Chapter 102 – Intense Battle

Watching the suspended fireballs filling the sky, Punk paid more attention to the High Priest’s subsequent actions. He was certain that even if he managed to block these dozens of fireballs with his current methods, his opponent would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to unleash a barrage of attacks, completely suppressing him!

However…

“Do you think I’m the kind of fool who seeks death without any preparation?”

A flash of crimson light instantly gleamed in Punk’s cold eyes!

The next second, the stasis field failed!

“BOOM!!”

Dozens of fireballs crashed toward Punk simultaneously, churning dust mixed with the violent roar engulfing his figure!

“How does it feel, you worm!? Have you tasted the wrath of Goddess Tisha Xia’er!?”

Without hesitation, the High Priest hurled two more fireballs one after another, roaring with maddened screams! The fireballs, shimmering with scorching orange light, instantly vanished into the smoke!

“BANG!!”

The explosive shockwave tore through the smoke screen, revealing Punk’s figure.

A translucent, circular barrier composed of rapidly spinning lavender energy completely enveloped Punk. Every single fireball used by the High Priest was intercepted without exception by this barrier!

“Formal-Level Conjuration Spell—Karsa’s Kinetic Barrier: Creates a barrier that requires continuous mana infusion. The barrier is composed of numerous high-speed kinetic energies, providing strong defense against direct attacks, but at a tremendous cost!”

“A barrier spell? I suppose you can’t move while inside it, can you? How long can your meager mana last? Hahahaha!”

Though the High Priest laughed maniacally and feigned disdain upon seeing the barrier defense spell Punk employed, he was inwardly very surprised.

While such “barrier” type spells had drawbacks like reduced mobility and immense mana consumption, their 360-degree, high-strength defense made them highly favored among mages. However, these spells were generally complex and rare. Given how young this mage before him was, the High Priest had initially assumed he was merely a “hothouse flower” nurtured by various potions. But now… it seemed he couldn’t be underestimated!

Despite his inner vigilance, the High Priest showed no signs of caution. His face remained as frenzied and contemptuous as ever!

“Look at this, and this, and then this… How about it? Hahahaha…”

With a twisted expression, the High Priest relentlessly attacked the kinetic barrier with one fireball after another. He knew Punk’s mage level was lower than his own, and the kinetic barrier currently in use was draining a massive amount of mana. As long as he maintained a high-frequency assault, forcing Punk to devote all his energy to sustaining the kinetic barrier and preventing him from focusing on casting spells, victory would be his within three minutes!

Inside the barrier, Punk watched expressionlessly as scorching fireballs struck the kinetic barrier one by one. The violent shockwaves shattered the hard rock ground into fragments, yet every spark was torn to shreds by the rapidly spinning kinetic energy.His mind was utterly calm. Although this spell consumed a massive amount of energy, the time he could sustain it was extremely limited, and he currently couldn’t maintain such a complex barrier while casting spells simultaneously, Punk had his own reliance that gave him the confidence to use this spell. What annoyed Punk the most right now was that one of his trump cards had been forced out so easily by the enemy!

Staring unflinchingly into the High Priest’s eyes, which held a mix of madness and profound calmness, Punk’s pupils slowly contracted. The azure magical energy in his eyes almost materialized and surged forth!

“Do you think victory is already in your grasp? You’re underestimating me too much!”

A chilling voice slowly escaped his lips as Punk raised his right hand while maintaining the barrier’s stability, forming the casting gesture for a Harm Spell.

Seeing this, the High Priest’s laughter faltered abruptly, and the rate of fireball launches slowed for a second. Rationally, he knew that no matter how talented Punk was, it was impossible to maintain the “Kinetic Barrier” to intercept his attacks while constructing a spell model. Yet, he instinctively analyzed Punk’s spell type and seriously considered his countermeasures.

“Could that brat really cast a spell? Looking at that gesture… Could it be ‘Greater Harm’? If hit by that…”

Recognizing the casting gesture for Greater Harm, the High Priest still entertained the idea of preparing for the worst. So next… he unhesitatingly intensified his fiery assault on Punk’s Kinetic Barrier!

“Even if you truly have the ability to cast spells, what does it matter? Under my full-powered onslaught, even if you’ve constructed a spell model, it will surely be interrupted!”

This was the High Priest’s current thought!

“Die, insect! Die! Die! Be reduced to ashes by the wrath of Goddess Tisha Xia’er, ahahahaha!”

The sky filled with flames turned the ground crimson. Sparks shattered against the Kinetic Barrier, and under the continuous explosions of fireballs, they formed a curtain of fire. The temperature inside the cave had risen to at least three hundred degrees. Even with the protection of Mage Armor, the scorching air seared the lungs unbearably.

Blocked by the flames, the High Priest didn’t see the faint, cold smile on Punk’s lips.

“Prudent caution born of rationality can be called wisdom, but impulsive caution is nothing but foolishness. Don’t you agree?”

Amid the roaring explosions of fireballs, Punk’s bone-chilling question reached the High Priest. With the hearing of a Formal-Level powerhouse, picking out words amidst the violent noise wasn’t difficult.

“Damn it!”

The High Priest’s pupils constricted instantly. He hurriedly reduced the output of fireballs, realizing immediately that he had fallen for Punk’s trick. Increasing the frequency of fireballs didn’t bring insurance or safety because Punk never had the ability for Dual Casting. So…

“The casting gesture was just to make me focus my attention on this Kinetic Barrier!”

As this thought struck him, the High Priest unhesitatingly stopped casting spells, but… it was too late. A lethal sense of danger descended upon him in an instant.

“The battlefield changes in the blink of an eye. Do you really think you’re the hunter? Are you truly certain?”Punk roared with bone-chilling fury, venting his rage at nearly being severely wounded. Five Kinetic Bursts materialized consecutively in the air around him, then shot toward the High Priest with trails that nearly tore through space. The spells locked onto the area surrounding the High Priest, completely sealing off all escape routes!

“Haaaaaaaaaa!”

Simultaneously, a blur abruptly flashed as Golem One—its body still blazing with scorching flames—unleashed its full speed, instantly appearing beside the High Priest. Its charred, skeletal fist, wreathed in raging air currents, struck at the High Priest’s head like a cannonball!

“Now, who’s the insect?!”

BOOM!!!!!

Under the immense force, the sturdy rock shattered instantly, jagged fragments jutting out from the ground. Dense cracks spread across the cave walls as a powerful shockwave swept through, obliterating everything in its path!

(End of Chapter)