Anya's countenance changed abruptly."A rolling stone trap?"
"What on earth are you standing there for? Run for your lives!" Fess gave Anya a forceful shove, urging her to flee without delay.
The group didn't dare to waste a single moment and promptly dashed in the direction from which they had come.
However, at that precise instant, twelve goblin warriors unexpectedly materialized at the original three - way junction, blocking their path! Among these goblins were both warriors and archers, and they posed no easy challenge.
"What?" Fess's face paled. He was now so far from the three - way junction that he was utterly unable to provide defense for the rear formation.
It was truly a case of misfortune never coming singly. Barely had they triggered the rolling stone trap when a band of goblin warriors blocked their way, clearly indicating that this was a well - laid snare.
If there had been merely one or two goblins, it might have been manageable, but there were a full dozen of them! Moreover, the passage within the labyrinth was rather narrow, measuring only six meters in width. Once blocked, it would be extremely arduous to find an alternative route. Even if they managed to vanquish these goblins, the rolling stone trap behind them would inevitably claim their lives! The time was desperately short!
"What shall we do?"
Just then, Kenley suddenly crouched down low, and his body began to radiate a series of resplendent glows.
He slung the Imperial Officer's Saber onto his back and firmly grasped the hilt with one hand."Potential Burst! Immovable Fortress! Physical Acceleration!"
One radiant glow after another enveloped Kenley's form, enhancing his capabilities.
Potential Burst (Tier Three): Boosts the attack power by 25%, with a duration of 15 seconds and a cooldown of 30 seconds.
Immovable Fortress (Tier Three): Reduces the damage equivalent to 75% of the current total attack power for three instances. The effect lasts for 10 seconds. Once the damage reduction opportunities are exhausted, it enters a cooldown state. After the duration ends, it cools down again, with a cooldown period of 10 seconds.
Physical Acceleration (Tier Three): Increases agility by 75%, lasting for 15 seconds, with a cooldown of 30 seconds.
"Charge!" Kenley, resembling a cheetah that had suddenly pounced, shot forward with a whooshing sound!
These goblins were situated at a certain distance from Kenley, requiring him to charge twice to reach them. They reacted swiftly as well, and six archers drew their bows and let loose their arrows!
Six arrows whistled through the air, and not a single one missed its mark, all striking Kenley.
"Is that fellow courting death?" Anya was somewhat taken aback by Kenley's audacity. Without the support of his teammates, he had dared to charge headlong into the heart of the enemy!
There was also a look of bewilderment in Fess's eyes. Although he harbored a measure of admiration for Kenley's courage, being struck by six arrows in quick succession would surely leave one severely injured, if not mortally wounded.
However...
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The moment the six arrows struck Kenley, a faint crimson film immediately materialized on his body, deftly deflecting all the arrows!
"I've never heard that the Immovable Fortress can withstand six arrows in a row!" someone exclaimed in disbelief.
Of course, they were unaware that Kenley held the occupation of an Honorary Paladin, endowing him with six layers of protection. However, skills such as Potential Burst and Physical Acceleration could not be stacked, as Kenley had experimentally determined. Amplifying skills could not be combined, but combat skills and defensive skills with stacking effects could be applied additionally.
These goblin archers were merely at level 25, with an attack power of slightly over 140. In contrast, Kenley boasted an attack power of 388. The Immovable Fortress would enter a cooldown state after reducing 75% of the total damage three times. Kenley's two rounds of defense with the Immovable Fortress perfectly intercepted these six attacks.
"Three - Blade Swift Slash!"
Three - Blade Swift Slash (Tier Three): A area - of - effect attack skill. The area within a radius of 12 meters in a 180 - degree frontal arc will be swept by three sword lights, with each sword light inflicting damage equivalent to 80% of the current total attack power.
Not allowing these goblins a moment to react, after the second charge concluded, a fierce glint flashed in Kenley's eyes, and he executed the Double Three - Blade Swift Slash without hesitation!
Six sharp sword blades, resembling falling snowflakes, sliced cleanly across the faces of these goblins!
These goblin warriors had just assumed a defensive stance. Although they had a damage reduction effect in this stance, Kenley's use of Potential Burst and the Double Three - Blade Swift Slash meant that they were subjected to the equivalent of six sword strikes!
Their gravest error was their excessive density, which provided Kenley with an opportune moment to deal devastating damage!
In a passage only six meters wide, there was simply no place for them to evade. The 12 - meter strike range of the Three - Blade Swift Slash left them with no time to react, and the entire goblin squad was instantaneously cut to pieces by Kenley!
The passage was immediately cleared of obstacles.
"Formidable combat prowess!"
This thought echoed in everyone's mind. In just a single encounter, a full squad of twelve well - coordinated goblins had been completely annihilated!
"Was that the Six - Light Continuous Slash? But isn't the Six - Light Continuous Slash a technique exclusive to the Bronze Citizens?" Anya inquired of Fess as she ran.
"I'm not sure either. Perhaps it's a sword technique he devised on his own," Fess replied, shaking his head. He, too, was witnessing it for the first time.
Kenley turned around and beckoned to the group."Take cover this way!"
Thanks to Kenley clearing the passage, the group managed to return to the three - way junction with relative ease and took refuge in another fork. Gazing at the rolling stone trap that hurtled past before their eyes, they were still gripped by lingering fear.
Once they had regained their composure, Anya suddenly let out a shriek."Ah!"
Fess slapped his forehead in exasperation."Anya, what on earth are you doing? Ouch!"
"Anya, my ears are killing me," Tek said, prodding his ear with his finger, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction.
Anya blushed deeply, strode briskly up to Kenley, and then bowed deeply."I'm truly sorry!"
Kenley looked utterly bewildered."What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you earlier!"
Unexpectedly, Anya proved to be a girl who was willing to take responsibility for her actions, which earned her Kenley's newfound respect.
Kenley shook his head and sheathed his sword."It's quite all right. I was merely fulfilling my duty as a teammate."
With his demeanor of being neither arrogant nor impatient, and without an air of superiority, Kenley's conduct immediately won the favor of everyone present.
"And... you were incredibly dashing just now! What was that move? I've never seen it before!" Anya exclaimed, rushing right up to Kenley.
"It was just the Three - Blade Swift Slash," Kenley replied.
"You're pulling my leg! That couldn't possibly be the Three - Blade Swift Slash. Do you have some sort of exclusive secret?" Anya asked, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
Kenley averted her gaze."Stop it. It was just the ordinary Three - Blade Swift Slash." Kenley had no intention of getting drawn into further discussion on this matter.
"Anya, refrain from prying into other people's private affairs," Fess admonished irritably.
"All right. Then can you tell me how you knew about that trap just now? You're not a Thief," Anya persisted, clearly consumed by curiosity and determined to get to the bottom of things.
"I used to have a substantial collection of books at home and happened to come across that symbol by chance," Kenley offered a casual explanation and then quickly shifted the focus."Shouldn't we continue moving forward?"
