Chapter 93: Thunder Cannon
Compared to a standard Rathian, the Pink Rathian possesses many unique characteristics. Its shell is harder, yet its skin is more supple; its body is more robust, and its movements are more agile. Not only that, its flame-breathing organs are more developed—it spews fire with greater intensity—and its body harbors an even more potent venom.
This peculiar evolution may be attributed to the abundant food resources of the Coral Highlands and certain unique minerals found there.
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When Logan's palm struck down, the force snapped the Pink Rathian's head back, causing its heavy body to tilt to one side. However, this beautiful yet fierce creature sustained no substantial damage. In an instant, it steadied itself, flapped its broad, blade-like wings, and launched a fierce counterattack.
The Pink Rathian's well-developed muscles grant it strength far superior to a common Rathian. Thick thorns growing at the base of its wings were oozing a purple, deadly venom. It is said that even the Bazelgeuse, known for its explosive and violent temperament, can hardly withstand this toxin and is often forced to flee.
Logan wasn't sure how much truth there was to that claim, but he personally felt no fear. His hard scales gave him ample confidence; amidst a shower of sparks, he resolutely forced his way forward to meet the challenge.
The wrist blades on his claws snapped out instantly, thrusting like lightning toward the wide membranes of the wings, intending to cripple the Pink Rathian's ability to fly. But the opponent was clearly a veteran of countless battles. Its powerful hind legs exerted force, leaping high into the air as it swiftly swung its tail, which was covered in dense spikes.
The tip of the tail, carrying a pungent odor, scraped harshly against the scales on Logan's chest. If he were an ordinary creature, this single strike would have likely left him a bloody mess.
However, among Logan's brilliant scales, only a few showed slight deformation during this intense clash. Immediately after, his right claw shot upward, fingers spreading wide to meet the Pink Rathian's descending talons.
This blow, powerful enough to shatter bedrock, was steadily caught by Logan without his body even swaying. His fingers hooked inward, firmly gripping the Pink Rathian's claw, before he exerted a sudden, violent downward pull.
The abrupt, massive force caused the Pink Rathian to drop sharply, nearly slamming into the ground. But as it frantically beat its wide wings, a powerful upward lift was generated, which actually pulled Logan's body up toward the sky.
This scene was truly absurd, making Logan's face darken. Two monsters weighing over a hundred tons combined were actually flying just by flapping a pair of wings that spanned barely thirty meters?
But now was clearly not the time to study such bizarre phenomena. The omnipotent Bioenergy would ultimately account for all seemingly irrational occurrences.
Logan's remaining three claws dug into the ground, his sharp nails piercing deep into the rock beneath the vines, anchoring his body like a ground stake. His long tail traced a graceful arc, swinging upward like a scorpion's sting.
With no room to dodge, the Pink Rathian raised its other claw, using its hard nails to intercept the swinging tail-blade. With a loud clash and a burst of brilliant sparks, the shell on its palm was instantly torn open by the broad axe-blade, and crimson blood dripped straight down.
The searing pain ignited the fury in the Pink Rathian's heart. Fierce flames suddenly erupted from its maw like a rushing river, instantly enveloping Logan's body.
The high heat conducted rapidly along the scales on Logan's surface. The thermoelectric conversion organs within his body worked at full capacity, and an invisible magnetic field expanded rapidly, locking onto the target.
First, a faint current flickered as a pilot discharge, carving a clear path through the air. Then, a massive surge of electricity gushed out like a flood, transforming into a flickering bolt of thunder that struck the Pink Rathian directly.
"BOOM—!"
A violent explosion roared. Accompanied by small arcs of electricity spreading like tree branches, the two giant beasts were blown apart by the impact, recoiling to opposite sides.
Logan shook his head, which was dizzy from the shock. His feet stumbled blindly; he suddenly stepped into empty air and nearly tumbled off the platform. This gave him a cold sweat, instantly clearing his mind. Given his weight, if he fell, even if it didn't kill him, he'd lose a layer of skin.
Enduring his charred scales and singed, yellowing mane, he looked toward the Pink Rathian not far away, only to find its condition seemed even worse. The pinkish-white shell on its chest had completely shattered, and the flesh beneath was a blurred mess—though no blood flowed, as it had already been carbonized.
Clearly, even with the Pink Rathian's extreme heat tolerance, it struggled to withstand a high-temperature plasma bolt reaching tens of thousands of degrees.
"The effect of this Thunder Cannon is indeed good, but the consumption is too high. I can't fire it in succession."
Logan thought to himself, taking a deep breath. The invisible magnetic field caused static electricity to pile up continuously, converting it into a steady stream of electrical energy to replenish what he had just spent.
Nearby, the Pink Rathian also recovered from its brief paralysis. It pulled itself off the stone wall and began to slowly take flight, flapping its wings.
Just as the two giant beasts prepared to clash again, by the deep pool below, Zhu Peiniang and the three Grimalkynes also launched their move.
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"They're fighting up there, meow!"
"Should we go help, meow?"
"Let's go look; we should be fine if we're careful, meow!"
Listening to the violent commotion above, the three Grimalkynes couldn't help but discuss, quickly reaching a conclusion. Before this, Zhu Peiniang had already acted the moment she heard the noise.
Although the Zinogre species is adept at moving through mountainous terrain, facing these nearly vertical cliffs, she could only move upward with great difficulty. Her speed was far from fast.
In contrast, the Grimalkynes, with their petite frames and light weight, used the hanging algae to climb as if on level ground. They ascended rapidly, quickly overtaking Zhu Peiniang.
As soon as they arrived, they witnessed the violent collision between Logan and the Pink Rathian, followed by the surging fire, flickering electricity, and the massive explosion.
The shockwave, carrying a burning wind, swept past, pulling their fur backward.
The two ordinary Grimalkynes were terrified by the sight and didn't dare step forward for a moment. However, a strange courage surged within the white Grimalkyne. Grabbing the swaying algae nearby, it began to creep toward the Pink Rathian bit by bit.
Soon, it reached a platform above the Pink Rathian. Reaching back, it drew two longswords. The natural blades, formed from thin feather-like scales, had a translucent quality. Through the crystal-like surface, one could see patterns spreading like feathers, looking both gorgeous and noble.
As the white Grimalkyne gently twisted the bolts at the end of the hilts, the toxin already injected into the feather shafts was squeezed out, flowing along those patterns and seeping from the blade edges instantly.
Its eyes stared sharply at the battle below, constantly searching for the right moment. When that moment finally arrived, it leaped down without hesitation.
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