by Zhuang Bifan
"Think it through and choose wisely. You don't have much time left…" The hoarse voice vanished after the reminder. The Undead creatures around them were still quiet, like a well-trained military troop that trapped everyone at the corner of the street.
Sienna looked at the soil beneath him for quite a while. Nobody knew what he was thinking. After some time, Sienna finally lifted his head.
"Apologies, Miss Yvonne."
Immediately, the surroundings became silent…
Everyone looked at Sienna in shock, including Jason and his teammates.
The only one who was still himself would be Lin Li. He laughed casually and held his Aether Staff in his hands. "Captain Sienna, are you not afraid of getting into trouble?"
"Mr. Felic, please do not interfere in something that does not concern you." Sienna brushed the incompetent mage off. His tone was not as polite as before.
"Then can you tell me," Lin Li said as he shook his head seriously, "after you hand his little girl over, whom should I claim my chariot of Ice Crystal Metal from?"
"W-what Ice Crystal Metal?"
"Ice Crystal Metal is a type of precious… Erm, I can't really explain it in such a short period of time. But, Captain Sienna, the Ice Crystal Metal is not the main point. The crux now is that I want you to stop your plan. You can rebut me, but I will treat all of your words as nonsense…"
"What rights do you have?" Sienna asked with hostility. The fella is too c.o.c.ky! If not for Lin Li's good relationship with Norfeller, Sienna would have dealt with him long ago when he first entered the town. How could he think he could stop these over 20 Adventurers from sacrificing Miss Yvonne?
"Why don't you try me?" Lin Li smiled as usual. The only difference was the sense of ridicule and provocation in his gaze.
"You!!" Sienna gripped his machete. An ominous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Mr. Felic…" Just when the two men were in a deadlock, Jason pulled on Lin Li's sleeve discreetly.
Lin Li frowned and turned to look at Jason.
"What is it?" asked Lin Li.
"Erm…" Jason hesitated before continuing, "Mr. Felic, could you not make things difficult for us? That's a rule for us Adventurers. Let's not intervene in how Captain Sienna arranges it for Miss Yvonne…"
"…" Lin Li pursed his lips.
Do you think I feel like interfering? If it was any Tom, D.i.c.k, or Harry, I would not care about how Sienna arranges it. The problem is that this little girl is the daughter of the castellan of Roland City! If I watch her be taken hostage by that dude, it will be too embarrassing to ask her father for the grain I need. That will be worth a whole chariot of Ice Crystal Metal! If those were gold coins, their weight would be enough to kill them. Did that bastard Sienna just said he want to hand Mis Yvonne over? Has he asked me for my permission?
Seeing that his employer did not say anything, Jason casually took it that it was because Lin Li felt threatened by him. He comforted him, saying, "Furthermore, Mr. Felic, you have heard what the guy in the bell tower said. He just wanted Captain Sienna to hand Miss Yvonne over, and not harm her. Why don't we put this matter aside first and think of a way to save Miss Yvonne after Captain Sienna and his team leave this place safely…?"
As Jason was engrossed in his speech, he suddenly felt a crossbow's belt's tip being pressed against his c.h.e.s.t. Its sharp edge reflected a fluorescent blue light. How would Jason, a man who had been in the adventure industry for all many years, not know that there was potent poison smeared on that crossbow bolt?
"M-Mr. Felic… What are you doing?" Jason asked in fear as he broke out in cold sweat. "C-c-can you stop joking?"
"Joking?" Lin Li pushed the crossbow in his hands against Jason's c.h.e.s.t. The sharp part of the crossbow immediately slitted Jason's clothes.
"What else do you mean, then?"
"What do I mean? Hehe…" Lin Li asked smilingly as he added more force to the crossbow. "Jason, tell me the truth. Do I look like a generous man that is easily deceived?"
"N-no, you don't…"
"Then, I'm really confused now. Since I don't look like I'm prone to be deceived for my generosity, why do you always treat me as though I am? You toiled so hard to earn the 20,000 gold coins from Sienna, but for the same amount of gold coins you are always plotting to push me into the fire pit? Do you suspect that I will mix sand inside my gold coins?
