Chapter 338: New Monsters, New Battle
Roaring, it lowered its front body slightly, extending its Claws on all four feet to firmly grip the Ground. From Light Snow 's rock-solid stance, a powerful wave of air emanated, lifting the surrounding Dust and fine stones high. Subsequently, it opened its basin-sized maw, easily over a meter across, and circles of white light gradually converged into a ball in its mouth.
"Boom—"
A white Light Pillar shot out from Light Snow 's mouth, perfectly hitting the direction I pointed. As the violent explosion sounded, Radiant Fury Strike, which could even blast a shallow pit in a Magic Reinforcement stone wall, directly blasted the soft mud and stones on the opposite Riverside into Mid-air. A Large Tree that two people could embrace also let out a Wail, forcefully uprooted by the powerful explosion's airflow, collapsing with a crash. After a burst of Dust, the original Dense Forest became a mess. Replacing the Dwarf Tribe's location was a Large Pit over ten meters wide.
Eh, the Power seems a bit excessive. But never mind, let's just consider it clearing a path for the Adventurers behind us. Looking at the large expanse of flat ground cleared by the explosion, I nodded in satisfaction, gently stroking Light Snow 's Head to show approval. Then turning my Head back, I saw Phoenix, who was completely Dumbfounded. If he were a character in an anime, I believe his Chin would have already dropped to the Ground by now.
"Too... too amazing. Is this your Strength/Power? It's really... really..."
After witnessing Light Snow 's Strength/Power, Phoenix rubbed his hands together even more vigorously, muttering continuously. His Eyes revealed infinite Hope.
"Let me Declare beforehand, Light Snow is the most Powerful in our Team, so don't Overestimate her too much."
Seeing Phoenix's ecstatic Appearance, I vaguely felt something was wrong and couldn't help but cautiously remind him. Indeed, if you don't count Blood Bear Transformation, Light Snow is the most Powerful in our Team.
"I know, I know."
Phoenix nodded his Head frantically, saying he knew with his mouth, but his grinning Appearance gave the feeling that he hadn't taken my words to Heart at all.
"Be honest, what kind of scheme are you plotting in your Heart?"
Seeing Phoenix's strange Expression, I couldn't help but fiercely press him, planning that if he didn't honestly reveal the little scheme in his Heart, I would implement severe torture to force a confession by stuffing Piranhas into his butt.
However, Phoenix was quite honest, or perhaps had nothing to hide at all. I saw him approach with a beaming face and thick skin.
"Little Brother Wu Fan, you know, I'm a Wanderer."
Nodded.
"Do you know what most Wanderers like to do the most?"
Shook his Head.
"Exploration! Inheriting the wishes of our predecessors (referring to the Adventurers who explored the World before the Hell Forces invaded; the Gate of Hell was 'explored' by these people). Exploring those unknown places is precisely the Meaning of our existence as Wanderers!" Phoenix said with a face full of intoxication.
"You're not planning to drag me along, are you?" I seemed to understand a bit of what scheme Phoenix was plotting.
"Hehe, of course. When I was alone before, my Strength/Power wasn't enough. There were many places I could only sigh at from afar. Now it's different. With an Expert like you, the entire Primeval Forest is ripe for exploration." Rubbing his hands together, Phoenix finally stated his objective.
"I Refuse."
Without the slightest hesitation, I replied expressionlessly.
"Why? With your Strength/Power, what is there to fear? Exploring the World, uncovering the unknown, don't you feel your Hot Blood boil just hearing these eight words as a Man? This is a Man's romance!!" As if he had never expected me to Refuse, Phoenix became anxious.
"It's too Dangerous, and you Overestimate me too much. As a Wanderer, you should feel the Danger of this Continent more keenly. It's not just the threat of the Hell Clan, is it?"
Back then in the Misty Forest, I was almost turned into an appetizer by the Forest Guardian, the Angelic Beast there (although in the end, I turned it into my appetizer instead). What's more, now it's the Primeval Forest, countless times larger than the Misty Forest. I don't believe there aren't Creatures more Powerful than the Angelic Beast. By then, even Transform into Blood Bear might be useless.
