Free Web NovelChapter 67: Chapter 66: Dividing into Small Squads
From his high vantage point overlooking the battlefield, Li Ziyu finally got a clear look at the Bear Goblins. These creatures were tall—a full two meters—with dark green skin. They had potbellies just like other goblins, but the difference was that the Bear Goblins looked far more robust.
It was the difference between being flabby and being dense. A normal goblin was flabby, its flesh loose and sagging, giving no sense of power. A Bear Goblin, however, was dense; its flesh was taut, like a swollen muscle man.
Their eyes were smaller than a normal goblin’s, like two round, yellow buttons. Their noses were flat, not like the usual large, hooked noses. At first glance, they really did look a bit like bears.
Like a column of tanks, these creatures charged recklessly into the horde of Undead. Swinging their thick wooden clubs, they smashed everything in their path. They didn’t need to pick a specific target; they were surrounded by Undead, and a single swing could wipe out a huge swathe of them.
With the Bear Goblins clearing a path at the front, the common goblins behind them grew bold, following their larger brethren into the throng of Undead.
’What was this?’
’This was the power of a role model!’
’Unfortunately, I don’t like this kind of role model. Skeleton Warriors, move out!’
Ten High Level Skeleton Warriors, leading twenty Intermediate Skeleton Warriors and forty Low Level Skeleton Warriors, departed the main tower and charged onto the battlefield.
Li Ziyu had a limited number of Skeleton Warriors, so he hadn’t committed them at the start of the battle. Instead, he saved them to be used as an elite kill squad, specifically for dealing with tough opponents.
Goblins, by nature, were bullies to the weak and cowards to the strong. They liked to mob up, and the larger their numbers, the more brazen they became—textbook thugs. But the Bear Goblins were a breed apart.
Their mindset was different from that of a normal goblin; they were more like explorers. They would intentionally leave the group and strike out into the world, accumulating experience in adventuring and combat to make themselves stronger. This Trait would flip some kind of switch within them, causing them to mutate and eventually grow into Bear Goblins—a form completely different from other goblins.
Every Bear Goblin that survived possessed combat prowess far exceeding that of other goblins. The Skeleton Undead couldn’t just bury them under a tide of bodies—at least, not quickly. These creatures were no weaker than the Demonized Minotaurs, and they were even accompanied by a pack of rowdy, common goblins.
After leaving the fortress, the Skeleton Warriors, without a single command from Li Ziyu, autonomously split into ten squads. Each was led by a High Level Skeleton Warrior, flanked by two Intermediate Skeleton Warriors and supported by four Low Level Skeleton Warriors, as they advanced on the Bear Goblins.
’Weak. So weak! These bones shatter with a single blow!’
The club-wielding Bear Goblin roared, inwardly smug. ’This is Power! The very fear I felt after leaving the safety of the horde has become the source of my strength.’
Looking at the skeletons that suicidally swarmed toward it again, it swung its club, intending to shatter the fragile things just as it had before.
THUD!
This time, it didn’t go as planned. The wooden club was blocked, striking squarely against a small Round Shield. The Undead holding the shield buckled slightly at the knees from the immense force. Only then did the Bear Goblin notice several different-looking Skeletons before it.
These Skeletons wielded sabers and shields. Some wore helmets, and the one at the very front was even clad in Armor, looking quite formidable.
The Bear Goblin retracted its wooden club, then immediately swung it again, sending the Intermediate Skeleton Warrior that had blocked it flying, crashing into the horde of Undead.
With a CLATTER of bones, the Intermediate Skeleton Warrior stood up again as if unharmed and walked right back in front of it.
Looking at these strange Skeletons, the Bear Goblin felt a chill—the innate fear of a superior foe. But the feeling didn’t make it retreat. Instead, its eyes glinted menacingly. It had felt this many times during its solitary adventures; it knew this feeling all too well.
’If I run from this fear, I’ll die. Only by facing it head-on can I grow stronger!’
"RAAAGH!"
The Bear Goblin roared at the sky and swung its club with all its might at the High Level Skeleton Warrior in front. The force behind this blow was far greater than before. It was confident it could smash the Skeleton to pieces with one strike.
THOOOM—
With a muffled CRACK, the wooden club smashed against the Round Shield, sending wood splinters flying. Spiderweb cracks spread across the small, bone Round Shield. The High Level Skeleton Warrior holding the Shield wasn’t shattered into fragments as the Bear Goblin expected. It remained standing firm, having weathered the full force of the blow.
As the Bear Goblin launched its attack, the other Skeleton Warriors struck. Seizing the opening, they surged forward, their Bone Sabers leaving several gashes on the Bear Goblin’s body.
The Bear Goblin was large and powerfully built. Its attacks were heavy and forceful, but it lacked Speed. The gashes stung with pain, and it roared at the Skeleton Warriors.
’Normal attacks aren’t very effective.’
That last attack was merely a probe. Such a Combat Technique was unheard of for the Undead. The typical Undead combat style was a reckless, suicidal charge. They didn’t care what they were up against; they’d just attack with everything they had. Probing was out of the question—the only option was to go all-in.
Even the Low Level Skeleton Warriors fought this way, though their methods were more refined than those of the common Skeleton Undead.
But with a High Level Skeleton Warrior leading them, their attack patterns changed. It was as if they had brains and could think, no longer just charging blindly, but employing actual Combat Techniques. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Simple information passed rapidly between the Skeleton Warriors, a communication of souls. The High Level Skeleton Warrior raised its Shield and advanced toward the Bear Goblin.
’You still dare to come at me?!’
The Bear Goblin was enraged, swinging its wooden club again and again. Wood splinters and fragments of the Bone Shield flew everywhere. The High Level Skeleton Warrior held its ground in a firm stance, but the force of the blows sent it sliding backward.
’Taunt successful. Attack!’
It was just like a boss fight: once the tank had secured aggro, the DPS classes could unleash hell. The two Intermediate Skeleton Warriors and four Low Level Skeleton Warriors once again launched an attack on the Bear Goblin.
The four Low Level Skeleton Warriors targeted the Bear Goblin’s calves, while the two Intermediate Skeleton Warriors aimed for its ribs.
By the time the Bear Goblin realized something was amiss, it was too late to dodge. Sharp pain erupted in its legs and ribs. It hastily swung its club at the enemies who had dared to harm it, but it smashed only empty air. They had already moved, hitting and running without giving it any chance to counterattack.
’During the probing attack, the Skeleton Warriors discovered that slashing this big guy with their sabers was ineffective, leaving only superficial wounds. So this time, they stabbed. The effect was quite good. Except... in their haste to dodge the counterattack, four of them left their sabers stuck in the beast...’
The High Level Skeleton Warrior extended its Bone Saber and pointed it at the Bear Goblin in a clear taunt. If it could speak, it would probably be saying something like, ’Come at me.’
The Bear Goblin apparently thought the same, because it charged. What it didn’t expect was that the High Level Skeleton Warrior wasn’t just saying "Come at me" to the goblin; it was also saying "Get him!" to its teammates.
And so, as the Bear Goblin charged the High Level Skeleton Warrior, it was met head-on by the other six Skeleton Warriors charging right back at it.
