Hunters: The Prequel - Chapter 287

“Poisonous Earthworms are dangerous adversaries. They burrow into the ground and only reveal themselves when they ascertain their prey’s position. But they are only dangerous when you don’t know that they are coming. Since he knew that it was around, he could prepare for it. Sure it takes quite an amount of skill to concentrate on other beasts and remain alert for the earthworm’s sneak attack at the same time, but a genius with high intellect can pull it off. As a scout with immense knowledge, he knew that Poisonous Earthworms are blind, and use the vibrations to sense their prey.”

“So he used that to his advantage. He kept stomping to deceive the creature that he was a Magical Beast. After all, a human’s footsteps are light compared to that of a Magical Beast’s, which are heavy. By using light steps when he was underneath the mantis, he made the earthworm believe that he had revealed himself. So it surfaced and struck. But he was already gone, and it was the mantis that was sprayed with the corrosive venom. Unfortunately for it, the Steel Bodied Mantis has a strong exoskeleton. The corrosive poison only scrapped a part of the exoskeleton off. Although it was in pain, it wasn’t gravely injured. So it killed the earthworm in rage. And Samoa took advantage of its now exposed belly to kill it. The Red-nosed Dog also fell to his schemes and was killed by Rash Tiger. Basically, the boy used his intelligence and extensive knowledge to win the fight. He barely had to kill them on his own.”

Frowning Tiger had to give it to Samoa. He admired the way the boy – no, the young man – used everything and everyone to get what he wanted. He wanted to kill the dog, but he realised that he didn’t have the ability to kill it in a single blow. Although it wasn’t really his match, he didn’t want to waste energy and resources on it. After all, it wasn’t the only beast he had to face. Even if he survived after dealing with the three beasts, there were several other beasts that filled the battlefield, waiting to kill him. In war, it was vital to preserve one’s strength. So he used Rash Tiger to kill the Red-nosed Dog.

By applying his knowledge on how Poisonous Earthworms hunt, he was able to borrow the strength of its natural predator that it had teamed up with – the Steel Bodied Mantis – to kill it. Then taking advantage of the ‘hole’ that the Poisonous Earthworm had opened up on the Steel Bodied Mantis, Samoa was able to easily split it into two. The Steel Bodied Mantis was a powerful Middle Class Magical Beast. It had average attacking prowess, but its defense was so solid that many would rather not face off against it. However, it had one weakness – its joints, or rather its appendages.

Its joints were weaker than the rest of its body. So if one wanted to kill it, one had to slowly slice off all its limbs by taking advantage of the weaker joints and leave it defenseless. Then, one could bash its defenseless head open after multiple tries. But in a large battle like this, this method was time consuming and ineffective. Luckily, it was silly enough to team up with its natural enemy, the only Middle Class Magical Beast with a powerful poison that also possessed corrosive qualities. Although the Steel Bodied Mantis could resist the poison because it had evolved after hunting the Poisonous Earthworm for so long, its exoskeleton could still be breached.

“In the end, he didn’t have to resort to his own strength. He used his brain. That’s something Arthur lacks.”

Frowning Tiger thought as he sidestepped the attack of a Giant Mole and punched the creature’s head. The poor mole was sent tumbling into several other beasts, its head caved in and its brain destroyed. Frowning Tiger loved his student. Arthur was studious and talented, the pride of every teacher. But his lack of exposure to the world due to his father’s fear of losing him, made him lose out to Samoa in terms of wisdom and craftiness. Arthur was intelligent, but he wasn’t wise. If he was in Samoa’s shoes, he would have been able to clear the beasts, even if his strength was the same as Samoa’s. But he wouldn’t have done so as easily as Samoa made it seem. Samoa’s experience and wisdom made him a good talent.

“I have decided. If we both survive this, I would take him as my disciple.”

