Chapter 29: Unstoppable

When we returned to the Valley of the Kodo Beasts, less than three hours remained until dawn.

White Valentine, Big Bear, and the Sage of Poetry all knew: once dawn broke and the flood of newcomers arrived, no matter how many Kodo beasts there were, even two level 7 players would struggle to compete for experience points. The three coordinated seamlessly, swiftly carving a bloody path through the dense throng of Kodo beasts.

We—the weaker members—trailed behind them, and for the first time, I had the chance to admire Little Ai the Fox Girl up close.

Her face was angelic, her figure devilishly alluring, her fox-like charm irresistible, yet she still exuded the innocence of a young girl. All these qualities found perfect expression in her petite form, making anyone who saw her instinctively want to protect and cherish her.

Even I was moved by this feeling, but I quickly glanced at the Sage of Poetry and Big Bear ahead and forced myself to look away from Little Ai’s swaying tail.

...

As we pressed forward, the young and small Kodo beasts disappeared, replaced by more and more Kodo beasts reflecting a greenish glow within the magical firelight.

These were the level 4 Green Kodo Beasts, only slightly higher in level than the Fat Kodo Beasts. According to Black Tea, Green Kodo Beasts were particularly troublesome for newcomers—not only did they possess greater defense and attack than the Fat Kodo Beasts, but they also had a ranged attack ability uncommon among weaker magical beasts.

Within this valley, even the three warriors would not feel threatened by the level 7 Silver Kodo Beasts, but the sheer number of Green Kodo Beasts posed a real problem.

This was because Green Kodo Beasts harbored a mild toxin in their bodies. Their attacks, their saliva—all inflicted a poisonous effect that lingered for three seconds, while also inflicting a brief period of weakness upon their targets: a 20% reduction in defense, attack, and speed.

For newcomers, being surrounded by Green Kodo Beasts meant certain death—whether by their own hands or by another’s.

Thus, whenever a Green Kodo Beast pressed in from any side, White Valentine, Big Bear, or the Sage of Poetry would immediately spring into action to resolve the crisis. Yet as the number of Green Kodo Beasts swelled, it became clear that even the three of them were beginning to struggle.

“Wife, it’s all yours now!”

With a decisive shout from White Valentine, Black Tea—who had long been prepared—summoned the Armor of Frost: a suit of sturdy white ice. Clad in this icy armor, Black Tea moved to White Valentine’s side and quickly closed her eyes...

Three seconds later, her magical robe rippled, though there was no wind.

“Frost!”

With the resolute utterance of that word, a wave of biting cold swept out in all directions...

Under its chilling influence, even the magical fire shrank and flickered in protest.

In the dimmed light, within a radius of ten meters, dozens of Green Kodo Beasts poised to attack were frozen in place on the spot—this tier-two “Frost” spell was more than enough to trap such low-level magical beasts, leaving none untouched.

“We have five seconds!” Black Tea called out quickly.

“That’s enough!”

White Valentine and Big Bear struck simultaneously, felling the Green Kodo Beasts before them in an instant. “Let’s go!”

With no more obstacles, the three warriors charged forward like tigers among sheep, carving a fresh path through the frozen Green Kodo Beasts and soon breaking into the territory of the Adult Kodo Beasts and Stone Kodo Beasts.

“If we go any further, we’ll be in the domain of the Stone Kodo Beasts and Silver Kodo Beasts. Let’s stop here,” White Valentine said, glancing back at me and Little Ai.

I nodded. “Agreed. Let’s get some practice with the Adult Kodo Beasts first.” After that journey through Green and Stone Kodo Beasts, any arrogance or greed I’d felt before had vanished.

The Adult Kodo Beasts, as large as leopards, were clearly a league above the Fat Kodo Beasts. Not only were they more agile, but their pouncing speed was much faster.

Even more daunting were the lumbering, gray Stone Kodo Beasts—the blows from three warriors struck them like fists on a boulder, producing only muffled thuds while the beasts themselves seemed undeterred. Even the “Bronze Lion Warrior,” the Sage of Poetry, who was famed for his strength talent, had to land four consecutive normal attacks to bring one down.

White Valentine, recognizing the formidable strength of the Stone Kodo Beasts, suggested we settle nearby—especially since neither the Scavenger Qilin nor Little Ai would be able to handle them.

Little Ai, well equipped but never overreaching, nodded in agreement.

“By the way, there’s a spot in the valley—a spawning point for three Adult Kodo Beasts. Should we go there?” For the first time, I heard Little Ai speak. Her voice was sweet and clear.

“That’s right!” White Valentine slapped his forehead in delight. “Now that you mention it, I remember too! That spot is shaped like a gourd—perfect for us to set up. Two can hold the beasts outside while one helps clear them inside... Let’s look for it, it should be close by!”

“No need to look—it’s right over there.” Little Ai pointed, and the three warriors immediately charged in the direction she indicated, cutting down everything in their path.

...

With a mighty shout from Big Bear, the twin silver-glinting warhammers were raised high. “Bear’s Earth Strike!!”

The silver-white hammers crashed down!

Boom! The ground trembled, and in an instant, an invisible shockwave surged forward, spreading into the gourd-shaped corner ahead. Within a radius of five meters, over a dozen Adult Kodo Beasts, startled and roaring in panic, were flung away by the tremendous force, chaos overtaking the scene.

Before the system’s feedback could catch up, a powerful shout rang out:

“Violet Aura Slash!” A dazzling crescent of violet sword energy burst from White Valentine’s pursuing form, felling a line of Adult Kodo Beasts in midair.

Last to strike was the Bronze Lion Swordsman—the Sage of Poetry. After White Valentine’s attack, he leapt over his comrade, brandishing his bronze greatsword with the ferocity unique to the lion clan, wading into the remaining Adult Kodo Beasts...

In less than fifteen seconds, the spawning point for the three Adult Kodo Beasts fell easily to White Valentine’s trio! As the rest of the Kodo Beasts quickly rallied to surround us, White Valentine called out urgently:

“Big Bear, hold the beasts! Sage of Poetry, stay inside and help out.”

“Got it!” The Sage of Poetry cleaved down the last Adult Kodo Beast with all his might... and so, this not-so-spacious corner was finally secured.