Short Wand, Peril, Magic Arrow!

At the appearance of the words "Eight Fingers"!

The air fell briefly silent.

"I told you, stop wasting your breath." The black-robed man who had remained silent and blocked the path behind them suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Heh heh, I didn't say anything." The thief held his dagger in a reverse grip, his gaze cold and sinister.

Hearing the brief exchange between the two men,

Tang Zheng knew he had guessed correctly. Their real target wasn't money, but him.

The so-called "Eight Fingers" was an underground organization with eight criminal divisions. Its influence was so extensive that it practically covered the entire Re-Estize Kingdom.

There were even faint traces of the Kingdom's nobility behind it!

The Re-Estize Kingdom did not prohibit the slave trade, which had spawned a series of criminal networks involving child kidnapping, slave trading, brothels, bribery, and more.

Tang Zheng remembered that in another year or two, the Golden Princess Renner would propose the "Slave Trade Prohibition Edict," dealing a huge blow to the Eight Fingers.

In reality,

this was also an operation in which the Golden Princess Renner had calculated everything to the extreme.

Of the many edicts proposed by the Golden Princess Renner, this was one of the few that passed. For an edict involving such an extensive chain of interests to pass was unbelievable in itself.

A princess who stayed deep within the palace and had never left the royal court, with neither faction nor subordinates, had nevertheless gained the support of nearly all the people through an eerie method.

She had even used the profits and benefits generated after the edict passed to indirectly influence the Baharuth Empire and contend with the Bloody Emperor. It was no wonder she had been called a [Monster].

In the middle of the scene!

The dangerous situation made Tang Zheng's body tense.

While gripping the short sword in his left hand, he also took out the 1st Tier "Magic Arrow" Magic Scroll he had just purchased from his Item Box with his right hand.

"You're really bold. This place isn't far from the center of the plaza or the Adventurer's Guild. Aren't you afraid that if I shout, none of you will get away?"

Tang Zheng deliberately spoke loudly, hoping to attract the attention of people nearby.

"You can shout louder."

"But let me warn you: no matter how much you shout, it won't help. No one will hear what's happening here."

The low voice came from behind him.

Tang Zheng's heart tightened. He turned his head toward the rear and saw that the other man was holding a small wand about ten centimeters long, resembling a staff.

Almost at the same time!

Information appeared on the Attribute Panel in Tang Zheng's vision.

"Skill 'Silence' detected. Requirement: Basic Mage-type Class. Level: 8–14."

"Current conditions not met..."

The instant he saw this information, Tang Zheng knew what the black-robed man behind him was holding.

A short wand!

A type of Magic Item, which could be understood as an enhanced version of a Magic Scroll.

If a "Magic Scroll" was an item imbued with a one-time spell, then a "short wand" was an item imbued with the same spell multiple times.

In the YGGDRASIL game, a short wand was a Magic Item with better cost-effectiveness than a Magic Scroll. Its only drawback was its Class restriction.

For example, a short wand imbued with the "Holy Light" spell could only be used by a Faith-based Magic Caster, while a short wand imbued with "Fireball" could only be used by a Mana-based Magic Caster.

Magic Scrolls did not have this restriction.

Of course, some high-level "short wands" could also ignore this restriction.

But in the New World,

short wands cost far more than Magic Scrolls. After all, they were considered Magic Items.

After confirming that the black-robed man was using a short wand, Tang Zheng determined that he was a Mana-based Magic Caster.

A thief and a Magic Caster!

It was obvious which of them they should deal with first.

"Give up resisting, brat!"

The masked thief held his dagger in a reverse grip. With a single step, he rapidly charged toward Tang Zheng.

"Execution!"

In an instant!

The thief's speed began to increase, and his entire figure even grew somewhat blurred.

Seeing this,

Tang Zheng knew he could only gamble!

Without the slightest hesitation or reluctance,

Tang Zheng immediately flung the Magic Scroll containing "Magic Arrow" at the thief.

In an instant, the Magic Scroll flashed.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three Non-elemental magic arrows condensed in midair and shot rapidly toward the thief.

At the same time, information appeared on the Attribute Panel.

"Skill 'Magic Arrow' detected. Requirement: Basic Mage-type Class. Level: 1–7. Current conditions not met..."

"'Genius' Class activated. Basic Class requirement fulfilled. Consume 1 Skill Point to learn?"

