Chapter 31

As they continued forward, it didn't take long for them to find more scorpion monsters, but the ones they currently found themselves up against were different from the scorpions that Jana, Jair, and Breno defeated: these were red in color and were level 4.

"Okay, Nero and Choko can handle these two this time," Jair said suddenly.

"Okay, I'll take the one on the left, but let me attack first since I'm not used to using this," Nero took the bow from within her inventory and warned her companions. She was not confident with her aim when using the bow and wasn't sure if the same thing would happen that happened to the thief who was hit previously by her arrow.

"Yes, I will wait for you," Choko nodded.

Nero concentrated and, channeling her mana, materialized an arrow made of black energy that looked quite like smoke from burnt tires.

*Whoosh!*

*Beng!*

The arrow was fired at a decent speed but did not hit the Red Scorpion. The almost 40 cm long Red Scorpion shifted sideways, looking like a crab, as it dodged the rain of stones the arrow flung up from the ground.

'This time it wasn't the same type of arrow as the one that hit the bandit...' Pulling the short bow, Nero shot a second arrow.

*Whoosh!*

*Beng!*

Once again Red Scorpion dodged, but this time it almost failed to dodge.

"Tsk..." Nero clicked her tongue and prepared to shoot a third arrow. When the bowstring was pulled to the limit, the arrow's speed was even faster.

*Whoosh!*

*Beng!*

"There!" Nero celebrated by hitting two of the Red Scorpion's left legs. But even though the Red Scorpion slowed, it still managed to run with only six legs supporting it.

With a mental command, Nero made her Demonic Acid Slime crawl towards the Red Scorpion and when she was close, Demon Slime used:

*[Spit Acid]!*

*Whoosh!*

This time the attack had no possible escape. In addition to hitting the Red Scorpion's left leg, the ground below was melted by the acid. Red Scorpion lost its balance and fell upside down, looking like an upturned turtle.

Before it could get up, Nero approached very quickly and shot an arrow very close, right at the Red Scorpion's head.

_ _

You have defeated the Insect Monster: [Red Scorpion] Rank F: Level 4.

_ _

"Now, it's my turn." Choko ran towards the other Red Scorpion which was retreating.

Brandishing her big red gloves, Choko jumped in the air while her aura began burning like flames. Choko's large red fist was quickly streaking towards the scorpion's head, sending shock waves flying through the air followed by a booming sonic explosion just as the red fist violently connected with the scorpion's head.

Even though its head had already turned into pudding, the scorpion's instinctual reflexes launched a clawed attack in Choko's direction, but she was nimble and quickly dodged the attack.

'Should I try using my Hunter card on this?' Nero asked herself doubtfully. 'Wouldn't it be a waste? So far as I know, what I have in my body is superior.'

After some time of reflection, she decided not to use the Hunter Card. She only intended to use it on monsters less than level 4.

Arriving in front of the Red Scorpion, Nero put her hand on top of the carcass, but she only held the Hunter Card and pretended to be using it as she used her system to collect the monster's materials. She was mindful to wait to finish almost at the same time as Choko.

_ _

Would you like to loot the Monster Plant: [Red Scorpion] Rank F: Level 4?

_ _

*[Yes]*

_ _

1 [Rank F Monster Core - Level 4] has been added to your inventory.

1 [Red Scorpion Tail F - medium quality] has been added to your inventory.

54 [Essence Currency] have been added to your inventory.

_ _

When Choko and Nero finished plundering the Red Scorpions, the two girls returned to the rest of the party.

"Shall we go?" Nero asked.

"Yes." They agreed and continued walking cautiously.

Although there were no human made traps, there could still be some created by the monsters. The monsters' traps were crude and easy to notice, but if one was not careful, they could fall into one carelessly.

"Does this floor only have scorpions?" Nero asked. After walking for a while, they spotted five other red scorpions, six if they counted one who appeared to be their dark red leader.

_ _

Insect Fire Monster: [Elite Red Scorpion] Rank F: Level 6.

_ _

"Yes. Note that behind these scorpions there is a ladder; if we go up, there will be another type of monster," Jana said, pointing in the direction of a staircase made of stones.

Nero and the rest stayed at a distance as they prepared and planned to attack the group of scorpions. Because they were at a considerable distance, the red scorpions did not come to attack them, but they continued to look in their direction, alert.

"Would it be okay for me to fight the leader while you guys deal with the others?" Nero asked. She believed that this was the best option since she had the support of her two domesticated monsters.

"Yes." The rest agreed without much resistance.

"Thanks." Nero smiled and planned out her attack. She said, "I will shoot my arrow first and try to separate them. Take this opportunity to attack the other Red Scorpions."

Seeing they nodded, Nero once again pulled her bowstring and shot an arrow.

*Whoosh!*

The smoky arrow cut through the air and made the Red Scorpions flee from the impact, separating the scorpions into groups of no more than two, just as Nero planned.

"Let's go!" Choko let out a shrill cry and ran towards a pair of Red Scorpions. Jair, Breno, and Jana also took action and went to attack the other three red scorpions.

Nero took command over her two monsters and also prepared herself, but this time, she shouldered her bow and took stones from her inventory, and as always, she pretended to take them from her Hunter Card.

*[Queen's throw]!*

*Whoosh!*

A blue aura enveloped the stone that was thrown. The speed of the stone was very fast, and the Elite Red Scorpion didn't even have time to dodge and was hit through one of its red claws and also caught half of one of its hind legs, cutting the two off completely.

*[Spit Acid]!*

*Whoosh!*

The acid from the Demonic Acid Slime caught very close to the head of the Elite Red Scorpion, causing the scorpion to release strange sounds from its mouth.

Luna, who was running very fast, positioned herself in front of the Elite Red Scorpion and attacked.

*[Fierce Hit]!*

After striking the Elite Red Scorpion with her paw, Luna moved away very quickly, avoiding the poisonous tail that came from behind the large monster.

{Edited by: Azurtha}