Chapter 518 - 517: Underwater Ambush

Chapter 518: Chapter 517: Underwater Ambush

Just then, a SPLASH echoed from the riverbank as water churned.

Dorn climbed out of the river.

He vigorously wrung out his beard and called over to Colin, "It’s a bit dark down there, so I couldn’t see very clearly, but I’m sure I didn’t spot anything unusual."

"That’s good," Colin nodded.

’Even if there is something at the bottom of the river, it probably won’t escape Orelia’s Shield of Vigilance.’

Since Donkexes and the others weren’t around to provide cover this time, the armored members of the party had taken off their Armor as a precaution and stuffed it into a Dimension Bag.

The group boarded the small raft and slowly made their way toward the opposite bank.

Kase used a mushroom cap as a paddle, inching the raft forward. The river water flowed slowly beneath them with a gentle GURGLE, creating a surprisingly peaceful feeling.

"The Shield reminded me, everyone!" Orelia shouted from the side.

Just then, Colin suddenly sensed a strange blue light in the pitch-black water below.

He immediately looked down toward the glimmer.

’Should I call out to Kase and the others? No, this is just a minor problem, there’s no need...’ Colin’s mind snapped back to reality as he broke free from the restraint deep within his brain.

"Something is using a Spiritual Attack on us!"

Colin shouted, having realized what had just happened.

The moment the words left his mouth, a steel fork shot up from beneath the water.

The tip of the fork was U-shaped, its inner edges lined with sharp barbs. It looked like a Person-Catching Fork, designed specifically for capturing people.

Caught off guard, Colin was struck by the fork. He could feel Ale, who was sitting behind him, immediately grab onto him with lightning-fast reflexes, but the raft lurched violently, and both of them were dragged into the water.

The foul stench of the water rushed over him, making him dizzy.

The sound of Orelia chanting a prayer reached his ears.

The next instant, a blinding light erupted from the surface of the water.

The intense glare pierced through the dark water, and when Colin opened his eyes, he instantly saw shadows moving through the gloom.

It was a group of fully armed Kuo-toa. The largest one was the creature that had speared him with the Person-Catching Fork. The other Fishmen carried Short Spears and strange Shields covered in a sticky white liquid.

Under the effect of the Daylight spell, the Fishmen covered their eyes, clearly unused to the direct, bright light.

Colin wrapped an arm around Ale beside him to keep her from being swept away by the current.

If he had been a normal Mage, he would have been half-dead by now.

After all, it’s impossible to speak while Casting underwater, which would render any Magic requiring a Spell completely useless.

But for the current Colin, this wasn’t much of a problem.

He drew Burning Blood from his waist. The blade vibrated rhythmically in the water, completely replacing the need for a Spell.

Because there might be a Spiritual Energy Caster lurking in the dark, Colin used a Rising Tier Spellcasting technique to cast Intelligent Barrier on himself and Ale, protecting them from potential Spiritual Attacks.

When raised to the fourth tier, this Magic could protect two people at once.

By this point, the surrounding Kuo-toa had slowly adjusted to the bright light from the Daylight spell.

Most of the Fishmen swam toward the raft above, leaving only two or three to come after Colin, hoping to capture Ale who had been dragged down with him.

Colin brandished his blade, then placed the hand holding the weapon on the cover of his Spellbook. With a lift of his arm, he conjured a glob of green acid.

The Kuo-toa holding him seemed to realize something and started shouting loudly to the other Fishmen, but being underwater, Colin had no idea what it was yelling.

The viscous green liquid flew into the middle of the Fishmen and exploded.

The acid formed a dark green cloud at the bottom of the river, almost blending in with the murky gray-black water.

The thick acid spread through the water. Although its concentration was diluted, the Magic’s area of effect was now much larger than it would normally be.

The surrounding Fishmen immediately began to thrash violently underwater. Their scales curled and peeled off, revealing raw red skin underneath. Then, their muscles and even their bones began to slowly dissolve.

The afflicted Fishmen lost all their strength and sank slowly toward the riverbed.

At the same time, Arrows and silver Daggers rained down from the surface. Points of light from the Sacred Flame spell began to appear above the Fishmen’s heads, the golden radiance shining underwater and searing the evil Underground creatures.

Just then, the two Fishmen from before charged closer.

Ale, next to Colin, unslung the Heavy Crossbow from her bag, aimed at the Kuo-toa holding the Person-Catching Fork, and fired. The Crossbow Arrow cut a trail of bubbles through the water and struck the Fishman squarely in the chest.

’She actually hit it?!’

Colin was shocked, feeling as if he had just witnessed a miracle.

He swung his blade at an approaching Kuo-toa, and three red Force Missiles shot out from the tip. One Force Missile finished off the Fishman with the Person-Catching Fork, while the other two blasted bloody craters into the second Fishman.

At that moment, several more Kuo-toa swam down from above.

Ale, still holding onto Colin with one hand and unwilling to drop her Heavy Crossbow, swung the unloaded weapon backhanded, smashing it into one of the creature’s heads. The immense force of the blow left the Fishman bludgeoned and bleeding.

Just then, another Fishman rushed forward.

Ale swung her Heavy Crossbow again, smashing it into this one’s chest. The impact forced a stream of countless bubbles from the Fishman’s mouth, and it began to convulse wildly in the water.

In this situation, Colin didn’t dare cast Lightning Bolt.

Instead, he fired off another three Magic Missiles, finishing off two more Kuo-toa.

The air in his lungs was dwindling, and his thoughts began to grow sluggish.

’I don’t feel any more Spiritual Attacks right now. I wonder if that Caster is still around.’

Colin gritted his teeth and swung his blade.

He cast Jade Water Ball around himself and Ale. A sphere of clear, clean water surged forth and enveloped them both.

Colin controlled the Jade Water Ball, flying it toward the shore.

This Magic, like Intelligent Barrier, required concentration to maintain. In his haste, Colin couldn’t be sure if the Magic’s protective qualities would be affected.

Fortunately, the Spiritual Attack never came.

Within a few short seconds, he had flown with Ale to the opposite bank.

With a mental command, the Jade Water Ball was dispelled, and the two of them dropped onto the bank, lying on the ground and gasping for breath.

Even as he gasped for air, Colin stared intently at the nearby water’s surface. The river was now completely calm, with no sign of any Fishmen, as tranquil as it had been before the attack.