Frowning Tiger needed someone to tutor on matters other than intelligence. Governance and war strategies were also his fort. Arthur was too naïve for such topics. Someone like him wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure of politics. Since he didn’t know what kind of characters would be chosen as elders when Arthur was ready to be the Village Head, he had always been worried. What if selfish and greedy people appear and control the naïve boy? He had finally found a solution – a failsafe in case something like that did happen. Samoa was a close friend of Arthur, and would be more than happy to watch out for his friend. Frowning Tiger was going to help the boy raise his strength and teach him about governance at the same time.

Suddenly, three large Magical Beasts rose from the ground and surrounded Frowning Tiger. There were three large holes beneath them. They clearly burrowed their way into the battlefield.

“Large Ironclad Earthworms” Frowning Tiger recognized these creatures. In several parts of the battlefield, these holes appeared and these giant earthworms made their presence known. Their appearance was completely random, with no particular pattern or rhythm.

Large Ironclad Earthworms were a variant of Poisonous Earthworms. But unlike their defensively weak counterparts, Large Ironclad Earthworms possessed armor-like scales that covered their entire bodies, with the exception of their heads. They had a hole-like mouth filled with several large and sharp teeth, and possessed a strong suction power that could pull objects several meters away into their mouth. Fortunately, they weren’t poisonous creatures like the Poisonous Earthworms. If they were, they would be enough to threaten even Mythic Class Magical Beasts.

“This isn’t good,” Frowning Tiger had an ashen expression when he saw several other holes open up. They were larger and more numerous than the ones before. More Large Ironclad Earthworms appeared, and the battlefield become chaotic.

“Thrashers, on me. Animal Hunters and Fighters, retreat and provide support from afar,” Although he couldn’t give a rousing speech like Rash Tiger, as one who was a master of war and tactics, Frowning Tiger gave the right command. They were a bit lucky that many of the holes were opened up close to the frontlines, so it was easier for the Animal Hunters and Soldiers to retreat. They were useless against High Class Magical Beasts, and could only provide support in terms of arrows from behind.

“Samoa!” Frowning Tiger unconsciously let out a scream when he saw Samoa trying to evade the attacks of 4 Large Ironclad Earthworms. Frowning Tiger assessed Samoa’s capabilities and knew it was almost impossible for the boy to handle a Large Ironclad Earthworm on his own, much less evade the pursuit of four. These were beasts that were only slightly weaker than the Giant Black Mamba! Rash Tiger who was closer to Samoa had also noticed the boy’s predicament. But he was surrounded by at least 8 earthworms and knew there was no way he would be able to get there in time.

Frowning Tiger angrily slapped away a Large Ironclad Earthworm that overestimated itself and tried to devour him whole. In his haste, he didn’t even aim to kill. But his blow still dented the armor on the beast’s side, leaving it spamming on the ground. He sidestepped another earthworm and grabbed onto its rear end. Then he span it round and flung it towards Samoa.

An earthworm which was trying to devour Samoa was hit on the head by one of its own (the one that Frowning Tiger threw) and was sent flying. Due to Frowning Tiger’s great strength, its head was split open by the powerful scales of its counterpart when it crashed into it. And the earthworm that crashed into it didn’t get off lightly either. Its armor was broken in several places and it was bleeding from several parts of its body.

Samoa tried to evade an earthworm, but was unlucky. The giant creature jumped over him and landed before him. Then it struck him with its powerful body and sent him tumbling towards another earthworm. Frowning Tiger and Rash Tiger could only look on helplessly as the earthworm opened its huge mouth and prepared to swallow Samoa whole.

Samoa had a face full of despair. He didn’t want to die. No one did! He had so much he wanted to accomplish. How could he be satisfied dying to this disgusting creature? But what could he do. His blade had fallen onto the ground when the beast struck him, and he was unarmed. Plus he was midair and had no way to defend himself.

“I’m not willing!”

He screamed internally.

*Booom*

Along with the deafening sound of something getting struck, the scream of the earthworm filled Samoa’s ear.

Samoa landed onto the body of the earthworm that wanted to swallow him whole. He stood up quickly and jumped off. The beast was not breathing anymore and there was a red sword impaled into its side. Its armor that it was proud off had been easily pierced through, and it wasn’t alive anymore.