Tyler had miscalculated.
Or rather, the encounter was too pressing, leaving him no time for careful contemplation.
He was familiar with the knowledge about demon groups:
[Quotes from Chapter 71: Reunion at Gorge] (click paragraph comment for quotes)
But upon seeing the Rogue Shadow Demon, Swarerock, which greatly resembled the long-eared hopping mouse, Tyler had forgotten that there were still many ordinary long-eared hopping mice living in the gorge and even in the underground caverns.
For the mutated Rogue Shadow Demons, these unmutated ordinary long-eared hopping mice were also their kin!
Thus, by the time Tyler realized that some long-eared hopping mice were stirring in the shadows, it was already too late.
Among the ordinary hopping mice were the “Rogue Shadow Demon Hatchlings,” identical in appearance but actually demons.
━━━━━━━━━
Nameless Rogue Shadow Demon, male, 1 year old
Rogue Shadow Demon – Lv2
Skill Slot: 1/1
Life Energy: 13/13
Endurance: 15/18
Magic Energy: 60/60
━━━━━━━━━
The hatchlings looked no different from ordinary long-eared hopping mice; if not for Tyler’s identification ability, they would be indistinguishable. At a glance, Tyler saw five or six hatchlings among the hopping mice licking Viviana’s shadow, both male and female, with ages and levels mostly below 5. 𝞸𝓋𝒍xt.𝐜𝒐𝔪
Viviana’s magic energy suddenly reaching zero was undoubtedly the hatchlings’ doing. But now, Tyler had no time to deal with them; if he didn’t find a way to escape from the encirclement, he and Viviana would soon perish!
“Kekeke, well done my children.” (Evilkind language)
“This time we can feast on delicious high-level humans, kekeke!” (Evilkind language)
The sound of the Rogue Shadow Demon sent shivers down Tyler’s spine, while the surrounding demons, with levels easily reaching 30 or 40, made him feel as insignificant as an ant.
However, Tyler wasn’t ready to give up.
Even when facing his own coffin, he would still try to save himself!
“Swarerock! You’re celebrating too early! Look at the Floating Crimson Swords behind you!!”
As the protective Floating Crimson Sword formation vanished, Tyler shouted towards the source of the Rogue Shadow Demon’s voice. This threatening cry made the demon instinctively command its summoned creatures to retreat slightly, exposing a gap in their encirclement.
Seizing the opportunity, Tyler took out the only two smoke bombs from his bag and detonated them!
In an instant, the entire cave was filled with smoke, obscuring everything.
Taking advantage of the situation, Tyler hoisted the immobile Viviana onto his shoulder and swiftly navigated through the gaps between the Granite Golems using his memory. Relying on his intuition, he fled through the cave with all his might.
Exhausted and out of breath, Tyler didn’t know how long they had been running when Viviana finally regained consciousness from her magic-energy-induced daze.
“Hunter… where are we…? How did you… get me out…?”
“It’s… a long… story…”
Putting Viviana down, Tyler was so tired he could hardly breathe.
·
The effects of smoke bombs are short-lived, and even though Tyler and Viviana managed to escape the encirclement, their predicament remains unchanged without a way out of the underground cavern.
Both of them know this well, and they must devise a strategy to turn the tables before the Rogue Shadow Demon and its summoned creatures catch up.
Viviana is in a terrible state. As a magic swordsman, her magic energy is the foundation of her damage output, yet she suffers from a debilitating state of magic energy depletion.
This state not only causes an intense dizziness for five minutes after magic energy reaches zero, but it also prevents the individual from recovering magic energy through sleep or potions for 120 minutes.
To Viviana’s surprise, the occasional magic energy loss she had experienced since entering Sandrift Gorge was caused by the adorable, furry long-eared hopping mice. If she cannot recover her magic energy before the enemy catches up, her Floating Crimson Sword, in its current unenhanced state, will not be enough to secure victory.
It seems that Viviana is left with only one choice: to trigger the hidden magical seal and summon the Cardinal and Obsidian Elder for assistance.
However, she is reluctant to do so, as she would face severe punishment upon her return for disobeying the order to stay in Gudetown.
The thought of such a terrifying punishment makes Viviana tremble involuntarily.
Meanwhile, Tyler quietly sits and recuperates his Endurance while contemplating strategies. He observes the surrounding terrain, Viviana’s status information, and considers every available element to his advantage.
He firmly believes that there must be a solution to break the current deadlock…!
“My Lord, I have an idea…!”
“Hunter…!”
Tyler and Viviana speak simultaneously. Tyler has thought of a plan, but is unsure if it will work, while Viviana hesitates.
“You go first,” says the indecisive Viviana, deciding to listen to the hunter’s idea.
Throughout the battle, she has noticed the hunter’s extraordinary qualities.
With time running short, Tyler straightforwardly explains his strategy to turn the tables, but it still requires some vital items from Viviana’s side.
Viviana is astonished by Tyler’s idea and never thought such a method could reverse the situation. However, she remains hesitant.
“Your idea is great, beyond my imagination. But I’m sorry… I have no magic energy left, and I cannot guarantee that I can kill the summoner’s main body.”
Viviana clenches her fists, feeling extremely guilty. She blames herself for not discovering the problem with the hopping mice earlier, which has left them in such a passive situation.
“Do you not have any potions to recover magic energy?”
“No, and I’m currently in a state where I can’t recover magic energy.”
Viviana informs Tyler of her magic energy depletion, dousing the hope that had ignited within him. In order to execute their plan, Viviana’s powerful strike is indispensable.
At this moment, Tyler recalls Viviana mentioning something earlier.
“My Lord, what did you want to tell me just now?”
“I… I wanted to say…”
Viviana presses her lips together, glances at the hunter’s lips, and struggles to find the right words. However, the enemy could catch up at any moment. There’s no time left.
Even if she doesn’t trigger the magical seal now, it will activate automatically if she is severely injured later. To avoid the Elder’s punishment, Viviana has only one path left.
“I’m sorry, there’s no time to explain…!”
Viviana removes her veil and suddenly pushes Tyler to the ground.
“Please trust me and close your eyes.”
With flushed cheeks and a slightly flickering gaze, Viviana’s sincerity shines through. Tyler gazes upon Viviana’s angelic face, breathes in her faint fragrance, and feels her warm breath.
Tyler closes his eyes.
And then, something soft and gently sweet presses against his lips.