Arthur took out his bow, and cast the [Ice Aura Poison] on an arrow, before shooting.
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
As soon as the fog dispelled, both Arthur and Helena unleashed a barrage of spell, yet none of them seemed to be powerful enough to break through the tough [Blood Shield] that was supplied by John Crimson's mana.
Still, Arthur decided to opt for a war of attrition.
Although the one defending had the advantage in this kind of battle, Arthur possessed two advantages: the low mana-consumption of [Ice Poison Aura] as well as the fact that he had Helena to help him attack. Two against one made quite the difference.
He only needed one shot.
If he as much as grazed John, then his life would be endangered. And if he ran out of mana, then he could always charge and fight with his knight skills, but he wouldn't get out of this fight unscathed.
Arthur wanted to minimize the risks. Even if there was a lot to gain from killing an elite intermediate-rank acolyte, both reputation-wise and in terms of rewards.
Meanwhile, Arthur was smiling.
[Maiden Ghost Mana Drain]
This was the spell that Lucile cast. It was a spell that increased the mana consumption of spells, while making the caster suffer in terrible pain whenever he used mana. Unfortunately, John Crimson was an elite intermediate-rank acolyte, so he was negating most of the side effects thanks to his dense and powerful magic power. It would have been a major blow if Lucile had been on par with him, magically speaking.
"This is isn't efficient", Helena said, "I am running out of mana!"
Arthur shook his head: "It is efficient. Continue to cast spells. You must not slow down the firing rate"
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
[You have hit the enemy's [Blood Shield] spell. Damage has been negated. Ice Poison has been negated]
[Warning! Your mana is being depleted at a fast rate...Experiencing diziness...]
'Damn it...Now, of all time...', Arthur cursed
It was common sense for acolytes to carefully treat their mana pool. Depleting it all in an all-out battle was a rare occurence for acolytes. After all, acolytes considered knowledge and methodic approaches in battle, rather than brutish methods.
However, it was working.
[John Crimson - Level 11 Acolyte
HP - 19 / 40 | Mana - 18 / 110]
Seeing his mana below twenty points, Arthur no longer had to fear offensive-type spells. Even if he was hit by one or two spells, he could survive, considering his high vitality. This meant that he was safe to go in.
Unsheathing [Celeste], Arthur moved forward.
However, just as he made his first step forward, a terrifying amount of [Blood Arrows] was sent towards him.
Helena was similarly shocked, as she instinctively hid behind Arthur, using him as a meatshield. As she was out of mana, it was her only choice.
[You have been hit by [Blood Arrow]. 6 points of damage have been absorbed by your [Ice Physique]. 10 points of damage have been absorbed by your [Magnetic Ring]. You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
[You have received 8 points of damage]
Legs, arms, torsoes...There was no place on his body with no wound.
It wasn't something that was possible for an intermediate rank.
Immediately, Arthur realized that it must have been the power of the [Blood Totem] artefact. Perhaps it had stacked spells and released them all at the same time.
'How terrifying...'
Arthur looked at his HP bar:
[HP : 28 / 90]
Had it been a few months prior to this battle, his vitality wouldn't have been high enough to allow him to survive this barrage of spells.
Still, it had been John's trump card.
Arthur didn't think twice before rushing forward. It was a simple, mindless charge containing both his fury and his killing intent.
[Heavy Vertical Strike]
The Knight-killing technique that had been created by the Landragon Ancestor, a grand-knight, was displayed magnificently. It was neither flashy nor beautiful, yet it contained an enormous amount of strength and power.
Celeste was shining in a blue light. It was the combination of his spell [Ice Poison Aura]. A medium-enchanted sword with the sharpness rune couldn't be stopped by regular armour, not to mention when it was wielded by a terrifyingly furious Landragon Heir.
*SPLASH*
John closed his eyes upon seeing the incoming blade: "Bastards..."
He didn't even have time to utter his last words as Arthur crossed the distance in a matter of seconds. His whole body was cut in half, leaving the observing acolytes in terror.
In a matter of minutes, their leader had lost his life. Without him, there was no hope of killing the monsters that had attacked their settlement.
[Congratulations! You have successfully killed [John Crimson - Level 11 Acolyte]. You have received 660 EXP]
[Your spell [Ice Poison Aura] has risen in proficiency]
[Your skill [Archery] has risen in proficiency]
[Your skill [Intermediate Swordsmanship] has risen in proficiency]
[Your skill [Heavy Vertical Strike] has risen in proficiency]
As soon as Arthur blade touched the ground, the remaining acolytes gave up and begged for mercy. Their morale couldn't be any lower. They were ready to do anything for the sake of surviving, and it included some Crimson Clan members who belonged to the family line. They were ready to swear loyalty to those who massacred their blood.
"What do we do with them?", Kayle asked, unsure to kill individuals who had lost the will to fight.
Arthur stayed silent: "Tie them down, I will interrogate them right away"
"You have to treat your wounds first...", Helena said, unsure what to say as she used him as a meat shield seconds ago, "I also apologize for-"
"You don't need to apologize, I would have done the same", Arthur said, "Obey me, now. Tie them all, and do not bother me while I interrogate them"
Fifteen minutes later, Lucile went to check on Arthur. The fact that he had been hit by dozens of spells made her worry. Seeing Arthur fight made her realize his potential firsthand. She wanted to use him, just like her mother.
The sight that greeted her made her scream in horror, and she was a monster.
[Your skill [Cruelty] has significantly risen in proficiency]
[You have received 1 300 EXP]
[You have levelled up]
[You have allocated your free attribute point in [Strength]]