Chapter 93

After receiving Annie's response, Rod finally gathered the others and explained the current situation. Upon hearing this, almost everyone was unable to hide their surprise.

"Why can't I go?"

Selek naturally raised the question.

"You need to deal with a Bone Giant on your own, which is completely different from before."

Rod shook his head and gave his answer, then he looked at Marin.

"Miss Marin, you don't need to use Silence this time. We are already near the valley's exit, and Death Knights can easily detect the aura of magic. Therefore, the significance of Silence is not great. I require you to start attacking the Bone Giant's head from the very beginning. Although these giants have a decent resistance to magic, I believe you have a way."

"I will do my best!"

Marin gripped her staff. This time, she felt a great deal of pressure, not only because of the severity of the battle, but also because... Thinking of this, Marin couldn't help but glance at Annie, who was quietly standing outside the group, looking ahead, but she said nothing.

"Lijie, after we eliminate the two Bone Giants, you must act immediately, find Annie, help her, and ensure she can hold on until we arrive. This is very important."

"Yes, Mr. Rod, I will do my best."

Lijie clenched his fists tightly and nodded.

"Mr. Rod, why can't we help?"

At this moment, Kudra, who was at the back, also raised his question.

"We can also..."

"Our goal is to save you all. We are just one step away from getting out, and you cannot take this risk. Moreover, the Spirit Mages need protection. If you leave, they will have to rely on themselves, which is very difficult."

Looking at the Spirit Mages beside him, whose faces were almost ashen with tension, Kudra could only remain speechless. He was a battle-hardened mercenary leader, and from the expressions of the Spirit Mages, he knew that relying solely on them to reach the exit was almost impossible. Moreover, he had no confidence in intercepting the Death Knight. According to Rod, the Death Knight was a monster with strength almost on par with Selek, nearly reaching the Manipulator level. Kudra knew he could not possibly stop such a monster. So, he could only nod silently and gesture to his subordinates.

"Then, let's start preparing."

Rod clapped his hands and, while everyone was not paying attention, he exchanged a glance with Selia.

"Selia, once we defeat the enemy, you must fly over immediately... Remember, do whatever it takes to protect Annie and ensure nothing happens to her."

"Understood, Master."

If Annie died, she would be gone forever, but if a summoned spirit died, it could be summoned again. If not for the suppression ability of the angel, which would allow Rod to deal with the Bone Giants more quickly, he would have preferred to switch Annie out and push Selia into the role. However, this was clearly impossible now.

This was the best decision Rod could make with the current lineup. He was not confident in Annie's strength, as although she had passed the test, their interaction was too short, and this was the first time Annie was on a mission with Rod. He had not yet fully evaluated her true strength. But now, he had no choice but to do this, as Annie was the only one who could "possibly" accomplish this task.

At first, everything was the same as before.

Old Walker's arrow, as expected, startled the two Bone Giants. They moved forward slowly, seemingly close and intimate. Of course, this was not a good sign for Rod, as it meant the situation was developing in the direction he least wanted.

Although Rod hoped to lure the Bone Giants deeper, they were not foolish. After a few steps, they stopped and kept looking inward, but did not take another step.

"Attack!!"

Seeing this, Rod knew his plan had failed again. He had to grit his teeth and give the order.

Marin raised her staff, a brilliant magical light flashed from it, and then shot towards the Bone Giant's head. In the next moment, thick clouds suddenly appeared in the sky. As the two Bone Giants curiously raised their heads to look, the energy within them erupted.

Marin's pent-up battle spirit of five hours transformed into lightning that descended from the clouds. For a moment, countless thunderbolts, almost blinding, raged and roared, striking the ground, the forest, and the Bone Giants. The continuous thunderclaps made people's hearts tremble, and the trembling ground was pockmarked with huge craters. For victory and for her teammates, Marin held nothing back. She almost vented all her soul power, condensing it and releasing it in the most powerful way.

The Bone Giants also felt significant pressure.

Although they had lost their flesh and were only bones, they had some resistance to magical attacks. However, this resistance was not infinite. After enduring for dozens of seconds, the originally hard bodies of the Bone Giants began to tremble, showing faint cracks. They roared loudly, displaying their anger and dissatisfaction, but it was meaningless. The cage of lightning trapped them, almost immobilizing them.

