Chapter 229: Swarm!
A minute later, Luis, who was using his perception to scan the surroundings, uttered.
"On guard, everyone! Arrow Lizards! 40 meters at 1 O'clock and 55 meters at 11! Bonnie will block the ones at 11, while Cobert and Sufi will deal with the rest first!"
As soon as his command sounded, the three of them acted instantly.
Even without Luis' guidance, Cobert had already found the location of the Arrow Lizards. It's just that he couldn't reveal his true strength. So, he had to act as such. With light steps, he avoided the soil damp in poison and rushed forward.
*Bam! *
Bonnie leaped on a tree trunk and after finding an area with solid ground, she smashed her huge hammer attracting the attention of Arrow Lizards. At the same time blocking their escape by trapping them using the rock wall.
The Arrow Lizards who couldn't find their enemies shot their tails at the huge rock walls.
*Swish!* (x4)
The sharp projectiles managed to punch holes through the huge rocks. Cracks appeared, and the rocks crumbled. By the time those Arrow Lizards could escape climbing the rubbles. Bonnie had already arrived.
"Don't run! Take my hammer!"
With that said, she swung her huge hammer and smashed at them one by one in a fluid motion until they were all turned into a meat paste.
*Bang! *
*Squelch*
*Bang! *
*Squelch*
…
"That should be all."
She looked around to see if there were any more monsters left nearby. Not finding anything, her attention returned to her hammer, whose surface was covered in a slimy greenish liquid.
"Uh... Disgusting!"
With a frown, she adjusted her grip on the handle and a clicking sound sounded.
*Click*
The next second, the hammer head started vibrating and all the dirty substances slid off the hammer without any resistance.
"Now that's better!"
The frown on her face eased, and she left in the direction of Luis and the others.
By the time she arrived there, the battle had already ended. Once again, there was no need for Luis to act, and everything went over smoothly.
***
"Keep moving north as planned. We should arrive at the territory of Poison Moths within a few minutes." Luis said with assurance as he confirmed their location through the map projected in his mana bracelet.
Although, the academy also provided rough maps of all zones to each team. However, the ones in Luis' hands were much more detailed. He had purchased them from the exchange centre for 100 merit points and later marked more details manually, according to the information he bought from the second-year students.
The three of them nodded and followed his directions, moving in formation like a well-disciplined team. Their speed was neither slow nor fast because their every step was full of caution.
Everyone was very well aware that searching for the golden slate in this poisonous swamp zone was an arduous task. Especially when their movements were restricted due to the difficulty of the terrain.
Here, even a single misstep could lead to their death. Either by being poisoned or having their flesh and bones corroded by falling into the poison swamp. No matter the chances of obtaining the golden slate, they didn't feel the need to take such a risk.
So, instead of mindlessly searching for the slate, which was hidden, who knows where? Their goal in this 2-hour expedition for this zone was to hunt for monsters that live in swarms. Such as the Poison Moths, Sting Bees, and Veno bats.
Although, hunting a swarm is a more efficient method for collecting points. The high-risk factor is also present.
Once swarmed by monsters, there's almost no chance of escaping. Unless you have the strength to survive against hundreds of poisonous monsters.
After poisoning, the monsters will keep attacking without letting any chance to take an antidote and will even commit suicide attacks until all their enemies are eliminated.
For these reasons, attacking a swarm without enough strength is generally not advised. However, Luis and the others still planned to do so.
It's not that they were irrational, but they had taken this decision after careful consideration and made an attack plan after thoroughly investigating the information they had collected.
Of course, their actions represented a different meaning in the eyes of the rescue staff following their team. Shocked by their death-seeking behaviour. He urgently contacted the control room.
***
Outside the Vernos Dungeon.
Inside, the control room connected to the professors' lounge. All the professors sat across from each other watching the students' performance through the screen. While also discussing the promising teams in this exam.
"Professor Hardy, your students are good!"
"Haha! Just a bit! They still have a lot to learn, Professor Vindsmokwe." Professor Hardy said modestly while showing a hearty smile. However, the pride in his tone couldn't be hidden.
The other professors all showed a knowing smile and didn't say anything. They were also looking forward to the performances of students from their respective classes. So, that they could show off later.
Among the professors, only Darrin, Hena, and Olivia had different expressions.
Professor Darrin maintained his classic cold face, while Hena and Olivia had neutral expressions observing the screen intently.
'Is Sera's information true? Will there be another attack today?'
Yesterday, Professor Darrin called for Olivia and Hena to discuss an important matter. The content of the meeting was that student Sera Dennis had received information that there might be an attack on students on exam day.
Even though they had doubts because of the lack of evidence. They didn't dare neglect this matter, as this concerned the safety of the students.
Right when they were discussing the preemptive measures, in case of such attacks. They received the news of Bonnie's kidnapping and then William's 'death'.
Like a slap on their faces, Sera's information was confirmed, and a student died right under their noses. Even if that dead student was a disgusting rapist, the kidnapping of Bonnie was a big humiliation for them, the S-Rank-Powerhouses, who guarantee the security of the Oracle Academy.
Now that there was a possibility of another attack today, they decided to redeem themselves and capture the attackers. Otherwise, this matter would be a big shame for their entire lives.
At this time, the control room received a message signal.
*Beep!*
[Team 3 is advancing towards the territory of Poison Moths! Within 5 minutes, they will face a swarm of hundreds of Poison Moths! Whether to stop them or not? Instruction requested!]
"So courageous?! They dare to face an entire swarm!"
It should be known that in the previous classes, all the students have been repeatedly warned about several dangerous situations as well as some of the most life-threatening locations inside Vernos Dungeon. One of those situations is facing a swarm in the poisonous zone.
Now, a team is taking such drastic action, going against their repeated warnings to challenge a swarm. How could the Professors not be shocked?
"Team 3? It should be from the Leviathan Class!"
"It seems so... Professor Olivia! Make a decision! Who are members of Team 3?"
All the professors' attention was now on Professor Olivia as they waited for her to speak. From some of their looks, they were obliviously waiting for her to call that team back and let them retire early.
"Team 3? Is it Luis' team?" Hena asked in doubt.
"Yes," Olivia nodded, then thought for a moment and responded. "Don't stop them! Stay on standby! Wait until you find them in a life-threatening danger before you step up for the rescue!"
Her response not only shocked the rescue staff but also some of the Professors who stared at her in disbelief.
[... Y-yes.]
Olivia heard the hesitation in his voice, so she continued. "I will send another staff to assist you."
[Much obliged, Professor! I shall continue watching them!]
*Beep!*
"Professor Olivia, aren't you too confident in them?"
They all naturally heard Olivia's response to Hena's question and now understood who was behind this neurotic behaviour.
Luis Suarez! The Rank-1 student of the first year! Got the hidden achievement in the entrance exam!
"Even if there's rank one student in the team. What about other members?"
"Yes! In case of danger, Luis might be able to escape, but the other members of the team can't be as strong as him, right?"
"As a commander, he disregarded the lives of his team members! He should be disqualified!"
They all felt that, although Luis himself was strong. He was too ambitious and overconfident, as he was risking the lives of his team members because of his decision. So, they wanted Olivia to call them back and teach him a lesson.
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