This is a Flying Feeling (Extra Chapter for Readers)

Seeing Kagan return, Bard, blinded by rage, reached out to snatch the wine bottle. However, the rogue mage pulled his hand back, nearly causing Bard to fall flat on his face.

Stumbling to regain his balance, Bard glared at the mage, his face flushed with anger. "Damn it, I already won! Mage, give me the wine!"

Zhang Yuan slowly placed the wine back into his pocket. "Since the opponent has seen the error of his ways, we should give him a chance. Besides, victory without an opponent is hardly glorious, wouldn't you agree?"

He said it so casually, but the old Bard was hopping mad. Was this guy seriously playing him like this, like he could un-excrete his own poop?

Gesturing for the big guy to restrain Bard, Zhang Yuan turned to Kagan. "So, you want to join our party? You're most welcome."

"You despicable mage, don't try your little tricks on me, Kagan! I came to be Bard's opponent, not your bodyguard!"

"As you wish. Whoever kills more monsters wins. Don't be a sore loser."

"Shut up, I never lose!"

"Alright then, let's go!"

The four-person party set off towards High Hedge Castle to the west. After walking only a few steps beyond Beregost's territory, they saw the forest ahead.

Unlike the dense gloom of the Black Forest, or the humid, continuous sprawl of a rainforest, this sparse woodland, composed of tall trees and low bushes, generously allowed sunlight to drench its inhabitants. The winding forest paths, meanwhile, offered a blend of tranquility and brightness.

However, the mood of the four travelers was far from as pleasant as the path beneath their feet.

Minsc was hungry, having walked for half the day without remembering to buy rations. As for the two dwarf jesters, their moods had likely been sour since they first saw each other.

As for Zhang Yuan? Embarrassingly, he was scared of spiders.

He had always had a bit of arachnophobia. Even small spiders on Earth could startle him sometimes, let alone the giants here.

As the group walked through the forest, the occasional Skeleton Soldier and Gnoll were easily dispatched. Zhang Yuan, in particular, gleefully collected a wave of energy points.

But just as this delightful monster-slaying journey was halfway through, a Giant Spider suddenly leaped out.

What an ugly creature it was. Eight slender, sharp legs supported a bulbous abdomen, with a row of eyes embedded above its monstrous mouthparts. Two long chelicerae extended from a tangle of fangs, dripping dark green venom onto the ground.

Zhang Yuan was petrified on the spot. Fortunately, he wasn't alone. His teammates and Little Stone immediately became alert, shielding the mage who was currently struggling with his bladder.

When fear reaches its limit, it turns to anger. Zhang Yuan, enraged, directly ordered Little Stone to target the spider, while the two Dwarf Shield Axe Warriors were to provide supporting attacks.

The Forest Spider's attack methods were rather simplistic. Its fangs and claws were no match for the dwarves' shield armor. The only threat, its venom, was perfectly countered by Tiny, the Stone Golem.

The battle ended quickly. Just as the spider was on its last legs, beaten into near death by the pincer attack, the opportunists arrived.

Using the excuse of revenge for the fright it had given him, Zhang Yuan charged forward and finished it off with a sword strike, managing to overcome his phobia while happily pocketing some energy.

As they were about to move on, Kagan's mocking laughter reached his ears. "What? Is our dear mage finally brave enough to face a dying spider? Run, there's another one behind you! Hahaha!"

Before Zhang Yuan could respond to Kagan's taunts, Bard and Minsc had already clenched their fists, ready to teach the big-mouthed dwarf a lesson. However, Zhang Yuan stopped them.

From the beginning, Zhang Yuan knew that Kagan was no good. Moreover, the methods he used to lure him into the party were hardly honorable; it was more of a provocation than an invitation.

Kagan was understandably resentful, but since he had followed them and was now actively causing trouble, this behavior needed to be curbed, or the journey ahead would be difficult.

"Oh, esteemed Mr. Kagan, are you quite brave, then?"

"Pah! At least I don't get so scared of crawling things that I wet my pants."

"So, Mr. Kagan, can you fly?"

Kagan: ???

Before Kagan could react, Little Stone, standing motionlessly beside him, suddenly grabbed Kagan and used its skill: Throw.

And so, the other three witnessed a spectacular aerial display. Mr. Kagan, the dwarf, soared upwards over a dozen meters with a cry of "Aaaah~" (high to low), then plummeted back down with another cry of "Aaaah~" (low to high), finally making a "Pffft!" landing.

Although Little Stone had been set to target allies, so Kagan was protected by the skill itself and didn't truly suffer any harm, but...

Heaven knows, the dwarf, who had never even been up a tree, was now flying. Kagan swore that as he fell from the highest point, he saw Moradin waving at him from the ground.

After landing, Kagan's mind was a blank. He couldn't get up for a long time. When he finally came to his senses, he saw the detestable mage and the stone golem, who deserved to go to hell, closing in on him again.

Seeing the once arrogant dwarf shrinking back like a little girl, wishing he could bury himself in the ground, the rogue mage almost burst out laughing.

Suppressing his laughter, he put on a sincere and serious expression and spoke in the most polite tone, "Esteemed Mr. Kagan, are you satisfied with our flight service?"

Then, pretending to rummage through his robes, he pulled out a small slip of paper. "Oh, I just drew a lottery for you. Congratulations, you've won the grand prize of 'One More Round'. What do you say?"

Although he didn't understand what "flight" meant, the malice emanating from the mage was palpable.

Kagan, his courage completely shattered, could only shake his head repeatedly. "No, no, I don't want another round, please."

Having achieved his goal, Zhang Yuan didn't press further. A little punishment was enough.

Someone like Kagan was typical of those who respect power but not virtue; a soft touch wouldn't keep him in line.

Although Zhang Yuan had briefly acted as a leader, relying on others' strength for a day, he wasn't naive enough to believe he possessed any kingly aura that would make someone like Kagan submit. Besides, with the auto-battler system, he wouldn't lack guards in the future.

If Kagan behaved himself and did his duty, Zhang Yuan might consider recruiting him as a companion or a hired hand in the future. Otherwise, after this, they would simply part ways, Zhang Yuan thought.

He turned his head to look at Little Stone, who had performed so admirably. Little Stone's mana bar was completely depleted after frightening Kagan. The "One More Round" was just a bluff.

Hesitating for a moment, Zhang Yuan decided to summon Crystal Maiden to quickly restore his combat readiness.

"Facio, Voco, Ferre."

"Witness the disaster from the Glacial Remnants."

As the last syllable faded, a beautiful blue figure appeared on the continent of Faerûn for the first time.

His teammates looked at the Crystal Maiden who had appeared before them, their mouths agape like toads struck by lightning.

It wasn't surprising. Even with conjuration magic, summoned creatures were typically beasts or monsters, rarely humanoids. If humanoids were summoned, they were usually beings from the Outer Planes like angels or demons, not humans themselves. But this?

"Holy crap, this is a human, not a succubus, dryad, or something?"

"Is this a humanoid? Or is it disguised?"

"Ah, beautiful Witch, your excellency."

Hmm? Something seems off. There's one in here that doesn't belong.