Chapter 13 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The odd, ethereal laughter came from the mist again as though a frivolous woman was laughing at the confused bunch of lost travelers who had stepped into the mist. The illusory image split into half by Gawain did vanish, but in an instant, it formed itself again in another part of the mist.

This cloud of Mist Wraith… was actually conscious!

Realizing this, Herti felt cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

That mist first acted like it was unconscious making everyone think that the situation was not too critical, letting them look for a chance to break out. However, as time passed while they looked for an opportunity, their strength was continually weakened by the mist. When Gawain and the party was ready to break out, they had already received damage to different extents. At this point, the wraith’s sudden move would only lead to unthinkable consequences.

But perhaps it was a flaw of the consciousness of this undead creature as its (or their) ethereal laughter from the mist had undermined its own trap.

But even so, the situation was still desperate.

Normal soldiers were not very helpful in dealing with such strange enemies. They had no choice but to rely on the willpower attained from the tough training they had gone through to resist the malice and fear that was constantly exuded by the mist. Betty, who had no combat ability at all, was brought to the center of the group to be guarded. Knight Byron’s longsword burned with intense heat. He continued to disperse the cold with his sword, and sliced up the numerous phantom arms reaching out from the mist. Under his guard, Herti And Rebecca could then have a more conducive environment to cast their spells.

Herti recited the incantation, continually using various low level support spells to weaken the power of the surrounding mist, but Rebecca’s attack was much simpler and more violent. Waving her staff, there was only one spell that she kept using the whole time—Fireball.

Fireballs of all sizes were sent flying from the tip of Rebecca’s staff to the mist, causing a series of explosions, but it was not very effective. The fire were certainly effective on suppressing undead creatures, but the Mist Wraith was something special. It was thin yet widespread. Without a solid body that could take on the explosive damage, as the ball of fire exploded in the mist, most of its lethality would be lost.

“Don’t use fireballs!” Gawain noticed Rebecca’s style of attack, and he quickly shouted to her, “Use wide-ranged spells. It doesn’t have to be too powerful, but it must have a large area of effect! Otherwise this mist will disperse the damage!”

Rebecca yelled, “But I can only use fireball!”

Gawain was startled. “What?!”

“Rebecca can only use fireball!” Herti sounded quite exasperated. “After five years of learning, that’s all she can do!”

Rebecca flushed red in the face. Frustrated by her ineptitude in magic, she gathered the powerful magic energy, almost using up every effort in her to shape it into the spell mould. Then with a wave of her staff, a fireball… of the size of a washbasin flew toward the densest part in the mist.

The sudden enlightenment before the battle that would result in a shocking turn of the tide—those things never happened.

This extreme fireball caused an extreme explosion, and even the mist in front of everyone became slightly thinner. However, almost in an instant, the gaps in the mist was filled again. Worse still, Gawain suddenly heard a cry of fear and anger from behind.

One of the clan’s soldiers’ eyes were blood red. The Mist Wraith’s negative energy had finally utterly defeated the soldier’s spirit, and the damage to his spirit was immediately manifested on his body. Like parchment drying in the wind, his skin quickly became dry and pale. He was howling madly. He raised his longsword up high and began to swing his sword wildly as if there were enemies in all directions.

The other two soldiers nearby noticed and responded. After avoiding his random attacks, they swarmed up and pinned down the poor guy who had gone mad.

The soldier, who was being held down, was struggling wildly. His flesh seemed as though it was trying to leave his body as he squirmed and contorted. His eyes widened in rage, and he finally howled hoarsely, “Kill me! Kill me!”

However, blood, like dark clouds, gathered in the eyes of the two soldiers as they had no reactions to the request of their comrade.

They were also about to lose their minds.

Seeing this, Gawain immediately pierced the Sword of Pioneers into the ground, utilizing the power that came with his body according to the method found in the memory, “Mind Shock!”

This was one of the few Knight’s abilities that had an effect on the mind. A strong willpower would sweep across the battlefield, causing a suppressive effect on the minds of hostile targets, and it could also have a powerful boosting effect on people on their side.

When Mind Shock was in effect, the fear in the two soldiers quickly dissipated, but the poor guy, who was pressed to the ground, had been completely broken in spirit by the Mist Wraith. After some more struggling, the soldier stopped moving completely.

Gawain’s gaze quickly swept across the battlefield. He noticed that the surrounding mist did not show any signs of weakening but was instead becoming denser after Herti and Rebecca’s attacks, and Betty, who was standing where the three soldiers were previously, had disappeared.

“Where’s Betty?!” Gawain became tense, and he shouted, “Betty!”

Amber jumped out of the shadows nearby. “I just saw that young lady run into the mist. She seemed like she was sleepwalking!”

“Damned… she lost control of her mind.” Gawain was surprised. “Why is this Mist Wraith situation so weird?!”