10 Cross-Defense Scouting Formation

The maggot was gone.

Just like the enemy from last night, It also ambushed them and escaped after it was done.

Similarly, this thing instantly killed a Tidal Murloc. It did not even give the Murloc a chance to stab it in the belly. Which meant that it was much stronger, surpassing the normal creatures on the island.

"Holy shit!

"A small island like this actually hid so many powerful monsters!

"Speaking of which, how do I attack it if it could burrow into the earth?"

Zhang Yun remembered when the maggot suddenly burst forth from the ground. It was like a Nydus Worm from Starcraft. It appeared in an instant and managed to swallow the Murloc in a short moment. The speed it burrowed was also very quick. He felt like it was a dolphin that jumped out of the water, and used gravity to its advantage when it had reached its highest point, and fell back into the hole that it had already dug. However, it seemed that similar to a dolphin, this thing would also remain on the outside for about three seconds after it broke through the soil using the inertia from the upper half of its body.

During this duration, its body would have nothing to leverage on. Its gigantic body also could not switch directions. Other than the creature that was standing on top of where it would be swallowed into its stomach, all the creatures around it would not get attacked by it.

That meant that its attack would have a small area of effect and would cause it to have a three-second opening. As long as they could attack it during this time, it would be a living target.

Not to mention if it wanted to resist, it would have to turn its body to retaliate. At this time, the maggot's giant body would force it to extend more of itself out from the hole that it had created. It would then be unable to return to the tunnel as soon as possible.

Then, he would have more time to damage it.

'Hm…'

But he had to be careful of its technique as well. If it had some kind of special ability, it could quickly go back underground and use its extremely high movement speed and power when it unborrowed. Even if he had all the Murlocs attack, they would be wiped out.

He also had to think of one more thing. Perhaps it could also move dexterously on the ground. It chose to attack from under the ground only because it was being careful.

If it was forced to jump out from the ground to have a decisive battle, it might be able to eat a Murloc each time it opened its mouth using its gigantic body and mouth. Or perhaps, all of the Murlocs in one big gulp.

Not to mention, he was not sure if the Murlocs could pierce through its defense. If it had some kind of special quality like a Slime and was immune to physical attacks….

"Tch. Looks like the most insurable way was to make its body stuck at the hole, guaranteeing that it couldn't burst through the ground and couldn't go back underground, and then have all the Murlocs focus attacks on its upper body."

At that time, without the support of the lower half of its body, regardless of how dexterous and agile it was, it could only depend on its mouth to attack the Murlocs from one direction.

"Let me think… It is best to use Ice skills… at a time like this," Zhang Yun gave it some consideration and mumbled, "If it had physical immunity from its soft body, then freezing it should destroy its quality and increase the damage done to it.

"Hm…

"Calling Cards for something with Ice skills. Let me think, who has it?

"Wait, I better collect more information. Maybe that worm wasn't anything powerful after all. In the end, the strategies that I came up with for such a long time might be unnecessary…"

After deciding what to do, Zhang Yun then recalled all the Murlocs and used an item to revive the unfortunate soul that had been eaten by the worm.

He then gave out a new command.

"We're switching. The five of you, head east. Don't stop. If you meet any creatures, don't attack them. But you have to stay next to them for three seconds.

"If they are bold enough to attack you, just kill them with your scimitar. Don't waste your time.

"If they didn't mind you or escaped, don't chase after them. Ignore them, and continue heading East."

Zhang Yun then turned around.

"The other five, you have explored enough last night. Follow me today. We're heading West, let's see what they have around that area.

"You, go ahead and scout for us. If you discover any enemies, retreat immediately.

"You, protect my left flank and beware of enemies around you. Don't let the enemies from that side hit me.

"You, protect my right flank. Also, beware of the enemies on your side, don't let them reach me.

"You, the one holding your foot. Right, you… You will follow me, and protect me by my side.

"And the last one, follow us from behind. Beware of enemies coming from behind and protect our rear."

This was the Cross-Defense Scouting Formation. It was invented by a veteran player. Its aim was to let the followers stand in the four directions of front, back, left, and right. They would need to beware of their surroundings, and warn them as soon as they noticed any enemies.

While it was not that useful if they encountered powerful monsters, but at the beginning when they were still exploring, it was the best strategy for new players that wanted to personally head into battle.

If they had enough followers, they could even make a Circular-Defense Scouting Formation, where there would be no dead angles to their warning radius.

Of course. Zhang Yun could also choose what he did yesterday and the day before. He could let his followers scout ahead, and follow them sneakily using the "safe route".

However, there were monsters such as the ambushing monster and the maggot. Zhang Yun felt that if he were to use that tactic again, he might end up dead…

If he were to have one of the parties to protect him as they made their way forward, then the progress of their exploration would be delayed and the entire party's efficiency in leveling up would also be decreased. All in all, it didn't look like it was worth it.

Therefore, he chose the previous plan for the sake of efficiency.

As for why Zhang Yun did not allow the other scouting party to actively attack the creatures on this island…

That was because they did not need a lot of experience to reach level 10. They could reach it by simply depending on the creatures that actively hunt.

For example, if he were to continue killing the harmless creatures such as the Rock Island Rabbit, the number he killed would not be magically restored without the game's respawn mechanics. Eventually, this would become a lifeless island.

Therefore, they should focus on the more dangerous creatures. As for the cuties such as the Rock Island Rabbits, they would of course save them for food!

…

After he had issued his orders, all of them continued as planned. The scouting party progressed similarly to last night. They quickly marched forward without much resistance. All the aggressive creatures living on the island had been slain.

Using the large amount of XP that they gained from the killing, the Murlocs from the scouting party had quickly reached level 10. However, none of them were lucky enough to trigger Innate Evolution.

On the other hand, Zhang Yun's progress was very slow. They had only finished one-third of their planned journey after spending so much time.

That was because they wanted to be steady. Especially when there was only one Murloc scouting ahead. It was fine if there was only one enemy. It could easily kill it in one hit. However, if it were to meet creatures that remained in a pack, then it would need quite some time to deal with them.

Naturally, their efficiency was slow.

"Hm…

"Too slow.

"Looks like I need to get a few more to open up the path,

"Alright, since there's a pond here, let's try the Murloc Commander's skills.

"Come back.

"Murloc Commander. Come over here. Use your skill on this pond and get us some reinforcements."

"Wargh!" The Tidal Murloc Commander responded and jumped into the pond. It then used its scimitar to draw a circle in the water.

[Tidal Murloc Commander had activated its "Call Reinforcements" skill!]

[Successfully summoned two Tidal Murlocs!]

After the system prompt appeared, the circle that the Murloc Commander had drawn immediately let out soft blue light, shimmering within the water.

And then, two shadows slowly appeared from the blue light…