Chapter 122: Blasting the Rear
"Damn it..."
A few branches and leaves hung on my head, and my clothes were smoked yellow and black. I crawled out of the Small Grove in a rather sorry state. Hundreds of Black Wanderers were truly no joke. I led them around the Plains in a complete circle. Every time I saw the dense crowd of heads surging behind me, and the surging Killing Intent, I just couldn't muster the courage to rush up and fight them to the death. I could only urge Light Snow to keep as much distance as possible, trying to buy more Time.
I wandered like this for who knows how long before finally finding this slightly larger Jungle. Then, I led hundreds of Black Wanderers straight into it. This place, which used to be the best ambush spot for Dark Hunters and Quill Rats, had now become a good place for my Hunt. While wandering around in the Jungle, I would occasionally use Magic for a Sneak attack. Coupled with the help of Light Snow and the others, I finally wore down seven or eight tenths of these Black Wanderers. It was just a pity for this Jungle; if it weren't for the Light Rain falling from the sky, it would definitely have been burned into a piece of Scorched Earth by me. In the Original World, that would be the great crime of arson and burning mountains.
The remaining dozens of Black Wanderers, even if they could make it back, wouldn't be able to form a major force. Thinking this, I turned around and ran back in the direction of Vitus, abandoning the Monsters who were still "happily" playing hide-and-seek in the Jungle as if they were worn-out shoes.
When I returned to the original Hillside that overlooked the entire Battlefield, I happened to witness the scene with Fallen Shaman Wei. Standing from the perspective of a bystander, I spotted Bishibosh's trace earlier than Druv and the others, but I was just as helpless. Not to mention my pathetic Archery, even if I performed at my absolute best, at this Distance, I still couldn't reach Bishibosh, unless some melodramatic plot like Avina's Soul possession happened.
Wei, charging straight in? Very good. If Bishibosh was surrounded entirely by Fallen that couldn't withstand a single blow, then it could be considered. Even if I was eventually surrounded by Enemies and fell into a predicament, I could also Command the Warriors from Vita Village to coordinate from inside and outside to help me break out. But at this moment, it wasn't just Fallen standing near Bishibosh; those strong Giant Beasts and the fierce Moon Clan were destined to become obstacles to my breakout. This was a matter concerning Life and death. Before I had confidence, I wouldn't dare to act rashly.
Until that miraculous Arrow appeared...
How much Distance did it cross? How great was the difficulty coefficient? It wasn't important, nor was it something a Rookie like me could discern. What was important was, who?
Far away on the Hillside opposite me, a standing silhouette entered my vision. Holding a Bow and Arrow, like a female War God, she appeared so striking in the drifting Light Rain. It was as if the entire Battlefield existed for her. Although far apart, I couldn't clearly see her Appearance at all. But in that instant, I had a sudden realization. Our Gazes intersected, a warmth like a telepathic connection. That dancing gold, that spirited Gaze, that graceful and upright posture, were drawn out in my heart bit by bit.
Yes, in the entire Rogue Encampment, besides Sister Sharna, who else could shoot such a captivating Arrow?
A reassuring arc suddenly crossed the Corner of my mouth. It was a Feeling as if my entire Body instantly relaxed. Perhaps, for a Man to develop this subtle sense of dependence was somewhat embarrassing, but this was where her Strength lay. No matter how unwilling you were in your heart, when you first saw her, you would still be captivated by her Charm...
Without reason, I could feel her sharp yet gentle Gaze also falling upon my Body, carrying a faint joy and warmth of reunion. The Harmonious connection as our eyes met—was this the Feeling of family? Although without Blood ties, it was a bond more intimate than Blood.
"Lady Sharna, it's Lady Sharna..."
Vita Village erupted with astonishing fervor. Everyone swept away their previous gloomy faces, and even Druv revealed a relieved smile. The Name Sharna, and the Trust and Status accumulated over a long time in the Rogue Encampment, was absolutely not something I, who had just emerged, could replace.
