Damn it, I'll risk it! They say fortune favors the bold, and besides, even if I can't win now, I can still run. If I don't dare to take a gamble like this, what use is being a man? Might as well cut it off.
The worst outcome is just running away. Could it possibly catch up to my Speed after transforming into Werewolf Form?
Thinking this, I no longer hesitated. I gave the Poison Creeper a command: Bite it, bite it to death!
I also instantly activated Shapeshifting, took out a Minor Healing Potion and a Minor Mana Potion, drank them, then swung my furry Fists and charged forward with bloodshot eyes.
After a brief moment of shock, Corpsefire also unleashed its ferocity. It had come all the way into its home, and still dared to be so arrogant? Did it think I was easy to bully?
Seeing me raise my Fist to smash it, it didn't dodge or evade at all. It quickly swung its hands, actually striking me first before my Fist landed. As expected, the Strength gap between us was quite large.
"Roar!"
At this moment, my ferocity was also completely ignited, and I started going berserk. My mind was filled with hot-blooded impulse, as if my claws could tear everything apart, as if no one could stop me. I just wanted to kill Corpsefire.
There was no technique to speak of, it was completely wild brawling. After transforming, through self-hypnosis, I unleashed the brutality of a wolf. At this moment, I was actually fighting Corpsefire head-on. The battle was even more intense than the fight between Corpsefire and the three-person Elite Adventurer Team just now.
The continuous melee lasted for who knows how long, when suddenly I heard a "thud". I was sent flying by Corpsefire's immense force—Ghostly Strike. Corpsefire had unleashed Ghostly Strike again, with terrifying force.
I was sent flying horizontally as if hit by a truck. Instantly, I understood a fact: that Paladin just now, putting aside his Strength, at least in terms of weight, must have been several times mine. Otherwise, why wasn't he sent flying like me even after enduring Ghostly Strike so many times?
Falling heavily to the ground, my blood-filled brain instantly cooled down. No, I can't keep going like this. I checked my Life; only 28 points were left. I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Corpsefire's Ghostly Strike just now had actually taken away nearly 60 points of my Life.
Seeing me knocked to the ground, Corpsefire, adhering to the unchanging rule of kicking a man while he's down, immediately rushed over, wanting to press the attack. Fortunately, the Poison Creeper entangled it again. Originally, the Poison Creeper's DPS was much higher than mine. Logically speaking, Corpsefire should have attacked it first. But Corpsefire clearly had a certain level of Intelligence and knew that I was the main target. As long as it killed me, everything would be over. That's why it gave up attacking the more ferocious Poison Creeper and desperately beat me instead. However, a Corpse is still a Corpse; its Intelligence is limited no matter how high. Now that my Attack had stopped and the Poison Creeper was relentlessly clinging, for a moment it seemed to have forgotten the principle of capturing the leader first and turned around to fight the Poison Creeper head-on.
As expected of a Poison Creeper that had already leveled up to 8, although its Life was now lower than mine after transforming, its Defense was much higher. It could actually stand firm under Corpsefire's Attack.
But it clearly wouldn't last much longer. Corpsefire completely disregarded the setting that I, as the protagonist, should have much better luck than other supporting characters, and unleashed another Ghostly Strike, taking away over 40 points of the Poison Creeper's Life. At this point, the Poison Creeper's Health was also running low.
What to do? Rush over? With my current 28 Life points, if Corpsefire unleashed Ghostly Strike again, I would surely die.
How about this? Just watch the Poison Creeper die, and then Summon another one. With Corpsefire's current Life only a few percent left, I could definitely wear it down.
I currently have a total of 26 Mana points. Werewolf Form just consumed 15 points, so I still have 11 points, which is indeed enough to Summon another Poison Creeper.
But, but... can I do that?
Thinking back on the days the Poison Creeper accompanied me, when I was lonely, I would talk to it as if talking to myself. Although its Intelligence was too low and stupid, it truly didn't understand what I was saying, only knowing how to burrow around randomly, making me waste a lot of breath.
But, precisely because of its existence, the weak me, the me who grew up in the sunlight, could stay in this cold and lonely Cave for so long. For half a month of fighting side-by-side, I wouldn't say we had deep feelings for each other, but that vague sense of connection had become especially close.
When I was attacked by a Brute, it was the first to rush forward, giving me time to react; after I was scared silly by a Cave Spider, it killed the spider crawling on me and saved my life.
Perhaps, this was just its instinct—instinctively attacking approaching enemies nearby. There was no great intention of loyal protection of its master.
