Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master c1-1074

by Zhuang Bifan

  "Okay, I know," Lin Li replied and nodded. After he went back to his tent, he tidied up his things. Since the Ice Howler had appeared, this place was naturally not safe. He had brought along many scrolls, formulas, and maps, among many others. It would not be nice if those were to get damaged…

  After doing that, Lin Li went back to the campfire. At this time, the growls of the Ice Howler were much louder. The dense forest trembled, and groups of wild animals scurried in fear. In face of such danger, lions and tigers would have to escape too.

  Jason gripped the rune's adamantine sword tightly and fixed his gaze on the dense forest. Weathor had smeared a toxic substance on the blade of his dagger, and was crouching on the ground in the darkness. Rotiah had begun to recite some prayers. The melodious voice of the blonde beauty was quite penetrative, and echoed throughout the Dragon Mountains like an euphonious piece of music. At the same time, Jason's rune's adamantine sword glowed even more radiant.

  As compared to the performance of the three adventurers, the employer's action was really embarrassing. While the adventurers had already begun their preparations to defend themselves from the beast, the employer just started to take out his staff lazily and recite a spell slowly. It took him around 20 seconds to call out that spell which no one recognized…

  What the hell is he doing…

  The sudden magical wave caused much frustration in Jason. It was definitely his worst luck throughout his time being an adventurer to have met such an employer. How could he use such a long time to cast a spell that had no particular effect? Jason was confident that a scroll would be more useful than Lin Li's recitation.

  Alright, he would just take it that his employer was a rich man. How would an Archmage or Legendary-mage even need to hire bodyguards?

  Yet, since he was an incompetent employer, all the more he should not interfere in the battle so recklessly.

  That is a freaking level-17 Ice Howler! My God… Do you think all creatures with four hooves are herbivores?

  "Liars, you liars!" Just when Jason was feeling vexed with Lin Li's 'nosy' action, he heard somebody crying at the edge of the dense forest.

  "What is it now?" Lin Li was surprised, and looked towards the sound's source. He saw 20 to 30 adventurers dashing out of the thick forest anxiously. While they escaped, they kept looking back in fear. It was as though the Ice Howler had wings and had the ability to swoop behind their backs immediately.

  There was a young lady aged around 19 staggering among this group of Adventurers. Her linen-colored hair had been ruffled up messily by the wind, and her elegant dress had been torn by tree branches. She held the hem of the dress while running behind the group.

  "You… You guys said you could deal with any magical beast! You liars!"

  The group of Adventurers was very patient with her. Those who were bolder took some time to explain to her that the Ice Howler was too powerful for them to challenge it. Those who were more timid, however, chose to ignore her whining and focus on escaping themselves.

  "Miss Yvonne, I think you'd better run. This Ice Howler is too mighty. We wouldn't be able to defeat it…" That was a middle-aged Adventurer, the only person who cared to stop in his tracks to attend to her.

  "But you had promised—"

  "Little Miss, please. That was just marketing tactics! Any Adventurer team would promise the same thing. Did you really think that we could defeat a level-17 magical beast? If we are that great, we would have been hired by your father at your house as VIPs. How would we be here to risk our lives in the Dragon Mountains?"

  "What about my little brother?"

  "Your brother—" The speech of the middle-aged man got interrupted by an enraged growl. That ear-piercing sound caused his expression to change.

  "QUICK, RUN!"

  What followed was white mist that spread like a plague. At once, a bone-chilling sensation could be felt. It was as though they had dropped into an icehouse during a cold winter.

  Thanks to his fast reaction time, they escaped the fate of being buried in the snow. The white mist swallowed the forest in an instant and turned the trees into crystallite ice sculptures, and the white and furry Ice Howler made a grand appearance as it trampled its way out of the forest. It was 10 meters tall, and had a body that resembled a hill. The Ice Howler was definitely a behemoth as compared to other magical beasts. The hideous pair of horns on its head was like a pair of bayonets that crushed everything that blocked its way.

  "Be careful!" Jason gripped the sword made from the rune's adamantine. Although he was one of the best Adventurers of Doland, his eyes were filled with trepidation when he looked at that gigantic existence.

