When Kagan returned, Bard panicked and reached for the bottle. Unfortunately, a certain unscrupulous mage pulled his hand back, nearly sending Bard sprawling.
After staggering before regaining his balance, Bard blew his beard and glared furiously. "Damn it, I already won! Mage, hand it over!"
Zhang Yuan calmly put the bottle back into his pocket. "Since our opponent has seen the error of his ways, we should at least give him a chance, right? Besides, a victory without an opponent can hardly be called glorious, can it?"
He made it sound so easy, but old Bard was hopping mad. You couldn't mess with people like this! How could someone pull out a turd and then sit back on it?
After signaling the big man to hold Bard back, Zhang Yuan looked at Kagan. "So you want to join our party too? You're more than welcome."
"Despicable mage, don't play your little tricks on me, Kagan! I'm here to be that bastard Bard's opponent, not your bodyguard!"
"As you wish. Whoever kills or hits more monsters wins. Don't be a sore loser."
"Shut up! I won't lose!"
"Fine, then. Let's go!"
The four-man party headed west toward High Hedge Castle. They had barely left Beregost's territory when they saw the forest ahead.
Unlike the Black Forest's dense darkness and unlike the rainforest's dampness and endless stretches, this sparse woodland—made up of towering trees and low shrubs—generously allowed sunlight to splash across its body. The winding paths through the woods were both peaceful and bright.
However, the four men's moods were not nearly as pleasant as the road beneath their feet.
Minsc had forgotten to buy provisions, and after walking for half a day, he was getting hungry. As for the two dwarf clowns, their moods had probably been foul ever since they laid eyes on each other.
As for Zhang Yuan? It was embarrassing to admit, but he had been frightened by a spider.
He had always suffered from a fear of spiders. Even tiny spiders on Earth could sometimes make him jump, let alone the hulking monsters here.
The group walked through the forest. The occasional Skeleton Soldier or Gnoll was casually dispatched, while a certain someone happily harvested another batch of energy points.
But halfway through this pleasant monster-grinding trip, a Giant Spider suddenly sprang out.
What an ugly monster it was! Eight slender, razor-sharp legs supported its round, swollen abdomen. A row of eyes was embedded above its savage mouthparts, while two long pincers extended from among its fangs, dark green venom dripping from them.
Zhang Yuan was scared out of his wits on the spot. Fortunately, he was not alone. His teammates and Little Stone immediately went on guard, protecting the mage who was struggling with his bladder.
When fear reached its limit, it turned into anger. Humiliated and furious, Zhang Yuan immediately ordered Little Stone to lock onto the spider before them as its attack target, while the two Dwarf Shield Axe Warriors coordinated the assault.
The Forest Spider's attacks were actually quite monotonous. Its fangs and claws were nothing special against the dwarves' shields and armor, while its only real threat—its venom—was completely countered by the little Stone Golem.
The battle ended quickly. Just as the spider had been beaten within an inch of its life and was clearly about to die, a kill-stealer arrived.
Using revenge for frightening him as an excuse, a certain someone rushed forward and finished it with one sword strike. He had barely overcome his fear while gladly pocketing another batch of energy.
Just as they were about to continue, Kagan's mocking laughter rang in their ears. "What? Has our great mage finally found the courage to face a dying spider? Run! There's another one behind you! Hahaha!"
Before Zhang Yuan could say anything to Kagan's taunt, Bard and Minsc had already clenched their fists, preparing to teach the loudmouth a lesson. However, a certain someone stopped them.
Zhang Yuan had known from the start that Kagan was no good person. Besides, the way he had lured Kagan into the party had hardly been noble. Rather than an invitation, it had been provocation.
It was understandable that Kagan felt displeased and resentful, but now that he had come along and was even deliberately causing trouble, this tendency had to be suppressed. Otherwise, they would suffer for the entire journey.
"Oh, esteemed Mister Kagan, are you saying you're very brave?"
"Bah! At least I won't be scared into pissing my pants by some crawling vermin."
"Then, Mister Kagan, can you fly?"
Kagan: ???
Before Kagan could react, Little Stone, who had been standing motionless beside them, suddenly grabbed him and used the skill: Throw.
Thus, the other three witnessed a spectacular aerial performance. Their dwarf, Mister Kagan, flew more than ten meters into the air with an "Aah~" that rose from high to low, then descended with another "Aah~" that rose from low to high, finally ending with a "Poof!" and a safe landing~
Although Xiaoxiao had set Kagan as an ally, protecting him from the skill's effects, he had not actually suffered any damage. However...
Heaven help him—even a dwarf who had never climbed a tree had gone straight into the sky today. Kagan swore that when he began descending from the highest point, he had seen Moradin waving to him from the ground.
After landing, Kagan's mind was completely blank. He could not stand up for quite some time. When he finally came to his senses, he saw that the detestable mage and the damned Stone Golem had gathered around him once again.
Seeing the formerly overbearing dwarf shrinking back like a little girl, looking as though he wished he could bury himself in the ground, a certain unscrupulous mage nearly burst out laughing.
Suppressing his laughter, Zhang Yuan put on a sincere and serious expression and asked in the most courteous tone, "Esteemed Lord Kagan, were you satisfied with our flight service?"
He then pretended to pull a small slip of paper from his robes. "Oh, I specially drew a prize for you earlier. Congratulations! You've won the grand prize of another ride. What do you think?"
Although Kagan had no idea what "flight service" meant, the mage's malice was practically blowing straight into his face.
Already scared witless, Kagan could only shake his head frantically. "No! No! I don't want another ride! I don't!"
His scheme successful, Zhang Yuan did not keep pressing him. It was best to stop while he was ahead; this little punishment had already left him thoroughly satisfied.
A man like Kagan was the typical sort who feared authority but felt no gratitude. Without a firm hand, he could not be controlled.
Although a certain someone had once acted as a leader for a mere day by riding on someone else's prestige, he was not naive enough to believe he possessed some kingly aura that could make a man like Kagan bow his head. Besides, with the Auto Chess System, he would not lack guards in the future.
If Kagan honestly did his duty, Zhang Yuan could consider recruiting him as a companion or hired fighter later. Otherwise, they would simply part ways after this matter. That was what Zhang Yuan thought.
Turning his head, he looked at Little Stone, who had rendered outstanding service. Xiaoxiao had used his skill to frighten Kagan and had already emptied his mana bar. The promise of another ride had merely been a bluff.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Yuan decided to summon the Ice Queen so that he could restore his combat power as quickly as possible.
"Facio, Voco, Ferre"
"Witness the disaster from the Glacial Remnants."
As the final syllable faded, a beautiful blue figure appeared on the continent of Faerûn for the first time.
The several teammates beside him stared at the Crystal Maiden before them, their mouths hanging open like frogs struck by lightning.
This was understandable. Even with conjuration magic, the creatures summoned were usually beasts or monsters. Humanoid creatures were rare, and when they did appear, they were usually Outer Planes beings such as angels or demons rather than humans themselves. But the one before them?
"Holy crap, is this a person? Not a succubus, dryad, or something?"
"Is this a humanoid creature? Or is it disguised?"
"Ah, what a beautiful lady witch."
Hmm? Something seemed off. One abnormal person had somehow slipped into the group.
Before you continue