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Chapter 27
Chapter 27: Short Staff, Perilous Situation, Magic Arrow!
2024-11-18 Author: Amnesty L
With the mention of the words "Eight Fingers," a brief silence descended.
"I already told you, no unnecessary talk," the black-robed man who hadn't spoken, the one blocking the path behind them, suddenly said in a low voice.
"Heh, I didn't say a thing," the rogue retorted, gripping his dagger in a reverse hold, his gaze chilling.
Hearing their brief exchange, Tang Zheng knew his guess was correct. Their true objective wasn't money; it was him.
The so-called "Eight Fingers" was an underground organization with eight criminal departments, its influence so widespread it permeated virtually the entire Re-Estize Kingdom.
Behind it, the shadowy figures of the Kingdom's nobles could faintly be seen.
The Re-Estize Kingdom did not prohibit the slave trade, which had spawned a series of criminal networks dealing in child abduction, the sale of slaves, brothels, bribery, and more.
Tang Zheng remembered that in another year or two, Golden Princess Renner would propose an edict prohibiting the slave trade, causing immense losses to the Eight Fingers.
This was, in fact, one of Golden Princess Renner's masterfully calculated maneuvers.
Among the numerous edicts proposed by Golden Princess Renner, this was one of the few that passed. For an edict so fraught with vested interests to be approved was, in itself, incredible.
A princess who resided deep within the palace, who had never left its walls and possessed no faction or subordinates, had somehow gained the support of almost the entire populace.
Furthermore, by leveraging the benefits generated after the edict passed, she indirectly influenced the Baharuth Empire and even contended with the Blood Emperor—it was no wonder she was called a "Monster."
***
On the scene, the dangerous situation made Tang Zheng's body tense.
While gripping his shortsword with his left hand, his right hand retrieved a first-tier "Magic Arrow" scroll, which he had just purchased, from his item box.
"You're truly daring. This place isn't far from the plaza center and the Adventurer's Guild. Aren't you afraid that if I scream, none of you will escape?"
Tang Zheng deliberately spoke loudly, hoping to attract the attention of anyone nearby.
"You can shout a bit louder."
"But let me remind you, it's useless no matter how loud you scream. No one will hear what's happening here."
A low voice came from behind him.
Tang Zheng's heart tightened. He turned his head to look back and saw the man holding a small, ten-centimeter-long wand.
Almost at the same moment, information appeared on his status panel.
『Skill discovered: Silence. Requirements: Basic Mage-type Class, Level: 8-14.』
『Current conditions not met...』
The moment he saw this information, Tang Zheng knew what the black-robed man behind him was holding.
A short staff!
A type of magic item, it could be understood as an enhanced version of a magic scroll.
If a magic scroll was an item infused with a single-use spell, then a short staff was an item infused with the same spell multiple times.
In the game YGGDRASIL, short staves were more cost-effective magic items than magic scrolls. Their only drawback was the class restriction.
For example, a short staff infused with a "Holy Light" spell could only be used by a faith-based magic caster, while one infused with a "Fireball" spell could only be used by an arcane magic caster.
Magic scrolls, however, did not have this restriction.
Of course, some high-grade short staves could also bypass this limitation.
Here in the otherworld, however, short staves were far more expensive than magic scrolls, as they were considered proper magic items.
After confirming the black-robed man was using a short staff, Tang Zheng was certain his opponent was an arcane magic caster.
A rogue and a magic caster.
It was obvious who to deal with first.
"Just give up, brat!"
The masked rogue, gripping his dagger in a reverse hold, moved his feet and swiftly rushed toward Tang Zheng.
"Execute!"
In an instant, the rogue's charging speed not only accelerated, but his entire figure became somewhat blurry.
Seeing this, Tang Zheng knew he had to gamble.
Without any hesitation or reluctance, he immediately unleashed the "Magic Arrow" scroll at the rogue.
In an instant, the magic scroll flashed with light.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Three non-elemental magic arrows condensed in the air and shot rapidly toward the rogue.
At the same time, information appeared on his status panel.
