Chapter 27

Fang Yi maintained a half-squatting posture, cautiously sidestepping to the side wall, where he leaned against it and remained motionless, activating his hiding skill. The thing that had just passed by was too fast, and he couldn't identify what it was. He refreshed his scouting and listening skills, which were about to expire, but still only sensed silence.

Fang Yi glanced down at his mana bar: 42/65. The natural mana regeneration rate was only 1 point per minute, far from enough to keep up with the skill consumption. He couldn't replenish mana while in stealth mode. Fang Yi suddenly realized he had become the passive party.

Just then, while deep in thought about a strategy, Fang Yi suddenly felt a strange mental shock wave. As the system alerted him to an attack, his body involuntarily stood up, immediately nullifying his stealth and hiding skills:

System notification: You have been affected by the "Charm Human" spell from an unknown creature, losing control of your body.

The "Charm Human" spell established a mental link between the caster and the target. The moment the spell took effect, Fang Yi also spotted the enemy: a humanoid creature over five feet tall stood in front of him to the left, and the casting action had also revealed the enemy from stealth.

A bear goblin? Fang Yi remained unusually calm, staring motionlessly (he couldn't move even if he wanted to) at the approaching monster. The cellar was too dark for Fang Yi to immediately identify the enemy, but its approach suggested it wasn't a mage, perhaps a low-level warlock? Indeed, in the early game, a dagger to the throat was far more practical than a level 1 magic missile.

As the enemy approached, Fang Yi gradually made out its appearance. The "goblin" was unusually tall, and its exposed skin was a distinct blue-red, unlike the usual earth-brown of goblins—goblin form, ogre size, and warlock spells. Fang Yi's eyes narrowed as he stared at the monster with orange-red eyes.

The "big goblin" strode up to Fang Yi, snorted and seemed to laugh, and thick saliva dripped from the gaps between its fangs onto the ground. It opened its mouth and lunged for Fang Yi's throat.

If bitten, Fang Yi's mediocre constitution wouldn't be enough to avoid severe injury. By now, Fang Yi had a good idea of what he was facing. He couldn't pretend any longer. He dodged the stinking mouth with a quick head movement, cast a detection spell with his left hand, and stabbed upward with his curved blade, aiming for the blue belly.

Unknown Monster

Level: 12 (Elite)

???

???

The monster, caught off guard by Fang Yi's ambush, tried to jump back, but the distance was too close and its agility was average. Fang Yi's curved blade struck it solidly, the wound extending from its belly to its chest. Taking advantage of his successful ambush, Fang Yi pressed the attack, slashing the "big goblin" several times, making it howl in pain.

The monster in front of him should be called a "hellhound," a low-level demon that can transform between goblin and dog forms. The most obvious difference from a goblin is its size and skin color. This monster had average attributes but was stronger than Fang Yi. After the initial panic, the hellhound adjusted and Fang Yi had to dodge its sharp claws, resorting to a hit-and-run tactic.

Fang Yi shook his sore shoulder, muttering to himself, "No risk, no reward. No money, no girls." He feinted to the left with his dual blades, aiming for the hellhound's right rib, but suddenly changed direction, aiming for its belly. The hellhound, wary of Fang Yi's explosive speed, instinctively moved left, right into Fang Yi's trap. With a "thud," the dark red blade plunged into the hellhound's soft belly, dealing a critical hit of 42+2.

The heavily injured hellhound didn't back down, howling and retreating while its massive claws grazed Fang Yi's chest, sending him sprawling. However, the hellhound clearly lacked fighting spirit. After a series of gibberish, a small, bright portal appeared behind it, and the hellhound, retreating, transformed into a cloud of smoke and entered the portal.

Fang Yi gritted his teeth, suppressing the intense pain, and quickly downed a small health potion, barely pulling his health back from the brink. Seeing the hellhound use its last-resort teleportation spell, he thought, "That's what I was waiting for!"

Almost simultaneously with the portal's appearance, Fang Yi also retreated, covering over thirty feet in a second. A similar portal appeared in front of him, and the hellhound, now in dog form, poked its head out only to meet Fang Yi's curved blade, which struck it from above—Fang Yi couldn't help but laugh. The teleportation spell, before reaching level 5, could only move in a straight line. "I don't believe you're a high-level mage!"

The heavily injured hellhound couldn't withstand the blow. With a faint crack, it collapsed into unconsciousness. Fang Yi, ignoring the numbness in his right hand, quickly moved in and pummeled the ugly dog—though he didn't know where its heart was, he aimed for the soft spots on its neck and belly.

The hellhound's pitiful howls and the sudden jump in his experience bar indicated that the monster was dead. Fang Yi sheathed his curved blade and plopped down on the ground.

"This thing's bones are too hard, and it's not even an elite," Fang Yi panted, thinking, "If Astorian uses hellhounds to test new recruits, this thief guild would have been long gone. That Karl is definitely up to something!" The timely update to his adventure log also suggested something was amiss.

You have completed the quest: Thief's Step, 100% completion, gained 70+21 experience.

Adventure Log Update: Thief's Step - Dark Currents

After a fierce battle, you finally defeated the devouring devil lurking in the darkness. However, your doubts only deepened: How could there be a devil lurking at Astorian's contact point? Was the contact who gave you the quest aware? What's going on with this thief guild?

Perhaps only Karl can answer your questions.

The situation is serious, Fang Yi rubbed his sore arms and kissed the blue and white leather bracelet on his right arm. Fortunately, after completing the cemetery quest, Uncle Somato gave him this excellent item; otherwise, he would have been done for today.

Prominent Bright Bracelet (Fine Leather Armor) (Bound)

Light Armor

No Equipment Requirements

Weight: 3

Durability: 19

Armor: 7+2

Purification: The light of the God of Justice protects you.

You can attempt to break free from any control or immobilization effects cast by enemies (non-players), removing one spell at a time. (Ineffective against spells from enemies level 15 and above)

(Charges: 0/1)

Cooldown: One natural day

*Wishing everyone a happy Moon Festival. Due to some personal matters, the update times have changed, mostly in the morning and after 7 PM. It should normalize soon. As for the best update time, whether 2,300 or 3,200 is better, please leave comments and suggestions. More interaction is healthier.

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