Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

All of this was something she had never imagined or even hoped for before, but as soon as she looked at that person's back, all of this would appear endlessly... Compared to this, her previous life seemed thin and pale. So, without realizing it, her heart began to develop some unusual feelings that she could hardly control, and the more she tried to suppress them, the more they grew.

But she had long been accustomed to following that person, so where would she find the courage and confidence to do so? How could she dare to hope for something that was almost impossible?... The clearer she realized this, the more troubled and pained she became.

Karila was braver than her, and she had already received the reward for her bravery. Dr. Tarina was also wiser and more courageous, having already expressed her feelings long ago... Only she remained unsure of what to do...

With a wave of his hand, he tossed a snake that was stealthily climbing up a branch down. Colin then buried his head in his knees, sincerely hoping that nothing would bother him.

........................

A damp forest is not a good place to go, at least not a good place to live... The human body naturally prefers a mild and dry climate; dampness and cold only bring illness and pain.

Sitting on the ground in such an area is also a reckless act. Reptiles that thrive in the dark and damp will be happy to have a chance to suck blood, leaving red, swollen lumps and uncomfortable pain and itching on human skin.

Such places remain quiet for most of the year, with dense bushes and thorns closing off the woods... But today, a few uninvited guests have arrived.

Chapter 470 Hunting and Being Hunted (3)

With a snap, a rotten branch broke off under the boot. Its decayed and soft interior offered no support, causing two insects that had been nestling inside to flee in panic into a pile of rotting leaves. These withered leaves, when piled up, had a strong water-absorbing capacity, able to retain rainwater for a long time.

When such leaves are shoved aside by boots, the bottom part, which is already rotten and blackened, immediately spreads that cold, damp, and putrid smell. Although it is not unbearable, it is still quite a torment to the nose.

This was a pale-faced young man with short black hair, a clean face, and a tall, thin build. He wore a yellowed, tattered linen shirt, his trousers were torn in half at the knees, and his boots were in a terrible state—the worst one exposed his four toes, while the other left his big toe sticking out unprotected in the air. Although the boots still had a brownish-red hue, they were covered with pale white patches from peeling paint, and the leather had become dry, hard, and wrinkled from long-term use.

His attire was truly shabby, and to make matters worse, venturing through this thorny jungle had a devastating effect on his remaining clothing—a mere moment of distraction caused a thorn hidden in the bushes to tear a large piece off his trousers, leaving several bloody streaks on his dirty, dry skin.

It hurt quite a bit, but it couldn't compare to the pain in his heart. The young man frowned and howled, but he didn't dare to scream too loudly. He futilely tried to retrieve the piece of cloth that belonged to him from the spikes and, for no apparent reason, tried to stick it back onto his pants.

This was, of course, wishful thinking. The old and brittle fabric was already something that would tear easily, and with his impatient rubbing, it became even more tattered, until it was completely beyond repair. With a mournful expression on his face, it became something that couldn't even be used as a rag.

This really broke his heart... This was already the best pair of pants he had; if things continued like this, he would have to go out naked.

He sighed and groaned for a long time, then forced himself to stop thinking about his trousers, which were now ripped in another large patch, and resolved to keep moving forward and finish what he needed to do.

His entire body was tattered, except for the bundle hanging in the crook of one arm, which was slightly neater and even had a simple embroidered pattern on it—a simple and lovely design consisting of four leaves and a white flower.

The contents inside weren't heavy and didn't really hinder his movements. However, to avoid further damage to his already poor clothes, he slowed down, carefully avoiding areas with dense bushes. He even used a simple knife at his waist to cut a branch and constantly patted the grass in his path to prevent any poisonous snakes from lurking inside.

In the dark and damp jungle, the only sound for a moment was the snapping of grass as the boy cleared the way. The birds on the branches were startled and took flight, and the almost endless rabbits in the jungle were driven out of the bushes where they were hiding, running around aimlessly with their heads down.

Traveling in this way was undoubtedly more arduous, but he had no other choice. He didn't want to be bitten by a venomous snake and then wait to die in the forest in despair, so he had to be careful with every step. This also effectively knocked down the thorns hidden in the bushes first, preventing him from suffering greater losses.

At first, the path was relatively easy and flat, but as the slope gradually increased and the forest became denser, it became increasingly difficult for him to walk. In addition, he had to constantly use a stick to poke through the grass, and soon he was covered in sweat and panting heavily, and had to find a place to rest.

A cold, blue stone beside the road seemed perfect at that moment. He carefully cradled the package in his arms before sitting down, wiping the sweat from his brow and panting as he bent over.

