As the saying goes, "Release one kilowatt of electricity, harvest ten pounds of fish." The efficiency of "new energy" was far beyond what traditional rod-and-reel fishing could achieve. In just a short moment, Logan's harvest was far greater than all his previous efforts combined.
If it weren't for the sake of experiencing the feel of the catch, who would bother with a fishing rod if they just wanted to eat? After all, there was a good chance the fish caught wouldn't even weigh as much as the bait thrown in.
Aside from the common fish, this pond actually contained Gunpowder Goldfish. Their bodies were as black as ink, save for two white, bubble-like eyes. It was said these fish could be used to craft Large Barrel Bombs, though Logan wondered about the science behind it—was it because their bodies were rich in flammable oils, or did their specific diet cause a buildup of substances like phosphorus and sulfur?
He couldn't figure it out. Even more shocking to Logan was that he managed to hook another Whetfish. This one was gargantuan, over three meters long. Its scales were layered and completely mineralized, gleaming with the luster of iron and stone; it looked less like a fish and more like a massive rasp file.
"This thing can actually grow this big? The biggest one I ever caught in the game wasn't even a meter long."
Logan grabbed the giant Whetfish by the tail and lifted it level. The thick, overlapping scales provided such structural support that the fish's body could barely bend, only twitching slightly from side to side.
"Is this also caused by Bioenergy? I wonder how many years it took to grow this large. Looks like I'm in for a treat."
He gave the giant Whetfish a couple of experimental swings with his claws and found it surprisingly well-balanced. He recalled a weapon from the game called the Frozen Speartuna—a Great Sword made from a King Marlin—so could the thing in his hand be called a "Live Fish Greatclub"?
As he mused, Zhu Peiniang, who had been snacking on small fry nearby, suddenly snapped her head up. She stared warily into the mist-shrouded coral corridor and let out a threatening low growl.
Zhu Peiniang's reaction immediately put Logan on high alert. The triangular ears atop his head twitched, catching the faint sound of footsteps.
Something was approaching. Accompanied by heavy, labored breathing, it cut a small vortex through the mist.
The first thing to come into view was a hideously distorted maw. It looked as if it had been flayed; the powerful upper and lower jaws were covered in crimson muscle, with thick tusks protruding outward, exuding an inexplicably terrifying aura.
Next, a face defined by cords of muscle appeared. Its tiny eyes were clouded with a white film, and its large nostrils snorted hot air. Behind it was a long, lean, powerful body that looked as if it were bathed in fresh blood, ending in a tail covered in sharp protrusions that looked like a stone-textured morning star.
It was an Odogaron. While biologically related to the Tobi-Kadachi, its strength far surpassed it.
It looked like a skinless dog, or perhaps a Licker from Resident Evil. In reality, its body was covered in a tough, rubbery hide which, combined with thick, powerful tendons, provided impressive defensive capabilities.
Speaking of its name, one had to mention its unique double-layered claws. The claws used for walking were located at the joints, while a longer, sharper set of "talons" at the tips remained curled upward. Only when attacking would those terminal claws drop down to inflict horrific bleeding wounds.
Logan believed this unique structure was related to the divergent evolution of feline and canine paws.
As is well known, felines can retract their claws into their pads, while canines cannot. This makes feline claws sharper, while canine paws are better suited for running. The claws on a canine act like spikes on a track shoe, providing grip to prevent slipping. Even a cheetah's claws are canine-like and non-retractable.
Since constant contact with the ground inevitably leads to wear and tear, most felines choose to retract them to keep them razor-sharp. The Odogaron's claw structure was clearly an attempt to combine the best of both worlds: one set for grip, and another dedicated to killing.
Compared to the Odogaron, Logan had chosen a different strategy: pursuing extreme hardness and regenerative ability. His claws were also non-retractable like a canine's, but their extreme hardness made them resistant to wear. Through a process of constant delamination and self-sharpening, they remained perpetually keen—a true "beauty of pure stats."
Odogaron rarely leave the Rotten Vale. If one appeared in the Coral Highlands, it was for only one reason: to find food.
Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of effluvium seemed to have affected its brain. It was exceptionally violent and bellicose, daring to attack monsters much larger than itself. Even when facing a Vaal Hazak, it would charge without hesitation.
The 17-meter-long crimson monster before him twitched its large nostrils, locking onto Logan in an instant. Then, it lunged, kicking off the ground and charging at him with blistering speed.
Such is the nature of animals; intense territorial instincts mean that a chance encounter often turns into a fight to the death.
Fortunately, Logan was prepared. He dropped into a semi-crouched stance, his right claw gripping the giant Whetfish and lifting it slightly. His golden pupils constricted, granting him powerful dynamic vision.
A distance of a hundred meters was nothing more than a few leaps for an Odogaron. In the blink of an eye, it had closed the gap, its hideous maw snapping open for a vicious bite.
However, a flash of iron-gray light was faster than its movement. Driven by Logan's immense strength, the giant Whetfish whistled through the air and slammed heavily into the side of the Odogaron's face. Mineralized scales collided with exposed tusks, sending a shower of bright sparks flying.
While the blow didn't cause severe damage, it knocked the Odogaron's head aside, bringing its follow-up attack to a screeching halt.
Before the Odogaron could recover, Logan's foreclaws moved like a windmill. He swung the giant Whetfish so fast it left afterimages, raining down on the Odogaron's head like a violent storm.
The constant sounds of impact were like a heavy rock rhythm, causing the Odogaron's head to jerk uncontrollably with every hit.
Pain caused a surge of fury within the Odogaron. A lava-like red glow emanated from its flanks as it hunkered down and performed a sudden spinning tail-swipe.
Sharing the same lineage as the Tobi-Kadachi, its thick tail was covered in a tough keratin layer bristling with sharp protrusions. As the tail scraped the ground, it left a jagged trench in the earth, whipping directly toward Logan's chest.
Though Logan was confident in his own scales, he had no desire to take such a hit for no reason. He pushed off the ground, leaping backward. Mid-air, he raised his right claw high and, using the momentum of his descent, swung the Whetfish down toward the Odogaron in a heavy, punishing strike.
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