull, teeth-grinding thud rang out.

The punch landed squarely on Matt's left cheek.

The immense force sent him flying, crashing heavily into the rock wall beside him before rolling to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

"cough……!"

Matt coughed violently, and blood spilled from his mouth.

But he gritted his teeth, used his right hand to support himself on the ground, and stood up unsteadily.

Shi Xuan was taken aback, not expecting the other party to offer no resistance.

But his anger instantly overwhelmed his hesitation. He roared again, stepped forward, and rained punches on Matt.

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Matt was sent flying again, rolling several meters and leaving a shocking trail of blood on the ground.

He was curled up, struggling to breathe, but still tried to prop himself up with trembling hands.

Seeing his appearance, Shi Xuan lost the will to continue and instead knelt on the ground in silence.

At this moment, Lin Mo walked up to Matt and held the black sword to his throat.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Matt's unfocused gaze seemed to sharpen for a moment.

He made a hoarse sound in his throat and took a deep breath.

The movement aggravated his injury, causing blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth again.

Then, very slowly and tremblingly, he raised his bloodstained right hand.

He brought his five fingers together and gave a military salute in the direction of the famous northern city.

His lips moved, and with his last strength, he uttered a few broken but clear words:

"No more words... Take action now."