Chapter 589: Who's the Real Swarm Strategy?
"Ding, bracer damaged, durability lost: 30 points (1/3)."
"Ding, Battle Qi impact defense check in progress. (Strength 22 + Legendary Battle Qi 20) 42 : (Constitution Defense 17 + Armor Defense 15) 32, defense success rate: 76.19%..."
"Ding, defense check passed..."
"Ding, you received 172 damage, actual HP loss: 54..."
The enemy's fierce strike would have been a nightmare for most squishy Professionals.
But for Matthew, who now had 289 HP, the injury, though considerable, was not fatal.
His surging blood quickly worked to heal the wound.
His HP steadily regenerated at 4 points per second.
Matthew's hands clamped tightly onto the glowing blade.
Raging blue lightning surged like a living being along the blade.
Sensing danger, the Legendary Ranger immediately let go of his weapon.
As he landed lightly, he avoided the incoming lightning and drew a thin sword from his waist, thrusting it fiercely at the burly Matthew.
The seemingly drifting thrust made Matthew feel a deadly threat.
If he didn't dodge, it could mean instant death!
As expected of a legendary foe—ruthless, adaptive, and never limited to one method of attack.
Matthew raised his arm to his chest, ready to block the fatal blow.
The erratic sword shifted like a snake's tongue, aiming for his heart.
With no time to counter, a sharp gleam flashed in Matthew's black eyes. Abandoning defense, he swung his right fist straight at the enemy.
Trading a sword for a punch?
The aggressive Legendary Ranger didn't hesitate. Bursting with full power, his already swift figure accelerated again.
The gray-brown sword pierced the Thunder Magic Armor.
The flexible-looking blade released terrifying force, piercing through the sturdy armor.
Crack!
The sharp tip stabbed into Matthew's chest.
Meanwhile, Matthew's thunder-infused punch smashed into the ranger's face.
Their eyes locked—Matthew's burned with frenzy, while the ranger's remained cold and calm.
The crackling lightning arcs reached the dark helmet, and the terrifying pressure made the ranger retreat.
Whoosh!
The solid figure instantly shattered into flickering afterimages.
Ignoring the pain in his chest, Matthew spun around like lightning and wrapped the dazed Annie in his arms.
Clang!
Three or four sharp crossbow bolts struck Matthew's side, scraping off a cascade of sparks.
Smelling the heavy scent of blood, Annie's eyes shone with a mix of shock and joy.
Matthew raised his hand and pointed at the approaching Legendary Ranger.
The ranger suddenly sensed deadly danger. His gray-green cloak flared with crystalline light, forming a flickering magical shield.
Crack!
A bolt of terrifying lightning struck the ranger from above.
The sparkling green shield slowed the lightning for 0.1 seconds before shattering with a "bang," vanishing without a trace.
The ranger trembled, paralyzed by the surging lightning. Fear flickered in his eyes.
What kind of class was this guy?
A heavily armored mage?
Or some kind of innate talent?
He didn't have time to analyze. Instinctively, he activated a life-saving skill on his chestplate.
A gray-brown force field instantly enveloped him.
The descending lightning couldn't break through the field and began to dissipate.
Suddenly, he saw Matthew clenching his hand from afar!
The scattered lightning obediently formed an arc-filled cage.
The ranger saw the electric sparks reflected in his eyes and Matthew charging at him. He inhaled deeply.
Leaving afterimages behind, he rushed straight toward Matthew.
But Matthew didn't react to the charge. Instead, he pounded his lightning-charged fist into the ground.
Lightning exploded outward like a woven net.
The crackling light shredded the ranger's afterimages.
Matthew's idea was simple.
No matter how fast or high you leap, you still have to land!
I'll be waiting for you on the ground!
The ranger, now between Matthew and Annie, emitted a puff of smoke from his body.
Covered in black smoke, the ranger had clearly taken a severe jolt.
Yet he didn't give up. Several spell effects lit up on his body.
His previously sluggish form accelerated again.
Matthew, wrapped in flashing lightning, chased after him.
And he was even faster!
Feeling the pressure from behind, the ranger was overwhelmed.
Matthew moved like a monster—tough, highly defensive,
With devastating strength that could crush a legendary tier like him.
The lightning could even penetrate his Battle Qi and armor—ridiculous.
And he had phenomenal reflexes, able to keep up with him.
The overwhelming pressure forced the ranger to gamble.
He decided to ignore Matthew and go all-in on Annie.
