"Violent Pangolin?!"
Seeing the enormous silver pangolin emerge, everyone's face darkened.
Especially its aura—Primary Stage, Tier 4. It was as oppressive as the calm before a thunderstorm, casting a heavy gloom over the hearts of Shun Hayashi and the others.
Tier 4, Primary Stage… This was the strongest monster they had ever encountered!
The Executioners immediately unsheathed their weapons, kept their distance, and watched the monster cautiously as it emerged from the rocky hill.
Even though they were beginner Tier 4 psychics, none of them dared to be careless.
"ROAR!"
BOOM—!
From the mountain slope, the pangolin charged forward. At the same time, the forest on the opposite side trembled as the ground split open and a wave of beetles poured out in droves—forty or fifty of them at least—crashing down trees as they surged forward.
A horde of Tier 3 monsters—Deadly Beetles!
Everyone's expressions turned grim.
A group of over thirty monsters could only mean one thing—a small-scale monster tide.
"Why are there so many monsters here?!" shouted Shun Hayashi, already tossing aside his pickaxe. He pulled out the dagger strapped to his back and glared at the encroaching swarm.
"A Tier 4 monster leading the charge… We don't have a single Tier 4 psychic on our side." Honoka's face turned pale with panic.
Tier 4 monsters were considered elite beasts—incredibly rare. During missions, encountering even Tier 3 monsters was a rarity.
But today, not only had a Tier 4 monster appeared—it brought an army of Tier 3s with it.
And neither of their two student squads had a single Tier 4 mutant.
"No... This valley provides iron ore to several large cities in the region. Logically, even if there were monsters nearby, they should've been cleared out long ago. How could a Tier 4 beast appear here…" Yuna Hoshizaki furrowed her brow tightly.
"Unless… they came here specifically for us!"
A chilling sensation ran down her spine.
She remembered a time when something similar happened—a targeted monster attack orchestrated by the Blazing Flame Clan.
And now… she had a sinking feeling they were involved again.
"Form up! Defensive positions!"
There were eight Executioners between the two squads. One of them gave the order in a low voice. The eight fighters spread out into a perimeter, monitoring the deadly beetle horde as it crept forward.
Crrk, crrk!
The hard exoskeletons of the beetles scraped rhythmically, producing a metallic screech.
Then, the beetle swarm charged.
"Now!" someone yelled.
The Executioners reacted simultaneously—supernatural energy surging as they unleashed a volley of long-range attacks.
Blasts of fire, ice, lightning, and wind struck the front line of beetles—but the insects kept advancing, protected by their silvery armor-like shells.
"Their defense is concentrated on their backs. Aim for their undersides!"
One of the squad leaders quickly adapted and gave new instructions.
The two Earth-element Executioners slammed their palms onto the ground.
"Earth Spirit Shift!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dozens of razor-sharp stone spears erupted from the ground, skewering the underbellies of several beetles. Some were sent flying.
But the majority still surged forward. Soon, the Executioners were forced into melee combat.
Among the eight freshman students, most were Tier 1 Intermediate or Advanced. Only Yuna Hoshizaki, Honoka, and Shun Hayashi had reached Tier 2, Primary Stage.
But the beetles didn't care.
Dozens of beetles broke through the frontline and rushed straight at the students.
"Sacred Water Shield!"
"Wood Bind!"
Shun and Honoka moved quickly, forming chains of water and thick vines to halt the charge.
BANG!
As expected, the defenses shattered instantly.
The gap between Tier 2 and Tier 3 was far too great.
"Divine Wind Gust!"
"Earthen Barrier!"
"Wrath of the Fire Spirit!"
"Thunder's Judgement!"
"Holy Water Strike!"
The remaining students followed up with all the supernatural abilities they had.
Fire, earth, lightning, and water exploded against the charging beetles—but to the armored monsters, the attacks were barely an irritation.
Deadly beetles were infamous for their tough defenses. Even psychics of the same tier struggled to pierce their shells.
Crrk, crrk!
A few beetles reared back, opening their shells to reveal sharpened interior blades that lunged forward like spears!
"Holy Light!"
At the last second, Yuna Hoshizaki stepped forward and summoned a golden light wall between the students and the beetles.
CLANG!
The beetles slammed into the radiant shield—but couldn't break through immediately.
As they reeled for a second strike, a Wind-type Executioner swooped in, conjuring a five-meter-tall green tornado that blew several beetles backward.
Though outnumbered, the Executioners were highly experienced. One could take on three or four beetles—and win.
And the students didn't just stand by. They fought alongside the Executioners, launching support abilities and reinforcing their defense lines.
But suddenly…
CRACK—BOOM!
The Violent Pangolin, who had been watching from the hill, finally entered the fray.
Its massive tail swept across the field, flinging boulders with terrifying force.
Two Executioners were struck and stumbled backward, coughing blood.
Crrk, crrk!
The pangolin's metallic scales slid open and shut like steel plates, grinding loudly as it built up electric charge.
SIZZLE!
A thick bolt of silver lightning crashed from the sky, striking the beast.
Instead of hurting it, the lightning was absorbed into its body.
The next moment, crackling arcs of silver lightning leapt from its scales like serpents, lashing out in every direction.
"Watch out!"
Everyone tried to dodge.
But who could outrun lightning?
The arcs struck the students and Executioners almost simultaneously.
"AHHHH!"
Their screams echoed as the searing electricity ran through their bodies.
BOOM!
Then, the pangolin curled itself into a giant armored ball, its surface still crackling with lightning, and launched itself forward like a cannonball.
It's target—Yuna Hoshizaki!
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