## Chapter 78: Treehead Woodfist
Perched high in a large shrub, I concealed myself among the dense branches and leaves, quietly observing the opposite side. On my shoulder, Lazy Crow also shed its usual lazy demeanor, cautiously scanning the surroundings for any movement.
It had been 5 days since I arrived in the Dark Wood, and in these 5 days, I had come to thoroughly detest this Dark Wood. The tall trees layered together blocked the Light from the Sky, allowing me, walking on the ground, to truly experience the meaning of the word "darkness." Swamps, muddy ground, and decaying branches and leaves were everywhere. Not to mention the annoying Hellspawn, even just the native inhabitants of the Forest—countless Giant Poison Spiders, Pythons, and Insects, etc.—were enough to keep me plenty busy. I believe even the King of the Jungle, the most outstanding Amazon, wouldn't want to stay in this hellhole for long.
Yesterday, I finally found the Large Tree that Cain spoke of—the Tree of Inifuss.
On the top of the High Slope not far ahead, the Tree of Inifuss appeared so unique—perhaps it was the only tree in the entire Dark Wood that grew bare. Its whole Body emitted a dense Magic Aura, making it hard for anyone passing by not to notice. It stood like the Emperor of the Dark Wood, overlooking the entire Dark Wood from the high mountain top, dominating the entire High Slope. Within a few hundred meters around it, not even a blade of grass could grow.
However, my observation target was not it, but the few Monsters dwelling beneath it—the Mini-Boss Level Treehead Woodfist, and its 4 Followers. Besides them, there were also several Saber Cats from the Camp at the base of the High Slope, totaling at least a thousand.
And Treehead Woodfist's Additional Attribute made me gasp—it was Extra Fast! The last Elite Moon Clan was already formidable enough, let alone a Minor Boss Level Monster?
Facing such a massive Lineup, I stayed in this tree for a full day and still couldn't find a good Method. I did think of a simple Method, and I was planning to implement it that way.
The Saber Cats at the base of the High Slope were easy to handle. As the King of the Dark Wood, Treehead Woodfist's sustenance was naturally provided by the Saber Cats below. Every morning, the Saber Cats had to go out and hunt enough Food for Treehead Woodfist, otherwise, they would be treated as Breakfast.
After a large Quantity of Saber Cats Departed, the remaining ones were not a concern. I didn't want to get entangled with them; I just needed their Quantity not to be enough to trap me, because I only wanted to lure Treehead Woodfist away, into the Forest, to surround and eliminate it separately.
To implement this Plan, I carefully estimated Treehead Woodfist's Speed, escape Route, and various potential accidents I could consider. Only on the morning of the third day did I formally begin implementing the Plan.
All the Summoned Pets I could Summon were Summoned. After my Mana was fully replenished, the Saber Cat army had already Departed for some time. I gritted my teeth, no longer hesitating, and ordered the other Summoned Creatures to stand by. While drinking a potion, I cast Werewolf Transformation, and then charged forward alone.
Relying on the Werewolf's Speed, the remaining Saber Cats at the base of the High Slope couldn't stop my Footsteps at all and were all left behind. I charged straight up to the middle of the High Slope. Treehead Woodfist on the top of the High Slope had already discovered me, Roared loudly, and charged down with its four Followers. Under their massive Bodies, every step they took made the Dirt they stepped on emit a muffled groan, and the entire Land seemed to tremble slightly.
Seeing that I had Attracted Treehead Woodfist's attention, I quickly turned, bypassed the Saber Cats behind me, and ran back into the Forest.
"Thump thump thump..." Heavy Footsteps followed. Treehead Woodfist and its Followers charged towards me at a terrifying Speed. Some unavoidable Saber Cats were kicked away or even trampled into paste.
Although the Followers gained a certain Speed boost from the Mini-Boss, they were clearly not as fast as Treehead Woodfist. Before long, the four Followers fell a Distance behind Treehead Woodfist. This was the effect I wanted. Four Speed-boosted Followers were very troublesome; only by dealing with them first could I feel at ease facing the Boss.
Once Treehead Woodfist entered the Forest, the five Ghost Wolves, Poison Creeper, and even the three Ravens hidden in the Jungle were sent out by me as Attackers to block the 4 Followers. I had the Oak Sage follow me at a moderate Distance, and the remaining 2 Ravens also stayed by my side, dragging Treehead Woodfist into the Dense Forest.
This was part of my Plan—I Attract the Boss's attention, and other Summons deal with the Followers. This was Have No Choice; Treehead Woodfist's Speed was too fast. Only with my Werewolf Transformation Speed and flexibility, combined with the Dense Forest's Advantage, could I Reluctantly slow down its Footsteps.
Treehead Woodfist's Speed was truly fast. Even though I had anticipated it beforehand, I was still startled now. Despite the countless bushes and Giant Trees obstructing it in the Dense Forest, its Speed was still slightly faster than mine.
However, I wasn't anxious. I immediately cast Frozen Armor on myself. During Spellcasting, Speed naturally couldn't be maintained, and Treehead Woodfist instantly caught up and delivered a heavy Fist. My right shoulder felt a sharp pain. Even with the Defense of the Golden Leather Armor I was wearing, I lost over twenty Health. However, Treehead Woodfist was stunned by my Frozen Armor, which was enough for me to open up some Distance. Haha, would I come to provoke you without over 80% confidence?
