Astral Apostle
chapter-37

Frostwood Village wasn’t big, so the two of them quickly arrived at the long house in the center of the village and met with the village chief.

Village Chief was a middle-aged man with white sideburns and wrinkles on his face. His hands were full of calluses left behind from years of use of farm tools. His figure was slightly stooped, and he looked very down-to-earth.

Griff explained the purpose of his visit on Zhou Jing’s behalf. Without another word, the village chief agreed on the spot.

“I’ve heard Barong and Griff talk about Will. Your brother was a valiant man, and he has done our village a favor… if all the hunters were sacrificed then, the village will lose its defenses.”

Across the table, the Chief rubbed the back of his hand as he lamented.

“How many hunters are there in the village now?” Zhou Jing asked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Griff interrupted to explain:

“There are only five left. You’ve already met me and the other two hunters. Captain Barong and the other injured hunter are still recovering, so we haven’t been hunting in a while.”

Zhou Jing nodded and started pondering.

There were only five hunters left… He remembered that there were six of them who escaped. Three of them were poisoned, but only his apostle died.

That’s a little strange… Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes.

It was not that his thoughts were dark. However, based on his logical judgment, with his previous apostle’s physique, it did not make sense that an ordinary hunter would survive while his own apostle would die. Since an ordinary hunter could survive, with his apostle’s stats, he should have been able to as well.

As for Barong, it was not strange for him to survive. This man had extraordinary resistance. Even if his injuries were worse, he could still end up alive and kicking.

He could not help but recall the scene in his [Death Playback] when the old man said that the medicine had been used up. He felt that something was wrong.

At this moment, the Village Chief sighed and shook his head.

“Barong said that your brother was very talented. He is very regretful. If not, our village might have another official Mutant Hunter… Unfortunately, Will was too badly injured to be saved by the witch doctor.”

Zhou Jing’s heart skipped a beat.

“Is the witch doctor from the village?”

“Well, he was originally a wandering pharmacist. We invited him to stay a few years ago, and he agreed to stay in the village to make medicines. His only request was to have our hunter team enter the forest to gather herbs for him.”

This person is probably the doctor who treated me with the ritual of “Dancing For God”…

Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes, carving this in his heart.

His plan was to stay in the village, so he would definitely have time to slowly investigate in the future. As an outsider who had just arrived, it was not suitable for him to question someone who had been a doctor in the village for several years.

At this moment, Village Chief shook his head and returned to the main topic.

“You’re welcome to stay in Frostwood Village, Jason. We do have a lot of places where we’re shorthanded. Farmers, blacksmiths, hunters… what exactly do you want?”

Zhou Jing didn’t hesitate and said straightforwardly, “Being a hunter suits me best.”

The only Mutant Hunter he knew now was Barong. If he wanted to obtain supernatural powers, he would have to be a hunter to get close to Baron. This was a plan he had thought of long ago.

Upon hearing Zhou Jing’s decision, the village leader was elated. The hunters of Frostwood Village had suffered heavy losses and naturally needed more manpower.

Although the Terra Empire had been established for nearly 40 years, the beasts were still the main threat to the citizens, especially in a village like Frostwood Village. Every hunter was a precious resource.

It was not only because they wanted to repay the kindness that Zhou Jing’s ‘brother’ gave them but also because this outsider was a labor force that the village urgently needed.

However, Griff wasn’t that happy. Although they hadn’t interacted for long, he respected Zhou Jing’s character and couldn’t help but remind him.

“A hunter needs years of training. It’s not all about wanting to be one. I’d advise you to reconsider. Not everyone is born strong like your brother.”

Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows and laughed out loud instead.

“You might not believe it… but I’m stronger than my younger brother!”

Griff froze, then looked Zhou Jing up and down suspiciously.

It wasn’t that he looked down on others, but Will·Wood was the strongest mortal he’d ever met. Even the experienced and knowledgeable Captain Barong said it was extremely rare, one in a million.

Even though you’re Will’s brother, that doesn’t mean you’re as strong. The odds are too low…

Are you bragging? Don’t think that you can fool me just because I’m a country bumpkin!

Seeing that Griff didn’t believe him, Zhou Jing didn’t explain. He stood up and walked behind Griff, holding the chair with both hands and exerting force.

Amidst the screams, Zhou Jing lifted him up along with the chair. He was very relaxed. He even casually made a few turns and shook Griff a few times.

“Jason·Wood” had a physical strength of 10 points, putting him above the already frightening strength of the previous apostle. Right now, Griff to him was as light as a feather. His body was filled with strength and energy.

“Stop stop stop stop, I believe you!”

Griff hurriedly jumped off the chair and landed on the ground, his face full of surprise. He couldn’t help but reach out and pinch Zhou Jing’s arm. It felt like iron bands!

Are they really that strong? What did these two brothers eat growing up?

Griff was flabbergasted.

“Why are you like this too?”

“It can’t be helped. Our Wood Family is very capable. Our genes… cough, our bloodline is good!”

Griff was stunned. “Huh? Does that apply to everyone in your family?”

“That’s right, our Wood Family was born with great strength, and all of us are fierce men!”

Zhou Jing laughed and patted Griff on the back. A weird muffled cracking could be heard.

Ah! My bones are breaking!

Griff nearly stumbled from the slap, grimacing in pain.

However, this did not affect his excitement.

The stronger Jason·Wood was, the better it would be for the village. This meant that the hunter team would now welcome another powerful companion!