Chapter 99: Black-Scaled Python
Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Black-Scaled Python
"I guess I was wrong..."
Valles murmured, gazing at the living mountain of flesh formed by dozens of giant pythons.
"Gray, if you die and get reincarnated, you’ll definitely come back as a Water Python... spending all day fighting to mate."
"I’m not a fan of so many guys swarming one girl." Gray’s face had gone a little pale.
He, too, was a bit shocked by the sight. A massive orgy like this was completely at odds with his philosophy on wooing women.
"Zelir, Valles, you two will launch the surprise attack."
Having calmed down, Marcus began to quietly lay out their strategy.
"Once the fight starts, Gray and Gak, you two are responsible for clearing out the normal Water Pythons and protecting the team’s flanks. Zelir, Valles, and I will handle the Black-Scaled Python. Got it?"
"No problem," the others agreed in low voices.
Faced with the constantly writhing, twisting breeding ball, both Zelir and Valles felt a wave of disgust. They exchanged a look and began charging up simultaneously.
Soon, two immense streams of energy were fully charged.
Zelir’s White Wax Wood Tip shimmered with a brilliant blue light, while on Valles’s bowstring, an Arrow was completely enveloped in Thunder Fighting Qi.
"Now!" Marcus snapped.
The words had barely left his mouth when an Arcane Missile and a Thunder Arrow burst forth, tearing through the mist to strike the massive breeding ball simultaneously!
BOOM!!!
A violent explosion echoed throughout the swamp. Arcane Energy and Thunder Fighting Qi detonated, kicking up a huge wave of mud and blood!
At the center of the explosion, seven or eight male Water Pythons, which had been writhing madly, were torn to shreds.
Their severed bodies were flung high into the air like frayed ropes before falling back into the mire, adding a shade of dark red to the already murky water.
The tightly woven breeding ball was blasted open, revealing the Black-Scaled Python at its center!
Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas
[Tier Thirty-Nine]: Black-Scaled Python
Individual Threat Assessment: [Difficulty]
Physical Characteristics:
A giant python far larger than a typical Water Python, its length can even exceed ten meters. Its entire body is covered in a layer of hard, smooth scales.
Habitat and Behavior:
All Black-Scaled Pythons are female. They are the apex predators of swamps and small bodies of water. They are extremely territorial; outside of the breeding season, they will hunt and kill even male Water Pythons.
Special Abilities:
The Black-Scaled Python possesses immense physical power. A single full-power tail whip can smash an ordinary person into a meat paste.
Furthermore, the Defense Power of its scales is harder than Armor, making them difficult for ordinary swords and blades to pierce.
Core Weaknesses:
No obvious weaknesses at present. It can only be killed by forcibly destroying its scales first.
Association Notes:
It is not recommended for parties without a strong ranged class to Challenge the Black-Scaled Python. Engaging it with only Warriors in close combat will easily lead to casualties.
The Black-Scaled Python had been enjoying the pleasure of countless male Water Pythons wrapped around it. The sudden attack and excruciating pain instantly sent it into a rage.
HISSS!!!
The Black-Scaled Python’s cry was not a mountain-shaking roar like a lion or tiger’s, but a sharp, wheezing hiss that sent a chill down to the bone.
It raised its head, its murky yellow, vertical pupils locking directly onto Marcus and his team.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Black-Scaled Python flung off the Water Pythons still coiled around its body. Then, displaying astonishing speed that completely belied its massive frame, it charged toward the party!
The male Water Pythons had also found their enemy. Flicking their tongues and letting out low hisses, they swarmed forward, following the Black-Scaled Python.
"Gray! Gak! Clear the flanks!" Marcus roared.
"Leave it to us!"
Gray and Gak responded, charging out to the left and right toward the male Water Pythons that had survived the explosion.
Marcus planted his Composite Shield before him and continued to give orders, "Zelir, Valles, get your firepower ready!"
"Understood!"
Marcus took the lead, meeting the Black-Scaled Python’s attack head-on!
The Black-Scaled Python opened its cavernous mouth and lunged, trying to bite down on Marcus’s head.
"Get back!"
Marcus poured his Fighting Qi into the Shield, boosting its attack power and Defense Power.
Shield Strike!
BANG!!!
Marcus had put all his strength into this blow. The Composite Shield smashed viciously against the Black-Scaled Python’s snout.
The massive impact force brought its lunging bite to a dead stop!
But even such a fierce Shield Strike, aimed right at its head, only managed to dent the Black-Scaled Python’s scales and failed to cause a fatal wound.
From the impact, Marcus was also forced back several steps before he could steady himself.
’Such immense physical power... If I were still a Junior Warrior, I probably wouldn’t have been able to withstand even that single blow...’ Marcus thought to himself.
At the same time, fire support from Valles and Zelir arrived!
Two flashes of light streaked by. An Arcane Missile and a Thunder Arrow struck the Black-Scaled Python one after another, blasting it and sending it reeling.
The attack looked spectacular, but its effect was not significant.
The Thunder Arrow exploded against the python’s scales, leaving behind a small, charred mark.
The Arcane Missile was slightly more effective, but it only managed to dislodge a few scales and failed to do any real damage to the flesh beneath.
This round of bombardment failed to heavily wound it. Instead, it made the Black-Scaled Python even more frantic as it continued its frenzied snapping.
Marcus could only take cover behind his Shield, looking for opportunities to land a few slashes with his blade while parrying the python’s attacks.
However, they were of little use. His Battle Saber struck the scales, sending sparks flying.
The battle descended into a fierce, drawn-out struggle.
The Black-Scaled Python was in a frenzy, its body twisting and rolling madly in the mire, its movements incredibly fast.
On top of that, with Marcus constantly blocking and parrying at the front, Zelir and Valles couldn’t unleash their full firepower without restraint, afraid they might hit him by accident.
"It’s like a real eel..."
Zelir frowned.
He canceled the charge for his Arcane Missile and began to weave a different kind of Magic.
The White Wax Wood Tip flashed, and a deep blue, chilly air quickly spread out.
Frost Technique!
The Black-Scaled Python’s body was already soaked, covered in mud and swamp water.
Because of this, the frost spread extremely fast. In just a few seconds, a layer of solid ice had rapidly formed on the Black-Scaled Python’s body, greatly restricting its frenzied movements.
Although it could still shatter the ice by forcefully twisting its body, this extra effort undoubtedly slowed the Black-Scaled Python down significantly.
The layer of ice started spreading from the middle of its body, quickly creeping toward its head.
Valles seized the opportunity. He pulled another special arrow from his Quiver—a Glazed Arrow!
This was made from the Glazed Glass produced in the mines of Black Stone Town. Arrows made from it possessed extremely powerful armor-piercing capabilities and were incomparably sharp, but they were also exceptionally expensive.
Under normal circumstances, Valles was reluctant to use it.
He drew his bow, nocked the arrow, and took aim at its head!