My expression instantly turned grim. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have bothered to get involved.
Someone was shouting at me. I didn't understand what they were saying, but facing the projectiles, I wasn't confident I could dodge them all instantly. So, I could only raise my hands, indicating I wasn't carrying any weapons.
Then, I began to descend the stone mountain step by step.
As I climbed down, I contemplated a way to escape.
If they caught me, the outcome wouldn't be pleasant.
I surveyed the surrounding terrain. If I utilized the environment, there might still be a possibility of escape.
So, the moment my feet touched the ground, I collided with a nearby savage and, without a word, bolted into the distance.
At this point, more savages emerged from the sides, attempting to block my path.
But I was determined to flee, so I couldn't afford to hesitate.
I knocked down seven or eight savages consecutively, but my clothes were already torn to shreds.
Just as I thought I might escape to safety, a savage suddenly charged out from ahead.
Upon seeing me, he lunged at me without a word.
I sidestepped to avoid him and was about to change direction to continue running when I realized I was surrounded by mountains.
Climbing them was out of the question, but if I continued forward, there was another savage ahead.
With pursuers behind me and another in front, I was essentially trapped in a dead end.
I gritted my teeth and charged at the savage in front of me, dagger in hand.
It was easier to deal with one person than a group of them behind me.
However, my plan didn't account for the fact that this guy could dodge.
The instant my dagger struck, he forcefully grabbed my arm.
My heart leaped, and I immediately sensed something was wrong.
At that moment, my shoulder ached.
I turned my head to look, and a black-dyed arrow was firmly embedded in my arm.
"It's over!" my expression changed.
Immediately, a wave of dizziness washed over me from the depths of my mind.
My body seemed to become increasingly uncontrollable, and I felt groggy, as if entering a peculiar state.
I was still desperately resisting.
Amidst the chaos, I vaguely felt that I had managed to take down three or four savages.
But at the same time, my body finally gave out, and I collapsed.
Following that, I had a long dream.
In my dream, there were many people, including those I knew from before, and the women who had been with me.
But the scene then shattered, and I saw Richard and Weixi again.
Weixi, holding a half-broken trunk of the Tree of Life, was shouting at me.
Then, I saw a vast expanse of lake water descending from the sky, carrying countless bullets and swords.
I woke up with a jolt.
The instant I woke up, I immediately assumed a combat stance, my entire body tensing.
I suddenly heard a sound nearby and turned to see several savages kneeling on the ground.
I had no idea what had happened. I observed my surroundings.
I found myself in a cave. The cave was dry, and the walls were lit by lamps made from some kind of animal fat, emitting a strange odor.
Where I lay seemed to be a bed, padded with leaves, and topped with animal hides.
At that moment, I wasn't in the mood to examine things closely. I checked my own condition carefully.
My injured arm seemed to have been treated. There was some purplish-red fluid on it.
It was likely used to treat the wound.
My upper clothing had been removed.
Seeing that I remained silent for a long time, the kneeling savage cautiously raised his head and looked at me.
This was a rather attractive woman, appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen years old.
She was looking at me with a look of reverence.
Honestly, I found it strange. Logically, falling into the hands of these savages should have resulted in at least severe injuries if not death.
But now, these savages were treating me like this?
"Are you afraid of me?" I asked.
The kneeling savage didn't speak. She simply pointed to my chest.
I furrowed my brow and looked at my chest. I saw a spider tattoo that seemed to have come alive.
However, this spider tattoo was noticeably smaller, appearing to be only about the size of my thumb.
This wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that next to the spider tattoo, another strange tattoo had appeared.
This tattoo looked like a pillar with some messy decorations below it.
For a moment, I couldn't recall when it had been applied.
But after a closer look, I suddenly understood.
This newly appeared tattoo was clearly the half-broken Tree of Life that had previously disappeared!
At the same time, my confusion deepened.
When did this thing appear on me? And what was its purpose?