The moment Lin Li said that, Jason's face was washed white.
He did not expect the mage to be aware of the secret deal between him and Sienna already. The mage even knew the exact numbers!
"I did not want to mention it at first. Yet, your burning passion for that 20,000 gold coins motivated you to push me into the fire pit. If I don't show you some things, you will really think I'm accusing the innocent…"
At this time, almost everyone's focus was on Lin Li. Apart from Sienna, no one realized that while this young mage was scolding Jason, there was an unnatural distortion at the corner of the street.
"This fella is doomed…" The sight of the distortion let Sienna to guess it that that was the mark left behind by Bandits who sneaked in the dark. Among over 20 people present, the only Bandit who had the ability to enter the darkness instantaneously would naturally be one of Jason's teammates, the level-15 Weathor…
Of course, knowing was knowing. Sienna was not interested in warning the mage. If he could, he really hoped Jason could get rid of that fella immediately so that he would not create bigger trouble for him in the future.
"M-Mr. Felic, please listen to me…"
Almost immediately, they could see a sword whip out in the dark.
What followed was a shriek…
Before the people had time to react, they saw a body landing in the middle of the street.
"H-how could this be!?" Sienna gazed at the street in a daze. His eyes were filled with incredulity. How could he believe that Weathor, a level-15 Bandit, got thrown off by a Lin Li so easily…
W-what a monster…
After Weathor flew off due to an Air Bomb, Lin Li did not even look back. He gripped onto the Aether Staff and gray clouds started to gather above Weathor. Instantly, lightning fell from the clouds. The pitiful Bandit did not even have time to sit himself up before he got struck by the continuous lightning. His squeals of pain made the previously quiet street noisy again.
"Goddammit, how could you attack such an honest man like me? Do you even have any morals?"
Chapter 327 - Nemesis of the Undead
The sudden changes caused everyone to stand rooted to the ground in a daze. They stared as the Air Bomb exploded and the Cloud Storm roared. This time, Weathor really got into trouble. The sparks, which were like countless golden snakes that slid down, started to burn the unlucky Bandit in the blink of an eye. It was fortunate that the female Priest reacted promptly. She cast a Purge Spell and saved Weathor's life. However, despite the timely Purge Spell, Weathor was still on the edge of death. His skin was burnt and he was severely wounded. He gave off a pungent stench as he w.h.i.n.ed in pain. If they did not witness it for themselves, they would not have believed that the fella who was on the verge of death was a level-15 high-ranking Bandit…
"Mr. Felic, what do you want?" Jason asked impatiently. The party's partnership in numerous battles had caused them to have a relationship that surpassed that of normal comrades. Now that Weathor was suffering from such a serious injury, how could Jason be able to turn a blind eye to it? He did not care about the crossbow put against his c.h.e.s.t as he summoned his glowing rune's adamantine sword, prepared to fight Lin Li.
"What do I want?" Lin Li glanced at him as he repeated Jason's question. "I just wanted to give you a little warning. I hate sneak attacks. The next person who dares to do it will not be as lucky as Weathor…"
Right after he spoke, the Aether Staff in Lin Li's hand let out a blinding light. Before Jason had the chance to speak, he felt a wave of heat engulfing him. Then, he saw a blazing flame flying towards him…
Then…
What followed immediately was a "POM!"
A gigantic ball of fire went past Jason's c.h.e.s.t. The long flame that trailed behind it was like a blazing sun on a scorching day. Suddenly, it was as though time had slowed down. Everybody held onto their breaths. Their gazes were fixed on that Pyroblast that landed in the crowd of Skeletal Warriors.
At once, a gigantic mushroom-shaped cloud shot up the sky. Despite being an earth-shattering spell, the accompanying silence was suffocating. Apart from the sound when the ball of fire exploded, nothing else could be heard. They just saw a dazzling glow of fire spread and engulf the group of Skeletal Warriors at a crazy speed. Then, the warriors were like snow that melted almost instantaneously…
"Oh my gosh…" Sienna could not believe his eyes. Was that spell really cast by a human? It took himself and 30-plus men, as well as Jason and his two level-15 teammates, to kill hundreds of Skeletal Warriors. Yet, that crazy man had the ability to turn thousands of Skeletal Warriors into ashes.
