I Am Not A Goblin Slayer-Chapter 457 - 268: Money, Flown Away

"Petrification?"

To be honest, when they learned about this ability, many targets popped into everyone’s mind.

There are quite a few types of demons with petrification abilities.

But when Gauss saw some special deep footprints not far from the ground, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.

He seemed to be able to guess what kind of monster was inhabiting nearby.

Of course, whether it was as he thought still needed further confirmation.

In actual adventures, it is crucial not to assume anything. Before final confirmation, it is best to be prepared for multiple contingencies.

"Let’s keep moving forward."

With clues in hand, the direction of the team’s search became more clear.

Ying activated her ability, transforming into a shadow to conduct a carpet search of the surrounding area. Soon, she found other piles of rubble and, based on their distribution, roughly deduced the direction where the target was located.

"It should be there."

After Ying rejoined the team, Gauss consolidated her information and looked into the distance.

He flew above the treetops, seeing that it was a relatively flat grassland, and combined with Ying’s intelligence, the target evidently resided there.

The plain wasn’t very far from Gauss’s location, and as they advanced, the number of petrified statues he saw increased, with some even retaining their complete shapes.

They looked like lifelike artworks.

Even the most skilled sculptor probably couldn’t craft statues as realistic as these.

Especially the faces showing expressions of despair and fright, through which one could seemingly feel the powerlessness of the moment across time and space.

Everyone scrutinized the stone sculptures for a moment.

Then they continued to walk towards the direction the footprints extended.

The traces left by the target increased more and more.

"It should be the Petrified Bull."

Gauss said.

The wild hoof prints on the ground were clearly the result of some heavy creature’s frenzied trampling charge.

And not long after, when they arrived at a mound on the prairie, they saw a giant creature from afar.

"It really is a Petrified Bull!"

This was a heavyweight creature, with a shoulder height close to 2 meters, body length about 2.5 meters, and a weight likely measured in tons.

Its body surface was covered with iron-like natural armor.

While Gauss was observing, its nostrils were spewing green mist.

Thoughts about its data flashed through Gauss’s mind.

Despite its bovine appearance, this demon was actually extremely aggressive and would actively attack any target that stepped onto its land.

Moreover, it wasn’t a herbivore but a pure carnivore monster.

During the hunt, it would charge toward its target, and the enemies it suppressed would be cruelly trampled to death by its iron hooves.

Besides its powerful collision attacks, the green steam it exhaled was also a deadly threat, turning creatures that touched it into stone.

When it felt hungry, it would smash these petrified prey into rubble, then chew these petrified fragments into powder and absorb sufficient nutrition and energy from them.

Thus, the presence of a Petrified Bull could significantly alter the local ecosystem.

Most notably, the number of large predators near its habitat would sharply decline, either driven away or turned into statues, becoming its reserve food.

This is because other carnivorous animals are its "competitors."

In terms of challenge levels, adult Petrified Bulls have a challenge level of 5 and above.

In short, it is a demon with a steel shell, naturally possessing a high amount of innate armor, fast speed, capable of petrifying breath, and is extremely aggressive.

Among demons of the same challenge level, it is among the more troublesome ones.

But...

For Gauss, it counts as a decent opponent.

Because such a dangerous creature lacks long-range attack methods.

Melee professions find it rather tricky to deal with.

Although Gauss admitted that he had been attacking with the rapier quite often lately and had just awakened his second minor profession as Blade Soul, he was essentially still a Caster.

He naturally had many ranged means to strike this "land tank."

At worst, he could use Flying Technique to escape.

"What do you say?"

Gauss briefly communicated his thoughts with his companions.

"I think it’s worth a try." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Aaliyah nodded.

Everyone present was quite mobile.

Gauss aside, he could take off on the spot with Flying Technique at any time.

Aaliyah could also transform into raven form.

Ying could utilize her shadow ability anytime, vanishing into the darkness, becoming invisible.

Perhaps only Serdur might encounter a slight disadvantage.

But being a Half-Snake Man, his movement speed wasn’t slow even initially. Equipped with enhancements, and the Swift Bug Wings acceleration skill obtained earlier in the maze, his speed was similarly outstanding.

Moreover, Serdur was essentially a "nanny" and didn’t need to engage in frontal combat.

Most of the time, he could just finish buffing up and peacefully await the end of the battle.

Seeing everyone eager to try.

Gauss determined this course of action.

Although the goal this afternoon was to scout, everyone had come prepared for battle.

"Since we are temporarily unaware of its specific rank, we need to keep our distance and use ranged attacks to bind and strike it."

"Its movement speed is fast, but its charging path is linear and involves some buildup actions. We can use this to pre-judge its actions and evade appropriately."

"Also, be careful of its petrifying breath."