The Witcher: Grinding Proficiency Starting with the Witcher

"Ait!"

Li Wei's roar echoed through the woods as he rushed forward, trying to support the swaying Aite.

Mavis was faster than him, flashing to Aite's side. Emerald green healing magic light shone in her palm, covering Aite's wounds.

However, when the soft light touched the wound, it seemed to encounter some kind of invisible barrier.

Three deep, bone-revealing claw marks were writhing with wisps of black energy like venomous snakes, constantly corroding the flesh and preventing the wounds from healing.

"wrong!"

Mavis's face paled with panic. "This isn't werewolf power... the black aura around this wound is a curse!"

At the same time, the boy Taylor, who had fallen to the ground, twisted his body at an odd angle and sprang up from the ground, his feet leaving the ground and hovering in the air.

His eyes, completely filled with black energy, were fixed on Li Wei, his lips curled into an inhuman arc, and a strange chuckle came from his throat.

Li Wei stood up, his silver sword held horizontally in front of him, his heart surging with killing intent.

"Pfft!"

Suddenly, a cold light burst from Taylor's chest, and crimson blood bloomed like a rose.

The longsword pierced Taylor's back and emerged from his chest, the tip still dripping with warm blood.

Taylor's sly smile froze instantly, and the blackness in his eyes vanished rapidly, replaced by a look of bewilderment and pain.

He looked down at the blade piercing his chest, then slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over Li Wei and looking in a certain direction. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to shout, but blood had already blocked his throat, and he could only let out low sobs.

His body went limp, and he completely lost his life.

"No!"

Mavis let out a scream.

When Li Wei saw this, he shuddered, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

"No, that's not right, there's someone else behind Taylor!"

Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, a dark figure gradually emerged from behind Taylor, revealing his true appearance.

The man was dressed in brown cloth armor, with a tall and straight figure. The black mountain pattern on his chest exuded an oppressive aura. He held a magnificent knight's longsword in his hand, as if he were taunting an insignificant beast, his posture elegant.

The brown eyes that were gradually emerging from the shadows were filled with indifference.

Baron Olsen.

"you!"

Li Wei's pupils suddenly contracted, a surge of anger welled up in his chest, and he gripped the silver sword with both hands, its blade pointing directly at Baron Olsen's location.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Baron Olsen didn't even glance at Levi. With a flick of his wrist, he drew his longsword, leaving Taylor's body to slide limply to the ground, abandoned on the grass like a stray dog.

He then took out a clean white handkerchief and slowly wiped the bloodstains off the sword, his eyes filled with disdain as if he were looking at an ant at his feet.

"Pathetic witcher, he's a pathetic bastard just like you."

"If I were you, I'd better put down your sword."

"Even if you've done me a great favor, pointing a sword at a baron is still a very dangerous thing."

"You should know that this is my territory."

As soon as he finished speaking, a dense rustling sound came from the surrounding redwood forest.

Fifteen guards, clad in fine leather armor and wielding crossbows, emerged from the shadows.

They quickly surrounded the three men, the black crossbow bolts gleaming with a deadly light.

"baron!"

Li Wei frowned and gritted his teeth as he spoke.

"Li Wei, don't be impulsive!"

Aite held his bleeding left arm, his already pale face growing even paler, but his cat-like eyes remained unusually calm.

"Baron Olsen, shouldn't you give us an explanation for all this?"

"explain?"

Olsen finally raised his head, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

He casually tossed the blood-stained handkerchief on the ground, rubbed it under his toe, and showed disgust at the blood on it.

"Your Excellency, as I have already said, this damned bastard, like you, is the offspring of my wife Serena and that damned man."

"He was never my child!"

His voice was filled with deep-seated resentment.

"I'm just cleaning house and protecting the dignity of the Olsen family!"

Mavis held the staff, the green crystal at the top of which shone brightly.

But then, the guards pointed their crossbows at her.

"No, no, this sorceress, you can try and see if your incantation is faster or my crossbow bolts are faster."

Mavis's face turned ashen with rage, her right hand gripping the staff so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

The baron snorted coldly upon seeing this.

"housekeeper."

The butler, who had been waiting in the distance, immediately stepped forward respectfully, carrying a heavy gray bag in his hand.

Baron Olsen took the bag, first weighing it in his hand, making a metallic clinking sound.

He glanced at the three men, then finally fixed his gaze on Li Wei, and threw the money pouch at the latter's feet.

"Clang..."

The money bag fell to the ground with a dull thud.

"Here are fifty gold coins, not too many, not too few."

Baron Olsen's gaze fell on Aite's arm, which was constantly oozing black energy, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"If I were you, I'd better take the gold coins and leave with your companions right now."

"If your companion's injury isn't treated properly, I'm afraid this arm... will be lost."

A powerful aura emanated from his chest, as strong and forceful as a heartbeat.

As a baron who has been stationed in the northern frontier for many years, his knightly skills far surpass those of ordinary barons. Coupled with the iron-blooded aura he has honed in battle, he has few rivals in the entire Kingdom of Flac.

Li Wei felt the other person's presence, his chest heaving violently.

A threat, a blatant threat.

There were also fifteen crossbowmen standing guard around them, ready to pounce. If a conflict broke out, their side would have absolutely no chance of winning.

He exchanged a glance with Aite, and understood the word "restraint" from the other's solemn eyes.

Humiliation, anger, resentment... a myriad of emotions surged within him, but in the end, they could only dissipate into a cold, lifeless silence.

Under the watchful eyes of Baron Olsen and his guards, Levi slowly knelt down and picked up the heavy, dirty money bag from the ground.

Baron Olsen finally broke into a satisfied smile.

"Witcher, that's a wise choice."

He immediately sheathed his sword, turned and left, as if staying with Taylor for even a second longer would be an insult to him.

"I cannot see you off further."

A light, airy voice came from behind.

The butler gestured to the crossbowmen, and two men immediately stepped forward, dragging Taylor's body and following closely behind the Baron.

Li Wei gripped the money pouch tightly in his hand, the cold metallic texture burning his palm like a branding iron.

He glanced back at Aite's bloodied and mangled arm, then at Mavis's heartbroken face.

"I'll remember this grudge."

Raymond Olsen.