603 Giant Cactuses
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As we made our way towards the Fiery Grizzly territory, several students were curious about this monster and how strong they could be. And well, they were up for a surprise because they were very tough.
“Fiery Grizzly are powerful Fire Attribute Beast-type Bear Monsters, an adult can reach a height of three meters and they have sharp black claws which can generate flames, while their red and brown fur can resist most physical attacks, and it is naturally immune to fire as well. They don’t have nests like the goblins but gather in enormous families where they take over a territory. They’re ferocious and aggressive, attacking anything that dares to enter their territory. They’re usually all D+ Rank, but if they have a leader, it could go as high as D+++ or even… C- Rank.” Eric said, reading his Monster Encyclopedia.
This was an Encyclopedia made around the monsters that live in these areas of the continent as well, so it was easy to find their information. There are many monsters in this world I had never seen in another place before, and as they kept rising in Ranks, they continue to get stronger and more mysterious.
“The Blazing Grizzly King is a beast that cannot be taken down easily at all, and its high regeneration and immense size make it a terrifying monster to fight alone, to take it down, usually teams of over twenty people are gathered. Oh right! Their materials are super useful for a variety of things, such as armor, clothes, and weapons, and they make for amazing fire-resistant equipment!” Eric said.
“O-Oh! W-We could really use them for making equipment… I-If we could find some of them first, turn them into armor and then use it against their own fire attacks, it would be quite u-useful. I think…” Alberta said.
“I suppose we could hunt the first wave and manufacture some quick ponchos out of their fur.” I said while nodding. “And then we use them to cover our bodies to resist their fire better, though I don’t really fear flames, the rest of you… may.”
“Wait, you can just manufacture clothing quickly?!” Asked Clarice. “I would believe you if you were Elfriedden but…!”
“Ehehehe… Interesting, Blake’s creation skills must be high level…” Eliana said with a creepy smile. Her Swamp Man was rather clingy, being behind her even when she was traveling over Fenrir.
“Honestly I never taught you as such a type of person, Blake. Seeing how little patience you have…” Said Arthuria, often silent, she decided to join the conversation to say something stupid.
“Little Patience? I have plenty of patience. Would you imagine if I had little patience? You wouldn’t even be here right now.” I sighed.
“Huh? W-What did he meant by that?” Ashen wondered, finally not laughing at something and feeling slightly afraid.
“H-Huh, hehehe… he’s harsh.” Eliana sighed.
“Amazing! I guess this is why you’ve grown so strong Erdrich, having someone like Blake as your teacher and all…” Said Patricia, who was now sitting behind Erdrich hugging his very muscular stomach.
“Well yes, he’s the real demon here…” Erdrich said. “Don’t mess with him.”
“Since the moment I meet his eyes I knew he was truly a demon.” Nodded Patricia.
“Would you two stop talking behind my back? I can hear everything.” I sighed.
“Blake is somehow getting a bit more scary now…” Mimy sighed.
“Come on, Blake, cheer up!” Said Alianna cheerfully. “Also, I am a Water Attribute Magician alongside Mimy and the twins, we could charge in front and fight the Fiery Grizzlies easily too.”
“Yeah! Yeah! Leave it to us!”
“That’s right, with our Bubble Magic it won’t be hard!”
Aquarius and Aquaria said at the same time, nodding rapidly.
“Of course you’re going to work, I have already designated a perfect plan to attract all the Fiery Grizzlies towards us, and you’re going to be in the frontlines, hehe…” I laughed as I was devising my strategize. “It is certainly good you’re so willing as well!”
“G-Geh… I don’t feel like doing it now…” Muttered Aquaria.
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“Come on you two! L-Let’s trust Blake! He’s strong and reliable at the end, right?” Alianna said happily. “I’ll be putting my life on your hands, Blake!” She said rather gallantly, like a knight.
“Sure.” I smiled back.
Like that, we arrived at a large forest of Cactuses. This was where the Fiery Grizzlies made their home. These cactuses surrounded an area named Volcanic Falls. It is a large crater naturally formed for an eruption of lava long ago.
The volcano is now inactive though, but the hot temperatures of this place make it the ideal zone for the Fiery Grizzlies to live. The surrounding forest of cactus was quite beautiful to say the least. Large cactus reaching as tall as trees, there were also birds and smaller creatures feeding on the cactus’s fruits.
“Oooh! What is this place?! You didn’t said it was going to be this pretty… a giant forest made of tall cactuses…” Said Clarice, fascinated by the surroundings.
“It is indeed a mesmerizing place! Makes you think how many wonders are out there in our beautiful world…” Said Alianna while sighing happily.
“Let’s make sure not to touch them though! T-They’re filled with spines…” Said Mimy.
“These are spines? My skin doesn’t even get hurt when I touch them…” Erdrich felt bored in here, he touched a spine and then crushed with his index finger starting from the sharp tip, he was undamaged.
“I-I have yet to reach your level, Erdrich…” Patricia showed Erdrich her hand filled with spines.
“Did you try punching the thing?!” Erdrich panicked.
“Be careful, aside from the Fiery Grizzlies, there are also Cacturks, they’re cactus-shaped plant monsters.” I said with a stern look.
“Huh? Well I am not dumb enough to just fall for that!” Laughed Clarice. “Ohohoho- Eh?”
However, just as I thought, a large shadow slowly approached Clarice’s back, one of the cactus lying around in complete silent, wasn’t actually one.
“Cactuuuuuuuuhhh…”
“GYAAAAH!”
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