Chapter 7: Monster Snatching and Temporary Retreat

The figure before them was the same man who had proposed isolating and ostracizing Chen Fu upon their arrival in the Perfect Continent.

When he realized that Qin Yumo’s teammate was none other than Chen Fu, his expression quickly flickered between shock, resentment, and anger.

In the end, he forced a bitter smile and introduced him to his companions, saying, “When he first arrived, he abandoned his teammates and insisted on going off alone. Who would have thought we’d run into him here?”

One of the teammates sneered sarcastically, “Birds of a feather flock together, huh? What a shame!”

Chen Fu merely cast a contemptuous smile, ignoring everyone else as he comforted the furious Qin Yumo beside him.

“See that? Moral blackmail, twisting right and wrong, framing and shirking responsibility—they pull it off effortlessly. We can’t compare.”

Looking up disdainfully at the group led by the man, he spoke casually yet dominantly, “I told you, if you don’t agree, then fight. Stop with the nonsense. A man who plays petty mind games with words is nothing.”

The leader’s face darkened with confusion, remaining silent, but his teammates couldn’t hold back their retorts.

“Do you have any manners? How can you insult someone out of nowhere?”

“Damn, I haven’t seen someone this arrogant in a long time!”

“Where does he get the courage to take on nine of us with just one other person?”

“Boss, I can bear a lot, but this is unbearable. Let’s take him down!”

Qin Yumo watched in alarm as Chen Fu, defending her, directly confronted and angered the entire opposing team.

Outnumbered nine to two, their advantage was clear. She could no longer afford to be angry; alongside feeling grateful, she was more worried and quickly moved to Chen Fu’s side.

But Chen Fu remained calm and unshaken in the face of the enraged crowd.

Seeing the leader’s sullen silence, Chen Fu said to Qin Yumo, “Let’s go. Time to keep hunting monsters.”

Without hesitation, he turned and charged at a five-star stag beetle nearby.

This unexpected move left both sides dumbfounded.

Qin Yumo cautiously glanced at their opponents, then hurried after Chen Fu.

From behind came a voice filled with anxiety and doubt: “Boss, are we just going to let it go like this?”

“What else?” the leader snapped irritably, sighing as he explained to his teammates, “I just found out—we’re currently under the newbie protection period. No harm can be dealt between players.”

By now, Qin Yumo had caught up and joined the fight, assisting with attacks.

In just a few words, she understood the nature of this “newbie protection” period.

She commented aloud, “No wonder you’re so fearless, taking on nine people head-on!”

But inwardly, she felt a twinge of resentment: “You could’ve said something earlier. I was worried for nothing.”

Chen Fu seemed to guess her thoughts and smiled reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. If there’s ever real danger, I’ll tell you ahead of time. I won’t let you face it unprepared.”

Just then, the five-star stag beetle before them fell, and Chen Fu decisively turned toward the next monster.

Qin Yumo stepped forward to collect the dropped coins and items, then caught up.

They moved in perfect harmony—one leading, one supporting; one fast, one steady—each playing their part flawlessly.

But when they reached the third five-star stag beetle, an unexpected situation arose.

Having drained about half its health, they saw the leader and half his team rush over.

Five of them spread out, surrounding the monster, and without a word, launched a fierce assault with wooden swords.

Before Qin Yumo could even process what was happening, the beast was swiftly slain, and the group turned to leave.

“Next!” Chen Fu said, suspecting something, and headed toward another monster in the opposite direction.

Qin Yumo barely landed a few hits when the other half of the leader’s team charged again and killed the monster.

The same scene repeated, and it was clear it wasn’t over.

The third time, Chen Fu hadn’t even reached the target when the leader’s group started attacking first.

Seeing this, Chen Fu stopped, observing the position of the other group.

As expected, they were lying in wait beside the next monster.

Whenever they approached, the monster would be stolen and slain ahead of them.

Qin Yumo, puzzled, asked, “Have they suddenly had a change of heart? Why are they helping us kill monsters?”

Chen Fu’s gaze grew cold as he glanced at the leader.

“No, this isn’t help. They’re screwing us over.”

Noticing her confused frown, he explained further.

“On the surface, it looks like they’re helping us kill monsters, but in reality, they’re stealing most of the experience points from the kills.

“Now it’s even worse—they’re splitting up, guarding monsters nearby, ready to strike first as soon as we approach.

“We can either give up and waste time searching for the next monster, or keep fighting and become free labor for their kills.

“This is what’s called ‘monster stealing.’ Haven’t you ever played games before?”

Qin Yumo’s eyes widened in shock, filled with frustration.

“I’ve only seen my younger brother play mobile games, but I never imagined they’d be this nasty. What should we do?”

Before Chen Fu could answer, he caught sight of the leader approaching with his team.

They came forward openly, all smug and boastful.

The leader wore a mocking expression but feigned surprise, “Hey, why aren’t you moving? Can’t reach the monster?”

Furious, Qin Yumo sneered in disgust, “They’re deliberately stealing monsters, then shamelessly come over to gloat. How disgusting!”

Feigning innocence, the leader said, “Miss Qin, we’re all just doing our tasks. How can it be called malicious stealing?”

Qin Yumo wanted to argue, but Chen Fu quickly cut in, displeased.

“Let’s go. Forget the task for now. We’ll kill some gravefire monsters first, then come back when they finish theirs.”

He glanced at her, signaling, and led the charge toward a gravefire monster.

From behind came a taunt, “Weren’t you so cocky just now? Why back down so suddenly?”

Chen Fu turned with a scornful smile.

“I’m cocky, not stupid. We’re just postponing the task—not surrendering.”

Together with Qin Yumo, he attacked the gravefire monster.

But after only a few hits, the leader’s team once again came to steal the monster.

Chen Fu’s expression darkened as he coldly asked, “Is gravefire part of their task too?”

“Not a task. Just curious, want to kill a few for practice. What’s wrong with that?” the leader replied brazenly.

Chen Fu’s glare hardened.

“Fine, then we’ll go back to the five-star stag beetles.”

Qin Yumo was nearly furious beyond words.

Watching the leader’s repulsive smirk, she wished she could strike down this despicable scoundrel.

Yet seeing Chen Fu suppress his anger for her sake softened her heart, and she followed quietly.

Unfortunately, just as they targeted another five-star stag beetle, the leader’s other team arrived to steal the kill again.

Without a word, Chen Fu turned and sought out new targets.

After finishing with the gravefire monsters, the leader’s team returned once more.

With nowhere left to retreat, Chen Fu finally snapped.

“What exactly do you want?”

The leader, smug and arrogant, taunted, “You said ‘if you don’t agree, fight.’ Can’t handle it now? Then apologize properly, admit your mistake, and we’ll call it even.”

“This is outrageous!” Qin Yumo couldn’t stand it any longer, worriedly looking at Chen Fu.

But he suddenly chuckled, full of sarcasm.

“Heh, ‘a little man becomes arrogant.’ It’s just because they have numbers.”

Turning to the astonished Qin Yumo, he said calmly, “Their shameless ferocity aside, let’s change our hunting grounds and avoid the fight for now.”

“You’re not angry?” she asked, puzzled.

Chen Fu smiled, “Of course I’m angry. But someone like that has no right to make me apologize.”

Then, with a hint of provocation, he looked toward the leader.

“Come on. I don’t believe he can keep following us with eight people all the way.”