One hand pressed down on top, while the other gripped the alloy knife tightly. Since Devil James had left him the knife, it meant that his unarmed combat ability was probably not enough, so he absolutely could not lose this knife!

　　Over the past month, aside from experiencing a round of Hell Week, he had also developed the habit of thinking more. Devil James himself was a bit short-circuited and couldn’t explain many things clearly, so he had to rely on his own understanding.

　　Sometimes, good judgment could bring a lot of benefits. David Thompson also realized that using his brain before his hands and feet was much safer.

　　The surroundings were deathly silent, but a repressive aura faintly drifted from deep within the forest, along with strange roars. He didn’t know if it was an illusion or real, but this journey was definitely not going to be peaceful.

　　Suddenly, the motionless David Thompson darted out like lightning. The strange tree behind him had, at some point, split open a huge mouth, its sharp teeth snapping together with a piercing crunch. In that instant, David Thompson was drenched in sweat. If he hadn’t sensed the killing intent just now, he would already be a meal in the mouth of this monster!

　　He knew there were plant-type monsters here, but he had been careless just now. The things he’d learned in theory were still subconsciously ignored in real situations.

　　Next time, he might not be so lucky. Damn monster!

　　David Thompson didn’t run away. He keenly noticed that there were no other monsters gathering around, and his opponent didn’t immediately pounce. This was a rare chance to test himself and sense his opponent at the same time!

　　Gripping the alloy knife, he slowly shifted his position. The “club monster” still bared its sharp teeth and drooled as it twisted its body slowly. Its feet were buried in the soil, but it wasn’t completely immobile—just very slow. However, judging by its earlier attack, it wasn’t slow at all. David Thompson had already grasped the key point.

　　He crouched down slowly, then suddenly threw a picked-up stone at the monster’s eye. At the same time, his body sprang into action, and the alloy knife slashed fiercely across the club monster’s body—not aiming for a kill, just to avoid mistakes.

　　It was a very strange sensation. The alloy knife cut through the monster’s rubbery skin, and green liquid oozed out, but it was definitely not a fatal wound.

　　The injured club monster was enraged, flailing its claws as it charged at David Thompson. But for David Thompson, this was a great opportunity. Just as Devil James had said, these monsters had strong bodies but limited intelligence. Their seemingly frenzied attacks were actually full of openings. Moreover, as it advanced, David Thompson noticed a very peculiar spot beneath its huge mouth, and even in its frenzy, the club monster still tried to protect it, covering it with its chin as much as possible.

　　In the past, if David Thompson had encountered such a monster, he would have had no choice but to wait for death. His previous training was really child’s play. But after a month of Hell Week, facing death and visual shocks, David Thompson could basically remain calm. Instead of retreating, he advanced. Before the club monster’s two claws came crashing down, he suddenly lunged forward, bracing the monster’s huge mouth with his head, and stabbed the alloy knife in without hesitation. Maybe it was his first time experiencing such a life-or-death moment, but David Thompson let out a deep roar, pouring all his strength into the attack, stabbing with all his might.

　　Chapter 14: There’s a Monster, a Giant Monster

　　If his judgment was wrong, it didn’t matter—he’d just lose his life. That was why he slashed instead of stabbing earlier.

　　But at a moment like this, hesitation was absolutely not allowed. He had to make the fastest judgment and act on it. If he was wrong, he had no one to blame but himself.

　　Fortunately, David Thompson judged correctly, and in fact, his strength was far greater than he appeared. That stab pierced straight through the club monster, and at the same time, his head forcefully broke off the monster’s seemingly terrifying teeth. As for David Thompson, his skull only felt a sharp pain, which was nothing to him.

　　Boom...

　　The club monster crashed to the ground, its body immediately withering away. David Thompson was covered in green liquid... It didn’t smell too bad, just sticky.

　　At this moment, Devil James appeared, “Oak demon, low-level lifeform. Master, you used forty percent more force in that strike. If your judgment had been wrong, you wouldn’t have had any strength left for defense.”

　　Just as suddenly as he appeared, he vanished again, leaving David Thompson sitting on the ground, both laughing and crying. Looking at his own hands, David Thompson realized he was no longer an ordinary person, but a powerful warrior. Although there were still many problems, he was truly different now. A monster straight out of a sci-fi movie couldn’t even withstand a single attack from him.

　　A hearty laugh echoed from the forest. Devil James’s teachings were correct, but a machine would always be a machine. He would survive in his own way, and this unlucky oak demon was the proof!

　　After a slight adjustment, David Thompson headed deeper into the forest. In battle, when to go all out and when to attack seven and defend three depended on the situation, and the right to judge was David Thompson’s alone. He wouldn’t listen to anyone else on this.

　　As his dad always said, “A man, once he’s decided, must go for it—even if he’s wrong, it’s still right!”

　　Although his dad was just an ordinary worker, at this moment, David Thompson felt a continuous surge of strength. For his father and mother, he had to survive!