Starting with the goblin extermination

Chapter 104 Cracked Claw Bear (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets 1/1)

"What are you standing there for! Get out of the way!"

With a roar, the 56-year-old orc displayed a reaction speed beyond his years.

The ring on his index finger, enchanted with the Lightness spell, glowed faintly. His aged body slammed into the still-stunned Kadi, sending the young man flying.

Almost simultaneously, the Crackclaw Bear's massive paw slammed down with a deafening roar as it tore through the air!

boom!

The spot where the two had originally stood was now carved into five terrifying ravines, each half a meter deep.

The Cracked Claw Bear is one of the strongest monsters on the outskirts of the forest. Its prey includes mineral crocodiles, spiky boars, and even giant goblins. Though rare, encountering one in the outer reaches of the forest is a nightmare for even the lowest-ranking adventurers.

#!

In his decades-long adventurer career, this wasn't the first time Old Bones had encountered a Crackclaw Bear, but the most recent time was fifteen years ago. Back then, he was accompanied by a cunning old fox who wielded dual swords like a whirlwind, not this greenhorn with black hair. Besides, his legs weren't as unruly as they are now!

"Kadi! Spread out and flank!"

There was no time to curse. The old man rolled up in the mud and got up, gripping his axe tightly as he charged towards the monster's roar.

boom!boom!

Rather than a monster, it was more like a swordsman. The Cracked Claw Bear swung its massive, blade-like claws wildly, sparks flying, and the clash of metal against the old bone's giant axe produced a series of metallic clangs.

Young Kadi finally came to his senses, his nimble hands, inherited from his father, instinctively gripping his twin blades. The young man gritted his teeth, using the tree trunk as cover to circle around to the side, his twin blades transforming into two streaks of silver light, slashing fiercely at the side of the Crackclaw Bear during a gap in its attack.

Drops of blood drifted in the air, and the twin blades left two shallow bloody marks on the tough bear hide, attracting the monster's attention. The ferocious bear slammed its paw through the old bones, the immense force sending it staggering backward, its legs sinking deep into the mud.

Kadi pressed his advantage, his blood boiling. Seeing the Cracked Claw Bear change targets, he not only did not retreat, but his butterfly-like hands propelled his scimitar in a series of slashes, each strike accompanied by a faint red glow.

【Heavy Cut】! 【Heavy Cut】! 【Heavy Cut】!

His outstanding talent boosted his confidence, but his lack of experience put him in danger. Even when he used his combat skills, they were only basic, low-level skills, and moreover, the [Heavy Slash] was weak in single-point breakthrough. It could not cause fatal damage to the Cracked Claw Bear with its thick fur, and instead quickly depleted his stamina.

"That idiot!" Old Bones cursed inwardly.

Sure enough, after several strikes, Kadi's movements slowed down significantly, and his sword swings paused fatally. The Crack Claw Bear keenly seized this opening amidst its continuous attacks, and its half-meter-long claws, accompanied by a foul stench, swept directly towards Kadi's stomach!

Kadi broke out in a cold sweat, but luckily he managed to cross his twin swords in front of him in time to block the attack.

clang-!

Sparks flew everywhere as Kadi's arms made a sickening sound as he was sent flying backward. One of his curved swords was even shattered. If he hadn't reacted in time, he would have been disemboweled.

"You beast! Look at this!"

Just as the Cracked Claw Bear was about to pursue Kadi, Old Bones seized the opportunity. A red glow burst forth from his great axe. Unlike Kadi's [Heavy Slash], this was a combat technique that Old Bones had honed for decades. The giant axe slashed down with ferocious force, directly cleaving open the Cracked Claw Bear's side and back, the wound so deep that bone was visible!

The giant bear let out a painful roar, becoming even more ferocious. It swung its claws back and cut through the air. The old bone twisted its body violently, and a black glow instantly appeared on its surface.

Sizzle—

Even with the enhancement of combat skills and the protection of his old companion, the giant bear's claws still managed to leave two shallow gashes on the old man's chest.

The two people and the bear temporarily separated.

Old Bones was fixated on the monster ahead, completely oblivious to whether the man named Logan might be lurking in the shadows and ambushing them. Now, they had to fight to the death.

Fuck!

To say this beast is a level one monster wouldn't be entirely accurate. The Cracked Claw Bear's speed is still within the range that non-professional adventurers can handle. If it were an old beast in its prime, it would certainly be able to cut off its head at the cost of some blood.

But he's old.

Old Bones felt like his lungs were a broken bellows, each breath carrying a rusty, bloody taste, and the wounds on his chest and all the joints in his body were burning with pain.

And then there's Kadi. Although he's quick and has inherited his father's dual-wielding talent, he's only mastered two combat skills, and he's only just begun to understand them. His entire battle rhythm is a mess, and he's simply not qualified to stand in front of this ferocious beast.

One is too old, the other is too young—it's a deadly combination.

"call...

""

Old Bones spat out a mouthful of saliva and charged at almost the same moment as the Cracked Claw Bear in front of him. But the instant he raised his axe, his rusty elbow involuntarily twitched, throbbing with pain.

