Chapter 359: Chapter 359
A circular halo appeared behind Julia, and two ribbons shot out from it. They smashed into the falling object like iron fists, sending it crashing into a nearby tree trunk before it slid down.
The group immediately dispersed.
Although they scattered, their formation remained largely intact. Pororo and Chadite each moved to a position directly facing one of the two monsters.
Only then did everyone get a clear look at the two monsters.
They were desiccated and decayed humans, resembling zombie-like creatures, their skin mostly tattered. Parts of their skin had been replaced with something akin to metal fragments, which were fused to their flesh and blood. They looked exceedingly bizarre.
Their decaying, greenish flesh exuded a fetid stench, and the metal fragments were stained with unidentifiable filth. It was an even more nauseating sight.
One of the monsters had an entirely metallic arm, which featured structures resembling floating stones. Decaying pus and blood stained it.
This was some sort of Spell construct. Alka had seen similar things before. Andre’s severed arm had been a similar construct, though the differences between the two were quite significant.
"Undead?" Chadite asked uncertainly.
The two monsters truly resembled zombie-like creatures. However, their bodies were decayed, their skin was damaged, and metallic and mechanical structures were fused to them.
A dull report sounded as Jason became the first to pull the trigger, firing a test shot. The metal projectile swiftly struck one of the zombie’s heads, instantly piercing a small hole and passing completely through it. A blackish-yellow and green liquid oozed from the hole, covering its tattered, sinister face.
Seeing this, Alka wasted no more time and shouted, "Attack!"
Then he pulled the Locking Device from its holster on his thigh and pulled the trigger. Alka’s primary attack methods were his Silver Coin and Red Card, but they weren’t well-suited for use in such a dense forest. Therefore, he opted for the rarely used gun holstered on his thigh.
A blade-like attack formed of pure Coldness shot out, striking the monster’s arm an instant before the bullet. Filthy, turbid Magic Power flared from the monster’s hand, blocking the blade of Coldness, while Alka’s bullet was deflected by the creature’s metal arm.
Chadite had already charged in front of the monster, his silver iron fist swinging out forcefully. His fist directly penetrated the filthy Magic Power, and the impact forced the monster to stumble back repeatedly. It was a Magic Power explosion technique that delivered force indirectly, similar to the principle of ’striking the bull through the mountain.’ Alka had first seen Andre use such a technique.
The other zombie had already been torn into several pieces by Pororo, who had charged ahead. Filthy liquid and chunks of flesh splattered everywhere. This one was much weaker than the one Alka and the others faced; it hadn’t even lasted a single round.
The monster with the metal arm was possibly at the Four Spirals Level, while the one Pororo faced was likely only at the Two Spirals Level.
Seeing that Pororo had already destroyed his target, Jason quickly reassessed the situation. He holstered his Emerald Shooter and, raising his left hand, fired an Ice Bullet from his glove. The Ice Bullet shot past the others and accurately struck the monster’s lower body, instantly freezing its legs in place.
"ROAR!" The zombie-like monster roared. A silver card flashed through the air and was stuffed into its open mouth. The sharp edge of the card sliced off half its head from the jaw upwards, leaving the chin nearly detached, hanging by a mere shred of skin.
Before Chadite could launch a second attack, a crimson spike pierced through the monster’s entire chest and was then thrust upwards. The attack sliced it open from mid-torso to head. Its lower body remained frozen in place, while its upper half split apart, dangling to either side.
The attacker was Lucilia, who had emerged from the shadows behind the monster. At this point, her needle-like weapon, now wreathed in crimson Energy, sprayed more Energy from its tip, forming an Energy Blade far longer than her own body.
This attack had clearly dealt a fatal wound. A large amount of fetid pus gushed from the monster’s corpse.
A faint singing drifted through the air, and a peculiar Magic Power enveloped them all in a transparent, pale green shield.
"It can defend against external viruses and filter harmful airborne substances."
Hearing this, everyone nodded. They had been worried that the pus gushing from the monster might be toxic or contagious. Julia had been very thorough.
Alka was the first to walk over. The blackish, ink-green pus had already reached his feet. Alka couldn’t help but squat down for a closer look. Frowning, he picked up a nearby branch and poked at the substance twice. The pus was exceptionally viscous, even forming strands that clung to the branch as he pulled it away.
"This isn’t blood, is it? It’s more like melted flesh mixed with some kind of oily substance."
Compared to blood or pus, this seems more like some kind of oil, Alka thought. Perhaps it’s mixed with blood or pus, which would explain its foul appearance.
Ignoring the oozing substance, Alka moved beside the corpse. The ice that had frozen its lower half had now melted away as the Magic Power sustaining it dissipated. The source of thɪs content is n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
The entire corpse lay on the ground, its upper half split in two, clearly exposing its internal tissues.