『Skill discovered: Magic Arrow. Requirements: Basic Mage-type Class, Level 1-7. Current conditions not met...』
『"Genius" class activated. Basic class requirements met. Consume 1 skill point to learn?』
After unleashing the magic scroll, Tang Zheng didn't even look at the outcome. Instead, he quickly turned and charged toward the magic caster behind him.
During this process, seeing the information on the status panel, Tang Zheng knew he had gambled correctly and swiftly agreed in his mind.
Skill: Magic Arrow (First Tier)
Cost: 5 MP
Description: Cast a spell to create three non-elemental arrows to attack an enemy. For each additional point of mana consumed, one additional arrow can be created, up to a maximum of 10.
...
"Kid, you've chosen the wrong opponent."
The black-robed magic caster, seeing Tang Zheng turn and charge toward him, let out a mocking laugh.
"Acid—"
"Magic Arrow!"
Tang Zheng was faster. Before the black-robed magic caster could finish speaking, he had already activated the "Magic Arrow" he had just learned.
*How could this be?*
The black-robed magic caster's face, hidden beneath his cloak, revealed a stunned expression.
*Isn't he a faith-based magic caster? How can he also use arcane magic?*
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Three magic arrows were already flying toward him.
The black-robed magic caster had no time to think and quickly changed his spell. "Shield Wall!"
*Whoosh!*
An invisible, transparent barrier appeared before him.
*THUD!*
The three arrows struck the barrier simultaneously, and the two magical forces nullified each other and dissipated.
"You've angered me, you little—"
The black-robed magic caster's face twisted with anger. He extended a staff from within his black robe, preparing to cast a spell.
But in the next instant, his face turned deathly pale, because Tang Zheng was already right in front of him.
*How can he be so fast!*
As a magic caster, he knew very well that he had to maintain distance from his opponent under all circumstances.
There was at least fifteen meters between them. A magic caster's constitution shouldn't allow him to run this fast, unless the opponent wasn't just a magic caster...
The moment that thought surfaced in his mind, the shortsword in Tang Zheng's hand swiftly slashed down. "Fast Slash!"
A cold glint flashed through the air.
The shortsword's blade slashed heavily toward the black-robed magic caster's neck.
But just as it made contact, a white light emerged from the magic caster's body.
The blade met the white light with a dull thud and was successfully blocked.
However, the white light instantly dimmed considerably.
*This is... a magic item!*
Tang Zheng's expression shifted slightly.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" The face previously obscured by the hood was revealed. He was younger than expected, appearing to be only around twenty years old.
However, before the black-robed magic caster could celebrate, Tang Zheng's gaze turned fierce. He reversed his grip on the hilt and pressed down hard. The white light blocking the shortsword flickered, then rapidly dissipated.
*Splurt!*
The tip of the sword sliced deeply across the black-robed magic caster's throat. A torrent of blood gushed out, splashing all over Tang Zheng.
『Obtained 350 Experience』
"Idiot," Tang Zheng muttered.
Even with a defensive magic item, he didn't continue casting spells. Instead, he wanted to see the look of surprise on his opponent's face.
Under his attack, the defensive white light had dimmed, which clearly indicated it had a certain threshold.
Furthermore, as a magic caster, he had let an enemy get this close. It was clear this black-robed man had very little experience in close-quarters combat.
"You bastard, I'll chop off all your limbs!" a chilling roar came from behind.
The rogue, who had been momentarily stopped by the "Magic Arrow" from the scroll, had already rushed over.
He hadn't heard any footsteps at all.
*A rogue class ability? Or a skill?*
Tang Zheng quickly adjusted his stance and turned to face him. The dark purple light glinting on the opponent's dagger was already before his eyes.
Another magic weapon!
In this perilous moment!
*CLANG!*
Tang Zheng subconsciously swung his shortsword. The blade clashed against the dagger, emitting a crisp, jarring sound of colliding metal.
A trace of astonishment appeared in the rogue's eyes. After the clash, he retreated a few steps, looking at Tang Zheng with an expression of shock and uncertainty.
*Crack!*
Tang Zheng lowered his head to look at his shortsword. A crack and a chip had appeared at the point of impact.
This time, however, the solemn look on Tang Zheng's face slowly faded.
His expression was a little strange as he looked up at the rogue. "I've discovered... you're actually weaker than me."
