Chapter 0064: The Challenge

Just as Grimm was reveling in the extraordinary regenerative power of his Crocodile Hunter, a strange noise suddenly rang out. One after another, terrifying amalgamated corpses leaped from the flames, shrieking as they lunged at the Crocodile.

Damn it, so many!

Eleven agile and nimble amalgamated corpses formed a fan-shaped encirclement. Without a word, Grimm immediately activated his bracelet, and a thorny armor glowing with emerald light began to wind around his body.

What followed was a brutal, bloody melee between the Crocodile Hunter and the horde of amalgamated corpses.

It was clear that these corpses’ primary target was the massive Crocodile, but their true aim was Grimm, perched upon its back. Such tactics were inevitable for most apprentices when facing summoners. Compared to the summoned creature’s formidable, fearless combat prowess, the summoner’s own defenses were much weaker. Rather than wasting energy on the summon, it was easier to deal the decisive blow to the summoner himself. Thus, Blackwood sacrificed heavily to mutate eleven corpse puppets to pin down the Crocodile, slipping away to a distant spot to launch his favored curse attacks.

While directing the Crocodile Hunter to withstand the frenzied assault of the amalgamated corpses, Grimm had to concentrate breathlessly, fending off the mysterious black chains Blackwood kept hurling his way. He was so busy, he could barely catch his breath!

The Crocodile Hunter slew many of the advancing corpses at close range, but each death triggered an explosion, severely corroding a large portion of the Crocodile’s body. After the third corpse exploded, the front half of the Crocodile was riddled with wounds, no longer as solid and imposing as before.

This can’t go on!

Grimm chuckled grimly, swiftly shoved something into his mouth, and stomped his right foot. The Earth Puppet, which had been hurling attacks before him, instantly swelled and retreated, enveloping Grimm within its body.

In the next moment, the gigantic Crocodile Hunter dove into the earth like a whale, vanishing without a trace. The remaining eight amalgamated corpses pounced, clawing furiously at the solid ground, but found nothing.

Damn...

A noisy uproar erupted from the spectators.

That damned brat can tunnel underground? Blackwood’s trouble is only beginning!

To be honest, when Blackwood saw his opponent and the summoned earth puppet disappear from view, his mind was bewildered and agitated.

Damn it, how am I supposed to fight this? If I can’t see my opponent, how can I lock onto him for curse attacks?

As he hesitated, his extended spiritual senses vaguely detected something underground. His face changed drastically, and he slammed his staff down forcefully.

A massive earth claw burst out from the ground beside Blackwood, roaring as it smashed him into bloody pulp. Only then did the upper half of the Earth Hunter emerge from the soil.

Though the attack succeeded, the earth puppet—shaped like Grimm—showed no joy. Instead, its electrifying gaze swept into the distance.

There, an amalgamated corpse suddenly writhed and struggled madly on the ground. Within seconds, Blackwood’s twisted form replaced the corpse’s spot.

The earth puppet’s expression shifted; it wanted to retreat underground again, but was already too late.

The shattered remains of the corpse smashed by the Crocodile’s giant claw exploded with a bang, splattering gray all over the exposed body of the Crocodile Hunter. The bizarre, sizzling corrosion sound sent a jolt through everyone’s heart.

Grimm’s eyes, through the earth puppet’s twin pupils, shot a fierce glance at the newly risen Blackwood, then silently sank back underground. Several amalgamated corpses rushing in missed their prey.

Damn... Staring at the now-empty battlefield, with only seven self-summoned amalgamated corpses left amid the ravaged ground, there was not a trace of that wretched brat. Blackwood’s rage and resentment were beyond words.

Under Blackwood’s direction, the seven corpses spread around the perimeter. This way, the moment that bastard attacked, he’d be blocked from retreating, and Blackwood would have greater flexibility for corpse-switching escapes.

But as Blackwood focused his spiritual power near his own body, quietly sensing every underground change, the earth beneath a distant corpse suddenly boiled. Spears of earth shot up, skewering the corpse like a shish kebab.

Bang.

The slain corpse exploded again. But this time the gray spread across the ground, failing to harm the opponent at all—because the attack occurred underground, with no exposure.

Blackwood and the crowd gasped, drawing in cold breaths.

Damn, this battle is hanging by a thread!

For the next half-hour, the cunning Grimm stopped attacking Blackwood directly, instead roaming the outskirts and picking off corpses one by one, determined to eliminate all of Blackwood’s minions.

If they were all destroyed, how would Blackwood use corpse-switching to escape when danger struck?

