The blacksmith, startled by the commotion, exclaimed, “Goodness! What is all this fuss about?”

Enzo, in a frantic tone, explained, “We have found the Congenial Wood, but on our way back, Kosor triggered a trap and became ensnared in a Magic Circle! No matter what I do, I cannot break it. You must think of something!”

The old blacksmith furrowed his brow and inquired, “What sort of Magic Circle is it? Please describe it to me in detail.”

Enzo hurriedly elaborated, “As soon as that Magic Circle appeared, it emitted a powerful suction and a blinding radiance. My elemental energy attacks were utterly futile, as though I were striking against an iron wall. Kosor was drawn inside, completely immobilized.”

The blacksmith listened thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “From your description, it seems that the Magic Circle is fortified by formidable restrictions. To dismantle it, we will need something capable of countering its magical properties.”

Enzo, filled with urgency, asked, “What could possibly counter it? Do you have anything like that, Master?”

The blacksmith scoured the room, unearthing a tattered ancient tome from the corner. Leafing through its pages, he remarked, “This book records that near the Misty Forest lies a Magic Spring, whose waters possess purifying and dispelling properties. It might just do the trick. However, be warned, the area is also guarded by numerous sentinels, making it difficult to approach.”

Upon hearing this glimmer of hope, Enzo’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Regardless of the guardians, I’m going to obtain the waters of the Magic Spring. Master, could you specify its exact location?”

The blacksmith pointed in a direction, saying, “Follow the small path east of the Misty Forest until you reach a patch of luminous foliage. Continue deeper into that thicket, and you will find the Magic Spring. But do exercise caution. Those guardians are not to be trifled with.”

Enzo nodded resolutely, “Understood, I shall set off at once.” With that, he dashed eagerly toward the eastern edge of the Misty Forest.

After traversing the path the blacksmith indicated, Enzo soon beheld the glowing thicket, from which a faint “buzzing” sound emanated, suggesting something stirred within.

Enzo cautiously approached, parting the thick underbrush, and beheld several colossal beasts, their bodies bristling with sharp spines, guarding the Magic Spring. As soon as the creatures caught sight of Enzo, they let out a deafening roar, causing leaves to tremble and cascade to the ground.

One beast, baring its gaping maw, bellowed, “Human, do you seek to trespass upon the Magic Spring? Have you grown weary of life?”

Clenching his fists, Enzo retorted, “I am in haste to save someone and have no time for your idle chatter. If you value your existence, step aside!”

The beast, upon hearing him, scoffed disdainfully, “Save someone? What concern is that of ours? We guard this Magic Spring. To claim its waters, you must first contend with us!” With that, it lunged toward Enzo.

Swiftly sidestepping the attack, Enzo sought a strategy as he evaded the monstrous creatures. He noticed that although they appeared fearsome, their movements were somewhat cumbersome and their turns lacked agility.

Seizing an opportunity as one beast turned, Enzo harnessed elemental energy and unleashed a powerful strike at its hind leg, causing it to stumble precariously. The others, witnessing the misfortune of their companion, grew even more furious, intensifying their assault.

As Enzo fought and retreated, he inwardly lamented, “These formidable creatures are truly a challenge. This stalemate cannot continue.”

In a moment of clarity, he recalled his previous encounters with Warcraft, finding a weakness could lead to victory. He closely observed the beasts’ attacks and noted that each time they prepared to strike, a flicker of light would illuminate their bellies.

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Realization dawned upon him, “Could that be their vulnerable spot?”

Feigning a weakness, he lured one of the beasts into attacking. At the instant the beast’s belly glimmered, Enzo exerted every ounce of his strength to unleash a powerful beam of elemental energy towards the creature.

“Roar!” The beast howled in agony, clutching its abdomen as it collapsed to the ground. The other colossal creatures, momentarily stunned, seemed taken aback that Enzo could inflict harm upon their companion.

Seizing the opportunity, Enzo launched another attack aimed at the belly of a different beast. With relentless strikes, several of the monstrous creatures sustained injuries, retreating with anguished cries.

Without sparing them a glance, Enzo hurried to the edge of the Magic Spring, retrieving his container to fill it to the brim with its enchanted water, before dashing back towards the location where Kosor was ensnared.

Upon his return, however, Enzo sensed something amiss. The atmosphere around the Magic Circle was thick with an unsettling energy, peculiar runes flickering ominously in the air. Kosor’s countenance within the circle had also darkened.

“Kosor, I’m back! I’ve brought the Magic Spring water—hold on just a little longer!” Enzo shouted.

In a feeble voice, Kosor replied, “Enzo, you’ve finally returned! The formation seems to have intensified. I feel my strength waning rapidly. You must find a way!”

Approaching the Magic Circle, Enzo scrutinized the newly appeared runes, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. Yet, resolute, he gritted his teeth and splashed the Magic Spring water upon the Magic Circle.

Upon contact, the water emitted a sizzling sound, causing the runes to shimmer even more violently, while the Magic Circle began to tremble violently, its pull fluctuating erratically.

