Chapter 356: Legendary Creature

Martina and the other five students were bleeding from their noses and ears.

The stronger ones remained conscious, while two weaker gaseous wizards had fainted.

The roar was terrifying, earth-shattering.

The sound, so close, incapacitated the weaker wizards.

Buck, surrounded by a yellowish shield, looked pale.

Not from injury, but fear.

As an experienced old wizard, Buck knew the polluted zone well, or he wouldn’t have brought students here.

He had real skills.

But his knowledge made him aware of what was above.

“Legendary creature…”

Buck swallowed bitterly, thinking of those words.

As a second-level wizard, he hadn’t felt such fear of death in a long time.

Facing other powerful creatures, Buck could at least ensure his safety.

But against a legendary creature, he had no intention of fighting.

His mind raced, seeking escape.

Legendary creatures were the strongest known beings in the polluted zone.

Each had at least fourth-level wizard strength.

In the Land of Dawn, fourth-level wizards were the strongest leaders.

Most factions’ rulers were fourth-level wizards.

Thus, wizards in the polluted zone couldn’t resist legendary creatures.

The origins of legendary creatures were debated, some saying they survived since ancient times.

Others claimed they had many generations, but were rarely seen.

Dawn’s wizards, through experience, identified eight legendary creatures in the polluted zone.

Encountering any meant near-certain death.

Most pioneers never saw them.

If encountered, it was bad luck, as the odds were low.

Few ever saw them, and dying to one was unsurprising.

Buck felt dizzy, pale, heart racing.

He’d forgotten such things existed, dismissing them as tales.

Yet, here he was, facing one.

Looking up, he sought to identify it.

A flaming giant fist answered him.

“Burner,” Buck muttered, recognizing it.

Burners resembled giant monkeys, covered in flames.

Their main feature was the blazing fire.

But Burners didn’t rely on fire to attack; they used immense strength.

The flames were intensely hot, unbearable for ordinary wizards.

Direct contact would quickly cook them.

The fist descended, bringing a fierce wind.

The castle’s array blocked it briefly before shattering, ceasing function.

The array stopped, completely destroyed.

Buck conjured a thick stone wall above the castle, then fled, teleporting away.

With the array down, escape was possible, and Buck seized the chance.

The Burner’s fist smashed the wall, shattering it into fragments.

Flames scattered, landing around.

The debris and flames struck the five on the ground, causing screams.

Some, unconscious, couldn’t protect themselves, dying instantly.

Others, ignited, rolled in agony.

The flames couldn’t be extinguished, clinging and burning until consumed.

Inside the stone cage, Helag was shielded from harm.

Buck, focused on escape, ignored him.

The fist withdrew, and Helag peered through the cage’s gaps.

He saw a massive hand retract and two enormous feet, unable to view the Burner fully.

The Burner seemed focused on Buck, losing interest in the castle once Buck fled.

It kicked the ground, creating a windstorm, nearly blowing people away.

Roar!

Another roar overhead, but Helag was prepared, protecting his ears.

The Burner’s flight was loud.

As the sound faded, Helag’s sense of impending doom eased.

The Burner’s distance suggested Buck had fled far, likely using special means.

Minutes later, the stone cage crumbled.

Helag knew Buck was likely gone.

Surviving a legendary creature’s pursuit for minutes was impressive.

Perhaps Buck canceled the spell to conserve magic, though unlikely.

With the cage gone, Helag stood, observing the moaning survivors.

One man, seeing Helag, crawled away in fear.

His leg was broken, twisted unnaturally, forcing him to crawl.

Helag drew the World Tree Bow, shooting an arrow at the man’s head.

The green arrow vanished, reappearing before the man’s head.

His head exploded, silencing him.

“Don’t… don’t kill me…”

Martina was alive, her knees crushed, ribs broken, unable to move freely.

Seeing Helag’s deadly shot, she retreated in fear.