  The raging Ice Howler was like a streak of lightning that caught up with the two adventurers that were lagging behind. In a split second, the two bayonet-like horns penetrated the unfortunate adventurers. Their blood spilled on the ground, and made the Ice Howler go into frenzy. It created more bone-chilling mist, while its two unruly horns worked their way towards the group of Adventurers…

  Two other Adventurers fell.

  "F*CK, STOP IT!" That was a young man aged around 20 years old. He was shouting with all his might. He had to be the leader of the group of Adventurers, for the rest of the Adventurers finally made one or two decent counterattacks under his guidance.

  However, the difference in abilities was fated to be a hindrance to their battle. In the group of 30, the mightier ones were only at level-13 or level-14, and the weaker ones were not even level-10. Their attacks were as insignificant as scratching the itch to a level-17 magical beast. The Archers' continuous volleys of arrows could not penetrate the fur of the beast at all, while the Warriors and the Bandits did not even have the courage to launch any attacks against it.

  The Ice Howler was like a meat grinder that could turn any living thing into minced meat in the blink of the eye. 10 Adventurers would not be enough to become a dish of that beast.

  Despite recitating desperately, the spells that the three mages unleashed on the Ice Howler was like a joke. With it having a natural resistance to magic, spells that were lower than level-15 were insignificant to it. Only spells at the level of an Archmage and beyond would have a real opportunity to threaten its life.

  Jason frowned, and held the rune's adamantine sword in his hands even tighter. The situation was clear. If no one were to step in to help, the entire Adventurer team would perish here.

  "LET'S GO!"

  Jason had no choice. It was impossible for the three of them to fight an Ice Howler. In order to survive this battle, they had to work together with this team of troublemakers. Although they were detestable, now was not the time to settle the score. They had to first get rid of this terrible beast…

  After Jason spoke, Weathor took his dagger and snuck into the darkness, while Rotiah hastened her recitation and released the Energy-enhancing Theurgy onto her teammates. The strong rush of Divine Power was like the tidal waves. Jason's rune's adamantine sword also generated a blazing wave of Combat Energy…

  At the same time, Lin Li had completed his second spell. After that, he patted the dust on his long robe and called Norfeller over. "Norfeller, I will leave the rest to you."

  "Alright, Master." The high-ranking Vampire nodded. He pulled on his black hood and transformed into a ball of black mist.

  The interference from Jason's team improved the one-sided battle. The powers of a level-15 Warrior was great. What made it incisive was the help rendered by a high-ranking Priest behind him. It was as though Jason managed to take on the invincible Ice Howler by himself.

  Chapter 318 - Eternal Frost

  With the help of the theurgy from the high-ranking Priest, Jason's combat potential was maximized. It looked like a one-man show after that. The Combat Energy given off by his rune's adamantine sword instantly changed the situation on the field. While Jason helped to battle the Ice Howler, the young leader used the opportunity to redirect the team.

  Under his leadership, the attack launch
ed by the Archers were not as blind as before. All of their attacks were targeted at the eyes and other critical regions of the Ice Howler. It gave time for the three mages to take a breather and replenish their drained mana. Seeing that things were going in a good direction, the charismatic young man shouted, "EVERYONE KEEP GOING! LET'S GET RID OF THIS WHITE-HAIRED MONSTER!!!"

  "…" Lin Li, who had been enjoying the scene at the side, felt cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

  How could these few people think they can kill an Ice Howler with just their fingers?

  These people really don't know what the word 'death' looks like. How can the Ice Howler die as you hope it to? If not for the timely help rendered by Jason and his team, the horns of the Ice Howler would have made all of you into skewers already!

  Furthermore, Jason and his team might not be able to last long…

  Almost everyone saw hope for the first time since they joined the battle. At this time, Lin Li might be the only person who knew that it was just a superficial and short-lived achievement. The change in tide brought about by Jason and his teammates was not meant to last. Although the situation looked optimistic on their side, it would not take them more than five minutes to be defeated by the Ice Howler.

