Chapter 244 Fighting limit
Yesterday, after searching the whole day, they had only found one Noxlight flower. Today, within just an hour of starting their search, Ken and Zaria discovered tracks of the monster they were after. These tracks led them to the creature's hideout, and nearby blood pools indicated it might have been injured or from a previous night's hunt.
Uncertain about the situation, they proceeded cautiously. Not all monsters of the same species had equal strength; this one could potentially be stronger than the one Kevin encountered. Hence, they moved with care.
Unlike the previous monster, this one lay beneath a tree, not hollow but completely green or gray, if considered its natural color. Despite its injuries, the Shadowcrest Lupine growled in its sleep as it rested. This creature was larger than the previous one, showcasing formidable strength through its almost pitch-black claws. Beside it lay another monster, streams of dark red blood creating pools around the tree. It was clear this was the creature the Shadowcrest Lupine had fought and defeated last night.
However, everyone's attention was on two small shiny objects near the sleeping monster. "Our luck's in, we found two," Benny whispered excitedly to Kevin, both of them part of the same group.
"no, my plan's the winner here," Kevin smirked as he prepared to strike the slumbering monster with his blades.
But just as he readied himself to attack, a faint yet distinct sound reverberated around them, and in the blink of an eye, a gaping hole appeared between the monster's eyes, emitting a wisp of smoke before dark red blood began to ooze from the wound.
Kevin's gaze darted to Ken, noticing a crystal rifle in his hands aimed at the monster. 'That's unfair,' he thought. It had taken him at least a minute of intense fighting to take down that same monster, and she had managed it in one shot.
As the monster lay motionless, its demise abrupt and unforeseen, the team's attention shifted back to the two glimmering Noxlight flowers nestled nearby, their dark petals shining under the forest canopy.
Emerging from their hiding spots, the team converged around the fallen monster. Yelena observed the flowers and remarked, "Seems like luck's finally on our side today."
"Or maybe it's a mix of luck and strategy," Ken added, his attention fixed on the delicate blooms. "Knowing where to strike can change everything."
Kevin couldn't resist a smirk. "Still, couldn't have done it without me."
Ken, with a grin, holstered his crystal rifle. "Definitely a team effort, right?"
Kevin shot a jealous glance at Ken, trying to force a smile, which only prompted a chuckle from Ken. Meanwhile, Keyara moved toward the flowers, carefully gathering and storing them in a wooden box, now totaling three blooms altogether.
With the flowers secured, Keyara addressed the group, "Alright, we've got three flowers in hand. Seventeen more to go, folks. Let's keep up the pace and search for more. We're doing great."
Everyone nodded in agreement, their spirits uplifted by the successful find.
As they continued their trek, Keith sidled up to Kevin, nudging him lightly. "Looks like your plans are working out pretty well, huh?"
Kevin grinned, puffing his chest playfully. "Well, you know me, always the mastermind behind our success."
Keith chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Right, right, the mastermind."
They set off in search of another Shadowcrest Lupine to face. Kevin was eager for more action, feeling a bit rusty after days of training and practice. His recent fight with the Lupine was exhilarating, a thrilling experience that reminded him of the value of testing his abilities.
It wasn't about seeking battles for the sake of it; Kevin simply wanted to gauge his progress, to understand the extent of his capabilities. The previous Lupine provided a challenge, but not enough to truly push him to his limits. Now, after witnessing Ken's swift takedown, he was eager to face another monster or perhaps another Lupine, should they cross paths again.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the tranquility of the surroundings was interrupted by a sudden rustling.
"Whoa!" Arya's Exclamation pierced the calm forest ambiance, followed by the clanging of metal. She staggered back, startled by the attack.
Walking ahead, Arya had an unexpected encounter with a sinewy creature. This serpent-like monster, its scales shimmering in the dappled sunlight, coiled, preparing to strike.
Kevin, spotting an opportunity for another bout, dashed from his position toward Arya.
Kevin moved swiftly, stepping forward to shield Arya. "Hey, snake buddy, mind if I take the lead on this one?" he called out, flashing a confident grin.
Arya nodded, taking a step back as Kevin unsheathed his blades, poised for action. "Go for it," she said, a mix of concern and anticipation in her voice.
Kevin squared off against the serpent creature, eyes locked onto its calculated movements. The creature lunged forward, its venomous fangs bared, aiming for a quick strike. Kevin deftly sidestepped the attack, the blade in his hand poised for a counter.
"Keep those fangs away, don't let them near you or your blades," she warned, glancing at the smoke rising from where she had parried the monster.
Kevin acknowledged her advice. However, as the snake-like creature surged towards him, he opted not to intervene with his blade or armor, reluctant to risk damage. Yet, even without contact, his hands tingled from the intense heat emitted by the corrosive liquid spat by the serpent's gaping jaws, easily as large as half his head.
As Kevin faced the serpent-like creature, he noticed its mesmerizing eyes attempting to captivate him. Swiftly, he redirected his focus to the creature's elongated, black tongue. As it lunged with its mouth gaping, Kevin dodged the attack, sidestepping the corrosive liquid that dissolved the grass beneath it.
Their group watched attentively, poised to intervene if needed. Luckily, Kevin was holding his ground well, handling the situation without immediate threat.
The encounter was tense, but Kevin managed to keep the creature occupied, steering clear of its harmful attacks while attempting to distract it from harming anyone else.
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