How come this arcanist is invincible?

Chapter 15 Dog-Headed Army

Outside the settlement of halflings, the night breeze was slightly cool.

Kane lay on the soft grass, gazing at the starry sky.

The campfire has gone out.

Such tranquility was a luxury for him.

Life in the Demon Cult was either a life-or-death struggle or a scheming maneuver.

He looked up at the sky, his brows furrowed slightly.

Who will come next?

Mentor? Anjie?

Or is it an even more troublesome role?

He knew perfectly well what was going on.

Although his strange immortality was powerful, his offensive methods were really limited.

Currently, the main reliance is on three "Mind Wedges" and a modified "Mage Hand".

If your magic is countered, or you are kited by ranged attacks...

Even if they can be resurrected repeatedly, the consequences of being downgraded are unbearable.

"Still too weak..."

He muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously twisting the grass stems.

"I must get to Nord as soon as possible and complete my career advancement."

I already have a concrete plan in mind.

All you need to do is go to that place.

Soft footsteps approached from beside me, carrying a faint mist of water.

Shar came over, drying her wet hair, and sat down next to him.

Following his gaze, I looked at the starry sky:

"What are you thinking about?"

"How do you want to become stronger?"

She chuckled softly.

The moonlight outlined soft lines on her profile:

"You're already very strong, capable of taking down the Silent Assassins on your own..."

Don't push yourself too hard.

She paused for a moment, then her voice softened, carrying a sincere tone of comfort:

"Kane, an excessive obsession with power can sometimes erode the very nature of the soul..."

"I've seen far too many people pay an irreparable price for this."

I don't want you to become like that.

"Is this the teaching of the Lamp Bearer?"

"No."

She turned her head, her clear eyes looking directly at him:

"It was just... a friend's suggestion."

friend.

Kane paused for a moment, then smiled.

Shar sat down and remained silent for a moment.

Kane sat up and suddenly asked:

"At this rate, how much longer until we reach Nord?"

Shar's expression turned serious:

"We have reached the outskirts of the Dark Forest."

"If all goes well, we should be able to reach the city of Shantar in Nords in four days at most."

The two then discussed the matter in hushed tones for a while.

I made some simple arrangements for the route ahead and the battles we might encounter.

After finishing our business, everything gradually quieted down.

Perhaps it's because one is easily fatigued after recovering from a serious illness.

Before long, Kane noticed that Shar had fallen asleep.

Her breathing became long and steady, her chest rising and falling slightly.

He actually fell asleep while talking.

Kane smiled slightly, carefully sat up, and gently lifted her into his arms.

The girl's body was very light, and her hair still carried a faint, fresh scent after her bath.

As he walked toward the tent, he vaguely felt the body in his arms tremble slightly.

...Is he pretending to be asleep?

He saw through her intentions but didn't say anything; he simply placed her in the tent with exceptional gentleness.

He then lay down beside her fully clothed and casually pulled the tent curtain closed.

The tents were pitched below the fence of the halfling settlement, and there were sentries keeping watch outside.

After days of intense running, Kane finally relaxed a little and quickly fell asleep.

But he didn't know that just after his breathing became even and long...

Shar, who should have been fast asleep long ago, quietly opened her eyes in the darkness.

She quietly turned to the side, gazing at his profile so close to hers, for a long time.

He said softly:

Goodnight, my friend.

……

The next morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist in the forest.

The two replenished their supplies at the halfling settlement:

A water bladder filled with clean water.

Dry meat jerky that can be stored for a long time.

Commonly used herbal ointments.

There was also a simple map hand-drawn by an elder, marking the approximate route.

The elder personally escorted them to the entrance of the settlement.

His white beard rustled slightly in the morning breeze, his face bearing apology and sincerity.

"Kane, Shar, this is a special situation, so you'll have to make do with sleeping outside the camp..."

"Next time you come, I'll definitely serve you the finest mead and roast meat in the village to treat you properly!"

Kane bowed with his hand on his chest, his smile genuine:

"We will come back with gifts."

Shar also expressed her gratitude.

The elder waved goodbye:

"Have a safe journey, and may the morning light guide your way."

A group of halflings crowded at the doorway, waving at them curiously.

Kane felt a warmth in his heart, but also a touch of bittersweetness.

Compared to the pervasive intrigue, betrayal, and bloodshed within the demonic cult...

The simple kindness and pure trust here were so precious that he was somewhat dazed.

We must leave as soon as possible.

We must not lead potential pursuers to this peaceful settlement.

He exchanged a glance with Shar.

Shouldering my bag, I turned east and stepped onto the forest path.

They watched as their figures were gradually swallowed up by the trees.

The elder's kind smile slowly faded.

His gaze sharpened and became serious as he looked into the deep, dark forest in the distance.

Behind him.

The atmosphere in what was once a peaceful and tranquil settlement has changed.

Many halflings were silently and efficiently pushing light crossbows up the wooden watchtowers.

The arrows were carried in bundles.

Several slightly worn leather armors were even found.

Silent preparations have quietly begun.

……

A forest path.

Kane and Shar traveled for about two hours.

The surrounding environment suddenly changed at a certain moment.

A faint, almost imperceptible stench of decay wafted through the air.

The forest birds took flight in panic.

In the distance came the rustling sound of a small animal running frantically.

The grass underfoot was lying down unnaturally.

Messy marks remained on the soil.

Kane stopped, crouched down, and carefully examined the ground.

footprint.

So many footprints.

It is not a flat human footprint, but a claw-shaped footprint with three or four toes.

It spreads forward in varying shades and in a chaotic manner.

Look in the direction...

His expression darkened slightly as he met Shar's gaze.

Shar immediately understood.

Without the slightest hesitation, he closed his eyes and formed a simple hand seal with one hand.

He began to chant the incantation for the first-circle spell "Beast to Friend" in a low voice.

After a while.

A small bird with bright green feathers fluttered down and landed on her outstretched finger.

It chirped urgently, its little head bobbing incessantly.

As the little bird "spoke," Shar's expression turned serious.

She withdrew her spell, and the little bird flew away in fright.

Turning to Kane, he spoke faster, his voice clearly anxious:

"Oh no...it's a kobold!"

"The number... is probably over a hundred!"

"They're moving in the direction of the halfling settlement!"

She took a deep breath, her gaze hardening, and turned to Kane, saying:

"We have to go back and help them!"

Kane hesitated for a moment.

Turning back now would undoubtedly slow down the escape.

However, if he refuses, his carefully crafted "whitewashing" plan may be affected.

Moreover, the halfling community did indeed lend them a helping hand, which was a gesture of goodwill.

"Okay, let's go back."

He finally nodded.

Upon hearing this, Shar's expression brightened, and her eyes showed even more agreement.

Just then, a new system notification appeared before Kane's eyes:

Side Quest: Aid the Halfling Settlement

[Description: The kobold tribe, drawn by scent and greed, is closing in on the halfling homeland; peace is about to be shattered by war.]

[Reward: Skill points will be awarded based on completion rate]

Skill points?

"It seems there's an even stronger reason to go back," he thought.