Faster, faster!

Everyone saw the Bone Giants' miserable state under the lightning. They clenched their fists and silently cheered in their hearts, even hoping it would continue, destroying these terrifying giants completely.

Unfortunately, this was just their wishful thinking.

The thick clouds suddenly disappeared.

Marin put down her staff, her face pale, drenched in sweat, leaning against a tree trunk, panting heavily. She gritted her teeth, her trembling hands almost unable to lift. Although she was a genius mage, her power was still limited. The Thunder Summoning spell was very energy-consuming, and now she had completely drained her energy, unable to even stand.

On the other hand, the Bone Giants, though their massive bodies were riddled with cracks and emitting wisps of black smoke, still stood firm, showing no signs of weakening.

"Damn it!"

Seeing this, Rod cursed inwardly, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face. However, as a commander who had experienced many battles, he knew that complaining was useless. So, he drew his sword and pointed forward.

"Charge!"

With these words, Rod's figure flashed, leaving a trail and charging towards the left Bone Giant with Selia, who was flying high. At the same time, Selek also moved, attacking the right side.

The two Bone Giants, who had just been hit by "five thunderbolts," had not yet recovered from the attack. The sword blade, glowing with holy power, and the crimson sword appeared before them.

As a flying spirit, Selia's speed advantage was very clear. She was the first to reach the Bone Giant, then gripped the sword with both hands and swung it down. The Bone Giant, still dazed, instinctively raised its hand to block. Soon, the flawless white sword met the Bone Giant's hand, but this time, Selia was not pushed back by the counterforce. Instead, she roared, and the light on her sword turned into a blazing flame, and the Bone Giant's hand was cut off!

At the same time, Rod arrived!

The Silver Moon Blade flew out, slicing through the darkness and cutting off the Bone Giant's right leg. The Bone Giant roared in anger but could not stabilize itself and fell to the ground. However, this did not mean it was defeated. Instead, as it hit the ground, its body shattered like a toy smashed by a child!

Damn it!

Seeing this, Rod cursed inwardly. He had feared this move in previous battles, and now it had come true. The Bone Giant was indeed splitting! Thinking of this, Rod gritted his teeth and advanced instead of retreating. He held his sword in his right hand and waved his left hand forward. Soon, a red card appeared in Rod's hand and flew out. Accompanied by blazing flames, the long-absent Black Hound finally reappeared, howling and charging forward, then disappearing into the raging storm.

As Rod had expected, after the Bone Giant shattered, it did not remain still. Instead, in the blink of an eye, the scattered bone fragments began to rotate rapidly around the skull, forming a huge vortex in the air like a tornado. The howling wind wall and the occasional bone fragments formed an impenetrable defense, blocking Rod's attack.

Rod swung his sword, and the Shattered Blade spun out, flying into the vortex. However, the light was quickly swallowed and disappeared. Selia flapped her wings, trying to penetrate from above, but she was only halfway when the bone vortex detected her and repelled her, forcing her to retreat.

This was troublesome!

Rod panted, looking at the vortex. Now, his only hope was that his plan would proceed smoothly...

A brilliant holy light descended from the sky, striking the vortex. Affected by this, the originally swirling bone barrier suddenly paused, and with a loud explosion, the firelight flickered in the vortex. Soon, the rapidly spinning storm weakened significantly, and when the bone fragments fell to the ground, Rod and Selia saw the Bone Giant's head destroyed by the Black Hound's self-destruction. Half of its face was completely shattered, and the remaining half was only faintly glowing...

Marin's thunder attack, though it did not completely destroy the Bone Giants, had inflicted significant damage. Now, this damage finally showed its full effect.

Rod did not hesitate.

"Selia!"

The angel girl wielded her sword and charged forward, transforming into a silver-white light that pierced the Bone Giant's head. The bone fragments that were struggling to the end fell to the ground, signaling the complete demise of the Bone Giant.

Rod did not see this, as he had already turned and charged towards the other side. Selek was also in a critical situation, struggling with the Bone Giant's storm. Now, Rod had no time to waste!

However, he was still a step too late.

"Neigh—!!"

At this moment, a clear and loud neighing sound suddenly rang out. Rod stopped, his face changing.

The Death Knight had arrived!!