Kingdom of Corrosion
Chapter 468 - 241 In the Mountains (Part 1)_2

Chapter 468: Chapter 241 In the Mountains (Part 1)_2

Lin Wu was quite dissatisfied with Maya and Stone’s arrangements, feeling that a job he could have done alone, at most with two bodyguards, didn’t require a whole group of people coming out for a hike. Especially Shana, who was not in good form today—you see, she rolled down, didn’t she? Not round enough, didn’t roll far. A good figure really does let you get away with anything.

Lin Wu grasped a fern to climb upward. The soil in this forest was moist, and stepping carelessly could break through the green plants that masked the surface. Lin Wu made just such a mistake, stepping down carelessly, breaking through the plants, and sinking into the mud, causing his left foot to slip. The fern he was holding in his left hand couldn’t support his weight and was pulled out by its roots.

It was too late for Lin Wu to lie flat on the slope, so he could only use his knees to increase friction. But misfortune never comes alone, and there was a rock hidden in the mud at the position of his knee. With a cry, Lin Wu fell from the small wooded slope. Those waiting below to anchor the rope instinctively either dodged or moved forward to protect him, and as a result, Lin Wu ended up knocking over Peanut and Maya.

That was when Lin Wu realized why they needed so many people out for a hike. If the guide gets hung up, only the guide is in trouble. Of course, Lin Wu wasn’t in trouble; the slope of around ten meters wasn’t enough to kill him, but his left hand and right foot were struck by rocks and tree trunks, both breaking.

Shana said, "Maya, you were right."

"Right about what?"

Maya replied, "I said with your arrogant attitude, it was only a matter of time before you took a fall."

Lin Wu shifted his anger, "Why didn’t you warn me sooner?"

Maya answered, "A warning wouldn’t have changed the outcome."

Peanut praised, "No one knows Lin Wu as well as Maya does."

Lin Wu explained, "She’s just stating the obvious after the fact."

Maya instructed, "Plan B. I’ll stay with Horse Soul; the rest of you, led by Shana, will move on. Shana, here’s the sketch."

Be a man, will you? You even have a Plan B for your own demise?

Shana crouched down as Maya instructed, "Lin Wu’s drone has scouted this area; this is the basic sketch. The red line is our current path, which is quite difficult. The blue line is an alternative route that will take longer."

Maya marked a red cross near a small waterfall, "After securing the vantage point, we’ll rendezvous here."

Shana said, "We need to retreat halfway up the slope first."

"Yeah, wrap around this way. The drone will guide you." Maya glanced at Shana with a hint of hesitation before asking, "You don’t seem well today, can you handle it?"

Shana hesitated for a moment, then suggested, "Maybe I should stay behind alone, and you lead the team to the vantage point."

Lin Wu objected, "I disagree." Horse Soul and Maya both had strength attributes and could make a stretcher to carry him to the waterfall rendezvous point. If Shana stayed, he would have to heal on the spot and then make his own way to the rendezvous after recovering.

Maya said, "Alright. Shana stays, everyone else follows me."

Lin Wu sighed, "Once you lose your usefulness, nobody even listens to you anymore."

With no patience left, Maya kicked Lin Wu right where his knee was broken, then crouched down and covered his mouth. Lin Wu was in unbearable pain, unable to take his pain medication, and Maya affectionately asked, "Did I not listen to you?"

Lin Wu nodded repeatedly, and Maya flashed a smile before standing up, "Let’s go."

Lin Wu watched the group leave, breathing heavily through his nose, while Shana sat down beside him, "Maya is really special to you."

Lin Wu asked, "Should I be thanking her?"

Shana replied, "With just the two of us here, spare me the childish act. A broken bone is a minor issue, but losing face is a major one. To spare your ego, Maya quickly turned the conversation to arranging the next steps. If it were someone else, she definitely would have first attended to the person’s injuries instead of their pride. By wailing and acting childish over your pride, you’re actually being childish."

Lin Wu sheepishly said, "I oversold myself, it’s a bit embarrassing, you know. Calling base."

Stone answered, "Go ahead."

"I’m injured."

Stone replied, "Putting you through to Emerald Feather."

Emerald Feather greeted, "Hey, Lin Wu."

With an apologetic tone, Lin Wu said, "I’m going to need your help."

Emerald Feather responded, "No worries, keep in touch."

Shana curiously asked, "Why do you speak differently to everyone? Like how you talk to Stone without any filter, his grand achievements could be torn to shreds by your words. But your jokes with Horse Soul are very restrained, and you never mock his profession."

Lin Wu explained, "No matter how harshly I criticize, accomplishments are still accomplishments. Horse Soul isn’t particularly successful in Blue Star or in games, and any joke might hit a sensitive spot. Anyway, what’s going on with you today?"

Shana paused, laid back on the ground, and with legs crossed and head tilted up looked at the treetops, "It’s nothing."

Lin Wu replied, "Oh."

"Oh?"

Lin Wu simply said, "Just ’oh’."

"But I hear more than just ’oh’."

Lin Wu admitted, "I thought we were on good terms."

Shana sat up, playing offense as defense, "I’ll ask you a question first—who’s your best friend out of Maya and me?"

Lin Wu answered, "Maya."

Shana hit the ground in frustration, "Can’t you think before you answer, give me a little face?"

Lin Wu reasoned, "Without me, you still have friends like Little Knife, Snow Egg, Horse Soul, Stone, Peanut, Emerald Feather, and so on. But if I don’t chat and joke with Maya, no one else would initiate conversation with her."

Shana sighed quietly, "Compare when I lead a team with when she does, both on market demolition jobs, with the same people and the same time—I bring back 30% less basic resources than she does. Maybe that’s the price to pay."

Lin Wu said, "You can’t blame everyone. Maya’s emotions are imperceptible, making her hard to approach."