The pursuit continued.
After stepping out of the mist, Rhode repeated the same trick, once again shrouding the swamp in dense fog.
Ordinary fire and water naturally could not create such thick fog. This was the result of Rhode enhancing it with magic.
The side effect was that his mana was being rapidly drained.
After only three uses, he could already feel the mana within him nearing depletion.
It was a pity he had not taught Serie in advance. With her level of mana, she could have cast it many more times.
"That's enough. Leave the rest to me." Serie had naturally noticed that something was wrong with Rhode's complexion, so she stopped him from preparing to cast the fog for a fourth time.
"We should be close. Once we cross that hill, we'll reach the edge of the swamp."
Rhode had studied the map before setting out, and they had already covered some distance before the battle began, so they soon reached the edge of the swamp.
Of course, Miss Serie's violent path-clearing had been indispensable along the way.
Whenever a Monster emerged from the fog and blocked their path, Serie either shot an arrow of light straight through its forehead or unleashed Light Pillar Magic like a bomb, clearing out a vacant stretch of ground.
Som was left dumbfounded by the sight.
Only now did he understand that, during their previous comparison, the Elf before him had gone easy on him. She had even used only the most basic Light Arrow against him.
At that moment, the ground shook violently.
A three-meter-tall Monster covered from head to toe in black scales burst from the earth and blocked their path.
"Magic Scale Beast!?" Serie's expression changed drastically. "Som, take Rhode and go!"
Serie had never expected such a Monster to exist in this swamp.
This kind of Monster was practically the natural bane of mages. Its black scales could nullify most magic, and even the highest-level magic of the Elf race could hardly kill it in a single blow.
Serie's expression turned extremely grim.
If they were held back by this Magic Scale Beast, the enormous horde of Monsters behind them would surround them again. Then they truly would have no way out.
Unfortunately, Som was still too inexperienced. Otherwise, a pure warrior like him would have been their greatest help against such a Monster.
Before they had much time to hesitate, the Magic Scale Beast roared and pounced at them. Serie fired a barrage of Light Arrows, but every one of them was absorbed by its scales.
Serie retreated repeatedly to evade the Magic Scale Beast's attack, but it charged at her again. Fortunately, Dwarf Som rammed into it and sent it flying.
"Didn't I tell you to take Rhode and leave first?" Serie looked deeply dissatisfied.
"I tried, but Mr. Rhode wouldn't agree." Dwarf Som scratched his head innocently.
"I won't abandon you alone."
Rhode walked to Serie's side with a grin. He had also noticed that Serie's attacks had been nullified by the creature's scales.
"Looks like it's a Monster specialized in countering mages." Rhode sighed. He had not expected this world to have such an unfair Monster.
"Yes. Its only weakness is its eyes, but that assumes we can hit them."
Even its eyelids were protected by scales. Even if they aimed for its eyes, it could easily block the attack simply by closing them.
"I'll try to hold it back and create an opening. See if you can attack its eyes."
"How are you going to hold it back?"
Rhode did not answer. Instead, he stepped forward. "Close your eyes!"
Then brilliant light erupted from his hand.
Som closed his eyes only half a second too late, and he felt as though his eyeballs were being scorched.
The blinding radiance forced even the Magic Scale Beast before them to shut its eyes.
"Now!" Rhode withdrew his magic and turned around. "Som, throw your axe. Remember to use your skill."
Som barely managed to open his eyes. After confirming the Magic Scale Beast's position, he hurled his battle axe. Its power surged to the maximum, and the instant it struck the Magic Scale Beast's body, a thunderous explosion rang out.
The violent shockwave nearly knocked them all off their feet. The petite Serie was caught off guard and knocked down, but Rhode grabbed her in time.
The explosion blasted the Magic Scale Beast over. The scales around the corner of its eye shattered, exposing soft flesh beneath and a blood-red pupil.
Seeing this, Serie leaped into the air, gathering a dazzling Light Lance between her hands.
The Light Lance struck the Magic Scale Beast precisely in the head, piercing through its skin and into its eyeball, but it failed to kill it completely.
Serie wanted to move in and finish it off, but the Monsters behind them surged forward like a tide.
"Go!"
Rhode grabbed Serie's hand and pulled her away. The three of them sprinted toward the hill with all their strength.
After crossing the hill and stepping onto solid ground, Som collapsed onto the ground. "W-We survived."
A hundred meters away stood Monsters as far as the eye could see, yet they did not seem to intend to leave the swamp.
Rhode panted heavily as he looked at the Monsters in the distance. "Why... aren't they chasing us?"
Serie was also breathing hard, confusion filling her beautiful golden eyes. "I don't know. Maybe they don't want to leave the swamp, their territory."
Rhode shook his head, unconvinced by that explanation.
"These Monsters should be controlled by the Demon Race. In theory, they shouldn't have any concept of territory."
Serie was about to speak when the Monster horde suddenly stirred, drawing everyone's attention.
The heavily injured Magic Scale Beast from earlier roared and lunged toward them. A Light Lance was still lodged near the corner of its eye, and its entire head was stained red with blood, yet it seemed completely unaffected.
At the sight, Rhode hurriedly grabbed Serie's small hand and prepared to flee again, but he could not pull her.
"It's fine. It's the only one that came out."
Indeed, only the Magic Scale Beast had charged out of the swamp. The other Monsters had stopped in place without moving.
"I see."
Rhode raised his guard again, and Dwarf Som hurriedly picked up his battle axe and rose to his feet.
It seemed Miss Serie did not intend to run. Still, against such a severely injured Monster, they should be able to handle it.
"Once its armor is broken, it'll be much easier."
When the Magic Scale Beast charged close, Serie first used a magic barrier to block its attack, then directed all her magic at its head.
In an instant, a huge gash was torn across the Magic Scale Beast's head.
With wounds this severe, any other Monster would have long since died, yet the Magic Scale Beast remained in the same berserk state.
That made Rhode sense that something was wrong.
Just as he was about to warn Serie, the Magic Scale Beast suddenly changed direction and charged at him and Som.
Rhode hurriedly prepared to cast magic, but before the Magic Scale Beast reached them, it was sent flying by a blast of Sword Qi.
It tried to get back up, but the newcomer gave it no chance. Starting from the enormous wound in its head, he brought down a single slash, splitting the Magic Scale Beast's skull in two.
Only after the Magic Scale Beast was completely dealt with did Rhode see clearly that the one who had acted was an Elf-like man dressed as a martial monk.
Before you continue