In fact, only a short instant had passed. When everyone came back to their senses, Sharna on the opposite side had already raised that pale Rare Item Hunting Bow again. That sharp Gaze was like a falcon's, penetrating through the hazy Light Rain, penetrating through the Crevices between Monsters, and accurately landing on Bishibosh's small figure. This made Bishibosh, who was shuttling back and forth and Concealing himself within the pile of Monsters, instantly feel as if he had nowhere to hide.
"Swish!!"
Like a 3D slow-motion shot from an American blockbuster, the Arrow, carrying rapid rotational force, was flung out before the fine and dense raindrops could even touch the arrow shaft and form resistance. The vacuum layer formed by the rotating airflow looked as if it had sliced through the entire trajectory.
Without a doubt, this Arrow accurately landed on Bishibosh's bright red rear that was accidentally Exposed...
"Bang..."
It wasn't over yet. After hitting the "bullseye", that Arrow suddenly burst out with dazzling red Glow, then exploded with a "bang". The resulting blast of air instantly engulfed all the Monsters within three meters around Bishibosh.
At that moment, I, no, all the Men, might unconsciously swallow a mouthful of saliva, then touch their own rear with lingering fear. Two words flashed in their minds—Blasting the Rear.
If I accidentally angered Older Sister in the future, the first thing to do would be to protect my rear well, I thought, feeling quite ashamed...
However, I then thought of a most important Question. What she had just used was clearly the Amazon's Tier 3 Skill—Exploding Arrow. Which meant Older Sister had already reached Level 24?
"Warriors, put in more effort. Victory is in sight," Druv said loudly.
"Oh!!!!"
The Crowd instantly erupted with unparalleled Presence. Women are sometimes far more likely to rouse morale than Men. Alas, alas, is this what they call steely Blood? Look at you guys, people in your thirties, already settled down and established careers, yet still like young lads. Not steady, too unsteady!
I shook my Head and sighed, while uncontrollably charging towards the Battlefield...
"We can't let Older Sister look down on us, everyone show some skill."
I shouted loudly. Feeling the Battle Intent in my heart, the Summoned Pets beside me also perked up. Especially Lazy Crow; its cawing was heroic and joyful. Unfortunately, that momentum didn't last long. Because it ran at the very front due to its fastest Speed, it was hit by several stray Arrows shortly after and retreated back in a sorry state. Embarrassing, truly too embarrassing.
Putting away the useless Lazy Crow, I took Light Snow and Poison Creeper. The other four relatively weaker Ghost Wolves formed a circular Defense formation, protecting Oak Sage who followed behind us. Like a saw blade, we wandered and swept along the Edge of the Monster Army. As long as I was careful not to be surrounded, it held no challenge for me at all.
Among them, the most outstanding performance was not by Light Snow and the others, known for their fierce and cunning group Combat. Of course, it couldn't be me, who charged recklessly, even more savage than the Barbarian's Combat Style. It was rather Poison Creeper.
It, which rampaged through the Dirt, simply couldn't be surrounded. Without my Command or Bind, it displayed its astonishing group killing ability. In the most densely packed areas of the Monster crowd, you could always occasionally see a dark green vine rushing straight up from the Dirt like a flying fish leaping out of water, then taking a fierce bite, and returning to the Dirt before the Monsters could even react. The Monsters bitten by it instantly turned mottled green. Not only that, Poison Creeper's Virus also had the ability to spread. Any Monsters that touched each other would also be infected with the Virus. Therefore, in just a moment, where Poison Creeper appeared, Monsters within a few meters radius fell one after another, turning into a puddle of flesh and mud. Those with slightly stronger Life rolled around on the Ground in pain. It could be said to be extremely vicious.
Although Poison Creeper's performance was remarkable, the most eye-catching place on the entire Battlefield was still Sharna's miraculous Archery. Bishibosh, who possessed rudimentary Wisdom, had long since discovered this Bane. After being severely Blasted in the Rear, over a dozen Sorceresses leading hundreds of Fallen rushed towards Sharna with a whoosh.
