"Absolutely impossible."
Eudora stated firmly.
"There are too many top-tier forces that can engage the Kushala Daora, and in terms of understanding it, I believe we are superior."
Deus offered his reasoning.
"What do you mean by superior?"
Eudora was confused.
"The Chief Hunter Squad only began tracking the Kushala Daora recently, didn't they?"
Deus inquired.
"That... is indeed true."
"The top squad has been tracking the Kushala Daora for two years. We possess many details that the guild hasn't disclosed, such as whether the Kushala Daora is weak to certain elements."
Deus asked.
"I know that, it's weak to thunder, meow!"
Dilu answered immediately.
Deus's expression immediately showed surprise.
To ascertain the elemental type effective against a monster, one needs to analyze samples of its scales and carapace.
This inevitably leads to tracking and collection. However, no squad has reported tracking the Kushala Daora yet.
"I see. The squad learned this when they encountered the Kushala Daora at the Dragon Palace ruins. Then, the method to break through its protective wind armor..."
"It's poison, meow! Once the Kushala Daora is poisoned, its protective wind armor can no longer be maintained."
Dilu again interjected.
"Then the reason for attacking human settlements..."
Deus looked at Dilu and lowered his voice to probe.
"Of course, it's for molting, meow!"
As soon as Dilu said this, the expressions of the three members of the top squad turned somewhat awkward.
They had intended to use their extensive intelligence to make the Chief Hunter Squad retreat.
However, it now appeared that the other party knew just as much as they did.
"Let's sit down and talk. Dilu, please serve tea."
Following Li Fan's suggestion, the three members of the top squad reluctantly took their seats.
"The top squad also has combat phases to poison the Kushala Daora, right?"
Deus raised his teacup, about to drink, but as he heard Li Fan's question, he dejectedly placed the teacup back on the table.
"Yes."
"The combat objective would definitely not be merely to repel it, but to kill it, correct?"
"Mm."
"However, the current Kushala Daora might be very different from when you tracked it."
"What do you mean?"
"Although the Elder Dragon Research Institute hasn't conducted in-depth research on this concept, I generally refer to it as mutation."
Li Fan explained.
"Is it similar to the Frenzy Virus phenomenon in monsters?"
Deus inquired.
"It's not clear yet, but this is a conscious choice made by the Kushala Daora, not something imposed by the environment. So I infer there should be a greater enhancement."
After Li Fan finished speaking, the three members of the top squad looked grave.
"The top squad must have a lot of experience fighting monsters in the battle streets, right?"
Li Fan posed a question.
"Yes, we grew up here. We witnessed the attack of the Teostra and participated in battles against the Dah'ren Mohran."
Deus confirmed.
"Since we all have the same objective and fear interfering with each other during combat, why don't we divide the battlefield into two zones? The top squad will be responsible for engaging in the battle streets within the city. Once it moves outside the city, we will take over."
Li Fan presented his idea.
"Wait, if the Kushala Daora moves outside the city, will the other squad just stand by?"
Deus felt this deployment was unreasonable.
It's not as if they would simply abandon the fight out of fear of interference.
"We also need to defend against the Lao-Shan Lung and the Nakarkiri. We can't just leave the Guild Master to face them alone."
Li Fan revealed the key to the deployment.
Deus fell into contemplation.
From the perspective of their squad's objective alone, it was naturally to target the Kushala Daora.
However, from an overall perspective, protecting Dundorma from invasion was the primary concern.
"If the Kushala Daora escapes outside the city, does the Chief Hunter Squad have the confidence to kill it?"
Deus asked very seriously.
"No, I only have the certainty that we will not lose."
Li Fan said frankly.
Even the pre-mutation Kushala Daora couldn't be guaranteed to be killed by anyone.
Deus exchanged glances with his teammates, Hoover and Semika.
Finally, they agreed to Li Fan's proposal. As for subsequent support, the other party proactively chose to assist the Guild Master who was facing the Lao-Shan Lung alone.
Li Fan, concerned about Hui Hui, felt this choice was perfect.
As for Zudda, he would definitely offer his full support for such a tactically sound deployment. It could be submitted tomorrow.
After everything was settled, Li Fan wanted to take the opportunity to investigate the legendary hunter.
"Deus, I have a question I'd like to ask."
"Please, go ahead."
"In the eyes of the top squad, what kind of person is that legendary hunter?"
"Hmm... He is the most intelligent hunter I have ever met. Not only can he foresee events, but a casual remark from him can feel like a divine revelation."
