Hold Person

The Dragon Bloodline had given Anse two Draconic Spells: "Dragon Breath" and "Polymorph."

Both were fairly powerful second-level spells, and each casting cost three Sorcery Points.

"Dragon Breath" imitated a dragon's breath weapon. After all, the bodies of humans and dragons were completely different.

It let the caster or an ally exhale a breath weapon in a 15-foot (≥4.5-meter) cone. The caster chose acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. All creatures in the area made a Dexterity Saving Throw. Those who failed took 3d6 (3–18) damage; those who succeeded took only half damage.

A "Dexterity Saving Throw" meant the enemy reacted quickly enough to dodge the center of the breath weapon and avoid the worst of the damage.

"Polymorph" could change the body's appearance and offered three main abilities: "Change Appearance," "Aquatic Adaptation," and "Natural Weapons."

"Change Appearance" meant exactly what it sounded like, but the body's basic shape couldn't change. For example, the caster couldn't turn into a four-legged or Large creature.

"Aquatic Adaptation" grew gills and webbing, while also granting Water Breathing and the ability to swim.

"Natural Weapons" was more interesting. The caster could grow claws, fangs, horns, or hooves. Unarmed strikes or attacks made with these body parts dealt 1d6 (1–6) damage, adjusted based on the caster's spellcasting ability rather than Strength.

In other words, he could grow claws and fight in melee, using his Charisma to make up for his dismal close-combat ability.

"It's better to fight at range unless there's no other choice." Anse pursed his lips. He had very little faith in his melee abilities.

Choosing a new spell was a real dilemma.

There were plenty of good second-level spells: Misty Step, Invisibility, Hold Person, Enlarge/Reduce, Scorching Ray, Earthbind, See Invisibility...

Unfortunately, Sorcerers could learn only one spell per level, fewer than Mages, so they were destined to specialize.

He had Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon bloodlines. Once he gained Elemental Affinity at level six, he'd become attuned to fire and cold, gaining greater mastery over those kinds of spells and dealing more damage with them. So it was best to choose spells that complemented his bloodlines.

Still, defensive and control spells were just as important.

After much deliberation, he gave up on the Misty Step he'd been longing for and chose a powerful control spell: Hold Person!

He had a team to back him up now, so a short-range teleport for one person wasn't that useful.

Hold Person was a second-level Enchantment spell with a base range of 60 feet (≥18 meters). With his attributes and feats, its range exceeded 48 meters, and it worked on all humanoids.

It could paralyze a target for one minute, but the caster had to maintain concentration. The target had to make repeated Wisdom Saving Throws and succeed to break free of the spell's effect.

Concentration was a special state of spellcasting. Some spells required continuous channeling and focus. During that time, the caster could cast other spells that didn't require concentration, but if concentration was interrupted for any reason, the spell's effect vanished.

Wisdom Saving Throws were easy to understand. After being controlled, the target would keep trying to regain control of its body. The greater its Wisdom, the harder it was for the spell to hold it.

If Anse had known this spell earlier, he might have been able to control his opponent for a few seconds with Twinned Spell and Quicken Spell. It would have made a decent lifesaver.

As soon as Anse finished confirming his choice, a surging tide of magic welled up from deep within him. It churned and raced throughout his body, now like scorching lava, now like freezing ice.

It was both full of life and remarkably docile.

A golden-and-silver glow shimmered across his skin, and subtle changes began throughout his body. Each time a Sorcerer developed his innate magic, it was an ascension of his very form.

After a long while, the surging magic settled into silence, but the powerful sense of fullness still overflowed in his mind.

Anse quietly absorbed the three new second-level spells he'd learned. It felt incredible.

During his years of painstaking study in the Mage Tower, the original owner had suspected more than once that he was an idiot. Ordinary people could never understand the torment and anguish of being unable to learn something no matter how hard they tried.

No—maybe those students who'd accidentally signed up for a math major in his previous life could relate a little!

"Feels great."

He brought up his Character Sheet to check his status.

