Goblin Dependency
Chapter 51 - 51 39 Lizard

51: Chapter 39 Lizard 51: Chapter 39 Lizard It was a giant lizard nearly five meters long.

Its entire body was covered with coarse, rock-like blue-gray scales that conveyed a sense of formidable defense power with just a glance.

Eight short and strong muscular legs supported its bloated, heavy body above.

Brown bone spurs like underground crystals extended from the top of its skull to the tip of its tail; its ghostly green vertical pupils flickered faintly, resembling ghostly flames amidst the thin mist in the air.

Petrified Lizard—”Basilisk.”

Unlike a technological world devoid of supernatural power in the previous life, in this world, the size alone of a creature often suffices to determine the danger level of the species.

But in a truly fantastical world with dragons and magic, a flower elf the size of a thumb—who knows if she is a high-level professional or possesses high-level magic capable of destroying a small town?

Thus, to distinguish between these creatures of various sizes and danger levels, a concept was introduced—

“Challenge Level!”

Typically, a creature with a challenge level of “1” could be defeated without casualties by a properly equipped, well-rested team of four level “1” professionals.

Of course, this is in an idealized state—a cold rule convenient for past players to distinguish the power levels of creatures.

In reality, a monster’s development, whether it’s injured, the surrounding environment, and its behavior significantly influence its danger level and strength.

Sometimes, for certain intelligent creatures, factors like combat experience against human adventurers and the equipment they carry must also be considered.

Even so, the challenge level provides a rough idea of a creature’s power.

For instance, the Rusted Monster encountered by the Half Elf team last night had a challenge level of “0.5.”

Meanwhile, the Bear Goblins that wiped out the Stinky Fish and Shrimp Group had a challenge level just about “1.”

As a comparison.

Right now, not far ahead of Xia Nan, the approaching Petrified Lizard has a challenge level of—

“3!”

It requires four professionals of level “3” to properly prepare to hunt it without casualties.

This massive demon wrapped in thick scales is born with an ability known as “Petrification Gaze.”

Its ghostly green eyes, upon casting its ability, petrify any creature within its gaze.

Only those with a strong physique or firm will can avoid becoming statues.

This extremely dangerous ability allows it to roam freely in the dry regions it inhabits.

With a sweep of its sight, unprepared prey becomes immobile statues.

At this point, the naturally lazy Petrified Lizard will slowly approach to crush and swallow the statues with its powerful jaws.

Its stomach secretions help revert the food to its original state for digestion.

Without a doubt.

Regardless of the state of the Petrified Lizard before Xia Nan, with his current strength—

Approaching means death.

Thus, even though he hasn’t yet engaged this creature, the petrification of Larry and the immediate retreat of the Half Elf and Wood are enough to make him regain sense.

In that moment of regaining his senses, driven by the urgent alarm in his heart at the approach of death,

he turns and runs rapidly!

The recently drawn Beheading Longsword is sheathed again as the trees on either side rapidly recede before his eyes.

Xia Nan swings his arms forcefully, his long legs swiftly advancing on the leaf-covered forest floor.

“Huff…

huff…”

He pants heavily, a slight dizziness from the rush of adrenaline in his brain.

Occasionally, he hears warning hisses from snakes and insects brushing past his legs in the bushes.

But at this moment, he can’t care about these, merely running deeper into the forest.

And praying in his heart that the Petrified Lizard doesn’t catch up.

However, Xia Nan underestimated the greed of this demon for flesh.

Watching Xia Nan and the Half Elf flee in opposite directions,

the ghostly green eyes of the Petrified Lizard flicker with the light of a thinking intelligent creature.

Though the number of prey is greater on one side, they are faster and their aura becomes elusive under the forest cover, making them hard to track.

Adding to this, the emerald light that just blocked its Petrification Gaze…

This massive blue-gray lizard instantly decides, driven by hunting instinct.

Its eight sturdy legs bend and charge up.

“Boom!”

The massive bloated body displays explosive force far exceeding its heavy bulk.

Like a tank covered in Stone Armor.

The tough and thorny underbrush, along with the fleeing snakes and scorpions, are crushed to powder;

The dense treetops sway violently, and the startled birds fall as statues after flapping twice.

Trees are knocked down, grass flattened.

Charging straight through, chips of wood and grass seeds swirl in the air.

Xia Nan only feels the ground shaking intensely, with noises like a train passing behind him.

His heart races as he dares not look back, only trying to speed up.

Yet the sound of snapping branches feels like the approaching footsteps of death, clearer by the second.

Finally, as a blue-gray blur flashes by his peripheral vision,

the fierce wind laced with the stench of the demon’s saliva surges in like a hurricane from behind.

The maw capable of biting through steel and stone snaps shut!

“Buzz!”

The only magic item Xia Nan possesses, the Dead Line ring, auto-triggers—

“Deflection Field.”

Neither light nor air, the free energy in the air instantly condenses into a semi-transparent ochre protective shield over him.

“Crack!”

The Petrified Lizard’s powerful jaws snap shut in midair caused by the deflection field.

The sound grates on one’s teeth.

Just defense.

The twenty-four-hour cooldown of the Dead Line ring’s “Deflection Point” could serve as a crucial trump card in a balanced fight.

But against such a vast disparity in power,

it only lets Xia Nan run a few steps more.

The next second, the tank-like giant body of the Petrified Lizard slams directly into him.