Chapter 328 Gratitude
Xiao Xiao didn't care. He just looked at the fungus man, guessing what it meant. "You want me to take you back, right?"

"Cuckoo~"

The fungus man's face brightened for a moment and he nodded, then dimmed again as he thought of something. But soon the little monster seemed to have figured something out and light appeared in his eyes again.

"Don't you want to go back to where you came from?"

An idea suddenly occurred to Xiao Xiao, and he blurted out the question.

The fungus man's eyes suddenly widened into a look of surprise, and even a bit of disbelief.

But he quickly nodded his head desperately, and Xiao Xiao was a little worried about the strength of his neck.

However, seeing the reaction of the fungus man, Xiao Xiao understood a little bit.

Come to think of it, the place where the mushroom man originally lived is no longer safe. If its mushrooms can be picked once, there will definitely be a next time.

That area may have been deserted not long ago, but it will surely become lively in the future.

……

"Do you want to change where... uh... you live?"

After some consideration, Xiao Xiao chose the more formal word "residence" between "living" and "taking root".

"Gugu~Gugu~"

The fungus man nodded his head vigorously, his eyes filled with admiration for the human in front of him.

……

Even though the fungus people have been living in deep mountains and forests since they became conscious and are unfamiliar with human affairs, they are naturally quite intelligent.

Or can we say it is an instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm? Similar to the intuition of wild animals?

It knew that the place where it originally lived was no longer safe.

For years, there were few humans to be seen, but recently I could always hear the sound of human shoes stepping on the fallen leaves and branches.

Its anxiety and fear grew day by day, and sure enough, that day, all its worries came true.

Its mushrooms were picked by humans.

At that time, it didn't even think much, and subconsciously followed its mushrooms to be taken away by humans.

Later, in the basket, the sight of the mushrooms soothed its fear.

Its brain, which was finally able to function normally, told it that being taken away by humans along with the mushrooms might actually be a way out.

……

Yes, when one mushroom is picked, there will be another one.

It just takes a little longer.

But, isn’t the thing it has the most in abundance? Time?
……

But things are not that simple.

This place has been discovered by humans.

It had a premonition that if it continued to stay here, it would never be able to keep its mushrooms.

It has no way of praying to humans who cannot see it or hear it not to pick its mushrooms.

The fungus man is just a little demon who doesn't practice that hard.

Because there are always many things to distract its attention.

Especially the starry sky above.

Every night, it sits on the cap of the mushroom and looks up at the stars.

Never tire of it.

……

Therefore, it has no way to break the boundary between monsters and ordinary people.

It can only helplessly allow humans to pick the mushrooms that are more important than its life.

It had no choice but to wander with the mushrooms. Occasionally there would be light, but most of the time it was shrouded in thick darkness.

……

It has been a long time since it last saw the night sky.

It is missed.

It wanted to go to a place where it would not be disturbed by humans and where it could quietly admire the stars every night as before. Therefore, it overcame its inner avoidance and fear of humans and tried to tell this human who could see it what was in its heart.

It wants a new home.

……

Xiao Xiao raised his eyebrows in surprise at the fungus man's long-term vision. Although this little monster was tiny and looked stupid, he was surprisingly a smart guy.

Even though Xiao Xiao didn't know where the fungus man originally lived, he knew that place was no longer suitable for the fungus man to live in.

Once the first human sets foot in that area, it will never return to its original tranquility.

Nowadays, people prefer wild game when eating. They like original food that is fresh and nutritious.

So how could the wild delicacies that have been discovered escape the fate of being picked year after year?
So, if the fungus man follows the mushroom and leaves again, it is hard to estimate whether the final outcome will be good or bad. Even if the fungus man pays the price of losing his own natal mushroom, stays, and cultivates a new natal mushroom, how can he prevent this mushroom from being picked by humans?

It can't cultivate new native mushrooms one after another indefinitely.

Besides, the time interval between humans taking mushrooms is not enough for it to recover its original level, let alone make further progress.

Therefore, it will become weaker and weaker until it disappears in this world.

……

The fungus people cannot imagine what good consequences will come from returning to its original habitat.

It is not an indecisive monster.

Even though it has lived there for a long time and is familiar with every tree and blade of grass there, it does not mind moving its nest in order to survive and as long as its mushrooms are there.

……

"I see."

"I will help you."

Xiao Xiao smiled and made a promise.

Meeting is fate, and this is not a difficult request, Xiao Xiao is willing to help.

Besides, Xiao Xiao quite likes fungus people.

This strange-looking monster gave him an unreal feeling as if a creature from a fairy tale had run into reality.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but feel a little indescribable excitement.

……

"Gugu~Gugu~"

There was obvious excitement and gratitude in the fungus man's voice. His brown cheeks flushed and his skin turned a reddish-brown color.

It was a little at a loss for a moment, not knowing how to express its overflowing gratitude.

The fungus man stared blankly at the human in front of him.

It couldn't help but feel a little regretful. If it were still in the forest, it would have given mushrooms to this kind human.

If humans eat the mushrooms affected by it, they will strengthen their body and delay aging.

Next time, next time it will definitely give this human a lot of mushrooms.

The fungus man secretly made up his mind.

……

"Okay, little guy, you don't have to be so polite."

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but reach out and knock on the mushroom man's mushroom.

Because the mushroom man is too small and hiding under the mushroom, it is not easy to hit its head.

"Cuckoo~"

The fungus man finally walked out from under the mushroom, holding the mushroom with both hands and holding it behind his back.

The complete exposure without any cover made the fungus man subconsciously shrink, but after meeting Xiao Xiao's gentle gaze with a hint of smile, the fungus man was inexplicably comforted, and he gradually relaxed his tense body.

The corners of his taut mouth slowly curved upward.

The fungus man's expression softened.

The fungus man is a timid and docile monster.

(End of this chapter)