In less than ten minutes, more than thirty exhausted Frenzy Deers died at the hands of Michael, or his people.
They could barely lift their antlers in an attempt to intimidate the new perpetrators before cold metal pierced through their chests or heads. The light in their eyes dispersed and they collapsed onto the ground where they died in a puddle of their own blood.
In the meantime, the Black Bear had delivered one more lethal strike upon the huge Frenzy Deer that crashed on the ground. It seemed like the huge Frenzy Deer would not get up this time.
The Black Bear had emerged victorious in its battle with the huge Frenzy Deer, but it was apparent that it lost the war. Not only was it mortally wounded, but the remaining Tier-1 Frenzy Deers were enough to kill it.
However, that was not all. A third party had joined the battle a long time ago. The third party had been in control of the battlefield all this time while the two predators kept fighting each other. Only when the time was ripe did the third party join the battle to deliver the final blow and end the war between the Black Bear and the huge Frenzy Deer?
Tigerfang was soaked in the blood of its opponents. Meanwhile, Michael had killed more than five Frenzy Deers on his own. That was not further difficult since he was a Late Tier-0 Lord with several powerful Artifacts and a great Soultrait to further aid him in battle.
Nonetheless, it was an achievement.
Michael and his people always maintained a distance of more than 50 meters from the two Tier-2 monsters.
They knew that the two mighty monsters were on the verge of death, but a sudden burst of power might spread through them.
Their tactic changed drastically when the huge Frenzy Deer collapsed to the ground.
The Water Elemental Mage turned the soil beneath the Black Bear into a mushy damp puddle before several water spikes shot out of the moist ground. Because the distance between Keltia and the Black Bear had shortened by two-thirds it was possible for the Water Elemental Mage to utilize more energy to attack.
The water spikes pierced through the Black Bear's fur, and it roared out in anger and pain.
A dozen Frenzy Deers charged at the Black Bear at the same time. They were exhausted beyond measure, but they fought desperately, hoping that they could protect their leader.
Simultaneously, a silver flash cut through the air. It flew in the wide-open mouth of the Black Bear and pierced through its mouth. As a result, blood spurted out of the Black Bear's mouth.
The monster's eyes shot wide open, and it turned to the left where the silver flash came from.
However, by this point, it was already too late. Michael smiled coldly with the Return Arrow nocked on the Hardwood Bow's bowstring.
As Michael sensed the golden opportunity, he immediately returned Tigerfang to the War Rune and pulled out the Hardwood Bow and the Return Arrow instead.
He was about to end the fierce battle between the two mighty monsters!
The bowstring was already fully pulled back, and it was released with a twang when the Black Bear's attention moved to him.
In the blink of an eye, a silver flash cut through the air once again. The Return Arrow pierced deep into the Black Bear's left eye before it could even react. It closed its eyes instinctively when the Return Arrow impacted, but it was already too late. The Arrow pierced through the eyeball and dug deeper as the Black Bear thrashed around while howling in pain.
Unfortunately, the force behind the arrow was not strong enough to pierce the Black Bear's brain. It stopped midway and began to shine brightly.
After it began to shine, the Return Arrow disappeared into thin air and returned to Michael's side. He nocked it on the bowstring without hesitation, pulled back, and shot once again. The arrow was aimed at the exact same position as the last one.
'If one arrow is not enough to pierce your brain, I shall release two on the same spot; one to pave the way, and the second to do the deed.' Michael thought as the second arrow impacted.
However, once again, the arrow was not strong enough. The Black Bear's eyelids were still closed, and the Return Arrow's destructive power was barely enough to pierce through the eyelid.
But Michael did not appear too worked up. Instead, he smiled lightly.
'If two arrows are not enough, I shall release three arrows; the first to pave the way, the second to remove the remaining obstructions, and the third to reach the finishing line!' Michael shouted in his mind as he retrieved the Return Arrow the second time. He nocked the arrow on the bowstring and shot once again.
The Black Bear wanted to move away, but the remaining Frenzy Deers, the Water Elemental Mage, and everyone else had already gotten in position and almost locked him in place.
Exhausted and severely wounded, the Black Bear could only struggle desperately in an attempt to escape its miserable fate. But by the time it opened its other eye, it was already too late. The Return Arrow had hit the same target for the third time, and it pierced cleanly through the hole in the Black Bear's eye, digging deep into its brain.
The Black Bear jolted the moment the cold metal tip of the arrow pierced its brain. It stared at Michael and froze in its tracks while staying unmoving even after the Frenzy Deers around it charged at it frantically.
Nothing happened for several seconds until the vibrant light in the Black Bear's unscathed eye dispersed. It turned dim and soulless.
Michael prepared for the impact of the energy influx when he saw that. However, he didn't expect the surge of the energy influx to be that strong. It was far more than he obtained from ending the lizard mother's life!
Fortunately, he was prepared and much stronger than he had been at that time.
His body endured the energy influx easily. Michael didn't feel restricted in his thinking or movements. It was perfect!
Meanwhile, the Black Bear collapsed to the ground where it remained unmoving.
The Black Bear had been killed, however, the battle had not yet ended.
It was not yet over for Michael!