Simple Tactics

"So, this is what you meant by the Aberrant Beast from the Maze Node?"

Hidden in a crevice in the cave, Lin Xiaolu gazed into the distance, observing the scene within the node, and couldn't help but gasp, "Hiss, it really does look... a bit troublesome."

She was initially skeptical of Arrowroot's explanation, thinking that if the other party was truly strong enough to ambush and eliminate an entire team of examinees, then dealing with a single node Aberrant Beast should be a piece of cake. Was it really necessary to specifically find a few helpers?

But when she actually saw the so-called "big, dumb guy" the other party had described, she had to admit that, from Arrowroot's perspective, she probably wouldn't want to deal with such an opponent alone either.

Because this so-called "big, dumb guy" is just too big.

According to the Aberrant Beast Analysis exam that just ended a few days ago, the maximum size of Pupa Stage Aberrant Beast is usually around 20 meters in length. However, the Aberrant Beast that is now crouching in the distance, seemingly unaware of Lin Xiaolu and the others, has clearly exceeded this limit. Judging by sight alone, its length is close to 30 meters.

A 30-meter -Pupa Stage Aberrant Beast is absolutely an anomaly among anomalies, a minority among minorities. And an Aberrant Beast with such a large size, regardless of whether it is stronger, will definitely be more resilient.

Besides the enormous, Aberrant Beast at the center of the Maze Node, what was even more chilling was the bulging fleshy sac on the node wall. Through the translucent surface of the sac, the examinees could clearly see the small, mangled Aberrant Beast encased within. A rough count revealed that the number of these sacs was close to three digits.

If Lin Xiaolu were truly in the Nest of the Aberrant Beast, she might be able to comfort herself by telling herself that these small Aberrant Beast in the vesicles might not necessarily move with the pupae. But right now, they were taking an exam, and the examiners from the Examination Institute responsible for setting up the maze certainly wouldn't waste their time. Since they had placed these Aberrant Beasts at this point, it meant that they were most likely also enemies that the examinees would have to face.

Dealing with a pupa that exceeds the normal size limit, along with nearly three digits of low-level Aberrant Beast? Even Lin Xiaolu, who is used to big scenes, found this task astonishing.

"Which of you two specializes in wide-area, high-damage Spell Formula? Like Energy Concentration School or Explosion School, or Magic Armament similar abilities?"

However, Arrowroot didn't seem to think that an enemy of this size was a problem. After a swarm of bats, like black mist, circled the top of the cave, the black and red magical girl reformed herself and looked at Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan: "No need to ask about Mint, I know her situation, she's not cut out for this."

Mint rolled her eyes, tilted her head back slightly, and remained silent, clearly agreeing with her statement.

Ability type and the range of Spell Formula mastered are quite objective things; no magical girl can claim to be able to easily handle every combat scenario. In this situation, it's pointless to boast or argue; it will only waste time.

Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan, who both understood this principle, exchanged glances, but neither of them stepped forward. Whether they truly lacked the ability to achieve a similar effect, or simply wanted to conceal their abilities from each other, remained unknown.

Even now, they remain wary of the magical girl who has suddenly appeared before them.

Even if the other party seemed to have toned down their hostility and actually invited them to help conquer the Maze Node, Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan found it hard to believe that their intentions were truly so simple. No one knew if there were any other schemes behind it, and revealing too much of their abilities was clearly not a wise move.

"Nothing at all? That's truly disappointing."

Arrowroot probably understood this as well, so although she said she was "disappointed," she didn't show it on her face. She just pursed her lips and nodded knowingly. "Alright, it seems there's no way to take shortcuts then. Let's go for it. I'll lead the way, you guys follow. Three, two, one, let's go."

"Wait, no, wait a minute!"

Lin Xiaolu hurriedly called out to Arrowroot, who was about to transform into a swarm of bats again. "Didn't you see those Aberrant Beasts on the wall? Are you really planning to rush in like this? Are you looking for death?"

"Huh? What's the problem?"

Arrowroot, whose transformation had been abruptly interrupted, turned back somewhat disgruntled. "That's why I told you all to come with me. I'll hold off that big oaf for a while, and you guys can take care of the smaller fry, right?"

"Are you sure you won't be eliminated after we finish dealing with the younger ones?" Lin Xiaolu asked, her eyes wide.

"This? Of course not, didn't I already tell you before I came?"

Arrowroot grinned. "I can handle this by myself, it just takes more magic and time. So, all you need to do is help ease my burden a little, that's all."

After saying this, she didn't give Lin Xiaolu a chance to speak again, but instead transformed into black mist and charged straight towards the Aberrant Beast not far away.

Immediately following, accompanied by the sound of magic exploding and the furious roars of the Aberrant Beast, Arrowroot was already locked in battle with the "big oaf" she had been talking about.

"This guy is so arrogant it's infuriating!"

Watching the other person's retreating figure, Lin Xiaolu said, half surprised and half annoyed, "They said they wanted to bring us over as help, but in reality, they didn't take us seriously at all..."

"You're angry, aren't you? That's good."

After Arrowroot left, Mint finally spoke again, her helpless smile tinged with melancholy, "In fact, she was being quite polite when she spoke to us. Her manner towards those of mediocre peers would only be more offensive, let alone when dealing with ordinary people."

"So what's your relationship with her? Are you friends? Teammates from the same city?"

Lin Xiaolu, feeling somewhat annoyed, shifted her gaze from Arrowroot's retreating figure to Mint: "Why do I get the feeling that you two don't get along?"

"... If I had to say, we have absolutely no relationship. We live in different cities and have never been teammates. We're just acquaintances who have interacted a lot, so we're quite familiar with each other, that's all."

As Mint spoke, she reached up and pulled up the hood of her magic outfit, putting it on her head. "If you really want to define my relationship with her, you can simply understand it as: we've been rivals for a long time, and our relationship is less like friendship and more like a karmic entanglement."

"Huh..." Lin Xiaolu seemed to understand but not quite.

"However, in short, I must remind you that although Arrowroot seems arrogant and overbearing, his arrogance is indeed based on a certain level of strength."

Unzipping her coat, Mint said seriously, "So, we must be extremely careful with this person. I know you are all quite strong, and you may even have met more powerful peers, but this person is unlike any of your peers. Her strength is definitely on another level."

"Really?" Lin Xiaolu was skeptical. She believed that Arrowroot must have considerable strength and was definitely a dangerous individual. But the description of "another dimension" was a bit of an exaggeration.

"I'll explain the details to you later."

Burying her face in the shadow of her hood, Mint took a few steps forward, then leaped up. "But let's get going now. Solving this hurdle and getting the points is more important."

Slowly leaving the Underworld.