Chapter 195: Retreat
In an instant, a dark red door opened next to Tres.
A thick stone leg stepped out from the door.
As the Greater Earth Elemental stood tall, an overwhelming aura covered half of the battlefield.
Matthew couldn't help but look over and saw a 5-meter tall monster clad in stone armor with the words "Greater Earth Elemental" above its head!
His pupils constricted slightly—Matthew recognized the Greater Earth Elemental, having fought one before.
Though this particular Greater Earth Elemental didn't seem as powerful, appearing to be in a weakened state...
It was still a transcendent being with a challenge rating of 18+, which made it a formidable opponent in Matthew's eyes.
Earth elementals were different from other creatures—they naturally possessed immense defensive capabilities and top-tier regenerative abilities.
As long as they stood on the ground, even a legendary entity would take considerable time to completely destroy them.
Rubbing his throbbing head, Tres met the glowing red eyes of the Greater Earth Elemental and commanded it as if it was the most natural thing in the world:
"Attack! Kill that dragon!"
The Greater Earth Elemental, obeying the command, began to slowly walk toward Yaya with heavy steps.
With each step, its massive body caused the ground to tremble slightly.
The surrounding soldiers instinctively moved aside, regrouping under Tres's orders.
A comprehensive set of data appeared before Matthew, further clarifying the situation.
Stone Block
Race: Greater Elemental Being (immune to mind control, +50 to max health).
Class: Level 8 Warrior / Level 10 Sorcerer.
Challenge Rating: 18+.
Talent: Greater Talent – Heart of the Earth LV2.
While standing on the ground, it can continuously absorb the earth's power, gaining +30 to max health, +10 to physical defense, and regenerating 1 HP per second!
Feats:
Greater Feat – Solid as Stone LV1: +5 defense, reduces physical damage taken by 1/5, immune to attacks below high-level damage!
Advanced Feat – Precision Throw LV2: +5 damage when throwing objects or weapons, +3 range, +3 accuracy!
Advanced Feat – Elemental Shield LV3: Gains an elemental shield every hour that provides 5 defense and 20 health points.
Inheritance: None.
Skills:
Heavy Strike LV1, Evasion LV1, Grappling LV1.
Attributes:
Strength: 25.
Agility: 6.
Constitution: 25.
Intelligence: 6.
Perception: 10.
Charisma: 14.
Luck: -4.
Health: 50+50+30+18/148.
Physical Attack: 7.
Spell Attack: 3.
Physical Defense: 17+5/22.
Spell Defense: 7+5/12.
Evaluation: A super-strong punching bag!
"Amazing talents and feats, but almost no offensive skills."
"Has this Greater Earth Elemental never fought in its life?"
"Strong in strength and constitution, ridiculously high health, but low agility and intelligence, and its attack power is laughably low..."
After reviewing the Greater Earth Elemental's stats, Matthew suppressed a chuckle and began to carefully plan his next move.
"It's a good opponent—avoid its direct attacks and use agility and close combat to wear it down!"
Matthew whispered softly into Yaya's ear before lightly jumping off her back.
"Yaa? Got it!"
Trusting Matthew completely, Yaya charged forward without hesitation.
Even though she couldn't fly, there was no sign of retreat in her.
The Greater Earth Elemental raised its massive fist and swung it down toward Yaya.
Though it appeared powerful, to Yaya, the attack seemed slow.
She gracefully sidestepped, using a flap of her wings to propel herself directly under the Elemental's legs.
With her sharp claws, she latched onto its stone leg and bit down hard.
The Elemental's sturdy rock shield was chipped away.
Caught off guard, the Greater Earth Elemental couldn't control its momentum and slammed its heavy fist into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
Seizing the opportunity, Yaya excitedly climbed onto the Elemental's back, tearing away chunks of stone with her claws and teeth.
The clumsy Elemental stretched its hands behind it, trying to grab Yaya, but it was too slow to catch her nimble movements.
Despite its intimidating appearance, the massive Greater Earth Elemental was being overpowered by the much smaller Yaya.
Watching Tres regrouping his forces, Matthew raised his staff without hesitation.
A glowing fireball began to form.
Suddenly, eerie shadows gathered from all directions.
Just as Matthew released the Fireball Spell, two shadowy blades swiftly cut through his mana shield.
Before Matthew could react, they pierced his chest.
Only then did two shadowy figures materialize beside him.
Sixth-Tier Spell – Summon Shadow Warriors!
From a distance, Kaman's heart surged with joy.
"Once Matthew dies, the dragon bound to him by a life contract will be gravely injured, if not killed!"
But before Kaman could act against the agile Yaya...
The Matthew who had been stabbed suddenly shattered and disappeared without a trace.
First-Tier Spell – Illusion!
Immediately, the Fireball Spell that Matthew had cast exploded on the spot.
The two Shadow Warriors were ripped apart in an instant!
Boom!
Hearing the explosion, the smile on Kaman's face froze as a sudden shock hit him.
"When did he cast that illusion spell? Where is he now?"
At that moment, a deadly sense of danger overwhelmed Kaman.
He turned to look behind him, only to see a fiery ball of death flying toward him!
Kaman's last thought before his vision went dark was:
"How much does this guy love Fireball Spells?"
Boom!
The roaring flames tore through the carriage, as Matthew, now hiding in the swamp, lowered his staff with some frustration:
"As expected of a high-level mage, his survival skills are impressive!"
Indeed, Matthew's feigned attack, designed to distract and target the leader, had failed to kill Kaman.
Sensing faint spatial fluctuations, Matthew couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed:
"It's a shame I can't learn Fifth-Tier Spells yet. Once I get Dimension Anchor, escaping will become much harder for guys like him!"
Although Matthew hadn't killed Kaman, his attack had thrown Tres into a state of panic as he attempted to regroup his forces.
Tres didn't know Kaman had survived, but even if he did, there was no way to contain Matthew anymore.
Continuing the fight would be suicide!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With 500 elite soldiers crushed and half of them dead, the blood-soaked heavy infantry marched toward Yaya's location.
Sighing in defeat, Tres burned the sight of these soldiers and their weapons into his memory.
Ultimately, he didn't fight to the death—he sounded the horn of retreat!