Finally Kill (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

But Gu Xi still underestimated this Ghoul Shadow's combat prowess.

He had only taken two steps forward when the Ghoul Shadow had already charged to the front of Battle Squad 4's defensive line. The five skeletons blocking the Ghoul Shadow were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, unable to move a single inch.

Battle Squad 3, positioned behind Battle Squad 4, saw this and decisively thrust out their long spears.

But the Ghoul Shadow's Movement Speed was far too fast. Every spear thrust was aimed precisely at where the enemy had been, yet when they struck, only three spears landed a hit.

As for the skeletons of Battle Squads 1 and 2, they hadn't even managed to charge out yet.

Watching the Ghoul Shadow rushing straight at him, Gu Xi understood its intent.

It had found the Necromancer's weakness—directly killing the Necromancer.

But you've underestimated a Necromancer's strength. Who says a Necromancer can only command skeletons to charge forward? A Necromancer who doesn't master a few extra tricks isn't worthy of the name.

Let me tell you—I've studied Throwing.

Gu Xi raised his hand, and the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick in his grip was hurled straight at the Ghoul Shadow.

Right behind the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick, the five daggers he always carried were thrown as well.

Because it was a frontal throw, the Ghoul Shadow charging head-on didn't even think to dodge. It lunged straight at Gu Xi.

But what Gu Xi threw wasn't simple. Even after being tossed, the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick's intended effect was still activated.

The stick struck the Ghoul Shadow square on, and with a sharp crack, one of its thigh bones snapped.

The Ghoul Shadow stumbled mid-charge, its movements slowing noticeably.

At that moment, all five of Gu Xi's thrown daggers embedded themselves into the Ghoul Shadow's body.

Such an attack did little damage to the Ghoul Shadow, but the humiliation was immense.

The heads held in the Ghoul Shadow's arms let out piercing shrieks, several of them trying to leap off and bite Gu Xi.

But Gu Xi wasn't foolish enough to stay put after throwing his weapons. He lifted his leg and kicked a large bundle he had packed beside him straight at the Ghoul Shadow.

The Ghoul Shadow was already charging at Gu Xi and paid no attention to the bundle kicked its way. It had no idea that this bundle was exactly what Gu Xi had ordered his minions to pack—skeleton bones.

"Corpse Explosion!"

The Ghoul Shadow never expected Gu Xi to use Corpse Explosion like this. As it charged forward, it was hit head-on by the blast.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Xi quickly ran back toward his battle squads while summoning Battle Squads 1 and 2, which had been hiding in nearby rooms.

As soon as the two squads emerged, they rushed the Ghoul Shadow from all directions.

Gu Xi had already realized that in this fight, he absolutely could not let the Ghoul Shadow seize the initiative.

He had to throw all his minions into a pincer attack.

When all the battle squads charged out, the Ghoul Shadow turned its head back, its speed picking up again.

Just then, the skeleton soldiers of Battle Squad 1 leaped down from the rooftops near the street, landing on the Ghoul Shadow. Their Recurve Blades slashed heavily into its back.

This was these skeleton soldiers' special ability—Backstab.

But these skeleton soldiers never expected that when they landed on the Ghoul Shadow's back, it was moving in a reverse-arc posture. They had actually landed on its belly, attacking not its back but its front.

As a result, not only did the skeleton soldiers fail to trigger the Backstab effect, but they also revealed their plan to the Ghoul Shadow.

The Ghoul Shadow was skilled. Bracing one leg against the ground, it spun its body rapidly, flinging the skeletons off its back.

Fortunately, Gu Xi's other battle squads had already arrived, quickly surrounding the Ghoul Shadow.

Battle Squad 4, with the most members, pressed in from all sides, with two skeletons locking onto each of the Ghoul Shadow's legs to prevent it from moving.

Battle Squad 3 also closed in at this moment. Like Battle Squad 4, they spread out to different positions. Once in place, they thrust their long spears forward.

By now, the Ghoul Shadow had been driven into a savage frenzy.

It twisted its body, constantly writhing its legs or using its three heads to bite at the skeletons surrounding it.

Its attacks exceeded Gu Xi's imagination—every strike killed a skeleton.

Seeing this, Gu Xi grew ruthless. Whenever a skeleton died, he immediately triggered a Corpse Explosion on its remains.

At the same time, the skeletons behind quickly pressed forward.

Now it didn't matter whether they were Skeleton Heads, Skeleton Warriors, or Skeleton Soldiers—whoever saw an opening shoved in and attacked.

For the skeletons, every extra slash was a gain.

Through wave after wave of attacks, all eight of the Ghoul Shadow's legs were either severed by blades or blown off by explosions. Two of the three heads held in its arms were destroyed.

But the more battered it became, the more ferocious the Ghoul Shadow grew.

Even though its body could only writhe on the ground now, every twist used its mass to slam into and crush the skeletons.

The skeletons, too, grew vicious. No matter how the Ghoul Shadow thrashed, Battle Squad 4 held it fast while the rest hacked and stabbed with all their might.

Meanwhile, Gu Xi ignored everything else. Whenever a skeleton fell, he immediately sent a Corpse Explosion its way.

Even if it drained his mana to nothing, he didn't care.

After enough rounds, the skeletons understood Gu Xi's intent. When struck by the Ghoul Shadow and feeling their end near, they would use their last ounce of strength to shove themselves against it, hoping to use their own bodies as bombs to blast open its shell.

Only when his mana was completely spent did Gu Xi run over to retrieve the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick he had thrown earlier, ready to turn around and fight the Ghoul Shadow head-on.

But just as he picked up the wooden stick, a ding suddenly rang in his ears.

[Ghoul Shadow Head (Lv 4, BOSS) slain. You receive 117 XP. Due to cooperative kill, participating Summoned Creatures each receive 23 XP.]

[Temporary Task: Dead City progress updated. Third Wave enemies eliminated. Awaiting Council Hall conversion completion.]

Seeing the information pop up before him, Gu Xi's hand loosened, and the Bone Shatter Wooden Stick in his grip fell to the ground.

At the same time, the massive Ghoul Shadow's body exploded on the spot, scattering into many Ghoul Qi Beads of various sizes across the floor.

Among so many Ghoul Qi Beads, a black human head and a black arm stood out the most.

Gu Xi swept a glance, and the remaining forty-plus Skeletons quickly stepped forward to pick up those two items.

[You have obtained Ghastly Head (Green)]

[Ghastly Head (Green, Off-Hand Item)]

[Attack: 1]

[Equip Effect: INT +1]

[Equip Requirement: INT 2]

[Special: Bite. When wielding this off-hand item and using Bone Shield, the Bone Shield gains a 20% counterattack effect.]

[Description: Carrying a head as an off-hand weapon—this is a Necromancer's habit.]

[You have obtained Twisted Arm (Green)]

[Twisted Arm (Green, Quest Item): A twisted arm with something unusual about it. Please examine this arm carefully.]