After going into the sea, I met the witch lady

Chapter 288: First Contact with the Hunting Group

Lizel slowly opened her eyes, reflecting the cloudy ice layer under the sunlight. She blinked and her drowsy consciousness gradually became clear.

Why am I here?

Oh, right.

I embarked on a scientific expedition to a distant permafrost continent to protect the researchers, but when we approached the permafrost continent, we were attacked by a powerful and unique species.

The research vessel sank as a result, and in the blizzard, she fell into the icy sea with serious injuries and lost consciousness.

Thinking back to that terrifying ancient dragon, Lizel still felt frightened.

Is our scientific expedition really meaningful?

Even if we know the source of the prophecy of doom, do humans really have the ability to resist?
Her chaotic thoughts gradually came together, and when she regained consciousness, she suddenly became aware of other auras not far away from her.

This startled her and she turned her head sharply to look.

The first thing that caught her eye was a strange shark of extremely large size.

There are regular bright red lines on its body surface, and a faint red mist gushes out from the pores of its skin, supporting its body weighing hundreds of tons and suspending it in mid-air.

Lizel's pupils suddenly contracted. The familiar crimson color made her grab the sword beside her without hesitation and step forward.

The sword was unsheathed and the sharp blade thrust forward.

However, before Lizel could get close to the red shark, a hand suddenly appeared and gently pressed on her wrist.

Just for a moment.

Lizel felt her entire right arm lose sensation, and the sword in her hand fell to the ground with a crisp "bang" sound.

"who is it?!"

Liesel was so shocked that she was numb. She stared blankly at the young man who appeared beside her. It was not until she heard his voice that she suddenly woke up.

"Hey, is this how you repay us for saving you?"

"S-Sorry." Liesel said subconsciously, and instinctively wanted to bow, but just as her waist was about to bend, she realized: "You mean, it was this shark that saved me?"

"It seems that he hasn't been frozen stupid yet."

Ryan let go of his hand, walked to Dayin's side and sat down cross-legged.

Liesel on the other side also reacted.

Yes.

If it was really the same as the red monster in my hometown, I would have been eaten long ago and there would be no way I would wake up.

And looking at the look in the shark's eyes, although it is ferocious, it does not have that kind of pure savagery and madness.

"call……"

After letting out a long breath, Lizel bowed hard in the direction of Dayin and Ryan with a serious expression: "Sorry."

"I was rude."

"My name is Lizelle McGee, and I'm the leader of the third squad of the ninth scout hunting group."

After hearing the woman's self-introduction, Ryan asked with interest: "Ninth Scouting Hunting Group, do you know Rodney Hillar, the captain of the first team of the Ninth Scouting Hunting Group?"

After Ryan arrived at the Permafrost Continent, the notes he obtained were all left by this predecessor.

Unexpectedly, the woman he rescued was also a member of the 9th Scouting Hunting Group.

Could this peck and this drink be fate?

"Senior Rodney?!"

Hearing this name, the ponytailed girl Lizel widened her eyes and showed excitement on her face: "This...Mr.

Because she didn't know Ryan's name, she could only refer to him as "Mr.":

"Have you met Senior Rodney?"

"I do know Senior Rodney. To be more precise, I know him, but he may not know me. Senior was from the first batch, and I was from the third batch. When I was studying, I heard of Senior's name and admired his deeds."

"I heard that his last mission was to go to the legendary dragon's homeland, the Everfrozen Continent, for the last hope of mankind."

"I was influenced by Senior Rodney when I escorted the scientific expedition team here."

Looking at Lizel's shining eyes, Ryan sighed and shook his head:
"I have not seen."

"I just saw the notes he left and got a lot of help from them."

Ryan's words made the light in Liesel's eyes gradually dim.

As a member of the Ninth Scouting Hunting Group, she knew very well what it meant to leave a note and disappear.

But she soon cheered up.

Sacrifice is commonplace in hunting groups, especially reconnaissance hunting groups with extremely high mortality rates.

They are not afraid of death, but they are worried that they will not be able to make more contributions to the survival of mankind before they die.

Although the scientific expedition team capsized, it is not far from the permafrost continent after all. In this case, maybe, just by chance, there are still people who survived?
No matter how low the probability is, Liesel will try her best to find it.

Through this question and answer, Ryan roughly figured out the identity of the woman with a ponytail and her purpose of coming to the permafrost continent.

