Bizarre Voyage: Summoning The Fourth Crisis

SWOOSH—

BANG!

Even as he retreated, Li Miao wasn’t just focused on escaping. He found an opportunity to channel his Warfire, and an ethereal flame ignited on his arm and Bone Fork.

The next moment, he unleashed a Bone Fork Throwing that shot from his hand like a cannonball. The Large Shield it struck shattered instantly, and the fork, losing none of its momentum, impaled and killed a Soldier.

[You have killed a Shield Soldier]

”Hm?”

Li Miao’s eyes lit up at the sight.

The power of this Attack completely exceeded his expectations.

A moment ago, his Warfire-enhanced slash had been of limited effect against the Shield Soldier, yet this ordinary Combat Skill, Bone Fork Throwing, could shatter the Shield outright when infused with Warfire.

’Looks like Warfire plus a Combat Skill is the right way to do it.’

”Heh heh. If that’s the case, then this is simple.”

Li Miao chuckled and pulled out another Fishman Bone Fork.

In order to complete a quest, he and Faraway had farmed quite a few Fishman Leaders.

He’d thought the forks would be useless afterward, but now it seemed Bone Fork Throwing was far more effective than he could have imagined!

”Hah!”

Finding another opening, Li Miao took a running start, his Warfire flared, and he hurled another fork!

The sound echoed as another patrolling Soldier turned to Ashes.

The narrow corridor, which had previously restricted his ability to kite the enemies, had now unexpectedly become an asset.

In this terrain, the enemy Soldiers couldn’t Dodge effectively. They were nothing more than sitting ducks.

Before long, Li Miao had killed all the patrolling Soldiers.

As he retrieved the thrown Fishman Bone Forks and collected the loot, Li Miao suddenly discovered something.

[Acquired: Battle Ash·Gulard Heavy Strike ×1]

[Battle Ash·Gulard Heavy Strike]

[Type: Skill Book]

[Quality: Residual Ash]

[Effect: Gather Power to unleash a slashing Heavy Strike with a knife or sword-type Weapon.]

[Explanation: An extremely common but effective Combat Skill, very simple and easy to learn. It seems to come from an unknown Kingdom or Empire with an army... Gulard?]

’Gulard... What’s that? Whatever, I’ll make a note of it. That storyteller kid should like this...’

Li Miao glanced at the Explanation and thought no more of it, turning instead to check the requirements.

’Only 6 Power to learn it. It really is common and easy to use!’

With a soft POOF, Li Miao crushed the clump of Battle Ash and used it.

[You have used Battle Ash·Gulard Heavy Strike]

Soon, the relevant instincts flowed into his memory. With just a little practice, he’d be able to use it as easily as waving his hand.

’I finally got a Combat Skill for blades. I’ll test its power first.’

Li Miao was itching to try out his new Skill, so he decided to test its power.

After taking a deep breath, Li Miao gripped his Candlefire Scimitar with both hands. Bending his right knee, he lunged forward and slashed at a nearby rock!

CLANG!

Sparks flew and rock chips scattered. The slash left a gash that immediately began to slowly heal over.

’The power doesn’t seem all that impressive.’

But Li Miao was not discouraged.

He hadn’t used his Warfire, and he hadn’t fully mastered the Combat Skill yet, so this one strike wasn’t a true measure of its strength.

’The Explanation says this Combat Skill is easy to learn. In that case...’

’I’ll just use these Soldiers as practice!’

Having made up his mind, Li Miao decided to be a little more ”reckless” from now on.

Thus...

”Knight Charge!!!”

With a great shout, Li Miao’s body burst into Warfire. A white, gaseous shield formed before him, and he slammed into the Gulard Soldiers ahead like a small freight train!

BANG!

The Gulard Soldiers were sent flying like bowling pins, knocked every which way. They collapsed to the ground, heavily wounded, and struggled to get back up.

But Li Miao obviously wasn’t going to give them that chance.

STEP! SHNK!

”Hah...” Li Miao exhaled, practicing his Gulard Heavy Strike as he finished off the Soldiers on the ground. A sense of confidence began to swell within him.

