Chapter 316 Quick-Witted Strategy
The petite Moto-chan darted ahead, with Tyler trailing slightly behind, a position that prevented Moto-chan from noticing any unusual movements from its master.
It was only when Moto-chan had already plunged into the glowing cube marking the exit of the labyrinth, intending to glance back and flaunt its superior speed, that it realized Tyler had not kept up.
(You truly are remarkable, Moto-chan, your speed is indeed impressive.)
Tyler's attack on the black serpent was merely a feint, he had fully prepared to dodge, hence when the red warning light appeared, he immediately reacted.
With a hissing sound, the black serpent spewed a linear venom from its mouth. If not for the red warning light, it would have been difficult for Tyler to discern what kind of attack it had launched. What was even more terrifying was that this linear venom had an extremely strong corrosive property. After Tyler dodged, the stone behind him was hit, and a linear hole was directly melted through it.
If such an attack hit the heart, even with full health, Tyler would likely be instantly killed.
(You are indeed formidable, "Earth Serpent Assassin...")
Tyler gripped his Hell Knightblade tightly, this battle had to be resolved quickly, otherwise, any unexpected complications would prevent him from leaving the Labyrinth: Aqua Nest.
"Monster! Be consumed by my flames!"
Tyler shouted dramatically, to be honest, he felt somewhat embarrassed to utter such a cheesy line.
As Tyler swung his Hell Knightblade, the skill "Flame Steed Rush" was activated, the blue flame burning on the blade transformed into a galloping warhorse in mid-air, charging towards the black serpent.
However, this was merely a diversion by Tyler. Taking advantage of the blue flame obstructing the enemy's line of sight, Tyler immediately sprinted two steps towards the exit of the labyrinth, then used "Shadow Step", crossing over his own blue flame and the black serpent's blockade in one breath!
At this moment, a red warning light that was closely following him made Tyler's hair stand on end. He had just used "Shadow Step", why was his position immediately discovered?!
Following the red warning light, Tyler found that the black serpent had completely ignored "Flame Steed Rush", it had already turned towards Tyler, allowing the blue flame warhorse to burn its back without caring, because its snake eyes were already fixed on Tyler!
Tyler immediately realized that the venom attack was coming again. This attack was like a combination of the speed of a bullet and the stealth of a blowpipe hidden weapon. If it weren't for the three-second countdown of the red warning light, it would be extremely difficult to detect and avoid.
But this time, Tyler did not rely on the three-second countdown to dodge, because the Earth Serpent Assassin's attack was not a "single shot", but a "rapid-fire".
Seven consecutive red warning lights all pointed at Tyler's chest, with a 0.14-second interval, all performing the final three-second countdown, and these red warning lights were all moving with Tyler's current movement.
Even if Tyler could dodge the first attack at the right moment, as long as his evasion speed was not faster than the Earth Serpent Assassin's trajectory adjustment, the subsequent pursuit would inevitably hit him. Fortunately, this time facing the "Earth Serpent Assassin," Tyler had a second option besides fighting to the death.
(Double Shadow Step)
Since Shadow Step was still on cooldown, Tyler extravagantly consumed 1000 magic points to use the second skill of the Shadow Dragon Boots, instantly teleporting more than ten meters in the direction of the labyrinth exit.
In this wilderness filled with scattered stones, shadows were everywhere for Tyler to land on. At this point, Tyler was only five meters away from the labyrinth exit!
However, to Tyler's surprise, just after he teleported, the red warning light caught up with him in less than a second, and among them were the remaining two shots from the previous "seven-round burst"!
(Why would it know where I'm going to teleport to?!)
There was no time for Tyler to be astonished, as the Earth Serpent Assassin's attack would arrive in 1.5 seconds. In this critical moment, Tyler was forced to reveal his last trump card!
(Calculation Boost - Overclock!)
(Shadow Behind!)
(Use Skill: Goblin's Special Trade, Target Skill: My "Shadow Behind"!)
(Use "Shadow Behind" again!)
In less than a second, Tyler sprinted towards the labyrinth exit, simultaneously throwing a smoke bomb at his feet and dispersing two shadow duplicates to his left and right.
However, Tyler did not actually expect splitting up and using the smoke bomb to be effective, as he vaguely guessed that the enemy might be able to determine his position and true identity based on his breath or magic. Tyler's real goal was to make an unexpected move!
As the first linear venom shot arrived, Tyler pivoted on his foot, dodging the attack with a zigzag run. But at that moment, the enemy's second linear venom shot had already been fired, less than two meters away from Tyler, and he had no time to change direction and accelerate.
Just then, a shadow duplicate kicked Tyler's back, causing him to stumble forward and accelerate two steps, avoiding the second attack. Immediately after, another shadow duplicate appeared in front of Tyler at the perfect moment, grabbing his hand and executing an over-the-shoulder throw, sending Tyler right into the glowing cube marking the labyrinth exit!
.
(Have I... not died?)
After a brief moment of darkness, Tyler regained consciousness.
He glanced around and saw the scenery of the outskirts of Delis Town, which was the entrance to the Labyrinth: Aqua Nest.
Then, a familiar whirring sound came from beside him. It turned out that Moto-chan was kneeling next to him, rubbing its head against Tyler's arm.
"Sorry, Moto-chan, I made you worry."
Tyler patted Moto-chan's head, knowing that his quick-witted strategy had succeeded.
After catching his breath, he checked his body, which had not been hit by the Earth Serpent Assassin's attack.
However, there were several holes in his crimson cloak, showing just how close he had been to death.
"Earth Serpent Assassin" (Level 160)
It seemed to be only 20 levels higher than the "Frost Giant Wolf-Zane," but the pressure it exerted on Tyler was entirely different.
In addition to the difference between the fifth and fourth tiers, assassin-type enemies were clearly more skilled and efficient in killing, something the crowd-controlling Frost Giant Wolf could not achieve.
Thinking that the Earth Serpent Assassin might just be a summoned creature of the Bloodbane Serpent, Tyler felt a chill down his spine.
With this thought, Tyler glanced at the other labyrinth entrance not far away.
That entrance was still inaccessible, meaning the Bloodbane Serpent had entered from there... and if it managed to escape, it would also come out from that entrance.
Subconsciously, Tyler scanned the surrounding creatures.
A suspicious sparrow was staring intently at him, and it seemed like there was a snake hiding in the bushes.
However, Tyler pretended not to notice their presence, directly mounting his horse and heading towards Delis Town. He had to contact Ice Polar Star, Sheryl, and Branch Chief Palmer as soon as possible!
Coincidentally, at that moment, a large number of hoofbeats came from not far away.
Tyler took out his binoculars and saw that it was Sheryl, accompanied by Branch Chief Palmer, Heloise, Vanessa, and Captain Garvit.
They were coming, but strangely, they didn't seem to be coming to meet Tyler, but rather... as if they were being chased by some enemy?!