After learning the value of the fruit, their priority immediately shifted from gathering branches to collecting the blue-veined snow fruits.
Su Yuan stood beneath the tree, waiting for Cat Night to throw them down.
One after another, the fruits dropped from above. After seven or eight had fallen, just as Su Yuan bent down to pick them up—
"Ahhh!!!"
"Cat Night?!"
Su Yuan looked up in alarm. A figure crashed down through falling snow and slammed into him, knocking him flat onto the ground.
Fortunately, the snow cushioned the impact.
Unfortunately… Cat Night's chest smashed directly into his face.
"…Ow."
The fur on her beast-skin outfit scratched against his face, making it sting.
"Su Yuan! Are you okay?!"
Cat Night shook her dizzy head and hurriedly helped him up.
"I'm fine. What happened?"
"What happened—?! AHH!! Run! There's a giant snake in the tree!!!"
Before he could react, Cat Night scooped him up in a princess carry and sprinted off.
Behind them—
Hisssss!!!
Su Yuan glanced back and felt his scalp go numb.
That wasn't just a "snake."
It was a massive white python, as thick as a barrel, with blood dripping from its head.
Apparently, Cat Night had struck it earlier while trying to knock down fruit—completely enraging it.
Now it was chasing them.
Fortunately, Cat Night was incredibly fast. Even carrying Su Yuan, she didn't slow down.
"Shi Shi! Fox Nine! Help! It's going to eat us!"
Hearing the shout, Shi Shi immediately dropped what she was doing. White Rabbit, though scared, covered her ears and still ran forward.
"Ouch!"
Cat Night tripped over a snow brick and sent Su Yuan flying—
But Shi Shi reacted instantly, catching him in her arms.
Warm. Soft. Safe.
"Su Yuan, what happened?"
"S-snake! A giant snake!"
Cat Night hid behind Shi Shi, her ears drooping. Clearly, she and White Rabbit were terrified of snakes.
"I'll take a look," Shi Shi said calmly. "If it's a snake… then we'll have food."
Before she could move far, the python appeared—its blood-covered head emerging from the snow.
Su Yuan noticed something—
A blue-veined snow fruit was embedded on its head.
So Cat Night had tried to chop the fruit off… and hit the snake instead.
The python lunged forward.
Shi Shi didn't hesitate.
Slash!
Her entrenching tool cut into its body, leaving a deep wound.
"Hiss!!!"
The python grew even more furious, trying to coil around her.
"This is bad…" Su Yuan muttered. "That thing's tough."
Fox Nine nodded.
"It's a snow python. It uses the fruit on its head to lure prey. Shi Shi alone might struggle."
"Give Cat Night a weapon," she added quickly.
Su Yuan immediately opened the system.
A bone knife wouldn't be enough.
"Filter weapons."
[Tang Dao: 210 points][Iron Shield: 230 points][Stone Spear: 30 points][Steel Claw Set: 120 points]
"…Perfect."
He bought the steel claws.
"Cat Night, put these on!"
He slipped the gloves onto her hands. Sharp steel claws extended from her knuckles.
Her eyes sparkled.
"So cool! And warm too!"
"Stop playing—go help!"
He tugged her tail.
"Mmm! I'm going!"
Blushing slightly, she rushed forward.
By now, the python had wrapped around Shi Shi's legs—but couldn't fully restrain her.
Her muscles held firm, resisting the pressure.
A faint glowing rune appeared above her head.
With a roar, she struck again.
CRACK!
The python shrieked in pain, opening its jaws—
But before it could bite—
A shadow flashed.
Slash!
One of its eyes was instantly destroyed.
"Haha! I'm amazing!"
Cat Night grinned, her claws dripping with blood.
"Careful! It's not dead yet!"
The python thrashed violently, turning toward her—
But Cat Night was faster.
She leaped again—
RIP!
Four long gashes tore across its body.
"So strong!" Shi Shi exclaimed.
"Of course!"
But in her excitement, Cat Night got too close—
The python snapped at her.
"AHHH! Shi Shi, help!"
Shi Shi reacted instantly, grabbing its upper jaw.
Then—
Slash!Slash!Slash!
Again and again, she hacked at its head.
Blood splattered everywhere, covering her body.
At the same time, Cat Night continued tearing into its side with her claws.
Finally—
BOOM.
The massive body collapsed.
The coils around Shi Shi loosened.
The snow python… was dead.