4: Wash, cut, blow dry, wash, cut, blow dry, blow dry

Night fell like a black veil, engulfing the village in a deep silence.

Someone's persistent knocking was incredibly prominent in the pin-drop quiet, causing people in other houses to glance over.

Did this guy not know about the dangers at night?

Knocking like that, was he afraid no one would notice him, the attention-seeker?

As if to confirm their thoughts, a thick fog, aided by the moonlight, surged down from the mountains, gradually spreading into the village below.

The houses of the dungeon participants were naturally enveloped by the thick fog. The Bald Man bravely tried to peer out through a window crack, but all he saw was a dense white mist.

Though the houses were not far apart, now only blurry outlines could be seen, becoming distorted and bizarre in the viscous air.

The fog turned grayish-white, and at the same time, everyone heard the sounds of children's laughter coming from within the mist.

It was sometimes far, sometimes near, sometimes left, sometimes right; no figures were visible, only a series of eerie echoes, tugging at everyone's taut nerves.

"What the hell is that thing?!"

Green Hair gritted his teeth. He vaguely saw the mist seemingly seeping into the house through the window and door cracks. He wanted to stop it, but he didn't dare to approach.

It wasn't until the mist accumulated more and more inside, becoming so white that it blurred his vision, that Green Hair suddenly noticed a thin, small figure appearing in the mist.

"Hehe..."

"Brother, come play with us~"

The small, thin shadow spoke with a childlike, tender voice.

But through the mist, what he saw was a terrifying monster with a baboon-like face and greenish limbs. It bared its teeth, and from its deeply grooved oral cavity came the sounds of childish laughter.

The contrast was like a live streamer suddenly turning into an 80-year-old man after removing eighteen layers of filters, scaring the top donor into fleeing overnight with a train on his back.

Mountain Child looked at Green Hair, drool dripping from its mouth, and reached out its claws to grab him.

"Get lost!"

Green Hair was both startled and enraged, swinging a stick at the opponent.

The monster was short and thin, seemingly not very strong in combat. Green Hair felt he had a chance if he fought hard.

"Hehe..."

Mountain Child grinned, and with a slight sway, its figure vanished into the mist. The next second, it reappeared behind Green Hair's side, and its claw accurately tore into him.

"Ugh ah!"

Skin and clothing were scratched simultaneously, and Green Hair's blood and cries of pain burst forth.

The monster was still laughing, as if playing a game.

"I'll kill you!"

The pain stimulated his nerves, and Green Hair frantically swung his stick, wanting to finish it off. But just like before, the monster easily disappeared into the mist, and then from another side, gave Green Hair new wounds.

Even if Green Hair was stupid, he realized this monster could move freely in the mist. If he couldn't get rid of the mist, his attacks would be useless.

Fortunately, he really did have a way to combat the mist—

[Skill: Wash, Cut, Blow]

[Effect Description: After washing and cutting hair, you will gain powerful blowing force]

Although Green Hair's skill level was only rated as Tier 2, it was indeed usable now.

He quickly stepped back two paces, leaning against the corner of the wall to avoid attacks, then took out an item from his storage space that he had exchanged for with beginner points:

[Item: Teacher Tony's Wash & Cut Set]

[Includes scissors, comb, hairdryer, and other hairdressing tools. Can be used without electricity.]

The situation was urgent, and he couldn't worry about too much. With a swipe of his hand and a snip of the scissors, a clump of his upward-growing hair was instantly gone.

At the same time, a surge of power erupted from his body. Green Hair was overjoyed, and immediately aimed at the thick fog, pressing the hairdryer button—

Buzz—

Accompanied by the sound of air currents, a huge gust of wind erupted from the hairdryer's nozzle.

Although it was just a small hairdryer, with the skill's enhancement, the strong wind it blew out was like a tornado destroying a parking lot. Everything in the room was instantly ravaged; the nearby table and even the bed frame were overturned.

Although the mist was eerie, it still followed the laws of physics. Amidst Mountain Child's angry shouts, the thick fog was blown away by the strong wind, and the monster's figure also disappeared.

"Hoo... hoo..."

Green Hair used some mental energy to activate the skill. Although the room was a mess, he still laughed.

"Haha! What a four-star dungeon, nothing more than this!"

"Look down on me? Hmph, I don't need to team up with you guys to clear it!"

Green Hair, having survived a close call, was in a very inflated state, thinking about how to get back at the Bald Man tomorrow.

But what he didn't know was that although the mist in his room had been blown away, the mist outside still gathered around, and was surging like a provoked beast.

"Arro-ro, up the mountain we go..."

A children's rhyme came from the mist, as if dozens of children were singing in unison.

The song drifted through the silent night, appearing so eerie.

Jacket Uncle and his teammates felt a chill run down their spines after hearing the rhyme, goosebumps covering their bodies, their faces filled with vigilance and tension.

But when Green Hair heard it, he suddenly froze in place.

His face was filled with a dazed expression, as if he had been hypnotized and pulled by something.

As the children's rhyme outside played on a loop, Green Hair's eyes were empty, and then he staggered forward.

Clatter.

The item in his hand dropped to the ground.

Creak—

He pushed open the wooden door and walked out.

Then disappeared into the mist.

"Hehe..."

"Brother, come play with us~"

"Not enough toys, not enough! We need more toys!"

"There's another one!"

The thick fog surged again.

And this time, the thick fog surged towards...

Cheng Zhen's house!

Thump, thump, thump...

Faint sounds still came from inside the house.

The thick fog paid no attention and continued to surround it.

Just like before, it slowly seeped into the house through the cracks.

"Er-ow-ow-ow!!!"

Mountain Child suddenly let out a piercing scream.

That ordinary, dilapidated little wooden house seemed to be shimmering with golden light.

Then, the claws extended by the thick fog twitched violently as if burned, and quickly retracted.

The seeping mist seemed not to have entered a house, but rather molten lava, instantly annihilating and dissipating upon contact.

Mountain Child howled, stepping back two paces, looking at the ordinary, dilapidated little house in disbelief.

Golden light of merit?

And so much of it?

Was a living Buddha residing in this house?

The dazzling golden light of merit almost blinded its 24K titanium alloy dog eyes.

Mountain Child couldn't believe it.

It still remembered encountering that young human inside before.

At that time, although he had slapped it awake, his physical body and mental strength were not strong. If it hadn't been daytime, Mountain Child could have easily dealt with that human with one finger.

But how long had it been since they last met? How did he become imbued with merit?

Surely he hadn't spent an entire afternoon saving the world, had he?

Mountain Child touched its claws, which had been burned by the golden light of merit. After the shock and surprise, it still felt a bit unconvinced.

That kid must have used some special method to fake the effect of the golden light of merit.

After all, it had seen many people with strange tricks, but basically none of them were a match for Mountain Child.

Maybe if it tried again, it could expose that human's true form!

Mountain Child once again controlled the thick fog, making it seep into the house.

And this time, the mist easily floated in, not being instantly extinguished upon showing its head.

Hmph, that human must have used some trick just now!

Mountain Child bared its teeth and gradually materialized in the mist.

But as soon as its solidified form opened its eyes, it saw eight burly, 200-unit-tall and wide Buddhas, clad in kasaya, surrounding it.

Cheng Zhen, holding a wooden fish, waved at it from behind.

Cheng Zhen: ≖ ‿ ≖ ✧ You're good!

Mountain Child: (Ω Д Ω) What the f***???