(end of chapter)
2024-11-18 Author: Amnesty L
With the mention of the words "Eight Fingers," a brief silence descended.
"I already told you, no unnecessary talk," the black-robed man who hadn't spoken, the one blocking the path behind them, suddenly said in a low voice.
"Heh, I didn't say a thing," the rogue retorted, gripping his dagger in a reverse hold, his gaze chilling.
Hearing their brief exchange, Tang Zheng knew his guess was correct. Their true objective wasn't money; it was him.
The so-called "Eight Fingers" was an underground organization with eight criminal departments, its influence so widespread it permeated virtually the entire Re-Estize Kingdom.
Behind it, the shadowy figures of the Kingdom's nobles could faintly be seen.
The Re-Estize Kingdom did not prohibit the slave trade, which had spawned a series of criminal networks dealing in child abduction, the sale of slaves, brothels, bribery, and more.
Tang Zheng remembered that in another year or two, Golden Princess Renner would propose an edict prohibiting the slave trade, causing immense losses to the Eight Fingers.
This was, in fact, one of Golden Princess Renner's masterfully calculated maneuvers.
Among the numerous edicts proposed by Golden Princess Renner, this was one of the few that passed. For an edict so fraught with vested interests to be approved was, in itself, incredible.
A princess who resided deep within the palace, who had never left its walls and possessed no faction or subordinates, had somehow gained the support of almost the entire populace.
Furthermore, by leveraging the benefits generated after the edict passed, she indirectly influenced the Baharuth Empire and even contended with the Blood Emperor—it was no wonder she was called a "Monster."
***
On the scene, the dangerous situation made Tang Zheng's body tense.
While gripping his shortsword with his left hand, his right hand retrieved a first-tier "Magic Arrow" scroll, which he had just purchased, from his item box.
"You're truly daring. This place isn't far from the plaza center and the Adventurer's Guild. Aren't you afraid that if I scream, none of you will escape?"
Tang Zheng deliberately spoke loudly, hoping to attract the attention of anyone nearby.
"You can shout a bit louder."
"But let me remind you, it's useless no matter how loud you scream. No one will hear what's happening here."
A low voice came from behind him.
Tang Zheng's heart tightened. He turned his head to look back and saw the man holding a small, ten-centimeter-long wand.
Almost at the same moment, information appeared on his status panel.
『Skill discovered: Silence. Requirements: Basic Mage-type Class, Level: 8-14.』
『Current conditions not met...』
The moment he saw this information, Tang Zheng knew what the black-robed man behind him was holding.
A short staff!
A type of magic item, it could be understood as an enhanced version of a magic scroll.
If a magic scroll was an item infused with a single-use spell, then a short staff was an item infused with the same spell multiple times.
In the game YGGDRASIL, short staves were more cost-effective magic items than magic scrolls. Their only drawback was the class restriction.
For example, a short staff infused with a "Holy Light" spell could only be used by a faith-based magic caster, while one infused with a "Fireball" spell could only be used by an arcane magic caster.
Magic scrolls, however, did not have this restriction.
Of course, some high-grade short staves could also bypass this limitation.
Here in the otherworld, however, short staves were far more expensive than magic scrolls, as they were considered proper magic items.
After confirming the black-robed man was using a short staff, Tang Zheng was certain his opponent was an arcane magic caster.
A rogue and a magic caster.
It was obvious who to deal with first.
"Just give up, brat!"
The masked rogue, gripping his dagger in a reverse hold, moved his feet and swiftly rushed toward Tang Zheng.
"Execute!"
In an instant, the rogue's charging speed not only accelerated, but his entire figure became somewhat blurry.
Seeing this, Tang Zheng knew he had to gamble.
Without any hesitation or reluctance, he immediately unleashed the "Magic Arrow" scroll at the rogue.
In an instant, the magic scroll flashed with light.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Three non-elemental magic arrows condensed in the air and shot rapidly toward the rogue.
At the same time, information appeared on his status panel.
『Skill discovered: Magic Arrow. Requirements: Basic Mage-type Class, Level 1-7. Current conditions not met...』
『"Genius" class activated. Basic class requirements met. Consume 1 skill point to learn?』
After unleashing the magic scroll, Tang Zheng didn't even look at the outcome. Instead, he quickly turned and charged toward the magic caster behind him.
