Julian didn't rush to attack immediately.
Before today, Julian had never been a hunter but he knew the general knowledge that patience is needed to be a successful hunter.
Instead of rushing in to attack, he stayed in the dark while his 2 targets fought in the open, quietly observing to get more details and information.
He had an ability that was perfectly suited for this.
Qi Sight!
A few minutes of this and his observation yielded fruits.
One, it confirmed that apart from its racial traits and abilities, the Young Basilisk didn't have much else to show but probably due to its level, the Basilisk's scale was extremely tough that despite dominating the battle, the Centaur could not truly damage it.
Second, Julian noted a few more Archer Class skills from the Centaur.
He didn't know their name but he noted the Centaur's ability to curve arrows' trajectory mid-flight.
This helped the Centaur target different parts of the Basilisk's body but due to his lack of knowledge of the Basilisk's weakness, he didn't know to target the eyes.
Julian also noted the Centaur's ability to fire an arrow that creates a snare formed from qi upon impact, heavily restricting the Young Basilisk's movement each time it's used but due to his wariness against the Basilisk's abilities, the Centaur couldn't capitalize on the openings yet.
Finally, Julian suspected that the Archer had an ability like danger premonition because whenever the Young Basilisk went on its high energy attack bursts, the Centaur almost always knew a second ahead of time and reacted fast, dodging every single time.
This further solidified Julian's decision to target the Basilisk.
And finally, after more than 5 minutes since the epic battle between the Centaur and the Basilisk started, Julian finally completed a solid assault plan in his mind to swoop in and fish in troubled waters.
His plan was simple and straightforward. 'Rush in. Attack. Kill'.
The core of the plan relied on Psychological Invisibility.
And finally, he moved out of his hiding, climbing down the hill into the already deserted valley where only the Centaur and Basilisk caused havoc.
Julian moved like a ghost, invisible to perception.
His Psychological Invisibility was further heightened by the fact that his 2 targets were embroiled in such an intense battle and didn't have the luxury to pay detailed attention to their surroundings.
Julian didn't overdo it though. Afterall, he was still wary of the Archer's Keen Sight passive skill.
Julian stopped after getting to a position that was just a few dozen meters away from the Centaur and the Basilisk.
From this distance, he could quickly close the distance and at the same time he was far enough to be safe from the Centaur's gaze.
Keeping his gaze on his targets, Julian's grip on the Goblin Cleaver tightened.
He inhaled and exhaled, then his back arched slightly as he entered a running stance.
He counted. '3… 2… 1!'
BOOM!
Quick Step!
Dust stirred, leaves erupted and flew into the air in his wake as Julian turned into a red blur, rapidly accelerating towards the duo.
Just like Julian suspected, the Centaur had a skill like danger premonition because the moment the new threat emerged, he reacted first.
The Archer was taken aback and confused as he suddenly saw a third party charging towards his prey, but one look was all he needed to realize Julian's intentions- this new guy wanted to steal his prey!
He snorted and turned his bow before aiming at the red blur charging towards his prey.
Target Lock!
Julian suddenly felt his heart skip a beat like an armed robber just blocked him and was pointing a gun at his head at point-blank range.
'A higher-leveled Archer skill?'
Julian didn't stop and the Centaur released the arrow.
Piercing Shot!
Crippling Arrow!
The arrow turned into a violent black blur rapidly approaching the red blur.
Julian knew that there was no dodging this, the arrow was locked to his head like a heat-seeking missile!
The threat hidden in the arrow made Julian's hair stand on end as Dragon Scale automatically triggered, but Julian did more.
Kinetic Shield!
Qi Armor!
BAM!
The arrow finally hit and instantly, it shattered the kinetic shield before nicking a hole through the sturdy Qi Armor, but with its momentum weakened it couldn't pierce Julian's inner Dragon Scale.
The Centaur's eyes flashed with surprise, but it was too late.
Whoosh!
Julian charged past him towards the Basilisk.
This was when the Young Basilisk finally noticed the new threat on the battlefield, but having been frustrated in the fight against the Centaur for the past few minutes, the sight of an intruder only made the angry monster lash out.
Instead of trying to dodge or escape, it succumbed to its aggressive and bloodthirsty instincts riled up by frustration as it lunged forward for a lethal bite.
Its fangs gleamed like daggers.
The Centaur didn't interfere as he watched in amusement.
Tracking those sharp long fangs as they lunged towards his head, Julian felt his life flash before his eyes even as his body and qi surged with adrenaline.
But despite the threat, Julian didn't dodge.
Qi Armor!
Aether Bolt! ×10!
10 Aether Bolts materialized instantly in mid-air right in front of the Basilisk's advancing head, targeting both its eyes.
The sudden threat to its eyes finally snapped the Basilisk back to reality.
Every lifeform has an instinctive reaction when their eyes are threatened, they flinch back and squint or close their eyes.
A Basilisk is no exception.
The Basilisk flinched back, shutting it's eyes tightly in fear as it clearly knew the consequences of its eyes suffering any form of damage.
The moment the Basilisk flinched back and shut its eyes, Julian's lips curled up in a devilish smile. 'Got you!'
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The 10 Aether Bolts smashed against the membrane protecting the Basilisk's eyes, draining its energy and weakening it but they couldn't breach it completely.
It didn't matter though because the Basilisk already shut its eyes tightly.
But this was not the end. Just as every lifeform has an instinctive reaction of flinching back and shutting their eyes when threatened, once they feel they're safe these lifeforms also have an instinctive reaction to immediately reopen their eyes to confirm what is going on.
Afterall, no lifeform that could see was comfortable being blind, especially when embroiled in an intense battle.
The moment the power of the 10 Aether Bolts were exhausted, the Basilisk opened its eyes- a mistake.
The moment the monster opened its eyes, it saw the Demon that attacked it in mid-air already jumping and flying towards his head while holding a short blade.
The short blade was already stabbing towards its right eye!
"…!"
There was no time to dodge, there was no time to think, the moment it opened its eyes the Goblin Cleaver met its target!
BAM! CRKSH!
The membrane protecting the Basilisk's eyes shattered instantly after being weakened by the earlier Aether Bolts!
In its last moments, the Basilisk's eyes widened in despair, then…
BAM!
Julian ruthlessly stabbed his sword into the monster's right eye!
Instantly, the Basilisk went limp.
It was instant death!
DING!
~----~
[You have killed a Level 23 Young Basilisk!]
[You have gained +1,340,000 EXP!]
~----~