Chapter 314 - 167: I’m Done Pretending (Part 2)

A Red Hat Goblin suddenly leaped backward, dodging the blade the Speed Skeleton aimed at its neck and jumping out of the battle ring. Just as the Speed Skeleton was about to give chase, it was intercepted by another Red Hat Goblin wielding Dual Swords who charged in from the side, forcing it to defend.

The Red Hat Goblin that had jumped out of the battle ring pulled a Short Spear from its back, aimed at the Speed Skeleton, and hurled it.

The Speed Skeleton dodged with a simple sway of its body and continued its fierce battle with the other four Red Hat Goblins.

’A Javelin thrown with that little power?’ He didn’t give it a second thought. ’It’s too slow; it’ll never hit me. Even if it did, it wouldn’t matter. As long as it doesn’t hit my skull, I couldn’t care less.’

After throwing the first Short Spear, the Red Hat Goblin immediately drew another and threw it as well.

After throwing five consecutive Short Spears and emptying its quiver, the Red Hat Goblin finally stopped, drew its Dual Swords, and charged toward the Speed Skeleton.

’That’s it?’

’What’s the point of throwing a few Short Spears?’

The Speed Skeleton was scornful. ’Not only did I dodge all those Short Spears, but it wouldn’t have mattered even if I hadn’t.’

He failed to notice, however, that the Red Hat Goblins had quickly exchanged glances, and their actions were becoming strange.

As the Speed Skeleton fought, it suddenly froze. It sidestepped in a flash, changing its position, but it was still a step too late. One of its arms fell to the ground.

’Huh?’

’What just happened?’

The Speed Skeleton stood frozen, twisting its head to look at the five Red Hat Goblins. All five had backed away, and a Short Spear was stuck in the ground beside each of them.

It looked at its own arm—or what was left of it. The stump had been cleanly severed with an incredibly neat and smooth cut. This wasn’t something the Red Hat Goblins could have done with their Dual Swords.

The Speed Skeleton sensed something was wrong. It released its soul’s presence to probe its surroundings and discovered that the five Short Spears stuck in the ground each had a ring at the top. At some point, incredibly fine threads had been wound around these rings, connecting to one another to form a chaotic web that had trapped it.

This was the Red Hat Goblins’ special technique for dealing with Agile Type enemies—the Dismemberment Cage.

The threads that had trapped the Speed Skeleton were specially modified. They were not only too fine to be perceived but also incredibly durable. If an enemy ran into one of the threads, they would be instantly sliced apart, just like the Speed Skeleton’s arm.

On top of laying the threads, the five Red Hat Goblins had also activated Magic. Streams of electric current now ran along the threads, making a SIZZLING and CRACKLING sound. Not only could the threads slice enemies, but they could also inflict paralysis. Against this, no amount of Speed was useful.

With the trap set, the Red Hat Goblins drew their Weapons again, but they had switched them out. One goblin brandished a pair of flaming Dual Swords, while the others held a Short Bow, a crossbow, a Reaper’s Scythe, and a length of Fine Silk. They re-entered the fray to battle the Speed Skeleton.

Now, the Speed Skeleton was having a hard time fending them off. The Red Hat Goblins were short, fast, and nimble. They were intimately familiar with the Dismemberment Cage they had woven, darting through its gaps to constantly harass the Speed Skeleton. From the perimeter, bows and crossbows continuously fired arrows and Crossbow Arrows at its head.

The Speed Skeleton’s range of motion was severely limited. It could only rely on its high speed, constantly shifting its position to dodge their attacks.

’So annoying, so annoying, SO ANNOYING! These little runts fight dirty...’

The Speed Skeleton grew increasingly agitated. ’If you’re going to fight, then fight fair. Using all these cheap tricks and schemes is just pathetic.’

’Fine, if that’s how it is, I’m not holding back anymore. I’m laying my cards on the table. I’m going to kill you all!’

’Come on! Let’s see who’s stronger! Let’s see if you can kill me with these threads before I kill you!’

The Speed Skeleton’s Soul Fire flared violently, erupting from its cranium and engulfing its entire Skeleton.

It began moving even faster within the small enclosure, its entire body vibrating. Its Bone Saber also began to vibrate at high speed, the frequency increasing rapidly.

It had tested the fine threads just moments before. The Bone Saber couldn’t sever them directly. Moreover, the electric current would travel up the Bone Saber and even affect its Soul Fire. During that test, it had almost been killed when its Soul Fire was disrupted.

’To escape this trap, I have to do it in one decisive blow.’

The Bone Saber emitted a low WHIRRR, its vibrations reaching their peak, much like a chainsaw. With a violent shudder, the Speed Skeleton unfolded its Bone Saber!

Enormous wings composed of four vibrating blades extended outward. The instant the fine threads touched the small blades, they shrieked as if unable to bear the strain and snapped one after another. Sparks of electricity POPPED and CRACKLED in the air.

The five Red Hat Goblins stared in astonishment. They couldn’t understand why the specially crafted threads had snapped. It didn’t seem possible. They had tested them in every way imaginable and had never been able to break them. They never expected them to be destroyed by an Undead today.

Just as they were reeling in shock, the Speed Skeleton’s four wings disintegrated, transforming into a cloud of "feathers" that scattered through the air.

’So, it broke the Fine Silk, but the Weapon couldn’t handle the strain?’

The Red Hat Goblins thought to themselves, looks of glee spreading across their faces. The enemy was now without a Weapon. What was there left to fear?

However, as the "feathers" drifted down and touched them, they sliced open deep gashes in their skin.

"HISSS—"

"Ah..."

"What?"

The gashes that suddenly appeared on their bodies made the Red Hat Goblins realize something was terribly wrong. They understood that the Undead’s Weapon hadn’t shattered—it had merely transformed into a completely new form.