It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

Even if the attack failed, the rapid descent would draw the ice spikes behind him forward. From the way they had just sunk into the ground, it was clear they weren't very agile. It was precisely by exploiting this that Bai Lin dared to leap up and launch his attack.

Aerial attacks also have one advantage, which is the instantaneous explosive power.

The downward force will provide an acceleration due to its own weight. If such a blow hits the target firmly, the power will be quite significant.

The gushing flames sent sparks flying through the air, as if they were about to tear the ice sculpture apart. The opponent couldn't dodge, and it was clear that his sword would succeed!

At this critical moment, a branch growing from the ice sculpture gently touched Bai Lin's head. However, the slash did hit!

Chapter 45 Death

The flaming blade's streaks of light completely shattered the ice sculpture, its immense destructive force causing cracks to appear on its body before it was reduced to dust and scattered across the ground. In the blazing flames, it vanished into nothingness, as if it had never existed.

The energy is exhausted at this moment.

Bai Lin, who should have been victorious, stood there motionless like a log. Her helmet suddenly shattered and fell to the ground, revealing her face with wide eyes.

The bloodshot was clearly visible, but her facial expression was so strange that she couldn't even blink.

It was obvious that she didn't want to move, but she was already unable to move. Bai Lin's vision had turned pitch black, and all her senses were gradually becoming dull. All she could feel was cold, endless cold, and the waves of pain emanating from her own shaky body.

Before she completely lost consciousness, Bai Lin felt something touching her cheek, and heard a soft female voice saying:

“…You look better without a helmet.” Something like this.

So that's it. Bai Lin didn't think too much before two icicles pierced through her brain, understanding her pain.

When she opened her eyes again, Bai Lin found herself lying next to Yue Zhitan. A sharp, stinging pain shot through her left eye and forehead, and she could clearly feel where the pain stopped. It seemed this was the fatal injury she had sustained.

Bai Lin, her face spread wide, waited for the lingering pain to slowly fade from her body. The residual feeling of being frozen still lingered in her body. Now Bai Lin didn't even want to move a finger. Her weak breathing maintained the oxygen flow in her brain.

"I'm home?"

Katie Pello had just finished some work and was out for some fresh air when she saw Bai Lin lying there, looking rather undignified. The man lying on the ground gruffly said, "Hmm."

Katie squatted down beside her and poked Katie's cheek, "Go back to bed and rest?"

"Let me lie here alone..."

Not wanting to go anywhere, not wanting to move anything, this is Bai Lin’s current mental state.

Bai Lin hadn't anticipated being frozen and then killed. He hadn't expected an ice sculpture that had been casting spells to be able to cast spells through contact with branches, and such powerful spells. Perhaps this was what a melee mage was.

Even with her Fiery Iron Forging Technique, she couldn't resist the icy cold that instantly spread throughout her body. She couldn't help but feel a sense of fear, yet at the same time, a sense of relief. The fear was naturally due to the power of that move, and the relief was naturally due to the fact that she had used her life to explore this move.

I don't know if this is worth celebrating...

The good news is that dead branches move relatively slowly. I've seen it once before, so I probably won't be hit again. I was hit before because I couldn't dodge in mid-air.

But what is even more suspicious is what happened after he was frozen.

The ice sculpture had clearly been destroyed by me, so what on earth touched me and made me say those words?

"You look better without a helmet," she murmured, sounding as if she had known her for a long time and didn't feel like an enemy at all.

They've already drawn their swords, why are they still saying such corny words?

The strange feeling in his body gradually dissipated, Bai Lin slowly stood up and stretched his body.

She felt that she had probably guessed her opponent's secret.

Back in the tent, Katie thoughtfully poured Bai Lin a cup of hot tea. Bai Lin didn't want to say much, so she nodded in thanks. After taking off her armor, she huddled in bed. Although she only felt a little cold psychologically at this moment, she still wanted to stay in a warmer environment.

This is probably PTSD.

Bai Lin, with his cat tongue, blew on the hot tea in small sips. Seeing Bai Lin blowing like a child, Katie couldn't help but smile. "I can't believe the Holy Son, who tore the Minotaur Chieftain apart with fire and conquered the Ice Forest, is so afraid of heat."

"Just say whatever you want. I don't have the strength to resist anymore." Bai Lin said this softly and continued to blow his hot tea.

Katie put away her smile. "Looks like we've encountered the Ice Witch, right? An ice sculpture with a strange smile, that's what it feels like, right?"

