Chapter 216: The Demon Frog Warrior

Chapter 216

The Demon Frog Warrior

“What the hell?!! What is going on here? Just one skilled hunter, and you can’t handle it yet?!!”

The leader of the group was furious. He didn’t realize that they were just a small group whom Ellie had yet to allow the spores to decompose their internal organs. In truth, if Ellie wanted, they could all be dead in an instant. However, she wanted to figure out what they were after. Although she had some guesses, she needed certainty. Plus...weren’t the members of the Hunters’ Association watching from around? If she wiped them all out, leaving nothing for the association, it might cause her trouble in the future.

Ellie intended to remain under the association’s name as Luke for quite a while, until she officially finished her studies and then retreat to hide in the Tower of Eternity, living a peaceful life.

“D-Demon! There’s a demon frog protecting them. We...”

Slap!! Before the member of the Seven Night Poison group could finish speaking, his face was slapped by the leader. Even if he knew and saw what was happening, could they retreat? If they admitted there was a demon protecting them, how could they use that as an excuse? That was impossible, as the consequences would be even more severe!

“So what!? Even if there’s a demon, we have to deal with it! Don’t you understand? How can our mission fail because of one person? If we return empty-handed...the leader will kill you!! Or do you want to become a test subject for the leader?”

Upon hearing this threat, the members who had initially lost their resolve regained their fighting spirit. If they died here, at least it would be painless. However, if they returned to the leader like this...living would be akin to hell!!

“Deal with the hunter and get the magical device!!”

“Yeah!!” They tried to rally themselves, but before they could move, a group of hunters from the association appeared behind them. Swords, knives, spears, and other weapons were pointed at their throats. A single step and they would die under these sharp blades.

“T-They, they’ve ambushed us!” one of the henchmen shouted, but it was too late. Those who were still alive were quickly captured by the association members.

“Halt, sir! Those still alive will be interrogated by the Hunters’ Association,” one of the association members called out, seeing the demon frog still rampaging. They quickly displayed their identification badges. Ellie played her part well, and the little Apple had consumed enough poison to almost level up. Thus, the hunt for the Seven Night Poison group was a success. She ordered her little Apple to shrink to the size of a hand.

“Phew! Good thing you guys showed up,” Ellie, as Luke, said to them. The association members had expressions that suggested they didn’t want to talk. They all thought that even if they hadn’t intervened, this little kid wouldn’t have been harmed. It was clear that the members of the Seven Night Poison group were just playthings for the demon frog.

Before this, they didn’t know that there was someone so skilled in the association. Seeing this scrawny young man act as the leader of a group of girls, they initially wanted to laugh. They assumed that after encountering the Seven Night Poison group, he would surely run away crying for his mother. They never expected that he would have such hidden strength.

From viewing him as a sickly young man, they now secretly dubbed him the “Demon Frog Warrior.” He had become a figure in the Hunters’ Association that no one wanted to cross...

“What is your name, sir? You helped us with this special mission. I’ll report to the association to award you points on a special case.”

The one who said this was the high-ranking assistants of the association. His words were not to be doubted; if he promised to help with points, he certainly could. Moreover, many people witnessed the slaughter of the intruders. With such outstanding skills and swift work, a significant number of points should enable him to advance to the next rank.

“Luke, 1-star rank hunter.”

“Huh? You’re a 1-star rank hunter?” The assistant found it hard to believe. At least, with his skills, he should be at a 2 or 3-star rank.

“I didn’t take on many missions last year,” Ellie explained a bit further, which made everyone nod in understanding.

“I thought so. With your skills, Sir Warrior, oh...Sir Luke, I think you should be at the 3-star rank soon.”

“I’ll work hard this year,” Luke replied. She wasn’t overly modest. This time, she had demonstrated her skills, so they wouldn’t be surprised later when she quickly completed missions.

“Well, I won’t delay your other missions. We will thoroughly investigate those who intruded and caused trouble in the association’s territory,” the high-ranking assistant said before ordering the association members to drag away the 4 or 5 surviving intruders. Ellie watched them go, their faces still showing fear of the little Apple, with a glint in her eye.

Initially, she thought the little Apple would level up by consuming poisonous beasts. However, after dealing with the members of the Seven Night Poison group, its power increased significantly, almost unbelievably. Having just leveled up 2 days ago, it was about to level up again today!

“Senior Luke is so skilled. While we couldn’t do anything, you fought so well,” Emma said admiringly. Even though she almost died from poison earlier, she still recognized what had happened. It was fortunate that the association provided them with free antidotes, and the little Apple had absorbed much of the deadly poison. Otherwise, the 4 girls might have faced life-threatening danger.

However, while the others recovered normally, Nara, who already had poison in her system, coughed up a large amount of blood. The Pink Poison combined with the new poison was too much for regular antidotes. Her face turned pale, and...Ellie couldn’t help but twitch an eyebrow.

It seemed the heroine’s luck was indeed extraordinary.

“You should take your friend to get treatment first. You won’t be able to complete any missions today.” Ellie waved her hand dismissively. The other 3 girls quickly glanced at Nara with concern. Although they didn’t like her, they hadn’t expected her to face a life-threatening situation.

After the 4 students left, Ellie looked down at the ground. She felt that even now...this world continued to support the heroine. Despite encountering deadly poison twice, the story’s heroine was still alive. She couldn’t help but wonder if there would be any other plot twists. Even the Pink Poison in Nara’s body was subdued by the new poison from the Seven Night Poison group, expelling it in a significant amount. Was there really nothing or no one that could eliminate this world’s heroine?