Whoosh!
A chilling gust streaked toward Annie.
The ranger's aim was clear, and he was ruthless.
Annie's eyes filled with panic. She tried to retreat while firing an arrow.
To the ranger, it looked like a desperate flail.
Calmly brushing the arrow aside, he used a blink step to close in, his thin sword stabbing at Annie's head.
He knew—she couldn't dodge.
Death was certain!
The sudden pressure gave the ranger a rush of thrill.
He loved dancing on the edge of death!
Then—his sword stabbed nothing.
The panicked Annie vanished!
Shocked, the ranger felt a familiar energy. Losing composure, he shouted:
"Impossible!"
Matthew's eyes gleamed as he laughed and slammed his fist into the ranger's back.
The gray armor shattered. The devastating impact crushed the ranger's body,
Twisting his muscles and blowing through his chest with sheer force.
Crack!
He heard his bones break.
The crushing force was about to collapse his chest entirely.
In desperation, he unleashed all his Battle Qi.
Before Matthew's punch fully landed, he launched himself away.
Boom!
He crashed into the city wall like a ragdoll, leaving a bloody dent.
Blacking out, he felt like every bone was shattered.
No time to think or scream—Matthew's pressure returned instantly.
The giant came again, another deadly punch.
As he tried to dodge, a powerful force pinned him to the ground.
Eyes wide, he saw Matthew's fist growing larger, alarms screaming in his brain.
I'm going to die—move or die!
Recalling the moment of crushing force, he chose not to risk it.
A surge of spell power tore through the anti-magic field and teleported him just before the punch landed.
Matthew stopped his punch midair, showing terrifying control.
He looked regretfully at the blood left behind:
"Too few samples. Would've been better with more."
The brilliant, rapid battle had all occurred in just over twenty breaths.
Most of the Ail Elves hadn't even reacted.
Panicked, they scanned the battlefield for Annie.
All they saw was lightning-wreathed Matthew chasing down retreating Cole soldiers.
The modified Ail Elves, knowing Matthew's strength, charged into the fray.
The enemy had blatantly attempted a decapitation strike in front of them all.
Now, they saw just how mad the Ail Elf reinforcements could be.
These tall warriors charged in recklessly, uncaring of injury or death.
"You slash his chest—"
"He doesn't dodge. He slashes your chest back just as fast!"
Even top-tier black-armored Cole warriors broke through, but at a cost. Many wounded by magic muskets were finished by furious Ail Elves.
They also left behind one rear guard warrior.
Boom!
Matthew's heavy fist hit another Cole soldier before he could react.
Even their sturdy helmets couldn't stop the impact.
They flew back, crashing to the ground, unable to rise.
One punch per wounded black-armored soldier.
He ignored counterattacks, blocking with his Thunder Armor.
Sparks flew, lightning danced along blades.
That was their final reward before blacking out.
"Current Thunder Armor is basically a damage evaluator."
"High-damage hits aren't reduced much."
"But low-damage attacks are completely ignored."
"The perfect newbie-crushing tool!"
Matthew noted this, eyes locked on a top-tier elf surrounded by four Ail Elves.
He pointed to the sky.
"Lightning, heed my call!"
Crack!
Lightning fell on the enemy's head.
Despite similar armor design, his gear wasn't as strong as the ranger's.
He couldn't resist the lightning's damage and paralysis.
He collapsed to his knees.
His last sight: Matthew's approaching fist.
Only now did Annie reappear at Matthew's side.
Her eyes held mixed emotions and joy. Remembering her duty, she called out:
"Dragon-Hunter Ballistas, focus fire on elite targets!"
"Second wave of Wildfire Oil—block enemy reinforcements!"
"Reserve forces to the walls—rotate positions, one-third at a time."
"Keep the artillery firing—prioritize enemy siege equipment!"
"..."
Seeing her safely commanding, the Ail Elves relaxed.
They glanced at Matthew, then rejoined the battle with renewed spirit.
Fighting with valor, they held off wave after wave.
"They're doing great—but lack a decisive weapon."
Watching Annie's composed leadership, Matthew calmly pointed out their weakness.
Annie shook her head, finally relaxing as the lines held:
"The other families are too stubborn—flexibility is hard to come by."
She couldn't help but feel regret. If the territories and fortresses had just listened sooner...
If they had purchased more dwarven cannons and muskets from Bay Territory, they wouldn't now be so helpless against the Cole Elves' extraordinary units.