LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 71: Headpats
After Athena hurled the explosive ball, the intensity of the brawl subsided, and everyone felt a sense of vulnerability.
Yet, sporadic individuals continued to trickle in from the distance, drawn by the cries of agony. Athena, being empathetic, promptly knocked them out cold and dragged the troublemakers away, keeping her teammates safe.
Not a hint of murderous intent surfaced throughout, and the system's protective measures remained dormant.
Thanks to her earlier performance, no one dared to approach her or test her now. Everyone hoped she'd stay as far away as possible.
Athena, instead of seeking out the frenzied giant bees, casually diverted with her teammates to the riverside.
A fish monster, reeking of blood, leaped from the water, its transparent body crashing heavily onto the surface, sending a massive spray of water into the air.
"Safe travels through the water," the fish monster didn't understand human language but knew food when it saw it, opening its gaping maw to swallow its prey.
Ranked sixth now after her recent actions, Athena remained unfazed.
With Athena gone, Ask-The-Heavens and Potato returned to the scene. The 004 region found its backbone, with most people acquainted with Ask-The-Heavens, even friendly with him.
Meanwhile, Landlady's faction in the 003 region, due to a combination of interests and Landlady's recent betrayal, found themselves abandoned. Nobody listened to her anymore, rendering the 003 region completely fragmented.
As Ask-The-Heavens and Landlady tangled, the 003 region quickly crumbled, scattering its inhabitants. Landlady hadn't anticipated that this newcomer could so effortlessly rally the 004 region with just a few words.
Uncertain if Athena would make a surprise return, they opted to flee.
Thus, nothing could stop Ask-The-Heavens now.
Ranked tenth, Ask-The-Heavens.
After successfully dealing with the teammate-sabotaging troublemaker, Athena wasted no time, swiftly dispatching the ferocious fish monster with a single swing of her axe. Crimson blood momentarily tainted the river, but soon, the water returned to its natural hue.
Completing this sequence, Athena turned to find Mikmik, who had already found a resting spot, lazily lounging against a tree.
It was a relatively sturdy tree, capable of bearing a person's weight. With ease, Athena climbed up and sat beside Mikmik, listening to the soothing sound of flowing water.
The gentle murmur of the river was pleasant, calming their spirits. Athena closed her eyes, and Mikmik, too, seemed to relax in this tranquil atmosphere.
From her pocket, Athena retrieved a slightly yellowed, deluxe food menu, tearing it open to reveal an array of barbecue delicacies.
Various skewers, meats, fish... each exuded irresistible aroma and tantalizing colors, a feast for the senses.
In this pitch-black environment, Athena leaned against the tree, accompanied by a cute and obedient cat squatting nearby. They savored the tempting delicacies, listening to the rushing river, enjoying this rare moment of peace and comfort.
Taking a juicy bite of lamb skewer, the spicy, flavorful taste filled her mouth, satisfying her palate. She nodded in contentment, then offered another skewer to Mikmik.
Opening the regional chat channel, it was the perfect accompaniment to their meal.
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"Today's another day of tree chopping; planning to make some wooden furniture."
"To be honest, being here has changed me. I used to swear by early nights and early rises for good health, but now, that's just a slogan in my life."
"They fight to the death in their regional battle, while we enjoy rare leisure vacation time here."
"Tch, ignorance. This is probably the last time for you lot who can't even get into regional battles. We just had a fierce skirmish, and those monsters are getting stronger one by one. After the regional battle, they'll only get stronger. Do you think the system won't strengthen the monsters?"
"Wow, a big shot who participated in regional battles is here to enlighten us."
"Are you all that lazy? You even have time to chat."
"The ones above are probably not in the same place as me. Those monsters are real freaks. Luckily, I'm far away; I extinguished the fire on me just in time."
"How's that possible? If the system really strengthens the monsters, it's as if it wants us dead. What's the point?"
"I think what they're saying is true."
"Come on, the system doesn't care if you live or die. The rules of the regional battle are clear: survival of the fittest. We, the top two hundred chosen, have this attitude, let alone you small fry."
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A stream of information flooded the region chat channel with the addition of participants in the regional battle, quickly devolving into various debates and arguments. Arguments escalated into personal attacks, and soon, chaos ensued.
Some, unable to contain their frustration, or perhaps driven by madness, initiated challenges within the region, exchanging names and sharing locations.
Their victories were met with cheers, fans fanning the flames, and allies rallying around them.
Watching the exhilarating exchanges in the regional chat channel, Athena found her skewers becoming even more savory. Beside her, Mikmik shook its little head, not understanding what was happening. It leaped into her arms, joining her in staring at the system panel, though it couldn't comprehend a thing.
Rubbing its head, Athena refrained from tousling its fur as she usually did, instead offering gentle strokes, observing Mikmik's curious demeanor.
Mikmik and its companions were intelligent creatures, though she wasn't sure if they could read. Her idea of having Mikmik record information from parchment onto stone had fizzled out; their drawings were too abstract for her to decipher.
In the end, she only managed to salvage two ordinary pieces of parchment.
If she could teach the trio to read, they could potentially become little informants, perhaps unexpectedly useful in various situations.
What were Paopao and Witty up to? How many suitable weapons had they crafted?
It was inconvenient that while players could communicate remotely using the system, the trio couldn't.
If only Mikmik had access to the system panel and could provide real-time location updates. Tracking enemies would be much easier then, serving not just as a warning but as a tactical advantage.
After a tense day, nerves finally unwound in this tranquil setting and whole body stretching out. Having indulged in such a feast and self-pleasure, Athena, half-leaning against the tree trunk, felt drowsiness creeping in. She patted Mikmik.
Sensing her gradually calming breaths, Mikmik attentively monitored the slightest rustle around them.
Under these circumstances, Athena wasn't truly falling asleep, more like drifting into a light slumber. At any sign of disturbance, she would snap awake, albeit with Mikmik by her side, she felt more at ease.