  Of course, if everything were to go smoothly, the Ice Howler should not be able to live after five minutes.

  Lin Li took a glimpse of the battle scene. While the wrestle between Jason and the Ice Howler continued, Norfeller, who had transformed into a ball of black smoke, took his position in the air quietly.

  As the bloody battle went on, a thin sense of magical wave crept towards the Ice Howler. With it being sly and discreet, no one was able to notice its presence at all.

  Jason might be the only person who would have the ability to perceive the sense of magical wave. Since he was a level-15 Warrior, he should be far more observant than other people. As long as he calmed down, he should be able to discover it.

  However, how would Jason have the time to care about it?

  Like what Lin Li had expected, the presence of a high-ranking Priest was not able to cover the difference between Jason and the Ice Howler. One Eternal Frost was all it took to crush that superficial sense of imminent victory.

  The difference in physical strength could be alleviated by Rotiah's theurgy. However, the natural power of the Ice Howler was not what theurgies could overcome. A bone-chilling sensation could be felt as the Ice Howler growled. Then, Jason realized that something was not right. He felt a sudden fall in the surrounding temperature, and then saw a thick layer of ice growing under his feet like a stalk of crystal flower blooming there…

  But, it happened too quickly. Before he could react, the ice had already spread to his whole body…

  Jason could only watch the Ice Howler wave its sharp claws.

  "POM!"

  At that instant, Jason thought that all of the bones in his body had been crushed. The strength of the deadly claws was absolutely beyond human tolerance. To think of it, being attacked by a 10 meters tall object… a metal wall would have been cut through by that claw, so how could a human body withstand that?

  Everyone saw Jason fly off into the air with a loud noise and drop down like a kite with broken strings…

  Fresh blood flowed out profusely and dyed the ground red. Jason lay on the ground weakly. His face was ashen and he breathed with difficulty, like an old and ailing man. A blood-red glow was glistening violently. That was the Sacrificial Blessing—a unique theurgy that only high-ranking Priests commanded. It was a glow that would ensure protection of its target after being injured. Unless it was the mind or the soul that was damaged, the protected people would be able to survive any other fatal attacks with the Sacrificial Blessing…

  In reality, it was this Sacrificial Blessing that saved Jason's life. If not for Rotiah's fast response, to cast an instantaneous Sacrificial Blessing before the claw touched him, Jason would have lost all of his lives—if he had more than one.

  However, the Sacrificial Blessing was a level-15 theurgy, and the most it could do was to protect Jason's life. It was impossible for him to recover his ability to continue fighting in such a short period of time. The only thing Rotiah could do was to keep reciting the Holy Light prayers and use that dimmed blood-red light to heal Jason who was badly injured.

  Instantly, the change in tide rendered the hopeful Adventurers helpless. Now that Jason, the only man who had the ability to challenge the Ice Howler, was down, they could only battle that terrible beast by themselves.

  "Oh, freak…" The young leader stood there in a daze as he looked at Jason who was lying lifelessly on the ground while the Ice Howler stomped towards him.

  At this time, he even felt like dying. Wasn't everything going well just now? How did it become like this?

  Unfortunately, no one could answer him now…

  The second growl resounded.

  There was another Eternal Frost unleashed onto the crowd. To the frantic Adventurers, that pure white snow was like the reaper's funeral bell. There were shrieks and calls for help among all the clamor, and the group of people who had just regained their confidence in the battle started to escape from that terrifying snow…

  However, how could they even escape an attack cast by a level-17 magical beast? When the crystal flower bloomed, it was like multiple waves that crashed onto the shore for as far as 10 meters. Almost all of the Adventurers got buried deep under the snow. They could only keep on screaming as they watched the ice crawl all over their body…

  "Damn…" At this time, almost all the Adventurers felt that they were doomed.

  Jason's mind buzzed when he saw what was happening. "Oh sh*t…"

  Being one of the top Adventurers in Doland, Jason naturally knew that the strongest power of the Ice Howler was not the Eternal Frost, but the destructive Frost Shock. The innate characteristic it inherited from the Wild Age gave it an almighty set of ice element powers. It was said that the Frost Shock was even more terrifying than the Thousand Miles of Ice. It would be especially dangerous if there was a group of enemies caught in it together. The consequences were as heavy as the Legendary-level. Once it got unleashed, no one from this group of weak Adventurers would be able to survive.