H-h-how could this be done by a human being…?
Sienna broke out in a cold sweat. He would never have imagined there to be such a powerful man among the team.
What a freakish man! No… he should not be described as "freakish". This fella is not even human at all!
The thought of Lin Li's identity gave Sienna shivers down his spine…
Sienna was not the only man who was flabbergasted by Lin Li's Pyroblast…
Jason gripped onto the rune's adamantine sword. While the Combat Energy within the sword radiated a blinding glow, Jason's gaze towards Lin Li was filled with trepidation. He could not believe that the young mage whom he thought was an honest and incompetent employer was able to turn the army of Skeletal Warriors into ashes…
Although Jason had his rune's adamantine sword in his hands, he did not dare to move away from Lin Li's cold crossbow bolt that was against his c.h.e.s.t. That was because Jason could never be certain of the consequences of doing so. To him, that young mage who had his crossbow against his c.h.e.s.t was more threatening than the Undead creature inside the bell tower.
At once, the atmosphere turned really strange.
No one dared to speak. Jason and his teammates and Sienna and his men did not dare to make any move or any sound. They stared at the young mage in fear. Weathor seemed to be the calmest of them all. Being seriously wounded, he was already unconscious. Unaware of all the terrifying happenings, he lay on the ground weakly, and his voice could barely be heard.
"Hehehe, this is interesting. How, my guests? It seems that you are having a conflict between yourselves?" It was the hideous laughter from the bell tower that broke the tense atmosphere. Underlying the hoarse voice was a sense of sarcasm and gloating.
"Shut up, moron!" Lin Li scolded the other party without turning his head. His eyes scanned the 20-plus Adventurers.
"Now, I'm going to give you two choices. One, to listen to me and not do anything funny. Although there may be some risk, I believe that if nothing accidental were to happen, you will be able to return home alive.
"Two, you can rely on yourselves. If you are confident with your abilities, you can try to kill your way through these Undead creatures…"
Lin Li paused, and turned to look at the daughter of the castellan.
"As for this little girl, I warn you not to have any ill intentions toward her. She is already under the protection of the Breezy Plains Guild of Magic. Any offensive actions towards her would be a challenge to the guild and also myself."
"…" Sienna swallowed his saliva with difficulty. The expression on his face became very ugly.
He was not afraid of the guild of magic on the Breezy Plains. Since it was something he had never heard of, there was nothing to worry about. But, that freakish mage was a serious issue. From how he turned the army of Skeletal Warriors into ashes in the blink of an eye with a single ball of fire, Sienna knew Lin Li was not a man to be challenged. Not to mention himself, that top Adventurer, Jason, would also not have the chance to escape the crossbow against his c.h.e.s.t as well.
Yet, if he did not hand the daughter of the castellan over, could the over 20 men under him be able to escape the ruins of the Syer Town?
Sienna hesitated as he gazed at Jason again as though he was seeking for his help.
"I will listen to you, Mage Felic."
Lin Li would not have expected that Jason would make up his mind so readily. That top Adventurer did not even hesitate before he showed his obedience to Lin Li. The moment Lin Li finished his words, Jason dispersed the Combat Energy on his rune's adamantine sword and knelt down on one of his knees before Lin Li and announced his submissive stance to him.
"We… we will take your orders, Mage Felic." Since Jason had made his promise, Sienna had nothing to hesitate about.
"Very good…" Lin Li smiled in satisfaction. He helped Jason who had been kneeling on one of his knees to stand up, and put away the crossbow he had been threatening Jason with.
That was a reaction that Lin Li wanted. Although punishing an individual as an example to others might be an overused tactic, it was indeed useful in many circ.u.mstances. For instance, the Cloud Storm that severely injured Weathor as well as a Pyroblast that slaughtered the army of Skeletal Warriors caused the two fellas who had ill intentions to become obedient immediately.
