"Hmm... so hot." Han Lianfei, wearing a tall wizard's hat, kept tugging at her robe's collar. Her fair skin flashed faintly in the gaps.

"How do we even walk here?" She prodded bushes and thorns with her old, thick wooden staff.

Lin Luo stood beside her. She fanned herself, and her scent on the wind felt oddly mature. Was she really a freshman like him? Girls mature at different rates—it was hard to say.

Lin Luo glanced back. They'd walked barely a few hundred meters. Towering trees and dense thickets choked the path. Dappled sunlight pierced the canopy. The rugged ground hid the camp from view.

"Hey!" Zhang Dajian had been itching to leave since their arrival. Finally out, he'd charged ahead alone. Now he doubled back.

He finally drew his greatsword. Slammed it into the earth. Felt pretty cool doing it.

He jabbed a finger at Han Lianfei. "You think this is a picnic? Strolling slow like snails? If we don't find water by dark, I'll die of thirst out here. Move! Or want me to spank you? Women are such a hassle!"

"I know, I'll hurry," Han Lianfei retorted, lifting her torn skirt. "But these vines ripped my dress! I'm a mage—mages are slow. And this thick robe in the heat? Cut me some slack!"

"A mage?" Zhang Dajian scoffed, acting all grown-up. "Then cast a damn spell already!"

"You! Hmph... I can't yet!" Han Lianfei pouted helplessly.

Anyone could see her mage robes. But this morning, she'd been a high school girl on a plane. Now her combat skills were showgirl-level useless. Only her staff felt solid—way sturdier than Taobao junk.

"No way!" Zhang Dajian kicked his sword's side. "We can't go on like this. We need a leader. Everyone obeys the leader."

"Why not just say you want the job?" Han Lianfei shot back coldly.

Lin Luo watched from behind her. The robe hugged her figure beautifully—classical grace. But that spoiled temper ruined it.

"Feier." Lin Yuxun stepped forward. "Stop fooling around. Lower your voices—do you want forest threats to hear us? Goblins raid women and kill men. We're deep in danger. No more carelessness."

*Hey, Miss Lin—those goblins sound like game monsters.* Lin Luo wondered silently. *Why does she know so much about them?*

Lin Yuxun continued, "I agree with Zhang Dajian. We need a serious leader. I vote first: Zhang Dajian."

"Huh?" Zhang Dajian's mouth twisted. *In class, she always hassled me. Why help me now?*

Lin Yuxun knew he wasn't sharp. "I don't want to pick you," she explained. "But objectively—you're the strongest. Best at surviving and adapting. The man for this."

*Man?* The word stung Lin Luo. *Am I not man enough?*

The class monitor had spoken. The two boys voted for Zhang Dajian.

Lin Luo raised his hand calmly. "I agree."

Ziwan nodded. Feier sighed in defeat.

Zhang Dajian grinned, swelling with pride. Like he'd just gained loyal underlings.

"Don't worry," he declared. "You made me boss—I'm street-smart. I'll protect you all."

"Li Ping, rear guard. Shield the girls and this sissy. Zhang Jie, front with me."

He glared impatiently at Lin Luo. Who hadn't said a word. But staring at that face... damn, he was gorgeous. Half his anger melted.

Zhang Dajian shoved aside Ziwan, who tried to intervene. He grabbed Lin Luo's collar. "Listen, Sis Lin—your outfit's mysterious. What's your class?"

Everyone from class had arrived with gear. Li Ping and Zhang Jie wore newbie cloth armor like warriors.

Lin Luo ignored the "Sis Lin" taunt. For now. Silently, he noted it in a small notebook from his spatial ring.

Collar gripped, he stayed calm. "Me? Jack-of-all-trades."