"Hehe, Eighth Commander. I think there are quite a few nice ones in this team. Tsk tsk. If you're tired of them, could you give them to us to have a go at as well?"

A pockmarked man asked flatteringly. Three bandits rode on their horses and sprinted toward the maple forest rapidly.

"Pockmarked, if you've completed your duty as instructed, the Big Boss will definitely reward you! Quickly kill this tramp and report to the Big Boss."

The Eighth Commander replied rather impatiently.

The bandits then raised their swords and flashed a cruel smile. They charged at the tramp who was leaning against the tree.

Suddenly, the still tramp raised his head in a sudden motion. When he stared at these three cruel-looking bandits, he did not reveal even a hint of panic.

"Ka-chak!"

Three bandits roared in laughter as they charged at the man. However, in an instant, a gust of chill air encompassed them. Then, the bandits were frozen into crystals together with their horses – resembling living ice statues.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Three heavy thuds were heard. As the three of them charged at him too quickly, the inertia caused them to fall to the ground, breaking into a million pieces after they were frozen into statues.

There were broken limbs amongst the crystal pieces. However, there was not a single drop of blood on the ground and not even the smell of blood was in the air. It was exactly this scene that sent a chill down people's spine!

Then, the tramp's eyes were set on the gang of bandits further away from him.

…

"Great… Big Boss, something happened!"

The Big Boss' gaze fell on the beautiful maiden, Emma. At this moment, he heard the panic-stricken voice of a bandit behind him.

"What happened that made you so panic?"

The Big Boss scolded the bandit behind him loudly with a dark expression.

The bandit appeared pale as he replied with a shaky voice, "The Eighth Commander is dead… Also…"

"Also what?"

A light flashed across Big Boss' eyes as he shot a glare at the bandit.

"Moreover, his death is horrible! Big Boss, I think you should see for yourself…"

The bandit's teeth seemed to be trembling. As he recalled the scene he had just witnessed, he was immediately overcome with unspeakable fear.

"Hmph, bring me there!"

The Big Boss took a deep glance at the people of the fleet of carriages. He ordered his men to keep an eye on them. Then, he brought a gang of bandits and went straight toward the maple forest.

Soon, the Big Boss arrived at the maple forest and saw the crystals, which encompassed of broken limbs on the ground. Even if they were cruel, the scene before them still sent a chill down their spine. Their gaze was locked on the tramp who was under the tree with a hint of fear crawling onto their face.

"Damn it. It's you?"

The Big Boss had a dark expression. Even though he did not understand why the Eighth Commander had become the way he was now, the Big Boss was known to be ferocious. He immediately shot his glance toward the tramp where fury flashed in his eyes.

"Kill this tramp right now!"

The bandits rushed out from the Big Boss' back, riding horses and bearing a sword in their hands while sprinting toward the tramp under the tree.

"Phew…"

Suddenly, a pitch-black mist appeared out of nowhere and engulfed most of the bandits. Then, thunder began to flash in the mist.

"It's a Spell Caster. It's the mysterious Spell Caster! Run quickly!"

Upon seeing the strange scene, the bandits who were not engulfed in the mist immediately screamed and retreated frantically. Even the bandits who were keeping an eye on the carriages had noticed the huge commotion and ran away as if their lives were at stake.

There might not be many who had seen a Spell Caster, but most knew about the mystery and strength of a Spell Caster. After noticing that the tramp was actually a mysterious yet strong Spell Caster, naturally, these bandits did not want to stay any longer and scurried away in fear.

As compared to the bandits who ran away, the bandits who were encompassed in the mist were not that lucky. After the mist dissipated, dozens of bandits were lying on the ground in various poses, bearing a blank face. The ones hit by the lighting let out an unbearable stench as their charred bodies were revealed.

"So weak…"

The tramp looked at the bandits' bodies all over the ground. He appeared very calm but sighed with mixed feelings.

"It has already been nine days. The effect of Corroding Potion still hasn't been cleared. In addition, there's a sign that it's spreading throughout the body. I must find a quiet place and try to make an Antidote Potion."

This tramp was Merlin. He had already been in the maple forest for nine whole days. He originally wanted to rely on the strength of his physical attribute and the Coagulation Potion. After his body could no longer support him to walk, he would find another safe place and make the potion.

