Chapter 327
Yomi was unaware of the two trackers' involvement. After a moment's thought, he replied, "It guessed we had an ambush. While dissolving the Soulless Ones, it could secretly observe us. If it couldn't withstand the attack, it would retreat while it was ahead."
Is this a case of attacking me and forcing me to defend?
Use the Soulless Ones to force out the ambush. If they are strong enough, then decisively engage them; if they are overrated, then tear them apart one by one for a meal; if they avoid battle, then transform the Soulless Ones into Blood Demons for dungeon convenience.
"A tiger that can attack or defend, and is good at hiding."
Yuki punched his palm, his expression constantly changing.
Next steps in the strategy, other players, two trackers, the attitude of the Demon Extermination Squad...
Countless pieces of information flashed through his mind. He raised his head slightly, his blood-red eyes locking onto the clay airplane streaking across the sky.
There were several of them, originally monitoring the entire environment around the Tiger Vanguard. One of them flew too low and collided with the Mirage before exploding with a bang.
This dangerous explosive certainly doesn't possess 'extraordinary' material strength, meaning it couldn't see what was happening in the forest?
That's right. If Deidara sees everything, how can Tiger Vanguard negotiate business with them?
"Are they plotting against each other? This gives me an opportunity to turn the tables on them."
His mind raced. Yuki, the Tiger Vanguard, feared only one thing: that the tiger could be used as bait, with Deidara and Ulquiorra hiding behind to fish for him.
But once the Blood Pool and Flesh Forest opened, the tiger could both attack and defend, making it impossible for the two to monitor the battlefield.
"I have the Night Furnace. As long as they get within 20 meters, I can bring Tiger Vanguard into my domain. The Blood Pool and Flesh Forest will remain intact. Since they don't know the progress of the battle, they naturally won't have a chance to intervene."
Concealing himself and creating a battlefield—that's why Yuki spending points like crazy.
He glanced at the edge of the forest, then turned to look at the anxious Yomi, a hunting teammate who was at least Monster III level. No wonder she was worried; she almost grabbed her knife and rushed in to help.
Do you believe me?
The girl hesitated for a moment, then, recalling what she had seen and heard along the way, quickly nodded. "I believe you."
Yuki smiled and immediately sent a message to Hiyori, asking Mai Sakurajima -senpai to come over in person.
"Wait a moment, I have a really sneaky plan, and I'll take your favor."
Chapter Twenty-One: Nothing ventured, nothing gained
What the hell is going on?
Treading on knee-deep blood, the tiger roamed the forest like a ghost.
Trees covered in human faces, constantly writhing, blocked out the sun, distorting the light along with the faint Blood Mist in the air. Ripples of blood spread outwards with each step, reflecting distant images into the mind.
This is its territory, its kingdom. Unless some powerful being manages to destroy this level 6 magic weapon with a single sword strike, all other players will have to obediently come in and die.
The battlefield is one-way transparent; the all-pervasive blood pools dissolve all weak creatures. Monsters and wizards will harass you relentlessly, regardless of their own lives. Anyone who falls behind...
Thump.
A massive, mangled corpse was thrown into the pool of blood, floating among the bones and rotting flesh. Saemon of the Demon Extermination Squad, stared wide-eyed. He had just deserted the group to chase a fox demon when a gust of demonic wind blew, and he was pounced into the depths of the forest by a tiger.
And then, that was it.
"Damn it, he's really good at putting up with things."
Tiger Vanguard wiped the blood and flesh from the corner of his mouth, spat out a piece of chewed bone, and through the Blood Mist, he could see a group of people forming a circular defensive formation, not rushing forward recklessly because they were anxious to save their teammates.
Several Soulless Ones were protected in the middle, and since their power was ineffective against the Blood Pool and Flesh Forest, the players even used defensive items to protect them.
"Four idiots from the Demon Extermination Squad, and a stinky mage using Aether Particles —this number doesn't add up." Tiger Vanguard counted on its fingers; in its eyes, Peggy and the other mercenaries were no longer considered human.
According to the Judge, there should be two people involved with the Aether Particles. One of them is definitely a very strong male, and the other is a blond young man who is a key person to watch.
There are too many ways to change one's appearance in the Reincarnation Game. Tiger Vanguard didn't believe his eyes, but he had just sent cannon fodder to test them out, and apart from Flame Pillar, none of them were very strong.
"Damn it, you were lying in ambush outside, weren't you? Did you think I was still the same as before, only knowing how to guard the gate?" Tiger Vanguard revealed a bloodthirsty and cunning smile. Having been in the Reincarnation Game for so long, he had already undergone a qualitative change.
It strolled leisurely through the blood, not in a hurry at all.