But, can I use "it was just instinct" as an excuse, ignore the contributions it made to me, and just watch it go to its death?
Perhaps, its Intelligence is low, and even mental communication with me is very difficult, often misunderstanding my commands and making me flustered.
But can I abandon it because its Intelligence is low?
I, Wu Fan, am not a good person. Shameless, cowardly, greedy, incompetent—many, many flaws can be found in me. But, I am a man. I wouldn't say I'm upright and indomitable, but at least I want to have a clear conscience. The Poison Creeper's Intelligence is low, it helped and saved me, perhaps just out of instinct. But my Intelligence, Wu Fan's, is not low, and I don't just act on instinct. The help the Poison Creeper gave me, accompanying me through the loneliest days, I remember vividly, not for a moment have I forgotten. It absolutely cannot be erased by absurd reasons like instinct or low Intelligence. My conscience can be hidden, but it absolutely cannot be eaten by dogs. For me to watch it die now, I cannot do it.
Countless thoughts flashed through my mind. In reality, it was just a split second. My eyes turned red again.
"Awoo..."
This was a true wolf's howl, the unyielding pride, the determination to absolutely not allow the last sacred place in my heart to be polluted.
Without hesitation, I took out the only bottle of Full Rejuvenation Potion from my Belt and swallowed it down. My Life instantly increased by 72 points.
Perhaps, drinking this precious potion, I would regret it for a moment, but if I didn't drink it, if I did nothing, I would regret it for a lifetime. I can be shameless, I can be base, but I absolutely cannot degenerate. Everyone has an untouchable taboo deep inside. Look, this is me, Wu Fan, as a man, using the way within my power, the determination to protect the last pure land in my heart.
"Old friend, I'm coming! You must hold on!"
I let out a low growl again, my fist already clenched tight, and smashed towards Corpsefire again. The fierce blow caused the strong Corpsefire to be stunned, immediately interrupting the attack it had just unleashed.
I don't know if it was an illusion, but after I joined the battle, the Poison Creeper's Attack seemed to become more ferocious. And Corpsefire, after the battle and chase with the three Elite Adventurers just now, had consumed a lot of Stamina. So, until the end, it couldn't unleash Ghostly Strike...
"Huff... Huff..."
I sat down on the ground with a thud. It wasn't just the huge consumption of Stamina, but the fatigue after the mental struggle. My Life, which had recovered to 100 points, now only had 57 points left. If Corpsefire's last Attack had been Ghostly Strike, I didn't know if I would have survived. Thinking back now, my heart still trembles. I don't know where I got the courage just now, or perhaps foolishness, to fight while risking death at any moment.
Heh heh, no matter what, whether it was courage or recklessness, compared to the Paladin's retreat strategy just now, I finally found a sense of superiority with my actions. It's truly damn satisfying. Turns out I, this Transmigrator, am not completely useless after all.
"Comrade, are you happy? We won!"
Looking beside me, at the Poison Creeper that had started its life of burrowing and circling again, I said with a smile, talking to myself.
Yes, up until now, only it could be considered my battle companion. Although Lars and the others were good to me, the me before had too great a Strength difference compared to them, completely unworthy of the word battle companion. Even if I forced myself to be one, I would only drag them down. Of course, now my Strength is enough, but perhaps there will never be another chance to fight side-by-side with them. Because, I will absolutely not expose the existence of my Charm, not even to Lars and the others.
In the end, only the Poison Creeper has accompanied me in battle until now. Perhaps in the future, only these few Summoned Creatures can accompany me through my long battle career.
Heh heh, after resting for a while, and after Shapeshifting ended, I felt my strength return a bit. I immediately jumped up and brushed the dust off my body. There wasn't much time left. Having stolen the Boss from those three people, how could I dare to stay here any longer now?
I quickly scanned the entire battlefield. Damn, I didn't know until I looked, and was shocked when I saw. I was truly damn lucky! The items dropped by the Mobs that those three cleared before fighting Corpsefire were all still there. They probably wanted to clear them all after killing Corpsefire, but unexpectedly it just benefited me. Heh heh, in for a penny, in for a pound. I even stole the Boss, so there's no reason to leave these things for you. Anyway, when they come back and find that Corpsefire has disappeared, they will definitely know that someone stole their Monster. This is impossible to hide.
