Chapter 197 - 191: Recruitment?
Chapter 197: Chapter 191: Recruitment?
“Indeed, it is so.”
Magat nodded and said:
“Fink, this child, has had great talent since childhood, and his body is trained to be exceptionally tough, standing a cut above his warrior peers of the same level.”
Upon hearing this, Lis smiled, seemingly a bit interested.
While Lis and Magat were having a light-hearted exchange, Fink found himself in a tough battle.
From the brief engagement, Fink had already realized one thing.
...
It was that the strength of this Forest Python’s body was much more powerful than his, so when Fink swung his Long Spear to leap away using its momentum, it seemed the Forest Python hardly felt the impact.
There was no helping it, as most human warriors of the same rank could not match the physical fitness of a Magic Beast, thus they had to rely on refining their combat skills and coordination to make up for it.
Although the Forest Python was not a particularly clever Magic Beast, its lengthy growth process had endowed it with some battle wisdom.
For example, right now, the Forest Python was facing Fink head-on, coiling its lower body as much as possible, trying to protect its softer parts.
Fink took a deep breath to adjust his status, his hands gripping the spear, knees slightly bent, poised to strike.
The spear tip radiating a cold light was aimed tightly at the Forest Python, as Fink continued to search for the beast’s vulnerabilities.
Soon, Fink discovered that the Forest Python was protecting its weak points quite well, not readily giving him any opportunity.
If there was no opportunity, then he would create one.
Remembering the teachings of his seniors in the White Wolf Mercenary Group, Fink’s body flashed, and he rapidly thrust his Long Spear at the Forest Python’s head.
The Forest Python noticed Fink’s action and, already prepared, reacted on time. Its coiled body suddenly shot towards Fink, seemingly intending to entangle him.
But its plan fell through, as Fink promptly halted his spear thrust and dodged to the side.
The Long Spear thrust Fink had just performed seemed fast, but it didn’t carry much strength, making it easy for him to retract it.
However, the Forest Python’s attack was not so easily stopped.
With its body lunging forward in a sudden thrust, this action exposed the soft underbelly it had carefully protected.
This was the opportunity Fink was waiting for. He shifted to the side of the Forest Python and violently thrust his spear.
Hiss!
The Forest Python’s low hissing could be heard clearly even by Lis and Magat standing at a distance.
They saw the slightly lighter-colored green scales on the Forest Python’s belly scattered with red blood into the air, the pain stimulating the beast’s nerves and driving it into a frenzy.
Fink did not continue his assault but, like a patient Hunter, stepped aside, avoiding the Forest Python’s fierce charge and quietly waiting for the next opportunity.
A fist-sized wound appeared on the Forest Python’s belly, the pale muscles twitching ceaselessly.
Though the wound appeared terrifying, it was not too serious for the colossal body of the Forest Python.
However, the pain of the wound appeared to have consumed the last of the Forest Python’s rationality, and without any hesitation, it charged crazily in Fink’s direction.
At this juncture, Fink was unnaturally calm, not directly confronting the Forest Python’s ferocity but instead started to outmaneuver it slowly.
Relying on his superior movement Speed, Fink carefully evaded the Forest Python’s attacks, seizing moments to leave one wound after another on the beast’s body with his Long Spear,
This was an awkward point for the Forest Python. As a Bronze Level Magic Beast, it had superior physical strength and stealth abilities, but its one flaw was the lack of ranged attack magic or spell-like skills.
So, when facing Fink’s method of attack, it was extremely powerless.
However, the Forest Python’s formidable life force drew the battle out for a prolonged duration.
About half an hour later, with Fink coated in sweat, the Forest Python finally could no longer hold on. Its body riddled with wounds collapsed onto the ground, devoid of any resistance.
Fink carefully advanced and, upon confirming there was no threat, thrust his Long Spear into the seven-inch area of the Forest Python that was best protected in battle, killing it completely.
By that time, Lis and Magat had also walked over.
Magat looked at the corpse of the Forest Python on the ground, and even his serious face revealed a hint of a smile:
“Well done.”
Lis, however, sized up Fink, who was standing by the Forest Python, leaning on his Long Spear with his skin slightly flushed, a sign of his exhaustion.
Despite his fatigue, there was a rather smug expression on his face.
After all, being able to decisively win against a Magic Beast of the same level was no small feat.
It was something Fink could boast about to his friends for a long time thereafter.
Somehow annoyed by Fink’s complacency, Magat slapped him on the head and scolded:
“Don’t get carried away with a little praise. Weren’t you inefficient in your attacks during the battle? Otherwise, why would it have dragged on so long?”
After speaking, Magat glared at Fink:
“What are you looking at? Go find the people from the caravan to take care of this snake, or do you want to do it all by yourself?”
Seemingly used to Magat’s reprimands, Fink didn’t dare to contradict him and could only hang his head and mutter something as he hurried off towards the caravan not far away.
“You’re quite strict with Fink, Mr. Magat.”
Lis said with a smile, observing the dynamic between the two, which seemed to have always been their way of interaction.
And Fink, for his part, didn’t seem to have any complaints; despite his murmurs, Lis could see that he was quite obedient to Magat’s discipline.
“When we were young, we were all like that, so someone needs to give him a nudge.”
Magat said with a smile, a stark contrast to his earlier stern demeanor.
In fact, he was very satisfied with Fink’s performance.
“Fink is a fine young man, Mr. Moriarty.”
“I think so too.”
Lis shrugged, feigning a lack of understanding of the implications in Magat’s words.
The eager recommendation of Fink clearly aimed to secure him a brighter future.
For an ordinary mercenary, aside from relying on one’s own strength, it was indeed easier to advance with the favor of those higher up.
However, Lis wasn’t planning to uproot Fink, who was still a young sprout, just yet.
After all, Lis was not sure about the opportunities that might lie in Fink’s future, and interfering rashly might not be in Fink’s best interest.
Seeing that he hadn’t persuaded Lis, Magat sighed silently within.
Although Fink was a promising young fellow in the Mercenary Group, talented and hardworking, highly valued by their leader,
no matter what, there were so many talented mercenaries each year, yet how many of them managed to grow successfully?
Being able to join the household of Nobles, possibly even the Great Nobles of the Kingdom, even the leader of the White Wolf Mercenary Group wouldn’t stop Fink’s opportunity.
But now, it seemed the time was not ripe.
Magat did not consider telling Fink the truth, to encourage him to strive for it.
Sometimes, who can predict the moods of great figures?
Better to let things take their course and leave it to Fink’s luck.