Goblin Dependency

The barbarian Akken’s powerful blow hit the bullseye!

Although the brief control by the human immobilization spell slightly affected his axe-wielding charge, resulting in the axe strike not achieving the expected power.

Even so, when the axe blade hit the vital part of the Windkind Octopus, it still delivered a significant enough blow to the demon.

"Swoosh bang!"

Wrapped in a blue phosphorescent glow, the axe blade, carrying the immense force of a professional-level barbarian, almost instantly penetrated the octopus’s highly resilient skin.

Light blue blood gushed out, revealing the writhing muscle tissue and the keratin at the base of the horns beneath the wound.

Whimper—

From the Windkind Octopus, filled with pain, came a high-pitched resonant sound that almost formed substantial ripples spreading through the seawater.

The limited rationality in the brain of this massive, fierce demon was dispelled by the pain from its head, leaving only a desire for destruction in its anger and violent rage.

Eight sturdy tendrils turned into long black-brown whips capable of twisting steel into fragments, thrashing around wildly in the surrounding seawater.

Indiscriminately, it reduced the Sha Hua Fishmen minions touched by its fury into indistinguishable shattered flesh.

Having been prepared, Akken decisively retreated after delivering that axe strike.

Now he was joining Lorin and the warrior twins Rein and Gordon nearby.

Unable to speak in the water, he gestured his thanks to Xia Nan from afar.

Thus far, the plan to intercept the Windkind Octopus had initially succeeded.

But whether it was Lorin, the planner, or Akken, who delivered that final axe blow, neither had a relaxed expression on their faces.

Instead, they became increasingly serious, even with a hint of suppressed anxiety.

They knew the most dangerous period was imminent.

Driven by pain and anger, the Windkind Octopus perhaps would no longer target the Vengeance Blade Blade, nor did it seem likely to flee.

Instead, it shifted its focus from the Vengeance Blade Blade to the culprits of its suffering, Lorin and the others.

In the coming time, they would need to deal with the mad revenge of the massive sea beast demon beneath the dimly lit, cold, and vast surface of the sea.

The oppressive roaring racket from whipping tendrils and the chaotic noise of displaced water would combine with the pressure facing the challenging circumstances, overwhelming the minds of those present.

It was only due to their extensive combat experience, all being senior adventurers at professional level, and having fought side by side for years, that they maintained considerable mental resilience.

Otherwise, if an ordinary adventurer were swapped in, they’d likely be scared out of their wits and flee in panic.

On the other side of the scene, Xia Nan, while slaying Sha Hua Fishmen coming towards the Vengeance Blade Blade, was also searching for the other Fishman Priest, fully aware of Lorin and the others’ situation.

He had a very strong desire to step forward and engage in combat, providing support and assistance.

However, what he was doing was also part of the prior plan.

Only by eliminating all the Fishman Mages within the enemy’s ranks could the others fight at ease.

Otherwise, like the Fishman Priest’s "Human Immobilization Spell" earlier, being ambushed by hidden arrows at crucial moments could easily cause the already unstable situation to completely collapse.

"Where is it?"

With a swift sword stroke, Xia Nan severed the head of a Fishman minion blocking his path and heightened his perception to the maximum.

...

...

Meanwhile, on the deck of the Vengeance Blade Blade.

"Buzz whoosh!"

From the last survivor of the Black Tide Hunter Ship Group, originally disarmed for safety, Sarisa had donned her well-crafted light leather armor once more, with the metal bow named [Silver Vein Longbow] back in her hand.

As a veteran expert with years of adventuring experience at sea, she quickly took a strategic high ground on the ship as the battle began.

Using straps on her back and waist, she secured herself firmly atop the tall mast.

The inside of her specially designed boots contained sharp metal plates for anchoring, inserted into the mast to support her, her slender yet powerful legs standing firmly like on solid ground.

Her left hand, calloused at the thumb and palm, gripped the stringless longbow tightly, while her right hand performed a practiced, ordinary motion, but was not holding an arrow.

It simply positioned between the bow limbs with proficient familiarity.

"Buzz..."

Magic particles in the air suddenly coalesced, making the inscriptions on the inside of the metal longbow’s limbs glow brightly.

Crackle—

A fine bowstring formed purely of magic energy connected the bow limbs through the concentration of magic particles.

Though having no fixed physical form, this bowstring seemed to possess physical characteristics, allowing Sarisa’s fingers to touch it.

With a firm pull back, a silver-white arrow composed of magic particles was placed on the bowstring between her forefinger and middle finger.

Aim, release.

"Whoosh!"

The brief charging allowed the arrow shot from the [Silver Vein Longbow] to be much faster than an ordinary bow.

Only a silver-white stream could be seen briefly streaking through the air.

In the next moment, a Fishman minion that had just climbed onto the deck from the side, attempting to attack the crew, found a silver-white energy arrow quickly dissipating in the center of its forehead.

Instantaneously killing the target, the impact inertia carried by the arrow itself involuntarily pushed its center backwards, causing it to fall into the sea with a "thud".