Chapter 44: Mutated Purple Snake
“That’s all for today’s class. No lessons this afternoon, so focus on practicing ability activation. Report to the teacher immediately if you awaken one!”
Ding ling ling~
With the school bell, the university teacher left Class 18 after a routine reminder. Su Qi, done for the day, planned to grab a quick cafeteria meal before visiting Mo Yu. He’d only made one bento, and sharing might weaken its healing effect. For Mo Yu’s sake, he’d settle for a simple lunch.
But as he exited the building, a striking figure under a parasol by a poplar tree waved enthusiastically. “Su Qi, little junior, over here!”
It was Lin Xue. After yesterday’s intrusion, she’d only left a note, avoiding direct contact. She’d reasoned Su Qi, soft-hearted and bad at refusing, might dodge her online. In person, especially publicly, his gentle nature would make rejection harder. Her plan was a masterstroke.
Under envious male and starry-eyed female gazes, Su Qi felt pressure as Lin Xue approached. Lacking a good excuse, he let her draw near, her presence making his fair face flush and his head dip shyly.
Normally, Lin Xue’s playful nature would tease him, but wary of her rival Wen Yin, she leaned close, whispering seriously, “Little junior, I’m pursuing you, but this is about business—the Wildcats. Let’s find a quiet spot to talk.”
Though reluctant, Su Qi, a dutiful worker, nodded. Lin Xue, parasol in one hand, took his smooth hand with the other. “I booked a restaurant. We’ll talk over food.”
Noel Restaurant, near Lingwu University, was a mid-tier Western spot famous for slime-jelly desserts, its sign featuring a cute magical girl. Su Qi had always been curious but deterred by its 500-yuan-per-person price. Today, thanks to Lin Xue, he entered, greeted by soft lighting, elegant music, and faint food aromas.
In a private booth perfect for talking, Lin Xue began as they sat. “Little Qi, I’ve briefed the other Wildcats about recent Guild matters. You’re the last.” Seeing her seriousness, Su Qi relaxed, wary of female interactions after yesterday’s succubus ordeal.
Lin Xue set her parasol aside, pulled a chair close, and showed him a phone photo—a majestic golden dragon in the Ruins, exuding power and age. Su Qi’s heart sank, recalling the dragon that razed a nearby city eight years ago. A dragon in Lin City’s Ruins spelled danger.
Noticing his concern, Lin Xue explained, “The Braves encountered this dragon yesterday—not them finding it, but it attacking them. Dragons, though temperamental, usually ignore humans due to their size.” Handing him a shimmering slime pudding topped with sprinkles, she continued, “The attack and recent beast surges toward the Fourth Plane suggest this aging dragon holds a secret. The Guild’s task is for adventurers to gather clues about its anomaly during routine Ruins explorations.”
Su Qi’s eyes lit up at the pudding. Crisp Wife made him crave sweets and sparkly things. Scooping the soft, sweet treat, he squinted happily, relieved the task wasn’t fighting the dragon. After the “Tyrant Bear” incident, he feared his ability’s charm attracting trouble.
But he wondered, “Lin Xue-jie, is this the only business? Couldn’t we discuss it over WeChat?”
She wagged a finger. “Not quite. The dragon means our B-rank Wildcats will have more missions. Prepare yourself—tomorrow noon, we’re heading to the Purple Snake Forest again. You’re free, right?”
She showed him a commission: Capture Holy Ash Rabbit (A-rank). Su Qi froze. The rabbit that ate his bento, triggering his ability upgrade, was the target. Perfect, I’ll spank that thief!
“I’m free tomorrow,” he said eagerly.
Lin Xue smiled, but then, recalling something, opened a video in the Wildcats’ group chat. “Watch this, little junior.”
The video showed the Purple Snake Forest in daylight, unlike their nighttime visit. Li Jian, a classmate who’d mocked Su Qi, appeared, retrying after a failed attempt. Wearing iron underwear, he climbed a snake fruit tree, undeterred by hissing purple snakes. As he neared a fruit, a massive three-meter emerald snake appeared, whipping him away like a broken kite.
The videographer’s voice mused, “Strange, when did the Purple Snake Forest have such a big snake? It wasn’t there two days ago.”
Su Qi, mid-pudding, felt a chill. No giant snake before my Wildcats visit… but now there is. Did my bento cause a mutation? No way… just a coincidence, right?