I'm not a goblin Frankenstein's monster.

Several guards immediately drew their shields and swords, surrounding the old priest and Captain Ward who were casting a healing spell. Their movements were flustered, but they were also professional instincts.

"Leave the outer perimeter to us."

The orc Garu's voice was like muffled thunder. He took a step forward, dragging his giant axe at his side. His dark green arms were bulging with muscles, and his eyes burned with a terrifying fighting spirit.

Xia Lin and Druid Griffin stood on either side, the three of them forming an invisible defensive line.

As agreed before setting off, this town's guard team lacked experience in dealing with dangerous monsters.

Therefore, the three of them didn't have high hopes for the ghouls in the first place.

Protecting the elderly pastor Far, who is the core of the team, is their most important task on this trip.

Unlike the hasty encounter with the chicken-snake beast last time, the battle had not yet truly broken out, and Xia Lin finally had the opportunity to quickly scan the weapons of his two temporary companions under the dim light of his identification spell.

The giant axe in the hands of the orc Garu, almost as tall as him and with a blade as wide as a door, appeared to Xia Lin as concise words:

[Judgment Axe (Paladin Standard - Blessed by Holy Light)]

Effect: Sharpness, deals additional damage to evil creatures; inflicts a small amount of Holy Light damage on attacks.

Description: Standard issue from the Ilmat Church's armory, forged from fine steel mixed with a small amount of silver ingots, and blessed by a high-ranking priest. Heavy, yet unstoppable.

Review: "It may lack elegance, but believe me, its effectiveness is absolutely honest." —A certain orc paladin

The two attributes, combined with the orc's towering, tower-like physique, are, in a sense, a perfect match.

Only the terrifying strength of orcs could wield such exaggerated weapons, and use them with ease.

The combined terrifying combat power of these two factors is far more complex than a simple numerical calculation.

The seemingly simple oak staff in Druid Griffin's hand reveals another piece of information:

[Rootwalker's Staff (Nature Affinity, Spell Amplification)]

Effect: Reduces the cost of casting nature spells and slightly enhances the effects of plant manipulation spells.

Description: Crafted from the trunk of a 300-year-old oak tree, its surface features natural patterns that subtly resemble natural runes. No gemstones are set within; its power originates from the very life of nature.

Commentary: "The coldness of metal can shut out the earth's breath." — A message on the title page of the Druidic Beginner's Handbook

According to Woody's previous casual remarks, druids need to maintain a deep affinity with nature and generally avoid using metal armor or shields.

That would interfere with their ability to perceive and mobilize natural energy.

But setting aside this limitation, their choice of weapons was quite extensive, ranging from short sticks and daggers to sickles and javelins, all of which they could use with ease.

He is good at everything, but no one ability stands out, making him a "jack-of-all-trades" in the adventurer's party.

In short, this profession gave Xia Lin a very strange feeling.

The ghouls didn't give Xia Lin much time to think.

Their instinctive craving for fresh flesh and blood overwhelmed any remaining restraint they might have had.

Devouring and chewing are now the only desires imprinted deep within their decaying bodies.

The battle erupted instantly!

Four ghouls howled as they pounced on Xia Lin, their movements as swift as ghosts, stirring up gusts of putrid wind.

Xia Lin took a deep breath.

Thanks to the support of [dark vision], every trajectory and every movement of shadow in the dimly lit environment is now clearly discernible.

In addition, the longsword in his hand, which has been reforged twice and has been upgraded in quality, has a [Purification] effect that provides significant resistance, penetration and damage amplification against evil creatures.

In Xia Lin's eyes, these ghouls were no different from the goblins he had encountered when he first started out.

If one had to say something, it would be that it is taller and has a stronger body odor than the green-skinned dwarf.

This, however, became an annoying negative interference in Xia Lin's keen sense of smell.

It stinks!

The hunt begins.

The first "thirsty" ghoul pounced in front of Xia Lin. He crouched down and moved forward, his longsword slashing upwards.

"Whoosh—"

The sword's edge precisely sliced ​​into the junction of the ghoul's jaw and neck.

Under the effect of [Purification], the tough, leathery ghoul skin that ordinary swords could hardly penetrate was cut through by his sword like a hot knife through fat.

Tough skin, hardened fat, and even slightly obstructive muscles and bones were easily cleaved through by the gleaming blade.

"Whoosh—"

With putrid flesh and a partially broken cervical vertebra, the head was detached from the body at an angle.

Like a bottle of old, cheap wine with the cork removed, bluish-black blood splattered, drawing a brief arc in the darkness and making a viscous, muffled sound.

Humans seem to always have a strange affinity for certain sounds.

It's like the lighthearted feeling of anticipation being fulfilled when your computer suddenly "dings" to indicate that the download is complete late at night on a dull weekend.

Under the effect of [Purification], the process of slaying these evil creatures gave Xia Lin a strange sense of "ease" and "comfort".

It felt like returning to a familiar rhythm.

The feedback from the blade slicing through the decaying body even brought a subtle, almost addictive, smooth pleasure that I couldn't experience even when playing AAA games in my previous life.

The corpse of the current client had not yet hit the ground when the attack of the second ghoul arrived.

It chose to rip out the heart from the left side with its claws, which gleamed with a ghostly green poisonous light.

Instead of retreating, Xia Lin advanced, thrusting his left arm's scale shield upwards, smashing the sharp claws away with a muffled "bang".

The ghoul lost its balance and staggered, falling like a drunkard.

With a swift motion, he thrust his longsword straight forward, the tip piercing through its emaciated chest and emerging from its back.

With a twist and turn of the wrist, the remaining life force inside was completely extinguished.

He drew his sword and turned around.

The third ghoul was lunging at you, its foul-smelling mouth drooling.

Xia Lin stopped walking, lowered his center of gravity, and his longsword transformed into a silver arc of light as it slashed down diagonally—

"Sizzle—"

The blade sliced ​​into the shoulder with unstoppable force, cutting down along the midline of the torso, almost splitting the monster into two asymmetrical pieces!

Sticky entrails and filthy blood splattered all over the ground with a splash, spreading dark stains in the mud.

"There's another one to the left rear!"

Woody on his shoulder gave a timely warning that a fourth ghoul, taking advantage of the situation, was quietly approaching from behind.

Xia Lin suddenly spun around, using the power of his waist to slash horizontally with his longsword!

"Click—"

The sharp blade severed the ghoul's lumbar vertebrae without any resistance, and the upper and lower body were completely separated amidst a piercing sound of bones cracking.

The attacker fell into the muddy water, desperately clawing at the ground with his arms, trying to reach Xia Lin, while his lower body twitched a few steps away.

"Pfft—"

The longsword pierced its head, bringing it to complete silence.

Xia Lin breathed slightly, raising his eyes to scan the other two battlefields.

Garu the Orc's fighting style is even more ferocious and direct than before.

Each swing of that enchanted giant axe carried a heavy wind pressure and a faint hum of holy light.

There were no fancy moves, just an overwhelming crushing force and speed.