Chapter 84: Battling the Brainless Monster

The husky lay sprawled on the ground, unwilling to move, while Fork was so frustrated at the dog's disregard for his orders that he stomped his feet in agitation.

Gangan gazed skyward at a forty-five-degree angle, his face marked by melancholy, stretching lazily like an old man, utterly unconcerned by the tension.

Yan Shan hurled a snowball at the husky, but still failed to rouse the dog.

Uncle De slapped the snowball from Yan Shan's hands. "Hey! Why are you provoking that wolf? Do you have a death wish?"

Yan Shan replied, "Aren't we supposed to strike first? Scare it a bit, boost our morale!"

Uncle De retorted, "Do you think we need more morale right now?"

Yan Shan glanced over, only to see Fork still fussing with his harpoon, living up perfectly to the 'Fork' in his name.

"Is it true that names with 'Two' tend to be foolish?"

Tiger was quick to take offense at this, smacking Yan Shan on the forehead in a lecturing tone. "Watch your mouth! Maybe we should call you 'Second Shan' from now on!"

"Stop bickering. Can we show a little dignity in front of such a spectacle?" Gangan called the group to order, though truthfully, he seldom encountered such idiotic opponents.

Across the ice, Fork continued to stomp his feet anxiously, and in doing so, he stepped hard onto the frozen surface. Cracks instantly spidered beneath him, spreading out.

The husky finally couldn't remain still—it sprang awkwardly to its feet, but in its haste, it slipped and slid, plunging headfirst into the fissure.

The ice was now split, revealing a water channel below. Fork shrieked madly, "Ha! How arrogant are you now?"

The water channel trapped the husky, and the poor, chubby dog let out a cry as it fell in, desperately paddling to save itself.

Fork at last yanked out his harpoon and charged toward the group. Tiger seized a nearby frozen branch and was the first to meet the foe.

Gangan continued analyzing his opponent, only to be bombarded by a flood of useless information: "Likes purple," "Hates being underestimated," "Fat dog weighs sixty pounds."

After sifting for ages, not a single piece of useful data emerged! Gangan mentally cursed the monks of Nameless Temple and the game designers' families hundreds of times. At such crucial moments, the game provided nothing useful—not even a proper cheat. How was he supposed to enjoy this experience?

No matter—Gangan grabbed a branch and rushed at Fork.

Uncle De and Yan Shan exchanged a glance, their faces wooden, and with perfect mutual understanding, each pushed the other forward.

Uncle De said, "You go! Young and strong, skilled in both pen and sword!"

Yan Shan protested, "Uncle De should go! Experienced, can take on a hundred alone!"

They might as well have been performing a comic duet, neither taking a step forward.

The three faced off across the water channel, the husky struggling to swim to the other side. Fork leapt and landed atop the husky's head, throwing off its direction, then swam away down the channel.

Tiger and Gangan knew their makeshift weapons wouldn't stand up in a direct clash, so they dodged Fork's attacks, searching for an opening to strike a vital point.

Fork swung his harpoon at Tiger, who instinctively dodged. The harpoon struck a frozen tree beside them, causing Fork's face to tremble from the impact, his hair falling over his eyes.

Gangan seized the moment, bringing his frozen branch down on Fork's head. Fork was unfazed, flashing a wicked grin.

"Is this your idea of an attack? Are we playing house?"

Before his words finished, Tiger kicked Fork in the face, sending him stumbling backward.

"Nice! Brother Tiger, you're mighty!" Yan Shan cheered from behind.

Uncle De stroked his beard, looking every inch the wise strategist. "I knew these two would surely defeat the enemy!"

After being knocked back, Fork shook his head to clear it, cursing, "Damn, your feet reek! Haven't washed them in eight generations, have you?"

Tiger retorted angrily, "Fiend! You mangy beast, how dare you threaten people!"

Gangan added, "You sure talk a lot!"

Tiger snorted, "Nothing but trash from a dog's mouth!"

Fork snapped, "You scoundrels! Take my harpoon!"

Tiger and Fork tangled once more. Tiger wielded his branch like a duelist's rapier, thrusting and attacking, while Fork swung his harpoon wildly at him.

Tiger taunted, "Is swinging that harpoon all you can do, you idiot? You're nothing but a bear with a stick!"

Fork was smug, feeling his weapon gave him a far greater presence than Tiger. "I'm skilled in all eighteen martial arts. Of course I'll never tell you that swinging the harpoon is all I know! Guess for the rest of your life!"

Yan Shan, puzzled, turned to Uncle De. "Have we really run into a fool? Are we sure we got the right person?"

Uncle De shook his head. "I don't know. In over sixty years, I've never seen anyone like this."

Yan Shan pressed, "But isn't it a monster?"

Uncle De slapped his palm in sudden realization. "Ah, so that's why! No wonder it's so stupid."

A sharp snap rang out—the last of Tiger's branch was gone, leaving him unarmed, while Fork laughed maniacally.

"Dammit!" Tiger cursed.

Fork cackled, "Ha! One thrust and you're finished!"

Gangan sprang at Fork, beating and kicking him, but no matter what he did, Fork was untouched. Fork stomped on Tiger, looming over him like an executioner about to deliver the final blow.

Something had to be done! Gangan's weapon was just a stick, and the difference between them was too great. Tiger was in mortal danger—he had to come up with something!

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Facing Fork, who was raising his harpoon, Gangan shouted, "Fork! How can we defeat you?"

Fork's attention was completely drawn, and he grunted.

"Foolish mortals! You messed with that little pedestal but didn't care for it. You never guessed—I linked my flesh to the pedestal! Who pays attention to such a thing in a fight? Ha! I'm so clever!"

Everyone was stunned. Gangan and Tiger looked to Uncle De and Yan Shan, who exchanged a glance and dashed toward the pedestal.

Fork realized he'd blurted out too much. He released Tiger, grabbed his harpoon, and raced after them. Tiger lay helpless, unable to stand, while Gangan gripped his branch and charged at Fork.

In that instant, the branch ignited, transforming into the Sword of Crimson Dawn. Gangan was overjoyed—he swung the sword, and Fork blocked with his harpoon.

Uncle De and Yan Shan drew closer to the pedestal, and Fork, sensing disaster, became deadly serious. Summoning all his strength, he brought the harpoon down from above, determined to end it quickly.

Gangan instinctively raised his sword to block. A heavy, dull sound rang out; the ice beneath Gangan's feet depressed, leaving a footprint.

"Villain! You actually used me!"

Gangan replied, "That's called outsmarting you!"

Yan Shan reached the pedestal first, delivering a powerful kick. Fork clutched his chest and staggered back.

Uncle De saw it worked and followed with a sideways kick. Fork's face twisted in pain, and he tried desperately to shake off Gangan.

Gangan pressed his advantage, slashing Fork's back with the sword. Fork howled and collapsed. Yan Shan and Uncle De took turns pummeling him, battering him relentlessly.

At last, Fork lay prone and unmoving. The husky finally swam back to its master, sniffed Fork to check for breath, and then relieved itself on him.