Free Web NovelChapter 227: Chapter 226: Corroded Will
The Half-Orc drew his Frost Short Spear. Just as his opponent closed in, he thrust it into the great bear’s chest and used the momentum to leap back and away.
This thrust finally pierced the great bear’s chest, instantly staining a patch of its white fur crimson.
Under the effect of Silver Light Sharp Words, the great bear reacted sluggishly. It swiped its claws at Kase’s former position like a zombie but caught nothing but air.
’If it’s a Beastman, then this guy’s Intelligence should be on par with a human’s.’
With that thought, Colin entered his Sword Dance, swinging his Giant Sword and slashing at his opponent’s flank.
The sensation transmitted through the hilt reminded him of his first encounter with a Winter Wolf. It felt like striking a tough, elastic piece of rubber, barely managing to open a small, bloody gash.
’This should be enough.’
As he thought this, Colin reached into his materials pouch, pulling out a small cake and a feather.
In that instant, his peripheral vision caught the great bear’s paw swiping toward him. The forepaw was larger than a man’s face, its sharp claws like daggers.
’It can counterattack this fast? It’s too late for Misty Step... Can my Chest Armor take the hit?’
Countless thoughts flashed through Colin’s mind.
In that moment, he chose to trust Kase.
Colin didn’t stop Casting. He skillfully tossed the feather into the air, perfectly executing the spell’s gestures at the same time.
Just as the great bear’s claws were about to strike Colin, a spectral blue figure holding a shield materialized before him, attempting to block the attack.
CRACK!
With a loud, crisp sound, fissures spread across the spectral blue figure, and the Bear Claw smashed it to pieces.
The surrounding Magic Net vibrated. Colin hastily refocused his mind to continue Casting.
The spectral blue figure dissipated, and in the next instant, another blue Shield materialized at his side.
The claw struck the Shield, shattering it too. Fortunately, the Shield itself had deflected the claw’s path, and the dagger-like talons scraped just over Colin’s head.
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter!
With the help of his Sword Dance, Colin easily seized control of his opponent’s mind.
The great bear had been about to open its maw to bite, but as its cavernous, bloody mouth gaped open, it suddenly erupted into an uncontrollable, bizarre laugh that sounded like a roar.
The next moment, a bolt of light slammed into the great bear’s chest with a WHOOSH.
A bloody mist instantly exploded from the great bear’s body, sending fine white hairs scattering through the air.
Colin’s vision blurred, and he was struck by a wave of dizziness, like being carsick or seasick.
He frowned and stabilized his mind. Thankfully, the sensation lasted only a moment, and the great bear’s laughter still echoed in his ears. freewёbnoνel.com
’Come to think of it, this seems to be the first time an opponent hasn’t broken free from this spell after being attacked,’ Colin thought as he looked up at his foe.
The residual Magic Power from the Guiding Bolt coalesced into a point of light on the great bear’s flank.
Empower, Emerald Flame Sword!
Raging flames erupted on the Elf Giant Sword.
An arc of fire passed through the point of light and stabbed deep into the great bear’s body. With a SIZZLE, a cloud of acrid white smoke washed over him.
Colin held his breath as the dizzy spell grew even stronger.
He used his Specialty to gather the dissipating flames back onto his blade. As he leaped back, he landed another slash on the great bear’s midsection.
From the back, Ale began chanting a quick spell.
Golden flames burst from her slender, pale fingers. Three Scorching Rays struck the great bear head-on. Overwhelmed by rage and searing pain, its mind finally broke free from the Magic’s hold.
Colin made a hand sign, instantly casting Silver Light Sharp Words.
But in that instant, he clearly felt his connection to his opponent sever—the spell hadn’t prevented the great bear from shrugging off the effects of Tasha’s Hideous Laughter.
Just as Colin was about to pull out his materials to cast another spell to control his opponent, the great bear suddenly threw its head back and roared.
Its massive body began to twist and contort. Its once-thick white fur rapidly shortened and turned black, becoming like fine hair clinging to skin.
Meanwhile, its strong, broad frame began to shrink rapidly, accompanied by the popping and cracking of its bones.
Almost in the blink of an eye, the great bear had transformed into a burly, black-haired man.
He wore a fur vest and trousers, his two muscular arms braced against the ground. He kept his head low, panting heavily. His body was covered in burns, but his complexion seemed decent.
"Wait a second!" Kase yelled. "This guy isn’t a follower of that bullshit god! Be careful, if we keep hitting him, he’s gonna make us pay him back!"
’He really doesn’t look like one of those Frostland Druids.’
Muttering inwardly, Colin watched the burly man and asked tentatively, "What happened to you?"
He kept a firm grip on his sword hilt and Casting Materials, ready to counter at any moment if his opponent attacked.
"Where... Where am I?" the burly man asked in return.
"Inside the Supreme Forest," Colin explained. "There’s a bounty on you for attacking a merchant caravan. We’re field agents for the City Watchers, here to hunt you."
"Show me your rings," the burly man said, frowning. "I’ve still got some fight left in me!"
Colin held out his hand, showing the man the Silver Seal Ring on his finger.
Only after seeing the ring did the burly man seem to relax.
He shifted his position, sitting on the ground and holding his head with one hand as if he were dizzy.
He spoke, "I... I apologize... As a stream is guided by the gully, attacking you was not my intention. My mind was... corrupted by the Winter’s Blight, cough cough... by the Deity of Frosty Winter. I lost my reason."
’What a strange way of speaking.’
Colin grumbled inwardly. ’So, he was influenced by the Winter’s Blight at first, entered a Frenzy, and then after getting a beatdown, he regained his sanity and broke out of his beast form on his own.’
Colin asked again, "Then what were you doing before you were corrupted?"
"I was hunting the Frostland Druids who invaded the forest, and a Winter Wolf leading a Wolf Pack. They are not welcome here, just as summer cannot coexist with winter... But I can no longer remember clearly," the burly man said quietly.
’Deity of Frosty Winter is just another name for Lady Rime.’
Colin came to a conclusion. ’Looks like I was right from the start. It wasn’t a local great bear that was corrupted, but a Beastman.’
’So, Kase and I were attacked by that Wolf Pack at the roadside. The wolves fled, only to be routed by this Beastman, and then we defeated him.’
Orelia asked worriedly, "He’s not lying, is he?"
"No, he’s telling the truth," Ale said.
Her tone was filled with conviction, though he didn’t know where she got such confidence.
"He’s probably a local Bearman. In any case, let’s just give him a simple bandaging for now," Colin said, catching Orelia’s eye and motioning for her not to use Healing Magic.
’If this Bearman loses control again or isn’t telling the truth, at least we won’t have to face a completely unscathed behemoth again.’
The Tiefling then took out some Ordinary bandages and began to dress his wounds, without even applying any salve.
Taking advantage of the lull, Kase nervously sidled up to Colin and asked, "So what’s a Bearman, anyway? Tell me about them. The important thing is..."
"What’s the important thing?"
The Half-Orc glanced nervously at the burly man who was sitting on the ground getting bandaged. "He’s not going to make us pay him back, is he?"