But was it useful? The answer was obvious. Sharna simply didn't put these lowly Fallen in her Eyes; she didn't even spare them a glance. She strode with light and graceful steps, leaving these Fallen far behind. The Bow and Arrow in her hand aimed at Bishibosh without fail. That graceful and agile posture, like a Cheetah, Fire Arrow, Magic Arrow, Ice Arrow, were all used effortlessly, as simple as breathing. She had practically elevated Bow and Arrow to an art of Slaughter.
Hmm? What was that?
In the instant Bishibosh's opening was fully Exposed, the Bow and Arrow in Sharna's hand suddenly burst out with a series of Glows. Four Arrows formed a straight line and shot towards Bishibosh.
Multiple Shot's Mutated Skill—Rapid Fire?!
I, who would take out Cain's Book and flip through it whenever I had nothing to do, recognized the Novice form of this strange Skill at first glance. I couldn't help but be both surprised and amazed in my heart. Although Rapid Fire was just a preliminary improved version of Multiple Shot, compared to it, most Class Changes in the Rogue Encampment were like infants who had just learned to crawl, only focused on raising their Level or fumbling with Skills they had just started using, while Sharna had already learned to walk.
If you say I was an Expert of the Equipment Class build, then Sharna was undoubtedly a technical genius who had walked step by step through her own efforts.
At this moment, I finally realized the Gap between myself and an Expert. Compared to now, currently, Older Sister's Strength might not be as good as mine, but what about in the future? In Front of even more Powerful Enemies, the Advantage brought by the Bugged Amulet and Redemption would only become smaller and smaller. If I didn't properly explore my own Combat Path in the future, let alone a genius like Older Sister, even Lars, Doug, and Gus would surpass me sooner or later.
Level, Combat Experience, and the application of Skills, the road I had to walk was still very long.
"Ooh!!!!"
While I was deep in thought, Vita Village suddenly let out a heaven-shaking cheer. Looking closely, the place where Bishibosh, who had frustrated Vita Village for a long time, stood had already turned into a piece of Scorched Earth. Within a ten-meter radius, there was nothing but remnants and shredded flesh after the explosion had raged. Having Experience, I instantly understood. Bishibosh had Self-Destructed. Under the devastation of Sharna, this one-in-a-million Bane, Bishibosh finally fell.
Bishibosh's death, coupled with the arrival of nightfall, seemed to have made the Monsters reach a unified Opportunity. The Monsters that had just been surging forward like a tide suddenly revealed cowardly Complexions. They turned around in a panic, constantly retreating with the same momentum they had just attacked with. The huge contrast made the Warriors on the front line unable to react for a moment.
"Brothers, kill them!!!"
The first people to react rushed out first. Like a fuse, instantly, except for the Rogue Archers and Sorceresses who could only use Ranged Attack, all other Warriors put away the Bow and Arrow in their hands and charged forward. The anger and resentment accumulated throughout the afternoon exploded at this moment.
"Wait... alas, forget it..."
Druv sighed softly from the side. Looking at the Enemy's scattered formation as they retreated, it didn't look like a tactic to lure the Enemy no matter how you looked at it, so he just sighed softly.
"Haha, forget it, everyone has been frustrated the whole afternoon, let them vent properly," Lars walked over with a smile from the side, wiping the Blood from his face.
"Alas, better safe than sorry. Archers prepare to suppress. Other Squad Captains give the Command to gather their Squad members as quickly as possible."
The cautious Druv did not Relax because of the Enemy's rout. This Battle, fought until now, could be said to be a sure Victory, and there was no need to rush at this moment. In the subsequent mop-up Battle, how to minimize Casualties as much as possible was the priority Matter.
Upholding the Principle of beating a drowning Dog, the Warriors, full of pent-up anger, bit onto the Tail of the Monster Army and Pursued them for several kilometers before being forced to stop. If they continued the Pursuit, they would be outside the suppression range of the Archers. If the Monsters suddenly counterattacked, the position of the drowning Dog would instantly be reversed.