"Summoning Tome!" The exclamation didn't come from Eddie, but rather from the bright-eyed thief. As he utters these words, a glow of gold weaves through his fingers, soon forming a pale orange luminescent shield that envelopes both him and Eddie.
This remarkable defense, a hallmark of those rare individuals who possess a Summoning Tome, springs into action automatically during battle. It offers a formidable defense, steadfastly protecting its owner from any external harm until all summoned creatures fall or the time expires.
The shield emanating from the thief's Silver Tome has a duration of twenty minutes, twice as long as that of a Bronze Tome.
It signifies that unless all his summoned creatures are defeated within that time, not even the most powerful stone golem, renowned for its overwhelming force, can breach this impressive bulwark.
"You're a Tome Bearer?" Shadowclaw's eyes narrow in a mix of shock and annoyance, his face contorting at the revelation.
Exclamations of awe ripple through the crowd. "Incredible, a Tome Summoner! And with a Silver Tome, no less! Look at that orange halo with its glinting golden star.
This thief is actually a level four 'Hero'! Is it possible?
A Hero of such stature in Baishi City?" The spectators are abuzz with excitement. Tome Bearers are exceedingly rare, each representing either an extraordinary genius or someone born of prestigious lineage.
The crowd is astounded to witness such a young individual revealed as a Hero of level four, equipped with a Silver Tome. It's an almost unbelievable feat for someone of his age and status, suggesting the backing of a powerful family or state.
Initially, spectators assumed the two apparent thieves stood no chance against Shadowclaw and his towering stone golem.
The common expectation was that a couple of punches from the six-meter behemoth would reduce them to pulp. However, the moment the Silver Tome was summoned, perceptions dramatically shifted.
Even the mightiest of warriors pale in comparison to a genius Tome Bearer. With the protection of the tome's luminous shield, they can strategically counter any summoned creature an opponent might unleash.
The stone golem might be an invincible force against ordinary foes, but in the presence of a tome user, it's not without vulnerabilities. Every Tome Bearer has a life guardian beast that never truly dies, providing a steadfast defense until the shield's time limit is reached.
The bright-eyed thief, focused and calm, summons the "Confusion Butterfly" from his Silver Tome. Pages turn, and with a gentle press of his palm on the tome, golden light seeps out, dazzling the onlookers.
Eddie, meanwhile, is less concerned with the battle tactics. He's contentedly positioned behind the thief, admiring the view. While he laments his level one 'Keen Eye' talent doesn't allow him to see through clothes, he can't help but appreciate the thief's form, particularly accentuated by the tight-fitting attire.
On the other side, Shadowclaw's expression changes drastically at the sight of the colorful butterfly, no bigger than a palm, summoned by the thief.
If there's one glaring weakness to the stone golem, it's the complete absence of intelligence, making it susceptible to tricks and illusions, such as those wielded by the Confusion Butterfly.
The stone golem, devoid of any intellect or thought, operates purely on combat instinct. It attacks the nearest enemy as commanded by its master, unable to independently select targets. The bright-eyed thief's summoned Confusion Butterfly, while lacking any combat prowess, is ironically the golem's bane. The butterfly disrupts the mental connection between the war machine and its master. As it flutters above the golem's head, the once formidable construct becomes as ineffective as a drunken man, stumbling aimlessly.
The appearance of the Confusion Butterfly changes the complexion of even the seasoned guard captain. Such butterflies are rare, found only in the unique worlds within the Tower of Babel or the Butterfly and Flower Valley.
Could it be that this thief, who attempted to assassinate Shadowclaw's lord half a month ago, is actually from the Butterfly and Flower Valley?
The guard captain, realizing the gravity of the situation, rushes inside to alert the Happy Forest's owner and manager of Golden Blade Tower.
The incident is escalating beyond his control, and intervention from higher authorities is needed, especially when dealing with individuals from the formidable Butterfly and Flower Valley.
Meanwhile, Shadowclaw, in a panic, knows he must quickly eliminate the Confusion Butterfly to regain control of his golem.
He pulls out a shimmering golden crystal and chants incantations to summon a majestic golden war eagle with an impressive wingspan.
As the apex predator of the skies, the war eagle is known for its lightning speed and lethal prowess, especially against flying creatures.
However, before the eagle can strike, the bright-eyed thief counters with a summon of his own. "Summon the Silk-Spewing Spider Woman!" A green light seeps through his fingers as the Silver Tome turns its pages automatically. A creature with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a spider appears on the battlefield, ready to face the incoming war eagle.
The sudden emergence of the half-woman, half-spider creature sends the crowd of mercenaries into a frenzy. Some dash away in panic, while the braver ones remain, albeit with faces ghostly white from fear.
"This is a demon from the Abyss, the bane of men!" one of the lingering mercenaries exclaims, recognizing the fearsome succubus spider.
"That must be a creature brought back from the Tower of Babel," a seasoned warrior from the Happy Forest balcony remarks, watching the descent of the war eagle with a sense of impending doom.
Shadowclaw is visibly filled with despair, realizing too late that his control over the war eagle is lost.
The Spider Woman releases a jet of white silk, instantly transforming into a sprawling web that envelops the war eagle, causing it to plummet.
With swift agility, the Spider Woman pounces, her venomous fangs sinking into the eagle's flesh, rendering the once majestic bird lifeless in mere moments.
Eddie, thrilled by their unexpected triumph, can't help but grip the thief's hand, his excitement bubbling over. "You're amazing! We've won!" he exclaims.
The thief remains cautious, "It's premature to celebrate. Our adversary is a level three hero, and the war eagle was likely not his strongest summon. He may have more formidable creatures at his disposal."
Just then, Shadowclaw's urgent call for assistance echoes, "Evil Fire, come and buy me some time!" He produces a large red crystal, indicating another powerful summon is imminent.
"If you surrender the young one's innocence to me, consider it done! A Confusion Butterfly and Spider Woman pose no threat to me, Evil Fire!" A figure with a lecherous grin and serpentine eyes materializes at the entrance, his gaze fixed on the thief, emitting a sinister, mocking laughter.
While Eddie maintains his composure, a storm of fury rages within. Evil Fire's brazen demand for his companion's purity strikes a nerve, making it clear that he's unwittingly signed his own death warrant. The scene is set for a showdown, with tensions high and the outcome uncertain.