Meanwhile...
''This is... Too OP!!!'' Jax exclaimed in disbelief. He saw how his Wailing Siegebow penetrated through the forest and caused a massive mess. If he happened to hit a fortress instead, then he believed that it would have fallen down into ruins. Its thick walls wouldn't be able to protect itself from the bolts of his Wailing Siegebow.
Jax smiled brightly. But soon, he lost his grip of the Wailing Siegebow as he dropped it on the ground, nearly hitting his feet. Using the weapon once seemed to deplete all his strength.
Almost immediately after that, he, too, dropped down on the ground. His breathing was heavy as he put his arms on the ground to support his upper body and prevent himself from collapsing with his back on the ground.
''Damn it, I can't even lift a finger now...'' Jax gasped. He stared at the heavy crossbow on the ground with a growing sense of fear as he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
That bad boy surely was gluttonous!
Sure, it could deal massive damage. However, in exchange for that was him being drained out of strength. The price for using such a weapon simply rendered him speechless.
Wouldn't he get killed easily if he happened to use this crossbow once?
''Tch, it seems like I should only use this thing when necessary and when there's someone like King to protect me.'' Jax nodded his head, his decision made. He summoned the Scroll as he stored the weapon in his Scroll Inventory.
The Wailing Siegebow slowly dissipated as its fragments were being absorbed by the Scroll.
''Phew,'' Jax then wiped the sweat on his forehead. But to his surprise, he suddenly felt his strength going back to him. All the fatigue he felt a moment ago was slowly vanishing as he was being rejuvenated for an unknown reason.
''This is...'' Three question marks floated over Jax's head. Red and blue steam-like threads of energy, that seemed to be invisible from the naked eyes, were rushing at him. Strangely, those strange energies were absorbed by Jax, restoring both his energy and strength. Or probably, even health.
Jax was surprised. Although he couldn't see that red and blue energy filling his body, he still could feel it. He could tell that some external forces were forcing their way inside his body. Just what on earth was going on with...
As Jax pondered deeply, he suddenly recalled the content of the description of his Wailing Siegebow...
____________________
Once its heavy bolt landed, it will shrink back to its original size and cause a shockwave that reaches up to a hundred meters radius. The bolt will disappear and its shockwave can inflict fear on all living creatures within its range. Anyone affected by fear will have a portion of their energy and life stolen.
____________________
This heavy crossbow could actually do something similar to the lifesteal and manasteal effect from the video games he played!
''He he he...'' Suddenly, Jax revealed an obnoxious grin and released barely audible laughter. But gradually, his laughter grew louder as he raised his head and looked up into the sky. As if he finally became a madman.
If he could just regain his energy back shortly after he released the massive bolt of his Wailing Siegebow, then what was there to worry about? He could just use it again and again whenever his energy was restored.
Although it could have a long cooldown, he could do a bombardment endlessly until nothing was left to his target but scattered stones.
The thought of him being an overpowered character already just couldn't leave his mind. And that rendered him laughing madly nonstop.
''What the hell are you laughing about? Hurry up and stand up. We are leaving.''
Jax was still going mad at it, when he heard a sudden voice nearby. He refrained from laughing and shifted his gaze to the source of that sudden voice.
''Oh, King, my friend. You're back!'' After recognizing the person, he greeted him with a warm and bright smile. But two question marks floated above his head as he asked, ''What's the matter? Why are you in a hurry?''
''So, you really have no idea how much mess you've caused, huh?'' King's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. He stared at Jax coldly in the eyes as he had an urge to give this brat a good punch in the face.
''Huh? What wrong did I do?'' Jax was taken aback, his smile froze as a question mark appeared above his head. ''I'm just behaving here quietly and testing my new weapon. What's wrong with that?''
''That giant bolt earlier... You've hit a mermaid.'' King was too impatient to beat around the bush as he replied. ''Just to let you know, mermaids are the owners of this land.''
''A mermaid?!'' Jax's eyes flashed brightly. He rose to his feet as he asked, ''Are they strong?''
If it was a mermaid in the myth, then it must be a strong creature, right? If he happened to obtain their souls and put them in his collections, then he could also obtain their skills and abilities.
If they truly were strong, then he could be as strong as them! Jax shuddered in excitement at the mere thought of it.
''Why are you stupidly excited?'' King frowned as he replied, ''Don't even think of using me to kill her. I would rather kill you instead.''
After all, there would come more harm than good if he involved himself with those bitches.
''Huh? Are you serious?'' Jax replied in dismay. For King to say that, the situation must be quite serious. Heaving a resigned sigh, and with regrets flashing in his eyes, he muttered, ''Damn, I didn't expect that you were weaker than a mermaid.''
King's face suddenly went dark. For him to hear such provocative words, he couldn't even force out a smile. Why was it that when this brat spoke, he could easily get agitated? If it was others, he could get as nonchalant as ever. He could ignore them without problems since he could just erase them from existence if he willed.
Right. That must be because he was patiently keeping this brat alive.
Breath. Breath. Breath.
He must hold it in no matter what.
For freedom's sake!
''Listen up, brat. Killing that little girl is no biggie. But her mommy is too annoying to deal with.'' King responded coldly, looking down at Jax in a disgusted manner. ''I admit it, but we might really get killed if that old hag is the one to make a move.''
Gulp.
Jax couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva and sweat it. For King to say such concerning words, and with that kind of icy tone, then that mermaid, that old hag he was talking about, must be too strong and terrifying just as he implied.
Jax thought that King was already an invincible character. But to think that there was still someone more formidable than him that he was afraid of. Just how strong was that mermaid for him to behave like that?
''Tch, fine! We'll leave right away.'' Jax gave up. Too bad, it appeared like he wouldn't be able to obtain a mermaid's power this time. It was regrettable, but it seemed like they needed to run away now.
With that in mind, Jax was just about to turn around and leave but then, he suddenly noticed something.
''Huh?'' Jax blinked twice, narrowed his eyes, and frowned out of confusion. But in the end, he raised his forefinger and pointed it in the direction where he saw that certain something. And then, with a growing sense of curiosity, he asked, ''Someone is approaching us. Is that someone you know?''
King's eyes widened for a moment, his heart skipped a beat. There was no way he knew someone in that place. It couldn't be that that mermaid had already recovered and was now on the furious move?
''Damn it, are we already too late...?'' King gasped. It was a known fact that among all the elementals, mermaids were the ones who possessed the strongest vitality and regeneration capability. They could survive even the most deadliest attack.
Slowly, King turned around to see, to confirm the hunch that he wished was nothing but a mere wild imagination, but the instant he turned around, that mermaid was already there to land a hit.