Expedition (3)

Four hours passed already since the Giant Python fell into the pit. Yet the soldiers could still hear the Giant Python's hissing screams.

[Giant Python Vitality - 6%]

"How is it still alive?", Fang Zheng wondered, "Is it not poisoned?"

The Frozen Knight Order soldiers were exhausted. Their hands were bleeding from shooting arrows. Even Drake's hands were in a poor state.

"Thankfully, we prepared 20 000 arrows, or else we would have fallen short of them already", Evangeline analysed

Drake sighed: "The fate of the Giant Python was sealed the moment it fell in the pit. Without the ability to fly or climb the walls, it was fated to die. If worst were to come, we could have waited for it to die from hunger"

Fang Zheng still could not believe his eyes: "To think it took more than 18 000 arrows and 600 ballista shots to take it down...I still can't believe it no matter how much I think about it. Is it really the power of a beginner rank beast? Even if it has the name Giant, I can't believe there is such a difference in strength between species"

Drake laughed: "Do you really think that this python is of beginner rank? You sure are naive. It is an adult Giant Python, of Intermediate Rank. It can probably kill a careless peak rank acolyte looking at its eyes"

Fang Zheng shouted: "AND YOU CHALLENGED SUCH A BEAST KNOWING HOW STRONG IT WAS?"

Drake choked the merchant: "Don't talk to me like that. Look at this beast. It is on the verge of dying. I commend you for following orders, but challenging me won't do you any good"

Several minutes later, the beast stopped hissing.

The army started to shout: "VICTORY"

But Drake knew that it was a trap: "What victory? Don't stop shooting until I tell you to do so!"

[Giant Python Vitality - 2%]

It took several more minutes before Drake heard:

[You have successfully slayed [Giant Python]. This is an incredible achievement that will spread throughout the Moonfall territory. Tales of your ingeniosity will spread. Reputation is expected to greatly increase. Your standing in the family is expected to rise dramatically]

Drake ordered everyone: "Stay on the surface and send in the ropes. I will personally excavate the beast"

Fang Zheng sighed. No acolyte could stay unfazed in front of such benefits. As Drake climbed the pit down, Fang Zheng started to move. Clapping his hands, he activated a runic formation down his feet.

The Frozen Knight Order felt something was amiss the moment the ground was trembling.

A thousand-men-strong army had surrounded them in an instant.

Fang Zheng had betrayed Drake.

This was how valuable the body of an intermediate-rank beast was. In fact, Fang Zheng was planning on betraying Drake since the beginning. Even an beginner-rank magical beast would have been worth it.