118: Chapter 118 Stealing Monsters? Do you even deserve it?

Ten minutes later.

That arrogant Level 4 high-tier Corpse Demon had turned into a pile of literal mush.

It hadn't been killed by Lin Fan.

It had been exhausted to death, compounded by the backlash from its own attacks.

The 200% counterattack from the Thorn Armor was no joke!

In the end, it even knelt on the ground, using those eyes that were nothing but whites to beg Lin Fan for a quick death.

Only then did Lin Fan show mercy and let Murong Yan chop off its head with a single slash.

"Congratulations on slaying the Level 4 high-tier Mutant Corpse Demon!"

"Experience points gained..."

Lin Fan didn't even listen to the system's notification; he was currently squatting in the pile of mush, digging around in the green slime with his hands.

"Brother Fan... what are you doing?"

Xia Wanqiu covered her mouth, fighting back the urge to vomit.

This is just too gross!

"Looking for treasure!"

"This is a mutant monster, after all. What if it drops a skill book or some special material?"

"Even though this slime stinks, it's said to be usable for making poison, and it seems quite valuable."

As Lin Fan spoke, he pulled a glowing green core from inside.

[Corrosive Core (Level 4): Contains highly corrosive toxins, can be used for alchemy or socketing weapons.]

"Hehe, fifty thousand bucks in the bag!"

Lin Fan happily wiped the core on his clothes and stuffed it directly into his pocket.

Just then.

A chaotic sound of footsteps came from the entrance of the mine cave.

"Quick!"

"There was a huge commotion inside just now; they must have started fighting!"

"Those three freshmen definitely can't hold out!"

"We can just go in to collect the loot and steal the boss while we're at it!"

An arrogant voice drifted in.

Immediately after, five or six dark silhouettes rushed into the clearing.

It was the "Hungry Wolf Squad" they had encountered earlier at the Mission Hall.

The moment the leader, the Crew-cut Man, entered, he saw the mess all over the ground and the massive corpse of the Corpse Demon.

And... Lin Fan, who was squatting beside the corpse, covered in filth.

The Crew-cut Man froze.

His team members froze as well.

"Dead... it's dead?"

"The Level 4 high-tier boss, taken out?"

The Crew-cut Man rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

His original plan was to wait until the three freshmen were beaten half-to-death by the boss before stepping in; this way, they could earn a favor by saving them, and easily kill the boss to take the rewards.

If the three freshmen were eaten outright, that would be even better; their equipment would be ownerless.

But now...

The script wasn't going according to plan!

Lin Fan slowly stood up and shook the green slime off his hands.

He looked at this group of uninvited guests, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Yo?"

"Isn't this that... Husky Squad?"

"What? Did you come running because you smelled something?"

The Crew-cut Man's expression darkened.

"Kid, watch your mouth!"

"We are the Hungry Wolf Squad!"

"We were worried about the safety of our juniors, so we rushed over specifically to provide support!"

Although he was shocked inside, he still spoke with a veneer of righteousness.

His gaze greedily swept over the Corpse Demon's body on the ground, finally resting on Lin Fan's bulging pocket.

He had seen Lin Fan's action of putting away the core clearly.

A Level 4 mutant core!

That's some good stuff!

"Support?"

Lin Fan scoffed.

"You didn't come when this monster was beating me up earlier."

"Now that the monster is dead, you've come to support?"

"At the speed you provide support, you wouldn't even make it in time for a hot meal."

"You!"

The Crew-cut Man was furious.

But seeing Murong Yan behind Lin Fan, holding a large blade and exuding murderous intent, he suppressed his anger.

His eyes rolled, and a plan formed in his mind.

"Junior, although you killed the monster."

"However..."

"We had our eyes on this mission first."

"Furthermore, we prepared for this mission for a long time, and we were the ones who gathered the intelligence."

"Isn't it against the rules for you to cut in halfway like this?"

This was simply talking nonsense with his eyes open.

Missions from the Mission Hall belong to whoever accepts them; where does this "had our eyes on it first" nonsense come from?

Murong Yan was so angry she slammed her blade onto the ground.

"Bullshit!"

"Whoever gets the kill gets the loot!"

"You want it? Ask my blade if it agrees!"

The Crew-cut Man sneered and signaled to his team members behind him.

The five team members immediately scattered, vaguely surrounding the three of them.

Although they were wary of Murong Yan's strength, seeing Lin Fan in such a disheveled state, they figured he must have gone through a hard battle and was now at the end of his rope.

As for that healer, Xia Wanqiu?

Negligible.

As long as they took down Murong Yan, these three freshmen would be fish on the chopping block.

"Junior, don't speak so definitively."

"This is the middle of nowhere, and it's dark in the mine."

"In case some accident happens..."

"Like a cave-in, or being attacked by other monsters..."

"The school wouldn't be able to find out, right?"

The Crew-cut Man threatened sinisterly while playing with the dagger in his hand.

This was naked robbery!

Xia Wanqiu hid behind Lin Fan, feeling a bit scared.

"Brother Fan... it looks like they're about to attack."

The smile on Lin Fan's face suddenly vanished.

He put on a terrified expression, his body even trembling slightly.

"Ah?"

"Seniors, are you... are you going to kill us to silence us?"

"Don't!"

"Can't I just give you the core?"

"I'm very weak; I used up all my energy fighting that monster earlier."

"Please, don't hit me!"

This 180-degree turn left even Murong Yan stunned.

Big brother!

That's not what you said when you were riding the monster earlier!

Your acting is way too exaggerated!

But the Crew-cut Man believed him.

He laughed triumphantly.

"Hahahaha!"

"Good for you, you know when to yield!"

"F-Rank Talent is F-Rank Talent, so what if you have some brute strength? You're still just a weakling!"

"Hand over the core!"

"And that blade in the beauty's hand looks good; leave that too!"

"As for that junior in the skirt... hehe, just chat with us brothers, and we'll let this slide."

The Crew-cut Man grew more excited as he spoke, pointing the dagger in his hand directly at Lin Fan's nose.

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Lin Fan's eyes.

But on the surface, he remained timid and submissive, even taking a step forward, pushing his luck.

"Seniors, I can give you the core."

"But can you hit me lightly?"

"I'm afraid of pain."

The Crew-cut Man was stunned.

Is this guy crazy?

He's already giving him the core, and he still wants to be hit?

"Enough nonsense!"

"Hand it over!"

The Crew-cut Man reached out to rummage through Lin Fan's pocket.

Just as his hand was about to touch Lin Fan.

Lin Fan suddenly grabbed his wrist.

And then...

He didn't counterattack.

Instead, he slammed his own face hard into the Crew-cut Man's fist!