I quickly cleared the surroundings, not even missing a Silver Coin. Only then did I take out the Town Portal Scroll and silently activated the Town Portal attached to it. After 20 seconds, an Energy Pillar taller than a person, flashing with white light, appeared before me as the Town Portal Scroll disappeared. I was just about to step into the Town Portal, but suddenly thought of the Poison Creeper behind me.
What to do? I can't let it keep following me in Rogue Encampment. It will definitely cause a commotion. I was just focused on saving it and actually forgot about this.
"Comrade, what should we do? How about, after returning to Rogue Encampment, you find a place to hide?"
I turned back in distress, looking at the Poison Creeper. As expected, it had no reaction...
"Buzzing..."
While I was troubled, suddenly a strong Consciousness passed through my mind. It wasn't a sound. If I had to describe the feeling, it was like brainwaves or something. In short, it was a very mysterious feeling. This Consciousness was very chaotic, mixed with many incomprehensible thoughts. How to put it? It was like a half-grown baby who just learned to talk, babbling sounds mixed with some vague meaning.
Anyone who suddenly had a piece of Consciousness appear in their mind would be greatly surprised. I, who was greatly startled, only calmed down after a good while. I silently interpreted this piece of Consciousness, pondering for a long time before roughly understanding the content this Consciousness wanted to express. But this matter was too mysterious after all, and I wasn't sure either. Instead, I looked suspiciously at the Poison Creeper on the ground.
"I say, comrade, were you talking just now?"
I looked at the Poison Creeper in disbelief.
"Rustle..."
Although the Poison Creeper couldn't speak, the Speed of it circling on the ground clearly increased.
"Are you telling me to use Cancel Summon?"
I repeated the vague message transmitted by the Poison Creeper.
"Rustle rustle rustle..."
It circled happily.
"Your way of answering is truly impossible to guess," I said with a wry smile. Who knows if it means yes or no?
However, the Consciousness transmitted in my mind gradually became clearer. It really was telling me to use Cancel Summon.
"Since that's the case, okay, comrade. You absolutely must not joke with your own life!" I let out a sigh. This was also the only method. If successful, I would be worry-free from now on. I really didn't want to return to the base later still followed by a bunch of Spirit Wolves, Creepers, and such things. Rogue Encampment probably wouldn't allow it either.
"Cancel Summon." Having made up my mind, with seven parts trust and three parts hesitation, I used Cancel Summon.
The Poison Creeper disappeared without a trace in an instant. For a moment, I just felt my heart skip a beat.
"Poison Creeper!"
After canceling the Summon, I didn't stop for a moment. I cast Poison Creeper again.
"Rustle..."
The Poison Creeper was Summoned out by me again. Relying on the familiar feeling between us, I knew that this Poison Creeper that was Summoned was precisely the same Poison Creeper that had fought alongside me until now.
So that's how it is, I thought with uncontrollable joy. So Cancel Summon doesn't kill the Summon, but sends it back. When you Summon next time, the one that appears is still the one you used Cancel Summon on.
However, why didn't Akara tell me about such an important matter?
Actually, which Druid in this world could be like me, whose Poison Creeper was Level 8 as soon as I learned it? After they learned it, it was only Level 1. A Level 1 Poison Creeper is very fragile and is often killed by Monsters. Then they constantly Summon new Poison Creepers. Therefore, naturally, they didn't develop as much feeling as I did. And later on, although the Poison Creeper might have been raised a few Levels and wasn't easy to die anymore, for Druids who were used to Poison Creeper dying, the Poison Creeper had already become a consumable. They couldn't talk about developing feelings. Even if they used Cancel Summon, when they Summon it back next time, they wouldn't recognize this Poison Creeper that was just Summoned as the same one he used Cancel Summon on last time. It couldn't be helped; who told all Poison Creepers to look the same? Without deep feelings, it's impossible to distinguish them.
So, this hidden function of Cancel Summon was only discovered by me now. Of course, Diablo World has had so many years of history, there were always a few people who discovered it by chance. But thinking about it, this function didn't seem very useful, so it wasn't given importance and ultimately didn't spread.
"Haha... Old comrade, we can fight together from now on!"
If the Poison Creeper had shoulders, I believe I would have patted it hard right now. But looking at the sticky slime on its body, I wisely chose to give up.
In a great mood, I used Cancel Summon again. Oh, right, don't forget to take off this Traitor's Hat, and also take off a piece of Leather Armor. Otherwise, I might really be mistaken for a Monster and beaten to death.
Then, I stepped into the Energy Pillar. With a flash of Radiant Aura, I disappeared inside the Cave along with the Energy Pillar.
(end of chapter)