CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 210: THE BEAST LURKING IN THE SHADOWS (PART 2)

At the same time, his right arm suddenly exerted force, and the iron grey sword light flashed by. Under the [Vortex Slash], another wolverine attempting to ambush in the chaos was cut in half.

His chest heaved as Xia Nan gasped heavily.

"Where did all these beasts come from, won’t this ever end?"

At the moment, although he had no noticeable injuries, both the surface of the sword blade and the plate chain composite armor and leg armor were covered in blood and fragments of flesh.

It had been several minutes since they discovered the deer that intruded into the camp.

The beasts encircling the camp had already launched an attack on the Sea Thorn Squad.

He did not know what prompted these frenzied beasts to disregard their fear and cautious instincts and rush toward them like moths to a flame.

He also didn’t understand why the meadow was almost covered with corpses, yet these beasts showed no signs of retreat and continued attacking the squad fiercely.

But he knew in his heart, if this continued, the collapse of the Sea Thorn Squad was inevitable.

In some ways, the team was already on the brink of being completely disrupted and scattered.

Because both Cash and Vireis were gradually deviating from their original positions amidst the beast’s attack.

Allowing more beasts to penetrate the gaps in the formation, attacking from the side or rear, or directly like just now, ambushing the spellcaster Mint at the core of the team.

It was only his quick reaction and the gained mobility from [Teeth Hunting] that maintained a brief and fragile balance.

In the midst of battle, Xia Nan’s peripheral vision constantly surveyed the scene, his thoughts flashing.

Sure enough, Cash and Vireis’s hidden strength was far beyond what was displayed in the battle with the Night Wolf.

The overwhelming surge of beasts was forcing them to exert full strength, continuously releasing their previously hidden battle skills to repel the surrounding beast packs.

Cash tightly gripped the stone spear, muscles bulging between his arms, and with a loud "boom," the spear tip fell like raindrops, stirring fog and blood to leave a blood-red phantom in the air.

The half-human-high Jungle Tiger in front of him was instantly reduced to a corpse under the thrust of the stone spear.

The power was undeniably that of a "battle skill."

As a Wanderer, Vireis continued to wield her two daggers filled with potent poison, leaving lethal wounds on one beast after another.

In just a few minutes, many beasts were lying on the ground foaming at the mouth and convulsing.

It was evident that Vireis, during her actions, had a layer of blurred afterimages behind her, making her figure suddenly more agile and nimble as she shuttled among the beasts.

This must also be a battle skill that enhances agility.

"These two old foxes, usually quiet, have hidden quite well," Xia Nan couldn’t help but murmur inwardly.

Of course, he hadn’t used his full strength either.

With Xia Nan’s current combat system, abundant physical strength, extremely high mobility, and instantaneous explosive power, if not restrained in other ways, mere numbers were unlikely to pose an effective threat to him against enemies far inferior in strength.

Just like the current beast attack, though he appeared somewhat struggling, it was partly because he hadn’t used his full strength, including the battle skills like [Gravity Control] and [Gravity Etching].

On the other hand, he had to maintain the formation, protect teammates’ sides, and occasionally rush out to support.

This significantly restricted Xia Nan’s performance, causing him to relinquish his high mobility advantage.

If he were the only one on the scene now, he could easily break through the encirclement and retreat safely, even if not killing all the beasts.

If Xia Nan one day needed to officially form or join an adventurer team, his role in the team would likely resemble that of Wanderer Vireis.

Roaming on the side, providing support to teammates.

Just with higher defense ability, stronger explosive mobility, and a bit of casting ability.

"Buzz!"

Flashing cold light, a dagger edged in green and purple gleamed, precisely piercing the back of a Hyena’s neck, swift as a bee sting, immediately withdrawing and cleanly finishing.

Inherited from the Zor Elves, her silver-white hair, stained crimson by blood, mixed with sweat and fragments of flesh on her slightly dark skin.

Though maintaining the agility and swiftness expected of a Wanderer, the blood-spattered appearance made her resemble a berserker who had gone through a bloody battle.

"Cash!" Vireis shouted sharply, "Something’s wrong with these beasts! Should we retreat?"

In normal circumstances, for these senior adventurers, they would have retreated the moment they realized they were surrounded by beasts, not allowing themselves to get into such dangerous situations.

But right now, traces found after the Qingmai Village ambush confirmed the identity of the target they had been chasing all along was indeed the Beastman from Xia Nan’s investigation mission.

Their rich adventuring experience had linked this sudden beast encounter with the Beastman.

Having the long-sought target within sight, they were naturally reluctant to retreat.

But...

Cash tightly gripped the stone spear, his palms whitening from exertion, completely pinning down the Leopard beneath him.

He swiftly retreated, leaving the claw extending towards his neck from the side empty, only leaving three deep claw marks on the surface of his scale armor.

The cry from the Zor Half Elf on the other side reached his ears.

The Zor Half Elf’s arm tightly cradled the stone spear, receding swiftly as an opportunity arose and avoiding a nearby claw reaching towards his throat, leaving three deep gouges on his scale armor.

Long periods of high-intensity combat had slowed Vireis’s speed compared to the beginning.

Though everyone knew they had cards yet to reveal, now was obviously not the time.

Mint in the center of the team was in poor condition.

Even though everyone had tried to maintain the formation, a few strays nonetheless.

And she herself needed to concentrate her spiritual power to cast supportive spells for teammates, inevitably neglecting some threats.

She was mildly injured by now, her face paler from spiritual power depletion.

Xia Nan was farther away, with a poor angle, unable to observe clearly.

But he knew many beasts that got past him were dealt with, expending additional energy.

His peripheral vision glimpsed the soaked figure, aware he wouldn’t last much longer.

Decisive action taken.

Cash gritted his teeth, shouted loudly:

"Contract the formation, prepare to retreat!"

The team had already formed a corresponding retreat plan, so they didn’t panic upon hearing this.

They exerted themselves, clearing away nearby beasts, then quickly contracted with Mint at the center.

Cash expertly wielded his stone spear, not seeking to kill, just creating a small space at the front.

At the same time, he reached into his pouch, pulled out several kerosene bombs, and threw them into the dense forest ahead.

Boom――

The kerosene and dust exploded with a spark, the rampant flames seemingly stirred the deep-seated fear within the beasts, driving them to screech and retreat.

"Now!"

Under Cash’s command, Sea Thorn Squad seized the opportunity, quickly rushing through the gap cleared by the fire among the beasts.

Even now, their professional adventurer discipline still maintained the basic formation.

Cash led the front, Vireis roamed, Mint stayed centered, Xia Nan at the rear.

The temporary retreat decision and subsequent execution were executed competently by Cash.

Except he overlooked a more crucial factor.

Mist Forest, renowned in the Sevia Kingdom for its Demon gathering place.

Amidst such chaos, surely ordinary beasts weren’t the only ones present?

The worst off was Xia Nan, first to sense the anomaly, first to assume a defensive posture.

During the rushed movement, he only managed to raise his left arm shield.

The next second, immense force hurled him, landing in the nearby forest.

Under the firelight, although the forest remained shrouded in mist, visibility increased significantly.

It was then, amidst pain and dizziness, he glimpsed the formidable figure with an owl’s head and a grizzly bear’s body.