Translator: Exodus Tales
Editor: Exodus Tales
Chapter 12 – Small Gains
Zwei’s plan was simple. Since he couldn’t kill his opponent with first-circle magic, couldn’t he just use second-circle magic?
Although Zwei himself currently did not know any second-circle magic, that didn’t mean he had no way of using it.
He was in possession of a Fire Elemental Shard. If he injected mana into the shard, the unstable elemental shard would collapse and become the second-circle fire magic Flame Impact!
Originally, Zwei had planned to give this thing to Alyssa to help her perceive mana. However, he had forgotten to do so due to his discovery of the mysterious predator. He never thought that it would come in handy now.
Unlike first-circle magic, one could start learning second-circle magic only after breaking the shackles of an Apprentice Magician and becoming a true Magician. Generally, second-circle magic boasted greater killing power. And among them, fire magic was naturally the most powerful.
Although Zwei had never seen a Flame Impact in action before, he conservatively estimated that its power should rival an ordinary hand grenade.
If so, then the goblin charger would be nothing but garbage before it!
However, one thing to note was that the Fire Elemental Shard would explode three seconds after being injected with mana. If he moved too slowly, he might also turn himself into mincemeat.
The goblin charger’s movements had no set pattern. Moreover, the arrow porcupine would also occasionally stop to graze on some grass. The chances of them stopping beside him for more than three seconds weren’t very large.
Given this situation, it would seem that he would have to use himself as bait and seize the opportunity when the other party was charging at him to toss the elemental shard.
Zwei smiled bitterly as he poured the Emergency Potion into his mouth and held it there. He then jumped out of the bushes!
One second!
Without waiting for the startled goblin charger to react, Zwei had already started injecting mana into the Fire Elemental Shard.
Two seconds!
The goblin charger grew enraged upon seeing Zwei barge into its territory and charged at him while brandishing its spear.
In just one second, the goblin charger had crossed a distance of 20 meters and was rapidly closing in on Zwei!
Three seconds!
Zwei threw the elemental shard in his hand. Without caring for the shard’s effect, he promptly turned around and threw himself on the ground, protecting his head with both hands.
An intense explosion rang out. The high temperature and shockwave created by the explosion spread up to his location. Afterward, loose dirt and other things started raining down on his body.
The explosion happened quickly and subsided quickly as well. In less than 10 seconds, its aftermath had dispersed.
Coughing, Zwei got up from the ground. As soon as he threw the elemental shard, he had swallowed the Emergency Potion in his mouth. Moreover, he had even choked a bit because of the explosion’s shockwave.
Zwei shook his head, throwing off the dirt and dust on his head, as well as clearing up his dizzy mind.
Afterward, he looked toward the site of the explosion, wondering what had happened to the goblin charger.
There was now a large pit with a roughly two-meter radius where the goblin charger had stood. Smoke even wafted out of the pit.
As for the goblin charger…
Isn’t this excessive? Zwei fell speechless as he looked at the scorched hoof nearby. I can’t collect anything from it.
However, he felt relieved.
Collecting loot from corpses could only be regarded as a side income. The treasure chest and the clear reward were the bonanzas!
When Zwei saw the bamboo treasure chest that resembled the one in the Night Forest’s Outskirts, he burst into laughter.
After working so hard, it was finally time to reap his harvest!
Although he very much wished to clean his hands and burn some incense before opening the treasure chest, the conditions weren’t right. Hence, he very simply opened the chest.
There were four items inside the chest, one more than the chest in the Outskirts had.
The first item was a folded cloth, which might be a piece of equipment. The second item was a red gemstone; Zwei instantly recognized it to be a Fire Elemental Shard like what he had just used. The third item was a blue crystal that resembled the Identification Crystal. The last item was a piece of paper.
Naturally, Zwei set his eyes on the paper.
…
[Proof of the Strong (Night Forest · Depths)]
Please choose one of the following effects:
1. Return a life block.
2. Fully master a skill that meets the activation requirements.
…
“Sure enough!” Zwei was so excited that he nearly lost control of himself.
It seemed that for every new dungeon he cleared, he would obtain a Proof of the Strong! Meanwhile, there were close to a thousand red dots on the Trial Gate’s panel!
In other words, even if he used only half of the Proofs of the Strong he could obtain, he could still live for another 40 years, surviving past the age of 60!
Now that he had solved the problem of his lifespan, Zwei felt as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
Unable to contain his joy, Zwei inspected the other rewards.
First of all, the folded cloth was actually a shabby mage cloak.
…
[Concealment Apprentice Cloak (Normal)]
Equipment
Defense: 0~1
Undetectable (Level 3): Existences below an Advanced Magician cannot ascertain your true strength.
Remarks: This is an apprentice cloak that has been around for many years. Most of the abilities attached to it are lost, and even its defensive properties have become negligible. However, it can still make you more mysterious in the eyes of others!
…
Only one point in Defense. Sure enough, it really is negligible. Zwei curled his lips in disdain. However, the cloak’s Undetectable ability was very useful. Plus, he didn’t need to waste an Identification Crystal on the cloak, so it could be considered a relatively good drop.
After putting on the cloak, Zwei discovered that this seemingly heavy cloak actually weighed nothing. Moreover, so long as he didn’t step on the cloak’s hem, it wouldn’t affect his movement at all.
While this wasn’t a big surprise, it was still a pleasant one.
After the cloak, there was the red gemstone. Sure enough, after inspecting it, Zwei learned that it was indeed a Fire Elemental Shard.
What’s this? Is this what they call “recovering what one has previously lost”?
Anyhow, the elemental shard was indeed powerful. Moreover, he could even inlay it into his new cloak. As for how exactly he would use the shard, he would have to think it over after returning home.
After placing the elemental shard in his pocket, Zwei shifted his attention to the last item.
The last item was a blue crystal. He had seen something similarly shaped twice before—the green Return Crystal and the red Identification Crystal.
He couldn’t help but wonder what ability this blue crystal had.
With a casual heart, Zwei inspected the crystal’s effects. When the crystal’s information popped into his mind, however, he was stunned. Shortly after, an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.
…
[Lesser Skill Crystal]
Consumable
Learn a first-circle magic that meets the activation conditions, or improve the completion rate of a first-circle magic.
…
“By the Gods! There’s actually such an item!” Zwei yelled in surprise.
If such a crystal existed, then wouldn’t that mean he could exchange all his Proofs of the Strong to increase his lifespan instead?
However, Zwei quickly recovered from his ecstatic state.
Obviously, the fraudulent system wouldn’t give him such a good benefit. There was definitely something wrong with the crystal.
But what is wrong with it exactly? Zwei started pondering again.