Bai Lin nodded. She really didn't want to say anything more. But it turns out that ice sculpture has a name. Why didn't Katie tell me about it before?

She glanced at Katie, who understood her meaning. "Before today, I always thought the Ice Witch was just a rumor. After getting some information, I confirmed it."

Bai Lin looked as if he had suddenly understood something. Katie proudly put her hands on her hips and continued to explain.

"So, based on the information I had, I created this. Ice Witch Annihilation War - First Edition. How do you think it is?"

Katie pulled out a parchment scroll with a structural diagram and analysis drawn on it. She curled her nose and closed her eyes, as if waiting for Bai Lin's praise. Bai Lin smiled, jumped off the bed, walked over to Katie, and patted her head.

"You did a great job."

"Hey, the information I collected today is a little mixed, so I need you to supplement it."

Bai Lin understood, and she opened the taskbar to translate the text she didn't understand, then changed into her daily clothes. She spoke, and Katie listened and revised.

After sharing her intelligence, Katie began writing furiously again. She had to admit, this young woman, though not experienced in much actual combat, possessed considerable fighting talent. With Bai Lin's guidance, her tactics had actually taken on a concrete framework.

After handing in her information, Bai Lin said goodbye and left. She needed to change to a new helmet.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the people passing by, Bai Lin rushed into the escort team and found Leidenhal. After a brief explanation, Leiden fell into deep thought. Then, he gave Bai Lin a reasonable answer.

The equipment previously given to Bai Lin was actually hastily made and modified from old items. Bai Lin's size was quite different from the rest of the guards, so after the modification, it would have to be melted down and recast before it could be used again. And the village was short of supplies... so they had to make do with what they had.

But the helmet wasn't a big problem; everyone could always find a similar-sized head. Leighton gave her another member's helmet and told her to use it first, not to worry. Looking at her new gear, Bai Lin happily said goodbye to Leightonhal and set off on her return journey.

Chapter 46 Interruption

After dinner, the two exchanged information again and refined the details of their strategy. Although the intelligence they had obtained was relatively clear, neither of them was sure they had truly understood the witch's background, so they had to leave some room for maneuver.

Beautiful stars, a peaceful night. The next day, the two embarked on their journey with confidence. Bai Lin, in particular, still remembered the pain of the previous day. But now with complete information and a powerful mage by her side, she was confident she could kill her target in one fell swoop.

If that didn't work, she would cover the retreat. Bai Lin was confident that he wouldn't be touched by the slow-moving dead branches again. At this time, the advantage of immortality was felt. It didn't matter if he directly acted as Katie's meat shield.

However, Katie didn't seem to have any intention of retreating, as could be seen from her decision to go forward with her partner.

According to Bai Lin's information, Katie had concocted a special hot tea using some unknown herbs. Ordinary residents who wished to enter the Ice Forest would typically use this. The only difference was that Katie had increased the dosage.

During the battle, with the help of their own abilities, they can probably resist the icy aura brought by the appearance of the Ice Witch to a certain extent.

Perhaps sensing the two's formidable force, the traps and monsters along the way were far fewer than usual. After accumulating a certain amount of energy, Bai Lin and Katie headed straight for the center of the lake.

As he parted the familiar bushes, Bai Lin discovered that there were no monsters near the lake today, which was quite strange. Instead, there was only the Ice Witch, floating in the air. The strange smile still hung on its face, but it wasn't looking in his direction.

The spreading chill made Bai Lin shudder. Her cells reacted instantly, entering a fighting state. Katie gestured to her, and she nodded, drinking the hot drink.

It’s so hot…

Regardless, she drank the hot drink, then casually put the bottle away and walked out openly. With another calm and slow pace, like a scene from a story, Bai Lin and Katie arrived directly opposite the Ice Witch without any hindrance.

Bai Lin looked at the still silent Ice Witch before him and drew his weapon. She had no intention of communicating, merely biding her time. If he rushed forward rashly, he would likely be hit again, unable to dodge in mid-air.

Katie climbed onto Bai Lin's back without hesitation. At Bai Lin's repeated request, she wore white shorts today. Her oversized white short-sleeved shirt made her look casual. But for her, wearing armor might have been a burden.

The Ice Witch slowly raised her head, as if examining the two of them. The icy aura still permeated the entire lake, as if to freeze them both.

"Do you really have to disturb this tranquility...?"