If the opponent remains inactive, it will dissolve these Soulless Ones; they will definitely be useful later in the tomb. If they are more ferocious than expected, it will retreat immediately, which will also be an explanation to the Judge. If they are within its control, then there's nothing more to say.
I haven't had enough lunch yet, send a few more skinny monkeys over.
Oh, here they come, two more.
Ten minutes later, the tiger's swaying tail stopped, and it turned its head to look at the other side of the forest. The blood pool clearly told it that two players had entered the area.
"You two come here."
"Your Majesty."
The fox demon and the Corpse Demon rushed over; one was beautiful and charming, the other short and sleazy.
"Corpse Demon, you take those cannon fodder and keep an eye on these guys. If anyone runs away, I'll skin you alive. You slut, go test out the new players. Don't worry, I'll stick with you."
The two were only at the Transcendental Grade Level IV, so naturally they were extremely unwilling, but dared not object. If they dared to utter even half a word of 'no,' Tiger Vanguard would immediately seize the demon's heart.
Tiger Vanguard didn't care whether they lived or died; he focused on sensing the ripples and 'saw' their faces clearly.
One was black-haired and of average appearance; the other was a fair-skinned woman. The former was likely the 'Aether Particles' expert mentioned in the intelligence report, while the latter looked quite familiar.
Wait, isn't that the woman who escaped from the 'Dark Swamp'?
Tiger Vanguard grinned, revealing his sharp fangs. It's said that enemies are destined to meet, and this time, he'd definitely have to taste what it's like.
It truly is an illusion-based spatial realm, far more complex than mine, even featuring its own maze.
Yuki had already stepped into the domain, and before him lay nothing but Blood Mist and giant trees covered in human faces, resembling living trees.
Walking on blood-stained ground, with uneaten bones floating on top, the heavy stench was nauseating and filled one with disgust.
He could see nothing, hear nothing, and communication was cut off. Looking at the painful, wailing face on the flesh tree, Yuki knew he had come full circle and would probably be wandering in the forest for the rest of his life.
'There's something wrong with these ripples; they look a lot like radar waves.'
Seeing the ripples spreading deeper into the dense forest, Yuki knew that Tiger Vanguard must have received the news and was quickly formulating a plan.
What an ingenious Chaos Item! If it were incorporated into the Furnace, it would greatly amplify the home-field advantage.
Yuki the money, Yuki became even more determined to kill. With his view completely blocked, he couldn't see Yomi Isayama entering separately. So he simply pushed off with both feet and shot straight into the sky like a rocket.
Splash!
Those fleshy trees came to life instantly, their countless branches lashing out, only to be pierced through by a single sword strike. Yuki used brute force to leap out of the maze.
But once you leave the dense forest and look down, your view is as if it's been pixelated; you can't see anything at all.
How can you get something without entering the forest? How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den?
"It's a pity the communication was cut off, otherwise Nanami could have taken the sky." Yomi Isayama also jumped out from the other side, her spirit beasts forming wings, allowing her to fly. "By the way, that tiger demon was observing me just now."
"It has a grudge against you, it's definitely going to check how well you've developed." Yuki stood on the soul crystal and shook his head slightly. "Those branches aren't weak, don't forget they have their burdens, and people are most vulnerable when breaking through, that tiger will definitely pounce."
"Execute Plan B3; if it succeeds, I'll give it a surprise."
Yomi Isayama's expression was strange, whether it was because Yuki had too many plans or because of something else, she nodded and glided forward before falling into the forest.
Yuki paused for a moment. The clay planes were still circling, but he couldn't see the battle situation clearly, nor could he contact Tiger Vanguard. He could only wait helplessly.
If you wait a little longer, you'll miss your chance to intervene.
As he fell, countless branches lashed out again, only to be shredded by the sword. But the branches were endless, and it took a lot of effort to walk on them. In the end, he still had to return to the pool of blood.
They've arrived.
Blood Yuki on Yuuki's skin, raising goosebumps. He immediately sensed someone watching him, their eyes filled with greed and savagery, yet also elusive and hard to find.
A pale, white thigh floated at his feet, its severed end rotting and crawling with countless fat maggots. Yuki remained expressionless, his mind already conjuring up a picture of this Blood Pool and Flesh Forest.
It occupies a huge area and mainly uses illusion magic, but its independent attack power is relatively weak. It can break out of the forest like Mario and then keep falling into the forest to check the surroundings. As long as it jumps enough, it will definitely find its trapped companions.
Does it sound simple? Countless players have found this guide, only to meet their demise.
The hunt often happens in an instant. If the Tiger Vanguard had wanted to, it would have already crept out from behind while the branches were being chopped.
'It's assessing the situation, waiting for the moment to pounce.' Yuki is very clear-headed. Since he took the initiative to separate from Yomi Isayama, he was giving the Tiger Vanguard an opportunity to hunt. However, it is cunning and will not make a move without being absolutely certain.
