The Shark Vulture spread its brown wings and lunged straight at Roland.

It moved with terrifying speed. Had it dive-bombed like an eagle hunting prey, a human like Roland would’ve seemed as fragile as a rabbit to it.

Fortunately, Roland was no helpless rabbit.

[Lunar God Style]

Crescent Slash!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Five crescent blades shot out—but striking the Shark Vulture sounded like steel on steel. Roland’s sword hand went numb.

So tough!

Way too tough!

Even tougher than those transport-type Elves.

Granted, transport-type Elves were low-tier disposable units, utterly insignificant. Their advantage? Mass-produced by the Spirit Mother with minimal energy. To put it vividly: a human birth might cost a ton of energy; the Spirit Mother spends barely ten grams per Elf.

Crudely speaking?

Easier than taking a dump.

...

Back to the fight.

Gritting his teeth, Roland knew—he had to hit its weak points.

Eyes. Armpits. Abdomen.

Biologically, those spots couldn’t grow hard “armor.”

Every living thing has soft spots.

And those were its vital points.

Just then, Thuke summoned flames in his left palm.

“Eat this—Divine Wind Glazed Fire!”

“…”

A cyan flame shot toward the beast. Sensing its energy, the monster dodged instantly.

Despite its massive size, wings spread wide, it moved with eerie agility.

Thuke froze—startled as the Shark Vulture pivoted and charged straight at him.

*Boom!*

A cyan inferno erupted right along its path, engulfing the monster.

“Didn’t expect my ambush, did you? A mere beast can’t outsmart humans! Hahahaha!”

Thuke gripped his axe-spear and swung down hard.

But the Shark Vulture thrust its claws straight through the flames—aiming to trade injuries.

It knew.

Its monstrous body could endure; humans? One shattered organ, and they’re crippled mid-fight.

This Grade-C monster had cunning.

Roland moved.

[Drifting Cloud Step]

He slid beside the claws and struck.

Such heavy force!

Still, he redirected the blow with sheer technique.

The claws grazed Thuke’s shoulder—had they landed squarely, his arm would’ve been ruined.

The beast had planned this exchange from the start.

Thuke didn’t hesitate. Axe-spear slammed into the chest.

“Taste my Armor-Piercing Slash!”

“…”

Muscle tore. Flames flared—amplified by Zhuque’s bloodline burning across the wound.

The Shark Vulture roared in agony.

It worked!

Roland thrust his sword deep into the gash.

Blood sprayed.

[Stellar Flow]

Meteor Pierce!

Blade pierced muscle, heart—then *detonated*.

Spiritual energy erupted from within.

The colossal beast collapsed, motionless.

Roland swiftly gouged out its eyeballs, stored them in his Spatial Storage Ring, and turned away.

“Go.”

Thuke retracted his weapon and followed.

“Was I cool just now?! *So* cool, right?!”

“…”

What could Roland even say…

Thuke *was* skilled—traps, fire control, Zhuque-boosted flames, precise axe strikes. A solid teammate.

But praising him felt like losing.

“Average.”

“Huh? What’s average?!”

“If I hadn’t intervened, its claws would’ve shattered your shoulder. It never meant to dodge your attack.”

Roland shot him a disdainful glance.

“And stop shouting your techniques. Or your bloodline powers.”

“Why?! Shouting adds flair! It’s *cool*!”

Thuke’s genuine confusion baffled Roland more.

“Cool? It’s cringe! When are you paying me back?”

“Why’d we jump to *debts*?! That’s such a leap!!”

Before Thuke finished, the black weapon hidden in his pocket shot out.

It swirled into a massive shadow—then Autumnwater stepped forth.

“Whoa!”

Thuke jumped back, then squinted. “Autumnwater? How’d you get back?”

“…” Roland slightly cupped his chin.

“That black mist you gave him—was it a teleport anchor?”

“Close. Shadow Leap—our Shadow Demon clan’s innate skill. Leave a shadow on someone, and I can jump to them shortly after.” Autumnwater shrugged. “But I’m still young. Range is only one or two kilometers. Wish I’d lured those beasts farther.”

“This was plenty.”

“By the way…” Autumnwater jogged beside them, glancing at the scorched earth and corpse. “You took down a tough one.”

“Grade-C Shark Vulture.” Roland pulled out his phone from the Spatial Storage Ring and opened BingBing. “One of my prior mission targets.”

“No way?!” Thuke blinked. “That’s why you weren’t surprised—you *knew* its moves!”

“No coincidence.” Roland shook his head. “I led us here. Shark Vultures are direct subordinates of the Lionbite Shark. Habitat analysis reveals their range.”

“Truly a seasoned mercenary! Every move calculated!” Thuke flashed a thumbs-up—but his over-the-top praise left Roland utterly unamused.