Chapter 1752 Ambush Strategy <TOC> Chapter 1754 Control Over Emotions
Translator: SumTLMan
Following Mortar’s shout, he felt a whooshing sound emanating from behind him. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shifted away. Just as he moved, a massive fireball, energy arrows with powerful force, and a wild wind that amplified the fire, all charged at him.
When these attacks penetrated the previous halo area, Toby let out a heart-wrenching scream.
Joy flashed in everyone’s eyes.
After that barrage of attacks, this hairless beast would surely be either dead or severely injured!
While they waited expectantly for the victory, someone sensed something amiss, “Why is it only screaming and not moving?”
“If it moved any more, I’d be dead.” The one who spoke was previously trapped in a spatial bind and now lay behind the group, drenched in blood, clearly out of commission.
However, no one paid attention to his comment, their focus remained on Toby.
The recent assault had produced a rolling cloud of dust and smoke. Due to the energy obstruction, they were uncertain of Toby’s condition. Yet, logically, after its cry of pain, the dust should have been even more turbulent with its actions.
Why wasn’t the dust churning? Or had it already perished?
The best outcome was an instantaneous death, but was it truly that easy? Hayley gazed at the slowly settling dust in the distance, an inexplicable unease rising within her.
This unease was not solely because of the utter stillness inside the dust cloud, but also… that mysterious flame twining around their hearts, which seemed to burn silently, as if it intended to scorch a hole in their very souls.
As everyone’s emotions were tormented by this “nameless fire”, their minds becoming increasingly tense, finally there was some movement within the dust.
However, what greeted them was not a dirge for the dead Serpent-Bird inside, but rather the terror of being stared at by the Abyss——
Emerging from the haze, a colossal triangular head slowly revealed itself.
Its cold, vertical pupils remained unchanged. Atop its head, the crown shimmered with a fresh and vivid hue. Even the moisture level of its scales hadn’t altered in the slightest. However, the only evident change lay in the emotion harbored within those vertical pupils.
Though they still exuded indifference, this wasn’t the same as before. Previously, the eyes expressed only alert detachment, but now, they portrayed the kind of indifference one might display towards the deceased.
Furthermore, the object of its gaze was none other than the group in front of it.
Once the dust had settled, the gargantuan form of the Serpent-Bird became visible. Everyone’s immediate attention turned to the spot where they’d previously penetrated Toby’s defenses; their methods of attack had been concentrated there.
As their eyes fell upon the site of their previous assault, everyone’s gaze became fixated, frozen in disbelief.
It wasn’t that Toby was unharmed. There were traces of wounds, if the marks on the serpent’s scales could be considered as such.
Indeed, only the scales bore signs of injury: the black char from fire and the sharp scratches from the wind. Yet, beyond these superficial marks, there appeared to be no inner damage.
“What in the world happened?” The group couldn’t help but turn their eyes to Mortar, the one who had targeted Toby’s weak point with their collective assault. Despite knowing the Serpent-Bird’s formidable defenses, why did it seem unscathed?
Could it be that Mortar had deceived them?
“That’s impossible! I’m certain my spell was successful!” Mortar vehemently shook his head, disbelief evident in his eyes more than anyone else’s. He knew too well that he had employed the ‘Armor Breaker Spell’, a spell designed to counter creatures with high defenses. The spell had even emitted its signature luminous pattern, signaling its success. So why did the Serpent-Bird appear utterly undamaged?
Mortar’s reaction didn’t seem feigned, leaving only one possibility.
The defense of this Serpent-Bird had surpassed the limits of their collective offensive power!
Upon reaching this conclusion, a somber shadow seemed to envelop the hearts of everyone present. They were well aware that creatures of magic of the same realm were certainly stronger than wizards, but they hadn’t anticipated such an overwhelming disparity!
With over a dozen of them putting forth their utmost spells, the creature remained unscathed. Meanwhile, on their side, one of their own had been gravely injured.
Is this… “Truly a creature we can contend with?” someone couldn’t help but wonder aloud.
A smoldering anger had already been kindling within the group. When such doubts emerged, it rapidly spread like wildfire.
As they remained oblivious to the implications of this simmering rage, it slowly corroded their spirit. Once seeds of doubt take root, it gradually begins eroding one’s will to fight and paving the way for their eventual downfall. For when such emotions are deeply ingrained, erasing them is no simple task.
Their reactions were keenly observed by Angel and his associates.
Gloria looked at the unharmed scales of the Serpent-Bird, presumably belonging to Toby. Observing the wavering confidence in the eyes of the group, she couldn’t help but smirk, “This scene brings to mind a particular incident.”
“Do any of you recall the events on Silver Palm Island a few years back?”
Gloria’s query made Angel’s heart skip a beat. He was not only familiar with the events of Silver Palm Island but had also played an instrumental role in shaping them.
“I’ve heard of it,” Angel replied, his expression remaining neutral as if he was detached from the matter.
“At the time, the entire Wizarding World was astir. Most factions dispatched their representatives to Silver Palm Island, drawn by the rumored Mysterious Object within its alternate dimension. Yet, no one dared to assail the island, primarily due to the formidable guard — the Leviathan.”
“The defenses of the Leviathan were unparalleled, successfully halting everyone’s advances. Moreover, it provided the ‘thief’ involved in the Silver Palm Island incident an opportunity to escape.”
“From what I can see now, Toby’s defense seems to rival that of the Leviathan,” Gloria remarked, her eyes shining with delight.
The Leviathan, featured in —Magical Creatures and Where to Find Them—, is a uniquely named marine beast. These named magical creatures are generally stronger than the average magical creatures, and indeed, this is the case. The Leviathan, in its time, single-handedly held back numerous wizards; now, Toby, with his defense, has directly shattered the confidence of over a dozen wizards.
Although the magical capabilities of this group of wizards are inferior, they still have the strength enhancement from their disc-shaped casting materials, which has brought them above the level of a formal wizard. Yet, with so many attacking, they couldn’t even break through the defense, which is indicative of its strength.
Angel asked, “Does this mean that Toby has reached the level of uniquely named creatures?”
Sanders replied, “There are many creatures with Higher Level Defense than the Serpent-Bird manifestation. To determine if Toby’s defense is on par with the Leviathan, one needs to consider Toby’s vulnerabilities.”
The reason the Leviathan was able to deter that group of wizards during the incident on Silver Palm Island was not just because of the objective reason that some were wary of each other, but primarily because the Leviathan’s defense had virtually no weaknesses. To breach it, one’s attack must surpass the Leviathan’s defensive limit.
If Toby is the same in this respect, then he truly could be on a similar level to the Leviathan in terms of defense.
“Of course, his current defense is already quite terrifying, but I feel that Toby’s Serpent-Bird form might be even more fearsome for reasons beyond just his defense,” Sanders said, his gaze fixed on Toby, speaking slowly.
Chapter 1752 Ambush Strategy <TOC> Chapter 1754 Control Over Emotions