Chapter 354 - 207: Mr. More Money_2

But even so, he could barely fight Tollesk to a draw.

Moreover, due to the significant energy consumption discrepancy between his Classes Level and the Monster Skill, over time, his stamina was starting to lag.

He could probably hold on for another twenty seconds before he’d have to figure out how to call on Meredith and Benest for a retreat.

Of course, the effects of such an intense battle were also noticeable.

Because the Frost Giant leader Tollesk continuously used combat skills like Frost Shock, Frost Shockwave, and Ice Spike Combo during the battle, his opponent, in turn, was beginning to gain insight into a wide range of frost combat skills.

On the other side, the Frost Giant leader Tollesk didn’t immediately advance for an attack, but rather, he looked Raine up and down with a puzzled expression and said in a low voice:

"Human, why do you know our tribe’s combat skills?"

This question had been lingering in Tollesk’s mind for quite some time.

At the very start of the battle, he had noticed this human with a Special Classes who occasionally utilized Ice Spike Combo and Frost Shock.

Hearing Tollesk’s question spoken with a tone of doubt, Raine thought to himself ’What I’m using are exactly your Monster Skills!’, but since this was top secret, he couldn’t reveal it, so instead he said:

"Do you really think only your Frost Giants can master them?"

"Could it be that on the Valzeg Continent, only Lankote Snowfield has permafrost?"

Raine’s words left the Frost Giant leader Tollesk stunned!

Indeed.

In the cold areas of Valzeg Continent, Lankote Snowfield is not the only place, nor is it the coldest.

The Eternal Glacier in the far north, the Winter Tundra in the northwest, and the Howling Fjord are all extremely cold regions, inhabited not just by clans of Frost Giants, but also hardy Barbarians, Orc tribes, and others.

The other side has also mastered numerous frost-related combat skills.

However, the young man in front of him certainly didn’t look like a Barbarian!

"Ah!!"

Just as Tollesk was thinking this, a sudden scream from a nearby Frost Giant broke the tension!

Both combatants, still locked in confrontation, caught the scene out of the corner of their eyes, spotting a Frost Giant who had been battling with a Royal Guard, now engulfed in flames, transforming into a Fire Giant.

Following the faint trailing fireball technique flame in the air, they glanced towards a nearby snow hill where five humans, wearing magic robes of varying shades of red, have appeared.

Unlike the visibly altered expression of the Frost Giant leader Tollesk, Raine was smiling, because he noticed the familiar figure beside him—Henry.

Signaling that the mages were allies, not foes.

Indeed.

After one round of Fireball Techniques that took down a Frost Giant, the five mages didn’t stop but instead began chanting spells again, which made Tollesk unable to restrain himself from shouting, "Damn human mages!"

Seeing that Tollesk’s attention was completely diverted, Raine’s eyes narrowed, thinking to himself ’What a great opportunity!’

No one expected such an opportune moment to arise when his stamina was mostly spent.

His figure moved like lightning, immediately cutting to the side of the Frost Giant leader.

"Double Strike!"

In a match of skilled opponents, a moment’s distraction can lead to a dramatic change in the situation.

Raine’s all-out strike landed heavily on Tollesk’s newly-turned left knee.

"Crack!"

The sound of bones cracking echoed!

But Raine did not continue to attack immediately, instead quickly retreating with the borrowed force.

The one-legged Frost Giant leader Tollesk swung his bone axe in a sweeping motion, but hit nothing but air, staggering to stand precariously on one leg.

The plan to support his Frost Giant subordinates naturally died on the spot.

At this time, with the last regular Frost Giant being surrounded and killed, multiple Royal Guards formed a triangular formation around, with the mages covering from the rear.

The upcoming battle held no suspense anymore.

Several minutes later.

"Despicable... humans, only... know how to ambush!" The severely burned Frost Giant Tollesk kneeled on one knee, dying as he spoke.

Though he had suffered extensive burns, the fatal wound was a large hole in the back of his head, courtesy of Raine.

"Frost Giant, that’s not right! Remember over a hundred years ago, when you frequently raided downward from Lankote Snowfield? Later, when the Kingdom’s army drove you deeper into the snowfield, only then did you cease your exploits."