"Of course I know that. I'm talking about places where we have enough Strength/Power to explore."
After I said that, Phoenix seemed to sober up a bit. As a Wanderer, he was indeed clearer than most people about the First World. The Hell Forces are not the most terrifying. Those native Overlords are even more terrifying. The best example is—Dragons!!
"No, no. Since it hasn't been explored, how do you know we have enough Strength/Power to explore it? At least not this time."
I shook my Head repeatedly. It's not that I'm not interested in Phoenix's Suggestion; this kind of exploration can indeed make a Man's Hot Blood boil. But I still have Marissa and Dead Dog by my side. I can't take this Risk. If I were out alone with Phoenix, perhaps I could consider it.
"Oh God, Little Brother Wu Fan, do you know the Feeling when your gambling addiction flares up, you happen to have Money in your pocket, but you're told you can't enter the Casino? Can't you take pity on me?"
Phoenix simply started rolling on the Ground. That Painful Appearance... I think it's not gambling addiction flaring up, but drug addiction.
"I know, I know. Do you know the Feelings of being suddenly Interrupted while having an intimate moment with your Wife? I've experienced it twice, so stop complaining, I'm worse off than you." Once was Old Drunkard, once was my two Beloved Daughters, two unforgettable Experiences.
"Ah, in that case, forget it."
Seeming to feel that I was indeed more miserable, Phoenix straightforwardly climbed up from the Ground, patted the Dust off his Clothes, then patted my Shoulder, revealing an Expression of pity.
Damn it. Although I successfully persuaded him, what's with this Unhappy Feeling in my Heart?
And so, we still followed the original itinerary, with Phoenix leading us to familiarize ourselves with the Forest Environment. After finding the Spider Forest Waypoint, I would kick him back with one foot, as he would no longer have any use. As for what happens after that, I haven't decided yet. Perhaps returning with Phoenix, perhaps continuing the Trial. In any case, I need to raise my Level first.
"Be careful, don't Approach the river too closely, there are Monsters hidden there too."
As we moved forward, Phoenix reminded us. Just as his words fell, over a dozen water pillars shot up from the water surface with whooshing sounds. Jumping onto the shore with the water pillars were over a dozen frog-like Monsters. But it was truly impossible to describe them as frogs. Not to mention their sticky red Skin and bipedal sub-human posture, their Physique was also hundreds of times larger than a frog's. Standing upright, they were almost as tall as my Chest.
In this World, the most unbearable things are two types of Monsters. One type is terrifying, represented by Zombies and Ugly Monsters. One type is disgusting, represented by these Creatures before me—why can't they look a bit more presentable, like Shadows?
Accompanied by Phoenix's warning, over a dozen frog-like Monster Beasts... oh, their Name is Swamp Dweller. How fitting. From the mouths of over a dozen Swamp Dwellers, they spat out disgusting green Liquid as swift as Arrows. I dodged several, but was ultimately hit inevitably. The green Liquid stuck to my White Robe and immediately emitted an unpleasant smell.
Damn it. Spitting everywhere? Don't you know I'm the city management?!
I swung the Crystal Sword in my hand, lifted my feet repeatedly, and instantly appeared In Front of the nearest Swamp Dweller. Before the opponent could react, the sharp Sword slashed several white streaks in the Mid-air. The next moment, this unlucky Swamp Dweller had its limbs severed. Its severed limbs slid off its Body neatly. Its Body shrank and shattered into several large pieces in the Mid-air. Green Health spurted out, and several gleaming Gold Coins dropped onto the Ground.
"Be careful, these Swamp Dwellers not only spray Potent Poison, but can also shoot Fire Bolts." Phoenix's Voice came from behind again.
Damn it. Are you that character from those Legend-ary Hot Blood fighting manga who always explains the Enemy's ultimate move one step too late for the Protagonist, letting the Protagonist know the Power of the opponent's ultimate move, only for the Protagonist to get distracted and hit squarely because of it? You Bastard!
