"Ahem, I just wanted to do what I could..."
Faced with Hidechika’s strange gaze, Gu Mo explained it like this. He felt a bit awkward; blending in wasn’t an issue, but the fear of comparison was daunting. The big boss quietly made the BOSS’s health bar disappear, then turned around to find himself locked in a half-day duel with small monsters...
Of course, this was an exaggerated rhetorical device. It didn’t actually take him half a day to single out a small Hungry Ghost; it was all over in less than a minute.
Despite a slight hiccup mid-battle, things didn’t go exactly as planned. However, he had resolved to not hold back once he’d made up his mind. His chaotic flurry of punches managed to defeat the enemy—
He had no real combat awareness or experience to speak of, merely relying on quickness and ferocity, unreserved physical strength. At least he ensured his first combat experience had no major hiccups and managed a relatively smooth first kill.
The only unexpected outcome was that, despite his nimble movements and efficient time use, Hidechika witnessed this awkward scene... Gu Mo couldn’t help but glance at the enormous corpse of the Ox-headed Ghost over there, tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He fought the BOSS faster than he tackled small monsters, which was utterly ridiculous. Even Brother Niu, you needed to stand your ground. In your normal state, you were an easy target, but even your last attempts at survival were equally feeble...
The black-haired girl glanced at the corpse of the small Hungry Ghost on the ground. Whether she believed Gu Mo’s words or was indifferent to the trivial matter, she nodded calmly.
She had gotten used to being silent, unable to speak—a psychological issue left from childhood. She witnessed her mother being killed right before her eyes protecting her, a truth too difficult to bear and confront.
Even though she’d firmly abided by her mother’s dying instructions to "live strongly," since she was a child she lived alone without communicating, and gradually forgot how to speak.
Perhaps she simply forgot...
For a moment, the atmosphere seemed a bit too quiet. Gu Mo blinked, unsure what to say now. An explanation only needed one sentence, and the more he wanted to say, the more insecure it made him look.
Thinking back, did something trigger a prompt sound in his mind just now? While it might have sounded off when he was in his first battle. He truly adhered to the principle, "Even lions use full strength to catch rabbits." Facing small Hungry Ghosts required utmost focus and attention, with no room for relaxation.
Reflecting now, he had some impression that during his intense focus, a familiar shattering prompt sound might’ve rung... though he couldn’t be certain.
He looked again at the small Hungry Ghost’s corpse. There were no item glimmers or anything floating over, which either suggested no such mechanics existed or he was just unlucky, hence no loot drop.
——He still had many mechanics to explore and verify.
For instance, he didn’t know how to level up, how it worked when he leveled before. Whether defeating monsters accrues progress, and so on. He hadn’t really fought monsters in the past two scenarios, yet he did level up once, perhaps inadvertently sharing experience with Brother Fushiguro and the others.
There was another thing worth noting: the gatekeeper uncle he once saw was Life Level 1, Professional Level 2. Does it mean one can slowly level up without fighting, though ordinary people’s progress would be exceptionally slow...
Or for most people, their lifetime maximum level would be just four or five?
Distracted thoughts passed through his mind. Gu Mo didn’t show it on his face; instead, he lightly coughed and said, "Well, let’s continue... let’s go."
Without a mirror now, he’d wait for a chance to see his reflection when crossing the river. As long as he could open the Attribute Panel to observe his progress bar, he’d get a general understanding of his current situation.
Hidechika gently nodded without objection, then turned and walked forward.
Gu Mo quickly followed. In the night of Thirteen Sakura Village, where Demon Ghosts ran rampant, the safest bet was to stay close to the girl.
Before leaving, he subconsciously glanced towards the graveyard area and noticed that the colossal Ox-headed Ghost corpse was fading. The previously solid body outline had become somewhat translucent around the edges...
Strands of visible peculiar aura were rising from the Ox-headed Ghost and its giant weapon, evaporating like dry ice. They would soon entirely disappear, leaving no trace.
He couldn’t help but glance back, only to find the small Hungry Ghost’s corpse half-dissolved, resembling snowflakes and ice crystals exposed to fierce sunlight. The bloodstains on his feet were gone, as if the touch and stench were illusions.