This was the first time Bai Lin had heard the Ice Witch speak. The noises he'd heard when he died weren't the same noises that echoed laughter. He could hear a hint of regret in her tone. But he didn't hesitate, raising his sword.

"I don't need a reason to swing my sword at you. It's simply because I'm human and you're a monster."

The Ice Witch didn't respond, but a hint of tension gradually emerged from the silent confrontation. As Katie prepared her spell, the Ice Witch moved. A frost shock, unprecedented in its intensity, struck Bai Lin, but she dodged it by leaping backward.

Although the firing speed was indeed swift, the witch's casting was done with a raised hand, allowing for foresight. Previously, when she was surrounded by monsters, she had no spare energy to notice this, but now, it was naturally a piece of cake.

Now, with two people on his side, the balance of victory had tilted. Katie's whispered spells and the cold wind whistling past his ears made Bai Lin's blood boil.

This was a real boss battle, one that involved gathering intelligence and preparing a strategy on their own. As a regular in the development team, already addicted to the game, how could she not be excited?

Even so, Bai Lin's nerves never relaxed. She was now acting as her own mage's mount, occasionally using her shield to block a missile or two and accumulate energy.

It was obviously impossible to restrain an opponent floating in the air from close combat. Katie's spell was limited to "levitation" and couldn't be used on others. Using it here would only make them sitting ducks. So, the two resorted to this tactic.

A while after the battle began, Katie completed a magic circle. A cloud of smoke began to spread rapidly from the sky toward the lake, gradually blurring the vision of both sides.

After casting a few simple spells, the Ice Witch seemed slightly angry. After a huge icicle pierced the air, a magic circle began to form behind her.

Such a striking sign couldn't possibly be hidden by the smokescreen, so Bai Lin stepped onto the icicle without hesitation. The Ice Witch wasn't stupid either, and she also slightly shifted her position.

Katie murmured playfully, "Two steps to the left."

According to Katie, magic is used to communicate with heaven and earth. Although she has her eyes closed now, she can see more clearly than with her eyes open.

Bai Lin brushed his sword across his shield, nodded slightly, and took two quick steps before leaping high into the air. Flames streaked down from the sky once again, becoming an even more conspicuous light amidst the smoke. Unfortunately, the Ice Witch's position left her no chance to dodge.

The blade struck, and as it collided with the ice, intense sparks shattered some of the smoke. Bai Lin was surprised to find that he had not hit his opponent, but had instead collided with a sword made of ice.

A pair of slender hands, hidden beneath a robe, held the sword. This was the first time she had seen the Ice Witch use her own hands. The ice sword was quickly defeated by the flaming blade, but the explosive power of the opponent's impromptu attack exceeded Bai Lin's expectations. The moment the opponent's sword dissipated, she was also thrown back to the ground.

However, Bai Lin's goal had been achieved. Beneath her armor, a subtle black incantation glowed faintly on her arm. It was written by Katie, using her own blood mixed with the ink. After all, it wasn't a true spell, so it required direct contact with Bai Lin to be effective.

The effect is also very simple, interrupting spell casting.

In an instant, through close combat, the opponent's communication is disrupted, thus dispelling the magic power that has taken shape.

It seems that it can only be effective in close combat, which is very limited. However, it is actually a very powerful effect for enemies using spells in front of you.

Chapter 47: Ice Fantasy

Unfortunately, he wanted to knock his opponent down with this sword, but he failed.

The Ice Witch suffered no obvious injuries. She waved her hands and a frost longbow suddenly appeared in her hands. Bai Lin raised his round shield with extremely fast reaction and his body moved at the same time.

With each pull of the string, three or four icicles shot out rapidly. Whether due to the sheer speed or some other reason, after two attempts at resistance, the icicles easily pierced Bai Lin's body. In the instant blood splattered, their figures transformed into dark shadows, spreading towards the witch.

A familiar shadow stand.

The two figures had already landed on the ground behind the Ice Witch. Katie sneered and waved her hand. After a cry of surprise, the witch, entangled by the shadow, fell to the ground.

The spell is called "Malicious Flash." Basically, after you flash yourself, you can also flash for others. Whether it's controlling distance or interrupting an opponent's attack, it's a very useful spell.

The Ice Witch, falling to the ground, was naturally vulnerable. Bai Lin thrust her sword into the ground, only to find that the Ice Witch's magic circle shone brightly, and a slowly extending branch reached towards her. She quickly retreated to distance herself, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. It would be unpleasant to be touched by this thing, especially now that she was carrying Katie.

