Single Spell Sorcerer-Chapter 118: Once Again

The group fought some more beasts as they ventured deeper into the forest. A Phantom Gorilla charged through the undergrowth, only to meet Ning’s precise spear work. A Venomwing Hawk attempted an ambush from the canopy above, but Jax’s binding threads caught it mid-air, leading to an easy kill.

Lucille showed off her power to Melayne when they next met another Mudslime.

"Watch this one," Jax said as they waited. "You’ll see why she’s part of the party."

The Giant Mudslime slowly moved, its translucent body revealing four opal stones this time. Lucille raised her hand and waited.

"I thought she was exaggerating before," Melayne observed. "What’s taking her so long?"

"That would be her restriction."

Twelve seconds passed before the lightning bolt crashed down. The explosion was even more impressive the second time, the blue flash temporarily blinding them all. When the light faded, nothing remained but floating stones and scorched earth.

"That’s incredible," Melayne said, wiping slime from her face. "I’ve never seen a spell with that much raw power. Are you sure you’re new to the 9th Carriage? That’s a power I’ve never seen even from a 1-Star Emerald Stage Sorcerer."

"All individuals within the train are balanced. Every downside has an upside," Lucille explained. "While my restriction forces me to wait a random period of time before my spell activates, the spell that I do learn becomes significantly powerful."

Melayne was quite shocked to hear that. She now wished she had a similar restriction as well.

Lucille said nothing else and left, making the rest follow her.

They found no boss despite their desperate attempt, so they decided to return.

"Disappointing," Melayne said as they made their way back through the forest paths. "I was hoping for something more challenging."

"I’ve been searching for months," Jax replied. "And I’ve only seen them twice. Both times the Iron Leopard."

The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy above them, casting light down from the western end. The day was getting closer to the end. It was time to return.

They were on their way back, when something flashed to the side.

Everyone stopped upon noticing the flash, and turned toward it.

From the forest came out an older man in his fifties, with scars across his body. His eyes were red, bloodshot and wild. Spiral burn marks covered his right arm, a red wound wrapping around his neck. More minor scars lay throughout his body, alongside the ripped clothing.

Melayne was concerned and stepped forward. "Sir, are you alright? You look injured."

The man looked up and immediately brought out a Sword from his inventory. With a practiced motion, he swung it down toward Melayne.

Melayne jumped back in surprise. "What the hell?"

"You!" the old man shouted at Jax, pointing his sword in his direction. His voice was hoarse, filled with rage and something else.

"What the fuck?" Jax stared at the old man, confusion clear on his face.

"Why did you attack me?" Melayne demanded, drawing her sword now.

Lucille looked toward Jax with curious eyes, studying his reaction carefully.

"Who is this man?" Ning asked, as he pulled out his own spear.

Jax tried to explain, but the words came slowly. "I don’t know who—"

The old man charged at him before he could finish. Jax immediately started fighting, bringing his axe up to block the incoming strike. The clash of metal rang through the forest.

The old man was fast, like last time. He dodged Jax’s counter-attack and swung back with a horizontal slash that forced Jax to duck.

Jax used his threads to bind the old man. Brown strands wrapped around the man’s arm and torso, but the old man flexed his muscles and tore through them like they were made of paper.

’Those were Earth threads,’ Jax thought, surprised at the old man’s strength. Earth threads were supposed to be much more durable.

The man dashed toward him with a spell enhancing his speed. Jax dodged the attack and fought back, his axe carving through the air. The other three tried to help but they couldn’t find a moment to intervene.

The two fighters moved too quickly, their weapons creating a deadly dance that left no room for outside interference.

Ning failed to see any of the three critical spots around the man’s normal locations. They were hidden away, obscured by the man’s constant motion and unusual fighting stance.

Melayne was too slow for whatever was going on. She could barely track the movements, let alone find an opening to strike.

Lucille decided to help.

She moved forward and raised her arm. The old man’s body grew sluggish, his movements becoming heavy and labored. Whatever Lucille had done was taking immediate effect, unlike her usual delayed spells.

Jax wrapped him in threads at the same time, taking advantage of the man’s sudden weakness. This time the strands held, binding the old man’s arms to his sides.

The old man fell to the ground, struggling against both the magical lethargy and the physical restraints. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"What do you want to do with him?" Lucille asked, her spell still active.

Jax did not know. Part of him wanted answers, but a larger part wanted to end this threat permanently. "I want to kill him once and for all."

He raised his axe and swung down at the man’s neck. The bound figure barely managed to move, but that only made it so that the axe came down on his face instead of his neck.

Jax felt the contact as his weapon struck something soft, but before the axe could go through, the old man was gone.

The axe hit the ground with a thud, biting deep into the forest floor. Jax pulled out the axe and noticed a thin line of blood on the edge. He had definitely cut the man, however briefly.

"That was the work of a space spell," Lucille said, examining the spot where the man had been. "Teleportation, most likely."

The group turned to Jax, questions evident in their expressions.

"What just happened?" Melayne questioned. Everything was so quick.

"I’m pretty sure he pointed at you and said something," Ning said as he turned toward Jax. "Do you know him?

"I have no idea who that was," Jax said, cleaning the blood from his axe. "But I’ve fought him twice now. Three times, including today. He comes out of nowhere, targets me as though he wants to kill me, and then disappears after a while. I have not yet managed to learn who he is."

"Those scars," Melayne said. "He looked like he’d been through hell."

"The man was tortured for sure. All those scars..." Lucille’s voice trailed.

Jax said nothing more, but his expression remained troubled still. He still couldn’t understand how the old man was possibly alive. Where was he gone when he teleported?

"Gemma," he called out to the floating wisp. "Can you go check if you can find anything more about him now?"

"Sure," Gemma said with hesitation. "But I’m not sure I can find anything."

"Just try, please. I’m tired of not knowing where he could come from next."

As strange as the situation was, it had passed. And all those 5 could do now was return back home.

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