Chapter Sixteen: Beast Hunt

To be honest, deep down Wang Yinlong held a certain disdain for the group known as metaverse players. In his eyes, they were parasites on society; they contributed nothing of value and, worse still, consumed resources that could have been put to better use.

Yet this did not mean he looked down on Chen Nian.

No matter how lackluster a group may be, sheer numbers alone will inevitably produce some outstanding individuals. That is an objective law. For Chen Nian to distinguish himself among hundreds of millions of players, he must possess some remarkable qualities.

Moreover, Chen Nian exuded a confident and vigorous air, a presence that inspired trust in those around him.

“Let’s hear your thoughts,” Wang Yinlong said, his expression grave.

“The best way to solve a complex problem is to break it down into smaller, manageable parts,” Chen Nian replied. “If we want to kill this monster, the first challenge is to secure a powerful weapon. Since we have no choice in terms of materials, we’ll need to compensate with size. I think those large fallen trees scattered on the ground could serve us well…”

He went on, “Once we have a weapon, the next step is strategy…”

Standing in the midst of the group, Chen Nian explained his plan calmly and clearly. He broke the task of killing the monster into several distinct stages, and then addressed each in turn. His reasoning was crystal clear, and those listening could not help but nod along in agreement.

When he finished, Wang Yinlong’s gaze toward Chen Nian had subtly changed.

As for Xiao Hu, who was already an ardent fan of Chen Nian, his eyes were practically shining.

“So, what does everyone think of Chen Nian’s plan?” Wang Yinlong asked, looking around.

“I think it’s worth a try,” said Zhou Zhicheng, the first to respond.

“I agree, let’s give it a shot,” echoed the others.

Hearing this, Wang Yinlong turned his attention back to Chen Nian. He clearly remembered that when Chen Nian had stepped forward, it wasn’t merely to present a plan—he had declared that he would take command.

“What a confident young man,” Wang Yinlong mused inwardly, before making his decision.

“Chen Nian, aside from Liu Yun who was injured, there are ninety-nine members of the Special Operations Team remaining. I’ll put them under your command. If you find yourself short-handed, just let me know and I’ll assign you more people.”

“Very well. Members of the Special Operations Team, please assemble by me.”

After the team had gathered, Chen Nian once again emphasized the key points of his plan.

Once he was sure everyone understood, he led the ninety-nine men toward the lakeshore. The rest of the group withdrew several hundred meters away to continue crafting tools and weapons.

At the edge of the forest near the lake, Chen Nian began directing his team in their preparations. It took just over an hour to complete the arrangements.

Satisfied that nothing had been overlooked, Chen Nian surveyed his team. “Any questions?”

“No problems, we’re ready to move,” replied Ye Qiang, the leading man.

“We’re good to go!” the others chimed in.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

With a sweep of his hand, Chen Nian set the plan in motion. The hundred-strong group split into several teams, each assigned its task.

Once again, they used a small beast’s carcass as bait, but this time, a vine rope was tied around it. The carcass was placed at the riverbank, and everyone waited in silence.

Barely two minutes passed before ripples appeared on the surface of the lake. Clearly, this giant beast had long dominated the forest with impunity, fearing nothing.

The ripples soon turned to waves. When the surge was just ten meters from the shore, Chen Nian signaled to three men hidden behind a tree.

They understood at once and began to pull the rope. The beast’s carcass started moving into the forest at a steady pace.

With a thunderous splash, the monster burst from the water, lunging toward the carcass—only to snap at thin air.

Enraged by its prey’s escape, the creature threw back its head and roared, then lumbered after the bait, stirring a foul wind through the forest.

As the massive beast drew closer, Chen Nian held his breath.

A few seconds later, the carcass was dragged to a spot beside a thicket, slightly elevated above the surrounding ground.

When the beast saw its prey halt, it lunged again, jaws wide.

“Now! Hit it!” Chen Nian shouted, stepping into view.

At his word, several Special Operations Team members sprang from the shrubbery, driving a massive, sharpened log straight at the monster’s gaping maw.

The log, set atop another to increase its velocity, shot forward with tremendous force.

Before the monster could react, the log rammed deep into its mouth—two or three meters in, driven by sheer momentum!

A chilling, unnatural bellow erupted from the beast.

Without a second thought, Chen Nian ordered, “Fall back! It’s about to go berserk!”

He and those nearby darted behind the largest trees they could find.

The monster thrashed in agony, its serrated fangs tearing the log into pieces as blood poured from its jaws like a stream.

Driven mad by pain, it convulsed wildly, flattening everything within a dozen meters and leaving behind narrow pits where its massive body struck the earth.

As the beast writhed in torment, Chen Nian slipped to the other side and gave another command: “Team Three, now—stab it hard in the belly!”

From the pits, team members jabbed upward with every sharp implement they had.

Each pit was barely big enough for one person, but the beast was so large, even its claws couldn’t reach them—making the position relatively safe.

And the creature, now insane with pain, had no mind to dig them out.

Stabbed repeatedly from below, the monster reflexively rolled over.

Chen Nian’s eyes gleamed as he turned to Ye Qiang.

“Charge!”

Ye Qiang nodded fiercely. He and a dozen of the strongest team members hefted another sharpened log and charged the beast’s exposed belly like a battering ram.

Elite troopers of the Space Corps, they showed not a hint of fear, even as they faced a creature the size of a truck.

Within seconds, the log crashed into the beast’s soft underbelly. There was an audible thud, and a dent appeared, but the skin did not give way immediately.

Frustration flared among Ye Qiang and his team, but none faltered. With a unified shout, they pushed with all their might, determined to see the attack through, come what may.

At last, a hot wave splashed over them as the log punched through. Ye Qiang’s vision was suddenly awash with blood.

“Retreat!” he heard Chen Nian’s voice faintly from behind.

He dropped the log instinctively and scrambled away, the others scattering with him. Only after they had run dozens of meters did they dare to look back.

A gaping wound now marred the beast’s belly, blood spouting forth like a fountain.

Desperate to survive, the monster continued to thrash. Though it eventually managed to dislodge the log, the wound only widened, internal organs spilling out.

Regaining a sliver of sense, the beast struggled toward the lake, but the shore was already lined with logs placed there by the rest of the team.

As it crossed them, its limbs slipped and slid, gaining little ground. Finally, it collapsed, lifeless, by the water’s edge.

From afar, Chen Nian let out a long breath, discreetly tossing aside the strip of bark still clinging to his hand.