Chapter 41: SkirmishEmber wiped a line of sweat and grime from his face when a chorus of ribbiting toads reverberated in his ears.“Looks like we’re close,” Erming said, as they all picked up pace.Running wasn’t particularly easy in the bog, not when, with each step, your feet dug half a foot into the mud. Ember took it as a challenge to improve his Blitz Steps, though he didn’t like how much mud and grime caked his attire and face.Well, it would all be a small price to pay if he managed to evolve his Hunter title.After a minute, he even picked up the cacophony of other people from the mix when a metre-and-a-half-long mirewood toad lunged towards them.Ember bolted off its path, his palms reaching for his blade and wand. For good or bad, the girl from House Huan wasn’t so lucky. Whereas everyone managed to scatter in time, the massive frog pinned her into the mud. Without even paying her any glance, it hopped off, hurtling her further into the sludge.Unbothered by her situation, Ember chased after it, firing a powerful wind blade at the toad. It had already borne several wounds, multiple arrows sticking out from its back, whereas his spell struck its hind leg, throwing it into the mud.“Good job, Ember! Now. . .”Ember didn’t even care who or what they were saying. He bolted forward, his figure blurring through the wetlands to appear above the creature as he thrust his blade into its neck. His wand was already brandished with the most potent wind blade it was capable of.Giving the creature or anyone in his group no chance, Ember hurled the spell at point-blank range. He didn’t forget to turn on his shield, so when the spell and his blade dug and eviscerated through its body, all the filthy and poisonous blood found no purchase on him.[Enemy slain: Mirewood Toad Level 37.]This perhaps would have been more difficult if the toad hadn’t (...)