“Swallow Returns to the Nest!”
The high-speed rotating tennis ball vanished from the racket at an incredible velocity.
In an instant, the head of a Goblin in the distance exploded, turning into a patch of black ash.
Miraculously, that vanished tennis ball returned to Xia Jia’s hand in a bizarre arc, where he caught it firmly.
After becoming an adventurer, his strength, technique, and neural reflexes had all surpassed his previous level by more than a notch.
Furthermore, he possessed a portion of the stats belonging to a high-ranking Level 4 veteran.
Even if it was just a tiny fraction, it was incomparable to the Xia Jia of before.
“Now, I can even imitate the moves used by my opponents!
And I can completely transform them into ‘Killer Tennis’!”
Without hesitation, Xia Jia struck the tennis ball again—this time, three in succession.
They flew out in a spiral like three green cannonballs, only to return to Xia Jia in a miraculous fashion.
Pop, pop, pop.
Successive clouds of dust exploded with each impact.
The tennis balls seemed to form a continuous line, weaving between Xia Jia and the monsters.
Most of the weaker Goblins could not withstand the immense damage and immediately disintegrated into smoke.
Kuroneko was dumbfounded: “Hey, isn’t killing magical beasts with a tennis ball a bit too much!?”
Xia Jia’s face twitched…
Why don’t you go say that to those actual tennis players!
I remember you saying earlier that this was just the standard level for an athlete!
Xia Jia moved at high speed.
While attacking the Goblins, he also batted back their counterattacks.
The swing of his racket was like wielding a sword, deflecting the incoming rocks.
He…
is acting like a wall, blocking everything behind him.
Kuroneko’s gaze grew hazy.
Slowly, she let go of her tension and stood up.
It felt as if, so long as this person was here, she wouldn’t receive a single scratch.
“The number of Goblins is dwindling, we should be fine.”
However, before Kuroneko could even straighten her legs, a Goblin seeing the situation was dire suddenly let out a shrill shriek.
“Ga-bu-bu-bu-bu——————”
“Nani!” Kuroneko’s unsteady legs trembled.
She took a step back, nearly falling.
“What’s happening?”
Xia Jia’s expression turned grim as well…
These monsters are displaying intelligence they shouldn’t have!
Have they ‘learned’ because they’ve lived on the surface for too long?
Or is there…
a leader commanding this group of monsters?
Xia Jia’s gaze swept violently toward a certain direction.
Thud, thud, thud.
Muffled footsteps erupted from the forest in that direction.
Before he could even see the body of the monster making the sound, a terrifying screech of air being torn apart burst forth.
“Danger!” Xia Jia roared, wanting to dodge, but Kuroneko behind him was clearly stunned.
In a desperate situation, Xia Jia planted his feet firmly and swung his racket to block.
Thud, crack—
The immense impact sent a surge of agonizing pain through the arm Xia Jia held the racket with.
The racket shattered and flew from his hand.
Xia Jia was also sent reeling back several steps by the force.
“Moo——”
A thunderous bull’s roar exploded from the dense forest.
Crimson eyes stared fixedly in Xia Jia’s direction, and the hot air venting from its nostrils signaled its mounting rage.
It’s over, it’s over, I’ve pissed off the boss, gotta dodge!
Getting hit by that thing would definitely hurt like hell!
Kuroneko clearly remembered the pain sensation brought about by this game; it was incomparably realistic.
If she were killed, it would definitely leave a psychological shadow.
But…
ah, wait…
I can’t move.
Kuroneko sat on the ground, her legs shaking.
At this moment, the “Night Demon Queen” and the “Fallen Holy Black Cat of Chiba” had ceased to exist.
All that remained here was a third-year middle school girl, Gokou Ruri.
The snow-white Minotaur charged, effortlessly grabbing a battle axe from the ground as it lunged toward Xia Jia.
In just three seconds, it was right in front of him.
Pfft, ha—
Before Xia Jia could even stand up straight, he heard a terrifying whistle in his ears as a stone axe cleaved down toward his neck.
Can’t dodge it!
Xia Jia’s gaze focused, and his muscles tensed.
A streak of crimson light erupted from his eyes.
