Bear School Astartes

When the enemy performs a remote attack, their close combat abilities are weakened.

This simple combat experience cannot be called wrong.

After all, the muscles used for long-range attacks don’t overlap much with those used in close combat. This is true even for relatively simple actions like shooting a gun.

To mobilize the unused muscle groups during a sudden, tense ambush requires nerve recruitment capabilities beyond imagination.

This ability is difficult to enhance without scientific, systematic, and purposeful training.

The Extinct Dragon lives in a natural environment, and in its past life history, it has encountered no creatures that can switch combat states from ranged to close-range in an instant.

Although wilderness monsters fight each other mercilessly in their natural habitat, abilities that can’t be trained simply can’t be trained.

But today, what the Extinct Dragon encountered was not a ’monster’...

”Clang!!!”

The Extinct Dragon’s massive horn slammed down with a head butt! However, the sound that erupted afterward was highly recognizable, akin to the solemn toll of a grand cathedral bell.

The force from the Extinct Dragon was deflected back at just the right moment! This hundred-ton behemoth stumbled backward a few steps on its four paws.

As the point of resistance against the Extinct Dragon’s force, the basalt ground under Lann’s feet was crushed! Exposing the soft and viscous magma beneath.

The splashing magma scattered and slid down the spherical contour of an initially invisible Chaos Magic Shield. Accompanied by a ’crackling’ sound as the shield bore the pressure.

The Flame Assault Crossbow was released by Lann in that instant, falling to the ground at his feet.

And immediately after, from the Alchemy Pouch on his lower back, he drew out an astonishingly large greatsword!

Turbulent Flow·Destruction!

The dark sword face, its white cold-glowing blade, the roughly wrapped sword hilt...

If this is called a sword, it would be nearly too large, and too crude... it’s more like a roughly forged piece of iron!

But now, this sword was lowered point first by Lann in front of himself.

Even the charge from the Extinct Dragon couldn’t leave a single mark on the dark blade!

The light red Dou Qi flame around the Demon Hunter was now gradually subsiding.

The great sword technique of the Hunters—Iron Wall!

Not a mere unarmed technique move, but using Dou Qi to powerfully enhance specific body parts in a short time, then predicting the timing by discerning the monster’s movements with keen eyesight.

Then pushing against the monster’s attack for a head-on collision!

To the uninformed, it might seem like it’s merely the Hunter’s strength overpowering the monster.

But every Great Sword User actually knows it’s a testament to skill and experience.

The tactical thought is similar to the ”Intercept” technique in Jeet Kune Do.

Preemptively placing one’s attack at the weak point before the enemy’s force is fully unfolded.

Even if monsters leverage their weight and strength advantages, they can still bring out their attack forcibly.

But contrary to them, the Great Sword Hunters would hardly suffer serious injuries in a head-on clash.

Moreover, this technique can complement the core moves of the great sword system.

”Hah!”

Lann let out a loud shout!

The Dou Qi flame that had subsided surged up again around him!

These light red Dou Qi gathered on the broad and terrifying blade, leaving a red-black interlaced fan-shaped afterimage in mid-air. The muscles in the Demon Hunter’s arms swelled and bulged from the Dou Qi stimulation, tightening the armor clasps to a cracking sound!

Then...

”Clang!!!”

”Awoo!”

The Extinct Dragon, which had just been pushed back two steps, hadn’t even adjusted the weight distribution on its four claws when the great sword that had pushed it open struck its head again!

The sword, heavier and stronger than before, slashed hard through the dragon’s tough body. Although difficult, it completely achieved Lann’s tactical intent.

The great sword smashed onto the Extinct Dragon’s left massive horn, resulting in the terrifying sound of iron colliding with rock-hard material.

Although the powerful force didn’t immediately break off the giant horn, fine bone shards splintered out from the light red Dou Qi flame.

Moreover, the Extinct Dragon’s head was fiercely twisted leftward by the strike.

The left side of its face was even ground against the back of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

The left horn even got pressed into the lava beneath the ground along with the great sword.

Strong·Charged Slash!

The great sword’s core is the three-stage Charged Slash: the initial Charged Slash, the second stage Strong·Charged Slash, and the final True·Charged Slash.

Each stage of Dou Qi charging can bring terrifying destructive power to the great sword.

Normally, only after the initial stage is released can the Dou Qi activity advance to the next stage, enabling the next stage of charging.

However, after performing Iron Wall, the Dou Qi activity equivalent to leaping an entire stage! Proceed directly to the next charge slash phase!

In the just passed moment, Lann performed these closely linked, rigorously demanding technique combos in his first great sword combat practice.

He pulled back the sword and flicked the Turbulent Flow·Destruction to the side, shaking off the lava clinging to the blade.

Meanwhile, the Extinct Dragon also mustered its brute strength to extract its left horn from beneath the ground.

The lava on the vicious horn was still dripping down in a slow trickle.

And at the root where the horn connects to its head, a noticeable breach appeared.

The sword didn’t cut through, but it certainly wouldn’t suffer anymore.

Lann tightened his grip on the sword hilt subconsciously licked the corner of his mouth, smiling faintly.

But the Extinct Dragon, after pulling out its horn, seemed unable to believe its eyes as it looked at Lann’s sword.

That dark, deep sword body, the pale, remorseless blade.

And just by taking it out, it radiated a terror and brutality that made the heart inexplicably race with horror...

Too familiar.

All these things felt too familiar to the Extinct Dragon.

Even the sensation of the hit on its horn felt too familiar.

The bone chip on its massive horn wasn’t ’cut’ but was ’eaten’ out by the sword breaking it down!

It’s eating me!

Right after the sense of familiarity was the shaking animosity from excessive anger.

Unbelievable, its mouth, covered by hard scale armor and tough hide, convulsed with intense anger.

”You recognized it too, right?”

Lann, holding Turbulent Flow·Destruction, muttered while keeping his eyes locked on the Extinct Dragon.

A great sword over 3.2 meters long, something even the Hunters had never seen before.

And in front of the twenty-meter giant Extinct Dragon, it had the length to pierce through its entire chest in one strike.

What’s more, this sword’s material was carved off from its own body!

In other words... a sword full of threat and intimidation!

And to a creature like the Extinct Dragon, it only breeds anger!

Unmatched rage!

Its body quaked in fury, lowering its head, like it was about to roar again.

This time, there wouldn’t be anyone using a crossbow with exceptional precision to shoot special ammunition into its mouth.

Just as Wende and Aiden, who were approaching, had covered their ears, and Lann instinctively raised his hand.

”Huh?”

The Extinct Dragon’s trembling suddenly stopped, its head tipping to one side.

Lann seemed to sense something too, pressing the Roaring Bear Head Necklace that started to tremble against his chest, his eyes turning deeply towards the same direction the Extinct Dragon faced.

From that direction, an enormous, eerie, shadowy Chaos Magic Power burst forth!

”Wende! We need support here!”

In the tail region of the Molten Mountain Dragon, a voice from a Hunter who once drank with the trio and a cat squad rose loudly and steadily closer.

The Hunter was riding a winged dragon to deliver the message.

”An unfamiliar monster has appeared! The Sword Master determines it’s the invasive species! He’s holding it back but struggling! Need support!”