Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Frog Fish Monster
Raymond selected only Willie, captain of the third team, along with the leaders of the second and third squads to accompany him.
The five of them used the trees for cover as they stealthily climbed the upstream hill, hiding behind a large boulder.
Duane poked his head out to take a look.
The upstream riverbank was now dotted with wooden, kennel-like nests, where some Frog Fish Monsters were lying down to rest.
Some of the remaining Frog Fish Monsters were swimming and fishing in the water.
Others were building nests.
Still others held sturdy branches and sharpened them on rocks, as if making weapons.
A few even patrolled as sentries a short distance from the main group.
’What a well-organized society!’
Duane carefully observed the monsters’ appearance.
They were about a meter tall, with dark green skin. Their chests and limbs seemed to be covered in scales with bluish-black patterns.
Their heads were flat like a fish’s, and their limbs were frog-like, yet they walked upright. They also had short, fish-like tails.
This was the origin of the name "Frog Fish Monster."
Watching these peculiar creatures, Duane couldn’t help but be reminded of the fishfolk from video games. Their appearance and societal habits were quite similar.
"My Lord, it looks like these things really intend to settle here for good!"
Raymond said in a low voice, "There’s a lot of them, and they’re armed. It would be difficult for ordinary people to deal with them."
Although their weapons were just wooden clubs sharpened at one end, they posed a certain threat.
But as the old saying goes, even a master can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
If there were enough of them, an ordinary adult who got surrounded would be bludgeoned and stabbed to death.
’There have been incidents of Frog Fish Monsters attacking people before. To them, humans are just another type of food.’
Having these creatures living here permanently was clearly a threat to the farmers working in the nearby fields, and even to the more distant Lingang Village.
Moreover, there was no telling how fast these things could reproduce.
If they had a high reproduction rate, their numbers would only grow over time.
For the stability of his Territory and to ensure a good harvest, Duane had to deal with them as soon as possible.
"My Lord, shall I go and test their strength?"
Duane wore a serious expression. "By yourself?"
"Don’t worry, My Lord. I’m just going to probe them. If they all charge me, I’ll run into the forest to lose them."
Duane pondered this. He also wanted to know the capabilities of this group of Frog Fish Monsters, so having someone test the waters was an excellent idea.
"Be careful."
Raymond nodded, cautiously withdrew, and circled around from the rear to the other side.
Then, without further delay, he charged straight down the slope.
His Longsword Thrust straight at a patrolling Frog Fish Monster on the perimeter.
SHINK! His expression changed slightly.
The scales on the Frog Fish Monster’s chest were surprisingly hard. His sword, not put forth with full force, didn’t pierce all the way through; the immense strength behind the blow merely sent the creature flying.
The sudden turn of events stunned the entire group of Frog Fish Monsters for a moment, and then it was as if he had kicked a hornet’s nest.
Whether they were swimming, fishing, sharpening weapons, or resting, they all charged madly toward Raymond.
As they ran, they let out chilling, gurgling cries of "WAAAGH!".
Meanwhile, the Frog Fish Monster that Raymond had knocked away, blood flowing from its chest, opened its mouth and spat out a Water Bomb that shot forward like an arrow.
’This one’s a Level 2 Demon Beast?’
Raymond used a Fighting Qi Slash to shatter the Water Bomb, then Thrust his sword at a nearby Fishfolk, running it straight through.
This Fishfolk’s defenses were clearly much weaker.
WHOOSH~
A huge Hemp Rope Net fell from the sky, attempting to ensnare the human who had invaded their territory.
Raymond was surprised but didn’t panic. He pushed off the ground with both feet, quickly moving out of the way and letting the Hemp Rope Net fall on empty ground.
Duane’s heart pounded as he watched this unfold.
’These things can even use nets to capture prey?’
Just then, he saw the group of Frog Fish Monsters transform into Spear Throwers.
The sharpened wooden clubs turned into spears, filling the air with a constant SWISH SWISH SWISH.
