The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 65 Dwarfs, Let's Compare Heights (Please read on, there will be an extra chapter tonight)

"Indeed, the excitement of the adventure is positively correlated with the rewards."

Although my reputation is still unknown, I only have 5 followers... probably Catherine, Ambi, and a few commoners who have followed me all the way.

But this trip was still very rewarding.

Although all I gained were basic abilities, the only spell I acquired was the 'Hateful Words' trick, which I obtained by cursing the little white pig for three days.

He still hadn't learned a proper first-circle spell.

But the comprehensive gains still made Tang Qi feel that the future was bright.

He was almost certain that as long as he could spread his fame, he would be able to obtain a higher-level reward.

As for increasing his [fame/profile], he currently only has a general outline of a plan.

We'll have to wait until we arrive in Longjin City to figure out how to implement it...

"But now is not the time to think about that. I need to find a reference point and test my own level first."

In order to determine what level of adventurer one has reached, one can then decide how much risk to take in the future.

Tang Qi had a clear goal. After thinking for a moment, he slapped his forehead.
"Have it!"

He quickly put away his logbook, stepped out of the tent, and saw that Shi had just taken a hammer and hammered the last peg into Catherine's tent.

Seeing Tang Qi rush out, Sui Shi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow:
"What's wrong? You can't sit still after only a short rest? That little girl Anbi said dinner will have to wait a bit longer..."

"Stone, you're ridiculously short. How about we have a height contest?"

Tang Qi abruptly interrupted, singing softly in a rhythmic, short tune.

"..."

Tang Qi swore that he once thought the reddest color in the world was the brightly colored cotton-padded jacket worn by the old ladies in the village on a winter's day.

But now he thinks it should be the dwarf's face that suddenly turns red after getting drunk.

Stonecrush is a dwarf who loves to joke around.

He even enjoys joking about his height.

But that only applies to what he himself mentioned.

Clearly, Tang Qi's abrupt and proactive request was a deliberate insult, and not something he considered a joke.
"Damn it, do you think we're that close? That you can humiliate me like this?"

He showed no mercy and kicked Tang Qi in the butt—

The kick wasn't particularly forceful, but the force of the rubble was immense, and he was confident he could send the jovial poet flying five feet away.

But perhaps because he was too angry, he only felt a wave of dizziness, then his legs went weak and his feet slipped, and he did a split right in front of Tang Qi...

Tang Qi neither dodged nor avoided him, letting him sit in front of him.

He realized in advance that his "alertness" had not actually kicked in.

"Screw you!"

Shattered Stone's face turned a deep purplish-red; he felt utterly humiliated and couldn't help but curse.
"Poet, you fucking stand still. Let me kick you once, and that'll be the end of it!"

"Or I have a better suggestion."

Tang Qi blinked.
"How about we give it a try?"

People can laugh when they are extremely angry.

The rubble couldn't help but say:

"Are you trying to tell me the third funniest joke of my life?"

Tang Qi, afraid that Sui Shi would think he was making fun of him, quickly explained:

"No, I just learned a new spell and I want to try it out."

The stone then realized what had happened: the sharp pain in its head and the slip it had caused.

"You mean that one from earlier?"

"Correct."

"Cut off his goatee! What's wrong with you bunch of foul-mouthed people? You think swearing is magic?!"

There are hardly any bards in this world who have mastered magic, so it's no wonder that a high-level adventurer like Shattered Stone was so surprised.
"But don't think that just because you've learned a few 'picky tricks,' you can have any unrealistic expectations of yourself."

"With your puny build, I could punch you straight into a tree."

"So, I'll stop here."

Tang Qi certainly wouldn't dare take a punch from him.

That's the strength to shatter a wolf's plate armor... Smashing your own head is as easy as smashing tofu:
"Kuru, come help me!"

"Rua!"

Kuru, who was engrossed in studying spellbooks in front of the tent, heard the call and quickly ran over.

Tang Qi, leading the two short men, went to the open space outside the convoy and then said to Kulu:

"Use the [Clay Shaping] technique to help us delineate an area."

Kuru and Tang Qi were in good agreement and followed suit, using magic to clear away the mud and sand, creating a space about thirty feet in diameter.

Tang Qi then looked at the rubble:

"How about we take a gamble? Hold back a bit and see who can force the other out of bounds first."

The gravel man was uninterested: "What do you have that's worth gambling on? I'm not interested in your hook."

"The loser should grant the winner one request, as long as it is a reasonable request."

"Demand? You wouldn't be after my hook, would you?" Gravel asked hesitantly.

"I don't want to repeat myself again that I am heterosexual."

"No interest. How can you help me?"

“Many things. For example, I'll have Catherine send you another barrel of wine, or I'll cover all your expenses at [Golden Oak] from now on…”

"Hey, poet. You really are a genius!?"

The stone pondered, "Am I really that easy to guess?"
How can someone's words strike a chord deep within me?
Tang Qi wasn't certain of winning, but he desperately wanted to understand himself, so he simply walked into the designated area:
"Come on, let's finish this before dinner?"

With a target in mind, Shattered Stone didn't hesitate. He walked back to the tent, took out a tower shield, and stood opposite Tang Qi. Then he looked at the curved sword tucked at Tang Qi's waist:

“I’ll only use my shield and hold back my strength. You can take a knife and slash me, so you won’t deny it after you lose and say I bullied you.”

Tang Qi drew the 'Snake Kiss' from his waist—

In fact, this was his most valuable gain along the way.

According to the stone fragments, this 'snake's snout' was a weapon that the black snake had specially commissioned to be forged.

In terms of quality, it can be considered a "rare" item. In particular, its blade tip and weight have been specially treated to easily match its agile offensive capabilities.

Catherine had no use for the scimitar and gifted it to Tang Qi.

With the black knife in hand, Tang Qi couldn't help but feel more confident:

"Shall we start with Kulu as the referee?"

"[Shield Charge]!"

Before Kuru could even count down, Shattered Stone tried to strike first.

Holding the tower shield that covered his entire body, he flicked his wrist, intending to use his usual combat technique to create an invisible force field, enveloping the leaves and sand beneath his feet, and blast Tang Qi away—

"Ha, the free plum wine is mine!"

But then the alarm sounded, and Tang Qi immediately fell to the side.

The movement wasn't particularly graceful, but thanks to his mastery of the curved blade technique, he managed to regain his balance with a roll after falling.

The rubble was surprised that Tang Qi dodged so naturally.

Just three days ago, his movements when he killed Hus were still so clumsy!
"Is he a genius—how could he suddenly change so much in such a short time!?"

In his surprise and doubt, he admitted that he had underestimated his opponent.

But Tang Qi wouldn't give him time to think. He strode forward, thrusting straight forward with a backhand stroke, the dark blade hidden in the gloomy night, aimed directly at Sha Shi's neck:

“I’m not surprised at all by your collision, because I know this is the stage for bullfighting.”

Tang Qi's singing suddenly gave Sui Shi a headache, and he realized that the poet was cursing and casting spells again.

Even though he had realized this, he still couldn't calm down his anger!
He possessed darkvision, and saw clearly as the curved blade thrust forward, just about to circle the entire tower shield and pierce his shoulder, before letting out a loud shout:
"Who do you think you are!?"

He mustered all his strength, trying to lift the tower shield in front of him and smash it directly against Tang Qi's blade, hoping to knock off his 'snake kiss' with the shockwave.

But just as he was about to do so, he suddenly felt his center of gravity shift.
"screw you--"

It slipped again!
　The most crucial day! There will be an extra update tonight!!!

　　Please read on!

　　Thank you, gentlemen!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)