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Chapter 438: The Strength of Modified Soldiers
Shields raised high, triggers pulled swiftly.
Bolts from repeating crossbows shot forth, striking the two leading Terrorclaw Beasts.
The enhanced "piercing" arrowheads inflicted lethal damage, causing them to collapse with agonized howls.
"Two down, eleven to go."
Counting silently, Jifan recalled the combat characteristics of the Terrorclaw Beasts and shouted decisively:
"Prepare to throw!"
The modified soldiers quickly drew their short spears and hurled them with great force.
The heavy short spears pierced through the Terrorclaw Beasts' chests effortlessly, embedding themselves within and claiming their lives.
With proficiency in throwing and the use of refined mithril spears, the damage exceeded a terrifying 20 points.
"Three more down, eight left!"
"Continue throwing!"
While confident they could eliminate the remAnnieng beasts, Jifan prioritized minimizing injuries among the soldiers.
Thus, he opted for the safest combat strategy.
Completing the mission while ensuring the soldiers' safety was paramount!
During the next charge, three more Terrorclaw Beasts fell.
Only two large and three small beasts remained.
"Form pairsâone attacks, one defends. Watch out for claws and tails."
Jifan's instructions were succinct; the super soldiers had already begun discussing strategies upon receiving the lord's briefing.
Shield raised, Jifan charged at a Terrorclaw Beast head-on.
Another modified soldier flanked him on the right, wielding a long piercing weapon.
Short weapons were ill-suited for such medium-sized magical creatures.
Bang!
Sparks flew, reflecting the determination in Jifan's eyes.
His sturdy shield held firm, easily deflecting the Terrorclaw Beast's strike.
The anticipated massive impact did not come; though forceful, the attack was within Jifan's tolerance.
"Estimated strength: 18 points. Even with size and momentum factored in, it cannot breach my defenses!"
Using the calculation method taught by the lord, Jifan quickly assessed the beast's stats.
"I've got this!"
Resolute, Jifan thrust his shield upward, disrupting the beast's attack pattern.
His sharp shortsword plunged into the creature's chest.
Roaring in pain, the Terrorclaw Beast attempted to retreat and reposition itself for another attack.
Anticipating this, Jifan stepped forward, feinting left to draw its attention.
He swiftly brought his shortsword down again.
The beast instinctively raised a claw to block, leaving its right flank exposed.
The other modified soldier surged forward, driving a mithril spear into the exposed chest with force.
Splurt!
The spear created a gaping wound, causing the beast's roars to falter as blood and saliva spattered.
Jifan followed up with a shield bash to its chest.
The massive creature stumbled and collapsed, its deadly tail dragging lifelessly behind it.
Elsewhere, the other modified soldiers had achieved victory.
Their superior equipment enabled them to fend off attacks with ease and target their opponents' weak points effectively.
While the modified soldiers triumphed, the secondary battlefield had also quieted down.
Breathing heavily, Beelzebub suppressed his surging battle lust, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.
With help from Annie and Parry, he had slain six formidable Terrorclaw Beasts.
Subduing such dangerous and powerful creatures gave Beelzebub a unique sense of accomplishment.
Ceasing her fire, Annie glanced at the unmoving soldiers guarding a particular spot and surmised:
"Matthew must be with them."
"Typical of Matthewâalways strategizing to perfection."
Annie wasn't merely impressed by the soldiers' elimination of 13 Terrorclaw Beasts.
She marveled at how effortlessly they had accomplished it.
Though not high-tier professionals, these modified soldiers had displayed overwhelming power against advanced magical creatures.
While their exceptional equipment contributed significantly, it also highlighted their inherent strength.
Annie grew increasingly invested in the idea of collaborating on modified soldiers.
With results as impressive as these, how could she not?
Matthew, too, was pleased with their performance. Though their combat experience and techniques needed refining, their raw power was undeniable.
"If only they were less expensive!"
"Perhaps the elves can provide some 'assistance' to reduce costs," Matthew mused.
With the battle concluded, Matthew ordered the soldiers to clean the battlefield.
The Cave Troll corpses were incinerated to deter scavengers and obscure their trail.
"Store the Terrorclaw Beasts' remains in the portable spaceâthese are valuable."
"Their hides, while not highly durable, are ideal for rogues and assassins."
"Don't let their bulk deceive you; they're master ambushersâŚ"
Annie, having barely avoided a fatal encounter, nodded in agreement.
"Collect their blood for potion craftingâŚ"
"Purified flesh makes excellent fertilizerâŚ"
"Bones and teeth can be fashioned into weapons. Each claw alone is worth 800 gold coinsâŚ"
Magical creatures truly are treasures, with nearly every part usable.
This was particularly true for the resource-hungry Bay Territory, where efficient use of materials was paramount.
Just the 20 Terrorclaw Beasts would yield approximately 50,000 gold coins.
Hearing this calculation, the modified soldiers beamed with satisfaction.
Even Annie found herself tempted.
The underground world, though perilous, concealed immense wealth and opportunities.
Controlling it could provide a steady stream of magical resources and materials.
The soldiers spent nearly an hour erasing all signs of their battle.
"Never leave traces in the underground world!"
This principle, born from adventurers' and players' hard-won experience, was strictly enforced by Matthew.
One could never predict if a trail might attract terrifying creatures like the Drow's Waxmelt Abomination or a Shadow Dragon seeking novelty.
Matthew meticulously cast over a dozen alert spells to ensure their safety before leading the group deeper into the caves.
The gold mine was near.