What's going on? Isn't she entangled by a shadow?

"It was my negligence. If this move is used on monsters, the effect will be weakened to a certain extent..." Katie said softly.

...Why didn't you tell me something so important earlier? Bai Lin watched the magic circle behind the Ice Witch dissipate and took two steps forward again. However, he was intercepted by a spear in his opponent's hand.

The thrusts pierced upwards and downwards, a fleeting glimpse of light. Should we say the long weapon was formidable, or should we say the Ice Witch's spearmanship was exquisite? Regardless, in this close combat encounter, Bai Lin appeared to be quite passive.

He could only keep resisting. Fortunately, his small round shield was very hard and could not be pierced by the opponent's spear.

At the same time, a magic circle began to gradually form behind the witch. Bai Lin was about to use her sword to graze her shield, but the opponent's attack immediately arrived, forcing her to give up.

It seems I've underestimated this witch's melee abilities. Bai Lin sighed, trying to retreat and regroup. His opponent was hot on his heels, not giving him a moment to breathe. But in that split second, Bai Lin, seizing the opportunity, had already positioned himself and, taking advantage of the gap in his opponent's pursuit, launched a powerful kick, deflecting the spear.

The shield swished, and flames burst forth from Bai Lin's hands once again. In an instant, two streams of light attacked the Ice Witch, and the opponent, who had just adjusted his spear, could only hold it horizontally to block the attack.

A striking cross-shaped slash left a dark mark on the Ice Witch's body. She screamed in pain, and the magic circle behind her dissipated again. The slash was a success, at least removing a large chunk of the opponent's icy chest, revealing the secrets within.

What appeared before their eyes was a series of exquisite magic circles. Katie, who was casting the spell, widened her eyes, "This..."

"Do you understand?" Bai Lin asked with a smile, raising his sword again.

"I see," Katie replied casually. She had completed her spell and was waiting for the right moment.

The Ice Witch gently swung her broken spear in the air, sending a powerful blast of cold air lashing out from behind. Even their vision turned white. The cold air quickly gathered around them, forming a white ring that converged on them. At this moment, the flames Bai Lin had wielded came into play.

Katie snapped her fingers, and the remaining flames from her sword instantly grew, transforming into a small, inhuman-looking ball of fire. Sparks erupted from her body, dispelling the surrounding cold. Bai Lin once again condensed his tempered blade and tore through the ring.

She didn't dare hesitate for a moment because the opponent's magic circle was still under construction. Although a more energy-saving solution could be used here, there was no need for it.

Katie jumped off Bai Lin's body at the right moment. Her right hand, which was not used for casting spells, suddenly lit up. At that moment, the opponent's casting speed began to slow down. In Katie's words, this was "magic turbulence."

Whenever two people prepare the same spell at the same time and place, a "magic power grab" situation will occur. Everyone is trying to figure out who should benefit from the magic power.

Theoretically, whoever was stronger would be the best. However, Katie's daily immersion in and understanding of magic gave her enough strength and confidence to compete with the witch who was more proficient in ice magic.

If you must say, she is the most powerful shrine maiden in the history of the village.

While her left hand was composing her own spell, her right was blocking her opponent's spellcasting. With her eyes closed, she looked like a sage. A flood of light converged towards Katie, dispelling the white mist surrounding her.

Once again, Bai Lin directly took the opponent's attack and interrupted its spell. The Ice Witch's staff form was completely unable to fully utilize the advantages of a long weapon in terms of power, and the spell it carried was easily blocked by the armor. However, this time, Bai Lin's knee joints were once again corroded by the cold.

But it's not a big deal. Although it will restrict some of your movements...

But it's time to end this battle!

The Ice Witch waved her staff in the air, and a huge magic circle unfolded from the sky. A huge ice block scattering ice dust like a meteorite fell towards Bai Lin's position.

Bai Lin made a quick move, swinging her sword to see through the giant block's path. Realizing she couldn't escape the attack range with her legs, she took a deep breath, leaped, and struck the bottom of the block with her sword. The block trembled, its outer shell peeling off, lightening it slightly, but that was all.

Bai Lin, helpless, fell back to the ground, his sword raised in both hands to press against the ice. Clearly, this spell wasn't just a simple one, and the ice scraped against Bai Lin's blade, a teeth-grinding noise echoing across the lake.

The smile on the Ice Witch's face became even brighter, as if she had succeeded in her plan.