The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 66 A Curse (Bonus Chapter, Please Read On, It's a Critical Time)
The rubble fell to the ground, and he quickly used his tower shield to block it, almost covering his entire body.

The expected slash did not land on the shield.

Instead, he heard another song:
"Why don't you just admit defeat? You're not going to end up lying on the ground like a steel turtle!"

Tang Qi had no way of breaking through the tower shield made of rubble.

As long as he stays lying on the ground in a defensive posture, there's no way I can drive him out of the designated area.

Then there's no need to waste effort and leave him with a weakness.

They simply moved further away, continuing to sing and hurl insults.
"Quickly thank your mom for giving you such a height; lying behind the tower shield, you look as timid as a transvestite!"

"I don't think you're even a warrior. Fighting you won't ignite my fighting spirit."

"How does it feel to lose to a bard? I bet you're already crying and screaming in anger!"

A profound sense of shame welled up inside me.

Even though he knew the other person was deliberately provoking him, his brain was still reeling from the bizarre insults, and veins were bulging on his forehead.

Shut your rotten mouth!

He moved the shield aside, flipped himself up, and slammed the edge of the shield directly into the ground.
"[Earthshaking]!"

broken!

He got really angry when he yelled at him!
This was a combat technique Tang Qi had never seen before, but the prickling sensation all over his body made him instantly only think about escaping.

But with a loud "boom," the ground beneath their feet seemed to collapse, making Tang Qi realize that there was no way to avoid it—this kind of area-of-effect attack that could affect the entire field could not be missed because of the effect of [Hateful Words]!
He lunged as far as he could, but his cheek was still grazed by the flying pebbles, and he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

"Hey, you've damaged the court! That's a foul! A foul!"

But an enraged, hot-tempered dwarf won't listen to any rules.

What they hate most is rules.

A milky-white light flashed in the center of the tower shield, and the scattered soil and gravel rolled in front of the shield as if swept up by an invisible wind.

Tang Qi had a bad feeling and was about to get up and run away:

"Then I'll admit defeat, okay?"

"Who the hell told you to admit defeat?! [Shield Charge]!"

With a flick of his wrist, the force of the impact blasted sand and gravel outwards, spraying out in a fan-shaped area directly in front of him.

Tang Qi never expected that Sui Shi, a burly dwarf, could use the [Arrow Absorption Shield] and combat skills so skillfully.

The difference in their combat experience is enormous.

So much so that one's alertness rings like a bell, trying to find the safest corner, only to find that there is no way to escape.

Left with no other choice, he could only curl up and cover his head, letting the stones he kicked up hit his leather jacket.

Fortunately, the rocks in the forest were not large, and the studded leather armor was extremely durable and the leather was also very tough, so he only suffered some pain similar to being hit by dirt, and his skin was not actually injured.

"Successful!"

Sui Shi laughed loudly, rushed behind Tang Qi, and was about to kick him in the butt—

Tang Qi quickly sang:
"You rule-breaking bastard, even if you win, it can't hide your short legs!"

"thump--"

A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he kicked the gravel, missing his target, and fell backward to the ground.
"Screw you!"

He wanted to get up and fight again, but Tang Qi was unwilling to continue sparring no matter what.

If this dwarf continues to get angry, it won't be as simple as just a few bruises:

"Stop, stop, stop! That's enough, understand? You've already fouled—"

He pointed to the area that Kulu had marked out earlier, which had long since been destroyed without a trace by the earth-shaking impact of the rubble.

The gravel was unwilling to admit this fact:

"You didn't say anything about not being allowed to damage the site in the first place."

"But without a clear scope, how do we determine who wins and who loses?"

"You just surrendered, so I win."

"I surrendered only after I saw that the site had been completely destroyed."

"you--"

"Then it's a draw!"

Tang Qi knew that if this matter continued to be discussed, it would never end.

"I'll cover your drinks, you do me a favor, and neither of us will lose out."

"You're just a half-baked amateur, what makes you think you can fight me to a draw?"

"It's 'you not using your full strength,' does that make you feel better?" Shattered Stone blinked and scratched his long beard.
"Hey, that's really something!"

He then paused for a moment, pondering.
"So what kind of request do you want? Nothing too outrageous—at most, I'll help you pursue Catherine, how about that?"

Tang Qi glanced at the unkempt gravel and thought to himself, "Do I need your help to pick up girls?"
Then he asked suspiciously:
"What does this have to do with Catherine?"

"During the three days of travel, when did your head ever leave Catherine's lap?"

Even if the gravel was too lazy to pay attention, Tang Qi's blatant behavior could not be ignored.

But Tang Qi didn't actually have any intention of pursuing anyone.

His purpose was very simple:
"Is it possible that it's because her legs are really weak?"

"You should be glad that Black Snake can no longer hear."

"..."

The two were silent for a while, and then Tang Qi shrugged:

"Anyway, I haven't decided what kind of help I can give you yet, so I'll owe you one for now."

After all, it was just a bet made on a whim, and it's hard to imagine what he would want if he were asked to make a request.

"I don't even owe you money for the drinks," Broken Stone said, dissatisfied.

"Just remember that. It's too much trouble for you; you can just refuse when the time comes."

That's what they say, but Tang Qi felt that as long as he didn't use this 'bet' for even a day, the stone would remember him for another day.

That's just how dwarves are.

Seeing that he was still somewhat reluctant, Tang Qi simply changed the subject:
"It's settled then. Come on, come on, thanks to your help, I now have a better understanding of my own level. Let's go for a drink."

After all, they didn't have any real conflict, and the moment alcohol was mentioned, the anger from being cursed earlier faded away.

But the gravel still couldn't help but ask:

"But seriously, even though I was holding back, isn't your skill level improving a bit too fast?"

Just a few days ago, that jackal kid kicked me out of the tavern, and now he can hold his own against me?
Do you know what you're like? A fruit tree that's been ripened by a druid, allowing it to flower and bear fruit in just one week!

"After going through so much, I should have improved. And wasn't the fight this good entirely thanks to my magic?"

Some secrets can never be revealed.

Tang Qi casually brushed it off.

He also knew that the stone was unruly and that his mind, besides being filled with alcohol, was unwilling to think of anything else and didn't understand the magic of poets.

Tang Qi then asked him to help test his own quality.

If it were anyone else, I really wouldn't dare to reveal these things so casually.

"Too."

The stone patted its belly, clearly not caring.
"Let's go quickly. After using so many combat techniques, my stomach is about to deflate."

Damn it, the energy I expended can't be restored with just some bread..."

"It's alright. The commotion was so loud just now, it might have attracted some wild animals."

Tang Qi dusted himself off and was about to get up.

"Roar--"

A wolf's howl suddenly echoed through the forest.

"Rua?"

Kuru, who was watching from the sidelines, exchanged a glance with the other two, and then pointed to several dark figures in the distance amidst the white mist.

Listening to his stomach rumbling loudly, Sha Shi couldn't help but rub his temples.

"Poet, can you please shut your mouth from now on?"

Tang Qi couldn't help but say:

"Isn't it good that you can eat some meat and replenish your energy?"
Furthermore, please stop labeling "reasonable analysis of the situation" as "prophecy"!

　Today's data is crucial, thank you all for reading!
　　I should try to stockpile more chapters and then try to update them rapidly after they are published.

　　To enhance the fantasy and bard's flavor, many words and plots require careful consideration. This inevitably slows down the typing speed.

　　But I will do my best to ensure the story is smooth, complete, and exciting.

　　Thank you all for your support. I will do my best to create a satisfying adventure story and live up to everyone's expectations.

　　I love you all!!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)