Deus praised.
"What kind of revelation specifically?"
"I don't quite remember..."
Deus chuckled awkwardly, covering his forehead.
"Alright."
"I remember now. He seemed obsessed with researching luck and destiny. For this, after defeating the Valstrax in the Forbidden Lands, the High Priest of Sinara Village bestowed upon him a charm crafted with Celestial Alchemy as a reward."
"That charm must be very precious, right?"
Li Fan inferred.
"Yes, it's said that Celestial Alchemy can only be used when the Valstrax appears in the Forbidden Lands, and it requires the simultaneous smelting of many top-tier charms."
Deus confirmed.
"Researching destiny here is such a strange inclination... If I'm not mistaken, you also don't know the whereabouts of the legendary hunter."
After a long period of investigation, Li Fan was somewhat too lazy to ask this question.
"Yes, he disappeared quite suddenly. Afterward, the Hunter's Brigade disbanded. The receptionist, Sophia, couldn't accept this fact and conducted many investigations that went beyond her authority, leading to her dismissal from the guild."
Deus sighed.
"What kind of investigations..."
"Master! I've been looking for you all over the guild. I didn't expect to find you here."
Aiden hurried down the stairs.
"When will you ever learn to be more composed... Allow me to introduce my disciple, Aiden."
Deus sighed and made the introduction.
"I know these two! They are members of the top hunter squad, holding the dual titles of Chief Hunter and Blazing Fire. I've heard of your deeds long ago. Oh! And is this the six-star hunter cat, Dilu, who just received guild certification?"
As Aiden spoke, he picked up Dilu.
"Ah... I've been recognized, meow. How annoying."
Dilu covered her face with her paws, a little shy.
"Aiden, put Dilu down quickly. The squad's combat plan has changed, and we need to rush back to the guild to discuss it."
Deus informed him.
"Understood, Master. Goodbye everyone. I'm looking forward to our future cooperation."
Watching the enthusiastic Aiden depart, the squad waved goodbye.
"Attacking with demarcated zones, how could I not have thought of such a brilliant method."
Eudora felt the proposal was ingenious.
The defensive configuration of the battle streets was indeed powerful, but it didn't align with the squad's combat style at all. It could even be said to be mutually restrictive.
The top squad, on the other hand, could not only integrate easily but also lead and command the battle street operations.
"There's still one problem that hasn't been solved."
Li Fan said with a hint of melancholy.
"There's more?"
"A frontal confrontation with the Nakarkiri. If it conflicts with the pursuit of the Kushala Daora, we'll have to abandon one."
Li Fan voiced his concern.
With three monsters potentially attacking simultaneously, the guild's stance would naturally not be to pursue their elimination, but to repel them as much as possible.
This conflicted with the squad's objectives.
"If such a situation arises, we will prioritize protecting Dundorma. This is not only a crucial world center but also my hometown. I believe if my father were still alive, he would support my choice."
Eudora made her decision.
"Mm, then the only thing left is to figure out the motive for the attack."
This was what puzzled Li Fan the most at the moment.
The Lao-Shan Lung visited Dundorma periodically to attempt passage. While the motive was unclear, there was at least a certain regularity.
The Kushala Daora was a bit strange, as its carapace hadn't rusted to the point of needing to molt, but it could barely be considered a plausible explanation.
As for the Nakarkiri, Li Fan couldn't discern any motive at all.
Even the reason for its appearance was a mystery.
The Guild Headquarters and surrounding buildings entered a state of round-the-clock alert.
On the first day, the Guild Master, a giant dragon-man guarding the headquarters, boarded the Eternal and headed to the mountain stronghold on the outskirts of the city, the Lao-Shan Lung's inevitable path, to prepare for engagement.
On the second day, all passenger rail cars in the city were suspended and sent to modification plants. Their passenger carriages were removed and replaced with large-caliber cannons, transforming them into rail cannons.
On the third day, buildings on both sides of the battle streets were requisitioned by the guild, and the city's defensive facilities entered the debugging phase.
The guild called for earthquake-resistant measures to be taken for residential buildings.
On the fourth day, the ban on airships descending within the city was lifted, and countless combat supplies were transported and deployed around the battle streets.
Simultaneously, 18 shelters in the city were opened, and the Dundorma Airport lifted restrictions on all airship departures.
On the fifth day, apart from the hurrying hunter squads, no residents were seen on the streets.
