Little Family Treasure of the Apocalyptic Boss

Chapter 12: Encounter

“Is this place good?”

“Yeah!”

The little snake sub-beast looked at the wilderness filled with wild vegetables, small mushrooms, and large red fruits hanging from the branches above. Even in the shadows, a precious herb was hidden. Nodding happily, the little snake sub-beast said, “Ye Zi, go do your thing! I’m going to start working too!”

The little snake sub-beast held a back basket with one hand, pointing at the clump of chattering greens closest to them. Looking up at Ye Ze, his gaze involuntarily drifted to the side.

Eagerly. Golden large eyes had “satisfaction” written on the left and “want to pick” on the right.

If there were subtitles, they would likely say, “Hurry, go wherever you want to play, just don’t disturb me.”

Recently, Ye Ze had bothered the little snake sub-beast too much, always suspecting that the snake sub-beast might dislike them. So, with a look of grievance, he half seriously complained, “Nuo Nuo never sticks to me.”

The little snake sub-beast tilted their head in confusion.

Wasn’t it normal to separate from the beastmen during the hunting season? One would be disliked by them if one insisted on following.

However, before Ye Ze’s whimsical thoughts manifested into tangible results, the little snake sub-beast couldn’t understand. So, he lifted his hand, swaying their tail, and gave him an encouraging pat on the head.

Always lowering their head in front of the little snake sub-beast. Although there was a significant height difference, a boost could make up for it!

A very gentle pat came to his forehead.

Ye Ze first froze, then quietly bent his tall back, allowing the little snake sub-beast to touch his hair more conveniently.

Like a proud knight willingly offering loyalty to his confidant.

“Hoo~, hoo~. Ye Zi, don’t be afraid. The monsters can’t beat Ye Zi, who’s super powerful!”

Comforting him like a child, the little snake sub-beast blew air onto the top of his descending hair, bringing warm and tingling sensations. It shook off the chill in his heart and danced on top, fluttering in the wind.

“When today’s hunting is over, I’ll go find Ye Zi. Then, we’ll go home together.”

Seeing Ye Ze suddenly quiet down, the little snake sub-beast was quite satisfied with the soothing effect he had caused.

In this way, he could also do something for Ye Zi!

The tip of the little snake sub-beast’s tail drew an ‘s’ behind him, quite happy.

Really… really excessively cute.

It made people unable to resist wanting to hide him away, so that only they could see this adorable little snake sub-beast.

The supreme lord of the apocalypse, when leaving, walked with the wind. His spirit was rare to have the excitement and self-satisfaction of a young brat. It felt like he could punch down a forest of monsters with a single fist.

—This was, of course, his significant illusion.

Although he referred to this dimension as a primitive world, the abundance of energy far exceeded the apocalypse. It was evidently a place more dangerous and fierce in terms of martial strength than the apocalypse.

Currently, recovering to the strength of a Level 9 esper, Ye Ze’s corresponding level was probably in the upper-middle range in this world’s cultivation. There was still considerable room for improvement.

So, inadvertently letting the monster escape during the practice could be understood.

Ye Ze, having been tricked by his own monster, instantly cooled down his overly pleased mood. A faintly shimmering emerald light flickered in his eyes, causing the surrounding trees to uncontrollably shiver.

Clearly, it didn’t look like he could “understand.”

Ye Ze flicked his fingers. The red thorn vines, which had broken several branches, instantly restored. They curled up two horn-like sturdy branches and placed them in Ye Ze’s hands.

In the forest, the ubiquitous trees were Ye Ze’s eyes, helping him lock onto the target’s location and status.

There was absolutely no possibility of escape.

Ye Ze’s playful expression disappeared, and his demeanor turned cold, as if a layer of frost had formed on his face. His gaze fell on the blood-stained breakthrough point. He stared at the large and frantic figure, which was about to take a step forward but suddenly froze.

Then, he changed direction and walked toward the opposite end, completely opposite to the direction of the monster.

He wasn’t alone now.

Thinking of this, Ye Ze’s expression softened slightly.

The level of this monster was not low, and its strength was decent. He spent quite a bit of time experimenting with it.

If he chased it now, the time spent outside would be even longer.

The little snake sub-beast would worry if he didn’t return.

“Ye Zi, you’re back. Did you also return with a full harvest today?”

While saying this routine greeting, the little snake sub-beast’s attention was not at all attracted by matters related to the harvest. His gaze continuously swept over Ye Ze, ensuring that he hadn’t been injured today. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Feeling relaxed all over!

Then, he took off his small back basket and held it in front of Ye Ze as if presenting a treasure. “Look! Today, like Ye Zi, I also had a very productive day!”

Staying in the Black Snake Tribe’s culture of wandering for food. Out of respect for the beastmen’s pride and to avoid any negative connotations, the people waiting at home never showed concern from the perspective of injuries. “Returning with a full harvest” became quite a prestigious praise. Unless one had deep trust in the beastmen’s strength, they wouldn’t easily mention it with the beastmen.

Ye Ze smiled, completely concealing the dark and cold demeanor he had on the way. He responded warmly, “There was a little situation today.”

“Eh?”

“That lion ran quite fast, so I came back first to find Nuo Nuo.” Ye Ze looked at the slightly dry lips of the little snake sub-beast and handed him a cup of warm water.

“?” If the lion ran fast, shouldn’t he chase after it? Or did the lion come in his direction? But he didn’t see it.

The little snake sub-beast held the cup, blinking his eyes in confusion. Utterly bewildered.

“I’ll go after it later. I won’t lose track.” Ye Ze explained, smiling.

“Oh.” The little snake sub-beast nodded as if he somewhat understood. Trusting every word Ye Ze said, he no longer inquired.

