Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 536

Chapter 536 120.2 - Infernal Nexus

As we advanced deeper into the Infernal Nexus, the oppressive heat intensified, but Gareth's barriers continued to shield us from the worst of it. The ground beneath our feet was unstable, with molten rock occasionally bubbling to the surface, forcing us to stay alert.

Kurt's voice crackled through the comms again. "Stay sharp. We're about to make contact."

I scanned the area ahead, noting the telltale signs of movement. The first wave of monsters emerged from the lava flows—a group of twelve fire elementals. Their forms were humanoid but made entirely of molten rock and flame, each one radiating intense heat. Their eyes glowed like hot coals, fixed on us as they moved to engage.

"Here they come," Kurt announced, his voice steady.

As planned, Kurt and Gareth moved forward to take the brunt of the attack. Kurt raised his shield, activating a skill that drew the elementals' attention, a pulsing wave of energy pulling their focus toward him.

TACK!

Gareth, standing beside him, raised his hands, and a translucent barrier flared to life around them, absorbing the heat and deflecting the first few strikes from the fire elementals.

SWOOSH! With the tanks holding the frontline, Dorian and Elena moved in to deal damage. Dorian's dual swords flashed as he engaged the closest elemental, his movements fluid and precise.

He struck with the speed of a practiced swordsman, each blade cutting through the molten exterior of his target.

SLASH! The elemental let out a crackling hiss as Dorian's swords cut through it, molten fragments flying off with each strike.

Elena, the battlemage, was right behind him. She channeled her magic, combining close-range combat with elemental spells.

CRACK! Her hands glowed with a faint blue light as she struck, each blow infused with freezing magic that countered the heat of the elementals. With each hit, steam erupted from the contact point, weakening the creatures and making them more vulnerable to physical attacks.

Lila remained at the rear, her eyes sharp as she focused on the battlefield. She didn't summon her golem immediately; instead, she relied on her rapid casting to support the team.

'Makes sense. Most likely, she does not want to empty her mana reserves immediately. Summoners, while having a huge pool, are rather important.' Small, precise spells flew from her hands, targeting weak points in the elementals and disrupting their attacks. A bolt of wind magic here, a burst of water magic there—each one carefully aimed to complement the strikes of the vanguards.

I took my position at the back, drawing the Starpiercer Arc and nocking an arrow.

'Let's test this bow, shall we.' With a steady hand, I pulled back the string, focusing on the largest elemental advancing on the group.

With the recent increase in the information that my eyes can perceive, I can see the mana flow of monsters and their organs a lot more clearly.

'Especially such raw energy-filled monsters.' These fire elementals were all energy types of monsters, and that was why I could see the flow more easily.

–SWOOSH! The arrow flew straight and true, piercing through the elemental's core and exiting out the other side. The creature staggered, the force of the shot causing cracks to spiderweb across its body before it collapsed into a pile of molten rock.

'Not bad. Even if this bow is not coated with [Moonstone] like [Celestalith], the energy output is still quite good. It seems having a unique rank weapon is indeed different.' As I thought, another elemental tried to circle around the team, but I was already tracking its movements. I marked it already, and my next arrow struck it dead center, the shot penetrating through its molten chest and dissipating the fire that animated it.

The battle was controlled, with each member of the team executing their roles with practiced precision. Kurt and Gareth held the line, their defenses impenetrable, while Dorian and Elena systematically dismantled the elementals with their combined physical and magical assaults. Lila's rapid casting provided the necessary support, ensuring that no elemental could get the upper hand.

Within minutes, the first wave was reduced to nothing but cooling rock and fading embers.

"First wave down," Kurt reported, his voice calm despite the intense fight. "No injuries. Let's keep moving."

Without a word, the team reformed and continued advancing. There was no need for celebration or excitement—this was just another part of the job.

As we pressed on, the second wave of monsters emerged from the swirling magma ahead—this time, a larger group of fire elementals, their numbers increasing as the dungeon seemed to respond to our intrusion.

There were twenty of them now, their molten forms moving with greater intensity.

"Same strategy," Kurt commanded, his voice even and controlled. "Keep it tight."

Once again, Kurt and Gareth took the lead, drawing the elementals' attention and absorbing their attacks with a combination of shield and barrier.

Dorian and Elena moved in seamlessly, their attacks synchronized as they struck with a mix of physical and magical force. Lila continued to hold back her summon, relying on her rapid casting to disrupt the elementals and support the vanguard.

The team worked like a well-oiled machine, each member executing their role with precision. We cut through the second wave as methodically as the first, reducing the elementals to nothing but fading embers. And then, without pausing, we moved on.

The third wave came, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth. Each one brought more fire elementals, their numbers and intensity increasing with every wave, but our strategy remained the same. Lila still refrained from summoning her golem, conserving its strength for the right moment. The rest of us continued to execute our roles, and the waves fell one after another.