Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 125 Zero Breakthrough
Gnoll.

A low-level humanoid monster living on the continent of Ephra.

Unlike the green-skinned goblins, whose development history has been tortuous and whose entire racial characteristics have undergone earth-shaking changes, these ferocious beasts with hideous looks like upright wild dogs have clear and traceable origins.

The famous historian Zoltan, the "Peer of the Abyss", once elaborated on the origin of the gnolls in his book "The Hyena Dynasty: The Unrecorded Ancient Civilization of the Gnolls".

According to the records in the books, gnolls are not natural creatures that evolved in the material world. Their dirty blood, filled with evil and murderous intent, comes from the demon lord "Yenogu" [the bloodthirsty beast] on the 422nd layer of the "Abyss".

This powerful being, who is fourteen feet tall and takes pleasure in sowing despair and fear, desires to transform the main material world into his own livestock farm. He once caused a bloody storm on the ancient continent of Ephra.

Although he was finally banished back to the Abyss, he also left behind the evil seeds of massacre when he wreaked havoc on the continent.

A group of hyenas that were conquered by its power and voluntarily followed in its footsteps were transformed into the current gnolls. After it left the material world, it gradually multiplied and grew, becoming a common low-level monster on the continent.

Normally speaking, as descendants of the abyss who inherited the bloodline of the demon lord, the gnolls should have stronger combat power and higher IQ.

But perhaps this is the price they pay for their rapid expansion in numbers in a short period of time, the strength of these upright hyenas is far less powerful than the imagined "Sons of the Devil".

The average challenge level of an average adult individual is only about "1/2".

In contrast, a common green-skinned goblin has a challenge level of "1/4".

Strong, but limited.

Of course, in the real world, if a country woman faces an ordinary goblin alone, she can easily drive it away with a pitchfork.

It is not so easy for ordinary people to deal with werewolves whose challenge level is twice theirs.

It requires an experienced hunter or a well-equipped guard to handle it safely.

A long time ago, goblins had not yet acquired the exaggerated reproductive ability like fungi and insects, and were still able to let their own will override their body's instinctive desires.

The gnolls are the most disgusting and hated existences by all intelligent creatures on the continent of Ephra.

The most evil demon blood from the Abyss makes these dogs naturally full of malice towards all living beings, including their own kind.

Not just to fill their stomachs or plunder wealth, most of the time, gnolls attack other creatures just because of their evil instincts.

Regardless of gender, age or status, they wantonly slaughtered all intelligent creatures weaker than themselves within their field of vision, burned granaries, demolished buildings, and polluted the land...

Continuing the will of their priests, they seemed to be born to transform the material world into a cradle for breeding and reproduction of gnolls.

The "evil and chaotic" nature has almost reached the very edge of the camp's nine-square grid.

They are insidious, cunning and fickle. Even the most savvy human businessmen rarely trade with them.

After all, who can guarantee that after receiving the goods, the other party will not change their mind and treat you as today's dinner just because you did not take a shower yesterday and you smell bad.

According to rumors spread by some tavern adventurers, the personalities of these hyenas have become so distorted that if they are without enemies or targets for a long time, they will become "too comfortable" and start fighting and biting each other within the group without any trigger.

The Misty Forest is vast and boundless, with extremely high concentrations of magic particles in the air, and countless beasts and monsters living and inhabiting it.

Of course there are gnolls as well, but their numbers are far less than those of goblins, and not enough to form a large-scale tribe.

Over the years, adventurers who have made a living there have always encountered a few of them.

However, most of them are not threatening, and even if there are casualties, they are just regarded as normal losses during the adventure.

Until recently, a group of gnoll tribes from the wasteland, led by an elite individual, attacked several towns near River Valley Town and even made it onto the association's bounty mission board.

The jackal talent has become a hot topic in the tavern again.

Of course, it was soon overshadowed by "Hunting Day".

At present, the bodies of adventurers are encountered one after another during the mission, and based on the remaining traces on the bodies, it is determined that the attackers are the Green Blood Squad of the Jackals.

Even if they thought the chances were small, they had to consider the possibility that they were encountering this group of gnolls.

A familiar friend died tragically before my eyes and suffered inhuman torture before his death. The corpse he left behind was horrible to look at.