I didn't dare run far, because Summoned Pets and their Master cannot be too far apart, otherwise, compelled by the Contract, they will actively follow. So I could only circle Treehead Woodfist nearby. Now, I just waited for Poison Creeper and the others to kill the Followers and come back to help me.
During this time, Werewolf Transformation wore off once. The 2 Ravens I had kept with me finally came in handy. One Raven bravely charged forward, pecked desperately, and was swatted by Treehead Woodfist like a fly into the Dirt. Then it was stepped on, perishing instantly without even a chance to escape. Its death bought me time to transform again. I could only look at the Raven's Corpse with an apologetic Gaze—Have No Choice, someone has to be cannon fodder in this world.
Before long, a message of victory came from Poison Creeper and the others. My heart was overjoyed, and I quickly turned back to rendezvous with Poison Creeper and them.
When I saw the Ghost Wolves' figures, my heart settled. The outcome of this battle was decided.
Although the Werewolf Transformation time wasn't up yet, it was no longer needed. I immediately canceled Werewolf Transformation, found I still had Mana remaining, and my heart stirred. The next moment, dense Fire Element began to slowly accumulate in my palm. As Treehead Woodfist closed in behind me, I stopped abruptly, braked hard, turned, and threw the Molten Boulder in my hand. I thought the rapidly charging Treehead Woodfist, even if it could Reluctantly dodge, would trip and fall flat on its face. Unexpectedly, its Action made me laugh—it actually punched the Molten Boulder.
Damn, do you think you're really King Kong?
Undoubtedly, the Molten Boulder exploded. An 8th level Tier 2 Skill, taking a direct hit, was no joke. Even Treehead Woodfist was blown away by the explosive airflow. More than half of the scattered hot Stone Fragments hit its Body, scorching its brown-black oily fur like charcoal, making it look nine parts like a large gorilla.
The effect of this Molten Boulder was truly excellent. Not only did it violently blast Treehead Woodfist away, but it also knocked off almost one-fifth of Treehead Woodfist's Life. By this time, the Ghost Wolves had also arrived. Among the nine Summoned Creatures, three Ravens were either dead or fled, but not a single Ghost Wolf was lost, though they were all slightly injured. Poison Creeper was only hit a few times and was mostly fine.
At this point, using the last bit of remaining Mana, I transformed into Werebear Form, and led the Summoned Creatures to pounce on Treehead Woodfist. A chaotic battle began.
Although I had witnessed the Ghost Wolves' exquisite Tactics before, I still have to praise them here. This reminded me of the scene I saw in Animal World where jackals hunted a wounded Elephant on the African Plains. And these Ghost Wolves were several times fiercer and craftier than those jackals. Using the Dense Forest Advantage, they suddenly swarmed from Treehead Woodfist's blind spots, biting tightly onto its arms, legs, or waist. When Treehead Woodfist reacted, they didn't linger, leaping away just before Treehead Woodfist's furious Fist counterattack, leaving behind wounds on the Enemy's Body and departing gracefully. Even if occasionally hit by Treehead Woodfist's wild Fist, they could stubbornly stand up. The heavier the injury, the more it seemed to stimulate their ferocity. Thanks to them, they attracted some of Treehead Woodfist's attention, greatly reducing the Pressure on me and Poison Creeper.
When Treehead Woodfist had only a sliver of Health left, I, as the Tank, still had half my Life. Poison Creeper was also full of vigor. Among the five Ghost Wolves, one happened to be caught just as Treehead Woodfist was making its death throes. Before I could cancel the Summon, it was violently flung against a Large Tree, its Brain hitting the Tree Trunk and completely shattering. It died just like that, forever fallen. The other four were also panting and covered in wounds. Their bravery brought them huge Casualties. Half of Treehead Woodfist's Damage fell on them. Seeing them covered in Blood, I suddenly understood why so many Protagonists who transmigrate to the Other World like to get a Wolf as a Pet.
These five Ghost Wolves had accompanied me for over a month in the Rogue Encampment. Through mutual communication, we had developed quite deep Feelings/Emotions. How could I abandon them? Now one was killed, filling my heart with great rage. My right arm instantly lifted, pouring all my strength to strike Treehead Woodfist's head. The Claws on my palm seemed to tear Space. The air torn apart didn't even have time to howl before my palm sliced through Treehead Woodfist's skull, bringing up a mist of Blood mixed with some unidentifiable Stone Fragments. Where it stood, the Treehead Woodfist that had only a sliver of Health left now stood alone with just its Body. The part above its neck had completely vanished. A large amount of Blood sprayed out from the top, reaching several meters high, staining the Land within several meters red.
"Awoo..."
Seeing Treehead Woodfist dead, the remaining four Ghost Wolves let out mournful howls. The sound was desolate and sorrowful, making me unable to help but Roar along. As Summoned Creatures, their Destiny as cannon fodder was already sealed. Why was my heart still so sad? Hadn't I reminded myself countless times that in this cruel world, there was no need for burdens like too much Feelings/Emotions?
As if responding to the howl, a dense brilliant Light suddenly surged from one of the Ghost Wolves' Bodies, lingering for a long time, illuminating the gloomy Dark Wood as if it were daytime.