C8 Working Together to Kill
Lan Luo closed his eyes in despair, resigning himself to the grim fate that seemed to await him here.
"Hey! You're a big guy. Why throw in the towel so easily?"
Just then, a faint voice reached Lan Luo's ears, and he felt an unexpected force propel him from his spot!
The Black Rock Demon Bear's swipe met only air!
Lan Luo's eyes snapped open in astonishment to see a young man leaping away from the very spot the Black Rock Demon Bear had just attacked!
It was none other than Xiao Xiaofan, who had arrived just in time to rescue him!
"Captain! Are you okay?"
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"That was terrifying! I thought the Black Rock Demon Bear was going to...”
The members of the Blueprint Mercenary Group rushed to Lan Luo's side, helping him to his feet and bombarding him with questions about his condition.
"I'm fine!" Lan Luo regained his composure and gave his head a slight shake before expressing his gratitude to Xiao Xiaofan, "Thank you, young man, for your timely aid. Without you, I would surely have perished under that beast's paw!"
"Hold off on the thanks!" Xiao Xiaofan replied with a grave expression. "If you're not seriously injured, get up quickly. We need to figure out how to handle this Demon Beast!"
Prompted by his words, the Blueprint Mercenary Group members rose to their feet and once again encircled the Black Rock Demon Bear.
The beast let out an angry roar but didn't rush to attack, instead cautiously eyeing the people surrounding it. It sensed a subtle threat emanating from Xiao Xiaofan.
Upon realizing Xiao Xiaofan's Battle Aura level, the Blueprint Mercenary Group members frowned in concern.
This young man only possessed the strength of a three-star Warmaster?
Such prowess, while respectable in Sylhasera City, was hardly sufficient against the Black Rock Demon Bear!
It seemed as though his presence made no difference at all.
"Young man, you saved me, but you should sit this fight out," Lan Luo advised with earnest concern. "The Black Rock Demon Bear is too powerful. We'll hold it off while you seize the chance to escape."
The others remained silent, but their eyes shone with resolute determination.
They were men of honor, understanding the importance of repaying a debt of gratitude.
Xiao Xiaofan had just saved their captain, and they would not let him meet his end here, no matter what.
Xiao Xiaofan let out a wry smile. He wanted to leave as well, but the system wouldn't allow it.
As he hesitated about whether to intervene, the system's voice echoed in his mind: "Ding! Congratulations, Summoner, for triggering the mission: Defeat a higher-level opponent!"
"Mission Reward: Holy Power Galen Skill - Fatal Strike!"
"Failure Punishment: The Holy Power Galen Skill - Fatal Strike will not reappear!"
"A true hero must possess the conviction to face challenges without fear of the mighty! Young man, extend a helping hand to those in need!"
With such a call to action, despite his reluctance to wade into the fray, he stepped forward.
It was well-known that Galen's Fatal Strike was a core skill. Missing this chance would mean the system would follow through with the punishment, and he would lose the opportunity to learn it forever.
"Enough talk!" Xiao Xiaofan declared earnestly. "I'm not running away. Let's focus on how to defeat this Black Rock Demon Bear!"
Lan Luo seemed eager to add more, but upon seeing Xiao Xiaofan's resolute look, he swallowed his words.
The young man's integrity and bravery inspired Lan Luo to consider forging a friendship.
The rest of the Blueprint Mercenary Group felt similarly. Lan Luo then burst out laughing, "Alright, young fellow, let's take down this beast together!"
With a roar, the Black Rock Demon Bear, being a magical beast, launched the first attack!
Lan Luo quickly moved to intercept, while Xiao Xiaofan flanked him, ready to strike.
The others positioned themselves around the bear, constantly harrying it.
Xiao Xiaofan's combat experience shone through. After seven days of relentless battle, he targeted each strike at the creature's vulnerabilities.
Lan Luo and the others were astounded by the young man's profound fighting prowess.
Despite his Battle Aura only ranking as a Three-star Warmaster, the power he demonstrated was barely less than Lan Luo's.
Even Ji Yuanan, a Five-star Warmaster, didn't exhibit the formidable strength that Xiao Xiaofan did. Was he a prodigy from a prominent family, or perhaps an Inner Sect disciple from a sect or academy?
Xiao Xiaofan's impressive display was wholly due to his Divine Body.
He now boasted a 50% increase in strength, and his physique was far superior to that of an average Fighter!
Moreover, with the Divine Body enhancing his abilities, his Battle Aura was even more refined than others!
Coupled with his relentless regenerative capabilities, he could unleash a formidable level of combat power, on par with that of a three-star Warmaster!
Xiao Xiaofan's involvement had clearly made the battle much easier!
Yet, Xiao Xiaofan's expression was grave. Despite the current situation looking favorable, he knew it wasn't a sustainable strategy.
Besides his own Divine Body, the rest of the team was visibly drained from overexertion!
In contrast, the Black Rock Demon Bear, clad in its thick black rock armor, showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, it seemed to grow more ferocious with every blow!
The wounds that marred its body appeared severe, yet they were superficial and hadn't reached its vital core!
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck Xiao Xiaofan. The bear's external defenses were formidable, but perhaps its internal organs were vulnerable.
Eyeing the creature's rear, Xiao Xiaofan hatched a daring plan.
"Later, I'll deploy a battle skill that will restore about twenty-three percent of your Battle Aura and injuries, and also increase your speed by the same percentage," Xiao Xiaofan announced in a firm voice during a lull in the combat. "Hold it off for just three breaths, and I'll have a solution!"
Lan Luo paused briefly, then responded with conviction, "Okay!"
"Prepare yourselves!" Xiao Xiaofan commanded. "Begin!"
Lan Luo and the others braced themselves and launched a desperate assault on the Black Rock Demon Bear!
The Healing Technique was unleashed!
Bathed in a radiant green glow, Lan Luo and the rest were astonished to feel their strength and wounds mend, and their speed indeed had surged!
Amazed by Xiao Xiaofan's mystical methods, they redoubled their offensive efforts!
Caught unawares, the Black Rock Demon Bear lashed out wildly in rage, but in doing so, it overlooked Xiao Xiaofan!
Ghost Steps, engage!
With a focused gaze, Xiao Xiaofan harnessed the combined speed from the Healing Technique and Ghost Steps to swiftly maneuver behind the Black Rock Demon Bear!
Two breaths had elapsed, and Lan Luo, along with the others, had sustained severe injuries in their relentless attack!
Just one breath away!
Despite their bodies nearly breaking down, they gritted their teeth and held on!
"Die!"
Xiaofan let out a furious roar as his sword, ablaze with golden light, plunged into the Black Rock Demon Bear's rear!
With a squelch, the blade sank in entirely, leaving only the hilt protruding!
The Black Rock Demon Bear shuddered in agony, its assault slowing down!
Lan Luo and the rest breathed a sigh of relief. They were in terrible shape; a moment later, and they would have been goners under the Black Rock Demon Bear's claws!
Xiaofan, however, remained vigilant. Seizing the moment, he kicked the sword's hilt forcefully and sprang back!
The sword buried itself completely in the bear's flesh. It let out a roar of defiance before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
