Chapter 377 An Unwanted Follower

A pie that was too big could choke a person to death. Even having one's physical attributes increase by several points could make it difficult to control one's own body smoothly, let alone power that involved the supernatural. Although Joo Joowon did not know the exact details of MusclePotato404's situation, how many days had it been since the world announcement declared that he had become a class changer?

It was obvious that the other party had gained such powerful strength after Joo Joowon had already changed classes. To acquire such immense power in such a short time was no different from sending an elementary school student to fight the world boxing champion. Compared to winning, the possibility of being beaten to death was far greater.

This was not something caused by Joo Joowon's influence, so it would have been understandable if he chose to ignore it.

However, the area that would be affected was simply too vast.

For any living creature, the most vulnerable period was usually when it was still inside its 'mother'. At that stage, it did not even possess the ability to fight back. It could only influence its 'mother' indirectly and rely on her to protect it.

Even if these creatures sensed danger, they had no way to escape.

And MusclePotato404's current condition was far from that of a healthy breeding ground. On the contrary, perhaps to prevent him from attempting any kind of resistance, he was now only a hair's breadth away from death. His sole purpose in remaining alive was to shelter the thing growing inside him.

Under these circumstances, the monsters continued feeding him without stopping, hoping to ensure that the creature they were nurturing would be born safely and in good health. MusclePotato404 was like an overfilled balloon that could burst at any moment. The fragile balance keeping him suspended between life and death could be shattered by even the slightest unexpected incident.

Joo Joowon had detonated the Fate line precisely to break the balance within MusclePotato404.

For MusclePotato404, this might even be considered a good thing. At the very least, if the effect of Star Fiend descended only after it had finished brewing, he would have no chance of survival whatsoever. Now, however, there was still a slim chance that he might live.

Regardless of what happened, Joo Joowon no longer cared.

Whether the monsters managed to save him afterward was his own business. There was no longer any connection between them.

Besides, given the enormous distance between them, this was already the limit of what Joo Joowon could accomplish. If the other party could still be born under such circumstances, then it could only mean that he was not destined to die yet.

Joo Joowon had already done everything he could. He had a clear conscience.

After withdrawing from that mysterious state, Joo Joowon also abandoned the idea of finding another stepping stone.

Since the apocalypse began, almost none of the enemies with supernatural abilities he had encountered were still alive. Even if he wanted to borrow a few more stepping stones, there was no one available for him to use.

As for directly using the elite monsters from the red mist, that was even more impossible. They were creatures modified by the red mist, and their Fates had already been altered. Their situations were far more complicated than those of other living beings, making them unsuitable as stepping stones.

Besides, he was worried that the red mist might trace the connection back to him.

Therefore, in the end, Seong Seungmin was the only one left to take the hit for him.

Joo Joowon did not know whether he should consider Seong Seungmin lucky or unlucky.

However, it did not really matter. He had already accumulated so many debts that adding another one was hardly worth worrying about. He figured that even if Seong Seungmin found out, it would not mind.

Detonating the Star Fiend ahead of time had not consumed much of Joo Joowon's 'mana'. He still had more than enough left to deal with the situation at hand.

Joo Joowon located the Fate line connecting him to Kang Taewoo and could not help raising an eyebrow in surprise.

The information derived from the Fate line told him that Kang Taewoo's current location was extremely close to his own.

Was it following him?!

Joo Joowon's brows twitched. Why?

Could it really have come after him?

After thinking about it, Joo Joowon decided that he did not particularly care. He had the passive ability known as the Harbinger of Endless Misfortune, after all. When the time came, it was anyone's guess who would end up being unlucky.

...

"Why have you stopped walking?" Kang Taewoo tugged at the black mask covering its face, looking a little confused.

So, what exactly had this Lord come here to do? Enjoy nature? Take a walk to help digest his meal?

Wasn't that a little strange?

It furtively glanced around before finding a tree and rubbing its back against the trunk. It let out a comfortable sigh of relief.

Kang Taewoo could not help thinking that the other party did not seem stupid, either. Whenever he encountered another living creature, he would avoid it from a distance. Perhaps it should simply stop worrying about him and go find something to snack on instead?

A forest this vast should have plenty of good things to eat.

...

Joo Joowon sensed his surroundings, spreading out both his mental power and spider silk.

The Harbinger of Endless Misfortune was highly sensitive to malice. Yet, even now, he had received no warning, nor had he discovered anyone following him.

He was not particularly skilled at concealment or tracking to begin with. Therefore, if the other party wanted to hide, it would be very difficult for him to locate them.

After thinking it over, Joo Joowon decided to remain still for the time being and ignore the other party.

He glanced at the marker on the map. The green dot representing Kang Taewoo was still inside his territory.