He shook his head and stood up: "In the next period of time, if you want to search for the shipwrecked members of the scientific expedition team, try not to enter the snow forest."

"There live terrifying species far beyond your imagination."

"Is it a forbidden-level special species?" Lizel asked nervously.

"..." Ryan was silent for a moment, somewhat reluctant to tell the cruel truth to this woman in distress.

But after thinking about it, it was meaningless to hide it, and it would only put her in greater danger, so she simply said:
"No, it's not."

"Forbidden-level special species are just food at the bottom of the food chain in this ice-covered continent..."

After leaving these words, Ryan turned and left.

Liesel was left standing there in a daze.

Taboo level, just, the bottom of the food chain?
……

After bidding farewell to the distressed huntress Liesel, Ryan left the ice cave and took a walk along the coast with Dayin.

He left some food in the ice cave, enough for Liesel to use for several days.

Although in Ryan's eyes, Liesel's strength is extremely weak, but if you convert it, she at least has the strength to defeat special species close to the forbidden level. As long as she doesn't enter the snow forest area, it shouldn't be a problem for her to find food to fill her stomach.

In addition to special species, the sea also hosts ordinary monsters and ordinary life forms that are not even monsters.

As for Ryan.

Although he was very interested in the hunting group.

But now is not the time to explore this.

At least, we have to wait until he defeats the [Dream] Red Dragon before we can talk about other things.

Patting Dayin's smooth head, Ryan said with a smile: "Buddy, if you have nothing to do recently, please help me keep an eye on this area."

"Protect that huntress."

After receiving so much care from the hunting group, I have to repay them no matter what when I meet someone from the hunting group now.

Hearing this, Dayin nodded.

Shark nods.jpg
"Thank you."

"I still have something to do, so I'll take the first step."

Waving to Dayin, Ryan sped towards the Black Rose.

The big silver floated in place, staring blankly in the direction where Ryan left, until even the black spot disappeared from its sight, and then it withdrew its gaze.

It slowly "swam" to the vicinity of the ice cave, thought for a while, then found a place on the snow nearby to lie down, with a comfortable expression on its face, its aura leaking out slightly.

With it around, ordinary fantasy monsters dare not set foot in this area.

……

After a while, Ryan returned to the Black Rose. Although this "rescue" trip was different from what he had imagined, the best thing was that Dayin was fine.

In addition, Liesel, the female hunter of the hunting group, will become the first bridge for him to communicate with the natives of this world.

Standing by the campfire, Ryan chose to teleport.

With sparks flying, the next moment, he had arrived at the third level of the Demon Gathering Land.

Walking through the dark passage, the familiar venue came into view again.

There was no sign of the [Dream] Red Dragon in the center of the venue.

I think it should have dived back into the ground and continued to absorb the energy of the earth veins to strengthen itself.

Ryan didn't rush forward, but checked his own attributes first.

During his last trip, he killed the Initial Cinder King, further advancing the progress of the [Dedication Ceremony]
-

[You have killed the "Initial Cinder King (Seal of Jealousy)", the two sides are comparing their strengths...]

[Comparison completed! 】

[[Dedication Ceremony] Raise 25%, currently a total of 75% (the excess is not counted), obtain "Ceremony Feedback" - Special Skill [Dragon Spirit (Mastery)] - Moderately reduce the burden of transforming into the "Dragon Man State". ]

[Blessed by the [Dragon Man Pearl], the [Dragon Spirit] skill level is improved, and the mastery → master. ]

[[Dragon Spirit (Master)]--Greatly reduces the burden of transforming into the "Dragon Man State". After using the "Dragon Man State", you will no longer die, but fall into a state of extreme weakness for three days.]

[[Lord of Jealousy] Career compatibility increased by 25%, currently 75%, obtained career bonus: Spirituality +9000.0, Physical +9000.0! (Cumulative)]

[Spirituality]: 15931.2→18931.2
【Physique】：14336.09→17336.09
-

A drastically increased physique, a new "Dragon Man State" trump card, and newly acquired powerful weapons and protective gear.

This time, it's time to get back at the party.

Ryan walked step by step to the edge of the field and stopped there.

Didn't make him wait any longer.

As if it sensed the presence of a living being that could harm Ryan after many years, the ground shook violently and then cracked, and the huge body of the [Dream] Crimson Dragon crawled out from the ground.