At this time, Henry stepped forward to reject the claim.

"Then, may I ask, when facing far weaker humans—the elderly, women, and children—isn’t your massacre and plundering despicable?"

Henry’s words plunged Frost Giant Captain Tollesk into silence.

A hundred years ago, he was still a Frost Giant child, but he did witness firsthand the bodies of humans, tied around the waists of adult Frost Giants, brought back as jerky.

Scenes from the past flashed through his mind like oil paintings.

As snowflakes gently fell, Tollesk felt life quickly slipping away.

...

As the Frost Giant Captain fell, Henry burst into laughter and warmly embraced Raine, his enthusiasm having increased several levels compared to when they were in Mill Town:

"Raine, my brother! I didn’t expect you to arrive so timely; it’s truly wonderful!"

It’s no wonder Henry was so enthusiastic. After witnessing Raine’s superhuman combat ability in a brawl with the Frost Giant Captain, his appreciation for Raine skyrocketed from ’small-town elite youth’ to ’new star of the Kingdom.’

Raine had surpassed Baron Olsen’s standing in his heart, almost reaching the status of the Kryte Team.

If it weren’t for the high loyalty of the Kryte Team, based purely on potential, Raine was already ’number one on the list of potential recruits’ in Henry’s heart.

To possess such strength at such a young age, what else could it be but transcendent potential?

Brother?

Raine was taken aback by Henry’s sudden enthusiasm.

However, compared to the Royal Capital noble—Viscount Henry, he was more interested in the five red-robed mages traveling with them.

Five Fireballs!

Awesome plus.

One must know that on the Valzeg Continent, Fireball Technique is a Third Level Spell and among the top in power, and to cast five fireballs at once... tsk tsk.

Yet the mages from the Kryte Team didn’t approach. After nodding and smiling at Raine to show goodwill, they immediately marched east, which left Raine a bit puzzled.

"Lord Viscount, what about those mages?"

"I sent the Kryte Team to support Baron Olsen." Henry patted Raine on the shoulder and said with a smile, "By the way, Raine, you’ve been a huge help, killing the Frost Giant Captain. Don’t worry, I’ll increase your pay!"

Increase pay?

This made Raine glance at Henry a couple of times, suddenly finding him much more agreeable.

"Four thousand gold for the Frost Giant Captain, and one thousand gold for each other Frost Giant. I think this should not be any less than the rewards given out by the Adventurer’s Association." Henry pointed to the corpse of the Frost Giant Captain and said with a smile.

Four thousand gold?

Wow, truly rich!

Raine’s eyes lit up!

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Viscount." In the face of Henry’s proactive increase in pay, Raine didn’t hold back his praise, smiling as he spoke.

"It’s the least I can do. By the way, make sure you all recover your strength; there may be more battles ahead." As Henry looked around, his eyes swept over Raine, Meredith, and Benest, then he smiled and said.

"I’m fine." Meredith shook her head, indicating she didn’t need to rest.

"I’m good too," said Benest.

"Alright, then let’s go support Baron Olsen and crush the Frost Giants over there!" Upon seeing Raine nod in agreement to continue, Henry immediately said.

Suddenly, Henry thought of something and glanced at the severely injured Royal Guardsmen around him.

"But the wounded Royal Guardsmen..."

"Lord Viscount, I have some friends in the healing professions right at the edge of the snowfield; it’s only a two-hour journey. Why not have Lord Schneider escort the severely injured Guardsmen there?" Raine pointed to Schneider, who was walking over quickly.

"Schneider is still here?" Henry glanced at Schneider and then back at Raine, asking, "Raine, are you referring to the Miss Priestess and Miss Druid I met in Mill Town? Have they also come to the snowfield?"

"Yes, they’re at the edge of the snowfield."

Henry’s brows relaxed immediately, and he chuckled, "That’s great! Raine, you really are my lucky star."

"Captain Schneider, I’ll have to trouble you; there are a few more severely injured at Colonel Tessa’s side. Please escort them as well, and I will increase your pay."

Increase pay?

As Schneider, who had just walked up, raised an eyebrow.

Another task already?

...