The rest period was very short. Before he could catch his breath, he forced himself to stand up and continue. This time, he used the stick he had used to clear the grass as a walking stick, regained his composure, and continued into the dark forest.

........................

A lizard with brownish-yellow stripes on its body quickly climbed up a dead tree trunk. This nimble little creature had slender feet with hooked claws, which helped it move quickly over rough terrain. These feet were indispensable for both hunting and escaping. Its long, thin tail helped it maintain balance while running at high speed, making it incredibly fast. Like a yellow lightning bolt, it darted to the top of the tree trunk in the blink of an eye.

"Ha ha--"

Heavy breathing came from afar, startling the nimble lizard. It immediately let go of its front paws and fell off the tree trunk, but in mid-air, it had already spread the wing membranes under its ribs and drifted away on the wind.

The boy didn't notice the strange little creature. In fact, all his attention was focused on the simple but hidden shed in front of him—made of several tree trunks about the thickness of a calf, connected by vines, and with layers of broad leaves as roof tiles to block the rain. It was enough to shelter from the wind and rain, but it was of limited ability to protect against wild animal attacks and climate changes.

Living here certainly wouldn't be comfortable, but it was much better than sleeping on the ground in the jungle. It would also provide some shelter from a downpour. Generally, it was used by hunters from nearby villages and towns as a temporary resting place when they couldn't make it home in time. But for the boy, this dilapidated shed was of great importance. He didn't want to see any bad signs here.

Biting her lip, she cautiously approached the dry tree trunk beside her, then raised the stick in her hand and rhythmically tapped it. Two heavy taps followed by one light tap, two heavy taps followed by one light tap... she repeated this three times.

With a whoosh, a pile of withered leaves suddenly fell from above, followed by a nimble figure who leaped to the ground with a thud, scattering a bunch of broken leaves. Her flaxen hair, braided into a plait, danced in the air like a nimble snake, and her cheerful brown eyes were filled with joy.

"Donna!"

The boy greeted her with a beaming smile, while the girl who jumped down from the tree, though also looking joyful, remained somewhat reserved and shy, standing still until the boy took her hand.

This girl isn't particularly beautiful, but her eyes and brows are quite gentle, giving people a sense of security. Moreover, her body is very healthy, with her curves perfectly balanced at the point of fullness. She's the kind of girl who's so straightforward that men can't take their eyes off her.

The young man was clearly infatuated with the girl, now just grinning foolishly while holding her hand. It took him a while to finally snap out of it and hurriedly take off his bundle.

"I brought you some food, Donna. It took a lot of effort to get it here, but it should be enough for you to eat for a few days."

The package was opened, revealing bread and cheese inside, which were not crushed or deformed at all, as well as a small piece of smoked bacon, which was obviously cut from a larger piece of meat, with a brownish sheen and plenty of oil.

“…Just some bread will do, Westernata. You're so poor you're barely able to afford food yourself, where did you get all this good stuff…”

The girl's words sounded like a question, but there was no hint of doubt in her tone... she clearly knew the answer. The boy chuckled dryly, scratched his head, and turned it away.

“I sold a little something…not much, but enough to last for a while. Aunt Gef sold it to me at a very low price, and she even allowed me to pay on credit, so you don’t have to worry.”

The girl squatted down without a word, her face full of sorrow, pointing at the piece of salted meat with her fingertip:

"When will this end... I can't rely on you to support me forever."

"It's okay, we just need to get through this period..."

The boy forced a smile, but he was also filled with uncertainty about the future. He didn't want to say anything discouraging and discourage the girl's already low confidence.

He was an orphan who lost his parents at a young age, and life had always been difficult, but he managed to get by. The girl's family was his neighbor, and there was only one girl and her frail and sickly mother who depended on each other for survival... But everything changed when a large army came to their village a dozen days ago. No one knew why a large army came to their village, and their peaceful life was quickly thrown into chaos.

At first, the army and they were relatively at peace, but after five or six days, soldiers began to harass the village sporadically. Although it was far from the point of burning, killing, and looting, they began to run rampant in the village all day long. The young and beautiful Donna attracted a lot of trouble, and the widow and her daughter could hardly cope with it, so they had to find a way to go out and hide.

Unfortunately, at this most troublesome and critical moment, Donna's mother fell ill and was unable to leave with her daughter... In the end, she could only stay in the village and be cared for by him, while Donna secretly slipped into the mountains and hid in this secluded hunter's hut, relying on him to bring her food from time to time.

