An opening move. It turned red. But on this side, they were about to hold a funeral.
And the most important question was... who was next?
For a moment, due to various concerns, the Giant Beasts on the battlements didn't come forward to respond. Instead, they all shrank back a little in unison.
Everyone looked left and right, trying to pass the buck. But for some reason, their gazes gradually converged on Huai Shi, the biggest, fiercest-looking, and most formidable presence among them.
"You look the strongest, Big Brother," a green jackal-like creature proposed, "Why don't you go first..."
"That's asking a bit much of me." With a serious expression, Huai Shi twirled her canines for a while, then pointed down at the Roman phalanx. "We're all dogs here, I don't really want to make a move."
"..."
Is this the moment you remember you're family?!
Although many had prepared quite a few lines, with Huai Shi's blatant shamelessness, everyone was actually at a loss for words.
Just then, from behind the herd, a disdainful and fearless voice resonated.
"—Tsk, a bunch of cowards! Move aside and let me do it!"
In an instant, the beasts turned their heads in astonishment, only to see the Flame Giant Bear, which had somehow squeezed its way to the very back. There was no doubt about the voice or location—it was definitely him.
For a moment, they all cast admiring glances at the bewildered Flame Giant Bear. You're so brave!
What? The Flame Giant Bear looked completely confused, as if he had no idea what was going on.
Seeing everyone's gaze turn his way, he panicked and waved his bear paws, "It wasn't me, I didn't say that..."
"No need to be modest, hurry up and go!"
"That's right! I heard it loud and clear!"
"Exactly! When it comes to picking fights, have the bears of Great Lizard Country ever feared anyone!" Huai Shi incited from within, tapping her paw. "It's you!"
"I... I..." The Flame Giant Bear's face turned purplish-red. It stammered, "I didn't say I would go up!"
From the midst of the beasts, Huai Shi ominously said, "So you were just toying with us just now?"
Suddenly, all the Giant Beasts' eyes became threatening.
Jonathan, who loved a good show, added fuel to the fire, "Why don't we give him a hand?"
Then, the Giant Beasts' gazes grew even more ominous.
With no way left to decline, the Flame Giant Bear's expression, originally indignant, twitched. It was as if, after accepting reality, it found, 'Actually, this isn't so bad!'
Fortunes change with time. Don't bully the young and poor! Once I kill that show-off down there, who would dare look down on me?
With gritted teeth and a stomp of its foot, a spirit of bravery rose within it. It roared, and instantly, the flames on its body shot up over ten meters high. It took two steps forward and leaped onto the battlefield.
In mid-air, there came another long howl:
"—Such trash, I could take on ten more!"
This domineering declaration astounded not only Huai Shi and the others, but even the other Giant Beasts watching from the city walls were stunned.
For a moment, the Explorers who had previously doubted it couldn't help but be overwhelmed by this magnificent courage, all exclaiming:
Impressive!
He was just being humble when he said he wouldn't go; I could see it.
Yes, yes.
I knew he was super brave!
...
Only Jonathan, slacking off but seeing everything clearly, glanced unintentionally at the Bell on Huai Shi's neck. A hint of fear touched him. The new generation surpasses the old... Young girls these days, when they learn to be bad, they even scare their uncles...
At that thought, he hesitated. He wondered whether he should tell Huai Shi about his discovery.
Huai Shi, with sharp intuition, quickly looked over. "What's up?"
"Uh..." Jonathan opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly the scene before him shook, and the chat box from the plugin popped up. It was Fu Yi.
[(●'◡'●)]
"..." For some reason, looking at that simple emoticon, Jonathan stiffened. He then awkwardly squeezed out a smile towards Huai Shi. "No, it's nothing, nothing at all..."
The chat box closed indifferently.
It was only a long time after Huai Shi looked away that Jonathan let out a breath, cold sweat under his scales.
He suddenly remembered the calm look Fu Yi had given him the last time she appeared. It was a look that seemed to understand he was hiding something, yet also appeared indifferent. It was as if she was saying, "Do whatever you want, as long as you don't disturb her game."
With that in mind, the tip of the Stone Lizard's tail twitched slightly.
If, perhaps, the most dangerous creature here was not the forgetful, evolved version of Erha...
A foreboding feeling suddenly arose within him.
How many people here had she implanted with suggestions?
He finally noticed those indifferent eyes, always lurking in the shadows, peering at him.
He inhaled sharply.
'Suggestion Command · Number One': You must not betray Fu Yi.