Chapter Ninety-Six: Baiting the Demon Dog Horde Head-On

One hundred and fifty points of source energy posed little difficulty, and ten pieces of lower-grade elemental crystals weren’t a problem either. He already had four, needing only six more. Three portions of magical essence could be synthesized into a single crystal, and although they required a level of LV5 or higher, defeating the big hounds would suffice—he’d have to collect eighteen corpses at most.

The hardest challenge was to slay a transcendent creature a tier above himself—second-tier transcendents like mid-level witches or vampire marquises. Was he supposed to take out Number Eleven? Prove his path by slaying his own sister?

Of course, that was only a jest.

The big hound’s tactics were sound. With the brunt of the second hounds’ assault, Chief Hope and his three companions quickly spent all their bullets, while the second hounds kept surging forward.

Fortunately, the bodies of magic hounds piled high on both sides, shrinking the available space. Lin Xiao stood at the forefront, cutting down each one that appeared, and Erik handled any stragglers with finishing blows.

This blade warrior drew a sharp katana from his back, even sharper than the interstellar annihilation axe. With a single thrust, he could pierce a magic hound, then sweep the blade to send limbs flying.

Nick and Eddie, lacking long-handled weapons, brandished two triangular spikes to keep the hounds at bay. Chief Hope, without any melee weapon, had become little more than a bystander; he retreated to the base of the stairs, yielding space.

After another wave of second hounds was slaughtered, the stairwell was blocked by corpses, and the blood flowing out nearly formed a small lake, streaming down the stairs.

Number Eleven, clutching her Budding Staff, stood at the stairway, trembling. Chief Hope ascended, gently gathering her in his arms and offering soft words of comfort, helping her gradually regain her composure.

Seeing their attacks were fruitless, the second hounds ceased their assault. All the magic hounds in the house retreated like a receding tide, vanishing without a trace.

"Number Eleven, monitor the movements of the magic hound army. Find out where they're headed," Lin Xiao called out, not turning. The magic hound army was controlled by the Mind Flayer, whose intelligence rivaled humanity—it was surely shifting tactics, seeking new ways to attack.

Number Eleven closed her eyes in response, activating her psychic detection. As she probed, she spoke, "They’ve left our yard and are spreading into the villa district. This is bad—they’re charging into our neighbors’ homes."

Lin Xiao’s heart stirred; he suddenly understood the Mind Flayer’s strategy. Unable to breach their defense, it turned its attention to ordinary people, forcing them to venture out and perform rescues.

As far as Lin Xiao was concerned, each should mind their own affairs, never worrying about others, let the misfortune fall elsewhere. Why should it concern him?

Yet, here was the town’s guardian, Chief Hope.

"Jonathan, we must rescue them. Some families lack bunkers or shelters—they can’t withstand these monsters."

As expected, Chief Hope spoke from below. Not every household had such defensive facilities; if attacked by the magic hound army, entire families might perish.

"That’s right, we cannot stand by and let them die," Nick echoed. He and Chief Hope were both police officers, sworn to protect the people—no matter the situation, they could never turn a blind eye.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Lin Xiao. Number Eleven opened her eyes, staring at him in a daze.

Faced with this, what could Lin Xiao do? Even if he disagreed, these people would act alone, leading to even greater chaos and division within the group.

"Fine. In that case, Number Eleven, inform Michael and have him bring the werewolves up immediately. We'll fight our way out and deal with this magic hound army."

Number Eleven closed her eyes and notified Michael. Soon, a band of robust young werewolves, led by two, gathered at the foot of the stairs.

"You all clear the path first. I’ll guard Number Eleven at the rear and follow shortly," Lin Xiao instructed. Since they were determined to save others, they could take the vanguard.

Nick and Eddie exchanged glances, then stepped out through the breach. Chief Hope and Erik followed, while Michael and Lucas led the werewolf youths, transforming and charging ahead with fierce momentum.

Once most had left, Lin Xiao wasted no time, scouring the area to collect magic hound corpses. As he gathered, he broke them down, quickly amassing large quantities of magical essence and blood-flesh essence.

From the LV2 second hounds, he collected thirty-eight portions of each essence; from the LV5 big hounds, four of each. Two were found near the door—no doubt slain by bullets earlier.

The harvest was plentiful; Lin Xiao’s face glowed with the joy of a farmer in a bountiful autumn.

Comrade Mind Flayer, the people of his homeland welcomed it. It was too generous—coming to visit and bringing so many gifts. He felt almost embarrassed.

Number Eleven, used to his ways, wasn’t surprised. She knew her adoptive brother possessed mysterious magical abilities that allowed him to collect items. Though she didn’t understand how, out of respect for privacy, she never asked.

"Let’s go."

Upon reaching the courtyard, the group had gathered at the gate. Lin Xiao pulled from his pocket the LV2 blood-flesh and magical essences he’d just extracted, distributing two to each person, explaining they were magic potions—swallow them if injured or exhausted to regain strength.

After the distribution, twenty-four portions of each essence were gone; only fourteen remained. They came quickly, but went just as fast.

The others were puzzled but asked no questions. Nick and Eddie knew Lin Xiao had many mysterious methods; he’d provided such potions before, with excellent results. They quickly stowed theirs as life-saving reserves.

The werewolf youths had nowhere to keep the potions, so Michael told them to hold them in their mouths, swallowing them only when strength was failing.

These two newly transformed werewolves, aided by Lin Xiao’s blood, barely maintained their sanity after transformation. They were slightly shorter—around one meter eighty—and not as towering as regular werewolves, who neared two meters.

"Jonathan, they’re coming back—charging straight at us, almost here," Number Eleven warned.

Lin Xiao, standing at the front, didn’t need her reminder. With magic-infused eyes, he could already see the hounds breaching the darkness, surging like a tide.

The Mind Flayer’s goal was merely to draw them out, not to attack ordinary people. The magic hound army hadn’t gone far; they’d been waiting all along.

The previous slaughter had greatly weakened them. About fifty or sixty second hounds remained, and only five or six big hounds. Each big hound seemed to lead ten second hounds—a surprisingly organized structure.

Who knew how much preparation the Mind Flayer had done for revenge—probably drilling daily in the woods, all for this moment, to wash away past humiliation.

But alas, it was destined for disappointment.

The werewolf youths bared their fangs, glaring at the magic hound army. In essence, these hounds were distant kin; otherwise, Lucien wouldn’t have been cowed by the title "Magic Hound Slayer."

"Hold steady, don’t panic. They have numbers, but don’t rush in," Lin Xiao called out loudly. His defeat of Lucien had earned him respect—his words held weight. The werewolf youths were eager, but no one acted rashly.

Ten meters.
Eight meters.
Six meters.
Four meters.
Two meters.
Zero.

Boom!

The magic hound army finally arrived. Lin Xiao brandished his interstellar annihilation axe, sprinting forward and cleaving through three second hounds in quick succession, halting their momentum.

Roar!

The robust werewolves charged in, Erik following with his katana, Nick and Eddie stabbing into the hound pack with their triangular spikes.

Chief Hope stayed put, guarding Number Eleven. She was vital—her importance rivaled Lin Xiao’s. Nothing could be allowed to go wrong.