Slaying the Earth Python Lord

Xiao Wen looked up at Nightmare, a hint of confusion in his brow.

Nightmare's existence was indispensable in the plan to kill the Earth Python Lord.

"Don't worry, Master, my mental power is sufficient to help you conceal your tracks."

A human voice reached Xiao Wen's ears. He stiffened, looking at Nightmare above him in disbelief.

He didn't know the process by which Nightmare was sealed into a card.

However, after seeing the 2-star rating displayed on the card, he didn't pay it much mind.

After all, according to the information he obtained in Duel City, monsters below 4 stars were considered low-level. 5 to 6 stars were mid-level, 7 to 9 stars were high-level, and 10 stars were god-level monsters!

A mere 2-star Nightmare, even after being sealed, likely wouldn't have caught Xiao Wen's attention if its inherent effects weren't somewhat decent.

However, it seemed he had underestimated it.

A monster that could speak human language, regardless of its current level, must have been at least a King-tier monster like the Blood Moon Demon Wolf in its prime.

Only King-tier and above monsters had the possibility of speaking human language.

This was common knowledge in all previous games.

Of course, it wasn't impossible for there to be individual exceptions.

"You can speak human language?" Xiao Wen asked softly.

"Yes, Master. I was once the most powerful existence. Is it strange that I can speak human language? If this little mudfish were to face me in my prime, I could have glared it to death with a single look!"

Xiao Wen rolled his eyes and thought, If you were really that strong, why are you only 2-star?

"Under your protection, the opponent shouldn't be able to see me, right?"

Xiao Wen asked, immediately receiving an affirmative reply from Nightmare: "Of course! Not only that, but I can also mobilize my mental power to impact the opponent at critical moments. I can't control it for too long, but 0.5 seconds should be achievable."

Hearing this, Xiao Wen nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face as he gazed at the Earth Python Lord, who had fallen into a furious state due to Kuriboh's sudden disappearance.

The Earth Python Lord bore dozens of wounds, large and small, all inflicted by Kuriboh earlier.

Although it hadn't completely killed the Earth Python Lord, it had successfully reduced its health to below 10,000 with its previous overwhelming advantage.

After falling into a rage, the Earth Python Lord turned, looked at the muddy swamp before it, and began to move, intending to leave.

Just as it prepared to depart, Xiao Wen's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, and under Nightmare's concealment, quickly approached the Earth Python Lord, targeting the wounds left by Kuriboh.

He threw a punch!

Armor broken!

Critical hit!

Health -1486!

In an instant, the Earth Python Lord cried out in pain, its remaining health dropping by a tenth.

The Earth Python Lord violently turned its head, its snake eyes, as large as copper bells, scanning the ground back and forth, trying to find Xiao Wen's whereabouts.

But as its gaze swept over, it saw nothing but empty space, no trace of him.

The Earth Python Lord's eyes immediately showed suspicion.

At that moment of hesitation, intense pain struck again from its wound.

Health -743!

In an instant, the suspicion in the Earth Python Lord's eyes turned cold. Its tail whipped out like a long whip, striking the empty ground beside its wound.

That was precisely where Xiao Wen had been standing.

However, after landing one punch, Xiao Wen knew when to retreat and immediately changed his position.

Almost the moment Xiao Wen moved, the Earth Python Lord's tail whipped over, smashing into the ground.

"Your strength is decent, but your reaction speed is a bit slow."

Xiao Wen clicked his tongue in admiration from three meters away from the opponent's attack point.

Simultaneously, he threw another punch, hitting the Earth Python Lord's wound.

Punch after punch, it watched its health continuously decrease, but the Earth Python Lord was helpless.

Facing an invisible enemy, it couldn't even find an opportunity to attack.

Weakened by Xiao Wen again and again, and feeling its health drop to a dangerous level, the Earth Python Lord, this Lord-class BOSS, finally caved.

It endured several more attacks from Xiao Wen and plunged headfirst into the swamp.

At this point, the Earth Python Lord had only about five hundred health remaining.

As the Earth Python Lord submerged into the swamp, it deliberately kept its wounded tail floating above the surface, making it easily visible.

Xiao Wen looked at the Earth Python Lord floating above the swamp, a mocking smile appearing on his lips.

This beast dared to try and set a trap for him?

The wounded tail floating above the swamp was clearly a bait, luring Xiao Wen forward, tempting him into the swamp.

As the absolute lord of this swamp, the Earth Python Lord's sight missed no change within the swamp.

As soon as the enemy stepped onto the swamp, the light-as-air terrain would inevitably sink under their weight due to gravity.

At that moment, the enemy's presence would be revealed.

And when the enemy's tracks became visible, it would be time for its counterattack.

It had to be said, the Earth Python Lord's plan was excellent, possessing intelligence comparable to that of an ordinary human.

If it were any other player, or even a King-tier contestant, they might have been blinded by the prospect of victory and charged straight ahead.

But Xiao Wen wouldn't. The moment the Earth Python Lord submerged itself into the swamp, he had already guessed its intentions.

Looking up at the Nightmare hovering overhead, Xiao Wen said in a low voice, "Get ready. Mental Shock. When I make my move, remember to act."

After giving the order, Xiao Wen stared at the Earth Python Lord floating above the swamp. His body suddenly erupted with energy, and with a swift stride, he charged onto the swampy ground.

The instant Xiao Wen's feet touched the swamp, a fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the Earth Python Lord hidden beneath. It violently raised its serpentine head, and as it opened its mouth, a cloud of poisonous mist condensed within, ready to be spewed out the next moment.

"Now! Mental Shock!"

Shing...

An invisible wave of mental energy instantly spread out, striking the Earth Python Lord's head. Its body faltered, and the fierce glow in its serpentine eyes momentarily lost its luster.

In that very instant, as the Earth Python Lord was controlled by the Nightmare's Mental Shock, Xiao Wen unleashed his full speed.

Simultaneously, the Flowing Cloud Shoes' speed-doubling effect activated, instantly increasing his movement speed by twofold. In a flash, he reached the Earth Python Lord's tail wound and delivered a punch directly to it.

The moment Xiao Wen's fist landed, it coincided with the Earth Python Lord regaining its consciousness.

At that instant, its body was stiff, and though it desperately wanted to stop him, it was powerless, able only to watch as Xiao Wen's fist descended.

Hiss!

As the fist struck, its last trace of health was depleted, and it let out a mournful cry.

Ding! Kyushu Server Announcement: Congratulations to player Halfway Through the Mortal World for defeating the Level 15 Lord-class BOSS. Monster Village Attack difficulty for Novice Village No. 96508 has been reduced by 1. Reputation increased by 1000. Reward: One Level 15 purple-grade accessory.