Tirion Fordring patted his son on the head, deeply gratified. "At least you've got a conscience, son!
"Let's pick up the pace and find the Gentleman sooner. But we need to be careful. Boars are the most terrifying beasts out there.
"Neither wolves nor lions can stand against a crazed boar! And before attacking, most beasts judge whether their prey is stronger or weaker than they are. They won't hunt unfamiliar prey lightly, because out in the wild, any injury can make you someone else's prey!
"But boars are different! Not only do they have a keen sense of smell, they often have a layer of stone armor, and their hides are thick and tough. Once you provoke them, they'll attack like mad.
"I suspect this boar might be a magical creature! What do you think, son?" Tirion asked.
Taelan Fordring replied, "Yes, Father. I think the Gentleman might be a magical creature, too.
"As far as I know, the magistrates of Lordaeron have started slacking off lately. They're not nearly as diligent as they used to be. But they're still tested by the king, and they're powerful fighters.
"The Gentleman has escaped capture time and again, so it must be intelligent. And I heard from Uncle Sam next door that pigs are naturally very clever.
"One book said that when some animals awaken as extraordinary creatures, they not only become smarter but may also awaken innate abilities. Boars, in particular, can easily learn skills like Charge.
"And Aunt Janice said a High Knight was leading the search, and she still reminded us several times to be careful. I think this Gentleman must be pretty fierce."
Tirion Fordring nodded. "You're right, son. I'll attack it head-on, and you look for a chance to kill it. And never underestimate any enemy."
Taelan Fordring said, "Father, I want to try something! When I was fighting that wolf just now, I had an idea I want to test."
"Then be careful. I'll protect you."
"Ding! You discovered Bulwark of Light. You gained 300 experience."
Along the way, Taelan had earned a good amount of experience by discovering new areas. He was about to reach level four, and at level six, he would unlock two new skills: Holy Bolt and Contempt.
Holy Bolt was a ranged skill, and Paladins in World of Warcraft didn't have any standard ranged magic attacks. It could not only damage enemies but also heal friendly targets. Contempt could improve his defense and grant an additional defensive bonus to his core skill, Holy Shield.
They had left the farm behind and entered the mountains. There were no man-made roads here. Father and son fell silent. Tirion Fordring focused his attention, ready to help if his son ran into danger.
The trail grew harder to navigate. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, dappling the ground. As they climbed higher, the broad-leaved trees gradually gave way to pines.
A cave appeared before them. It was unusually quiet. There were no birdsong, no animals in sight, and no strange smells.
The two were about to explore the cave when a powerful boar—the Gentleman—emerged and stood on the clear ground outside. Its body was nearly the size of a calf, and it radiated an oppressive presence. Two long tusks protruded from its huge head like a pair of daggers. It fixed Tirion Fordring with a wary gaze.
"Ding! You discovered the Gentleman's Villa. You gained 100 experience."
A villa...
Taelan Fordring immediately raised his shield and gripped his short sword. He took the stance his father had taught him, leaning slightly forward. No wonder the quest reward was a rare-quality helmet. It provided a full six points of Intelligence. This thing wasn't going to come cheap.
The Gentleman was quite clever. It had already sensed that one of the two people before it was not to be trifled with.
Tirion Fordring was taken aback, too. He hadn't expected the Gentleman to be so huge. Its red eyes gleamed with malice, but there was also a cunning in them that no ordinary beast should have.
It had killed people before, and it really was intelligent! Tirion wanted to tell his son to let him finish it off instead.
The Gentleman was powerful, but Tirion Fordring was a veteran of countless battles. He was confident he could take it down quickly.
He looked at his son and saw that his gaze was clear and resolute. Tirion shook his head. Unlike Karandra, he wasn't indulgent with his son; men understood men better. His son had always looked up to him, hoping to become a capable warrior and a noble Paladin one day. He had a will of his own, too. Though they had spent little time together, Tirion felt his son was exceptionally mature. He was already a little man!
Tirion gave him an encouraging nod, while remaining on guard.
Taelan Fordring was thinking about how to defeat the Gentleman. Its attention was entirely fixed on Tirion Fordring, giving him plenty of time to think.
Then the Gentleman broke the silence and charged at Tirion Fordring. Taelan Fordring hurried toward it, intending to strike its rear with his sword. But Tirion called out, "Careful, Taelan!"
Taelan was a fraction too slow. The charging Gentleman suddenly changed direction. A faint blood-red glow appeared around its body, and its massive frame shot toward Taelan like an arrow.
The Gentleman charged straight at him. Tirion immediately prepared to cast Blessing of Protection, but Taelan Fordring suddenly raised his shield high. Tirion thought his son had panicked, but the next moment, he froze. A giant warhammer of Holy Light took shape in midair and slammed into the Gentleman's enormous head.
Hammer of Justice! The signature skill of a Paladin. At its basic level, Hammer of Justice could stun an enemy for up to three seconds.
But Hammer of Justice couldn't stop the Gentleman's Charge. Taelan raised his shield just in time. With a loud bang, he was knocked to the ground. If the Gentleman hadn't been stunned, it could have killed Taelan then and there. Now it could only watch as Taelan got back up, regained his stance, and slashed a deep wound into its left foreleg with his sharp short sword.
Tirion immediately shouted, "Well done, son! Be careful—the stun's about to wear off!"
A novice might easily lose control of the rhythm of a fight. But after Tirion counted to three, the Gentleman still didn't attack. By the time he reached five, Taelan had landed two more slashes, and only then did the Gentleman recover. Its already blood-red eyes had turned completely crimson. Driven by its frenzied instincts, it overcame the pain in its leg and charged at Taelan again, ignoring the blood streaming from its left foreleg.
Man and boar fought fiercely. Taelan's Hammer of Justice was devastating, but he was still young, and his attacks lacked power.
Fortunately, he had this brick of a weapon that kept enemies stunned for a long time. Every time the Gentleman charged, Taelan used the hammer to stun it. He also landed Mortal Strikes from time to time. Those brief stuns made the Gentleman's attacks come in fits and starts.
Taelan began to tire. The Gentleman's tusks had also opened a gash in his arm, and blood poured from the wound. Fortunately, he immediately used Mortal Strike, making the Gentleman falter in a brief stun.
Taelan decided to stop holding back. He activated Aura of Might. Milky-white Holy Light shone from his body, and a ring of golden sword-shaped radiance appeared at his feet, circling him counterclockwise. At level eight, Aura of Might increased his attack damage by a full 110%.
Taelan immediately felt a surge of power flow into his body. He abandoned defense and used Mortal Strike again and again, switching his short sword from slashing to thrusting.
Perhaps the clever Gentleman sensed the danger, too. It stopped trying to dodge and used Charge again. Taelan no longer used Hammer of Justice to control the pace. Instead, he raised his shield and launched a Mortal Strike, charging straight at the boar. The skill never missed, giving him another opening. Using the momentum of the collision, Taelan thrust his short sword past the edge of his shield.
The Gentleman let out a howl of pain. With a sword wound in its neck, it turned and ran toward the cave. Boars had always been full of vitality, and blood gushed from the wound. Taelan immediately used Hammer of Justice to stun it, then struck it twice more, ending its suffering. Then he dropped onto the ground!
Two chapters at once! Posting first, editing later. Comments are welcome!
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