It's wary of me; it's obvious it received some prior intelligence.
Yuki raised his head and saw a white veil suddenly rise from the Blood Mist. A strange sound also rang in his ears, which could penetrate his brain even if he covered his ears.
Ah, um...
A soft, languid, strange, and soul-stirring panting sound arose, and a scene of white gauze unfolded before one's eyes, so lifelike that even the most resolute warrior would instinctively turn his head away.
Yuki saw women, countless beautiful women, their white veils swaying and twisting as they danced a heart-pounding dance.
Hot, innocent—you name it, there are beauties here. Every move, every glance is utterly alluring.
"Hey buddy, come here and look at me."
The sound grew clearer, Yuki could feel silky smooth fingers gliding across his face and across his chest, so soft they seemed boneless.
It is light and comfortable, making people unconsciously fascinated by it, willing to break all taboos and betray all vows of eternal love.
Mental-based Transcendental Grade skills, the legendary charm?
Yuki took a deep breath, drew his sword, and let the Red Lotus Fire ignite beneath his feet.
"Sorry, I'm a pure love fan."
Boom--
The Soul Flame swept away all illusions, causing the beauties to scream in agony. They wept, but not in a ferocious manner; instead, their eyes were filled with tender affection, a kind of lamentation as if asking, "Why is my lover so cruel?"
You should at least become a senior student or Hayasaka, and wear black stockings and a maid outfit.
Without even glancing, Yuki twisted his sword, turned around, and saw a sonic wave booming from the depths of the dense forest, shattering all the trees blocking his path. Without another word, Yuki swung his sword down with both hands.
Secret Technique: Divide the Sea.
Roar!!
The whistling sound that had just started abruptly stopped. The sound waves and Blood Mist were cut in two, and Yuki vanished instantly, reappearing hundreds of meters away.
He saw a shadow, and the Night Furnace, which was about to be ignited, stopped abruptly, because it was close enough that the Devil's Vision could see that there was no soul in the shadow.
A clone? Okay, let me scare you first.
Secret Technique: Flame Lion Slash.
The pure black tiger demon picked up its broadsword and slashed, but only managed to strike an afterimage. Dozens of streaks of fire leaped between the trees, and because they were moving so fast, the remaining embers linked together like a beautiful ribbon.
The shadowy tiger demon had no idea which part to block. It only hesitated for a moment before its head was evenly split in two and vanished into ashes with a 'splat'.
Brush.
Yuki his sword, and the forest fell silent once more. He couldn't help but raise his head in disdain.
"Come out! Such petty tricks are meaningless. In the Sistras, I sentence you to death."
No one answered. Who would be a fool at this level? Yuki looked around, snorted coldly, and leaped out of the dense forest again.
Holy crap, which swordsman is this 'Aether Particles'? And what the hell is Systemus? They sound pretty awesome.
Tiger Vanguard had been hiding in the distance, pacing anxiously. Those damned Judge were right; the black-haired youth with the Aether Particles was indeed very strong.
"Your Majesty, perhaps we should call it quits while we're ahead," the dark fox demon cried beside her. Her demonic nature could seduce any male creature, but the harm would also be transferred to herself.
"Collect my ass! What good is that? Those Soulless Ones haven't even been dissolved yet." Tiger Vanguard revealed his ferocious nature, able to see the two targets constantly jumping around, not far from the besieged main force.
The magic weapon is still not strong enough; it can only confuse people, not trap them. It's like a maze. True masters find their way out of the maze; they wouldn't foolishly wander around in circles inside.
The cannon fodder in the hands of the Corpse Demon are running out. Sooner or later, those people will jump out with the Soulless Ones. Wouldn't all my efforts have been in vain?
Since they're bastards from the Demon Extermination Squad, we have to take a piece of their flesh. Tiger Vanguard, with a gloomy face, counted on his fingers and quickly discovered the pattern.
The two prey separated at a 30-degree angle, jumping every three minutes and then moving forward 200 meters, gradually clearing the Blood Pool and Flesh Forest.
"After all this work, I'm going to at least eat one. Ha, you really think you've found a way to deal with the Blood Pool and Flesh Forest?"
It grinned maliciously, and the two prey drifted further and further apart, having even figured out a pattern.
"Danning."
"Yes." The fox demon trembled all over. When the king called his name, the mission would be extremely dangerous.
"I've calculated where that person will land next. Go and wait for him, keep him occupied for a while, and when I go and devour that little wench, there will be a great reward."
The fox demon was terrified, her face paling. That black-haired swordsman was extremely frightening; how could a mere Transcendental Grade player like her possibly restrain him? But seeing those ferocious tiger fangs, she had no choice but to nod slightly.