First Encounter (2)

Von feared the possibility. Although it was fun to read Xianxia and Isekai webnovels but to live through one was pure hell, to say the least.

There would be little to no laws in those lands and monsters thrived in there that would serve as a constant threat in the life of any mortal. This was the reason why those stories always need to have a hero to save them in the first place.

Darkness quickly fell. It was so dark from within the forest. Von was used to living under these circumstances in his past life. He was knowledgeable, well-disciplined, and has gone through proper training in terms of surviving in the forest.

However, this time is different. His current situation was unfavorable at best.

No night vision goggles to keep his watch.

He's not equipped with 5.56mm loaded m416 Assault Rifle attached with adjustable scope.

No compass and radio to navigate direction.

And last, facing an enemy that he never thought he would encounter in his whole life.

Against a goblin.

A look of disbelief spread across Von's face as he looked up behind. Just from what he could see, the goblin wielding long spear was persistently chasing after him.

"Ugh…this is crazy."

Running through the jungle with tightly packed woods was harder than he thought.

The ground is bumpy and slippery. Also, it is easy to get tripped over the tree roots. His view is completely covered by the leaves. Viewing anything beyond 10 meters was difficult. The jungle was vast, extending to the end of the horizon. Also, their field of view was blocked by lush forest.

"I need a plan."

It was practically impossible to think clearly, but he was too busy gasping for breath to let them escape his mouth.

Not even fifteen minutes had passed since Von started running, but he was already screaming as his feet kicked off the bumpy and slippery ground.

When he was running around, the shortness of breath felt so suffocatingly harsh.

Each time he stepped on the ground and forcefully suppressed his momentum.

Did he lose his focus for a moment?

Von lost his footing and slipped. The hands he threw out to balance himself. He was stripped and he rolled many times.

"Aaaaacckk!"

Von's face contorted. He bit his lower lip hard enough to leave a clear mark.

No way.

Is there an earthquake?

"What is happening to this forest?!"

The moment he slipped into the forest, the system emerged.

Von was engulfed by an excruciating headache.

Von is covered by cold sweat. His pounding heart started to hammer his body.

The Forest of gluttony was one of the restricted areas inside the kingdom.

As time passed. People created so many stories and gossips about how you'll die if you go into the forest, others say it was filled with demons. Until the Forest of Gluttony becomes a myth. No one had approached the forest ever since.

The truth is.

It wasn't because of monsters or demons.

No one had approached the forest because it was filled with poisonous trees.

Only Von can enter the forest. Thanks to his only active skill. He knew what trees to avoid and what not to avoid.

[Plant Appraisal (Level 1): Allow to see the details and effects of all kinds of plant species.]

Suddenly.

The trees here grew as tall as fifty meters and its leaves were full and blooming. Black fog surrounded it and it looked eerie and horrifying.

Sensing the countless amount of poisonous plants, Von's expression turned serious. He didn't dare to be the slightest reckless.

Along the way, countless poisons turned into poisonous fog. Several of the different types combined and mixed into a combination of poison. Without a doubt, all of these poisons were scary enough to make people tremble.

From a distance stood a great tree, towering over everything around it. As he gradually neared it, the tree and its surroundings grew fuller. A green lush could be seen spread around the tree, while the roots sprouting up were hugging the nearby rocks. The new trees of the giant tree were being cultivated in that land. It was as if it was trying to create a new forest without a threat of poison.

He stood there quietly, waiting.

Finally, the goblin suddenly came over.

It was obviously poisoned and weakened but Von has no intention of lowering his guard

Von's POV

—I have no choice but to fight this b*tch.

—I need to get the goblin inside my range. Go deep into the range of the long spear.

Although Von was worried about his safety, from what he could infer in his memory that goblins weren't that hard to deal with.

Von meticulously rushed towards the goblin. Three more steps, and it'll enter his range.

But at that thought, blood suddenly spilled.

Barely failing to receive the spear handle from above, his shoulder was hit directly.

"Damn it"

Soundlessly, Von groaned from the pain.

A wild plant cushioned his fall, and he didn't fall on his back. But because of that blow, he almost lost sight of what was in front of him.

The goblin that he was fighting leaped!

Taking advantage of the recoil from its rush, Von countered with a tackle and proceeded to pivot on his right foot, using the momentum of his weight, while his body was parallel to the goblin.

His punch whistled harmlessly through the empty space. In one smooth movement, he quickly stuck it in the jaw.

The force of his upward punch, combined with his downward movement from his swing, created an impact much stronger than he'd expected.

The goblin only managed to let out a low grunt before he crumpled to the ground.

[You killed a goblin.]

[You have received experience]

[The experience you have acquired can exchange for level]

[Please meet Pono in Luxuria's temple.]