Chapter 207: Merit

This was Helag’s plan; he never intended for the Dark Orb to directly harm Cole.

As long as it could disrupt or hinder Cole’s movements, it was enough.

Helag was faster than Cole, and any slight hindrance allowed him to close the gap significantly.

Cole slowed to avoid the Dark Orb, and in a blink, Helag had shortened the distance.

Cole hesitated briefly, then continued forward, intent on escaping quickly.

Helag unleashed a barrage of Dark Orbs, forcing Cole into a desperate evasion.

Under normal circumstances, Cole wouldn’t flee so haphazardly.

As a mid-level spellcaster, he could have fought Helag.

But now, Cole knew he couldn’t delay and had to leave quickly.

This forced him into a defensive position.

Cole initially thought Helag was a close-combat spellcaster, not expecting such proficiency in spell attacks.

“Long Stride.” (tln : i dont remember this spell guys ‘大步奔行。’ )

Seeing the distance was close enough, Helag used Long Stride, instantly appearing three meters behind Cole.

Startled, Cole turned, forming a Wind Arrow to hinder Helag.

In the next second, Helag vanished.

Cole quickly realized, “That teleportation spell again!”

Without hesitation, he rolled to the side.

Helag’s punch missed, and he remarked, “Quick reflexes.”

“Dark Imprisonment!”

Cole froze, attempting to rise but found himself immobilized.

Normally, this binding spell would only hold him for a fraction of a second.

But for Helag, that was enough; they were less than three meters apart.

A fraction of a second was ample time for many actions.

Boom!

A loud crash sent up a cloud of dust.

Cole lay in a crater, his body bent awkwardly at the waist.

Helag’s punch had used full force, striking Cole’s tailbone.

Though conscious, Cole glared at Helag.

His limbs twitched uncontrollably, his body beyond his control.

“Can’t run now. A mid-level spellcaster is too valuable to kill; he must be kept.”

Mid-level spellcasters held significant research value, so Helag wouldn’t kill him.

These achievements would enhance his evaluation at Base 27.

Helag crouched, taking the wooden longbow from Cole’s hand.

Holding it, Helag felt a peculiar sensation.

He instinctively felt a sense of familiarity.

Why did a wooden longbow feel familiar?

Observing it, Helag realized the bow’s aura felt familiar, almost nostalgic.

He glanced at Cole, asking, “What’s this bow called? How do you use it?”

Cole remained silent, coldly staring.

Helag expected no answer and didn’t press further.

He attempted to draw the bow like Cole.

The bow was harder to draw than expected, requiring great strength.

As Helag fully drew it, a green arrow formed.

Simultaneously, Helag felt something within him flow into the arrow.

Whoosh!

Releasing the green string, the arrow flew and vanished.

Moments later, it reappeared before a distant boulder, exploding.

“Feeling more fatigued… It seems each shot drains physical strength…”

Helag understood the bow’s peculiar nature.

The cost of using the bow was physical stamina; each arrow drained significant energy.

Even a great knight and mid-level spellcaster like Cole couldn’t sustain many shots.

Helag considered, but he was different.

In his current state, his physical attributes were exceptional.

The recent shot only slightly drained his stamina.

But the loss was negligible; stamina was his least concern.

Helag estimated he could shoot dozens, even hundreds of arrows without issue.

The bow’s ordinary arrow had 19 units of attack strength.

A crystalline wizard like Malcolm’s basic spell had 21 units.

Helag now had a high-strength, sustained combat option.

During the fight with Cole, Helag noticed his limitations.

His strength lay in close combat, using immense physical power to subdue foes.

But against strong, fleeing enemies, he had few options.

His ranged attacks were limited to a few spells.

Those spells lacked sufficient attack strength.

Now, with the longbow, his ranged capabilities were bolstered.

Helag stored the bow in his space ring, waiting by Cole for Reese to bring others from the base.

Soon, Reese arrived with several people, including Kane.

“You handled him alone?” Kane asked, surprised at Cole’s immobilized state.

Helag shook his head, “David helped, but he’s injured.”

He didn’t claim all the credit.

Kane nodded, “Impressive, a mid-level spellcaster. You’ve earned great merit. What will you do with him? Keep him or give him to the base?”

Helag glanced at David, asking, “I’ll give him to the base. What do you think, David?”

“I agree,” David nodded.

David felt he hadn’t contributed much.

Helag mentioned him to share the credit, adding to David’s merit.

Grateful, David had no objections.

Cole was subdued by Helag alone, so it was his decision.

Kane said, “I’ll take him back. This will be documented, aiding your future evaluations.”

“Once his belongings are sorted, you can take what you need or convert them to magic stones.”

Cole likely had valuable items, but Helag hadn’t searched thoroughly, only taking the longbow.

Helag felt the bow was Cole’s most valuable possession, quite unique.

The bases in the Land of Dawn were fair.

In the war effort, fairness was crucial.

Letting all wizards see that effort led to rewards encouraged genuine participation in the war effort.