"No... While some opossums have green blood, there are no such species in Nevada."
"Besides, even if such an opossum existed, its green blood is a different matter from the green slime on the tires; they cannot be conflated."
Jack directly denied it.
"Then it's a frog?"
"Are you kidding me? There's no way this could be a frog's track."
Seeing that he couldn't fob Jack off, Nade shook his head in disappointment and made no further effort, directly dragging Jack into the car.
"I'll drive. Buddy, if you want to investigate this, go think about it in the back seat. Let's not waste any more time."
Jack was forcibly pulled into the car. Though reluctant, he eventually complied.
As he sat in the back seat, he was still pondering.
"What exactly is that green slime?"
His intuition told him that the answer was very important to him.
After the car drove away, in the nearby woods and grass, a green slime, with a human-like hateful gaze, watched the departing car, firmly remembering these people.
On its body were the marks of being run over by tires, and much of its green slime had become flattened and broken due to the pressure.
...
"Behomason!"
"Behoma!"
"Hoimi!"
In the woods by Crystal Lake, dozens of slimes emitted incomprehensible sounds.
Humans, unable to decipher their language, could only translate them into meaningless terms like Behomason, Behoma, Hoimi, and Skulldo.
However, it was clear that, like the skeleton tribes, many slimes possessed intelligence beyond ordinary animals and were directed by higher-ranking slimes.
Their intelligence might not match that of adult humans, perhaps only equivalent to that of a seven or eight-year-old child, but undoubtedly, they possessed intelligence beyond ordinary animals, including the ability to learn.
Therefore, whether they were metal slimes, grass slimes, lightning slimes, or magnetic slimes... slimes of all classifications communicated in their own language, independent of human systems.
Upon hearing the news of an attack on one of their own, these slimes, eager to avenge their kin, simultaneously remembered the appearance of the humans who had harmed their comrade and decided to retaliate.
At this very moment, no human knew what was about to unfold in this wilderness.
The first human-monster conflict, with clear records, began with a few students, marking its commencement.
This unprecedented upheaval had only just begun.
...
The car drove to the woods by Crystal Lake, where Jack and Nade got out.
Although he still couldn't figure out what that green slime was, Jack was no longer dwelling on it or getting stuck in a rut.
He looked down at Crystal Lake, captivated by the beautiful scenery around the lake.
The fresh air, the absence of city noise, and the sight of the verdant natural landscape brought a sense of profound intoxication to the students who had lived in the city for a long time, regardless of gender.
Natural scenery was indeed infinitely beautiful.
Developed tourist spots were crowded with people; how could they compare to the tranquility and seclusion of this place?
Some of those entranced snapped back to reality. A long-haired girl beside Jack, one of his classmates, suddenly asked, "Aren't there any wild beasts around here?"
It turned out that while the quiet and secluded natural scenery had the effect of making people linger and appreciate it, the environment, far from the bustling crowds of the city, also brought a sense of fear.
Humans are gregarious creatures. In this desolate forest, individuals appeared so weak in the vastness of the world, evoking a sense of fear.
It was as if they had transformed from modern people into primitives, experiencing an inexplicable dread of potential wild animals.
Other animals were one thing, but creatures like snakes required extreme caution. If they encountered a pack of wolves, tigers, bears, or snakes while out alone, their fate might not be good.
"Don't worry, there won't be any snakes."
As the organizer of the outing, Jack directly answered the long-haired girl.
This long-haired girl was named Mas, and Jack knew she was rather timid, so he added, "Although Crystal Lake is rarely visited, it's not truly a wilderness."
"Many of my friends in the circle come here for outdoor activities every time. They've already explored the surrounding environment, and there are no large animals."
"Bears, tigers, wolf packs – the ecosystem here cannot support their existence; the ecological conditions are insufficient. Their tracks have never been found here."
"As for snakes, don't worry, there are no venomous snakes here. They won't suddenly appear and bite us all, or we wouldn't have suggested coming here."
Jack repeatedly emphasized safety.
Mas understood. She was temporarily reassured. In her understanding, what Jack said made sense; it was just an outdoor outing, and as long as the details were handled properly, there shouldn't be any risk of being injured by wild animals.
While they were talking, other male and female classmates were busy unloading the barbecue grill from the back of the car.
Many people treated this outing as a camping trip.
Therefore, by Crystal Lake, some were setting up tents for sleeping at night, while others were taking out various seasonings, planning to have an outdoor barbecue.
"How deep is the water in Crystal Lake?"
At this moment, a girl named Jin Lian Dai, who was setting up the barbecue grill, asked.
She looked at the beautiful Crystal Lake, felt the natural scenery, and was curious about how deep the water was.
"I don't know the exact depth, but as far as I know, the water should be quite deep."
Her boyfriend, Bill, said as he rummaged through the seasonings and looked at Crystal Lake.
"Crystal Lake used to be a popular tourist spot. Many young people came here to play until someone drowned and lost their life. Coupled with the changing times, it became less attractive and gradually fell into disrepair."
Bill's explanation surprised Jin Lian Dai: "There was a drowning incident? Then the depth of Crystal Lake must be quite considerable."
"I was thinking of going for a swim, but now it seems I'll have to forget about it."
Jin Lian Dai looked disappointed at not being able to swim, a hint of regret visible on her face.
Her boyfriend, Bill, however, was secretly pleased to see his girlfriend's expression.
Although Crystal Lake was large and vast, if Jin Lian Dai were to go swimming, her figure in a swimsuit would undoubtedly be exposed to the eyes of many.
For single guys, this would be a feast for the eyes, but for Bill, her boyfriend, it would be torture – after all, no one wants to accept their girlfriend's swimsuit figure being ogled by others.