The stiffness lasted only half a second.

The old bones couldn't help but curse furiously in their hearts, cursing both their disobedient body and the raging beast before them.

If he could be ten years younger... no, even just five years younger would be enough, he would definitely chop this beast in front of him to pieces!

The great axe came crashing down, but Old Bones got there first. A huge roar came from right in front of him as the Cracked Claw Bear's claws, sharp enough to cut through iron like mud, firmly gripped the axe blade.

The wild blood of the half-orc was completely ignited at this moment. The old bone's eyes widened and he roared. His withered muscles suddenly expanded and contracted, and in the pure struggle, he actually forced the giant bear to take a half step back!

"Now!"

Kadi burst in from the side like a rabbit, his twin blades plunging into the side of the Cracked Claw Bear through the previous wound. The blades were halfway in, and although the strong muscle resistance made it difficult for the twin blades to advance any further, a large amount of hot blood was finally drawn out.

The Cracked Claw Bear roared in agony, and the situation seemed to have reversed.

But time is merciless.

The old bones may not have lost too much strength, but their stamina is no longer what it used to be. The sparring only lasted a short time before the strength in his arms receded like the tide.

The Crackclaw Bear went into a complete frenzy!

"roar--!"

With a sudden slam of its giant hand, the immense force sent the old man and his axe flying. Then, its devastating claws swept towards Kadi beside it.

boom!

A crisp sound of shattering steel rang out. Although Kadi managed to dodge the attack by rolling and crawling, his prized twin swords had been smashed into pieces.

"Cough cough..." The old man hurriedly staggered to his feet. Damn it, his legs were already trembling uncontrollably.

The faint light on the ring completely dimmed; the effect of [Lightness Spell] had vanished. The Cracked Claw Bear's next pounce, accompanied by a foul stench, was already upon him! Old Bones frantically squeezed out his stamina, forcibly activating [Swiftness], and with an extremely clumsy twist and dodge, barely avoiding the ferocious claw attack.

But the excessive exertion caused his lungs to burst instantly, and his old bones felt a sudden blackout.

He dodged with one palm strike, but the monster's other giant palm was already slapping down like a small mountain, the immense wind pressure making his old bones sting.

Damn it! There's no escaping it now!

[Hardcore]!!!

Bang-!!

With a sickening metallic tearing sound, several small iron rings shattered from the old man's chainmail, and the frail orc's body was sent flying far away, crashing heavily onto the rocky beach.

"cough....

""

The old man clutched his nearly collapsed chest and abdomen tightly, his mouth full of blood, and trembling as he pulled out a bottle of [Basic Healing Potion] and swallowed it.

But the Crackclaw Bear gave him no chance to catch his breath. The vengeful beast let out a deep roar, its massive body poised to pounce, charging straight at the fallen old man like a heavy chariot.

Stones flew and leaves danced in the air.

At this critical moment.

boom!

A rock the size of a human head slammed into the Crackclaw Bear's head.

Having lost his twin swords, Kadi stood not far away, his hands trembling, and he roared in a distorted voice.

"Come on! You idiot! Look here! I'm right here!"

The Cracked Claw Bear was completely enraged. It suddenly turned around and roared as it pounced on the unarmed young man.

"No...run! Kadi, you idiot! Run!"

Seeing this, the old man's eyes widened in fury. Ignoring the fact that the medicine he had just drunk had not yet fully taken effect, he endured the excruciating pain and struggled to his feet.

Stand up!

He frantically pounded his stiff legs, trying to cast [Swiftness] again.

Ahead, Kadi was running frantically through the forest, his face filled with terror. A faint light flickered wildly beneath his feet, clearly indicating he had pushed [Sprint] to its limit. But how could a novice combat skill possibly outrun a berserk Crackclaw Bear?

In the blink of an eye, the shadow of the giant bear had already loomed over the young man's back.

"Move faster!!"

The old man's eyes were practically bleeding from staring.

Finally, a burst of green light erupted beneath the old bones' feet, and he charged forward frantically.

A faint green light flickered beneath his feet, his knees trembled violently, and each step brought excruciating pain.

Move, move quickly.

But he knew in his heart that it was too late.

The horrific image of Kadi being torn to pieces flashed uncontrollably through his mind.

Because the five long, terrifying claws of the Crackclaw Bear were already aimed at Kadi's back, raised high, and then swung down fiercely!

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

But the next moment—

puff.

There was no harsh clanging of metal against metal, nor the flickering light of combat techniques, only the dull thud of a sharp blade slicing through flesh and bone.

The massive hand of the Cracked Claw Bear, which had been swinging down into the air, along with its five indestructible claws, was severed cleanly from its wrist.

The foul blood sprayed into the air like a waterfall.

"Roar! Ro ...

The beast's extremely mournful screams instantly echoed throughout the entire forest.

Having narrowly escaped death, Kadi collapsed onto the ground, his eyes wide with terror.

Amidst the falling blood and leaves, a blond man appeared beside him. Hot bear blood still dripped from the man's longsword. He didn't even glance at the giant bear howling in agony, but looked down at Kadi, who lay paralyzed on the ground.

His name is Logan.