Helpless, Blackwood summoned the last four corpses to his side, encircling himself. But now, if Blackwood’s true body was attacked, even if he used corpse-switching to survive, he’d still be within Grimm’s attack range—danger grew exponentially!

Yet at this point, he could only gamble, hoping to lure the wretched brat aboveground and snatch victory from peril.

The thought of being forced into such a predicament by a mere apprentice kindled a cold, ghostly fire in Blackwood’s sinister eyes. He longed to seize the brat and torment him savagely.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans; it was Blackwood who was now being toyed with!

In the latter stages, the wretched brat no longer appeared, instead unleashing a barrage of long-range sorcery from underground. Though most attacks were detected in time, two more corpses met a bitter end under the combined assault of Mire and Earth Spear spells.

Blackwood’s misery—being battered yet unable to catch his opponent—was displayed in full.

Watching his carefully crafted corpse puppets, each with powers rivaling advanced apprentices, being picked off one by one, Blackwood’s anger turned to frustration, then to despair. Grimm nearly drove him to tears.

When Bald Afu finally shook his head and declared the outcome, Blackwood stood rigid with fury—and fainted dead away.

The spectators exchanged bewildered glances. No one knew how to comfort the unlucky Blackwood.

Without a way to attack underground enemies, anyone present would be powerless against such a foe. Blackwood’s misfortune was simply being singled out by Afu to face such a monster; no wonder he ended up so disgraced.

With a grim face, Bald Afu yanked Kevin before him and demanded harshly,

“Didn't you say his abilities weren’t all that special? How did it turn out like this? Honestly, if you faced such an opponent, could you win?”

“Uh…” Blackhand Kevin swallowed hard. “If it’s not a fair duel, but a fight in the wild, give me half a day and I’ll make sure he dies without a trace. But in this empty arena… I’d lose, no question. There’s nothing I can do against him.”

At that moment, Grimm cautiously poked half his body out from underground, and, confirming his victory, emerged triumphantly.

After so long underground, the Crocodile’s surface wounds were fully healed, just as at the start of the battle, which amazed the crowd. But remembering their wagers before the duel, not a single face was pleased.

As the brash youth strode before them, Bald Afu could only rub his gleaming scalp and call out loudly, “Mensa, tally it up! Let’s see how much we owe.”

Mensa, dressed in black and exuding a touch of aristocratic air, announced boldly,

“Sir Grimm submitted collateral including nine magic crystals, two level-three items, one level-four item, one level-one item, and the Witchvine Lady’s sorcery notes, preliminarily valued at 417 magic crystals. With odds of ten to one, we owe 4,170 magic crystals. Yet the total magic crystals wagered by the crowd were only 3,270. So—”

“So we still owe this brat 900 magic crystals!”

“Indeed!”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Kevin, who had brought this wretched brat to the event.

Almost instantly, the ever-calm Blackhand Kevin began to sweat.

Meanwhile, Grimm, already grinning ear to ear, hurried to smooth things over.

“It’s rare for you esteemed seniors to give me such an opportunity; how could I pursue debts from you? This is more than enough. I, Grimm, am never one for greed!”

Hearing his magnanimous words, the advanced apprentices and quasi-sorcerers shook their heads, feeling it was all too unfair. Blackwood’s strength was not weak, ranking solidly among the advanced apprentices at the camp. Yet, lacking preparation, he was exploited by this slippery youth and humiliated to the point of fainting. How could everyone not be indignant?

“Hey, you cunning brat, don’t get too cocky. Your easy victory was only because your abilities countered Blackwood perfectly. We’ll pay what we owe, but do you dare to duel again—with me?” It was the same wild giant Grimm had seen upon arrival, wielding a thunder battle-axe and clearly following a body-refining path, assisted by lightning sorcery.

Grimm smiled slyly. “Why wouldn’t I? But today my summoned puppets suffered some damage; they need repairs and adjustments. Let’s postpone the duel until tomorrow, shall we?”

At this, the wild giant was overjoyed, and the crowd’s eyes sparkled—clearly eager. With a whole night, they could pool their efforts to help Mark devise a way to defeat Grimm. This wretched brat’s only advantage was his unusual summoning, letting him hide underground to attack. Break that, and what could a patchwork of mud do against Mark, famed for his strength? It was sheer fantasy!

Perhaps imagining scenes of their own triumph, the apprentices could not help but chuckle grimly.

For a moment, a chilling wind swept the arena, sending shivers through all.