After releasing the Magic Scroll, Tang Zheng did not even look at the result. Instead, he quickly turned around and charged toward the Magic Caster behind him.

During this process, he saw the information on the Attribute Panel and knew that his gamble had paid off. He quickly agreed inwardly.

Skill: Magic Arrow (1st Tier)

Cost: 5 MP

Description: Casts a spell that creates three Non-elemental arrows to attack enemies. For every additional point of mana consumed, one more arrow can be created, up to a maximum of 10!

"Brat, you chose the wrong opponent."

Seeing Tang Zheng turn and charge toward him, the black-robed Magic Caster let out a mocking laugh.

"Strong Acid—"

"Magic Arrow!"

Tang Zheng was faster. Before the black-robed Magic Caster could finish speaking, he had already activated the newly learned "Magic Arrow."

How?

A look of astonishment appeared on the face hidden beneath the black-robed Magic Caster's cloak.

Wasn't the other party a Faith-based Magic Caster?

Could he have also mastered Mana-based magic?

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three magic arrows shot rapidly toward him.

The black-robed Magic Caster had no time to think and quickly changed spells. "Shield Wall!"

Swish!

A transparent barrier invisible to the naked eye appeared in front of him.

Bang!!!

The three arrows struck the barrier in unison, and the magical forces of the two sides canceled each other out and dissipated.

"You've enraged me, little..."

Anger appeared on the black-robed Magic Caster's face. He drew a magic staff from beneath his robe and prepared to cast a spell.

But in the next moment,

the black-robed Magic Caster's face turned deathly pale, because Tang Zheng had already charged right up to him.

How could he be so fast!

As a Magic Caster, he knew very well that no matter the circumstances, one had to maintain distance from one's opponent.

There had been at least fifteen meters between them. A Magic Caster's physique could not possibly move so quickly—unless the other party was more than just a Magic Caster...

The instant this thought appeared in his mind,

the short sword in Tang Zheng's hand came slashing down. "Quick Slash!"

A cold gleam flashed through the air.

The short sword's blade slashed heavily toward the black-robed Magic Caster's neck.

But!

At the moment of contact,

a white light emerged from the black-robed Magic Caster's body.

The blade struck the white light with a dull thud and was successfully blocked!

However, the white light immediately dimmed considerably.

This was...

"A Magic Item!"

Tang Zheng's expression shifted slightly.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" The face beneath the brim of the hat was revealed. He was younger than expected, appearing to be only around twenty years old.

However, before the black-robed Magic Caster could celebrate,

a vicious look appeared in Tang Zheng's eyes. He reversed his grip on the sword and suddenly pressed down hard. The white light blocking the short sword flickered faintly before rapidly dissipating!

Splurt!

The tip of the sword ripped heavily across the black-robed Magic Caster's throat, and a great deal of blood gushed out, splashing Tang Zheng from head to toe.

"Obtained 350 experience."

"Idiot!" Tang Zheng said.

Knowing that he had a defensive Magic Item, the man had actually failed to continue casting spells and instead wanted to watch Tang Zheng's surprised expression.

Under Tang Zheng's attacks, the defensive white light had dimmed, clearly possessing a certain upper limit of strength.

Moreover!

As a Magic Caster, he had actually allowed his enemy to get this close.

It was obvious that the black-robed man had very little experience in close combat.

"You bastard! I'll chop off all four of your limbs!"

A sinister roar came from behind.

The thief who had just been blocked by the Magic Arrow released from the Magic Scroll had already charged over.

He had not heard a single footstep!

Was it an ability of the Thief Class? Or a skill?

Tang Zheng hurriedly adjusted his stance and turned toward the rear. The dark-purple light glowing on the other party's dagger had already appeared before his eyes.

Another Magic Weapon!

At this critical moment!

Clang!!

Tang Zheng instinctively swung his short sword. The blade collided with the dagger, producing a clear, ear-piercing metallic clang.

A trace of astonishment appeared in the thief's eyes. After the clash, he retreated several steps, staring at Tang Zheng with uncertainty.

Crack!

Tang Zheng lowered his head and looked at his short sword. A crack and a chip had appeared at the point of impact.

However, this time, the solemn expression on Tang Zheng's face gradually faded.

"I've realized something. You're both weaker than me."

Tang Zheng's expression was somewhat strange as he raised his head and looked at the thief opposite him.