Zero-Circle Magic—Aqua Guardian!

A stream of water appeared out of nowhere, transforming into a giant water sphere that enveloped Carl, blocking the Fierce Flame.

It was just a moment.

BANG!

The Fierce Flame and the water sphere dissolved each other. Amidst the spreading mist, a giant axe fell silently from above.

The real killing move had arrived.

"Die!"

The attacker's face was fierce as he hissed lowly, his killing intent almost tangible.

CLANG...

A broad sword intercepted the giant axe.

Battle Skill—Guardian!

Carl, standing firmly, was like a towering mountain, unmovable no matter how fierce the assault.

After advancing to a Great Knight, his defensive power had climbed once again.

"Huh?"

Both men showed surprise at the same time.

The attacker clearly hadn't expected his target to have such keen senses and to be well-versed in Martial Arts.

Carl also hadn't expected someone to set an ambush to attack him, especially someone who was, like himself, proficient in both witchcraft and Martial Arts.

A Great Knight? No! The power unleashed just now was merely comparable to that of a Great Knight.

Battle Skill—Bloom!

The broad sword vibrated, and a terrifying force burst forth instantly, causing the attacker to stagger uncontrollably backward.

How could this be? The target wasn't just adept in Martial Arts; he was also a Great Knight whose strength far surpassed his own!

Damn!

The attacker's eyes showed panic as he swiftly retreated, using the momentum.

He was merely a Knight, although he had temporarily exhibited power comparable to that of a Great Knight through some means. But ultimately, he was not a Great Knight.

Escape!

"Too late!" Carl's voice was ice-cold as his twin swords crossed and struck.

Battle Skill—Gale Slash!

In an instant, a multitude of sword shadows enveloped the area, like dark clouds descending overhead, sealing off all the opponent's escape routes.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG...

PFFT!

As the myriad sword shadows withdrew, a man spat blood and staggered back. Before he could stabilize himself, his head was sliced off by a sword.

There are murderers and robbers near the Black Swamp? Carl sheathed his swords and searched the body, his expression changing suddenly. Fire Thieves? Kolon's people!

The Fire Thieves were not Wizards, but the most outstanding among them possessed the ability of Fire Control.

In this world, apart from Wizards, there was another group of people who possessed Extraordinary Power, and their numbers were not small.

They were the servants of the Divine.

Priests!

Deacons!

Or, Kolon's Fire Thieves!

Carl wasn't the only one ambushed. Within just half a day, there were over ten ambush incidents around the Black Swamp. Among them, most of the ambushed died on the spot!

Several Wizard Apprentices died at once, including two Intermediate Wizard Apprentices, naturally causing widespread panic.

"Kolon's people have gone mad!" Hibell said, her face pale and her voice filled with lingering fear. "It's lucky I was with a few friends; otherwise... Jesse was still with us this morning."

It seemed someone she knew had been murdered.

"Kolon has just suffered a defeat at the front. Provoking the Swamp Alliance now is very foolish," Carl said, frowning in puzzlement. "Still, regardless, we should try to stay in as much as possible and set up more Witchcraft Traps around the island these days."

"Yes," Hibell nodded firmly.

The Swamp Alliance reacted swiftly.

The next day, they dispatched a patrol team, overseen by an Official Wizard, to search for the Fire Thieves hidden in the Black Swamp. They also issued a series of new rules.

Hibell brought back the news: "To ensure the safety of the alliance's Wizards, from now on, entering and leaving the Black Swamp will be subject to strict scrutiny. Also, the alliance is forming a Wizard patrol squad. Joining it grants a certain amount of points as a monthly reward. I plan to give it a try."

"You?" Carl frowned. "Joining the patrol now could be dangerous."

"It won't!" Hibell laughed, waving her hand. "Each group in the patrol will have an Advanced Wizard Apprentice in charge. Kolon's Fire Thieves wouldn't dare make a move. Just by following along, one can earn a substantial amount of points. It seems very worthwhile no matter how you look at it."

"You..." Carl began, "are you really short of money?"

"Of course," Hibell rolled her eyes. "You get by fine on your own, with no family to feed. But I still need to support little Pyne, and my mentor doesn't live with you either."

"By the way!" Her beautiful eyes twinkled as she smiled. "Little Pyne has grasped the basics of the Meditation Method and even mastered the Light Spell. As his martial uncle, shouldn't you give him a gift?"

"So quickly?" Carl asked in surprise. "It seems Pyne has good Wizard Talent."

"Of course!" Hibell said, her eyes dancing with excitement as she spoke of her apprentice. "I think Pyne's Wizard Talent, although it might not reach level two, should be very close. In the future, he will surely become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice. He might even become an Official Wizard!"

"Congratulations." Carl stood up and handed her a dagger. "Congratulations on gaining a good apprentice. This dagger is enchanted with Ripple Shock and can easily tear through tough flesh. Consider it my gift."

Regardless of what Kolon was planning, Carl had decided to keep a low profile for the days to come. Until he had spent all his savings, he would not leave the island unless absolutely necessary!

「Several months passed.」

「Otherworld.」

「Freedom Port.」

Carl, along with Susan, arrived at the trading guild's warehouse. They passed through the bustling crowd and stopped in a quiet courtyard.

"Three water monkeys," Susan said, pushing the door open and gesturing toward the iron cage in the courtyard. "We used a special soporific Potion. Even if you dissect them, they won't wake up. Go ahead and check."

In the iron cage lay three water monkeys, sleeping deeply. Their mature sizes were evident at a glance.

"Hmm." Carl inspected them and nodded in satisfaction. "Good."

"These creatures are easy to knock out and bring back as long as you don't deliberately provoke them," Susan said with a smile.

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