Defeat the Minotaur

The path leading to the edge of the Black Forest west of the city grew increasingly desolate.

Towering oak trees blocked out the afternoon sun, and the forest air was filled with the damp scent of soil and decaying leaves.

It was unnervingly quiet, with only the rustling sound of the trio’s footsteps on dry branches and fallen leaves.

The abandoned lumberyard, like a giant scar, was abruptly embedded in the forest’s edge.

Its rotten, collapsed wooden fences had long since lost their protective function.

A thick stench, a mixture of the foul odor of beasts and their excrement, drifted faintly through the air.

The source of this smell pointed to the deepest part of the lumberyard, a relatively intact, massive wooden shed—once likely a warehouse for storing lumber.

Minotaur: Grolm Broken-Horn

The Minotaur that had taken up residence here was no ordinary monster.

It once had a renowned name—Grolm Broken-Horn, a vanguard general of the Demon King’s “Furyhoof Legion.”

It possessed immense strength and was fearless in the face of death.

Its twin great axes had once shattered the shield walls of countless elite human soldiers.

However, Grolm’s bravery was accompanied by brutality and recklessness.

During a raiding mission, it lost control in a bloodlust-fueled frenzy and slaughtered a member of a minor human royal family who was supposed to be taken captive as an important “offering,” completely disrupting the plans of the Demon King’s high command.

The enraged superiors in the Demon King’s army stripped it of its military rank and honor, carved a brand of shame onto its proud right horn, and exiled it.

Having lost its sense of belonging and honor, Grolm, filled with a savage rage and the bitterness of betrayal, wandered aimlessly.

It eventually ended up near the Noah Royal Capital.

With its formidable strength, it quickly occupied this abandoned lumberyard as its lair and began attacking passing merchant caravans, venting its fury through plunder and slaughter, and also to fill its insatiable stomach.

Its existence had long surpassed the scope of an ordinary C-rank monster.

Its ferocious strength and extensive combat experience were more than enough to annihilate an inexperienced team of adventurers.

“It stinks…” Tikona couldn’t help but cover her nose, her eyes warily scanning the surroundings.

“That thing is definitely in there! Where the smell is strongest!”

Xia Ya and Beilixiya had already tensed their nerves.

Xia Ya made a hand signal, indicating silence.

The three of them used the collapsed wooden huts and huge log piles as cover, silently stalking toward the massive, foul-smelling wooden shed.

The closer they got to the shed, the more pungent and nauseating the stench became.

At the same time, a series of low, rumbling snores, like muffled thunder, emanated from within the shed, causing the surrounding wooden planks to vibrate slightly.

“It’s asleep?”

Tikona whispered, a glint of excitement flashing in her eyes.

“Good opportunity! While it’s sleeping, let’s take its life!”

Xia Ya nodded.

This was indeed a rare opportunity for a surprise attack.

He signaled again, and the three fanned out, carefully circling to the side of the shed’s half-collapsed giant wooden door.

Through the large cracks, they could clearly see the scene inside.

The interior of the shed was vast but extremely dim.

In the central open space, a small mountain of animal skeletons and rotting flesh was piled up, with flies buzzing around.

And beside the pile of bones, a colossal creature was sleeping on its side on a bed of hay.

Grolm Broken-Horn!

Its body was even larger than depicted on the scroll, covered in thick, coarse, dark brown fur.

On its massive bull head, the curved horns were as thick as small trees.

Near the base of the right horn, a deep and ugly brand was clearly visible.

Its breathing was heavy.

Each inhale stirred up the dust on the ground, and each exhale spewed out hot air with the smell of sulfur.

A giant stone axe, stained with dark red blood, lay casually beside its fan-like hand.

This was definitely no ordinary C+ rank monster!

Xia Ya’s grip on his sword tightened.

He silently cursed that old guild master of the Adventurers’ Association.

If any other fledgling adventurers had come, how would this be any different from sending them to their deaths?

He shot a look at Beilixiya and Tikona, signaling them to prepare to attack.

Beilixiya took a deep breath, her hands slowly closing around the hilt of “Wrath of the Stars,” her eyes locking onto the Minotaur’s thick neck.

Tikona also held her breath, her fingers resting on the hilt of “Heart Scorcher” at her waist.

The crimson crystal on the hilt seemed to sense its master’s fighting spirit and began to glow faintly.

The three were poised to strike.

Xia Ya slowly raised his hand, ready to give the command to attack—

At that very critical moment!

Crack!

The sharp sound of a dry branch snapping echoed like a thunderclap in the dead silence!

The sound came from under Tikona’s foot!

In an attempt to find a better angle of attack, she had unconsciously shifted her foot slightly, completely failing to notice that she had stepped on a deep purple vine covered in thorns, half-buried under the decaying leaves!

This vine was a specialty of the Black Forest, the “Poison Thorn Vine.”

Its sap had a paralyzing effect, and more importantly, its stem was extremely tough and dry, producing an exceptionally clear sound when stepped on!

Grolm Broken-Horn’s tightly closed, blood-red eyes snapped open!

They were like two lanterns from hell suddenly lit in the darkness!

A ferocious killing intent, like a tangible shockwave, instantly swept through the entire shed!

“ROAR—!!!”

A deafening roar, filled with the fury of being awakened and a bloodthirsty craving, erupted from Grolm’s mouth like a thunderclap!

The immense soundwave shook the dust from the roof of the shed, and even Xia Ya and the others outside felt their eardrums ache!

“Dammit!”

Xia Ya’s expression changed drastically; the plan was completely ruined!

He roared without hesitation, “Beilixiya! Frontal assault! Tikona! Distract it with me! Now!”

There was no need for an order.

The moment the roar sounded, Beilixiya’s body had already shot forward like an arrow released from its bow!

“Wrath of the Stars,” the greatsword with its dark silver base and flowing azure starlight, suddenly erupted with a brilliant light in the dim shed!

Without a hint of hesitation, her petite body unleashed a terrifying power completely disproportionate to her size.

The greatsword, with a shriek that tore through the air, came crashing down on Grolm Broken-Horn, who had just propped itself up, aiming straight for its massive bull head!

The sheer power carried by “Wrath of the Stars” made even the just-awakened and still somewhat dazed Grolm feel a fatal threat!

A flicker of astonishment crossed its blood-red pupils, but it was quickly replaced by the fury of being offended!

It roared, instinctively raising its right arm to block the mountain-splitting blow!

CLANG—!!!

Sparks flew!

Beilixiya’s powerful strike landed squarely on Grolm’s thick forearm!

The greatsword, capable of cleaving through a tempered steel dummy, failed to sever its arm!

It only embedded itself deep into its muscle and bone!

Dark red blood spurted out instantly!

“AAGH—!!!”

Grolm let out a pained and furious howl.

The intense pain completely ignited the ferocity in its bones!

Its other massive hand shot out to grab the blade of the greatsword embedded in its arm, while its head thrust forward violently.

Its huge horns, bearing the brand of shame, charged like two battering rams toward the nearby Beilixiya!

Beilixiya’s pupils constricted.

She wanted to pull her sword back and retreat, but Grolm’s grip on the blade was astonishingly strong!

“Wrath of the Stars” was held fast!

It seemed as if those terrifying horns were about to pierce through her slender body!

“Beilixiya! Duck!”

The voices of Xia Ya and Tikona rang out simultaneously!