"Mickson!" Guo Xiaoxiao cried out in her heart, filled with worry. She began to search everywhere.

Arthur's struggle continued, but there was still no trace of the two, only a scene of utter devastation.

Guo Xiaoxiao was very anxious. She clearly heard the orc who came to deliver the message say that Miken and the others had arrived. Could it be a false alarm?

No, they wouldn't abandon her, given their temperaments. Guo Xiaoxiao was convinced they were coming for her. She ran around frantically, and the sounds of fighting faded into the distance.

Without realizing it, she got lost... lost in the jungle, unable to find her way back. She remembered the way back, but following that route only led her deeper into the jungle.

She was completely lost, unable to find anyone, and had no idea which way to go.

Guo Xiaoxiao had no choice. She didn't know how long she had walked, but she was finally exhausted. She lay down to rest for a while, but then she heard the occasional howls of animals. Startled, she immediately sat up. Had she encountered a tiger, lion, or leopard? This was truly terrifying!

What terrible luck! I haven't found the person, and I've gotten myself lost. I wonder how Mickson and the others are doing. What if Arthur goes berserk and beats them to death tonight?

The system opens…

[System: You're lost, aren't you?]

Guo Xiaoxiao: Yes, can you show me the way?

[System: Just stay here and don't wander off. Arthur will come looking for you if he finds you're not in the tribe.]

Guo Xiaoxiao: Really? Is he that kind? Won't he say, "She's just a female, why bother looking? There are plenty of others like her"?

[System: No, he's just saying that. Just you wait and see, your good days are ahead.]

Guo Xiaoxiao: I've wanted to live like this every single day. Hey, Tie Da, I've completed my hidden mission, where's the reward?

[System: Still in preparation. The skill effect is huge. It will be given to you after it is completed in seven days.]

Guo Xiaoxiao: It's so mysterious, could it be a trap?

[System: No way!]

Guo Xiaoxiao: Seeing that you've been behaving well lately, I'll give you one last chance.

[System: Okay, just sit and wait for him to come to you, don't rush.]

Guo Xiaoxiao was still worried: "I'm fine, I'm mainly worried about Mikesen and the other guy. If they get injured while I'm not around, there'll be no one to treat them."

[System: It's alright, the beast mark on your arm is still there. As long as the beast mark disappears, they are not dead.]

"Really?" Guo Xiaoxiao glanced at the beast mark on her arm. "You can even use the beast mark to determine life or death? That's quite convenient. I'm relieved."

Guo Xiaoxiao sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, trying to stay alert and ready to respond to any unexpected situations.

…

Meanwhile, Arthur finished dealing with everything and returned to the stone house, but where was everyone?!

When the orcs outside saw Arthur return, none of them dared to approach the stone house. They all pretended to be busy with their own tasks.

Where are the females in my house?

He questioned each orc.

The beastmen looked at each other, all saying they didn't know, didn't know, didn't know. Where was the female? Wasn't she always inside? She hadn't come out even after she finished relieving herself.

Arthur was furious

"You bunch of useless trash, you can't even keep an eye on a little female!"

"Chief, no one saw her come out."

"Get out, all of you get out!"

Arthur drew his bone knife and swung it, causing screams to erupt all around as the orcs fled for their lives.

"snort!"

Arthur finished dealing with one group and then went to deal with another, until all the orcs had dispersed before he turned and left.

He followed the scent, and indeed, Guo Xiaoxiao wasn't in the tribe; had she run away?

Arthur frowned. Where could she have run off to? Had she encountered any danger?! His mind was in turmoil as he hurried out of the tribe.

In order to trigger an even more sensitive sense of smell, he transformed into a white tiger and carefully searched for that scent.

…

Night fell... The forest night was rather dim, with the moon hanging high in the sky, its silvery light casting a mysterious glow over the forest.

Arthur searched the forest thoroughly, looking everywhere, but still couldn't find a trace of her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air, without a trace, and even the scent had faded.

Arthur slumped to the ground, feeling utterly dejected. The fact that they were gone was a minor matter; all the orcs who had come today had been killed by him. If he were to wander the jungle alone, whether he would survive the night was uncertain.

"roar--"

"roar--"

"Awoo~~~"

The roars of ferocious beasts echoed through the forest, accompanied by the sounds of various birds and animals fleeing in terror…

Arthur raised his head, looked up at the starry sky... and exhaled...

You have to live.

…

Guo Xiaoxiao's invisibility spell vanished, and the scent concealment, despite the system notification, also disappeared. In the pitch-black night, she felt icy cold all over, hugging her arms tightly and curling up to stay warm.

She was terrified and didn't dare make a sound, praying that no wild beast would find her. The forest was noisy, with many nocturnal creatures roaming around; she could even clearly hear the crunching sound of some animal stepping on dry branches and leaves.

"System, China Railway University..."

"My first visit to the Beast World wasn't so scary! This environment is terrifying!" Guo Xiaoxiao was terrified and felt extremely depressed.

The system isn't responding... What should I do...? Should I use a skill? But using Lionheart will make me faint, and being eaten by a beast after fainting is too risky.

Guo Xiaoxiao's mind was in a daze. She had always thought of herself as a brave person, but she was still scared. It was too dark, cold, and dangerous. Could there be ghosts...?

Arthur smelled it—a delicate, feminine scent. It was Guo Xiaoxiao's fragrance. He was thrilled and ran wildly following the scent.

Crossing the jungle

In pursuit of flavor...

"Xiaoxiao..."

Someone was calling her. Guo Xiaoxiao opened her eyes with great joy and responded to the voice.

"I'm here"

"I've found you, you wait..."

He rushed over

Arthur grabbed Guo Xiaoxiao's shoulders and saw her face clearly. She froze, her eyes reddening, her lips trembling... It really was Arthur...

Before Arthur could even get angry and question why she had run out, Guo Xiaoxiao threw herself into his arms.

"555~"

Arthur was stunned. He had never seen Guo Xiaoxiao so proactive before. She was actually crying… scared, huh? For some reason, he felt a pang of pity. His fierce tone and questioning voice were swallowed back. He imitated how other males comforted females, gently patting her and softly coaxing her:

"Don't be afraid, don't cry."

"Mmm, ooh~~"

Guo Xiaoxiao sobbed, not on purpose, but because she was too scared to stop. After a few moments of choked sobs, her thoughts gradually calmed, her breathing became steady, and she gently pulled away from him.

Arthur looked down at her. Guo Xiaoxiao lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes red from crying.

"Are you... alright?"

Arthur hesitated for a moment, then asked anyway.

I'm fine.

"oh"

Arthur nodded, remaining silent. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, causing him to momentarily lose his composure.

After a long silence

Guo Xiaoxiao mustered her courage, raised her head, and gritted her teeth, saying:

Thank you.