Lin Li had no other choice, either. At the start, when Lin Li had an encounter with the mental strength, he had guessed it a little. Then, the Tide of Death ascertained Lin Li's suspicion. Lin Li was sure that the creature hidden in the bell tower had to be a real Lich—one that had reached the legendary level-20. Being a real Undead creature, it might even be more powerful than Sendros who was just a human being!
To Lin Li, level-20 was an unreachable existence. One would never know how the Legendary Realm was before he entered it. Yet, that level-20 Undead creature might still be manageable for Lin Li. He had an object that could resist Undead creatures. In another world that he had once battled in, the object was considered the natural enemy of the Undead. This object would be able to deal with a level-20 Lich easily…
However, this thing had a fatal disadvantage to Lin Li now. The force within it was too massive. Lin Li would never be able to really take control over it. Even if he wanted to use a tiny bit of energy, he would need a very long time…
How would one have sufficient time to prepare for a battle that was undergoing myriad changes in the twinkling of an eye?
Hence, Lin Li had to find a few helpers…
Although the few helpers were not very obedient, Lin Li believed that both Sienna and Jason were clever people. It would only take a little trick to let them become more harmonious with each other. Yeah, like they were now…
"Now, let us see if the legendary Tide of Death is indeed something that will never dry up…" Lin Li said as he raised the Aether Staff in his hands high up in the sky. Complicated recitation poured out of his mouth like tidewaters. As that obscure recitation sounded, a chilly air started to spread…
Chapter 328 - Humerus Wyrm
As the sound of the chanting gradually increased in volume, the huge ice magical element also roared deafeningly in the ruins. The town square that was previously filled with Undead creatures was now filled with snow instead. In a flash, the snow covered the sky as it slowly spread throughout the place like a monster swallowing the whole world in an instant. In the face of this doomsday blizzard, the Tide of Death seemed weaker than usual. The Skeletal Warriors were trembling in the wind, while the Vampires screamed pitifully as they spread their wings in the sky. The Liches and Vengeful Spirits hid in the black fog, refusing to take another step forward. The looming darkness dissipated suddenly, leaving only a gorgeous scene of crystal and snow…
"My God…" Jason could not believe that the one to summon this snow of death was the employer he had thought useless all along—the one who always had a smile on his face and seemed terrified of everything. Not even in his wildest dreams did Jason i
magine that this seemingly useless employer would have such capability. To think that he had paid no regard to him the whole time and even wanted to fight him just now. Jason felt himself breaking into sweat at the thought…
Sienna was completely shocked as a dull, blank look filled his eyes. He even failed to dodge a flying ice shard, and if not for the quick reflexes of an Adventurer standing next to him, who knew what would have happened to his face.
"That's… that's amazing!" The castellan's missus clenched her small fists as her face was flushed with excitement. Their encounters from the Dragon Mountains to Syer Town had been the most exciting string of events to have happened in her nearly two decades of life. Especially after they had entered Syer Town, the young mage named Felic had triumphed over an entire mercenary corps alone and destroyed a troop of Undead creatures in a flash. The young mage she had previously called a "scaredy-cat" was now unbelievably powerful in her mind.
Lin Li could not be bothered with anything else now as the Thousand Miles of Ice had taken up all his concentration. He was only concerned about distributing and releasing his mana as the torrential ice magical element exploded in the town square, tearing apart countless Undead creatures at once while the crystal embedded in the silver shone with gory colors.
Time seemed to have lost its meaning now as everybody was immersed in the ethereal snow. When the last snowflake fell, the Undead army that had once covered every inch of land seemed to have evaporated into thin air. There were only a few lingering Vampires and hunchbacked Liches dragging their bone magic staves around as they stuck their heads out of the black fog to look around, only to find arrows and magic awaiting them. Sienna's men were not stupid, and knew to take advantage of the beaten Undead army. Since the young mage had single-handedly wiped out almost the whole army, they knew they should take care of the remaining few.
While none of the Adventurers were particularly highly skilled, the impact of over 20 people attacking at the same time was by no means weak. It was even more effective against the Undead creatures that had been terrified by the Thousand Miles of Ice, and it was only a moment before the Undead creatures had fallen into a heap.
