15: Yes, that's what it is now.

“Lord White Night, this way!” Evil Axe shouted back after hacking a Goblin to death.

Ronan hurriedly followed, catching a quick glimpse of Shield Mountain and Eagle Eye as they ran in another direction.

After entering Berserk Mode, Evil Axe’s attack power and speed increased significantly, and he even gained a special Bloodthirst effect.

Though Evil Axe didn't say it, Ronan guessed it likely boosted his stamina, seeing as he hadn't tired at all despite hacking his way through.

Ronan followed closely behind Evil Axe.

His Spiritual Power was currently almost depleted, and its recovery speed was extremely slow.

Recalling the Mercenaries saying he hadn't mastered a Meditation Method, he specifically searched the book of magical knowledge in his mind but found no relevant information.

It seemed the original owner might truly be the “Wild Mage” the Mercenaries spoke of.

Adhering to the principle of saving as much as possible, Ronan tried his best not to act, preserving his Spiritual Power.

This stinginess led him to an unexpected discovery.

He found that if he cast a Ray in an extremely short instant, he could obtain part of the Ray's kinetic energy with minimal Spiritual Power.

It was essentially equivalent to a full-force kick within a distance of one or two meters.

Its power was negligible, but its advantage lay in being an instant cast, making it barely passable as a surprise interference method.

Only at the most critical moments would Ronan use this method to provide Evil Axe with a small amount of interference against the Goblins.

He focused on playing a key support role.

Evil Axe’s Bloodthirst was clearly more powerful than he had guessed.

Ronan watched as Evil Axe’s attack power grew higher, his speed faster, his stamina more abundant, and his spirit more vigorous... He couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

The more Goblins Evil Axe killed, the higher the bonus the Bloodthirst effect granted him.

Only... why did this boost seem to have no end?

Ronan couldn't help but ask, “Evil Axe, is your ‘Bloodthirst’ a Berserker skill? Why is it so powerful?”

“Yes, Lord White Night, but my Bloodthirst is a bit different.”

Evil Axe recalled what Shield Mountain had said. “The Captain seemed to say... mine is called Skill Mutation.”

“Normal Bloodthirst has an upper limit, but for me, as long as I kill more monsters, my stamina gets better and my state gets stronger. It can keep strengthening indefinitely...”

“It was thanks to this skill that we were able to escape the Beast Tide before.”

Ronan was stunned by the power of this skill.

Good grief, an infinite boost? If he kept killing, wouldn't he be able to pierce the heavens?

Evil Axe tirelessly forged a path, but Ronan’s stamina was beginning to fail him.

“Lord White Night, how about we take a break after I deal with this wave of pursuing Goblins?”

Evil Axe noticed Ronan’s condition and proactively faced the Goblins chasing from behind. “Pursuit of this level is simply incomparable to a Beast Tide...”

“Lord White Night, you need to take care of yourself,” Evil Axe reminded him in a spare moment.

“Once the Bloodthirst stacks high enough, I tend to lose my sanity. At that time, I might not be able to look after you.”

“I understand, Evil Axe.” Ronan nodded, thinking to himself,

Finally, there’s some negative restriction; otherwise, this Bloodthirst would be too unreasonable.

Before long, Evil Axe had slain all the pursuing Goblins, and the two rested on the spot to recover their stamina.

Of course, in reality, only Ronan was recovering his stamina, while Evil Axe focused on keeping watch.

“Evil Axe, were you and Shield Mountain in the same squad before?”

“Yes, but unfortunately, after encountering the Beast Tide, everyone else died...” Memories made Evil Axe’s eyes turn hazy. “Only Captain Shield Mountain and I survived.”

“Do you know Crimson Gauze? Was she one of your former teammates?”

“She was indeed a former teammate, and a powerful mage as well.” Evil Axe was a bit surprised that Ronan would ask about this. “Although she is very charming, she is also unpopular with some people.”

“Why?” Ronan was curious.

“I’m not quite sure, perhaps it’s jealousy...” Evil Axe said with emotion. “She is the most beautiful human woman I have ever seen, even comparable to those in my hometown...”

