The magical beast clan of the Six Continents originated from the Dark Continent.
The difference between magical beasts and ordinary beasts is that the former possess intelligence not inferior to humans.
However, all currently discovered magical beasts on the Six Continents are under human control.
Therefore, even though the research old man hadn't directly encountered magical beasts, he didn't think the magical beasts approaching here would pose a threat to the camp.
In his eyes, only unresolved Calamities were the most terrifying existence.
Entering the tent, the research old man had assistants help place the Herb for All-illnesses implanted in the glass chamber onto a table.
The gentle green light reflected on his considerably wrinkled face, as if covering it with a layer of vitality.
"Heh."
The sudden laughter sounded somewhat eerie to the few remaining assistants.
Meanwhile, Giles left a hundred soldiers to guard the camp and supplies, then led about three hundred soldiers to confront the approaching magical beasts.
According to the soldiers' report, the magical beasts were coming purposefully, clearly hostile.
Thus, they had to try to pull the battle zone farther away to avoid affecting the temporary camp.
When Giles arrived at the rear of the camp and saw the five magical beasts walking side by side in the distance, his pupils abruptly contracted.
Within his field of vision, five magical beasts of similar height but varying forms walked with vigorous strides.
The distance was still great, and some things couldn't be seen clearly.
But the only thing most clearly visible was the abundant and dazzling Aura glow.
'This is...!'
At that moment, Giles's attention was completely captured by the surging Aura on the magical beasts.
The soldiers around him were men of strong will, but now, merely looking at the Aura on the magical beasts, they couldn't help but show fear.
It was precisely because they were familiar with the power brought by what was called [Nen] that they could clearly recognize how terrifying the Aura the magical beasts were releasing was.
"Prepare for battle."
Giles hardly allowed his thoughts to pause for long, fiercely suppressing the shock in his heart, staring fixedly at the magical beasts striding over.
Magical beasts of the Six Continents couldn't use Nen...
But these five mysterious, tall magical beasts were releasing Aura far surpassing the human limit.
This made him immediately think of the Chimera Ants dealt with by the Hunter Association.
Although that incident didn't leave much related video footage, there were detailed records in written materials.
Regarding the formidable strengths of the Royal Guards and the Ant King...
The magical beasts before him seemed to be of the same type.
No, perhaps even stronger.
Giles's heart sank to the depths.
The timing of the magical beasts' attack was too vicious, right when they had just returned from the labyrinth city.
Among the three hundred soldiers forming the defensive line, more than half were in peak physical condition. The remaining soldiers, like Giles himself, had just experienced several intense battles in the ancient labyrinth.
Both physically and mentally, they had suffered considerable losses.
Ahead, the striding magical beasts didn't seem intent on a swift assault. Instead, they gave off a sense of a leisurely stroll.
Swish, swish, swish!
The soldiers wouldn't overthink it. They took out their longest-range automatic rifles, unlocked the safeties, and aimed the muzzles at the magical beasts ahead.
Among these soldiers, a small portion knew how to coat bullets with Nen before firing.
These individuals were mostly Emitters or Conjurers.
Seeing the soldiers ready to attack, Giles stared directly at the magical beasts and said in a deep voice, "Open fire!"
Three hundred automatic rifles equipped with silencers spat forth bursts of flame. Amidst crisp gunfire, high-temperature bullets passed through a distance of over a hundred meters in the blink of an eye, striking the five magical beasts.
However, much thunder but little rain.
The magical beasts' bodies were like solid fortifications. Bullets hitting them didn't even cause a ripple, flattening into discs and falling to the ground before the magical beasts with wisps of white smoke.
An entire magazine spent, firing over a thousand bullets in total, not only failed to injure the magical beasts, it didn't even hinder their movement speed.
The amount of Ren was astonishing. Even without focusing it, it could produce a defense not inferior to Ken.
Giles ordered solemnly, "Switch."
The soldiers switched firearms with grave expressions, beginning to load NX-Flame ammunition.
The results from one magazine made them understand that purely impact-based damage might pose no threat to the magical beasts.
This also meant that if the magical beasts closed in, relying only on their blades and physical strength, the result would be a one-sided rout.
On the flat ground, the five magical beasts led by Ancient Claw coldly watched the soldiers loading strange ammunition.
"Only the weak rely on external objects to enhance their own power," Ancient Claw's tone was full of disdain. As he walked, his legs began to accumulate power, slightly swelling, showing prominent veins.
"They are humans."
Beside him, a feminine-sounding, fox-like magical beast responded. Like Ancient Claw, she was also accumulating power in her legs.
The other three magical beasts were doing the same.
"We should show some respect, at least. Don't forget Mo Di's failure," another lizard-like magical beast said coldly.
Just then, the International Permit Agencies team fired NX-Flame rounds at them.
The round, block-like ammunition carried a long trail of smoke, drawing a beautiful arc in the air, descending towards the area where the magical beasts stood.
"Compared to the previous attack, this thing is way too slow, right?"
"Don't be careless. Prepare to counterattack."
The flame rounds landed, and the magical beasts immediately pushed their Aura emission rate to the maximum.
Boom!
The simultaneously fired flame rounds turned into raging flames, instantly engulfing the walking magical beasts.
Giles and the soldiers watched this scene, not relaxing their vigilance in the slightest.
"Pure Nen can't withstand high-temperature flames. It should have some effect..."
Giles's words abruptly stopped halfway. Watching the five magical beasts stride out of the great fire, his pupils couldn't help but tremble.
'Unscathed?'
'How was that possible?'
Suddenly, those slightly trembling pupils contracted to pinpoints.
Within his field of vision, the striding magical beasts disappeared.
Giles reacted extremely fast, placing his staff horizontally before him. Energy blades shot out from the holes, taking on rib-like forms, protecting his left and right sides.
However, the magical beasts' traces vanished from the corner of his vision.
They weren't coming for him but attacking the soldiers to his left and right.
Giles's eyes urgently followed their figures. What entered his vision was the sight of soldiers covered in Aura being sent flying.
The Aura capable of forming powerful defenses was like thin gauze before the magical beasts, torn apart with ease.
Losing Aura protection, the soldiers' bodies split into pieces the moment they flew into the air.
Numerous bursts of blood mist bloomed in the air. Many soldiers, without even catching the magical beasts' movements, perished in the fierce assault.
The entire three hundred soldiers arrayed for battle were like bowling pins, knocked over at once by five bowling balls.
"Is that all?"
Ancient Claw was covered in blood. His exceptionally long and thick claws even hung with bits of flesh.
He turned back to look at the speechless Giles, disdain in his eyes, and said coldly, "As expected, that human was an exception."
Giles couldn't understand the language spoken by the magical beast before him, but the intense disdain in its eyes was crystal clear.
Without a doubt, the strength displayed by the other party exceeded his imagination.
'But...'
Giles's Nen erupted around him.
The five magical beasts bathed in blood couldn't help but look seriously at Giles.