The white figure moved incredibly fast, disappearing into the tree line on the other side in a blink.
The figure was not very large, likely less than half a meter in length.
Judging by its shape, it was a reptilian beast type monster.
Xia Yan was immediately captivated by the white figure. He changed course, abandoning his path towards the forest exit and instead pursuing the white figure.
However, the white figure was too fast, and Xia Yan’s speed in the game couldn’t keep up.
In a moment, the white figure had put a significant distance between them.
Fortunately, the 'Scouting' skill could track enemy positions.
Xia Yan used the monster cursor revealed by the 'Scouting' skill to follow the white figure, closing the distance.
After a brief chase, the monster cursor stopped. Xia Yan quickly approached, stopping three meters away from the white figure.
Bathed in the light of the moon, Xia Lin finally saw the white figure's true form.
It was short and slender, less than half a meter tall.
Its entire body was covered in snow-white, silky fur, and its eyes were a clear, pale blue like a lake.
This monster was absurdly beautiful. If it were in the real world, it would surely have drawn crowds of admirers.
Xia Yan hesitated to approach. Based on his past game experience, monsters with stunning appearances were usually not simple.
He looked at the monster's name.
——Moon Shadow Swift Weasel.
It sounded much more majestic than something like “Small Pitcher Plant” or "Mutant Pitcher Plant".
Xia Yan could almost confirm this was a special monster.
At this moment, the white weasel was unaware of Xia Yan’s presence. It was engrossed in eating a type of plant on the ground.
“Let’s see if this monster drops any special equipment,”
Xia Yan stared at the white Moon Shadow Swift Weasel, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Special monsters typically offered unique rewards.
SAO, as an RPG, followed this common trope.
Xia Yan took out his bronze sword and gripped it, then started towards the white weasel.
However, he had only taken a step or two when the white weasel suddenly lifted its head, its blue eyes fixating on Xia Yan.
Man and beast locked eyes for a moment.
The white weasel turned and fled, its speed incredible. It vanished into the shadows like a phantom, disappearing from Xia Yan’s sight.
Xia Yan stood there, dumbfounded.
What in the world…
“It’s not like that Special Stew Rabbit,”
Xia Yan muttered.
Without thinking, he gave chase.
The 'Scouting' skill allowed him to track the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel, though he couldn't keep up with its speed.
However, whenever he got closer than two meters, it would become incredibly wary and escape at a speed impossible for a normal person to match.
“Damn it!”
Even Xia Yan grew frustrated, cursing under his breath.
After several attempts and wasting almost ten minutes, Xia Yan abandoned his pursuit.
With his current stats, he had no chance of catching it.
“Maybe there’s a special condition needed to get close? Or do I need to use the ‘Stealth’ skill?”
Xia Yan pondered.
It seemed likely.
After all, how could a red-named monster run from a player if it wasn't intended?
While he was annoyed at not killing this special monster tonight, Xia Yan still felt a thrill of excitement.
After all, the more special a monster was, the better the rewards.
“I’ll gather some reliable intel and come back later, or maybe I'll bring Klein along to take a look,”
Xia Yan decided to leave.
He had chosen ‘Scouting’ as his initial skill, not ‘Stealth.’
Right now, he couldn’t even get close, let alone fight it.
He wasn’t going to waste any more time on this Moon Shadow Swift Weasel.
He had less than twenty minutes left on his mission. Turning in the mission was more important.
As for the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel, he wasn’t worried about it being taken by someone else.
Even if a player reached level ten, maxed out their agility, and equipped full agility-enhancing gear, they wouldn’t be able to catch it.
And on the first floor, players could only reach level eleven or twelve before it became difficult to level up further.
After all, once players reached level ten, the monsters on the first floor would give them minimal experience.
He glanced at the monster cursor representing the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel, then turned and walked towards the forest exit.
Although he had wasted a significant amount of time, he wasn't entirely empty-handed.
Chasing the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel through the forest had led him to several treasure chests placed within.
From those chests, he had acquired various materials, which would be useful in strengthening his equipment.
It took another ten minutes to weave his way out of the forest.
At the entrance, Kirito was standing, waiting for him.
He had already finished his mission and returned to the entrance to wait.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,”
Xia Yan greeted him.
“I just got here a while ago,”
Kirito replied.
“I ran into a special monster, and it took a while to catch it, but I couldn't catch it in the end,”
Xia Yan recounted his encounter. There was no point in having a large beta tester around and not using him.
“Special monster?”
Kirito was intrigued.
“It was a monster called the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel, but it was incredibly fast. I couldn't keep up with it at all.”
Xia Yan didn’t hold back.
Of course, the main reason was that Kirito's character was trustworthy.
“Moon Shadow Swift Weasel?”
Kirito thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I didn’t encounter that monster on the first floor during the beta. What did it look like?”
Xia Yan described the Moon Shadow Swift Weasel’s appearance.
“It’s pretty small,”
Kirito thought about it for a second and said, “Usually, these small special monsters can be tamed as pets. And based on your description, this monster is extremely fast, which fits the typical pet standard.”
“Pets? There are pets in the first floor?”
Xia Yan was very interested.
Even though the Suzuki family had gathered a lot of beta test information, it was limited to written data. It was not as comprehensive as Kirito's knowledge as a beta tester.
“I didn't encounter any during the beta, but they might have made some minor changes for the official launch,”
Kirito said with a smile.
“Maybe. But I can’t even get close, let alone tame it as a pet,”
Xia Yan sighed.
“If they designed it, it must be possible.”
Kirito pondered for a moment. “There must be some special conditions you need to trigger.”
“I’ll just have to come back and check later,”
Xia Yan nodded.
“I know a news merchant. She might have some useful information,”
Kirito hesitated for a moment, then continued, “But I’m not sure if she’s even in the game, since I knew her from the beta.”
“News merchant?”
Xia Yan was stunned, then immediately realized. “Are you talking about Argo?”
“You know her?”
Kirito was surprised. “It’s her.”
“I’ve heard of her. She was quite famous in the beta for selling game information.”
............
Thanks to the big shot who sent so many flowers.
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