As expected. Next, I was hit squarely by over a dozen Fire Bolts fired at close range. Smoke was practically coming out of my nostrils from anger. The Crystal Sword swung wildly again and again, dismembering the two Swamp Dwellers in front. Poison Creeper and the Ghost Wolves also pounced on their respective Opponents/Rivals.
"The best Method to deal with them is to have one person Attract their fire in the front, and then have others flank them from behind, otherwise..."
After eliminating more than half of the Swamp Dwellers with the ferocity of wolves and tigers, the remaining Swamp Dwellers saw things were going badly. With a few plops, they flipped over and jumped back into the river.
"You Bastards, just you wait..."
Staring blankly at the splashes on the river surface, the next moment, I took off my Robe with red Eyes, making as if to jump into the river.
"I say, Little Brother Wu Fan, I don't object to you doing this, but just in case, let me ask first, can you swim underwater?" Phoenix, standing beside me, patted my Shoulder and sighed.
A cold Wind blew past.
" Light Snow , prepare Radiant Fury Strike for me, I'm going to blast those mongrels out." I put my Robe back on, pointing at the direction where the Swamp Dwellers jumped down and said.
"Save it, they've already scattered." Phoenix continued to sigh beside me.
"Alright, there's no other Method, I'll have to use my last resort."
My Expression turned serious and I started digging in the soft Dirt beside me. Before long, I dug out several wriggling Earthworms. Then I found a Clue, tied one end to the Crystal Sword and the other end to an Earthworm. I flicked the Clue, letting the desperately struggling innocent Earthworm dangle back and forth on the water surface.
"I say, Little Brother Wu Fan... are you having some Misunderstanding? Swamp Dwellers aren't frogs, and even if they were, this Method of yours wouldn't work." Phoenix watched my Movement from the side, his Gaze became dull.
"It's because you didn't explain it earlier, otherwise how could they have run away?"
"Wasn't I just letting you Experience it more deeply?" Phoenix felt a little Wronged. Letting you suffer a small loss is so you won't be careless in the future. What did I do wrong? No good deed goes unpunished.
"In short, this Method won't work..."
Before he finished speaking, a red Shadow shot out from the water surface, biting the end of the line. I calmly flicked it gently, throwing the red Shadow into Mid-air. When it fell to the Ground, the Crystal Sword in my hand, serving as both a fishing rod and a Weapon, gracefully slashed several times in the Mid-air. When it landed on the Ground, the red Shadow had already turned into several Bloody pieces of Meat. It was precisely a Swamp Dweller. I just don't know if it was one of the ones that Sneak attack-ed us earlier.
"Cough cough..."
Phoenix, who was choked by the scene before him, coughed for a while before Incredulously pounding his Chest.
"This... this works too..."
"That's why I say your imagination is too poor. You haven't tried it. How would you know it wouldn't work?" I happily picked up a medium Life Potion dropped by the Swamp Dweller, feeling a greater sense of accomplishment than dropping a piece of Golden Equipment.
"Per... perhaps..."
After being stunned for a long time, Phoenix realized that what I said did make sense. He just didn't know if this Method could be popularized. Thinking of the scene where a large group of Adventurers stood by the Riverside with fishing rods, fishing for "Fish", he shook his Head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
After successfully fishing up a Swamp Dweller and experiencing a Sense of Superiority in Intelligence, my Spirit was greatly refreshed, and I decided to mercifully let the rest of the guys go. Besides, fishing them up one by one like this really takes a lot of Time...
"Good Equipment really makes a difference..."
Along the way, Phoenix looked enviously at the "plain and unremarkable" Equipment on my Body, muttering. Under the Attack of several Potent Poisons and dozens of Fire Bolts from the Swamp Dwellers, it was completely unharmed. Even a Sorceress with the highest Elemental Resistance couldn't possibly do that.
"Wait, stop..."
After eliminating a few straggling Little People who foolishly rushed out to rob us along the way, Phoenix suddenly reached out and stopped us, pointing at a patch of Forest ahead with a strange Expression.
"Look closely, do you see it?"