An ordinary person caught unprepared would have been riddled with holes.
Raymond snorted. With a sweep of his Sword, a curved Fighting Qi Slash cleared the spears from the air in front of him.
After he killed two more Frog Fish Monsters, he was surrounded by the others.
Seeing that a second wave of spears and Water Bombs was about to strike, he tapped his toes to the ground and swiftly retreated toward the mountain.
The Frog Fish Monsters didn’t give up, however, and pursued him into the mountains with furious cries.
Fortunately, Raymond was very fast, and his figure vanished into the woods in just a few moments.
The Frog Fish Monsters stomped their feet in frustration, letting out angry howls. One by one, they reluctantly returned to their camp.
Behind the boulder, Willie’s heart pounded. "Thank goodness the Captain is so strong. If that had been me, it would have been a disaster!"
The Frog Fish Monsters were fast. They had ranged attacks as well as melee capabilities.
If Willie had been surrounded, he probably wouldn’t have been able to escape.
Three to five Basic-level Warriors would stand no chance against this group.
"Let’s pull back, too."
Duane withdrew his gaze and led the other three back to rendezvous with the main party.
After a wait of about ten minutes, Raymond returned.
"My Lord, this group of Frog Fish Monsters is quite strong."
He stated his conclusion as soon as he got back. "There’s at least one Level 3 Demon Beast among them, and four or five Level 2s."
Then, he gave a detailed account of the fight.
Monbodt was very surprised to hear this. The Frog Fish Monsters of the past had never been this strong.
Duane’s expression grew solemn.
These creatures were numerous, favored swarming tactics, and their individual strength was not low.
If he sent Raymond and his men to deal with them, even if they succeeded, there would likely be heavy casualties.
"Let’s move away from here for now," Duane ordered.
Judging by how they had just pursued Raymond, they would surely attack if they discovered people here.
Duane and his men could probably escape, but the same couldn’t be said for the accompanying Julian and the farmers working in the fields.
"Julian, Haien, have the people working in the fields return for now. Also, notify Lingang Village that no one is to come near this area until the Frog Fish Monster horde is eliminated."
"All members of the third squad are to pull back as well. Set up a temporary defensive line on the road at the village entrance that leads to Broken Wave City."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone moved to carry out his orders.
"My Lord, what’s your plan for dealing with them?" Raymond asked.
"What’s your opinion?"
"I don’t think we should risk heavy casualties by having our own men wipe out this group of Fishfolk."
Raymond mulled it over before giving his suggestion. "You are the Lord of Black Forest Island, and we were victorious in the tournament. You now have the right to demand that the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association send men to help you eliminate these Demon Beasts invading your Territory!"
A slight smile touched the corners of Duane’s mouth, and he couldn’t help but nod. "You and I are of the same mind."
As he spoke, he looked at the Civil Servant. "Monbodt, you will once again go to Forest Village and Broken Wave Bay to deliver my orders. Tell Bard and Daniels to send men to help me eliminate these Demon Beasts!"
"Ye... Yes!"
Duane added a special reminder, "Remember, tell them to send some real strength. Don’t try to fool me by sending a team cobbled together with ordinary people!"
Monbodt understood the situation here; he knew that dealing with these Demon Beasts would require more capable people.
Therefore, he wasn’t surprised by the Baron’s order.
He just didn’t know what Duane was really planning.
Of those present, perhaps only Raymond could guess a part of it.
After Monbodt left, he lowered his voice. "My Lord, are you planning to use this opportunity to move against the Holy Hand Association...?"
Duane nodded, then shook his head.
"Our primary objective is still to use them to get rid of these Demon Beasts first!"
As for what to do after the cleanup, that would depend on the caliber of the people the Holy Hand Association sends tomorrow.
If they sent a few important figures, capturing them would be an excellent way to weaken Daniels’s Strength.
That was why Duane had emphasized to Monbodt that the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association should take this seriously and not try to fool him with ordinary men.
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