Chapter 80: Encounter Battle in the Wild

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Encounter Battle in the Wild

After the Magic Skeletons completely learned the Poison Gas Bomb skill, the original star-shaped marks on their foreheads all turned green.

Even the two Magic Skeletons who had already mastered Magic were no exception; their star-shaped marks were at least stained with a faint green halo, clearly showing that they had now mastered this new Skill.

Gu Su glanced around and subconsciously estimated the time.

It was about one in the afternoon. There was still a good amount of time before nightfall, enough to go out and scout around for some Resources.

So, he decided to take the Corpse Witch, all the Magic Skeletons, and a portion of the Ordinary Skeletons out for a trip. After all, neither Bone Ash’s journey nor the battle at the Bone Forest would be resolved so quickly.

Gu Su’s Resource gathering couldn’t stop just like that. Manpower was tight at the moment, and with no one to share the burden, Gu Su could only lead the team out himself.

This time, he changed direction, no longer heading toward the previously explored area, but advancing north of the Graveyard Demon.

At the beginning of their journey, Gu Su’s group encountered no enemies.

After all, within a one-thousand-meter radius of the Graveyard Demon, all large creatures, humanoid groups, and beast packs had long since been wiped clean. The few remaining scattered enemies didn’t dare to approach and provoke them, terrified of being annihilated by the Undead Team.

Thus, the first half of the journey was exceptionally easy. Only the Corpse Witch would occasionally stop, bending over to collect roadside leaves, flowers, and fruits. Its movements were slightly stiff, yet possessed a professional meticulousness.

Gu Su asked a few curious questions and learned that most of the things the Corpse Witch collected were poisonous.

’That makes sense. The Corpse Witch probably doesn’t even recognize non-poisonous plants, flowers, or fruits.’

Later, whenever he encountered wild grasses, fruits, or flowers that he didn’t recognize, Gu Su would subconsciously ask the Corpse Witch, "Do you want this?"

If the Corpse Witch shook its head no, it meant the items were either edible or at least harmless. Gu Su would then casually collect some and put them away. It was better than nothing.

If the Corpse Witch nodded yes, he wouldn’t interfere, letting it handle the items itself. There was no need for Gu Su to get involved.

But as they walked, Gu Su couldn’t help but grumble to himself, his thoughts tinged with exasperation.

’Why haven’t the Skeletons sent to the Vine Mansion returned yet?’

’Without the Treasure Chest Wagon, no matter how many Resources we gather, there’s no way to carry them back. Isn’t this whole trip a waste?’

Just as he was muttering to himself about the Treasure Chest Wagon, the Corpse Witch’s deep voice suddenly sounded in his ear, "My lord."

Gu Su immediately snapped back to reality and saw the Corpse Witch pointing in a direction not far away, its gesture firm and without a hint of hesitation.

He followed the Corpse Witch’s pointed finger and saw a large, not-too-short tree standing there. But the bark of this tree wasn’t the usual brown or green, but a dark, blackish-green that gave off a strange aura.

Based on their experiences along the way, Gu Su almost subconsciously asked, "Is it poisonous?"

After all, the Corpse Witch had only been interested in poisonous things this whole time. He had developed a conditioned reflex.

This time, however, the Corpse Witch slowly shook its head and, in an exceptionally serious tone, uttered one word: "Alive."

"Alive?" Gu Su’s heart tightened. His vigilance instantly shot up, and he immediately turned to look at the blackish-green tree again while raising his hand to give a signal.

All the Magic Skeletons immediately halted, raising their hands as faint green magical light instantly gathered in their palms, ready to attack at a moment’s notice. The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Just then, the Corpse Witch spoke again. Without explaining why, it pointed to the ground about a meter in front of the tree and said in a low voice, "Don’t hit the tree. Hit the ground about a meter in front of it."

Gu Su didn’t ask any questions.

The Corpse Witch’s judgment regarding poisons and hidden dangers was far more accurate than his.

He decisively lowered his raised hand, giving the attack command.

The next second, the Magic gathered in the palms of all the Magic Skeletons blasted in unison toward the spot the Corpse Witch had indicated.

PFFT—

BOOM!

A violent explosion erupted as dust flew and rubble scattered.

Before the smoke and dust could settle, a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth suddenly shot out from the blasted ground. Hideous and terrifying, it instantly shattered the surrounding tranquility.

