Sani Elvin stood and pulled the four pages before Buddhist Hand and began to explain.
"Our first target is Spiking. A beast that looks like a featherless chicken but with sharp spikes jutting out of its body. Its plague makes those close to it feel as if they are being poked. The beast can strike long distances with an unlimited supply of spikes."
Elias sighed. This one can reach you even when you are kilometers away and the attacks are 30% to 50% the speed of a bullet.
"We usually station long-distance talent users to attract most of its attacks, then those with high speed get close and attack. It has been injured only 3 times in the past 6 days."
Today marked the 8th day of the ruin gate opening and teams had challenged the Calamity Beast numerous times.
"I fought it. It can create spikes from 1 foot up to 7 feet long. They are hard and sharp. Getting stabbed is like getting marked because its subsequent attacks will come at you; some spikes can even change direction toward you."
Vera Lance the first candidate chosen. She had been called to join them. Since she was chosen before, there was no reason to kick her out.
There were six members in Sasha's team now and they sat at a round table to discuss their hunting strategy.
"Where do the spikes go? Do they disappear?" Elias asked.
"No. They are real and tangible. The hunting party retains ownership of them," Sani explained. He sat down and waited for deeper discussion.
"The plan is simple. We want its utter decimation," Buddhist Hand said. "My absolute skill won't do that. Only Sasha's Thunder can pierce through this beast and cause damage from inside."
He explained something that even Elias and Sasha didn't know about Fearmonger.
When Sasha released the Piercing Ring Lightning at the Calamity Beast, it was effective, but somehow, the beast began to transform its biology to suit the lightning.
The endless barrage skill he released was meant to disrupt the beast's action and allow the lightning to do the damage.
"As Rank 1, I don't have enough Mastery over my attack that will send concussive attacks inside them that will cause lasting damage. But Sasha does. Lightning and Fire are the most effective when it comes to these things, especially at the early stage of awakening."
"So, the plan is to give room for Sasha to attack with her lightning," Vera asked. She was the one that could send arrow strikes.
"Yes," Elias said. "But we need a plan; this beast will not be easy to deal with. Long-range attacks are hard to deal with."
"I have marked a place close to it," Sani explained. "While others fight, I can teleport close to it. By then Sasha can be ready, and I'll replace her with me. In one second she attacks then, I will replace her with me again before I teleport out."
"Margin of error?" Elias asked.
"I have done it before back at home. It's very effective. She can ready that attack and the moment she appears close, she releases it and then I replace her. Replacement has this barrier for less than a second and for some reason it has some concealment."
Buddhist Hand demanded Sani explain more, and the boy was more than happy to.
Elias nodded. This is very important.
"I can ready five solid arrows that can deflect its strongest attack if it notices Sasha. I say five because the beast can send four attacks at the same time before a slight delay. The delay is less than a second; some can't even perceive it, but I do because we kinda share the same ability."
"Good. It would be great if we could rehearse, but Calamity Beasts are intelligent when it comes to fight and destruction. When we move, we must be moving to kill," Buddhist Hand said before he added,
"I will focus on deflecting its attacks and pulling you guys out of the way if you make mistakes."
"Will you be fast enough?" Elias asked.
"Very. I have Brand Skill: Golden Speed. All I need is to activate it and we end the fight in less than 10 seconds!"
"I can react to its attacks too. I will be able to face it head on!" Dicing Edge finally said.
Elias nodded and Buddhist Hand said, "Don't overdo it. You don't have our stamina. Best to make a large cut on its body that won't heal in time. Use Blademourn energy for that!"
"I will do that." She said.
Before Elias spoke, they felt different, then it got worse as if something was poking them on their backs.
"Damn it!" Vera bent her arm to touch her back.
Sani frowned as he touched his chest. Seconds later they all scrambled outside to see what happened, all ready for a fight, wondering if the beast had broken away and come close to them.
"It's confirmed again!" Buddhist Hand exclaimed.
Kilometers away from them, where Calamity Beast Spiking was chained, it was trembling and shaking. Then there was a blast of air, as something made a long sound coming toward them.
Team Sasha raised their heads as it landed where they were.
Bang!
A barrier was set around the tents and camps, protecting them from the attacks.
Bam!
The attacks kept coming and getting stronger, relentless until the barrage was so intense it was like rain was falling.
"What in Six Clover is happening?" Elias exclaimed.
"It felt danger," Buddhist Hand said with a smile. "Our plan threatened it."
Sasha and Elias looked at each other before they said in unison, "Shit!"
"They have danger sense!" Elias became thoughtful. "How do hunters hunt them?"
"Brother said there is a skill he developed for Stealth."
"There are skills that mask danger sense ability!" Buddhist Hand added.
"Now what?" Elias asked.
"It marked us. It will know if we attack!" Sani said.
"Some of us can move and distract it. The rest can prepare Sasha for the attack!" Dicing Edge said, her face composed, hand on her blade. Elias could feel her cutting force with that focus of hers.
"Buddhist Hand, the same strategy. Don't let me die." Elias began to walk forward.
"No." The large boy grabbed Elias's stump arm. "It will sense your danger. The moment you are out of the barriers, you will be a target."
Elias smiled, his left hand resting on Buddhist Hand's shoulder. "My friend, calm down. It will not. When it does, it will go mad. Just act the moment it does!"
Elias ran out of the barrier and yes, the attack didn't change to target him. And he sprinted, smiling.
'Two black holes released in a day. I wonder if I can maintain it.'