Chapter Eleven: The Mischievous Child Battles the Little Green Dog

As Xiao Zhang walked, he thought to himself that if he encountered some kind of monster, he might still have time to react or escape. But what if he ran into another human, someone like himself? Or rather, another real player—would the other person have a similar map? Would they be able to see him too? Would their intentions be good or malicious? Probably not, since Mo Kuang’s map didn’t seem to show his own position.

Jiang Xiaobai trudged listlessly behind Xiao Zhang; despite his low spirits, this little fellow could really jump fast.

At last, as they neared the safe zone, a prompt appeared on Xiao Zhang’s interface:

Warning: Your pet is exhibiting abnormal behavior. Please check immediately.

Xiao Zhang stopped and looked at the drooping Jiang Xiaobai.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Zhang squatted down and peered at the little zombie.

The little zombie squeaked plaintively.

Was it possible he needed to feed his pet with his own flesh and blood? Suddenly, Xiao Zhang remembered that zombies were supposed to drink blood. Hesitating, he rolled up his sleeve and offered his arm. “Here, have a bite.”

The little zombie turned his head away with a look of utter disdain.

“Hey, you’re looking down on me!”

Just then, a red dot appeared on the map. A crimson point was racing along the edge of the map toward him, and at the same time, Mo Kuang’s green dot had inexplicably vanished!

Xiao Zhang’s eyes sharpened. He scooped up Jiang Xiaobai and leaped onto a nearby tree. Thanks to his enhanced physique, he easily concealed himself and Jiang Xiaobai among the thick leaves.

Once the red dot approached his position, it suddenly changed direction, then began to circle around, not far from Xiao Zhang, twice before coming to a stop.

“What the hell is that?” Xiao Zhang peered down but saw nothing unusual.

That couldn’t be right…

At last, based on the map’s display, a seemingly ordinary tree caught his attention.

He stared at it, making sure it wasn’t his imagination—the tree seemed to be moving, ever so slightly.

After a few more shifts, it stopped, then slowly transformed into a small, vivid green dog.

What kind of bizarre thing was this? Xiao Zhang grew tense. Was this another creature like the corpse king?

Gripping his wrench tightly, Xiao Zhang suppressed the urge to rush out and smack it. Although it looked weak, who knew if it might suddenly transform?

When the creature walked a few steps forward, Xiao Zhang relaxed a bit. At least, it looked like a harmless little green dog. It wasn’t very big, but its skin was a bright, unnatural green, and there was a faint red glow flickering across its body, which made Xiao Zhang wary.

The little dog crawled toward the base of Xiao Zhang’s tree. He gripped his wrench tighter, his eyes fixed on the strange animal. There was something off about it.

Suddenly, the zombie in his arms sprang to life!

Jiang Xiaobai let out a howl. Before Xiao Zhang could react, he had already shot out of his arms!

“Hey! Get back here!”

Jiang Xiaobai was changing as he flew through the air. His tiny body swelled, and by the time he landed, he was about the same size as the green dog. His claws now sported long, sharp nails.

Jiang Xiaobai howled again, then lunged at the little dog.

“Is this a brat versus a stray dog?” Xiao Zhang stared in shock—and then realized, by all that’s holy, the dog had a whole cluster of eyes on its forehead—at least eight.

The green dog reacted instantly. Before Jiang Xiaobai could pounce, it burrowed into the ground! Jiang Xiaobai missed and spun around, leaping back.

Suddenly, behind Jiang Xiaobai, a dog’s head burst from the ground and bit into the little zombie’s plump rear.

Jiang Xiaobai howled as he was sent rolling, tumbling across the ground. When he got back up, his pants were in tatters, but he seemed unscathed.

In a flash, the green dog darted out.

Xiao Zhang’s vision blurred. So fast!

Jiang Xiaobai was struck again. This time, the green dog’s claw left a mark on his forehead. Jiang Xiaobai furiously sprang up, but the green dog, moving like lightning, struck him on the head again before he could react.

Watching this, Xiao Zhang’s own head ached. “You little brat, you can’t even beat a stray dog!”

He gripped his wrench tighter and hurled it at the dog, then leaped down from the tree.

“You know, you should really ask permission before beating someone’s pet! Actually, if you’re going to hit a brat, you need a parent to do it. Die, you mangy mutt!”

Xiao Zhang quickly recovered his missed wrench. The little green dog was incredibly fast—he only had time to dodge as a black blur shot toward his face.

With a ripping sound, Xiao Zhang felt a searing pain in his shoulder, as if a chunk of flesh had been torn away.

“Damn it! I ought to report you for cheating!”

Xiao Zhang swung his wrench and charged again, this time with Jiang Xiaobai joining in. Though they were both clearly outmatched in speed, they managed to put up a fight, however slight.

After several exchanges, despite giving it everything he had and Jiang Xiaobai’s desperate support, the little green dog remained agile, leaping and dodging constantly. Neither man nor zombie could do much against it.

Moreover, Xiao Zhang had the unsettling feeling that the green dog wasn’t even using its full strength. A scene flashed through his mind: if he managed to whack the dog on the head with his wrench, would it transform?

Summoning all his strength, Xiao Zhang finally caught up to the dog and brought the wrench down hard, smashing the green dog flat.

He stared, dumbfounded, at the unmoving creature. Had he actually finished it off?

Jiang Xiaobai, seeing this, edged warily away.

A sudden, furious howl made Xiao Zhang jump. The green dog’s entire body turned from green to red, swelling in size.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Xiao Zhang stared at the massive red dog before him, thinking, If I ever get another chance, I’ll never hit a dog on the head again!

He watched in horror as the red dog swatted Jiang Xiaobai away with a single paw. Yet, aside from some torn clothes, the little zombie seemed unharmed.

Suddenly, inspiration struck Xiao Zhang.

“Of course! I’m such an idiot! With something this big, using skills would be much more effective. All those years playing games for nothing!”

“Xiaobai!”

Xiao Zhang turned and sprinted toward the huge tree behind him. Back pressed firmly against the trunk, he positioned himself and the corpse king perfectly, wrench at the ready.