’With my Combat Skills enhanced by Warfire, these Soldiers seem a little... fragile?’

’Was I being too cautious before?’

’Maybe... I could just charge straight through everything?’

Li Miao stroked his chin, thinking about his earlier action of turning and retreating.

Lost in thought, he failed to notice the Warfire surrounding him beginning to dissipate on its own...

”Urgh...”

Li Miao suddenly doubled over, a wave of weakness washing over him. He felt completely drained, as if his body had been hollowed out. Even standing was a struggle, and he felt mentally exhausted.

SHUFFLE... SHUFFLE...

As if to add insult to injury, a Firelight flickered up ahead, and a torch-bearing Soldier appeared before him once more.

Li Miao’s face fell.

’Crap! I used Warfire too much, my Physical Strength is completely drained!’

Warfire recovered very slowly. Once depleted, it had to be replenished using either Physical Strength or Spiritual Power. And if both of those ran out... well, then the character would be completely spent.

’No way, I have to use an item! Or I’m going to bite it right here!’

Though panicked, Li Miao’s mind was still sharp.

He quickly reached out, took a red Recovery Wax Block from his wrist, and put it in his mouth.

Feeling a little drained?

Recovery Wax Block, for when you’re feeling overdrawn!

As a gentle wave of Life Force spread through his body, Li Miao immediately straightened his back.

”Ah, that’s the stuff!”

”Die!”

Looking at the torch-bearing Soldier before him, he raised his Candlefire Scimitar and unleashed a Gulard Heavy Strike!

SHHNK!

Before the torch-bearing Soldier could even call for its comrades, Li Miao cut it down in a single strike.

’This feels way too good...’

Glancing at the Recovery Wax Block on his wrist, Li Miao couldn’t help but marvel at it.

The feeling was like taking a massive bite of ice-cold, seedless watermelon on a sweltering day when you’re dying of thirst.

One word... incredible!

’One more piece.’

Li Miao couldn’t resist plucking another one off and popping it into his mouth.

This time, however, it didn’t have the same life-giving sensation as before.

He couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

’Looks like I have to completely exhaust my Physical Strength before it’ll work like that again.’

Shaking his head, Li Miao refocused his attention on the path ahead.

Behind the torch-bearing Soldier was another patrol squad.

This time, however, Li Miao didn’t hesitate. He led with a Knight Charge, then harvested them one by one.

The loot drops were pretty good this time: a Weapon and a piece of armor.

[Standard Longsword (Ordinary)]

[Type: Weapon]

[Explanation: A standard-issue Weapon from Gulard. The insignia on the hilt, a set of scales and a sword, seems to be the symbol of this mysterious nation.]

[Soldier Leg Armor (Crude)]

[Type: Leg Armor]

[Explanation: Crude soldier trousers. Their protective function is better than nothing.]

”Damn, I finally have a normal pair of pants to wear.”

Tears streamed down Li Miao’s face as he hastily swapped out the bizarre-looking Sand Worm Leg Guards.

Now, he finally looked somewhat like a ”Knight.”

After dealing with this squad of Soldiers, he came to a relatively wide open area. There was also a gap in the rocks to the side, with a small beach below.

At this time, the guidance of the Spirit Candle appeared again.

Before long, the ethereal form of the Candlekeeper once again lit a Milestone Spirit Candle for him.

This made Li Miao breathe a sigh of relief.

’Thank goodness for the Milestone Spirit Candle. Running all the way back here would be exhausting.’

BWOOOOM—

Just then, the sound of a horn from ahead drew his attention back.

Li Miao’s brow furrowed. He walked a little further, and the rocky corridor suddenly opened up. Ahead of him appeared to be some kind of combination of a coastal encampment and a harbor.

Numerous Gulard Soldiers patrolled back and forth, standing in disciplined formation.

Among them, a captain, noticeably taller than the other Soldiers, stood like an iron tower. He was clad in black full-plate armor, wielding a Greatsword and a Long Shield.

Beside him, several prisoners knelt in the center of the camp. They were dressed in dirty, gray prison rags, their hands and feet bound in shackles, apparently awaiting execution.

The horn call came from across the dark, open sea.