[Name: Anse Horleywen]

"Race": Human—Silver-browed Subrace (Medium)

"Background": Noble

"Class": Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline)

"Level": 3

"Experience": 1117/2700

"Health": 28/28

"Mana": 20/22

"Sorcery Points": 1/3

"Armor Class": 15 (14+1)

"Alignment": Absolute Neutral

"Faith": None

--Core Attributes--

[Strength: 12]

[Dexterity: 12]

[Constitution: 12]

[Intelligence: 13]

[Wisdom: 13]

[Charisma: 17]

"Skills": Arcana +2, History +1, Acrobatics +1, Athletics +1, Medicine +1, Intimidation +1, Survival +1

"Languages": Common, Draconic language, Netherese, Illyscian

"Feats": Skilled, Tough, Spell Sniper

"Features": Spellcasting, Innate Spellcasting, Draconic Resilience, Draconic Spell, Font of Mana, Metamagic

"Metamagic": Twinned Spell, Quicken Spell

"Equipment": Godberry Staff (Rare), Protection Cloak (Rare), Ring of Spell Storing (Uncommon)

--Spells--

"Cantrips": Light Spell, Freezing Ray, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Sorcerous Burst, Mold Earth

"First-Level Spells": Disguise Self, Feather Fall Spell, Jump Spell, Shield Spell, Prismatic Sphere, Command Spell, Magic Missile

"Second-Level Spells": Dragon Breath, Polymorph, Hold Person

--Other--

"Adventure Traits": Magic Control, Extraordinary Talent

"Now this is more like it." Anse was very satisfied.

Looking at his experience, though, reaching level four would be difficult. Still, he'd expected leveling up to get slower and slower.

At level four, he could choose a new feat or improve his attributes. He was already looking forward to it.

Anse opened his eyes and found himself staring straight into Brat's astonished gaze.

"You... learned a new spell?" Brat asked hesitantly.

"Yeah." Anse didn't deny it.

Professionals didn't know about numbered levels, but they could vaguely sense whenever their strength increased. It wasn't as dramatic as leveling up; they had to rely on years of training and study.

"Where are we headed now?" Since it was a professional matter, Brat didn't dare pry.

Anse looked at Finn. "What's the situation in the city?"

"Bad!" Finn's voice was hoarse. "Gray Hawk can't even tell how many monsters there are. Hundreds, maybe over a thousand..."

The monsters were roaming everywhere, in groups of as few as two or three and as many as dozens, causing widespread chaos.

Ordinary goblins and Kuo-Toa weren't much stronger than ordinary people, and there were plenty of Professionals on the human side. But very few were willing to risk their lives.

The Underdark was a harsh place to survive. Underdark Creatures were far more savage, cruel, and bloodthirsty than humans!

The largest group of monsters had been held back at the breach in the northeastern corner. Most of them were Kuo-Toa, and the situation wasn't looking good.

"No wonder there are so many fishfolk. Maybe the breach at the river mouth wasn't an accident!" Anse's voice turned cold.

The Underdark Creatures were clearly organized and acting according to plan. It was a war between races, a fight to the death with no room for mercy.

"If they break through the defense line, we... probably won't be able to mount an effective counterattack again." Brat knew how Adventurers and Professionals behaved. When they realized a situation was hopeless, they ran faster than anyone.

If the Kuo-Toa launched a full-scale invasion, it would be nearly impossible for humans to cross the river. Even a boat wouldn't help. They might get trapped here and gradually picked off.

"Then we kill them." Anse smiled faintly, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.

He hadn't hated Underdark Creatures before. They were a different race, each side simply trying to survive. But when that Azure Blade had pressed against his neck, his attitude had changed.

I'm human too. I don't need a reason to kill them, and I don't need to feel sorry for them. Our civilizations are different. There's no sympathy or humanity between us, and nothing to feel guilty about.

"Heh, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!" Brat smacked his sword against his shield. The anger in his heart still hadn't faded.

"Let's go." Finn hoisted his backpack and set off with more enthusiasm than ever before.

The three of them returned to Middle Street and hurried north along the main road.

There were almost no living civilians left in the streets. Anyone who could flee had already done so, and the monsters were chasing the crowds deeper into the city.

Near the bridgehead, water pooled everywhere, squelching beneath their feet. The ground was covered with corpses, both human and Underdark.

Flame Fist Fortress still stood beneath the night sky like a silent giant, perched on its high platform and watching this human calamity with indifference.