Battle

Tap, tap, tap...

In the damp, sweltering sewer, faint yet hurried footsteps slowly echoed.

"..."

After climbing the ladder, the three gradually fell silent, their right hands gripping the weapons at their waists.

The Magic Power in the air was growing denser and denser, indicating that they were getting closer to the monster.

"I can feel it. The monster is over there."

It was that same T-junction. Captain Luo gently raised his hand, signaling the other two to stop, and spoke softly.

Hiss, hiss--

As Captain Luo's voice fell, several low growls followed!

Those Flame Marsh Lizards seemed to have noticed the three of them as well, though neither side could see the other yet.

"As expected of the captain. I didn't sense anything."

A look of surprise flashed across Sun Lei's face. He immediately drew the one-handed sword at his waist.

Luo Wei also took out his weapon, another one-handed sword. He turned his head and said in a low voice:

"After killing enough monsters, you'll naturally be able to sense that chaotic scent."

"If you want to chat, wait until we've dealt with them."

As Huo Lian spoke, she drew the short sword from behind her and silently moved toward the T-junction.

Her class was a branch of the Warrior class—the Scout!

As had always been arranged, reconnaissance and vanguard combat were her responsibilities.

Sun Lei followed behind Luo Wei with his sword raised. Seeing Huo Lian pass by him, he reminded her in a low voice:

"Be careful, Sister Huo Lian."

Huo Lian merely shot him a sidelong glance and revealed a faint, confident smile.

"Don't underestimate me. I'm still one of the classes with the strongest survivability among the Silver Rank..."

As she spoke, Huo Lian suddenly vanished, leaving behind only a drifting sentence.

"A few Flame Marsh Lizards won't be able to hurt me."

Shadow Stealth!

Huo Lian instantly shot forward, crossing the distance to the T-junction without making a sound!

The next moment, several streams of crimson flame burst from the T-junction, instantly lighting up the pitch-black sewer!

"Sister Huo Lian!"

Sun Lei shouted worriedly, but Luo Wei beside him remained completely calm.

"Stay calm. An attack of this level won't trouble her. We're going in too!"

"Ah... all right!"

Sun Lei watched Luo Wei raise his sword and charge forward, then hurriedly followed!

Meanwhile, Huo Lian flipped through the air, passing through several incoming flames. Her left hand brushed across her waist!

Master of Throwing Bomb!

Several small black balls landed precisely among the Flame Marsh Lizards as Huo Lian swung her arm!

Clink, clink, clink--

Before the Flame Marsh Lizards could react, they watched helplessly as the small balls bounced several times across the ground!

Boom!

Blinding light and a deafening sound erupted, instantly scorching the eyes of the Flame Marsh Lizards staring at the balls!

Huo Lian, who had prepared for this long ago, had already charged into the midst of the five Flame Marsh Lizards!

Sword Strike!

Huo Lian's swift and sinister blow pierced through a gap in the Flame Marsh Lizard's scales and into its body!

It stabbed straight into the heart, and the poison coating the blade for years quickly took effect!

Hiss!

With only a brief hiss, the Flame Marsh Lizard Huo Lian had targeted instantly died!

At that moment, Luo Wei and Sun Lei also arrived, charging out from the junction!

"Haah--!"

Luo Wei charged at the front, naturally targeting the strongest and largest Silver Rank Flame Marsh Lizard!

The longsword flashed with a sharp gleam in the gloomy sewer, its blade stirring up a fierce gust as it struck toward the Flame Marsh Lizard!

Sword Strike!

Whoosh--!

The sword came on with unstoppable force!

The sword gleam traced a perfect arc through the air from top to bottom, instantly sweeping across the Flame Marsh Lizard's head!

Clang--!!!

The sharp sword collided with its scales, erupting in dazzling sparks!

Hiss--!!!

The Silver Rank Flame Marsh Lizard was clearly no easy opponent. It let out an enraged hiss, opened its mouth, and spat out a fireball at random!