The wings that covered the sky and the sun spread out, sweeping away the surrounding smoke and dust.

It lowered its head, and stared at Ryan with its huge dragon eyes.

The scene was just like when the two first met.

just.

Compared to the beginning.

The threat Ryan brought to the [Dream] Red Dragon was completely on a different level.

If we say that Ryan last time was just a caltrop, it would hurt if you touched it forcibly, but it would not be a big deal.

At this moment, Ryan gave the [Dream] Red Light Dragon the feeling of a space crack that was constantly breaking apart, mysterious and deadly.

The huge difference in momentum before and after not only did not scare the [Dream] Red Light Dragon, but instead made it roar with excitement.

It has been invincible for too long and lonely for too long.

Trapped in this inescapable space, the [Dream] Red Dragon is not afraid of death, but what it fears is the eternal loneliness...

That is a level of soul wear and tear that even ancient dragons would find difficult to endure.

Ryan's appearance was like fireworks blooming in the dark night. Even if it was just a flash, it left a strong mark in the world of the [Dream] Red Dragon.

Feeling the fanatical fighting spirit in the eyes of the [Dream] Red Dragon, Ryan was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud, without further ado:
"Come and fight!"

As the voice fell, the sword came out.

"Chong-"

The sharp sound of the sword even made the space ripple.

With a flash of silver light, Ryan had arrived in front of the [Dream] Red Light Dragon, and slashed out with the charged sword in his hand.

The [Dream] Crimson Dragon was not to be outdone, and its huge red dragon claws pressed down. At the tip of each claw, there was a blue fire of earth energy burning.

The sword and the dragon claw collided.

In an instant, the entire underground space seemed to be trapped in a time-delayed cage.

Maybe one second, or maybe several seconds.

Accompanied by an earth-shaking roar.

The blockade of time disappears.

Ryan was forced to retreat hundreds of meters in the collision, while the [Dream] Red Dragon on the other side raised its claws and its huge body retreated several steps.

Judging from the distance, both sides are evenly matched in this collision!

With a tiny human body, he fought a head-on battle with the King of Monsters, which was thousands of times larger than himself.

In a sense, [Dream] Red Dragon has already lost.

But this is not a game between knights.

It is a life-and-death struggle between hunter and prey, and the winner will be determined by the complete defeat of one side.

Ryan twisted his neck, making a crisp "crackling" sound. He grinned, and the fire of fighting spirit in his eyes reached its peak.

He raised his hand, and his index and middle fingers together drew across the guard and blade of the greatsword. Then, a ball of bright red flame appeared in his palm.

Ryan pressed the flame into his heart.

next moment.

"Wow—"

Countless sparks flew, and red lines shaped like flares appeared on the surface of his armor.

A powerful momentum rose into the sky.

——【Ember】, a new skill from the Great Sword!
Bathed in the "ember fire", Ryan felt as if the whole world had become brighter.

In the eyes of the [Dream] Red Dragon opposite, Ryan at this moment was as dazzling as the rising sun that tore through the darkness.

"Roar--!"

Amidst the terrifying dragon roar, in order to express how seriously he took this battle, the [Dream] Red Light Dragon also adopted a completely new posture.

The earth energy that had been absorbed into its body for who knows how many years suddenly burst out at this moment, expanding and then compressing, causing star-like spots to appear on its body and wings.

——【Supercritical state】!
This is the name of the [Dream] Red Dragon's special form at this time.

At the same time, this is also its strongest posture.

Red and blue ruled half of the underground space respectively. They fought against each other, but neither could do anything to the other.

After a brief stalemate.

Instead, the [Dream] Red Dragon, who was extremely excited, couldn't hold back and took the initiative to attack.

The star-speckled wings behind it spread to the extreme, and dense blue light balls burst out, completely filling the space in front of Ryan.

Wherever the ball of light passed, the space became chaotic.

midair.

Ryan's expression was serious and solemn.

He leaned forward slightly, maintaining the motion of drawing his sword, and his whole body was like a spring compressed to the extreme.

It was not until the nearest blue light ball came within ten meters of his body that the "spring" in his body suddenly exploded.

"Chong-"

The blinding silver sword light tore through the sky's curtain of light, and also opened the perfect prelude to this shocking battle.

(End of this chapter)