Chapter 329: The Demon's Ploy
Chapter 329: The Demon's Ploy
Monster?
Linen deftly avoided the sudden attack, only to be stunned by the attacker's appearance.
Could there still be monsters lurking in Vire Town? That couldn't be right!
It had been a while since the Abyssal Monsters invaded, and the Viper Academy should have cleaned up any remaining threats.
Moreover...
Low-level demons lack rationality, only attacking living creatures on instinct. How had this one been hiding for so long?
The demon before him stood over two meters tall, its dark red skin wrinkled and devoid of any hair. Its curved horns were particularly striking, and the pair of fleshy wings on its back fluttered gently.
A Horned Demon!
Commonly known as a Double-Horned Demon, it let out a low, chilling roar, its very presence instilling fear in all living creatures.
Innate Ability—Fear Aura!
As the demon roared, sparks flew from its mouth, and the surrounding temperature rose.
"Whoosh!"
The demon's wings flapped vigorously, and its shadow swiftly rushed towards Linen.
The attack was swift and terrifying.
"Fire!"
Instinctively, Linen stepped back, pointing his staff forward, and a scorching flame shot towards the demon.
Hiding in the corner, Jeff witnessed this and couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine.
What incredible fire control! Despite being a newly promoted intermediate wizard apprentice, his spellcasting power was almost on par with advanced wizard apprentices.
The staff seemed like the gaping maw of a fire dragon, spewing forth raging flames that engulfed the demon.
Unfortunately...
Jeff smirked, thinking, 'Double-horned demons are immune to fire magic, and Sinel specifically prepared this for you.'
In the arena, the raging flames only fueled the demon's charge.
"Boom!"
The flames dissipated, revealing the demon, its skin glowing red-hot. It roared, tearing through the flames with its crimson eyes fixed on Linen.
The fire magic seemed to be devoured by the demon.
"Whoosh!"
The demon charged again, faster and more ferociously. In addition to the fear aura from the Abyss, it also unleashed a flame from its claws.
Being a fire-attributed demon, it had high resistance to flames, almost immune to zero-level fire magic.
"Sizzle..."
Linen dodged, but the wall behind him was easily torn apart by the demon, and the massive stone blocks cracked instantly.
If such an attack landed on him, even a legendary knight, let alone a physically weak wizard apprentice, would struggle to endure it.
"Whoosh!"
"Ding..."
A longsword appeared in Linen's hand, and he deftly parried the demon's clawed attack.
The clash of sword and skin produced a metallic ring.
Tense.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
A storm of sword slashes filled the air, and in an instant, the arena was a blur of sword shadows, the battle between Linen and the demon was fierce, neither gaining the upper hand.
How was this possible?
Jeff's eyes widened in disbelief.
Linen's displayed combat prowess was almost on par with a legendary knight, far exceeding Jeff's expectations.
'The Green Pups must have been killed by him!'
Jeff secretly rejoiced that Linen hadn't discovered his involvement in the Green Pups' attack.
Otherwise...
He knew he would have met his end somewhere.
'How fortunate!'
'Since you couldn't find me, it's your destiny to face me. Now, face your fate!'
Jeff, following Sinel's instructions, urged the demon to attack with all its might, his gaze fixed on the battle.
Linen and the demon had been fighting for a while, and fatigue was setting in, his brows furrowed with exertion.
Something was amiss!
Monsters lacked intelligence but possessed an innate battle instinct.
The demon should have known it couldn't defeat Linen in a short time and might even lose. Theoretically, it shouldn't have continued the fight, especially with humans all around; it was a losing battle.
As his thoughts shifted, a crimson glow flickered in his eyes, and his powerful perception expanded in all directions. Since becoming a Mid-Level Wizard Apprentice, he had mastered a Zero-Level Spell.
Flame Crown!
This spell enhanced his affinity with flames and promoted his psychic power's sensitivity.
With the Flame Heart's blessing, Linen's perception surpassed even that of an ordinary Advanced Wizard Apprentice.
Soon...
Found him!
"Zing!"
The sound of the sword gently hummed as it unsheathed, and a cross of intersecting sword lights burst from the clash of their duel.
Holy Cross Sword Technique!
Passed down from the Cathedral, the top combat skill flourished in Linen's hands, instantly sending the Horned Demon flying.
Although not a fatal blow, it was enough to buy some breathing space.
"Swish!"
His figure flickered, and the knight's sword waved in front of him, shattering walls and revealing the hidden figure behind.
"Is it you?"
Linen recognized Jeff, his eyes moved slightly, and in an instant, he pounced.
"Don't..."
"Ah!"
In a hidden, deserted room, Linen looked at Jeff, tied up like a bundle of reeds, toying with a sharp dagger in his hands.
"Are you sure you won't talk?"
"Heh..." Jeff's face turned pale, his body trembled slightly, and he shook his head.
"If I talk, not only will I die, but everyone associated with me will too."
"Linen."
He clenched his jaw, glaring at Linen.
"Don't think you can get anything out of me. I'm also a Wizard Apprentice, and I know Memory Sealing Techniques."
"Memory Sealing Techniques?" Linen smiled and shook his head.
"Do you think I have no way to make you talk?"
"Hmph!"
Jeff coldly snorted, closing his eyes and ignoring Linen.
He had not only practiced Memory Sealing Techniques but also Soul Binding Curses, allowing him to detach his consciousness from his body.
So no matter how Linen tortured him, he could ignore it, as he felt no pain.
"Alright!"
Linen nodded, gently opening one hand, and the dagger in his hand was instantly enveloped in blazing flames.
As the flames dissipated, the dagger had melted into tiny steel needles.
"Have you heard of a Puppetry Spell that can control people like marionettes?"
"Swish!"
The steel needles trembled slightly in Linen's hand and then suddenly pierced Jeff's skull, disappearing into it.
"Swish!"
"Swish, swish!"
Needles pierced Jeff's skull, heart, and limbs one after the other, accompanied by a chilling aura.
Puppetry Spell!
This was a bizarre curse passed down by Liches.
Linen had the vast memories of his core, and from them, he easily found a way to break through Memory Sealing Techniques.
But it was clear he wanted more than just to find out who had sent Jeff.
Linen held the gourd in his hand, giving it a little shake.
A horned demon was sealed inside the gourd.
The very same demon that had ambushed him.
"I've re-sealed this thing. Next time the demon awakens, it will go berserk, attacking everything around it, making it difficult even for a full wizard to stop."
Patting Jeff's head, Linen slowly stood up.
"Take this with you. Find whoever sent you and let them witness the gift I've prepared for them."
"..." Jeff lifted his head, his facial muscles twitched, and his expression gradually calmed as he nodded.
(End of Chapter)
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