RoleplayNovel Chapter 45: Setting Off to Clear Out the Monsters
Chapter 45: Setting Off to Clear Out the Monsters
The fortress's interior was spacious yet simply furnished, with only a huge strategic sand table occupying the center, and detailed topographical maps and troop deployment diagrams hanging on the walls. A faint, mixed smell of gunpowder, leather, and ink permeated the air.
Xiao Tianhao walked to the sand table, pointed to a rugged and complex area to the north of the fortress that was specially marked in dark red, and got straight to the point, his tone serious:
"Young friend Lin Tian, since Xiao Yan recommended you, I'll get straight to the point. A few days ago, a fierce conflict broke out at the entrance to the abyss, with a high-level demon attempting to forcibly break through the seal. Although we and the sealing power ultimately repelled it, the aftershocks of the intense battle still tore a brief 'crack' in that area."
He traced a crack-like line on the sand table with his finger: "Although we reacted quickly and repaired the crack immediately, in that short period of time, a large number of low-level abyssal monsters still escaped like sewage from a burst dam, scattering across this 'Scorched Valley'." His finger heavily tapped the dark red area on the sand table.
"Currently, the main force of the fortress must be firmly stationed at the entrance to the abyss, maintaining a tight defense without the slightest lapse. We simply don't have enough manpower to wipe out these stragglers." Xiao Tianhao looked at Lin Tian, his gaze intense, carrying the straightforwardness and trust of a soldier. "And your mission is to completely eliminate all the low-level abyssal monsters that have escaped to 'Scorched Valley' within these 48 hours!"
He paused, then added, "Those things, though not of high level, are numerous, cunning, and carry the filth of the abyss, having a continuous corrosive effect on the environment. Cleaning them up is urgent!"
Meeting Xiao Tianhao's gaze, Lin Tian answered decisively without the slightest hesitation, "Understood! Leave it to me." In his mind, a massive amount of "improvement points" was beckoning him.
"Good!" Xiao Tianhao was very impressed with Lin Tian's decisiveness and laughed. "Young people these days are all as efficient as you and Xiao Yan! Without further ado, here is a detailed topographical map of 'Scorched Valley,' which marks the main areas where we detected monsters gathering." He handed Lin Tian a specially made magic scroll.
"Commander Xiao," Lin Tian took the map, quickly glanced at it to confirm the location, "Without further ado, I'll set off immediately!"
Seeing the undisguised fighting spirit and confidence burning in Lin Tian's eyes, Xiao Tianhao patted him forcefully on the shoulder: "Go, young friend! The fortress will provide you with the necessary support. Remember, things of the abyss are unpredictable and treacherous; be extremely careful! I will be here awaiting good news!"
Lin Tian put the map away, then turned around and strode out of the command center under the complicated gazes of Xiao Tianhao and the guards at the door, heading straight for the scorched valley that had been tainted by the abyssal monsters!
Lin Tian stepped out of the command center fortress, which was filled with the smell of iron and blood, without lingering for a moment.
With a slight thought, the [Stealth] skill was silently activated. The soldiers patrolling inside the fortress only felt a gentle breeze, unable to even catch a glimpse of him, before Lin Tian had already swept past numerous checkpoints like a ghost and arrived at the fortress gate, which resembled the maw of a giant beast.
Having confirmed the direction indicated by the map provided by Xiao Tianhao, Lin Tian took a deep breath of the air, which was filled with the heavy smell of sulfur and blood. He then slipped back into stealth mode and sped towards the area north of the fortress that was polluted by the abyss.
The closer one gets to the entrance to the abyss to the north of the fortress, the more eerie and desolate the environment becomes. The air is filled with a pungent sulfurous mist, like solidified poisonous miasma, and the once solid ground beneath one's feet has turned scorched and cracked, oozing a thick, dark red liquid like tar, emitting a nauseating, corrosive odor.
The traces of wild monsters that once existed have completely disappeared, and even the most resilient poisonous insects and weeds have withered away, leaving only twisted and strange black withered branches, like desperate arms reaching towards the sky.
This land has been completely "disinfected" by the abyss, leaving only pure, suffocating evil.
After running at full speed for about twenty minutes, a huge, terrifying rift, seemingly leading to the Earth's core furnace, appeared before Lin Tian.
The entrance to the abyss was not the orderly cave one might imagine, but a gruesome wound torn open by violent force! The edges of the rift were jagged and jagged, flowing with dark red, blood-like lava, radiating a terrifyingly high temperature that could distort the air.
Deep within the rift lies endless darkness, churning with filthy energy that sends shivers down one's spine, as if countless malevolent eyes are peering into the real world from the shadows.
Even from hundreds of meters away, the chaotic, mad, and destructive aura emanating from the very depths of the world assaulted Lin Tian's mental defenses like a tangible tide.
Lin Tian bypassed the terrifying core of the abyss entrance and continued running northwest for ten minutes, following the map's directions.
The scene before them suddenly changed, yet it carried an even deeper sense of despair. This was the [Scorched Valley]!
The valley looked as if it had been brutally plowed by a giant claw burning with hellfire, and the earth displayed a sickly mix of dark purple and charred black hues.
Countless bottomless cracks spread across the valley floor like a spider web, constantly emanating a dark red, highly corrosive mist (abyssal miasma) that hissed softly.
Scattered across the ground were enormous rocks, instantly carbonized by some terrifying force, their shapes grotesque. Besides the smell of sulfur, the air was thick with a pungent stench, like rotting entrails.
The entire valley was devoid of any life, only pure desolation and death.
Lin Tian quietly deactivated his stealth ability, climbed to the top of a huge, charred rock, and looked down.
The valley floor is an ocean of abyssal monsters!
Densely packed, countless! They came in all shapes and sizes, exuding a repulsive aura of the abyss:
【Abyssal Demons】: The most numerous, making up over 70% of all monsters. These creatures are about 1.5 meters tall, with hunched backs and repulsive dark green or grayish-brown skin covered in pustules and scabies. They have long, thin limbs, sharp claws, and corrosive saliva dripping from their mouths.
Their level is between Lv.18 and Lv.22, with approximately 4000-5000 HP, around 200 physical defense, and extremely low magic defense (around 150). Their main attack methods are pounce and claw strikes; they pose little threat, but their numbers are terrifying.
【Abyssal Bats】: They make up about 20% of the total. They hover in the low sky, with a wingspan of nearly two meters. Their bodies are like a combination of a skinned bat and a lizard, covered in slime and sparse bone spurs.
Levels Lv.20-Lv.24, HP 3000-4000, lower defense (physical/magical defense around 100), but faster speed (around 200). They will swoop down from the air to attack, or spew out small-area sonic orbs with a slight corrosive and confusing effect.
【Abyssal Worms】: The fewest in number, about 10%. They hide in the soft mud at the edges of tar pits or cracks, only their round mouthparts covered with sharp teeth are visible.
Level Lv.22-Lv.25, high HP (approx. 8000), decent physical defense (approx. 250), weak magic defense (approx. 100). Attacks by suddenly emerging from underground to bite or spit strong acidic slime, making it a dangerous ambush predator.
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