There was no sadness on Adeline's face, or even any obvious emotion.

It's just that the speaking speed and movements are faster.

After realizing the enemy the team might have to face, they didn't even have time to collect George's body, leaving it lying there.

He then called upon everyone in the team to leave as soon as possible.

It was just unfortunate that before they found the body, the sky had already gradually darkened, so they planned to set up camp nearby.

If there is any further delay, the already limited time will seem even more rushed.

The danger level in the misty forest at night is almost several times that in the daytime.

Traveling at night is undoubtedly seeking death.

Therefore, the Green Blood Team only had time to find a flat area with a relatively wide view as far away from where the body was found as possible and set up camp for the night.

"call……"

Sparks ignited the silk, and white smoke rose from the palm of my hand.

Abby held the fire in both hands, concentrating on blowing the air gently to make the smoke in his palms thicker, while carefully approaching the pile of firewood that had been prepared on the ground in front of him.

Carefully and cautiously place the flaming fire into it.

hula-

The tiny flame quickly grew and surged as it swayed, turning into a large ball of orange-red flame that swallowed up the surrounding firewood.

The drowsiness in the air was instantly dispelled, and the bright flames, carrying warm heat, quickly spread throughout the camp.

Abhi was immediately relieved.

The fear in his heart caused by seeing the tragic state of the corpse was also reduced a little.

Beside him, around the campfire, Xia Nan had already laid out the sleeping bags and blankets for rest and completed his task.

Adeline and Berg were busy setting up warning traps near the camp.

The traces of the gnolls just discovered made the entire team pay special attention.

The number of traps set was almost twice as much as usual.

Therefore, it takes extra time.

Until it was completely dark, and it was pitch black outside the range of the campfire.

The two of them came back from the left and right sides of the camp, one in front and one behind.

Sitting around the campfire.

silence.

The atmosphere is much cooler than when we arrived.

As for why...

During the day, Berg complained about Adeline on the one hand, but the more important thing was, of course, those ferocious gnolls who had just slaughtered an entire team of adventurers and might launch a surprise attack on them at any time.

At this time, the team still had nearly three days to go before leaving the forest, which meant that they had to survive at least two dangerous nights in the misty forest.

Hidden in the depths of the deep darkness, the danger seemed to be there and not there, as if it could come in the next second, forcing Adeline and others to stay focused and vigilant at all times.

Extremely stressful.

This is also the reason why many adventurers, even if no additional battle occurred during the entire mission, still feel physically and mentally exhausted after returning to River Valley Town, and have to rest for many days before they can barely recover.

It takes too much mental effort!

Xia Nan even felt that he was the most energetic one in the entire team.

"Maybe it's because I've been a lone wolf for too long and I've become a little numb. Now that I have teammates to help me keep watch, it actually saves me a lot of effort?"

He thought so in his heart.

The atmosphere is still dull.

Abby seemed to want to liven up the conversation a bit, but as a newcomer, he was probably worried that he wouldn't be able to strike the right balance, so he just made a few witty remarks, and when he saw that no one reacted, he shut up again.

Xia Nan himself is not of this kind of personality. He has long been accustomed to being alone and enjoys quietness.

The flame flickered and time passed quietly in the solidified air.

After dozens of minutes, several people roasted by the fire and quickly filled their stomachs.

The vigil had already been arranged.

Shanan and Berg were on duty for the first half of the night, while Adeline and Abby were in charge of the remaining most dangerous early morning hours.

Although there was no battle throughout the day, they had experienced a lot of things and everyone in the team was exhausted. After dinner, the two who were guarding the second half of the night went to bed early.

For a moment, Shanan and Berg were the only ones left with their eyes open by the fire.

Xia Nan, as usual, found a thick tree trunk, sat cross-legged with his back against it, placed the beheading sword across his knees, and wiped it with gauze, taking good care of it.

Berg, on the other hand, no longer had the relaxed attitude of a "veteran" as usual.

His expression and movements showed obvious uneasiness.

He held the longbow tightly in his arms, his legs shaking anxiously, and his eyes occasionally glanced towards the dark bushes surrounding the camp.

