Goblin Dependency
Chapter 148 - 99: Immunity to Fire

Chapter 148: Chapter 99: Immunity to Fire

The Thorn Demon is not a native creature of the Material Realm.

They often vibrate their bat-like giant membranous wings, shuttling between the murky, fire-cloud-heavy skies of Hell.

Screeching, they search for prey on the surface.

But for various reasons, such as coincidental plane overlaps, unlucky novice Summoners, cultists who recite incantations incorrectly, or greedy individuals trying to trade with Devils...

This species of high in number demons also frequently appear on the Aifala Continent.

During Xia Nan’s time resting in River Valley Town, he urgently studied all kinds of knowledge about this world.

Especially regarding the demons he might encounter on his adventures, he memorized diligently.

Thus, he clearly knew that this Hell Demon, with a high Challenge Level of "2", was far beyond what he, who couldn’t even handle a Bear Goblin alone, could manage.

Almost at the first moment of identifying it as a "Thorn Demon" through its external features,

he instantly changed direction even before the dust raised by its fall in the air had fully dispersed.

He sacrificed a bit of speed, intending to circumvent from the side.

In his view, under the intimidating momentum of Kalanfor behind him, no matter how fierce the Thorn Demon’s nature, it wouldn’t waste escape time entangling with him at such a critical moment.

But unexpectedly, he had just stepped two steps to the left.

"Pssh!"

A bone spur adorned with barbs shot into the soil in front of him like a bullet.

His steps halted abruptly, Xia Nan instinctively leaped back.

His brows furrowed, and his dark pupils looked towards the terrifying figure ahead on the road.

The state of the opponent seemed a bit off.

It seemed to have just fought with some kind of creature, with visible injuries on the Thorn Demon:

The tough skin, able to withstand Hell’s intense storms, was cut by some sharp weapon, leaving a bloody wound at the chest’s center;

The huge bat wings, relied upon to defy gravity and soar the skies, had the left half severely damaged, bending down from the middle, exposing pale bone spurs at the wound.

Yet what made Xia Nan most alert was the significantly denser sporous purple mist surrounding the Thorn Demon’s body.

"Infected?"

He pondered to himself.

Still unwilling to delay and waste time here with the opponent.

He carefully moved sideways, away from the Thorn Demon.

Seemingly trying to convey that he meant no threat to the opponent.

The incoming screech, filled with an acrid sulfur smell.

"Sssss!"

But shortly reaching the waist of an ordinary human, the Thorn Demon’s slender body suddenly exploded with a speed that surpassed human reaction.

Even Xia Nan only saw a vague shadow flash before his eyes, instinctively raising his longsword to block in front of his chest.

Clang——

The Beheading Longsword’s blade vibrated violently.

He only felt a force with immense penetration spread through his body from his hands.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Clods splattered as he retreated three steps.

Looking again, the Thorn Demon had retreated to its original position.

Crouching, its wings draped over its body, and its long tail raised high, like a venomous snake intimidating the enemy, gently swaying.

"Whew..."

Exhaling deeply, the numbness between his arms gradually dissipated.

Xia Nan no longer moved, maintaining a defensive posture, staring intently at the Thorn Demon ahead.

His mind rapidly racing.

"Too fast!"

Clearly, with severe injuries and loss of flight ability.

This creature from Hell still demonstrated explosive power beyond his reach.

In such a situation——

Running away was impossible!

Turning his back to the opponent even slightly, the next second, those jagged sharp teeth would pierce his throat.

Behind him, the layers of heat waves from the aftermath of the Transcendent battle engaged by Kalanfor were constantly crashing against his back.

Getting hotter!

The iron-gray smooth sword blade reflected the fierce demon surrounded by spores before him.

In the depths of Xia Nan’s dark eyes.

All hesitation and retreating intentions vanished in an instant.

Replaced by a battle intent and determination igniting from within!

His eyes locked onto the opponent’s body, observing every move.

Xia Nan leaned forward, suddenly charging forward!

Without long-range attack methods, to win this encounter, he must close the distance with the opponent.

"Pssh!"

The wailing of air being torn echoed by his ear.

A vague shadow seemed to flash through his vision.

Instinctively, he tilted his head.

Tss-pa——

Several strands of broken hair fell beside his ear.

A bone spur capable of piercing steel grazed his face, the wind it stirred stinging his cheek.

A step away from death, his heart pumped vigorously, and his blood rushed like boiling lava, fiery and intense.

Xia Nan could even hear the mighty rumble of blood flowing through his veins.

Gripping the longsword tightly in his hands, the Battle Skill he practiced countless times manifested once more in this world.

Stepping forward, gathering strength.

As if rooting deep into the soil, a powerful force surged from his feet, gathering all the power in his body to a single point.

Wrist, sword hilt, blade.

Everything transformed into the purest slash.

[Vortex Slash]!

Buzz——

The iron-gray sharp arc of light flickered in the air, momentarily visible.

But unlike before, that perfect sword light, meant to slice flesh and claim life,

This time, it abruptly ceased.

"Clang!!!"

The noisome sound of hard objects colliding.

For the first time ever, Xia Nan’s [Vortex Slash] was forcibly blocked.

With a Challenge Level of "2", the Thorn Demon, reaching professional strength.

Even severely wounded, it still possessed a physical fitness far beyond that of an ordinary adventurer.

Almost the moment Xia Nan closed in, it reacted.

Raising its left arm, the coral-like sharp bone clusters at the elbow joint blocked where the sword strike was about to slice through.

Sparks burst!

The sword fiercely trembled from friction with the bone cluster.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xia Nan saw the Thorn Demon’s long tail once again raise silently, with a white sharp glint flashing in the air.

This inferior demon from the Outer Plane tried to shoot its bone spurs, capable of easily piercing a human body, once again while Xia Nan was locked in combat!

Deciding instantly, Xia Nan pushed his longsword forward with all his might while stepping back to open up some distance.

His left hand retrieved a prepared Kerosene Bomb from his waist pouch.

Flinging it forcefully towards the Thorn Demon’s face!

"Boom!"

Thick dust and black oil exploded instantly in the flames, turning into swirling orange-red flames engulfing the Thorn Demon’s elongated skull like a goat’s bone.

With no intention of stopping,

seeing the thrown object seemed effective, Xia Nan firmly grasped his longsword, ready to press the advantage.

Then, another sharp howl interrupted his action.

Sound waves echoed, faint ripples stirring in the air.

The fierce fire from the custom-made Kerosene Bomb of River Valley Town’s general store, capable of incinerating countless insects.

When landed on the Thorn Demon, it was like water droplets seeping into a sponge.

Visible to the naked eye, in a breath, the swirling flames seemed to have gained consciousness, extinguishing voluntarily, seeping into the pores.

Revealing the Thorn Demon’s coarse, scorched-mark-free skin.