During this process, seeing the information on the status panel, Tang Zheng knew he had gambled correctly and swiftly agreed in his mind.
Skill: Magic Arrow (First Tier)
Cost: 5 MP
Description: Cast a spell to create three non-elemental arrows to attack an enemy. For each additional point of mana consumed, one additional arrow can be created, up to a maximum of 10.
...
"Kid, you've chosen the wrong opponent."
The black-robed magic caster, seeing Tang Zheng turn and charge toward him, let out a mocking laugh.
"Acid—"
"Magic Arrow!"
Tang Zheng was faster. Before the black-robed magic caster could finish speaking, he had already activated the "Magic Arrow" he had just learned.
*How could this be?*
The black-robed magic caster's face, hidden beneath his cloak, revealed a stunned expression.
*Isn't he a faith-based magic caster? How can he also use arcane magic?*
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Three magic arrows were already flying toward him.
The black-robed magic caster had no time to think and quickly changed his spell. "Shield Wall!"
*Whoosh!*
An invisible, transparent barrier appeared before him.
*THUD!*
The three arrows struck the barrier simultaneously, and the two magical forces nullified each other and dissipated.
"You've angered me, you little—"
The black-robed magic caster's face twisted with anger. He extended a staff from within his black robe, preparing to cast a spell.
But in the next instant, his face turned deathly pale, because Tang Zheng was already right in front of him.
*How can he be so fast!*
As a magic caster, he knew very well that he had to maintain distance from his opponent under all circumstances.
There was at least fifteen meters between them. A magic caster's constitution shouldn't allow him to run this fast, unless the opponent wasn't just a magic caster...
The moment that thought surfaced in his mind, the shortsword in Tang Zheng's hand swiftly slashed down. "Fast Slash!"
A cold glint flashed through the air.
The shortsword's blade slashed heavily toward the black-robed magic caster's neck.
But just as it made contact, a white light emerged from the magic caster's body.
The blade met the white light with a dull thud and was successfully blocked.
However, the white light instantly dimmed considerably.
*This is... a magic item!*
Tang Zheng's expression shifted slightly.
"Didn't expect that, did you?" The face previously obscured by the hood was revealed. He was younger than expected, appearing to be only around twenty years old.
However, before the black-robed magic caster could celebrate, Tang Zheng's gaze turned fierce. He reversed his grip on the hilt and pressed down hard. The white light blocking the shortsword flickered, then rapidly dissipated.
*Splurt!*
The tip of the sword sliced deeply across the black-robed magic caster's throat. A torrent of blood gushed out, splashing all over Tang Zheng.
『Obtained 350 Experience』
"Idiot," Tang Zheng muttered.
Even with a defensive magic item, he didn't continue casting spells. Instead, he wanted to see the look of surprise on his opponent's face.
Under his attack, the defensive white light had dimmed, which clearly indicated it had a certain threshold.
Furthermore, as a magic caster, he had let an enemy get this close. It was clear this black-robed man had very little experience in close-quarters combat.
"You bastard, I'll chop off all your limbs!" a chilling roar came from behind.
The rogue, who had been momentarily stopped by the "Magic Arrow" from the scroll, had already rushed over.
He hadn't heard any footsteps at all.
*A rogue class ability? Or a skill?*
Tang Zheng quickly adjusted his stance and turned to face him. The dark purple light glinting on the opponent's dagger was already before his eyes.
Another magic weapon!
In this perilous moment!
*CLANG!*
Tang Zheng subconsciously swung his shortsword. The blade clashed against the dagger, emitting a crisp, jarring sound of colliding metal.
A trace of astonishment appeared in the rogue's eyes. After the clash, he retreated a few steps, looking at Tang Zheng with an expression of shock and uncertainty.
*Crack!*
Tang Zheng lowered his head to look at his shortsword. A crack and a chip had appeared at the point of impact.
This time, however, the solemn look on Tang Zheng's face slowly faded.
His expression was a little strange as he looked up at the rogue. "I've discovered... you're actually weaker than me."
(end of chapter)
