Goblin Dependency-Chapter 223 - 126 Agility +1

Unlike the green-skinned goblins driven purely by desire and instinct, barely qualifying as "intelligent creatures."

The gnolls, whether in terms of individual average combat strength or intelligence, are a cut above.

Though likewise affected by demon blood, making them savage and hostile to humans, they are much more agile in combat.

At least they know to have individuals adept at ranged attacks hide within the forest to await their chance once the battle starts, rather than rushing forward like goblins.

However... that’s all there is to say about them.

Gnolls know how to bypass traps and launch surprise attacks while adventurers rest during the dead of night; they can also employ some effective but rudimentary primary tactics.

Yet when the battle truly begins, faced with "weak" prey clearly outnumbered, these simple-minded, savage hyenas discard all plans and preparation.

Including that elite individual "Carnivore," larger by several circles compared to its kind, recklessly charging toward the Green Blood Team, using all four limbs.

This gave Xia Nan the opportunity to slip in from behind.

Gripping the sword handle tightly with both hands, the blade tilted slightly upward, maintaining the optimal posture for mobile force application.

With a stride, he broke away from the team’s original formation, heading to the side of the battlefield.

On open terrain with no cover, his actions naturally exposed him in the gnolls’ eyes.

Perhaps thinking he intended to flee, one of the five gnolls rapidly approaching also broke away from the main group with a low howl.

Xia Nan’s steps didn’t falter.

Keeping his body tense, ready to exert force to dodge arrows from the forest, he was also prepared to use battle skills and weapon advantages to first take down one of the pursuing gnolls.

Unexpectedly, a sudden "whizz" exploded behind him.

A wooden arrow spun through the air, passing by him, straight into the wolf pack.

It pierced the thigh of the gnoll that had temporarily changed targets and was pursuing Xia Nan.

This was support from Berg at the very back of the team.

Retreating to the back of the battlefield, shooting while moving, meant the arrow didn’t carry full force, only precision.

Yet it perfectly accomplished its goal.

—To draw anger.

That gnoll, having already left the main group to approach Xia Nan, instantly shifted its focus back due to this arrow.

No longer concerning itself with Xia Nan on the side, it locked onto Berg, who was also moving away from the battlefield, "apparently fleeing."

"Good shot!" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Though Berg’s performance on the road these past few days had been slightly lacking, once he regained his form, the rich combat experience of a seasoned adventurer allowed him to display excellent combat maturity and judgment.

He didn’t even need Xia Nan to speak up; merely observing the action guessed Xia Nan’s intentions and proactively shot the arrow to assist.

Not wasting the opportunity his teammate had secured for him.

While moving rapidly, Xia Nan also carefully observed the dense forest ahead closing in.

The shadow lurking in the dark had somehow vanished.

Seemingly sensing his intention, it chose to evade and relocate.

There was no panic in his heart.

With heightened concentration, the slowly enhanced perception ability acquired through recent spiritual power training came into effect.

"Sasha..."

Grass and trees swaying, a faint yet clear noise came from the lush shrubs not far from his left hand.

His head instinctively turned, catching a fleeting glimpse of tawny fur at the edge of his vision.

"Found you."

His form halted in an instant, driving inertial body movements, muscles swelled with force, the originally light-stepping right leg seemed to slowly land on the ground.

Bang—

Mud stars splashed, a deep footprint suddenly appeared on the ground.

Above it, however, the silhouette had vanished in an instant.

In its place, was the bright howl of compressed air like a wolf cry, accompanied by swirling leaves and grass roots.

[Teeth Hunting]!

The surrounding air abruptly became as viscous as water, the scenery on both sides rapidly retreated.

The originally distant shrubs closed in a blink.

Charge in.

Entering his sight was a skinny gnoll with filthy, disheveled fur, holding a crude crossbow.

Seemingly unprepared for Xia Nan to detect him so quickly, the gnoll’s beast eyes, reflecting a ghostly green light in the night, abruptly contracted.

Then a spark of ferocity flared from deep within its pupils.

Unable to burst out, not even fully ignited, just a small flame.

The next second, a cruelly swung iron-gray sword light extinguished it.

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