It's like a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Even after checking many times, he is still worried that some trap is not set properly. What if the werewolves sneak in through this loophole?
He stood up and wanted to go over and check again, but the vague outlines of the bushes in the darkness made him hesitate.

Xia Nan glanced at the other person and shook his head slightly.

Then he looked away again.

The night is long. Although we are on guard, it is impossible to just stare at the campfire for most of the night.

Got to find something to do.

……

……

"Bang, bang, bang."

Dull footsteps sounded from above, and faint light seeped through the gap in the cellar door, illuminating the dust floating in the air.

Huddled in the corner, trembling, not daring to move.

My heart was beating so violently that I could even hear the roar of blood rushing, but I tried my best to hold back my breathing.

The footsteps suddenly stopped.

The huge shadow blocked out the only source of light above, leaving the entire cellar in darkness.

I held my breath, a thick fear hovering like a shadow deep in my heart.

"what!!!"

The man's roar suddenly sounded.

There was no sense of relief at all for being saved in my heart, only a deeper despair.

"Don't! Don't!"

She shouted in her heart countless times, but she couldn't control her body.

Then, there was that shrill whistling sound like a baby crying.

boom--

The dull sound of flesh colliding.

The man's roar stopped abruptly.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she finally mustered up the courage, pushed open the cellar door, and stuck her head out to look outside.

What comes into view,
All that was left was a bloody body on the ground.

And outside the door, there was a burly figure that looked like an upright bear, with brown-red hair on its back, surrounded by countless green-skinned goblins, gradually moving away.

"Crack!"

Sparks fly.

Adeline opened her eyes suddenly.

He was breathing heavily, and the clothes on his back were already soaked with sweat.

At the side, Xia Nan looked at her strangely, and his mind couldn't help but recall the scene where the other party's breathing suddenly became rapid and he muttered inaudible words.

"Having a nightmare?"

He was surprised, but didn't think much about it.

It was almost the second half of the night, so it was just the right time for her to wake up. I didn't have to wake her up myself.

The attention returns to the present.

On the grass in front of him, there was an inconspicuous leaf with yellowing edges.

It seems to be no different from the fallen leaves that can be found everywhere in the woods.

But if you look closely, you can find that there is some black soil at both ends of the fallen leaf.

Added weight.

Even if there is a light breeze blowing through the forest, the leaves will not flutter.

Xia Nan leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the leaves on the ground in front of him, concentrating completely.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Faintly, he seemed to feel the invisible ripples lingering and spreading around the leaves like a stream of water.

Imagine that there is an invisible hand, gently and slowly reaching into it.

Move slightly.

"Sha..."

There was an extremely subtle sound in the air, the sound of soil rubbing against leaves.

There was clearly no contact and no obvious airflow.

The leaf seemed to be supported by some invisible force.

As if it fell from the treetops.

reverse.

A little bit, upwards.

And suddenly fell down again!
Xia Nan suddenly became deflated, and his body, which was originally leaning forward, leaned backwards against the tree trunk.

There was a faint sense of joy in my heart.

“Finally, there is some progress!”

After so many days of persistent training, he finally made some progress in the [Gravity Compression] from the Wild Mage's notes.

Although I can still only barely float the leaves, at least it is no longer like before where I could practice for a whole day without seeing any results.

This also proves that my practice method is effective!

From leaves, to stones, to branches...

If you keep practicing like this, sooner or later, this "quasi-spell" that does not require a magic net will be able to reach the level where it can be used in actual combat.

It can even become one with itself, and appear on the attribute panel in the form of "combat skills" or "specialty skills".

The [Gravity Solidification Pressure] that had finally achieved a "zero" breakthrough made him inevitably look forward to it.

On the other hand, it was also an unexpected gain.

In the process of concentrating attention for a long time and mobilizing mental strength.

Xia Nan felt that his mental power, or his ability to perceive the things around him, had also been improved invisibly.

Although it has not yet reached the level of being able to change its own panel attributes, compared to before...

"Ok?"

My thoughts suddenly stopped.

Under the puzzled looks of Adeline and Berg, he stood up suddenly and looked towards the dense forest to the north of the camp.

And just two seconds after he suddenly stood up.

“Ding bang!!”

It was the piercing noise of a trap being triggered.

(End of this chapter)