The Valstrax landed at the Hexing Stone deployment site and absorbed a large amount of dragon energy.
Zudda, buried under reports on his desk, hadn't slept for three days.
He intended to confirm the important progress of the past few days and then go to bed for a short sleep late at night.
However, just as he was about to extinguish the oil lamp, he suddenly noticed the flame on the wick trembling slightly in a very regular pattern.
Zudda went to the window, looked in the direction of the mountain stronghold, and sighed, "Guild Master, please stop it."
Five kilometers outside the southern gate of Dundorma was the location chosen by the squad to set up camp.
Dilu looked at the rippling water on the surface of a G-rank Mega Potion bottle and picked it up curiously.
As the location of the Lao-Shan Lung was being relayed from the front, announcements were being made via airship broadcasts along the route.
The squad learned of the direction slightly earlier than the city.
"Since the Lao-Shan Lung is approaching, according to the prophecies of the Dragon Worshipers, the Kushala Daora will arrive soon."
Eudora said, adding two more logs to the campfire in front of her.
"Is your mother alright?"
Li Fan asked from the other side.
Eudora had returned home earlier that day to reinforce her house against earthquakes.
However, she discovered that her mother hadn't evacuated and was even peacefully sweeping the yard. Eudora was quite troubled by this.
"It's not a big problem. She just won't listen to advice. She doesn't believe Dundorma will be attacked by monsters and is convinced the hunters can protect the city. She even complained that the monster attack was interfering with her drying jerky."
Eudora said with a helpless expression.
"Could it be because she's never felt threatened?"
Li Fan inferred.
"No. I remember when the Lao-Shan Lung attacked when I was little, the whole city was shaking. The Guild Headquarters was much taller then than it is now. Unfortunately, the Lao-Shan Lung collapsed before it even reached the southern city walls. My mother and I hid in a shelter, holding each other, feeling like the whole world could collapse at any moment..."
Eudora recalled.
"What about your dad?"
"He was next to us, eating jerky with a carefree attitude, constantly talking about how powerful the city's defenses were and what strong hunter squads were stationed here, saying they would easily repel the Lao-Shan Lung this time. My mother and I were just worrying unnecessarily."
Recalling that scene, Eudora's lips couldn't help but curve upwards.
"What a memorable childhood memory."
"In short, they both believe in the hunters. This is also the fundamental reason why I aspire to be a hunter."
Eudora gazed into the campfire.
Suddenly, Li Fan felt he understood why children liked Ultraman.
Through his in-depth understanding over the past few days, Li Fan also grasped the nature of the Lao-Shan Lung's threat.
Overall, it did not launch targeted attacks on a single entity.
However, its mere movement would pose a significant threat to buildings in its path.
He had previously wondered why the battles in the game took place in mountain strongholds, and now he understood.
Because by the time the Lao-Shan Lung truly reached the southern gate of Dundorma, at least one-third of the city's buildings would collapse under the tremors, turning into ruins.
If it were allowed to enter the city, even if the repulsion operation were successful, Dundorma would have long ceased to exist.
Therefore, defensive lines were established in advance.
As for the guild's advantage, it lay in the Lao-Shan Lung's very fixed movement trajectory.
This allowed for the pre-construction of city walls and the utilization of mountainous terrain for interception.
With the continuous upgrading of firepower deployment and defensive systems, battles to repel the Lao-Shan Lung would gradually become easier.
On this night, with the tremors gradually intensifying, no one in the squad could sleep.
Li Fan left the camp and went to the nearby bushes, playfully crawling on the ground with Wan Pi.
Both dragons stared intently at an oval giant egg with a surface of alternating red and green patterns.
Wan Pi wanted to get closer to observe, but was nudged away by Xiao Bendan with its head.
Li Fan saw this and did not disturb them. After a moment, he sighed helplessly, "Xiao Bendan, who just laid an egg, is not suitable for combat right now, but only you can inject enough poison into the Kushala Daora."
He had also considered other ways to poison the Kushala Daora, thereby weakening its control over its protective wind armor.
However, the problem was that methods like poisoned knives, poison bullets, and poison bottles from the game were simply not feasible when applied to the Kushala Daora.
The reason was that the Kushala Daora's carapace was too hard, so hard that it couldn't even molt without external force.
Li Fan had also looked into melee slashing weapons.
Not only was the amount of venom limited, but penetrating the Kushala Daora's carapace to inject it was equally difficult.