Chapter 5: Come Trick Me, Come Ambush Me

The area within about 100 meters outside the underground ruins had no grass or trees.

Bones were scattered everywhere—though not as densely as the bone sea on the fifth floor below.

Farther out stretched an endless forest, with tall towering trees and vegetation similar to northern China.

After stepping out of the ruins, Yiluo immediately felt how fresh the outside air was.

She inhaled deeply several times.

Judging by the sun’s position, it was morning.

The light was a bit dazzling, making her slightly uncomfortable, but not enough to matter.

She turned her head—
and noticed the fluffball had followed her out of the cave.

She suddenly felt tempted to take it along.

“You want to follow me?”

Yiluo crouched down and asked the fluffball.

The fluffball seemed to understand.

It bounced twice, looking very pleased.

“Uh…”

Yiluo tapped her small forehead thoughtfully.

After hesitating, she gently patted the fluffball.

“Sorry, but this is where we part ways.
Taking you with me would be inconvenient.
If we run into danger, I’d have to protect you—too troublesome.
And who knows if my strength in this world is rare or common.”

Yiluo was extremely cautious.

Her dream memories were already blurry.

She vaguely remembered this body was powerful—likely strong in this world.

But the original owner’s abilities far exceeded her current level.

The girl from her dream could use magic-like abilities.

Yiluo couldn’t use even one of those.

And that girl had fought a fully awakened blood clan loli without losing—and killed her.

But Yiluo herself had to use full strength just to chop the loli’s corpse.

The difference was obvious.

Was she using the body wrong?
Or had this body weakened drastically?

Important questions—but irrelevant for now.

Food and clothes came first.

“Mmhm… mmhm mmhm…”

Seeing Yiluo reject it, the fluffball swayed twice, cried softly, and climbed onto her hand.

“Huh… that tickles…”

Yiluo didn’t understand what it wanted.

Its tiny feet tickled her skin, and the soft fur brushing her wrist felt surprisingly comfortable.

So she didn’t stop it.

Then—something miraculous happened.

The fluffball flattened and shrank.

It wrapped snugly around Yiluo’s wrist—
and transformed into a fluffy bracelet.

Not flashy, but unexpectedly cute.

Yiluo’s mouth hung open.

She examined her wrist repeatedly.

“It’s alive… but its aura is extremely faint.
Almost like hibernation.”

“It’s comfortable… fits well… won’t fall off even with big movements.”

“It’s very light—basically weightless.”

“But… it has no combat benefit.
Only makes my wrist look cuter.”

“Not practical. And…”

“Will this thing turn back into its original form while I’m sleeping and do something weird…?”

“Why do I feel like it’s even more dangerous now…”

Emmm.

Emmm.

As Yiluo muttered, a large alpaca-like head suddenly appeared beside her, mimicking her expression.

She turned her head and saw a creature not from her old world.

Camel-sized.
Alpaca-like head.
Long thin neck.
Round feathered body.
Long legs.

It was staring curiously at her wristband.

A giant… alpaca-ostrich hybrid?

Yiluo sensed no killing intent.

Probably herbivorous.

She blinked at it.

“Brother TuoTuo, do you think this thing is dangerous?”

The creature blinked—
then shook its head.

Though… some drool dripped out.

So not dangerous—
but delicious.

Animals’ instincts were sharp.

If even this thing wasn’t scared, the fluffball probably wasn’t a threat.

Then—

“Brother TuoTuo…
Do you taste good?”

TuoTuo froze mid-neck stretch.

It slowly turned its head.

Stared at Yiluo with big watery eyes.

And shook its head frantically.

Yiluo stared back, thinking whether braised or steamed would taste better.

She blinked innocently—then nodded.

Sweet words and hidden daggers—
one of her specialties.

They looked like they reached peace.

But she was definitely planning to scam it.

“Gulp…”

“Heh…”

Tension filled the air.

TuoTuo swallowed nervously.

Yiluo gave him a “kind” smile.

The harmony shattered instantly.

TuoTuo flapped all its feathers, pulled back its neck, and sprinted away.

Dust exploded toward Yiluo.

Wrapped in her cloak, she stepped forward to escape the smoke.

She peeked out—
TuoTuo was already dozens of meters away.

Yiluo didn’t rush.

She sighed calmly.

“Come trick me, come ambush me…
You naïve little newbie.”

She aimed her sword at the running creature.

Stepped back, twisted her body—
and threw the sword like a javelin.

“This okay?
This isn’t okay.”

The wrapped sword turned into a flash of light—
and struck TuoTuo’s head precisely.

KO.

Yiluo walked over slowly.

Her force control was perfect—
TuoTuo woke up just as she arrived.

It turned its head, staring pitifully at her.

Yiluo put one hand on her hip.

“Brother TuoTuo, I advise you to practice some wisdom. Reflect a bit.”

TuoTuo nodded rapidly.

Seeing its expression, Yiluo smiled.

Animals here were too spirited.

She waved dismissively.

“Relax. I have no fire, no pot, and I’m not into wild game.
Why would I eat you?
I was teasing you.”

“But I am short a mode of transportation.
You must know the forest well.
Take me to food—
then somewhere with people.”

“Oh, and the people can’t be too scary.
Someone friendlier than me.”

She tapped her lip.

“Well… I’m extremely friendly, so that’s hard.
But slightly worse is fine.
As long as you can bully them.”

“Don’t lie.
Or I will eat you.”

She smiled “kindly”—
very “kindly.”

Under such kindness,
TuoTuo surrendered.

Thus—
Yiluo gained her mount.

Mount +1
Fluffy wristband accessory +1

“Hey, TuoTuo, are you kidding me?
This fruit has seven colors—you trying to poison me?”

“Huh?? This mushroom is literally smoking!
You eat it first!
What?? You don’t eat mushrooms??
Come here!”

“Hmm, this one looks normal.
Let’s test it…
Seems edible.”

“Mm~ so sweet and refreshing~”

After wandering over an hour,
they finally found a peach-like fruit Yiluo approved of.

She ate to her heart’s content.

But… why was she still hungry?

She didn’t overthink it.

She climbed onto TuoTuo again and continued.

“TuoTuo, I’ll call you TuoTuo.
Feels friendly.”

“And the fluffball is asleep…
I’ll call it QiuQiu.
Cute.”

As Yiluo started naming her new companions,
several human figures appeared in the distance.

Yiluo perked up.

It didn’t look dangerous.

She slapped TuoTuo’s rear.

“Go. Let’s take a look!”