Kosor called out from within the circle.”Enzo, it seems to be working! Pour more Magic Spring water!”

Hastily, Enzo poured additional water onto the circle, but this time, the Magic Circle appeared enraged, erupting with a surge of formidable power that sent Enzo flying.He lay on the ground for quite a while before regaining his composure.

Kosor anxiously shouted, “Enzo, are you alright?”

Enzo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, rose to his feet, and replied, “I’m fine, but that Magic Circle is quite troublesome. It seems the Magic Spring water is insufficient. We need to devise another solution.”

As Enzo pondered this dilemma, he suddenly recalled the peculiar herbs the old blacksmith had mentioned when discussing weapon forging, wondering if perhaps one of those herbs could counter the Magic Circle.

He turned and raced toward the blacksmith’s workshop, bursting through the door to exclaim, “Master, it seems the Magic Spring water isn’t quite enough. Are there any of those herbs you mentioned that can confront the Magic Circle?”

The blacksmith furrowed his brow in thought and then said, “Ah, there is a herb called Ban-Broken Grass. It can somewhat disrupt this type of restrictive Magic Circle, but it’s quite elusive. It grows upon sheer cliffs, guarded by numerous toxic vines.”

Without hesitation, Enzo dashed outside, exclaiming, “Master, please tell me where I can find that cliff. I shall go gather the Ban-Broken Grass at once!”

The blacksmith called after him, “Head south from here, cross two mountains, and you will find a mist-shrouded area. The cliff lies there. Be cautious!”

Enzo sprinted along the path indicated by the blacksmith, straining his efforts until he finally discovered the towering cliff. It rose majestically into the clouds, adorned with peculiar grasses—surely the Ban-Broken Grass he sought. However, nearby, the menacing vines writhed ominously, presenting a formidable challenge.

As Enzo drew closer, the vines seemed to possess a will of their own, unleashing a stream of green venom towards him. He swiftly sidestepped, thinking, “I must tread carefully. A single splash of that could spell disaster.”

He observed the vines’ pattern of attack and noted a brief pause after each assault, likely a moment for them to gather strength for their next strike.

Seizing the instant when the vines ceased their venomous onslaught, Enzo hastily ascended towards the cliff. However, just as he climbed a short distance, the vines launched another attack, forcing him to evade their toxic spray while laboriously scaling upwards.

Finally reaching a patch of Ban-Broken Grass, Enzo reached out to pluck it, only to find it seemingly possessed a life of its own, resisting his grasp. After a considerable struggle, he managed to uproot several clumps, hastily cradling them in his arms and cautiously descending along the cliff.

Upon returning to the place where Kosor was trapped, Enzo found him exceedingly weakened, the glow of the Magic Circle growing ever more blinding.

Enzo exclaimed,”Kosor, I’m back! I’ve obtained the Ban-Broken Grass! This time, I shall surely rescue you!”

Kosor weakly opened his eyes and smiled faintly, “Enzo, I’ve been waiting for you. I can barely hold on any longer.”

Enzo crushed the Ban-Broken Grass and hurled it towards the Magic Circle. Upon contact, it instantly transformed into a wisp of green smoke, causing the circle’s brilliance to wane, and its pull gradually diminished.

Enzo rushed forward, gripping Kosor tightly, “Kosor, come on! We must leave this place at once!”

In a desperate plight, Kosor, with Enzo’s support, managed to stagger out of the Magic Circle. However, barely a few steps away, an eerie laughter echoed ominously from the surrounding woods.

“Enzo, you must go on ahead.” Kosor urged, glancing at his companion. “This place is cursed. The weapons forged by the old blacksmith are of utmost importance.”

“I refuse to abandon any of my friends.” Enzo asserted resolutely. “If I must forsake my friend for the sake of some weapon, then I would rather forgo the weapon altogether.”

Kosor’s heart warmed at Enzo’s words. They stood back to back, vigilantly observing the source of the laughter. Emerging from the shadows of the trees was a group of mysterious figures cloaked in black, their faces obscured, betraying no emotion.

“Who are you? Why do you seek to thwart us?” Enzo demanded, his voice ringing through the air.

One of the figures in black responded in a deep, resonant tone, “We are the Half-Orc Legion. That Congenial Wood was meant as a sacrifice to the Dark God, and you dare to take it from us? You are courting death.”

Kosor let out a derisive laugh. “Half-Orc Legion? I’ve never heard of you. Do you truly believe you can impede our progress?”

With that, Kosor brandished his great sword and charged at the figures in black. Enzo, summoning elemental energy, followed closely behind. Yet, the Half-Orc Legion appeared well-prepared, swiftly fanning out to encircle them, their black staves pulsating with an ominous glow.

In unison, the figures began to chant incantations, and suddenly, numerous black tendrils erupted from the ground, writhing toward Enzo and Kosor. Acting quickly, Enzo unleashed bursts of elemental energy, severing the encroaching tendrils one by one, but they continued to pour forth relentlessly, leaving the duo overwhelmed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep