In the center of the Red Mud Pond, there is a small mound with a decaying wooden frame stuck in it.
Climbing on the wooden frame is a red plant, with a bright crimson fruit hanging from it, looking luscious and fresh.
This fruit is scarlet as blood, with a halo flowing on its surface, resembling a beating fresh heart.
No need for further words; this is undoubtedly something rare.
It's just unknown whether it's poisonous or not.
However, Rogel didn't rush to pick the fruit immediately.
As the trope goes, where there are heavenly treasures, there must be a guardian monster.
Could this thing be unguarded?
Those few red toads from before certainly didn't count; they were minor monsters.
There must be a guardian monster hiding nearby.
Thinking this, Rogel cautiously controlled his character to circle around, trying to find the hidden monster.
However, after hustling for quite some time, there was no gain.
It seems this monster will not come out easily.
But going directly to pick the fruit would be too dangerous; that thing might be hiding in the mire.
Rogel thought for a moment and took out a hemp rope from the Item Inventory.
After making a tightening loop, Rogel swung it over his head twice and then threw it towards the wooden frame.
It missed.
Rogel scratched his head, dragged the rope back, and threw it again.
However, his aim was still unreliable.
After repeating this several times, Rogel finally managed to loop the rope around the wooden frame.
Rogel tugged on the rope, confirmed it was tightly secured, and then pulled gently.
But at that moment, the mound in the mire suddenly had some movement.
[You have disturbed the slumbering monster.]
With the appearance of the game message, the mire suddenly trembled violently.
The next moment, the earth surged, and a giant figure stood up from the mud.
This monster had a huge giant-shaped body, its face indistinguishable, covered with red mud and aquatic plants, and on its head was the wooden frame.
It was at least three times Rogel's game height, a big guy.
[Blood Mud Giant]
[Type: Creature]
[Quality: Elite]
[Level: 4]
[Tier: Extraordinary]
[Explanation: A giant monster that likes to hide in the mire, often using the blood fruit on its head to lure prey, don't fall for it!]
For crying out loud, if I'd fallen for it, would I be able to see your hint...
Seeing the monster's information, Rogel felt a bit speechless.
But the situation now doesn't allow him more time to think, as the Blood Mud Giant has already launched an attack on him.
[You are under attack by the monster, Auto Battle/Manual Battle.]
Rogel chose Auto Battle first.
[Roar!]
The Blood Mud Giant roared, clapped its hands together, and struck at Rogel like a heavy hammer.
In Auto Battle mode, Rogel was no turn-based fool; using his flexible body, he easily dodged the blow and even took the chance to claw the Blood Mud Giant.
[You launched an attack on the Blood Mud Giant, dealing 32 damage.]
The damage is a bit low...
Rogel was a bit surprised at the sight.
However, he wasn't too taken aback, as the Blood Mud Giant was a massive creature; being thick-skinned wasn't surprising.
[You launched an attack on the Blood Mud Giant, dealing 28 damage.]
[...]
On the screen, Rogel constantly evaded the Blood Mud Giant's attacks and attacked back in the meantime; although the damage seemed like a scratch, Rogel was in no rush.
Slowly grind it to death.
The Blood Mud Giant, constantly taking damage, seemed to be feeling it, unable to hit Rogel no matter what.
[Roar!]
The Blood Mud Giant roared again, seemingly on the verge of a rampage.
Seeing this, Rogel quickly had his game character move away.
This seemed like a big move was coming, got to dodge it quickly.
Sure enough, the next moment, the Blood Mud Giant lifted its right leg and stomped down heavily.
Wham!
Blood-red mud exploded like a bomb, scattering mud everywhere.
Rogel's game character raised a hand to shield his face but still got splattered with quite a bit of blood mud.
Just as Rogel was pondering if the blood mud was poisoned, he noticed the Blood Mud Giant was already dashing away.
"Oh, come on!"
In this situation, Rogel didn't have time to think further and quickly controlled his character to give chase.
He originally thought the Blood Mud Giant was going to make a desperate all-out attack, but who would have thought it turned into a smoke screen to aid its escape.
Looking so straightforward and honest, who knew it would be so cunning.
But Rogel wasn't afraid of it running away.
In a chase, who could outrun him?
Fog Flash!
Rogel turned into a wisp of mist, rapidly closing in on the Blood Mud Giant.
The next moment, he appeared behind it, delivering a claw strike without hesitation.
The Blood Mud Giant cried out in pain again.
Finding it couldn't escape, the Blood Mud Giant roared in anger, preparing for a desperate fight.
But the next second, it reshaped Rogel's perception again.
With a thud, the Blood Mud Giant knelt, pulled the wooden frame from its head, raised its hands above its head, and offered the fruit to Rogel.
[Waa-la waa-la waa...]
The Blood Mud Giant babbled something, displaying an expression that Rogel even found to be fawning.
No doubt, it was begging for mercy.
Rogel: "..."
This guy, being so huge for nothing, doesn't have a shred of backbone.
Before Rogel could decide, the Blood Mud Giant respectfully placed the fruit on the ground, then took out some muddy items from behind and laid them on the ground.
[Waa-la woo...]
Then it stood up, wiped itself vigorously, and spread its hands, indicating it really had nothing left.
Rogel stroked his chin and glanced at the treasures on the ground.
[You found Crimson Fruit ×1.]
[You found Steel Sword ×1.]
[You found Rock Ring ×1.]
[You found Muddy Chain Armor ×1.]
This Blood Mud Giant actually provided so many good things?
Rogel was a bit surprised looking at it.
Seeing Rogel's gaze fall, the Blood Mud Giant clasped its hands, looking pitifully pleading again.
Then, as if recalling something, its eyes lit up, and it pointed at its previous location.
[Waa-la woo...]
Though not understanding its words, Rogel broadly grasped its meaning.
After thinking for a bit, Rogel collected the items on the ground, then gestured to the Blood Mud Giant, indicating for it to lead the way.
Seeing this, the Blood Mud Giant was overjoyed, feeling the human seemed willing to spare it.
It hurriedly led the way.
Returning to the previous mire, Rogel acquired several more things.
[You found Dirty Iron Boots ×1.]
[You found Black Crystal Stone ×1.]
[You found Contaminated Potion ×1.]
[You found Ancient Gold Coins ×12, Ancient Silver Coins ×126.]
After handing over all its items to Rogel, the Blood Mud Giant wiped itself again, indicating it had nothing more, and with clasped hands, looked pleadingly at Rogel.
[Woo waa-la...]
The survival instinct is strong...
Rogel chuckled; this Blood Mud Giant was quite amusing.
Let it off this time.
As for whether it hid any leftover treasures, Rogel didn't care.
As long as the Blood Mud Giant stayed out of his way, he wouldn't bother it further.
After collecting the items, Rogel waved his hand, signaling it could leave.
Compassion is a privilege of the strong.
[Woo waa woo...]
The Blood Mud Giant rejoiced, babbling a string of gratitude before scurrying away.