In the past, Donna and her mother earned money by sewing and mending shoes. Although they didn't earn much, they were able to make a living. He, on the other hand, made a living by herding sheep for a rich man in the village. But now, due to unforeseen circumstances, they are unable to work and can only sit and eat their savings. How can they not feel distressed and sad as they watch their savings disappear rapidly?

He didn't know how the Imperial Legion could be like this... He had seen the Imperial Legion before; it was a disciplined and awe-inspiring army. Soldiers were not allowed to leave their camps at will, much less cause riots in the surrounding villages and towns. Those who violated this rule would often pay the price with their blood.

...But the soldiers in this large army seemed unusually undisciplined, and they also appeared dangerous and strange. Many of them looked different from the Imperial soldiers...Although there were soldiers of other ethnicities in the Imperial Legion, he almost instinctively realized that they were not Imperial soldiers, or at least not all of them.

Cut the bread into small pieces with a knife, spread cheese on top, and finally cut some finely chopped bacon. You can then put it directly into your mouth. Although the atmosphere here is oppressive, at least the food is delicious, enough to soothe your mood, even if only temporarily.

"You don't need to worry too much. In my opinion, that army will leave soon. No soldiers have been out patrolling these past two days. They are sending out scouts to explore the route and should be setting off soon. Then you can come back."

A leaf fell from the top of a tree and gently stuck to the girl's brown hair. He reached out to remove the leaf for her, trying his best to force a smile, and said these words.

"Really? That's great!"

Sure enough, Donna smiled after hearing these words, forgetting to swallow the bread she was chewing:

"Once they leave, I can go to the nearby town to get some herbs for my mother... I haven't seen her in so long..."

At this point, sadness returned to the girl's face. She reached behind her head with her right hand and scratched her hair vigorously, then forced a smile:

"The days ahead may be tougher, but there's always hope..."

"Don't talk, Donna!"

He was listening to the girl with a smile, but suddenly his expression changed, and he stood up alertly, turning his head to listen carefully to the sounds in the jungle. The girl also immediately became quiet, quickly rewrapped the food package on the ground, and then cautiously crouched behind a dense thicket of bushes.

After a long while, seeing that the boy still hadn't responded, the girl anxiously tugged at his sleeve.

What did you hear?

The boy's face had become completely stiff, confirming his earlier judgment. He reached out, grabbed the girl's wrist, and pulled her up.

“Someone is coming this way, and they haven’t changed direction. There are quite a few of them! Hurry, we need to find somewhere to hide. Who knows who they are... If they are robbers, we’re done for.”

Neither of them dared to be careless. Fortunately, they had made ample preparations beforehand and knew where to hide if they encountered danger. Now they didn't have to wander around like headless flies. They quickly left the place along the route they had planned, leaving only a pile of messy fallen leaves and a simple shed on the ground.

And soon, events confirmed his judgment—increasingly dense footsteps were indeed sounding from the southwest, interspersed with rude laughter, clearly heading in his direction, and the sound grew louder and louder…

Chapter 471 Hunting and Being Hunted (4)

The gleaming, thin blade snapped the vine in two, leaving a white cut on the branch it was clinging to. In the process, it severed some small branches and leaves, creating a mark in the bushes, but it was still quite a while before it could be completely split open.

This was a burly man with only his left eyebrow intact. His right eyebrow, along with the flesh, had been ripped off the bone, leaving only a reddish-white wound. Although it had long since healed, it still looked grotesque.

His hair was like wild grass, dry and messy, only growing thick around the top of his head, while the top was smooth. There were marks on his nose from wild animals tearing at it, making it look like his face was almost divided into three parts. His left side of his face was covered with dense acne, and his skin was pitted and uneven. His eyes were droopy triangular eyes, which made him look sinister and cunning.

The man wore an inconspicuous gray-green robe, and carried a long hunting bow on his back. A few arrows were stuck in a fur quiver at his waist, but the fletching was messy and the shafts rough, clearly homemade. Besides these, the only weapon he carried was a short-handled, thin-bladed machete. His trousers were patched, tied at the calves with a long strip of cloth to prevent them from snagging on the thorns of the jungle.

He was clearly an ordinary hunter, carrying a hunting bow he made himself from elm wood. Its power was limited and it couldn't handle fierce wild beasts, but it was no problem for ordinary roe deer, wild deer, rabbits, and foxes. Every year, he hunted according to the seasons as required by law, accumulating enough savings to get by for the year. Compared to others, it was also easier for him to add meat to his diet.

