"Here it comes." The moment the shadow shifted, a red-highlighted area appeared on the soul-guided visors of all the Shrek Academy students, and they all heard Oschin's warning in their ears.
The shadow's location was quite specific—it was a small trap that Oschin had deliberately set for the Phantom Lynx. Since the Phantom Lynx could move through shadows using its innate ability, how could Oschin not have made some preparations?
In the forest, it's impossible to eliminate all tree shade without causing large-scale damage to the trees, but clearing away the large patches of shade where the Phantom Lynx could hide was no problem.
The patch of shade where the Phantom Lynx was currently hiding was the closest large shadow area one could find when approaching the fortified bunker from the east. further ahead, all the shaded areas are fragmented and small. In other words, if the Phantom Lynx wants to advance any further to attack the fortified bunker, it must emerge from the shadows and appear in three-dimensional form before the cadets—and that is precisely the moment Oscar has been waiting for to strike.
Of course, the large shadow zones Oscar had left open weren't limited to just the one on the east side; there were also three others on the other sides. Around these four shadow zones, Oscar had deployed the most precise detection soul-guided devices, all to lure the enemy right into the trap.
In the end, the Phantom Lynx did not disappoint Oschin; it keenly identified this "optimal point of attack," saving Oschin a great deal of trouble.
"Even wolves are cunning, yet both were slain in an instant. How deceitful are beasts? It only serves to amuse." Perhaps because of the Phantom Lynx's cooperation, this phrase involuntarily flashed through Oschin's mind.
The intelligence of soul beasts that have lived long enough is truly terrifying, but for these creatures that have only just awakened from their ignorance, their intelligence can sometimes actually be exploited.
The Phantom Lynx did not choose to remain lurking in the shadows until night fell in the forest, so it could use the cover of darkness to teleport directly in front of its target.
On the one hand, this was because Oschin had once again activated the sonic soul-guided device to emit a provocative sound wave; on the other hand, it was because the Phantom Lynx truly sensed no threat from that metal lump hidden behind several giant trees. The cautious Phantom Lynx had already circled the fortified bunker several times from a distance; it was certain that its opponent was the only one right in front of it (Dai Mubai and the others were lying on top of the bunker, covered in various camouflage gear, and the Phantom Lynx had not spotted them).
Through the blue glow of the soul-guided display screen, Oschin clearly saw the shape of the shadow shifting; he knew the Phantom Lynx was about to emerge from the shadows.
However, now was not the right time for Oscar to strike. Compared to the Phantom Lynx—a pure close-quarters assassin—Oscar held a significant advantage in range. There was no need to rush; he would wait a little longer. Only when the Phantom Lynx had advanced another ten or so meters—and completely lost the ability to retreat back into the shadows immediately—would it be the right moment for Oscar to launch his attack.
Unbeknownst to the Phantom Lynx, all the Shrek Academy students watched as it cautiously emerged from the shadows. Before they could get a clear look at the big cat's features, the Phantom Lynx lunged toward the metal bunker at a speed so blinding it left a long trail of afterimages in the eyes of human Soul Masters.
"Fire!" Upon witnessing the Phantom Lynx's attack speed, Oschin issued the attack command to Oscar without hesitation, simultaneously locking onto the target area for him.
Only after doing this did Oschin, listening to the roar of artillery fire in his ears, marvel to himself, "Are all Soul Beasts this reckless these days? An opponent you've clearly never seen before suddenly challenges you, yet it doesn't even try to test the waters. It just charges forward at full speed right off the bat, leaving itself no room to retreat."
The soul-guided artillery barrage continued. Taking advantage of this lull, Dai Mubai and his three companions—who had been crouched atop the fortified bunker—dashed to the edge of the bombardment zone. The moment the barrage ended, they were ready to intercept the Phantom Lynx.
Ten seconds later, Oscar entered a soul power void and was forced to halt the spirit-guided turret's offensive. About sixty meters from the bunker, the intense barrage of spirit-guided fire had already snapped the trees in that area. Exposed to the sunlight that had suddenly lost its cover, a large cat with brownish-black fur—nearly two meters long and covered in bloodstains—crouched in the shell crater, its eyes glowing red.
"Aaaah!" The severely wounded Phantom Lynx let out a piercing howl. With a burst of strength from all four limbs, it charged at Dai Mubai and his three companions, who had just appeared at the edge of the shell crater, intent on tearing these four despicable human Soul Masters to shreds.
However, the Phantom Lynx ultimately failed to break out of the shell crater—which was less than a meter deep—as it had intended. Just as its body leapt into the air and its head had barely cleared the rim of the crater, a bullet engraved with an explosive rune spun through the air and struck the big cat in the chest.
Its instinct for danger caused the big cat to concentrate a massive amount of soul power in its chest, strengthening the defensive capabilities of that part of its body. Although the bullet pierced the outer layer of fur, it ultimately failed to penetrate deep into the Phantom Lynx's body.
The bullet, its forward momentum halted, ignited the inscription on its surface in a fraction of a second, causing a violent explosion.
"Roar!" Severely wounded once again and tumbling back into the shell crater, the Phantom Lynx let out another agonized scream. This time, the red glow in the Phantom Lynx's eyes began to fade. The successive blows made it realize that the opponent before it was not so easy to deal with; continuing to fight tooth and nail might cost it its life.
The Phantom Lynx chickened out. It wanted to run, but the situation was now beyond its control. The trees surrounding the shell crater had already been toppled. Although the sunlight streaming in from the horizon was no longer blinding, it deprived the Phantom Lynx of the essential conditions needed to unleash its innate abilities. As for relying solely on its physical speed to escape, the Phantom Lynx would have liked to, but it simply couldn't manage it.
Both Dai Mubai's Tiger Paw and Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fireline had already struck the Phantom Lynx. Before the Phantom Lynx could even swing its claws to counterattack, a glossy, jet-black scorpion braid silently coiled around its neck, and in an instant, its body was completely immobilized.
In the distance, Oschin, who had been crouched by the firing port, silently sheathed his tranquilizer gun—it was no longer needed. Entangled at close range by Xiao Wu's grappling techniques, and lacking the strength to overpower her, this Phantom Lynx was as good as finished.
.....
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