In the nick of time, he thought of the most effective countermeasure.
He raised his hand and, at the moment the giant axe fell, blocked it in front of his neck, mumbling something under his breath.
“Cornerstone of the world, end point of time and space…”
Bang.
It wasn’t the sound of flesh and blood flying, but a dull thud against a hard object.
First, the armor on his arm deformed, then a large cloud of black iron sand exploded outward, followed by a painful grunt.
Xia Jia was carried away by the giant axe, flying four or five meters in an instant, landing deep in the forest.
A Minotaur.
In the Dungeon, this would be an individual with potential stats at Level 2, but a degraded species on the surface clearly shouldn’t have the original combat power.
But…
this Minotaur is different—its color is wrong.
If it’s not a subspecies, it’s a ‘Strengthened Species’!
Even if it hasn’t reached Level 2, it’s not far off!
How could a monster of this level appear near the city!
And on the surface, no less!
While flying through the air, Xia Jia’s mind was occupied by this question.
As for Kuroneko, seeing her protector being easily swatted away, her pupils dilated.
She could clearly feel the sweat, stench, and scorching hot breath radiating from the monster.
The huffing and puffing in her ears sounded like the increasingly loud toll of a death knell. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Kuroneko forgot this was a game.
This wasn’t the first time this had happened.
Even though she would suddenly realize it was just a game afterward, the same illusion would always return.
The only blame could be laid on the fact that this game was just too realistic!
The Minotaur didn’t give Kuroneko much time to feel fear.
It raised its sharp stone axe high and swung it down in an instant.
Kuroneko shrank her body in terror and closed her eyes.
It seemed as though she heard someone whispering in her ear…
“Double heavenly fortune is inevitable.
Shine!
Gather here, stars!”
Splurt!
A splash of foul-smelling liquid splattered onto the top of Kuroneko’s head.
Fresh blood dripped down her hair, staining her face a tomato red.
Afterward…
“Moo-ahhhhhhh!”
A heart-rending shriek exploded in her ears.
Kuroneko looked up in a daze to see a fantastical glowing door appearing before her.
The light door was narrow and vertical, emitting starlight, but it had perfectly swallowed the stone axe.
Behind the Minotaur, a similar door opened, and a blade instantly severed the monster’s arm.
The agony caused the Minotaur to flail its amputated limb, dark blood spraying everywhere in a strangely desolate beauty.
“Get back!”
The familiar voice rang out in Kuroneko’s ear.
Xia Jia’s figure lunged forward, ripping off his damaged weighted sandbags and flinging them into the Minotaur’s eyes.
Now, the injured Minotaur lost its vision and went berserk, charging at anything it sensed.
Before the Minotaur could harm Kuroneko, Xia Jia stepped in and delivered a punch to its abdomen.
The Minotaur, in pain, spat out a large mouthful of saliva.
“What are you standing there for?
If you don’t want to experience a C-section ahead of schedule, hurry up and get out of the way!!”
Xia Jia’s teasing voice rang out again.
Kuroneko shuddered, unable to stop herself from retorting:
“Who wants to experience a C-section ahead of schedule!?
Wait, why are you assuming I’m having a baby in the first place!?”
Kuroneko froze for a second after saying that.
The tension eased, and realizing the situation, she began kicking her legs wildly, scurrying back over ten meters to hide behind a tree and observe from the shadows.
She watched as Xia Jia threw punches frantically, battering the Minotaur in an incredibly violent manner.
Yet, even with such frenzied attacks, every time the Minotaur launched a counterattack, he was able to dodge it by tilting his head at the last second or slipping away with a side-step.
Red light flickered in his pupils, tracing gorgeous arcs as his body swayed.
「Zone」—a special state possessed by genius athletes, allowing them to exert 100% of their physical potential unconditionally.
The fleeting stats temporarily boosted by his skills were being perfectly utilized.
It could be said that at this moment, Xia Jia possessed the full capability of a high-end Level 1 adventurer with stats nearing rank A.
“Just who do you think I’ve been fighting all this time!?”
Having fought against tennis geniuses for years—including those capable of hitting serves approaching 200 km/h—dodging these sluggish attacks with an ordinary person’s reflexes was child’s play.