Since Ye Zi said he could catch it, he would definitely catch it!

After the little snake sub-beast sipped the water one mouthful at a time, Ye Ze took the cup and belatedly realized: he forgot to prepare outdoor supplies for the little snake sub-beast.

A thermos and a small lunchbox.

Just take them when thirsty or hungry on the way.

Putting them in the magic back basket wouldn’t add any weight. Very convenient.

He would buy them after going home!

“Today’s targeted magical beast is quite rare, a Level 6 Bull-Horned Magic Lion. It happens to be heading in the direction of our return journey. Nuo Nuo, would you like to take a look?” Considering the scarcity of entertainment in the wilderness, Ye Ze, after some thought, asked aloud.

“Is, is it okay?” The little snake sub-beast didn’t want to disturb Ye Ze’s hunting activities. However, he was genuinely curious about the appearance of magical beasts.

“Of course.” Ye Ze affirmed. Placing a strawberry-filled gummy candy into the little snake sub-beast’s mouth, he gently touched his soft silver hair and encouraged, “By my side, Nuo Nuo can do anything. Don’t be afraid, just express your thoughts. That makes me happy.”

Uh-oh. No, Ye Ze shouldn’t spoil him like this.

If Nuo Nuo became bad, Ye Zi wouldn’t like him anymore.

Wrapped in Ye Ze’s palm, the little snake sub-beast’s body was warm. Twisting his slender white fingers, he hesitated and struggled to speak.

Ye Ze didn’t expect to correct the personality developed by the little snake sub-beast over more than ten years in just a few days. The skills of coaxing someone improved by leaps and bounds. He patted the little snake sub-beast’s head, smiled, and said, “Then, I’ll go catch the big lion for Nuo Nuo first. Is it okay if the little vines guide Nuo Nuo?”

“……Hmm.” Under the gentle gaze of the orc, the little snake sub-beast nodded gently.

In the past, when the beastmen in the tribe hunted magical beasts, he didn’t have the qualification to watch the dissection ceremony.

Those lively and joyful scenes were distant from him.

But now, it was different.

Thinking back, he not only touched a lot of materials from magical beasts with his own hands, but he also tasted the taste of magical beast meat with his own mouth.

Soon, he would be able to witness the harvest scene of a Level 6 magical beast!

—That was an existence that even the most powerful and knowledgeable chief in the tribe hadn’t encountered!

The anticipation in the little snake sub-beast’s heart bloomed like flowers.

Ye Ze chuckled lightly and set off again.

Wei Man was very angry.

From childhood to adulthood, even his dignified father and stepfather wouldn’t force him to do any heavy work!

As a result, these ignorant sub-beastmen and females actually asked him to go to a place full of rotten leaves and bugs to pick mushrooms!

Even if he had reached the age to enter the collection team, Wei Man never thought he should do such dirty and tiring work.

He was the sub-beast of the chief’s family!

Destined to marry into a medium-sized tribe and enjoy a more prosperous and superior life!

Wei Man threw a tantrum in the collection team. Ignoring the dissuasion of the sub-beastmen and female elders, he pushed away an old female trying to stop him, and ran out of the safety zone marked by the beastmen. Crushing the grass underfoot, he felt furious.

If he had known the collection team would be like this, he wouldn’t have come no matter what.

Look at the hands he had just maintained. How could they make such unreasonable demands!

“Sub-Father is really something. I am, after all, an upper-class person, and my father has done so much for the tribe, guarding its safety. Shouldn’t I enjoy some privileges? This kind of allocation of tasks shouldn’t be assigned to me!”

Wei Man became angrier the more he thought, completely unaware that he was walking further away.

—Out in the wilderness, he was no longer safe.

“Splash!”

As if showcasing its majesty to the disrespectful sub-beast, a distant rumbling echoed through the jungle, sounding increasingly massive.

As if some enormous creature was rampaging through the forest.

The ground trembled, the sound of trees collapsing was incessant, and startled birds flew closer to him.

Wei Man abruptly halted his steps. Turning towards the source of the noise, a colossal figure, nearly five meters tall, burst through the dense foliage, revealing itself in front of him.

A terrifying pressure enveloped him.

Wei Man seemed to be frozen in place. His stiff body slowly raised his head, and he saw the magical beast with its large mouth dripping viscous saliva and razor-sharp teeth longer than his arms.

“Ah—!”

Wei Man’s face turned pale, and he screamed in despair. His legs went weak, collapsing onto the grass. Ignoring what might be lurking in the grass, he pressed his arms against the ground, desperately shuffling backward, attempting to evade this fearsome magical beast.

The black lion’s mane was lush and vibrant, making its already fierce head look even more colossal. Upon hearing Wei Man’s scream, its pair of crimson lantern-like eyes turned towards him, locking onto Wei Man.

Wei Man, frightened to tears, rolled in the dirt on the grass, looking disheveled.

Seeing a creature so similar to the one that had hurt him, and in such a pathetic appearance, the Bull-Horned Magic Lion’s hatred suddenly found satisfaction and diversion.

It didn’t sense anything approaching from behind.

The Bull-Horned Magic Lion’s eyes flickered with disdain and mockery. It opened its big mouth and lunged towards Wei Man.

“Ah—!”

“Roar—!”

The nauseating mouth of the Bull-Horned Magic Lion paused in front of Wei Man.

Then, with a “bang,” it slammed into the ground.

Blood oozed out from beneath it.

Wei Man, lying on the ground, watched this terrifying giant lion in shock. After confirming it was truly dead, he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Feeling weak all over, he raised his head and saw a proud figure standing on top of the lion, silhouetted against the backlight.

This must be his savior!

“Hmm? So there’s someone here.”

The god made a sound.