Following the direction he pointed and looking for a while, I finally saw what was wrong. In that Dense Forest filled with Large Trees, there seemed to be dozens of "Trees" that were particularly awkward. Not only were they thick and short, their thick, old Tree Trunks were bare and covered in Thorns. There wasn't a single Tree Branch or Tree Leaf.
"Are those... Monsters?"
My Expression also became as strange as Phoenix's. If they were Adventurers without Experience, perhaps it would be difficult to identify these strange Monsters at a glance. But after just one Experience, the Disguise of these Monsters is undoubtedly a futile attempt at deception. It's completely obvious at a glance—because, other than their Bodies being made of Wood, no matter how you look at them, they don't resemble Trees.
"These Monsters are called Thornwood Fiends. Originally, they were Forest Guardians, the best Pets and Companions of the Elf Race. Later, they were corrupted by evil Power. The Guardians of the past are the Slaughterers of today. Whenever they occasionally regain Consciousness late at night, they always let out heartbreaking Wails, then Attack each other, hoping to end their mutual Sorrowful Destiny..."
Phoenix slowly told us some little-known stories. As a Wanderer, his research on these matters was far beyond that of ordinary Adventurers.
"So that's how it is. What should we do now?" Hearing Phoenix say that, I immediately lost much of my urge to fight.
"Let's get rid of them. It can be considered a Dissolve. Be careful, they are very strong. When they go Madness, their Attack can cause a Stun Effect. Their Defense is also astonishingly high. Their only Weakness is fear of Fire Magic."
I nodded and strode closer. When I was still about ten meters away, these Thornwood Fiends slowly began to Vibrate, as if transforming, suddenly extending limbs like round wooden stakes. Their Heads slowly protruded, with a pair of sharp white horns growing on top. Those Eyes, originally as pure as glass, now emitted a wave of Madness-fueled crimson light. Inside lay deep Sorrow, buried within their Consciousness of Hatred.
"Multiple Fire Storm, rest in peace, you Monsters."
While rapidly closing the Distance, a ball of dark red, Liquid-like Fire Ball condensed in my hand. When the Distance to the Thornwood Fiends was less than three meters, their round, giant wooden stake arms were already raised high. Just as they were about to fall onto my Head, I pressed the Fire Ball in my hand into the Void, letting it drop onto the Ground, just like a drop of water gently blending into water, stirring up no Movement/Activity. However, the next moment, a Fire Pillar over ten meters in diameter and about two to three meters high suddenly erupted from the location where the Thornwood Fiends stood, completely engulfing these dozen or so Thornwood Fiends.
Multiple Fire Storm. Modified Version 2—created based on the inspiration from Volcano. However, a certain person cannot completely control it yet.
Hey hey, that last explanatory sentence is unnecessary.
Accompanied by the dull buzzing Wails carrying a sense of Dissolve, the Bodies of these Thornwood Fiends were like flammable dry pine wood. Even after the Firestorm, the sky-high Flame still didn't diminish, burning for nearly a minute before turning into Ashes. Hmph hmph. The Power of a Level nine Firestorm, dealing with these ordinary Thornwood Fiends is simply effortless, isn't it?
However, I couldn't stop to admire my masterpiece. Just after casting Multiple Fire Storm, a huge Shadow enveloped me. I instinctively performed a Lazy Donkey Roll. The next moment, the spot where I had just been standing became a small pit.
A Thornwood Fiend with dark red Tree Bark was approaching me with a ferocious Expression. Its wooden stake-like left and right hands hammered down repeatedly, seemingly treating me as a stake, with a fierce determination not to stop until I was hammered Underground.
Taking the Opportunity, I glanced at the Stats of the dark red Thornwood Fiend—Thornwood Fiend, Elite Monster, Elite Talent: Enchant.
Damn it. No wonder Firestorm didn't cause much Damage to it. So it's a piece of Wood that isn't afraid of Fire Magic. Just my luck, its only Weakness has been compensated for. The Difficulty has increased geometrically. Is this the Protagonist's Destiny?
How annoying. There's no other Method. I did several backflips in a row, pulling away from the Thornwood Fiend, and took a deep breath. My Eyes widened, and I let out a low Roar from my mouth, like a human and a beast combined. My Body instantly swelled several times and was covered in brown fur.
