Fighting the python, Edward Clark wondered if his cousin was hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment to act. With a quick glance, he immediately saw the other standing forty meters away, grinning from ear to ear, looking absolutely delighted.

Hahahahaha... Laughter drifted over.

"???"

Edward Clark was dumbfounded.

Is he excited because he sees me about to be killed by the python?

So much for brotherly love...

This cousin—might as well not have him!

Chapter 002: Yes, Yes, Yes, Whatever You Say Is Right

Feeling frustrated, Edward Clark lost focus, and his movements were no longer as agile as before. Moments later, he was entangled by the python, his face turning red from suffocation, his lifespan dropping by -10, -10, then -50, -100.

"Henry, aren't you going to help..."

Unable to hold back any longer, he shouted out.

Knowing that if he didn't step in, this little sidekick might die here, Henry Clark gritted his teeth, drew his dagger, and came forward.

Seeing him approach, the tiger-striped green python's massive head suddenly reared up, a foul-smelling gust rushing toward him. Henry Clark had already anticipated its move, lightly leaping back about two meters.

The python was about seven meters long, coiled around his cousin five times, leaving less than two meters of its body—right here, it was just safe.

Sure enough, the python's head, whistling through the air, stopped half a meter from him. Its large eyes were blood-red, radiating intense fury.

Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you won't fear traveling to another world... Thank you, teacher!

With a sigh, Henry Clark's arm suddenly exerted force, stabbing fiercely at the snake's head.

At the third stage of the martial artist's body-tempering realm, his strength, refined by spiritual energy, was even more enduring. Though only sixteen, he was much stronger than most adults.

Plus, he was prepared and waiting for this moment. Before the green python could react, the dagger plunged into its eye.

"Zzz zzz zzz!"

Severely wounded, the python angrily released Edward Clark and lunged forward.

Henry Clark retreated again, picked up a rock, and smashed it down hard.

Bang!

The tiger-striped green python, already badly injured from fighting Edward Clark, now had a dagger in its eye and couldn't withstand any more. With a single blow, it collapsed to the ground, its skull caved in.

Afraid of a counterattack, Henry Clark raised the rock and kept smashing.

Once, twice, three times... each time using all his strength.

After more than a dozen blows, his arms were starting to go numb when Edward Clark's trembling voice sounded, "Henry, Henry, it's already dead..."

Only then did Henry Clark realize the python's head was completely mangled, blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.

"No, it's not dead enough yet..."

Seeing it still twitching, he picked up the rock and smashed it again, over a dozen more times. Still not reassured, he pulled out the dagger and stabbed it dozens of times.

Watching his actions, Edward Clark was completely stunned.

It's just a python... first the dagger, then the rock—just short of chopping it up and setting it on fire...

Isn't this a bit too cautious?

How come I never noticed this before?

...

After confirming it was truly dead, Henry Clark finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked again at the Longevity Chart.

Lifespan: 16 years / 16 years. (5.5 days remaining).

His expression was grim.

Even though he was extremely careful and wasn't injured by the python, its blood was poisonous, and during the fight, he inevitably got some on him. Plus, the intense exertion further wore down his already frail body, costing him another three days of life...

Turns out, hiding earlier was the right call—otherwise, he'd have died long ago.

No way!

He had to increase his lifespan.

Thinking of this, he started laughing again.

Hahahahaha!

Feeling cheerful, lifespan: +0.01, +0.01, +0.01...

"???"

Watching his cousin crouch by the python's corpse, covered in blood but wearing a bizarre smile, Edward Clark suddenly shrank his neck and shivered.

So creepy...

On the way back, the python became their trophy, carried by the two of them. Of course, not by Henry Clark—with so little lifespan left, doing such heavy work would be too much for him, so... Edward Clark became the free labor.

At first, the little brother didn't want to agree, but thinking of how the other had killed the python, and not only wasn't afraid but kept grinning so eerily, he just couldn't stay calm...

Three wind wolves and a python, weighing over a thousand jin—even with decent strength, by the time they reached the foot of the mountain, he was drenched in sweat and his arms were numb.

After handing in the corpses, Henry Clark realized that most of the clan members who went hunting had already returned.

Now that he had prey, he didn't take advantage of Edward Clark; not only were the three wind wolves his, but half the green python was also registered under his name. So, on Henry Clark's side, he only got credit for half a prey... which put his results near the bottom.

But for him, that was enough—as long as he didn't get scolded.

No matter how much you hunt, all you get is verbal praise—can that be more important than your life?

However, while he thought this way, others didn't. As soon as he walked into the crowd, a sinister voice sounded in his ear.

"Henry Clark cousin, you only got half a tiger-striped green python? Weren't you always fierce in every hunt before? Why so weak this time? I killed five wind wolves and two short-tailed deer this time—ranked first, you know!"

His cousin, Samuel Clark!

After a moment's thought, Henry Clark understood.