Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Testing Vines of Torment, The Hellish Hobgoblin [1]

Leon had already tested [Torrent of Lightning] against the monsters of the [Hellish Beach], and the results had been more than satisfying, especially now that the skill had reached level five.

It made its damage, range, and overall impact far more devastating than before, allowing him to wipe out entire groups of enemies with ease while barely putting in any effort.

However, that wasn’t the skill he was interested in right now.

The other ability he had upgraded using the [Elemental Skill Stone] was the one that truly caught his attention: [Vines of Torment].

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[Vines of Torment (Legendary Lv.5): Your vines seek nothing but death and agony, they will emerge from the ground and destroy anything in their way, leaving none of them standing.]

---

Even just reading the description again made Leon raise his eyebrows slightly, as it had clearly changed compared to before, becoming far more aggressive and violent in tone.

It was something meant to annihilate now.

Leon knew something very important though: using vines against fire-based enemies was, in most situations, a terrible idea.

That was common sense. But that was exactly why he decided to test it here.

If this skill could perform well even against enemies that naturally countered it, then that would mean its true potential was far greater than expected, especially when used against opponents that didn’t have any resistance to this type of attack.

And so, without hesitation...

Fwoosh!

Leon activated the skill. The effect was immediate.

The atmosphere around him shifted, the air growing heavier as a dark presence spread across the clearing.

And at the same time, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble violently as if something massive was about to break through.

Cracks formed. The earth split open. And then...

BOOM!

Dozens of vines burst out from the ground all at once, erupting with terrifying force.

Leon’s eyes widened slightly as he observed them. They were completely different from before.

Each vine was now at least twice as thick, their surface darker, almost black, and covered in countless sharp thorns that glistened faintly in the fire-lit surroundings, giving them a much more menacing appearance than anything he had previously summoned.

They didn’t look like ordinary vines anymore.

The moment the [Fire Hobgoblins] saw them, something changed in their expressions.

Instinct kicked in. They understood that they were about to die.

And so, without hesitation...

"HRAAAH!"

All four remaining hobgoblins roared loudly toward the sky, their voices echoing through the burning clearing.

At first, Leon assumed it was nothing more than a final, desperate cry, something they did when they realized escape was no longer possible.

But he didn’t dwell on it. Because at the same time...

SNATCH!

The vines moved.

They shot forward at incredible speed, wrapping around the nearby monsters before they could react, tightening instantly and crushing them with overwhelming force, snapping bones and tearing through bodies without giving them any chance to resist.

Even though many of these creatures had fire-based bodies, the vines held firm, their durability far exceeding what Leon had expected, resisting the ambient heat and pressure of the environment with ease.

Still, Leon knew that direct fire attacks would likely burn them if given enough time.

But that didn’t matter. Because the enemies never got that chance.

The clearing was being wiped out in seconds.

And now... The final four vines moved.

They surged forward toward the group of [Fire Hobgoblins] that had roared earlier, aiming to finish them off just like the others.

Everything seemed to be going exactly as Leon expected.

Until—

ROOOOOAR!

A deafening roar suddenly exploded through the area.

The sound that made the air vibrate and sent a chill down Leon’s spine even in the middle of intense heat.

Leon’s eyes widened instantly.

SLASH!

Before the vines could reach their targets, something massive moved.

In a single motion, all the vines that had been rushing toward the hobgoblins were cut apart, shredded into pieces as if they were nothing more than fragile threads.

Leon looked up. And for the first time since entering the clearing...

"What the hell..."

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[Hellish Hobgoblin (Boss)]

[Level: 75]

[Sub-Talents: Super Strength Enhancement (B-Level), Deep Flame Affinity (B-Level)]

[Combat Power: 660,000]

[Details: Roams the "Hellish Beach" realm seeking anybody who is unlucky enough to encounter him.]

---

Standing before him was a massive figure, easily over four meters tall, its body radiating heat as flames flickered across its skin, while in its hands it held a giant burning bat, its sharp teeth visible through its mouth.

Leon didn’t realize it immediately, but he had just encountered one of the biggest reasons why this realm was feared.

Not simply because of the powerful monsters or the environment, but this thing was one of them.

An entity strong enough to wipe out entire groups of players on its own.

And yet... Leon didn’t look particularly worried. Instead, he slowly adjusted his stance.

’Our combat power is close enough,’ he thought calmly, analyzing the situation, ’I should be able to fight it head-on and win if I play this right.’

The [Hellish Hobgoblin] stared at him. But instead of attacking immediately...

ROOOOOAR!

It roared again. Even louder than before.

The sound spread across the entire island, echoing through the forest, the beach, and even reaching distant areas.

...

Far away, Celeste and Emilia both froze for a brief moment as they heard it.

Their expressions changed instantly. They didn’t hesitate as they quickly sent messages to check on each other.

[Saintess: What the hell was that?]

[UndyingPhoenix: Even the monsters I’m fighting reacted to it... that was insane!]

Leon glanced at the messages briefly, then looked back at the boss in front of him.

His expression twitched a little, knowing that this thing was strong.

This wasn’t going to be a simple fight.

And more importantly... [Celestial’s Might] wasn’t going to activate here. He would have to rely entirely on himself.

At the same time, the [Fire Hobgoblins] that had been on the verge of death moments ago suddenly regained their confidence.

With their leader present, their fear disappeared almost instantly.

They were no longer prey. They were hunters again.

Fwoosh!

Leon didn’t wait. He raised his staff!

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