Chapter 102: One They Want To Chase

It looked like someone had injured them. Judging from how agitated the monsters were, they were either chasing those survivors or running from them. Either way, Alex had no reason to let the opportunity go to waste.

The three Doom Bulls came into view completely a few moments later, charging straight down the road. Alex released the Fire Bullet without hesitation. It tore through the air before striking the lead Doom Bull squarely in the head.

The mana casing shattered at exactly the right moment, and the compressed flames exploded inside the monster’s skull. The Doom Bull collapsed instantly, while the rest of its body remained almost untouched. Alex was pleased with the result.

His control had improved again. This time, he judged the distance correctly, hardened the mana casing just enough for the journey, and adjusted the amount of fire-element mana used as propulsion-cum-explosion with much greater precision. Very little energy had been wasted.

"Go," Alex said.

The remaining two Doom Bulls grew more enraged after watching one of their own die. They continued charging toward the group with the more speed and aggression than before.

These monsters weren’t weak opponents. One was Level 9, while the other had already reached Level 10. Half an hour ago, fighting even one of them would have been a serious challenge for the group.

Things were different now. Everyone had gained several levels, and their Species Levels had also increased after absorbing Gene Potentials. Tina’s Species Level alone had already reached Level 6, giving her far greater physical ability than an ordinary human.

Even so, Alex knew the group that had entered the Titan Reef Crab Dungeon on Hell Difficulty would still defeat his current companions. Their normal levels had been similar, and his present group actually possessed better raw stats because of the Gene Potentials they had absorbed.

The difference wasn’t in strength. It was in experience. Everyone in the Hell Difficulty had fought knowing nobody would save them if they made a mistake, while Alex’s current companions always had him standing behind them as a final line of defense.

Still, Alex wasn’t dissatisfied with their progress. Compared to the Hell Difficulty group, these people had only been fighting monsters for about an hour. Improving this much in such a short time was already impressive.

If they continued growing at this pace for another few hours, they might even surpass the Hell Difficulty group. That was exactly what Alex wanted. The stronger they became, the stronger his faction would become as well.

The four fighters quickly gathered to discuss their approach. Rae quietly offered a few suggestions, and everyone nodded before moving into position. Within seconds, they split into two teams.

Ophelia and Robert intercepted the first Doom Bull. Tina and Kevin moved toward the second one, while Rae remained behind both teams, ready to support whichever side needed help first.

The first Doom Bull reached Ophelia in only a few seconds. She planted her shield firmly in front of herself and likely activated Aura just before the collision.

A loud crash echoed through the street. Ophelia’s feet slid backward several steps, and her arms trembled from the impact. Even so, she remained standing, with Aura absorbing enough of the force to keep her from being thrown aside.

Robert immediately stepped out from behind the shield. Without any Spell or Technique to rely on, he thrust his spear forward using only his own strength. The attack struck the Doom Bull’s shoulder but left only a shallow wound.

Robert frowned as he pulled the spear back. He had invested several points into Strength, but it still wasn’t enough to overpower a Level 10 monster head-on. He would have to rely on teamwork instead of brute force.

A short distance away, Tina stood directly in the path of the second Doom Bull. The monster lowered its horns and charged without slowing down. Her hands trembled slightly, looking at what was no different from a speeding car, but she didn’t move aside.

She took several slow breaths, forcing herself to calm down. Then she raised both fists and settled into a boxing stance, keeping her eyes fixed on the approaching monster.

...

Kevin watched Tina from the side while adjusting his own position. He knew exactly what she was trying to do, and he also knew a single mistake could injure her fatally. Even so, he didn’t stop her.

He understood why she was willing to take the risk. If he was honest, all of them had felt a little jealous of Alex at one point. Alex looked so strong that he made every battle seem much easier than it really was, and thought they could grow strong like Alex too if they put in some effort.

The fight against the mantis had shattered that illusion. The monster had moved so quickly that none of them could even follow it with their eyes, and it had thrown Alex through a concrete wall as though he weighed nothing.

Even after suffering injuries that should have killed an ordinary person, Alex had continued fighting. Kevin, Tina, Robert, and Sophia still remembered what he looked like after the battle. According to Sophia, his internal injuries were worse. His lung had been punctured, both of his arms had been shattered, and several ribs were broken.

They had seen people die from far less through the windows of Miss Rae’s apartment.

Kevin and everyone else had finally realized what it took to become someone like Alex. It wasn’t simply about having higher stats, more levels, or stronger spells. Those things were only prerequisites, while the real difference was the determination to keep fighting and find a way to win no matter how hopeless the situation looked.

Kevin had always known Alex was stubborn. They had been friends long enough for that to be obvious. What Kevin had never realized was that Alex’s stubbornness extended this far, to the point where he could keep moving with injuries that should have left anyone else lying on the ground.

Kevin wouldn’t lie to himself. Watching Alex return from that battle had been horrifying, but it had also been awe-inspiring. His body had been covered in blood, and every step looked painful, yet he had still defeated an enemy powerful enough to throw him through a concrete wall.

The sight had made Kevin’s heart pound wildly. He was certain everyone else felt the same way because the way they looked at Alex had completely changed afterward.

Mrs. Ophelia, Miss Rae, Tina, Robert, Sophia, and even Charlotta now looked at him with unmistakable respect.

..

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