The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing

After obtaining the root of the Anra Maiden, Zunzun and the others didn't rush back.

Although the other auxiliary materials weren't expensive, with the thrifty mindset of saving whenever possible on a trip, the four continued to search for materials in the forest.

The four were currently scattered.

Making skill point potions required a Mary Rose, a rather strange name, but in reality, it was just rosemary, a type of spice.

Its purpose was to purify the potion's effects and add a hint of fragrance. Based on its growing environment, it should be found in semi-shaded bushes.

Zunzun was carefully searching.

Just as he spotted a rosemary plant, his face lit up, and he was about to pick it when he suddenly felt a heavy blow to the back of his head.

"That hurt!"

The sudden attack made Zunzun's vision blur, and he staggered, losing his balance.

The force of the blow was significant. If he didn't possess the Body of a God, with relatively strong defense, he would have already collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

He clutched his aching head, cautiously observing his surroundings.

He didn't find any suspicious figures. There weren't even any animal presences nearby, and there were no random objects on the ground, indicating that it wasn't a stone thrown from a distance.

Could it be someone's prank?

Many members of the Crimson Demon Clan knew refraction magic. This type of magic centers on a person or object designated by the caster, creating a barrier with a radius of several meters, making the inside of the barrier invisible to those around it.

They usually learn this magic to show off when necessary.

But given the Crimson Demons' temperament, it was unlikely they'd pull such a senseless prank. If they encountered someone in the wild, they would just jump out, yelling and striking a pose to show off.

Hmm, it must be my imagination.

… Just kidding!

Even if it wasn't a Crimson Demon, there must be danger nearby. The Crimson Demon Village was surrounded by countless monsters, and carelessness could lead to being devoured, leaving nothing behind.

Zunzun pretended to be oblivious on the surface, but in reality, he heightened his senses and cautiously bent down again to collect the rosemary.

At that moment, with a 'thwack,' he was struck on the back of the head again!

You little…!

Zunzun abruptly turned around, but there was nothing behind him. The silent forest was only filled with the chirping of birds in the distance.

Is it really refraction magic?

This magic isn't perfect. It can be detected as long as you get close. Given the speed at which he turned around just now, it was impossible for anyone to get close!

Could it be Megumin secretly following him to get revenge for not taking her along?

Zunzun was already starting to let his imagination run wild.

Then, before he could continue to ponder what to do, that unknown existence, as if unable to wait any longer, struck him on the back of the head again.

Zunzun was completely enraged. As he turned around, he shouted, "Are you done yet! I already said it hurts! Have you never seen a Crimson Demon before! No matter what you are, dare to come out and spar with me, and I'll teach you a lesson… You?"

Good heavens, what did he see?

Cherries… flying in the sky!?

What came into view were two cherries connected by a stem. Their fruits were about 5 centimeters in diameter, and Zunzun had never seen such large cherries.

The cherries were heart-shaped, crystal clear, and very beautiful. They seemed to have dewdrops on them, making them look even more sweet and delicious.

But the problem was, they were actually flying in the sky!

Even if Zunzun died and was nailed in a coffin, he would shout in the tomb with his decaying vocal cords—

The planting system has a BUG, Goddess!

The two cherries, having been discovered, collided with each other, emitting a clear, metallic sound, as if children were laughing joyfully.

"Is it you, the one who ambushed me… fruit?"

Zunzun frowned.

There was no doubt that these two cherries were rare ingredients, and of very high quality. Just the fact that they could conceal their presence, making even him unable to detect them, was enough to tell.

"I don't have time to play with you. Don't interfere with me!"

But Zunzun's words were clearly not heeded by the two cherries. With a flash, they disappeared from Zunzun's sight, and in the next second, his head was struck again.

These two fellows!

Zunzun abruptly turned around, but he couldn't find them. Then his head was struck again, and no matter how much he turned around, he couldn't see them. In short, he couldn't find them no matter what.

It wasn't that they were hiding their figures, but their speed was ridiculously fast, always arriving behind Zunzun before he could turn around.

What a joke!

Zunzun wasn't planning on being toyed with, especially not by cherries.

First, he suddenly ran forward quickly, trying to create distance between them. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the two cherries clearly pausing in surprise before quickly catching up. Then, just as they were about to strike his head, he quickly lowered his head.

Thanks to the two cherries actively exposing themselves, allowing Zunzun to sense their presence, he could use this presence to dodge their attacks.

After dodging, Zunzun changed direction and continued running, creating distance again.

Then—

Taking advantage of the chase, he turned around and used all his strength to strike the cherries, which were unable to dodge due to their excessive speed.

With a 'thud,' the fist made contact with the cherry.

Hit!

The corners of Zunzun's mouth slightly lifted, but quickly turned downward, his face showing a clear expression of pain.

"That hurts————!"

What a joke, are these really cherries? How can they be so hard! He can even one-shot intermediate demons!

Zunzun's fist felt like it had struck a piece of adamantite ore, known as the hardest, and one that had been refined to be extremely tough.

The two cherries collided again, emitting a clear sound, their mocking tone infuriating.

Zunzun knew very well that he couldn't continue to entangle with them. The most urgent thing was to find Kazuma and the others. If he couldn't beat them, couldn't he call for backup?

But they were clever. When they realized that Zunzun couldn't harm them, their flight speed became even more unrestrained, and Zunzun, being too focused on dodging their attacks, didn't notice the uneven ground and accidentally fell into a shallow pit.

A clear collision sound rang out in the sky, the mocking intent undisguised.

Zunzun's eyes became increasingly scarlet, his cheeks flushed like Tom the cat, and the words [Warning, warning!] constantly echoed in his head.

Damn it, is there any way to make them suffer too!

Zunzun forcibly resisted the urge to take out his adventurer's card to learn magic, but his hand unconsciously reached into his chest.

Suddenly, he felt a stick-like object and an idea came to mind. Lying in the pit, he didn't move, as if he had fainted.

The two cherries in the sky clearly exchanged a look, then slowly floated towards Zunzun in the pit, seemingly concerned about whether he had passed out.

Just then!

Zunzun grabbed the mud from the pit and threw it at the cherries, which didn't have time to dodge. Then, he took out the stick from his chest—the root of the Anra Maiden—and slammed it hard on them!

Although the maiden form of the Anra Maiden's trapping organ was very fragile, it was still a plant-type monster, and its roots were still very hard.

In an instant, the cherries were smashed into the soil.

Zunzun pointed at the mud-covered cherries in the soil and laughed, venting all the resentment he had felt from being teased.

The tables have turned, bros!

However—

The two cherries in the pit also seemed to be angry. Their size grew larger and larger, and the original crystal-clear bright red gradually deepened, turning into a purplish-red. Magic power constantly gathered towards the center where they were located.

Warning, warning!

Seeing the two cherries constantly growing, Zunzun's alarm bells really went off this time.

Could it be…!?

In the next second, a booming explosion erupted in the forest.

His unease was confirmed.