  The growl from the Ice Howler coming from afar made Jason close his eyes hopelessly. He had already felt a strong, vigorous wave of ice element. Jason knew that it was the sign that the Ice Howler was going to use the Frost Shock…

  Suddenly, time seemed to pass really slowly. One second, two seconds, three seconds, four seconds…

  Then, Jason felt that something was amiss. The expected attack had not yet come, but what surrounded him was all shrieks and calls for help from the other Adventurers.

  "That's weird…" Jason muttered, and looked above him.

  Then, he saw a dark figure that appeared behind the Ice Howler discreetly. It did not create huge magical waves or hold any deadly weapon. Instead, it had a pair of arms with long nails. This figure dashed towards the Ice Howler with its long nails, and blood started to spill everywhere…

  "My gosh! How could that be possible!" Jason could not believe his eyes. Did that black figure used mere physical strength to tear the firm skin of that Ice Howler?

  T-that's crazy!

  Since Jason had a violent exchange with the Ice Howler just now, he was naturally clearer than any other people how freakish the skin of the monster was. Before that, he had to channel all of his Combat Energy as he worked his tough rune's adamantine sword to bring the slightest harm to the Ice Howler. Jason could not fathom how exactly a mere pair of arms could even hurt the Ice Howler.

  Wait a minute…

  Before Jason could regain his composure, his expression froze. That was due to his sudden realization that that black figure looked rather familiar…

  Chapter 319 - Arcane Combustion

  Then, Jason covered his mouth in shock. He now knew who the black figure was!

  "Freak, this can't be!" Jason gasped in disbel
ief. That black figure which tore the body of the Ice Howler with its b.a.r.e hands was really the man whom he saw these two days, the one they just had dinner with in front of the campfire today?

  That was right. The person who tore the Ice Howler was Norfeller—the man who always followed behind a certain someone like a shadow!

  "Oh my Gosh…" Jason's eyes were wide open and filled with incredulity. It was as though he did not see Norfeller fight the Ice Howler, but a mouse r.a.p.e an elephant.

  Jason was not the only man who was stunned…

  The wretched Bandit, the pretty Priest, and the team of Adventurers that had appeared out of nowhere were all gaping as they watched Norfeller land from the sky and tear the Ice Howler's body…

  That was outlandish…

  No one knew what had happened, and no one knew where the young man in a black cape gained his formidable powers to challenge a deadly beast.

  The huge wound on its back completely triggered the Ice Howler's frenzy. Although the man and beast just started fighting, the battle had already been pushed to a feverish climax. Compared to this, the earlier half of the battle led by Jason was a mere warm-up for the beast. Although it was provoked then, the revenge it took was instinctive. In other words, this magical beast that sat at the apex of the Dragon Mountains' food chain did not treat the Adventurers as its enemies initially. In its eyes, they were like a few irritating flies that it could choose to either blow away with a sneeze or wringle its toes to kill them.

  But, the entrance of Norfeller changed everything.

  Although that dagger-like blow on the back of the Ice Howler was not fatal, the pain it gave the Ice Howler allowed it to realize that Norfeller was a real enemy for it.

  The growls of the Ice Howler became husky and deep gradually. Its pair of red eyes was not as frenzied as before, but filled with hostility and vigilance, and fixed on Norfeller. Any moron would have sensed the dangerous atmosphere.

  Anyone who saw their intense and bloody battle would feel that they had walked into a Colosseum. Norfeller was like a ghost that constantly swooped in front of and behind the Ice Howler. His sharp nails also ripped the skin of the Ice Howler every time they went past it. The growls were continuous. Every kind of ice element spells was unleashed like a flood gate towards Norfeller, and despite being powerful, he could only persevere amidst the spells. It was as though Norfeller was a lonely boat in the vast ocean—a little carelessness would bring himself irreversible danger…