Their lives were not as stressful and arduous as others. They only needed to accumulate enough furs during the hunting season to have no worries. After all, these furs were always a hard currency and there was never any shortage of buyers. Moreover, if they were lucky enough to catch prey with rare and valuable furs, they could immediately make a fortune and become wealthy.

Of course, such hunters are a lucky few, blessed by the hunting god. Most hunters have to go out early and return late, enduring wind and rain to make a living. Moreover, before they gain a lot of hunting experience, they often have to suffer many hardships. The scars on this man's face are the marks left by his past misery.

At this moment, he had just finished checking the traps in the southern mountains, ending a long hunt, and was heading home. The gloomy expression on his face showed that his haul was rather meager. Only a gray-green fox tail was visible in his backpack—the cheapest kind of grass fox pelt, with thin fur and an odd color. It was barely better than nothing, and it wasn't a wasted trip.

That's why he was subconsciously concentrating, hoping to stumble upon some more dull-witted prey to supplement his harvest... This was an act of relying on luck, without much hope.

The sky grew increasingly dark, the surrounding woods rustled in the wind, the dark clouds piled up oppressively, and a damp atmosphere permeated the air. His steps became increasingly hesitant... Anyone could see that a heavy rain was brewing. He was not far from the village, and if he quickened his pace, he might be able to make it back, but he might also run into it head-on and get soaked to the bone.

After thinking for a moment, he decided not to take the risk—if his memory was still as good as before, there should be a temporary shelter for hunters nearby where he could take shelter for a while and leave when the rain subsided. There was no need to risk getting wet... You know, if someone his age gets sick, he can't just tough it out like a young person. Even if he can be cured, it will cost a lot of money.

………………

After changing direction, he hadn't walked far when he saw the simple shed. Although simple, it was on relatively high ground, so rainwater wouldn't flow in. There was some dry firewood left inside that he could use to start a fire.

Boom!!

A bolt of lightning flashed through the dark clouds in the sky, like a dragon or snake swimming on the surface of water. A kind of terrifying sense of oppression descended. The next moment, a faint crackling sound began to spread rapidly, and large raindrops pelted down, quickly infecting the surrounding environment.

He quickened his pace, rushing into the shed in twos and threes at a time, narrowly avoiding the most torrential rain, and sincerely glad that he had made a wise choice.

He put down his backpack and hunting bow, placed his thin-bladed machete at his feet for backup, and pulled out a pile of dry wood from a nearby corner. To his surprise, he found that the pile of firewood was more than half less than when he last came here, indicating that someone had already been here.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't think too much about it. He quickly tried to start a fire while it was still dry. After a flurry of activity, he finally managed to light the palm-sized flame in the rain before the outside moisture arrived, dispelling the chill that had just tried to invade his body.

At this moment, the scenery outside had become blurred and blurred, melting into the continuous rain, which had become a literal downpour, making people worry about those unfortunate people who had not yet found shelter—in such heavy rain, even walking would probably become difficult.

He took out some dry biscuits from his backpack and heated them by the fire, killing time idly. Everything seemed just right, and he only needed to wait to get home safely... until a hesitant footstep sounded from the side, finally breaking the temporary peace.

"who?!"

The man picked up the machete from the ground, stared intently at his left, and soon two dark figures appeared in the continuous rain, then unabashedly ducked into the shed.

"Uncle Thorne, it's us!"

Just as he was about to attack, the boy, already soaked to the bone, spoke first, causing the man to freeze in shock. After carefully observing the disheveled couple, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, it's you two... What are you doing here? Look at how soaked you are from the rain. Come and warm yourself by the fire."

The boy in the lead smiled and went to the fire first. The girl relaxed, shivered, and carefully squatted down by the fire, wringing out the water from her clothes.

"That's a long story... Uncle, you've been away from the village for over a month, so you wouldn't know..."

Upon realizing that the visitor was someone familiar, the boy completely lowered his guard and began to recount their past experiences by the fire. The previous fear and anxiety had given way to relaxation, as if it were all a false alarm, which made the two young people feel much more at ease.

The man called Thorne initially listened quietly and even handed over some dry rations from his backpack, which made the two young men trust him more and more. They even started to dabble in other topics, and the atmosphere seemed to become more and more harmonious.

Despite the increasing hardship of life, the two young people were still children who had grown up in peace. The empire's powerful legions had kept this central land from the threat of war for decades, and the rampant jailers terrified the criminals. They had never really seen anything truly ugly and dark, so it was difficult for them to detect any danger.