Gu Su’s pupils contracted. He subconsciously took half a step back before he could clearly see the monster’s appearance.

Its entire body was a dark gray. Its torso was as thick as an adult whale’s, yet it had the strange shape of a deep-sea anglerfish. Its round body was covered in a viscous, dark-brown mucus, caked with dirt and rubble, and it emitted a pungent, fishy stench.

The most terrifying part was its mouth, which took up half its body. The corners of its mouth split to its ears, and its densely packed, sharp teeth were as sharp as daggers, glinting with a cold light. A faint green glow flickered from the depths of its mouth, like a will-o’-wisp luring its prey.

It had no eyes on its head. Instead, there was a long, thin, fleshy tendril. A large number of blackish-green leaves were wrapped around the tip of the tendril, identical to the leaves of the strange tree.

The tree wasn’t a real plant at all, but a lure it had created by wrapping its fleshy tendril around dead branches. It was specifically designed to attract passing creatures, allowing it to lie in wait underground and swallow its prey in one gulp.

The monster had just been blasted from the ground and hadn’t yet fully broken free from the earth when it let out a sharp, piercing roar that made the surrounding vegetation tremble slightly.

It seemed enraged by the Magic Attack. It violently twisted its body, its thick tail slamming hard against the ground, flinging up a large amount of dust and rubble that hurtled toward the Magic Skeletons.

"Spread out!" Gu Su ordered in a low voice. He turned his body slightly to dodge the flying debris while signaling the Magic Skeletons to adjust their formation and continue their Attack.

Receiving the command, the dozen or so Magic Skeletons immediately dispersed. The green magical light in their palms grew more intense, and one Poison Gas Bomb after another accurately slammed into the monster’s body.

With a few muffled thuds, the Poison Gas Bombs landed on the monster’s viscous skin, instantly exploding into a green Poisonous Fog. The fog sizzled as it corroded its hide, leaving behind small, black holes. A blackish-green, viscous fluid flowed out from the wounds, emitting an even stronger toxicity.

The monster writhed in pain, its massive mouth snapping open and shut as it tried to devour the nearby Magic Skeletons. But due to its cumbersome body and slow movements, it lunged at empty air again and again. Instead, the Magic Skeletons’ Attacks forced it back repeatedly. The number of wounds on its body grew, and the blackish-green fluid stained the earth beneath it.

The Corpse Witch stood to the side, red light flashing in its eyes as it watched the monster’s movements intently. Seeing the corrosion on its wounds slow down, it immediately reminded him, "My lord, its skin has high poison resistance. You need to focus attacks on its mouth and abdomen. Those are its weak points."

Gu Su nodded immediately and raised his hand again to command, "All Magic Skeletons, focus your Attacks on its mouth and abdomen!"

The Magic Skeletons immediately adjusted their targets. The Poison Gas Bombs were no longer scattered; they blasted in unison toward the monster’s mouth and abdomen.

This time, the Magic Attacks accurately hit its weak points. The monster let out a blood-curdling shriek. The Poison Gas Bombs blew a large gash in its mouth, shattering several of its sharp teeth. The green Poisonous Fog surged into its body through its mouth. Its body suddenly stiffened, its movements gradually slowed, and the mucus on its skin became much thinner.

But it still didn’t give up. The ferocious glint in its eyes intensified. Seeming to realize that Gu Su was the leader of this group of Undead, it suddenly steadied itself. Ignoring the intense pain, it dragged its battered body and charged madly toward Gu Su, its mouth still snapping, intending to swallow him in one bite as a final counterattack.

"Stop it!" Gu Su’s expression didn’t change. The Skeletons beside him immediately rushed forward, ramming head-on into the monster.

At the same time, the Magic Skeletons also attacked.

The first wave of five Poison Gas Bombs accurately struck the monster’s head, causing its body to falter.

The second wave of six Poison Gas Bombs struck its abdomen, forcefully halting its charge. The monster staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

The third wave of seven Poison Gas Bombs simultaneously exploded deep inside its mouth, instantly erupting into a dense green Poisonous Fog that completely filled its abdominal cavity.

[A Skeleton (Summoned Creature) has killed a Shadow Hunting Beast (Level 2). You have gained 19 Experience. Your Summoned Creatures have gained 6 Experience.]