Chapter 21: Hunting Part 2

Eric listened to Robin's words, nodded slightly, he understood that Robin was right.

Although the darkness inside the cave would enhance the Shadow Leopard's advantage, it would also impose certain limitations on its movements, which might be their best chance to deal with the Shadow Leopard.

"Alright, let's go in." Eric took a deep breath, adjusted his state, drew the short dagger at his waist, the blade flashing with cold light in the weak light.

Lily and Tomson standing behind them, hearing their conversation, felt both nervous and worried.

Lily gripped the dagger in her hand, palms sweating, she whispered: "Let's join too, more people means more strength."

Tomson nodded firmly, despite a lingering trace of fear in his eyes, he resolutely placed the Jumping Goat inside the cave and picked up the sword.

The four exchanged a glance, then cautiously entered the cave, each step taken with extreme care, as if they could hear their own violent heartbeats echoing in the silent cave.

Robin volunteered to take the lead, possessing the system's warning function, which was undoubtedly their greatest reliance in this dangerous hunt, allowing him to detect any Shadow Leopard lurking in the dark at the first moment.

After several trials in different scenarios before, Robin had basically confirmed the characteristics of this alert function.

Its effective range is roughly equal to his own field of view, and more importantly, this function provides 360-degree blind-spot-free omnidirectional detection, like carrying a precise radar detector, making any potential threat hard to escape.

Robin walked forward cautiously, the cave filled with a damp and rotten smell, the surroundings so quiet that only their faint footsteps and heavy breathing could be heard.

When he had advanced about ten or so meters, the familiar system alarm suddenly sounded in his mind.

Although the cave light was dim and he saw nothing abnormal, trusting the system, he almost instinctively slashed fiercely toward the direction where his field of view was shrouded in red light.

"Awoo!" A painful howl instantly echoed in the cave, sharp and miserable.

Robin felt a surge of joy, knowing his sword had struck the Shadow Leopard again.

With that howl, the Shadow Leopard's silhouette flashed briefly in the darkness, another deep wound appearing on its black fur, blood gushing out.

At that moment, Eric, Lily, and Tomson heard the commotion, immediately became alert, each gripping their weapons tightly, ready to counter the Shadow Leopard's retaliation at any moment.

Robin seized the moment while the Shadow Leopard was wounded, quickly adjusted his state, eyes fixed on the direction where the Shadow Leopard might attack again, and shouted loudly: "Everyone be careful, it's wounded, it will surely retaliate more frenziedly!"

After being wounded, the Shadow Leopard emitted bursts of angry roars, the sound continually reverberating in the narrow, deep cave, as if it wanted to shatter the ancient cave walls.

The cave was filled with a damp, rotten smell mixed with the bloody odor of the Shadow Leopard, making people feel increasingly suffocated.

On the surrounding walls, moss accumulated over the years flickered with an eerie phosphorescence in the weak light; occasionally a water droplet fell from the cave ceiling, its "drip-drip" sound standing out starkly in the tense atmosphere.

Immediately after, the Shadow Leopard launched its final counterattack, like a black bolt of lightning, lunging fiercely at Robin.

In the cramped cave space, the Shadow Leopard's speed and strength felt even more oppressive, its eyes flashing with a ferocious light, baring sharp fangs, as if it wanted to tear Robin to pieces.

However, Robin had prepared in advance. Relying on the system's radar-like 360-degree blind-spot-free warning function, he clearly perceived every move of the Shadow Leopard.

At the moment the Shadow Leopard lunged, Robin swiftly sidestepped, precisely avoiding that deadly strike.

His movement stirred a slight breeze, causing the dust floating in the cave to rise slightly.

Then, pushing off the cave wall for support, he lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow, thrusting at the Shadow Leopard.

At that moment, a sliver of light descending from the cave ceiling happened to shine on Robin's sword, reflecting a cold light, adding a touch of solemn menace to the tense battle.

The Shadow Leopard missed its strike, wanting to readjust its posture to attack again, but the cave's narrow space became its hindrance.

Its massive body found it hard to turn flexibly in the limited space, its movements becoming sluggish.

The cave floor was uneven, scattered with various-sized rocks; in its panic, the Shadow Leopard's claws stepped on a loose stone, nearly causing it to fall.

Robin seized this rare opportunity, his long sword in hand like a dragon emerging from the sea, he thrust out several consecutive strikes.

Each strike carried a fierce momentum, precisely aimed at the Shadow Leopard's vital spots.

The blade sliced the air, producing a "whoosh" sound that intertwined with the Shadow Leopard's howls.

Under Robin's fierce onslaught, the Shadow Leopard struggled to cope, its wounds multiplying.

It struggled to resist, but could never break through Robin's sword technique.

As blood continued to pour out, it gathered on the dark, damp cave floor into a pool of dark red.

The Shadow Leopard's movements gradually grew weak and feeble; finally, it let out an unwilling howl, collapsed heavily to the ground, and died in resentment beneath Robin's sword.

The cave fell silent for a moment, only hearing everyone's heavy breathing.

Robin looked at the dead Shadow Leopard, the tension in his heart finally easing.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned to Eric, Lily, and Tomson, a relieved smile appearing on his face: "We succeeded."

"This hunt was very good." Eric wore a full-faced smile, lightly kicked the Shadow Leopard's corpse with his foot, his eyes full of satisfaction from the gain.

Lily nodded vigorously beside him, agreeing: "The Shadow Leopard's meat contains very high energy, far more than that of the Jumping Goat."

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation; thinking that this meat could provide ample energy for their upcoming cultivation, her heart filled with joy.

As a top-tier carnivorous beast of the Black Forest, the Shadow Leopard's meat's nutritional value goes without saying; for these knight apprentices urgently needing to boost their strength, it is undoubtedly a great fortune.

Tomson returned from the cave mouth carrying the Jumping Goat, wiped the sweat from his forehead, panting, he asked: "It's already dark; we probably can't go back tonight?" As he spoke, he lifted his head to look at the gradually darkening sky outside the cave, the night like a vast black silk curtain slowly enveloping the Black Forest.

Robin, hearing that, also turned his head toward Eric and Lily, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Eric's expression grew solemn, his tone serious as he said: "The Black Forest at night is far more terrifying than in the daytime; many top predators appear at this time."

The night in the Black Forest is a revelry for various dangerous creatures; rashly traveling then undoubtedly exposes one to great danger.

(End of chapter)