Xia Jia had long since grown accustomed to fighting enemies stronger than himself.
Amidst the fierce exchange of offense and defense, Xia Jia seized an opportunity.
He leapt into the air, dodging a heavy-handed punch from the Minotaur, and followed through with a kick to the beast’s jaw.
The massive impact sent the monster reeling, and it responded with an even crazier headbutt toward Xia Jia.
Xia Jia used the bull’s horns to leverage himself behind it.
The opposing forces caused a loud crunch in the Minotaur’s neck.
Xia Jia let go, followed with a side kick to its lower body…
Hiss, so hard.
The attack didn’t land effectively.
Xia Jia retreated quickly, but the Minotaur seized the chance to throw a punch, which landed just inches from Xia Jia’s nose.
The attack missed, but the fist struck the ground, creating a crater.
The shattering earth caused Xia Jia to slip and lose his balance, falling to the ground…
Crap…
I have to take this hit…
Xia Jia’s eyes darted slightly, landing on the Minotaur’s back.
A metal ball was thrown through the gap in the Minotaur’s body.
That is…
Holy crap!
A bomb!
Xia Jia’s pupils contracted; he almost thought he was being backstabbed by his teammate.
Fortunately, Kuroneko didn’t know how to activate the fuse, so the ball bounced off the bull’s head and landed in Xia Jia’s arms.
At the same time…
A blood-stained girl with a grim expression dragged a giant stone axe out, charging toward the Minotaur’s back.
“I, I am the Fallen Holy Black Cat of Chiba, a descendant of darkness!
It’s just a game!
Don’t you get too arrogant!”
“Darkness Paint Slash!!!”
Splurt!
A massive spray of blood exploded, splashing Kuroneko, while Xia Jia took the opportunity to stuff the circular metal ball into the Minotaur’s howling mouth.
Without a second thought, he rolled over, grabbed Kuroneko by the waist, and dove into the nearby brush.
Two seconds later…
“BOOM-BOOM-BOOM——————”
The Minotaur, having bitten through the metal, lost its head and slowly collapsed to the ground.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh!
“Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(Chapter250)
Can Playing Games Save the World?
65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
“I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60
The Uma Musume Who Became 60
I’m Definitely Not the King of 80
After Maxing Out Every Class 80
Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57
I, the Elden Sword Saint 50
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43
No One Knows Pokémon Better 50
I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45
From Trilobites to Titans 45
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55
DanMachi:
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught “Equilibrium”?
l (Chapter 80) Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178) Zenless Zone Zero: I’m a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 ) TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110) Yu-Gi-Oh!
— Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220) “Is this chat group even serious?” (Chapter125) I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal!
(Chapter250) Can Playing Games Save the World?
65 Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77 From Junkman to Wasteland 66 Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31 I’m Grinding Proficiency Like 46 From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220 Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42 Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65 Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185 From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20 The Way the Umamusume Look at 68 Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248 Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65 Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76 Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66 My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65 Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230 Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154 I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40 The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125 Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67 Uma Musume: From Beginner 145 Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85 Uma Musume: I Want All 120 I Can Copy Unique Skills 115 Summoning an Evil God, but the 75 Supernatural Multiverse 110 My Harem Is Indescribable 100 Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105 “I’m just a Valkyrie passing through.” 67 Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105 Still playing traditional Honk 80 The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85 What Should I Do After Switchi – Volume2/3 Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78 Hell-Difficulty Dungeon?
55 Transmigrated as Sukuna 80 Checking In in Demon Slayer 85 The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100 I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85 My Best Friend Into a Slime?
80 A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90 What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero?
75 Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85 Why did they assign me to Uma 75 MYGO Beauties 70 DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75 The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80 Honkai’s Otherworld?
Wait—Who Are You People?!
100 Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60 The Uma Musume Who Became 60 I’m Definitely Not the King of 80 After Maxing Out Every Class 80 Naruto: I’m Konoha’s Local Men 44 Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57 I, the Elden Sword Saint 50 Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43 No One Knows Pokémon Better 50 I, Sakazuki, Won’t Go Down Tha 45 From Trilobites to Titans 45 Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55 DanMachi: