Chương 99: Black Scale Python

"Looks like I was wrong..." Watching the living mountain of flesh formed by dozens of giant pythons, Vaelis muttered.

"Grey, if you die and get reincarnated, you're definitely coming back as a Water Python."

"You'll spend every day fighting other males for a chance to mate."

"I'm not exactly into having dozens of men surrounding one woman." Grey's face turned slightly pale. Even he was shaken by the sight before him. A scene of this scale was completely incompatible with his philosophy on women.

"Zelier, Vaelis. You two strike first." After calming down, Marcus began quietly assigning roles.

"Once the battle starts, Grey and Gark, you'll clear out the ordinary Water Pythons and protect our flanks."

"Vaelis, Zelier, and I will focus on the Black Scale Python."

"Any problems?"

"None." Everyone responded quietly. Facing the writhing breeding ball, both Zelier and Vaelis felt a wave of disgust. They exchanged a glance. Then, at the same time, they began gathering power. Soon, two terrifying sources of energy reached their peak. The tip of Zelier's ashwood wand glowed with brilliant blue light. Meanwhile, Vaelis's arrow was completely wrapped in crackling lightning aura.

"Now!" Marcus shouted. The moment his voice fell, an Arcane Missile and a Thunderclap Arrow erupted almost simultaneously. The two streaks of light tore through the mist and struck the massive breeding ball!

"BOOM!!!" A thunderous explosion shook the entire swamp. Arcane energy and lightning aura detonated together, sending mud, water, and a wave of blood spraying into the air! At the center of the explosion, seven or eight male Water Pythons that had been desperately tangled together were ripped apart instantly. Broken snake bodies were hurled into the air like torn ropes before crashing back into the muddy pool. The already murky water became stained with an even deeper shade of red.

The tightly packed breeding ball was blown open, revealing the Black Scale Python hidden at its core. 《Adventurer Association Universal Monster Guide》 【Sequence 39】: Black Scale Python Individual Threat Rating: 【Difficult】 Appearance: A massive python far larger than ordinary Water Pythons. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Its length can exceed ten meters, and its entire body is covered in a layer of hard, smooth scales.

Habits: Black Scale Pythons are exclusively female. They are apex predators of swamps and small bodies of water, possessing an extremely strong territorial instinct. Outside of breeding season, they will slaughter even male Water Pythons that enter their territory. Special Abilities: The Black Scale Python possesses immense physical strength. A full-power tail strike is capable of crushing an ordinary human into a bloody mess.

Its scales are even harder than armor, making ordinary blades and swords nearly useless against it. Core Weakness: No obvious weakness discovered. The only known method is to forcibly break through its scales before delivering the killing blow. Guild Notes: Teams without powerful ranged classes are strongly advised against challenging a Black Scale Python. A direct melee confrontation with only warriors is highly likely to result in casualties.

The Black Scale Python had originally been enjoying the sensation of countless male Water Pythons coiling around its body. But the sudden attack and intense pain immediately sent it into a violent rage.

"SSSSSSS!!!" Unlike a lion or tiger, the Black Scale Python's roar was not a thunderous beastly cry. Instead, it was a sharp, hissing sound. Yet that sound alone was enough to send a chill deep into one's soul. The python raised its head. Its yellowish vertical pupils locked directly onto Marcus and the others. Without hesitation, the Black Scale Python violently shook off the Water Pythons still wrapped around its body.

Then, despite its enormous size, it exploded forward with terrifying speed and charged toward the party! The surviving male Water Pythons also located their enemies. They flicked their tongues, releasing low hisses, and surged forward behind the Black Scale Python.

"Grey! Gark! Clear the flanks!" Marcus roared.

"Leave it to us!" Grey and Gark responded immediately. The two charged left and right toward the surviving male Water Pythons. Marcus raised his composite shield in front of him and continued issuing orders.

"Zelier! Vaelis! Prepare your attacks!"

"Understood!" Marcus charged forward alone. He met the Black Scale Python head-on! The giant python opened its blood-filled jaws and bit down toward Marcus.

"Get lost!" Marcus poured aura into his shield, strengthening both its offensive and defensive power. Shield Bash!

"BOOM!!!" Marcus unleashed all his strength. The composite shield smashed violently into the Black Scale Python's snout. The enormous impact force forcibly stopped its crushing bite. However... Even such a powerful Shield Bash, striking directly against its head, only dented a few of the Black Scale Python's scales. It failed to cause any serious injury. The collision forced Marcus backward several steps before he regained his footing. What terrifying physical strength...

If I was still only a Low-Tier Warrior, I probably wouldn't even be able to withstand that strike... Marcus thought grimly. At the same time, Vaelis and Zelier's firepower support arrived. Two streaks of light flashed. The Arcane Missile and Thunderclap Arrow struck the Black Scale Python one after another, blasting its massive body sideways. The explosions looked impressive. But the actual damage was limited. The Thunderclap Arrow detonated against its scales, leaving only a small blackened mark.

The Arcane Missile performed slightly better. It managed to tear away several scales. But it still failed to seriously injure the flesh beneath. The failed bombardment only made the Black Scale Python even more furious. It continued attacking wildly. Marcus could only stay behind his shield, blocking the python's attacks while looking for opportunities to strike with his sword. But those attacks achieved little. Every slash against its scales only produced bursts of sparks. The battle entered a fierce stalemate.

The Black Scale Python had fallen completely into a frenzy. Its enormous body twisted and rolled violently through the mud. Its movements were incredibly fast and unpredictable. With Marcus constantly blocking attacks in front, Zelier and Vaelis couldn't unleash their spells freely. One mistake could easily injure their own teammate.

"It really moves like an eel..." Zelier frowned. He canceled the Arcane Missile he had been preparing. Instead, he began constructing another spell. The tip of his ashwood wand flashed. A deep blue frost rapidly spread outward. Frostbite! The Black Scale Python's body was already soaked. Mud and swamp water covered its scales. Because of this, the frost spread at an astonishing speed. In only a few seconds, a layer of ice rapidly formed across the python's body, severely restricting its violent movements.

Although the monster desperately twisted and shattered the ice around itself... The additional effort still greatly slowed it down. The frozen layer spread upward from the middle of its body. Soon, it began creeping toward the head. Vaelis immediately seized the opportunity. He reached into his quiver and pulled out another specially crafted arrowhead. A Glass Arrow! These arrowheads were made from the glass produced by the Blackstone Mine. They possessed astonishing armor-piercing ability and unmatched sharpness.

However, their cost was extremely high. Under normal circumstances, Vaelis would never waste one. He nocked the arrow. Locked onto the head. And drew the bowstring.