Seeing Evil Axe start to ramble on about his past romantic escapades, Ronan immediately changed the subject.

“Evil Axe, do you know the way back to town?”

“I only remember the direction.” Evil Axe paused. “But having a direction is enough, isn’t it?”

“Evil Axe, how did you encounter the Beast Tide last time? What type of Beast Tide was it?”

“It was a swarm of Magic Rats, one of the most terrifying Beast Tides in the Monster Forest.”

Evil Axe’s expression turned grim. “Once you encounter them, you’re instantly submerged in a sea of rats that cover the sky and earth.”

“Back then, thanks to my Bloodthirst being pre-strengthened to a certain degree, I relied on high speed and endless stamina to run for three days straight before reaching a safe zone.”

“You have no idea, Lord White Night...” Evil Axe said with lingering fear.

“That kind of ground-shaking roar that appears out of nowhere, growing from nothing to everything... it was simply terrifying!”

“How can I describe that sound to you?”

Fearing Ronan wouldn't understand, Evil Axe racked his brain for a metaphor.

“That sound is like it’s coming from the abyss. At first listen, you’d think it’s a low drumbeat... Yes, just like this one—huh?” Evil Axe froze.

Deep within the Monster Forest, the low drumbeat he had just described suddenly rang out.

“Could this be the sound of the Beast Tide you were talking about?” Ronan asked.

Before Evil Axe could answer, a blue-skinned rat the size of a hound suddenly scurried past them.

“This is the vanguard of the Beast Tide! Run!”

Evil Axe’s face turned green with regret, wishing he could slap his own jinx of a mouth.

“Was that big rat the same kind from the Beast Tide you encountered?” Although Ronan was flustered, he forced himself to stay calm and ask.

With his physique, he wouldn't be able to run very far.

Evil Axe was uncertain, but just then, a swarm of similar rats began scurrying out from the nearby bushes.

He reached out and grabbed one. “It’s a bit smaller and weaker than the rats from the Beast Tide I encountered...”

“Then is this still a Magic Rat Beast Tide?”

“Definitely. I’ll never forget that sound as long as I live.”

Having received a definitive answer, Ronan nodded silently.

His current state was that of an ordinary person without the strength to even truss a chicken; he had no way to handle the situation at hand.

He was already prepared to consume 1 point of wish power to directly wish for the recovery of his Spiritual Power.

However, an even worse situation occurred.

Suddenly, a massive wave of rats gushed forth like a flood, sweeping the two of them in different directions.

“Lord White Night, go in that direction... I’ll wait for you there!”

The moment before he was swept away, Evil Axe pointed in a direction, signaling for the two of them to regroup there once Ronan escaped.

In an instant, the two were buried within the surging swarm of rats and separated.

Ronan was tossed about on the backs of the rats, feeling a wave of nauseating dizziness.

This sudden eruption of the rat swarm came and went quickly.

By the time he finally stabilized himself and escaped the swarm, he was already vomiting uncontrollably.

Just then, he saw a familiar figure.

A burly and broad Beastman physique. Because he was missing his familiar large shield, the one-handed sword at his waist looked like a mere decoration tucked between a water skin and two satchels, possessing no sense of threat whatsoever.

The newcomer was none other than the leader of the Adventurer team, Shield Mountain.

“White Night? You encountered the Beast Tide too?”

Ronan watched him walk toward him and replied, “Yeah, Evil Axe and I were separated.”

“What about you guys?” he asked casually.

“Us too. We thought we had finally gotten rid of the Goblins... who would have thought a Beast Tide would suddenly hit!”

Shield Mountain’s face still showed some lingering shock. “Eagle Eye and I also got separated.”

“Are you alright?” Shield Mountain asked with concern, seeing Ronan hunched over on the ground retching.

Ronan waved his hand, indicating he was fine.

“I still have some water here, take it and drink.” Shield Mountain took a step forward and handed over a water skin. “Drink some water and catch your breath.”

Ronan struggled to stand up and reached out, about to take the water skin being handed to him.

Suddenly.

Shield Mountain’s other hand abruptly drew his one-handed sword and thrust it cleanly toward Ronan’s neck.