The little Apple absorbed the expelled Pink Poison from the poison that Nara had just received. At that moment, the large amount of poison caused her little Apple to slowly level up, and finally...it reached level 2 as expected!

In leveling up to level 2, all of the little Apple’s attributes remained the same. Even the 3rd option, which Ellie thought might change by increasing the number of bombs on its back, stayed at 4 times a day, +1 from the ancient rune. However, leveling up to level 2 brought a new difference—a 5th option appeared after the 4th special option.

“Fifth Option: Blow up the Toxic Wind Bomb to neutralize poisons within a 1-meter radius from itself. Usable once per day.

Additional Explanation: The Toxic Wind Bomb releases a toxic gas, but it is non-lethal for living being. When entering the body of someone with poison, it turns into a poison that can neutralize the existing poison. If the person has no poison in their body, the toxin will be excreted through the skin later without causing harm.”

Upon reviewing the new ability, Ellie felt slightly alarmed. She had expected to gain 1 additional bomb, making it possible to command the little Apple to attack 6 times a day. Though it was disappointing that the number remained at 5, gaining a special skill was a pleasant surprise.

This new ability was truly wonderful. Previously, her little Apple could only attack enemies, and Ellie only had bonded plants that were adept at combating and destroying foes. Who would have thought that one day the little Apple would become a healer as well? Even though the skill could only be used once per day, its ability to neutralize poison within a 1-meter radius around it meant that allies could receive healing too. Wasn’t this a bit overpowered?

Of course, Ellie was aware of this skill. Her little Apple had just reached level 2, so the poison it could generate was only at level 2, including the Toxic Wind Bomb. If it encountered a more potent poison, they would have to deal with it as best as they could.

“You’ve done well.” Noticing that the little Apple was sneaking a glance at her, seeming to understand her disappointment, despite its face remaining stoic. Its eyes showed sadness, making Ellie realize she had not expressed herself properly.

She raised her hand to gently pat the little creature on the head, offering praise. The little Apple seemed to feel more at ease, though it still felt a bit uneasy.

It didn’t understand why its master was disappointed, even though it had just advanced to level 2 and gained a new ability. So, the little Apple jumped forward, using its tongue to turn into sharp roots that stabbed into the ground.

Earlier, it didn’t have such acute senses and wasn’t aware of any danger around. However, with its level-up, its perception improved. It realized that poisonous moles had been hiding, waiting to attack its master’s group. Now it knew!

The little Apple tried to prove itself by spearing 4 poisonous moles from the ground at once. After killing them, it swallowed the moles whole. Ellie was surprised, but then she recalled that her senses had also improved significantly after leveling up, so she wasn’t suspicious.

Ellie clapped her hands to cheer the little Apple, which bolstered its confidence that it was indeed useful to its master. Its mood calmed, and it shrank back to the size of a fist, hopping onto Ellie’s shoulder to rest contentedly. Seeing this, Ellie couldn’t help but want to laugh.

“Well then, after a 2nd round of hunting around the forest, it’s clear that the number of beasts in the Fragrant Held Forest has decreased significantly. So, let’s stay here for just one more day and complete our mission quickly. As for further leveling up, let’s set our sights on Rhea City.”

Ellie explained to her companions. In the past, she only had the Purple Mushroom, which was very obedient and did everything without question, as if it had no thoughts or feelings. However, she felt that her other 2 companions had minds of their own. She wasn’t sure if it was because they had the word “special” in their descriptions, but she thought explaining things to them was necessary.

She also needed to get used to it. In the future, she might not only have the little Purple Mushroom, little Apple, and little Rabbit. If more members joined, it would be better to treat them as loyal friends who would work together for life.

True to her words, Ellie spent the entire day searching for Black Grass herbs to exchange for points at the association. After that, she went to receive her points and took on more missions. She didn’t intend to stay in the 1st floor forest for the remaining 21 days. The abilities of the Purple Mushroom, little Apple, and herself were beyond what was needed to hunt ordinary wild boars. So, she quickly moved to the 4th floor and headed back to her own city.

Ellie felt that real combat training required fighting stronger beasts; otherwise, it was just like practicing swordsmanship on a scarecrow!

However, when she arrived in Pan 4 City, someone was already waiting for her.

“You’re here?” The familiar deep voice resonated. He was sitting alone in the city hall. The once-empty hall, filled with roots, was now beautifully decorated.

She wondered if this eldest young lord understood her love for flowers to the extent that he had turned the city hall into a floral garden. The surroundings were adorned with various flowers. At first, when she entered, she even thought this couldn’t be the Pan 4 City she knew. He had changed everything. Though the outside looked the same and could deceive people, the inside was excellently decorated and very inviting.

He had prepared a tea cabinet, a hot water kettle, and other essentials, even including a bookshelf filled with novels and informational books that Ellie enjoyed reading. Seeing the young woman looking around without even greeting him, the young man stood up to his full height and slowly approached Ellie with a calm demeanor, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He felt that the girl appreciated his arrangement, which made his efforts well worth it.

He didn’t want others to know that this was Ellie’s city. It was kept a secret according to her wishes. Thus, it was just him and 2 assistants who had worked together to set this up. If word of this spread, it was certain that no one would believe it.

Who would have thought that the highly skilled Eldest Young Lord Owen would spend several days arranging a garden to please a young girl?!