"Haahhh--Sword Strike!"

Sun Lei also roared as he charged toward his target, a Bronze Rank Flame Marsh Lizard, bringing his longsword down!

However, as a Bronze Rank fighter, Sun Lei clearly lacked sufficient combat experience. His strike landed on the Flame Marsh Lizard's hardest neck, jarring his palm until it throbbed with pain!

The Flame Marsh Lizard did not fare well either. Its neck had been cut open with a massive gash, scalding blood spraying out as it frantically whipped its head around!

"Damn it..."

Sun Lei's expression shifted. He raised his longsword, intending to strike again and finish off the Flame Marsh Lizard!

However, at that moment, Sun Lei felt tremendous force at his waist, accompanied by Luo Wei's voice!

"Kid, move!"

Sun Lei still had no idea what was happening when he felt a huge fireball fly past him!

Boom--!

A violent shock wave mixed with searing heat instantly swept over everything nearby.

Sun Lei felt as though his entire body was burning, while his waist ached terribly!

Yet he felt extremely lucky, because if that fireball had hit him...

He would have turned into a lump of charred meat in an instant, just like the Flame Marsh Lizard at the center of the explosion!

Half lying on the ground, Sun Lei stared in horror at the sea of flames before him!

"Be careful. That's the Flame Marsh Lizard's skill—Explosive Flame!"

Luo Wei shouted as he brought his longsword down fiercely once more!

Sword Strike Qi Slash!

Clang!!!

The longsword violently collided with the Flame Marsh Lizard's incoming Claws, bursting with blinding sparks!

Several broken claws flew through the air, followed by a pained hiss!

At that moment, Huo Lian had already silently dealt with three Bronze Rank Flame Marsh Lizards!

She glanced at the battlefield, paused, and vanished once more!

Whoosh--!

Huo Lian suddenly appeared beside the Silver Rank Flame Marsh Lizard and swung her left hand toward its eye!

A streak of silver light burst from Huo Lian's hand, covering one of the Flame Marsh Lizard's eyes!

Flash Dust!

Joy flashed across Luo Wei's face, and he couldn't help shouting:

"Well done, Huo Lian!"

Luo Wei raised his longsword and seized the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the Flame Marsh Lizard!

The Flame Marsh Lizard also sensed the deadly danger. It lowered its head and suddenly spewed out flames!

Whoosh--!

The fierce flames rushed straight at him. Seeing this, Luo Wei could only abandon his attack and retreat to evade it!

The Flame Marsh Lizard seized the opportunity to leap into the river beside them and disappeared!

"Damn it! It got away!"

Luo Wei gritted his teeth and cursed angrily, then said to Huo Lian:

"Sorry, I wasted the opportunity!"

Huo Lian lowered the short sword in her hand and shook her head at Luo Wei.

"It's fine. It's only a Flame Marsh Lizard. There's no need to risk injury just to kill it. Besides, it won't get away."

Huo Lian pointed at the surface of the river. Tiny points of light appeared in the water—that was the Flash Dust she had scattered earlier!

Besides affecting an opponent's vision, this kind of dust was also extremely convenient for tracking!

Luo Wei nodded and said to Sun Lei, who had just climbed to his feet:

"Kid, Huo Lian and I will chase that Flame Marsh Lizard. Deal with the Flame Marsh Lizards here!"

"Ah! Yes, Captain Luo!"

Sun Lei froze, then shouted in response!

He watched the two figures chase after the points of light and let out a deep sigh.

"This is just awful..."

Sun Lei was extremely dissatisfied with his performance just now!

He had performed very well during normal practice, but whenever it came to actual combat, he easily became nervous and made mistakes.

"If I hadn't aimed that sword at the neck... If I had noticed the attack..."

Sun Lei sighed, drew the small knife at his waist, squatted down, and began dealing with the Flame Marsh Lizards.