END Initiated...

Kiel had read about numerous cause of 'mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind'. So maybe he could try it. But for that, he should at least be an oriole, not some butterfly. 

After all, it was better to be safe than being sorry. So keeping a distance at this kind of work was the utmost necessity.

You ask why does Kiel know so much? Well, he has many a time witnessed such things in his previous life. It was no big deal if you are very well known in your work.

Kiel looked around for quite a bit but still didn't notice anything worthwhile. Maybe if he did have enough mental energy, he could figure out something. But whatever now, looking back would be of no value now.

Although he could peek at them, he was too far from them to understand what they were actually saying.

However, Kiel did overhear very faint voices conversing, but they were a little too far away. And there was the ferocious growling of the beast too. He still couldn't hear what they were talking about. 

They were most likely discussing how to shoot that kill the wounded beast, right?

Kiel was thinking about various things while observing everything. He was also searching for a closer place to hide and observe. There were too many bushes and undergrowths around. Hence he was not worried about them finding him. But he still had to be as silent and swift as possible. 

He was currently inching as close to the opening as possible and as much in stealth as possible. He was very observant may be due to his work, so the sudden change in the fight didn't miss his eyes. 

That leopard-like beast couldn't hold it in any longer after circling for a few more rounds. It pushed the ground with all its body weight and using his limbs as springs dove towards the iron maiden group at a frightening speed.

In the next moment, imperceptible flaming arrows suddenly shot forward from one of the maids like figure, aiming at the plunging beast with a sharp whistling sound. 

It was like she was waiting for the opportunity to attack. Her reaction speed was also amazingly fast. Even when compared to the S rank special soldiers of his past life, her reaction didn't fall behind at all.

'Looks like they are no amateurs. Hehe! This is going to be an interesting fight!' Although he amused himself while talking, he didn't forget his objective. He was slowly inching forward little by little.

The leopard-like beast let out a low growl. Although it was in mid-air, it swiped its left front limb, generating a chaotic wind that neutralized most of the arrows. 

The remaining handful of arrows hit its body but were deterred by its shockingly tough hide. But a small few still wounded the beast a little due to flaming nature of the arrows. But they were in the minority and quickly put out by the winds generated from the beast. 

However, the attack deterred the beast to continue attacking further. It changed its direction by generating another gust of wind and landed a little far away. Then it growled again as the girls.

"Damn, how ferocious! It can use elemental attacks. So it is definitely above a level 1 beast. Although I don't know how spells are cast, this elemental attack is enough to confirm my suspicion." 

Kiel gasped with his eyes wide. He didn't dare to imagine how strong this leopard-like beast was. It was a level 2 beast at its lowest. Kiel didn't want to think it was a level 3 beast. If it was so, he wouldn't even get a chance to leave today. But a level 3 beast was said to her very sharp senses. As it had still not sensed him, maybe it was not a level 3 beast.

And they were too far apart and also in the dim light, Zhang Che was unable to confirm the leopard-like beast's strength more properly. Curious about it, he couldn't help but hasten his steps. But still remaining as quiet as possible.

However, Kiel was feeling even more doubtful now.

The group couldn't retreat may be due to the ferociousness of the beast. However, what was stopping the beast to continue. Although a level 2 beast is stronger than the humans at their levels, still it was quite helpless against the four mages. Why was it still tingling itself with them? 

Similarly, the four iron maidens we're unable to do much to the beast except some blood injuries too. Why were they not retreating? If it was just protecting its territory, it would surely not chase after them, right?

Why keep acting stubbornly? It was not like it would lay eggs and they are after its eggs.

"Pfft… " Kiel almost couldn't stop his laughter as he nearly fell down while imagining a leopard laying eggs. Anyway, the change in his centre of gravity balanced out his disorientation. So he still proceeded his stealth crawling. He could feel himself nearing his one-metre benchmark to fish… ahem, I meant to observe the battle closely.

And if it's not eggs, pfft… then offspring? But there were clearly no offspring or a mate of the leopard-like beast around. 

Kiel just couldn't wrap his mind around this matter, and so he could only continue traversing further towards his benchmark carefully.