Barong nodded in praise and let out a gruff laugh.
“I’m flattered by your praise, but if you were on the night watch, they would have been discovered by you long ago. After all, you are a Mutant Beast Hunter who has officially taken the blood potion. Your senses are definitely much sharper than mine.”
Zhou Jing knew very well that flattery was the hardest thing to do, so he praised the other party while being humble.
He usually wouldn’t say such flattering words, but now that he was in a world where no one knew him and was wearing the “Will Wood” identity, he felt his skin thicken. Finally, he opened his mouth and spoke what he thought.
However, as soon as he said that, many hunters had strange expressions on their faces. They wanted to laugh but didn’t dare to.
“Cough, it was indeed because I was sleeping…”
Barong coughed to hide his embarrassment.
He was too embarrassed to explain to outsiders that his perception was actually inferior even to those old hunters who were ordinary people.
The mutant beasts that were extracted to produce the blood potions were always different, which gave rise to different strengthening methods. If the quality of the drugs was average, the weakness of the mutant beasts could also end up being inherited by the blood warriors.
The blood potion that Barong had taken had greatly strengthened his strength, endurance, and defense, but it had also brought about side effects, which was a decrease in perception. Especially in the forest at night, he was almost a little deaf and blind.
His position in the hunter team was merely that of a heavy warrior, meant to fight against a mutant beast head-on.
Typically, it was Dean who was in charge of the reconnaissance post… But clearly, Dean’s observation skills were not as good as this strange man, Will Wood, that they had picked up along the way. Dean had actually discovered the presence of the Subterraneans later than him.
Dean’s eyes twitched. He felt a little embarrassed to be outdone by an outsider.
However, he didn’t say anything. Although he still felt that Zhou Jing was suspicious, he knew that the latter had taken precautions and helped them against a sneak attack. It was a good thing for the team, so he didn’t have any other intentions.
At this moment, Barong patted Zhou Jing’s arm and smiled.
“With your sharp senses, you’re very suitable to be a scout. If you’re willing to stay in Frostwood Village, we’ll welcome a talent like you to join the hunter team. Besides, your body is very strong, and with a little training, you’ll have good combat power… Well, it’s still too early to talk about this, let’s talk about it after we leave the forest.”
‘You’re inviting a stranger of unknown origin just like that?’ Zhou Jing was a little surprised.
But on second thought, he understood why this was the case.
Perhaps because the living environment of this world was tough, humans were used to helping each other. Compared to the interstellar era, it was easier for this bunch to believe in their fellow race.
Zhou Jing rolled his eyes. “In that case, can you teach me some wilderness survival knowledge or simple combat skills on the way?”
Barong froze.
Zhou Jing didn’t wait for him to reply and quickly added.
“I don’t know how to survive in the wilderness, so I want to take advantage of the gaps in the road to learn as much as possible. This way, I can have more strength to protect myself in the forest. And if I encounter any accidents, you might not be able to take care of me. You don’t need a burden.”
“Uh…”
Baron said nothing. Instead, he wiped his bald head.
Griff sensed Baron’s distress and thought for a moment before speaking, “It’s okay. I can just guide him instead. It won’t take much energy.”
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”
Barong was used to being strong and did not want to dwell on this problem, so he agreed.
After all, Zhou Jing had just helped them, so it would be unreasonable to reject him directly. After all, he did not have a sense of security in the forest, so it was quite normal for him to consider learning some means of protection.
Besides, teaching him some simple field knowledge was better than him making mistakes out of ignorance and creating unnecessary trouble.
As for how dangerous it would be to learn combat skills… It was not that Barong looked down on others, but all the hunters present had trained for many years before they could master the usage of bows, hunting knives, daggers, short whips, and other weapons. They all had excellent combat skills honed through the years.
It was only a few days, and he still had to hurry on with his journey. It was good enough that he could grasp four different ways to hold a dagger.
After chatting for a while, everyone did not dare to delay any longer. They split up and dismantled the campsite. Although the Subterraneans had retreated, the location of their campsite had been exposed. Thus, everyone decided to travel through the night.
…
A few sparks from a flame floated up in the forest.
The group quietly moved through the forest at night. As they were worried that the torches would be too bright and eye-catching, they used crude candles made of animal fat to illuminate the area.
Zhou Jing and Griff were at the back of the group, whispering to each other.
“Oh right, I forgot to return this to you.”
Zhou Jing took out a dagger and handed it back to Griff.
Griff shook his head. “You don’t have to. Take it. I’m going to teach you how to use it anyway.”
“Okay.” Zhou Jing nodded, but he did not keep the dagger. Instead, he shamelessly continued, “Then… why don’t you teach me how to use a dagger to fight?”
“Now?”
Griff was confused.
This bro, we’re still traveling, and it’s nighttime. Aren’t you a little too anxious? My wife and I aren’t even as active as you when we are going to bed!
“The earlier I practice, the earlier I’ll master it. Efficiency is life. Who knows, maybe that extra bit of learning is the distance between life and death.”
“You have a point.”
Griff thought about it and did not think there was anything wrong with his words. In any case, giving advice as they traveled wouldn’t delay anything. It could still relieve boredom.
He talked about the various techniques in a low voice and tapped his fingers from time to time. Although his vision was blurry at night, Zhou Jing still remembered Griff’s pointers seriously.
Most of the people in his main world used firearms. Cold weapons were already outdated, and only some Supers would use them. However, there were no firearms in this world. Cold weapons were what he could only rely on to protect himself. Zhou Jing thought it through clearly and naturally would not be picky or disdainful. He would use all the means that were given to him.
