Using this time, he also bought off the now-refreshed potions. Even if he hadn't used the 10 potions he bought before, it wouldn't hurt to have more. He had a space anyway, so he didn't have to worry about the fragile-looking containers cracking while on transpo.

[Purchased Special Healing Potion x 5! -5 Gold]

[Purchased Special Mana Potion x 5! -5 Gold]

And then…the daily variant options on the potions had also been updated! The first one, a hair straightening potion, he ignored. But the other two made him stand up straight.

[Low-level Beast Repelling Potion]

[Information: Can repel monsters in awakening level or lower to approximately 10 meters away. Has the ability to mask the scent of blood.

Duration: Can last for 5 hours in normal conditions. May be prematurely washed away by strong running water or blood.

Cost: 1 Gold per bottle

Purchase Limit: 5/5]

.

[Minor Insect repellent]

[Information: Basic salve that drives away common insects and biting pests. Safe for skin and clothing, and has strong attaching qualities.

Duration: Protects users for up to 10 hours in normal conditions and applications. May be prematurely washed away by strong running water or blood.

Cost: 1 Gold per bottle

Purchase Limit: 5/5]

Buy! Of course BUY!

[Purchased Low-level Beast Repelling Potion x 5! -5 Gold]

[Purchased Minor Insect Repellant Potion x 5! -5 Gold]

[Status]

Name: Finnick Altheus Solthar

Race: Human

Class: Innkeeper, Chef

Level: Awakened Tier 1

Awakening Type: Physical

Affinity: Fire, Earth, Wind

…

VITALS

HP: 300/300

Mana: 300/300

Stamina: 300/300

Wallet: 45 Gold

Hearth Points: 50 Points

…

Skills:

Active: [Ingredient Scan] [Dish Analysis] [Heated Arc] [Foraging] [Farming]

Passive: [Blade Proficiency - Growth Type (Lv 2)] [Monster Instinct]

[Strong Stomach] [Improved Palate] [Fire Resistance]

Condition: Normal ]

He then put up his basket on his back and looked beyond the barrier. This time, not without fear, but mostly of excitement.

He hoped he'd find something good again today!

…

By this time, a certain group of young men, with goblins on their backs, was heading east.

They had been going South for the first couple hours of travel, but they had been encountering mobs here and there that ultimately caused them to go Southeast.

They were now injured greatly, with the two green ones weeping, weakly mumbling their apologies, though it only annoyed the young men.

"We're sorry, we're sorry."

"Shut up!" Aaron yelled. "Do you want to waste all the effort these idiots already put on you?!"

It wasn't like they would leave them behind, especially after everything. They should just let them concentrate!

The goblins immediately shut their mouths.

"We're encountering fewer monsters now, at least…" Zachary said to dissipate the tension, all while slapping away another brootrat coming at him. "Considering we're all covered with blood. A few dozen monsters are actually quite few."

If they were further in, they would definitely have been beast food by now.

"It's getting annoying. I feel my stamina reducing cuz I'm so annoyed," Aaron snapped with gritted teeth, swinging his spear to hit a few rats at a time.

He then used this momentum to use his spear to lift himself up a meter. Using his weight, he kicked the brindlejaw in front of them to the side, imbalancing it for a moment.

It was then promptly beheaded by Ren, who used the same slashing movement to damage another monster, which was in turn pummeled down by Zachary.

This happened within a few blinks, and it could be seen that the trio's teamwork had grown leaps and bounds due to the various life-and-death situations they found themselves in.

Anyway, encountering fewer awakened monsters was one of the ways to confirm one was heading nearer the safe zones, which was good news at least.

According to the mages, the portals emitted a special energy that stronger monsters needed to keep their strengths.

It was much like how absorbing essence was important to an awakened person and above. That said, it was much less needed for lower-level monsters, likely because they were not strong enough to 'leak' too much energy, so they could spread out a lot more than others.

In contrast, toughened-level monsters and above instinctively preferred the aura nearer the portals, which was why they were not too common in the Level 1 areas.

Most of the time, toughened-level monsters would only be roaming around there when something attracted them, like going after bloodied people. Fortified-level on the other hand, probably wouldn't bother unless the wounded were of a similar level to them.

However, while they knew they were heading away from portals, it didn't mean they were closer to an actual territory. After all, the Level 2 and Level 3 areas occurred 60 kilometers away from the portals. Everywhere else within the danger zone was just Level 1.

Anyway, they were also extremely injured and were barely holding on. If they had the time to look at their status gems, they were fairly certain that at least one stat had gone down to one digit by now.

If they get hit one more time, they could really die! They really hoped no more monsters would appear around here, they were getting really too tired to even defend themselves now!

Sadly, luck was not on their side when a few brindlejaws appeared, joining the small mob already following after them! They were surrounded and outnumbered, and they were stuck on the defense—a defense that was ready to crack at a moment's notice.

ROAAR!

"AHHH!" Aaron yelled, jumping back. "SHIT!" he screamed, losing his balance and falling on his back. He held up the shaft of his spear, holding up the monster's large mouth, and he cringed while he felt its drool fall all over him.

"GAHHHHHH!!!" he screamed, both in despair and in disgust. "HELP MEEE!"

Ren was too busy guarding himself to get to him. Zachary was the same, pounding his fist on an enemy beast, and was unable to rescue him. They were, however, stepping closer to him while they tried to cover themselves.

Still, it was too late. Just when they were less than a meter away from Aaron, the blonde's strength was drained, and he let go of his weapon. Aaron did his best to crawl further back, but the monster moved much faster than he did.

Unexpectedly, before the beast glomped on Aaron, the monsters suddenly paused, sniffed and sneezed. They looked disgusted at something and scurried away.

The other two were confused and just unconsciously headed to him, too, only to realize that the other monsters—obviously about to mob them—also backed away as if making a detour.

"What?" they asked, befuddled, wondering what was up with the monsters not attacking them anymore.

Zachary even raised his arm to smell his armpits.

Did he smell that bad?

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