Chương 101: The Feeling of Being Protected

"Mr. Shane!"

Philen's cry of alarm was swallowed up by the raging blizzard.

Thud— The other person's palm struck Xia En's forehead without mercy.

An invisible, powerful impact blasted away the snow around the two people, revealing the frozen ground.

Because everything happened so fast, neither Philon nor Shutark had time to react.

Only Frilian.

The moment the opponent raised their fist, the staff instantly appeared, and the magical chains formed by the [Binding Magic] immediately bound the opponent's arm tightly.

Under the spotlight, Xia En gently exhaled.

Well, how should I put it?

Thanks to Aize for the special training he provided.

Having already experienced a sudden and inexplicable forced activation, Shane's reaction speed has now improved dramatically.

[Mirror Value] is activated instantly, and [Dual Blade Style: Shadow Kill] can be used immediately. Just as the opponent's palm strikes you, the positions of the two people are strangely switched.

One charged forward, the other circled around.

Xia En shook his head. Even with the passive defense of the "Iron Head" attribute, and only being grazed on the edge by the palm wind, a red mark immediately appeared in the center of his forehead.

It's clear that the opponent's palm strike was very solid.

"Um?"

The figure under the blanket let out a puzzled sound after missing its target, seemingly not expecting its attack to be successfully dodged.

But he didn't rush into a second pursuit.

Because Xia En's longsword was already pressed against his lower back, and he coldly asked, "Sir, what does this mean?"

Upon hearing Xia En's question, the figure visibly paused: "You didn't seize the opportunity to kill me immediately—could I have misjudged you? You're not a demon?"

As he spoke, the figure lifted the blanket covering his head. Instantly, a pair of long elven ears appeared.

Shaun was taken aback. Elven ears, a green buzz cut—this couldn't be—he walked around to face the other person, took a closer look, and blurted out a name, "Kraft?!"

Do you know me?

Kraft looked slightly puzzled.

"It's been hundreds of years since anyone called my name—it seems you really are a demon. Only long-lived demons would remember me."

As he said this, he clenched his fist again at his waist, having lowered it.

"Since they are demons, we cannot let them go, even if it means mutual destruction."

Xia En was speechless.

What's this talk of mutual destruction? Don't start fighting the moment you meet someone; that's a bad habit.

Just then, the others finally reacted. Philon and Shutark came to Shane's side and tightly protected him in the center, on high alert.

Frillie's magic was not dispelled; it remained wrapped around Kraft's arm, tightening immediately when she saw him about to attack again.

Upon seeing this, Kraft kindly advised, "This person is a demon; you should not stop me."

Upon hearing his words, Philon frowned.

"How could Mr. Shane be a demon? Please don't talk nonsense."

"Young lady, my intuition is correct; he carries the aura of a demon. Moreover, two hundred years ago, I saw someone who could perfectly conceal his demonic horns."

Kraft's words surprised everyone present.

The one who perfectly hides his magic horn?

But soon, Philon shook his head, his tone firm: "Don't think you can sow discord by saying strange things. We've been together for many years, and there's no doubt he's human."

"But you, you were full of murderous intent the moment we met. You're obviously not a good person."

Frillie's tone turned icy: "Don't try anything funny. You won't get a second chance."

Although Shutark did not speak, the battle axe in his hand made his stance clear.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

Kraft frowned and finally took a closer look at Shane. The aura of the demon race was still there, but why were these people protecting him so much?

Were they bewitched?

Just then, Xia En, who was being protected in the center, raised his hand and said somewhat embarrassedly in a low voice, "Um, I think I do have the aura of the demon race—" As he spoke, Shane pulled out a large jar from his backpack containing black asphalt wrapped in waterproof cloth. The jar was full of venom that could not be purified for the time being.

"Feel it, is this the aura you're looking for?"

Kraft took the large jar. Indeed, it was filled with the aura of demons. He couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Could this be what he had just sensed? Thinking this, he looked up and carefully examined Shane.

Xia En met his gaze calmly.

A moment later, Kraft withdrew his attack stance and apologized to Leader Shane.

"I apologize, it seems I made a mistake. Please forgive an adventurer's instinctive reaction."

After speaking, in order to show friendliness, he even lifted the blanket on his body, revealing the monk's robe underneath.

"As you can see, I am a monk. This exceptionally skilled young man has just called out my name, Kraft."

Shaun touched his nose and said evasively, "I've seen your statue before—I am Shaun, a sage."

"Sage—it's been a long time since I've heard of that profession—so it's not surprising that you recognize me, after all, sages know everything."

The misunderstanding has been cleared up.

Upon further inquiry, it turned out that Kraft, like them, was also planning to cross the Swirl Mountains, but their destinations were different.

He had been lost here for a whole day, and the supplies he was carrying were scattered on the ground, frozen solid. He had already planned to abandon the supplies and try his luck moving forward, but unexpectedly, he ran into Xia En and his group.

The snowstorm intensified, and the temperature plummeted.

The sky gradually darkened.

The group put aside their differences and began to concentrate on finding the hunter's hut.

Shane stuffed all the supplies on the ground into his backpack, an action that amazed Kraft.

"Has the [Spatial Expansion Magic] already reached this level?"

"No, only Shane can do it," Frilian said.

The magic applied to her suitcase was [Spatial Expansion Magic], but it only made the suitcase appear slightly larger; it couldn't expand it as much as Shane's, and it almost completely negated the weight.

As Frilian spoke, Kraft realized that she was an elf.

The group followed behind Xia En, trudging forward with difficulty. Their footprints on the snow were soon buried by the howling wind and snow.

Kraft walked along, trying to strike up a conversation with Frillie.

"I haven't seen my kind for about three hundred years—I thought the elves were extinct."

"Me too."

Kraft smiled; for a long time, he had thought he was the only elf in the world.

It's a pleasant surprise to meet someone like me here.

"How old are you? Are you a thousand years old?"

"Philan said, 'Don't pay attention to strangers who ask girls their age.'"'

"7 Kraft was taken aback, then chuckled twice.

"Judging from your appearance, you must still be a baby."

As the two were talking, Shutark suddenly collapsed to the ground ahead.

Xia En quickly turned around to check, reached out and touched his forehead, and her heart sank.