"Senior Brother, if I'm not mistaken, this route is..."

"Those b*stards! They just love making everything difficult, don't they?" Death covered his annoyance with a grin. ​​

Cleaning after their mess and dousing the campfire with water, the group did not dally and head on with their search for the treasure.

Unfortunately for them, the treasure wasn't at a desirable place.

ROAR!

Growling resonated their surrounding as three, large Bengal tigers slowly materialized behind a boulder. One on each side and the other—probably the alpha—stood on the top to exhibit dominance and intimidation.

"There were tigers here?!" Han Taiyi shrieked as she took a step back. Her reaction aggravated the tigers as the alpha let out another thunderous roar.

Despite their hostility, they didn't made a move to pounce at them yet.

Death stared at Han Taiyi in mock amazement. "You didn't encountered these kitties in your final exam? Lucky you."

"Well I don't feel so lucky right now." She grumbled. "My luck seem to have run out because of you."

"Don't worry, fair lady, to repay you for your benevolence earlier—"

Han Taiyi spluttered.

"—I shall be your shield to protect you from harm." Death winked saucily at her.

Chu Lizheng frowned.

Lillie observed the tigers' stance and noted, "They're just intimidating us to back away."

Death hummed. "Then that means we're getting closer to my—I mean, our treasure."

Everyone ignored his slip-up, not bothering to fight over some points.

Han Taiyi grumbled, "We acquired the treasure's map after beating 50 or so of the teachers. But then we still have to search for it in this god forsaken forest filled with life threatening impediments."

"It wouldn't be as fun if it's the other way." Death shrugged.

"Nah, you're just a monster." Han Taiyi bluntly interjected, missing the snarky tone. Her remark wasn't intended to be offensive.

"Shengming would agree with me." Death countered, pouting. "Right, Junior Sis?"

"Hm, I kinda enjoy the forest's transformation. The previous one was quite boring."

"You're both monsters then."

"Thank you." Lillie smiled.

"I also think this is a fun way to get stronger." It's been years since Ethan felt the thrill of exchanging blows with multiple strong opponents.

"Those people from before were a great addition." Although they lack the killing intent he was used to, he's not saying it was less exciting.

Furthermore, Death said they were teachers. So obviously, they weren't fighting them at full potential.

Their capabilities were evident when they suddenly recovered immediately from being jabbed in their pressure points; without assistance.

"It's a pity I was already gone when they were implemented." Lillie sighed dejectedly. "They would've helped me kill time."

Death nodded in agreement. "For sure, for sure. We could've had a contest on who knocked out the most. Fighting teachers wasn't allowed without a formal challenge letter, and we have to wait for it to be approved by the Headmaster."

"Let me rephrase, the three of you are monsters."

"No sane person would think this is fun." Han Taiyi was thankful that she had Chu Lizheng to agree with her and keep her sane.

"We can convince you two otherwise." Death waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"We wish to keep our sanity, thank you very much." Han Taiyi unhesitatingly rejects.

ROAR!

Stupid humans! How dare you ignore us!

"Oh, looks like the kitties wants our attention back. I doubt they'll let us go now that we've angered them."

"Yeah, no sh*t, Sherlock." Han Taiyi sharply bites.

"We don't have to fight them," Lillie stood without any hint of fearful ambiance. She exchanged a meaningful glance with Ethan and said, "But since Senior Brother offered himself to be our shield..."

"He'll be a perfect tiger snack." Ethan raised his foot and used it to propel Death, sending him stumbling towards the tigers.

He grabbed Lillie's wrist and ran towards the opposite direction. Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng quickly followed behind, assured that Death would keep the tigers busy while they flee.

All they heard was Death's manly squeals echoing and a very indignant, "I'll kill you!"

***

"Don't be upset, Senior Brother." Lillie comforted him with a pat on his shoulder. His shirt was ripped, barely hanging onto his body.

Fortunately, he didn't sustained any injuries. Maybe a mental trauma of never having your back against Ethan.

He should've learned his lesson from before.

"It's your points, your job. Don't expect us to help you." Ethan uncaringly threw one of his shirt at the albino, doubtful that he had extra with him.

It's the least he could do to amend for his action earlier. However, you couldn't detect a single trace of guilt in his face.

"Those two have quite the unique relationship..."

"Frenemies, as many would call it. They had the most interesting past together." Lillie shared but didn't elucidate.

Han Taiyi understood Lillie's message and did not pry further, respecting her privacy.

"So, what was the treasure?" Lillie approached her Senior Brother when he's done putting on Ethan's spare shirt.

Flushing down the feeling of betrayal, Death presented her a cheque. He rubbed his nose and smugly said, "Since your boy toy said it's my points—"

Ethan's eyebrow twitched.

"—and since it was I who nearly got swallowed by tigers to get it, then it's only fair that I'm not obliged to share the two million points."

"We care not of the points, so you can go and shove that up your throat." Lillie's face was devoid of expression.

This is what they came for? Five lives were betted only for a meagre two million points? Is that how much their lives worth?

Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng shook their heads, unimpressed by the amount. They think that the Academy was being stingy.

Death visibly wilted at the disapproving looks they shot him with. Dark clouds loom over his head as he sat on the dirt and hugged his legs. "How could I, the poor one, understand you filthy rich punks."

Lillie wanted to remind him that he was just as "filthy rich" if only he does not anger Grandmaster Wei.

Completing the purpose of their expedition, Lillie took the mantle to lead the group at a safer and shortest exist route she had been using often in the past.

"H-help, please!"

Looks like the forest doesn't want them out yet.