[Hydrophis Elegante Lv. 29]

[Hydrophis Elegante Lv. 29]

[Hydrophis Elegante Lv. 30]

…

A nest of beautiful looking snakes was hissing us from the tall grass. Their appearance was a sight to behold if it was not for them being hostile and ready to pounce.

The environment has already turned to worse when we went far away from where we came from. Compared to the somewhat spacious fields of the Marsh's entrance where we came from, this place was filled with tall grass obstructing our vision. We have also specifically gone to this place because as much as possible, we wanted to be outside of Smiling Hound's group.

Now the terrain was twice more difficult to move around, fighting will be more atrocious. Besides the muddy waters, we can't see what is in front of us with all these obstacles blocking our visions.

The monsters located here are also a no joke. They might look less intimidating compared to the Gharials we fought, but their levels do not kid around. They also blend perfectly on the environment which made those in front of us less visible if we do not focus with all our might. Nonetheless, nothing will happen if we just stand around.

"These things might be poisonous. Have everyone brought some antidote potions?"

"I forgot to buy some."

Our group got together once again before attempting to aggro those snakes. ChickB was the only one who has not brought some. We gave him one potion each, so we have no problems there. Now, all we need is how to deal with these snakes.

Their number was one problem, but the most problematic one is their unknown attacks and attack pattern. Aria's group never met these monsters during their last expedition that is why they are as blind as I am.

"We're walking into dangerous territory. Mistakes can mean instant death."

"Leader, it's difficult to manoeuvre here. The ground is too sticky to even walk."

"Let's move there for a better footing."

"There's a spot over there-- It may be a smaller area to move around, but at least we don't need to put extra effort in battling these snakes. Just be careful since you might slip up."

I pointed towards a spot on the battlefield where the vegetation is in the least prominent.

I never noticed the difficulty of moving around like how ChickB was complaining and it seems to be only Aria and me who were moving normally. I can feel the slight nudge when stepping on the muddy soil, but it was not enough for me to change my walk.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Maybe the reason why it is happening because we have the highest agility among the group. It has reached the threshold of negating some the effects of this environment which is good to know.

High points in other stat points may have usefulness also, but that is to be discovered later. But for now, it is time to start to hunt.

"I can lure those snakes to our current position. I think I can run as fast as them and I get the head start by shooting the from far anyway."

"We're counting on you Cherry."

Using Stealth to reduce having the chance of being discovered by unexpected encounters, I looked and move towards the group with the least number.

I can feel my presence slowly diminishing that even my breath has stabilized. There was no problem moving towards the target and aiming at it, but I need to make sure that I can run back to my group safely.

"Charge Arrow."

It is my longest distanced skill that I have at the moment since I need every gap I can take to retreat back. When the arrow flew, I did not look at the damage anymore and immediately fled.

"They're here."

"Ready Fifty Silver! We don't know how much damage they deal, so try to avoid their attacks as much as possible. As for me, Michi, and ChickB, focus on one snake at a time. They might not have much health."

Four Hydrophis was chasing me. Lesser than what we predicted which is much better for our situation. Fifty Silver did not wait any longer and used Taunt to have all aggro towards him. Meanwhile, I was rushing to move toward the backline to begin helping them.

-111

-149

-145

-139

Their damage was much lesser compared to the Gharials, but four of them was too much. Fifty Silver gulped down a potion in no time and used all defensive skill in his arsenal.

-12 -12 -12 -12

The damage does not stop there. The Hydrophis' did not remove themselves after biting his armour. There was a purple liquid seeping down from its teeth dealing continuous damage up to five ticks. Only then did they remove themselves from Fifty Silver.

"They poisoned me even after all of that."

"Be careful people with low hp, their little damage will add up very quickly."

While all of that was happening, we have killed one. It was weird hitting them since we were also hitting Fifty Silver along the way. Thankfully, there was no friendly fire in a party or else we have killed him first before we killed the Hydrophis.

Now we were only dealing with three snakes, Michelle tried to switch place with Fifty Silver. It was an attempt to share the load for the damage not to add up so quickly. Yet, they failed because these snakes seem to only target one person at a time as a group.

Ironically, we were also doing the same thing to them. Bursting one snake at a time before moving to the next one.

Aria was especially effective in this fight because her attacks were the fastest among us which was effective for a small target with little armour like these snakes. Damage after damage was popping out of her normal attacks.

When our damages accumulated over time, it did not take long for the remaining three Hydrophis to drop down.

"Did we just hit the jackpot? They give twice the experience than the alligator ones while they also die twice as fast as them. Those snakes did not have a chance against my sword."

"Lol. I only saw your gigantic sword smacking around Fifty Silver. He even almost got knocked down by your skills a while ago. You should be thankful that there is no friendly fire."

"Hate to break it to you, but Fifty Silver have consumed 3 antidote potions during all that. Two more fights like these and we might be forced to leave with no antidote in hand."

We were now regenerating our HP with food while discussing what is next. The fight might not be difficult to us damage dealers, but I saw Fifty Silver downing a lot of consumables during the span of tanking hits. I am afraid this hunt will not be sustainable for long since we did not bring a lot of antidote potion.

"No need to worry about that. It dropped [Poison Resistance] Skillbook.

"That's great. That means we can continue."