"Roar—"
A complete Giant Bear's roar. With a Physique no less inferior to the Elite Thornwood Fiend's, I met it head-on, pushing against the Thornwood Fiend's arms with both hands, starting a pure Strength contest.
"Oh God, his Strength is actually comparable to an Elite Thornwood Fiend's. This guy isn't a Barbarian wearing a Druid's skin, is he?!"
Watching the two giant Monsters over three meters tall pushing and shoving each other back and forth on the Battlefield, with neither gaining the upper hand, Phoenix, standing beside, said in surprise. That purest and most savage clash of Strength made his Hot Blood boil as well, watching nervously, his face flushed red, wishing he was a Barbarian himself so he could step forward and join in.
Level nine Werebear Transformation. Strength bonus is nearly 50%. Compared to a Barbarian, it's certainly not inferior. If Werebear Transformation is leveled up to Level ten and undergoes a Small Leap, the most conservative estimate is that Strength can be boosted to 60%. If you add the Cleric's Strength Art buff, the Strength at that time, it's estimated that pressing Diablo's Head into the Underground wouldn't be a problem.
As I was thinking, I suddenly used a clever move. Withdrawing the Strength from both hands, the Thornwood Fiend immediately stumbled uncontrollably and rushed over. I stepped forward with my right foot and grabbed the lower part of the Thornwood Fiend, and instantly lifted it high up. What a pity, Thornwood Fiends are inclined towards plants, they simply don't have 'that thing', otherwise, it would definitely Experience the pleasure of its Groin being crushed.
"Roar—"
Roaring, I forcefully threw the high-lifted Thornwood Fiend out. When it landed heavily on the Ground, I had already closed in again and slammed a Maul onto its Head with my right palm, instantly making it dizzy and disoriented. I didn't expect this, I originally thought Stun wouldn't be effective against this kind of Monster.
But I wasn't doing much better either. The Thorns on the Thornwood Fiend's Body cut a gash in my palm—with my current Defense, there really aren't many Elite Monsters that can break through my Defense.
Afterwards, I grabbed the horn on top of the Thornwood Fiend's Head with one hand and pressed it onto the Ground. With the other hand, I repeatedly hammered down on parts without thorns, making the Elite Thornwood Fiend dizzy and disoriented (Within twenty seconds after casting Maul, Normal Attack will have a certain Chance of causing Stun). Before long, the spot where the Elite Thornwood Fiend lay also became indented. Its hard outer Skin began to crack. Accompanied by its tragic Wails, green Health continuously spurted out from the cracks, splashing onto the Surroundings, gathering on the Ground, forming a shocking Health pit.
Phoenix had already turned his Head away, unable to bear watching this Bloody scene any longer. The Battle between Giant Beasts is always more Shocking and tragic than fights between Humans. Not to mention anything else, just the amount of Health sprayed is incomparable to Humans.
The Thornwood Fiend's Defense was indeed high. After fighting for a while, with a crisp cracking sound, its entire Chest only cracked as my Fist fell. The light in its glass Eyes dimmed, and it became silent.
Standing up, letting out a rough breath, and wiping the green Health Liquid splashed on my face clean with my large palm, I then heavily Dissolved the Shapeshifting.
"Little Brother Wu Fan, you really worked hard."
Phoenix immediately came over from the side, affectionately fanning me like a lackey.
"Don't think you can just gloss over this. Explain properly, what were you doing while I was fighting for my Life?"
I glared at Phoenix hatefully. Just now during the Battle, even if this guy had just thrown an Ice Arrow from the side, I could have slightly lightened my burden. But he was just watching the show and not contributing any Strength. He really took his role as Guide seriously.
"Wasn't I just stunned for a moment? Besides, brother, you can't be so biased. Didn't Miss Hain also not make a move, just like me? Why are you only talking about me?"
Phoenix said, pointing at the expressionless Three-No Princess beside him, feeling a little Wronged. Why blame only me? And in a Battle of your Level, how could I, a "small Wizard", dare to interfere?