Chapter 948: Chapter 473: Breakthrough! (Part 2)

But even when faced with such unforeseen encounters during missions, without any prior preparation, she could still leverage the convenience brought by her casting attributes to provide sufficient support to her teammates as a Core Controller.

Buzz——

A green-blue glow fell onto the muddy ground.

Unlike the previous 1st Ring "Entanglement Technique", the plants growing from below turned from ordinary aquatic vines into tougher, thorny, and troublesome thorns.

Even the effective range of the spell expanded significantly, stretching from a small area under the enemy’s feet to the entire open space between the Shark Beast and the barbarian.

Realizing that the sharpness of the thorns was not enough to inflict significant damage on the Shark Beast’s thick, tough shark skin, she knew that charging at it would quickly be shaken off.

Hai Yin, experienced in battle, chose to trade "quantity" for "mass", placing as many thorns as possible in the enemy’s path to slow its speed.

Effective!

The massive Shark Beast, entangled by thorns, was like walking through dense woodland shrubs, with every step covered by numerous tenacious thorns climbing up.

Perhaps its outstanding physical attributes allowed these thorns to break as soon as they wrapped around it, but with each accumulated step, the Shark Beast’s speed gradually slowed.

Buying time for the barbarian Akken, who was getting up from the ground ahead, and for Xia Nan, who came to support from the side.

Roar——

A familiar, deep wolf howl suddenly sounded from behind the head.

As anger that had been suppressed in the heart rose again, the Shark Beast abruptly stopped amid the thorn entanglement, twisted its body, and swung its right arm, tearing through the air towards its rear.

A faint pain felt on the back, evidently another wound carved by a sword blade.

Yet there was no sensation on the swinging arm of hitting any solid object.

Hit and retreat instantly!

To maximize his speed and agility, Xia Nan didn’t even use the potentially damaging [Gravity Etching], instead harassing the enemy purely through distraction.

Causing the Shark Beast’s lunge to halt and slow.

Also allowing the barbarian Akken, who was knocked to the ground by the shockwave, finally to get up.

"Attack the human embodiment on its body!"

Fast retreating while evading the Shark Beast’s pursuit, Xia Nan, surrounded by dark gusts of wind, shouted to the others.

In reality, after this encounter, the experienced Lorin and others further discerned the danger posed by the human embodiment, quietly shifting their attack target to the human body fused in the Shark Beast’s torso.

"Shhh——"

Following Xia Nan was the sudden rise of dazzling flames from beside the Shark Beast.

The [Scale Fire Saber] enveloped in orange-red flames swung through the air at a speed hard for the human eye to catch, leaving radiant flame streams around the feminine captain’s body, as if her whole figure was engulfed by fire.

[Whirlwind Blade Cage Dance], from the [Scimitar Master] profession, a battle skill similarly trained to Master Level.

While possessing certain killing ability, it’s usually used to block liquid or arrow type of ranged attacks.

In the current situation, using this more defense-focused technique is arguably questionable.

But Lorin evidently had her own ideas.

At the moment, augmented by the flame attached to the [Scale Fire Saber], the added menace not only dimmed the opponent’s attention but also acted as a distraction.

Prompting the Shark Beast, which attempted to pursue Xia Nan, to be immediately drawn by the flames.

Not dodging or defending, but instead audaciously relying on its colossal strength and meeting force with a punch.

Evidently prepared.

In the moment the Shark Beast raised its right arm, muscle contracting and expanding to store strength.

The saber’s sharp flaming stream in front of it suddenly contracted along!

Lorin quickly stepped back, jumping away from her original spot.

Without needing direct verbal communication, just through a few glances, years of accumulated tacit understanding allowed her and her teammates to complete communication.

As the battlefield situation shifted, from the original main offensive role causing damage to a strategy role creating output space for her teammates.

Taking advantage of the flame dazzle, drawing the enemy’s attention, the lynx-like spotted cat race Sasha, sprawled like a beast, had stealthily crept into the side-rear blind spot of the Shark Beast’s sight.

Seizing the chance during its force preparing to punch, the full power of the Level 4 [Ranger] burst out in an instant.

The wind-enveloped paw pads gracefully traversed the muddy ground, while the long tail swayed behind maintaining body balance, the half-human half-cat figure leaping forth.

Reversed dual swords covered in scorching fire light.

[Blazing Flame Slash]!

A rare casting battle skill from the Ranger profession, enhancing attack damage, while also adding flame injury to the weapon.

Amidst the dispersing flow of flame, the sharp blade aimed directly at the human embodiment of the Shark Beast!

Though it was called a blind spot, in reality, it was unknown if intentional or an oversight, Sasha only bypassed the vision of the Shark Beast itself, but didn’t escape the view of the human emerging from its side chest.

Realizing the danger, the distorted face with blood tears raised again, mouth agape, aimed at the direction of the spotted cat race.

"Huh-ohh!"

The concentrated violent soundwave rolled out from its mouth, with immense attack power leaving deep trenches in the soft muddy ground along the way.