Chapter 59: A Nightmarish Encounter in the Forest
“Coo, coo, coo…”
In the dimly lit forest, an eerie, unknown birdcall echoed through the air. A shiver ran down Fang Xiaocao’s spine.
“Luoshu, aren’t you afraid?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“It’s just a bunch of birds. What’s there to be scared of?” Yun Luoshu blinked, looking puzzled.
Fang Xiaocao was momentarily stunned—she had forgotten that Yun Luoshu was infamous at school for being utterly fearless.
“Alright, just don’t wander too far from me,” she murmured.
“Mhm~” Yun Luoshu nodded.
The forest air was damp, making it difficult to find dry firewood. Most of what they gathered was half-dry, still retaining some moisture.
“I wonder if these will even burn properly,” Fang Xiaocao muttered.
Rustle, rustle…
Footsteps came from the depths of the forest.
Fang Xiaocao froze and instinctively turned toward the sound.
Through the dim canopy, she caught sight of a shadowy figure moving among the trees.
“There’s someone there!” she exclaimed.
“Where?” Yun Luoshu turned but saw nothing.
Fang Xiaocao’s expression grew tense as she kept her gaze locked on the forest ahead.
The information from Hot Noodles was wrong.
That was a terrifying realization.
There was only one explanation—somehow, she had changed the future.
The events unfolding now were no longer the same as what Hot Noodles had predicted.
That sent a wave of panic through her.
Since gaining her mysterious ability, she had never experienced such a deviation before.
Only now did Fang Xiaocao realize—while her cheat ability was useful, it was still an external force.
The future was unpredictable.
And sooner or later, her cheat ability would fail.
Strength that depended on external power was nothing but a house of cards.
It was great for making money, but when it came to real, life-threatening situations, it could let her down at any moment.
Only true strength—her own strength—mattered.
A seed was planted in Fang Xiaocao’s heart.
She had to become stronger.
“Luoshu, let’s go,” she whispered.
Yun Luoshu nodded, following her lead.
They moved carefully, scanning their surroundings with every step.
“Luoshu, keep your eyes on the path ahead. I’ll watch our backs,” Fang Xiaocao instructed.
“Got it.”
Yun Luoshu adjusted his pace, one arm clutching the firewood while his other hand lightly gripped Fang Xiaocao’s sleeve.
Fang Xiaocao walked backward, keeping close to Yun Luoshu, her eyes fixed on the forest behind them.
Rustle, rustle…
The footsteps came again.
Fang Xiaocao’s heart pounded wildly.
Through the darkness, she could now vaguely make out a figure.
“Who is that?”
“What do they want?”
A flurry of questions flooded her mind.
This person had a purpose.
But what was it?
Her grip on the firewood tightened as she tried to piece things together.
Oddly enough, the figure never approached—only trailed behind them at a distance.
That only made her more uneasy.
The calm before the storm…
The quieter things were now, the worse the coming danger would be.
Fang Xiaocao reached into the pocket of her tactical pants and retrieved a small switchblade.
With her thumb, she slowly pushed the spring-loaded blade out of its handle.
It was a custom-made piece—top-quality and expensive, costing her tens of thousands.
Lightweight, compact, razor-sharp.
It didn’t have any other special features, but it was exactly the kind of weapon she needed for self-defense.
Clutching the knife, she felt a little more at ease.
Her mind raced through possible escape plans.
If the figure rushed at them, she would throw the firewood first—then strike.
“Yes! Luoshu and I together—we might not lose!”
She tried to pump herself up.
“Luoshu, if someone attacks and it’s just one person, we fight. If there’s more than one, we run.”
After careful consideration, she whispered her plan.
Against one opponent, they could double-team and subdue them.
But if there were multiple attackers… The odds were grim.
She wasn’t delusional—her combat skills were still weak. It was better to flee than to foolishly engage in a losing battle.
“Got it,” Yun Luoshu replied firmly.
Rustle, rustle…
The footsteps grew louder.
This time, they were even closer.
Fang Xiaocao’s breath caught in her throat.
In the dim forest, she could finally see the person’s face.
And it was horrifying.
A face covered in burn scars and twisted flesh.
Dark red, mangled skin curled outward, exposed under the moonlight, making the figure look like a demon crawling straight out of hell.
Her whole body shuddered.
A scream rose in her throat—but she forced it back down.
Now is not the time to show fear.
If she panicked, the figure might act without hesitation.
Fang Xiaocao clenched her jaw, refusing to let her gaze waver.
Come on, try me! I’m not afraid!
The scarred man grinned, revealing a row of yellowed teeth.
Then, like a phantom, he vanished into the shadows.
As if he had never been there.
Gulp.
Fang Xiaocao swallowed hard, eyes locked on the spot where he had disappeared.
She was afraid to look away, afraid that if she blinked, he would lunge at her from the darkness.
“Luoshu, move faster,” she stammered.
Sensing the fear in her voice, Yun Luoshu quickened his pace.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.
“N-Nothing… Just hurry,” she stuttered.
“Okay.”
Yun Luoshu obediently sped up. Fang Xiaocao, walking backward, struggled to keep up and nearly tripped.
But she didn’t dare turn around.
Her eyes stayed locked on the forest, watching, waiting.
Rustle, rustle…
The footsteps came again.
Even closer.
As if the man was right behind them.
Fang Xiaocao’s eyes darted back and forth.
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
Where is he?
Then, a sound.
“Kekekeke…”
A sinister, rasping chuckle.
It was close.
Too close.
Fang Xiaocao’s blood ran cold.
She whirled around—
And found herself staring straight into that grotesque, disfigured face.
(End of Chapter 59)
