When Tang Qi heard that cool whisper, like a December breeze brushing his ear, he shivered almost instinctively and turned to look around—
The candlelight flickered inside the makeshift tent.
Anbi was still curled up in the hay, enjoying her dreams, utterly unaware of the drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
Outside the tent, even the Beastfolk's clamor had faded into faint snores, as though they could not bear to disturb the quiet night.
Only Dawn stood silently outside the tent, both hands on her sword, serving as a guard. Her armored shadow stretched far into the moonlight—
After peace returned to Windless Canyon, the heart of the storm had become a blanket of white.
After Tang Qi finished setting off the fireworks, he never saw that sheep again.
All he saw was a familiar face encased in a spherical sponge.
Merlin Hal.
Tang Qi did not know whether Merlin recognized him. After all, this was only the side of him stripped of emotion.
Devoid of all feeling, he resembled an exquisitely precise living machine, endlessly producing source essence.
The emotional part of him might still have been slumped over a table at the Golden Oak, preparing to welcome the New Year in Dragon Gold City.
Perhaps the rational Merlin had no time to speak, or perhaps he simply could not be bothered to talk to anyone.
Tang Qi could only see tiny points of light drifting out through the sponge's pores, drawn into Toto Hal's hand by his wristwatch.
Luck had not smiled on the Halfling.
After spending his last sixth-ring spell slot to cast [Platinum Shield], he had used two fifth-ring, three fourth-ring, and three third-ring spell slots, trying to counter the ninth-ring [Complete Transfiguration] on Dawn with [Dispel Magic].
He had failed.
Fortunately, Halahar had