Little did he expect that the poison of the Corroding Potion was not suppressed at all. Instead, the poison became stronger with time. Even Merlin's strong physical attribute could not help in this matter. Other than casting spells, it was difficult to even move an inch of his body, not to mention making a potion.

The Big Boss of the bandits was merely a Third-level Elemental Swordsman. Once Merlin's Dark Mist had engulfed them, they were all trapped in an illusion no matter how many they were and killed by Thunderbolt Net.

Merlin set his gaze toward the faraway carriages and a thought came to him – maybe these people could help him.

…

"Father, the bandits have left."

The young girl, Emma, muttered after ensuring the bandits were not in sight anymore.

"Yes, they're gone. They got in trouble with a mysterious and powerful Spell Caster!"

The middle-aged man looked toward the faraway maple forest. That man who looked like a tramp was a mysterious yet powerful Spell Caster.

Before this, he once heard about how powerful the Spell Casters were, but he had never seen one before. Now, he finally had the chance to see one where he killed dozens of ferocious bandits in an instant.

Moreover, that Spell Caster did not even move a muscle. Such dread!

When Merlin's gaze fell on him, Chablis was squeezed with anxiety.

After a long while, Chablis took a deep breath. He said to Emma and the noble lady, "Let's go. That Spell Caster has saved us all. We should show our appreciation to that sir!"

The noble lady appeared worried while Emma was filled with curiosity. She followed the middle-aged man and walked toward the faraway maple forest.

Soon, the three came to the maple forest. Upon seeing the bodies of numerous bandits, especially when an unbearable burning smell was still lingering in the air, the three were extremely nervous.

"Most respectable Sir Spell Caster, thank you for helping us and killing the bandits. You have saved us. I, Chablis, represent the Deqman family to thank you for your aid, sir."

Chablis held one hand over his chest as an expression of a formal etiquette. Although he was gripped by fear toward the Spell Caster, he still showed his appreciation to Merlin.

Merlin raised his head and his pale face showed a smile. "Mr. Chablis, I need your help!"

"Help?"

Chablis showed an odd expression. Merlin had just killed dozens of ferocious bandits with a wave of his hands. What help did he still require?

Merlin continued, "I need a safe place. Ditas town in front is quite good."

Chablis gave a relieved sigh. The Spell Caster only needed a place. For a merchant, this was a piece of cake. Thus, he smiled and answered, "Sir, please be at ease. We'll definitely arrange a safe and quiet place for you in Ditas town. Please follow us."

However, Merlin did not move. Instead, he sighed, "If I can walk, do I still need you?"

After Merlin said that, he took away the clothes used to cover his legs.

Instantly, they saw the terrifying bones and corroding flesh on Merlin's thigh. Even Chablis who had seen and experienced many things could not help but be overwhelmed by the sight of this.

After a long while, Chablis returned to his senses and quickly said to Merlin, "Sir, let me call my men here and carry you into the carriage."

Merlin nodded. He let Chablis call for his men and carry him into the carriage where they continued toward Ditas town slowly.

…

"Sir, how about this place? This is the residence I've found for you in town."

Chablis had just led the carriages into Ditas town. Before having time to rest, he began to search for a safe place for Merlin.

Finally, he chose a residence which seemed rather quiet.

Merlin was carried by four men. His face seemed to turn a lot paler. Without checking out the residence, he said to Chablis in a deep tone, "Alright. Get me in. Right, call Emma for me. I need her for something!"

"Emma?"

Chablis' expression changed. After looking at Merlin, he finally replied through gritted teeth, "Sir, Emma is still young. I can find a prettier woman for you…"

Before he even finished his words, Chablis felt a chilling aura over him.

Merlin said in a dark expression, "Mr. Chablis, let me repeat myself. Call Emma here!"

Chablis' expression kept changing, but finally, he walked out, looking down.

Merlin knew Chablis had misunderstood his meaning. With his body now, he could not even move a muscle. What more could he do? However, he was lazy to explain himself as he was in a dire situation. If he did not make the potion now, he would probably be in a deep trouble.

"Sir, Emma is here."

Chablis' voice rang outside the door,

"Let Emma in!"

"Squeak…"

As soon as Merlin finished his words, Emma pushed the door open lightly and entered carefully. Her face revealed a hint of nervousness.