After killing the evolved spider, Joseph’s blood-red eyes slowly returned to normal. He carefully wiped the dirt and blood off his body with a handkerchief from his sleeve and walked back to Richard and Bobbobovic, reverting to the gentleman-like Joseph.
Joseph apologized with a hint of remorse, "I didn’t intend to intervene , but only in this way could I inflict the greatest damage on the golden spider, so I hope you both pardon me."
Richard said, "This is no occasion for pardon, Wizard Joseph, you’ve truly opened our eyes."
"Indeed," Bobbobovic concurred.
"You’re too kind," Joseph responded. "However, my intervention just now consumed a lot of energy, so I may not be able to act so freely for some time. If we encounter trouble in relic exploration, it will be up to both of you, especially for what’s coming next..."
As he spoke, Joseph looked to one side.
In the darkness, there was indeed movement again, accompanied by a "hissing" sound, as the third evolved spider crawled out. It was no longer alone; perhaps realizing the tragic demise of its previous two companions, dozens of ordinary demonized spiders followed behind.
Bobbobovic looked on, his gaze freezing. At this moment, the side effects of using potions to enhance his strength hadn’t fully dissipated yet, making him barely able to handle a single evolved spider or deal with dozens of demonized spiders individually. But together, it became quite troublesome.
Seeing this, Richard slightly raised his eyebrows, but without any fear, said, "Let me handle this."
"Be careful," Joseph cautioned, "this time it’s even more difficult than the last two times."
"Thanks for the warning," Richard replied, "I certainly will be."
After speaking, he proactively approached the charging evolved and demonized spiders. When he got close, he flicked his hands, sending numerous metal strips flying from his sleeves.
Each metal strip was over ten centimeters long, more than two centimeters wide, a few millimeters thick, and engraved with identical magic runes. After being thrown by Richard, they were activated by a small amount of free energy, unleashing the energy elements stored within the metal strips, quickly mobilizing all the magic runes, displaying the spell effect.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop!"
A series of sounds echoed as the metal strips descended upon the evolved and demonized spiders, rapidly exploding with piercing white cold air.
One metal strip releasing white cold air only slightly slowed the attack speed of the evolved spider and the horde of demonized spiders. However, when dozens of metal strips continuously released white cold air, the cumulative effect caused the evolved spider and demonized spiders to visibly slow, and then slow even further until finally freezing on the ground, turning into ice sculptures.
The scene was utterly quiet because those who made noise turned into ice sculptures.
Joseph, seeing this scene, revealed an expression of astonishment, obviously not expecting Richard to have such abilities. He looked at Richard, tentatively speaking out, "Wizard Richard, is this possibly the Absolute Ice Domain spell?"
The Absolute Ice Domain is a Shape-shifting Water Element Ice Four-Circle Magic, incredibly powerful, usually only a Level 4 Wizard can cast it. It’s capable of easily freezing a massive lake or, within a small area, using irresistible cold to kill all living entities, truly terrifying.
"It is not the Absolute Ice Domain," Richard replied, "What you witnessed was the effect of Arctic Frost Magic—a simultaneous release of dozens of Arctic Frost Magic spells resembles the Absolute Ice Domain, but isn’t. For instance, the temperature it achieves isn’t as low as the Absolute Ice Domain, so it merely confines the targets without freezing them to death."
Joseph was startled, looking at the evolved and demonized spider horde with a cautious expression.
"Indeed, they’re not dead," Richard candidly replied, pointing at the evolved and demonized spiders, "The spell’s effect merely froze them here, placing them in a forced state of hibernation temporarily. If enough time passes or if the spell effect fades, they’ll awaken. At that point, they may have some frostbite or other injuries, but they won’t actually die."
"Then why not kill them?" Joseph asked.
"Is there a need?" Richard retorted, "We’re here to explore relics, not purely for slaughter. Since freezing them here meets our needs, why expend extra effort killing them?"
"Oh." Joseph was convinced, nodding his head, "Alright."
Then recalling something, he looked at Richard again and said, "By the way, Wizard Richard, earlier I noticed you were using quite a few single-use magic tools for spell attacks, right?"
"Indeed," Richard acknowledged.
"Then wouldn’t such an attack be quite costly?" Joseph inquired, "After all, magic rune magic tools aren’t cheap."
"It’s manageable," Richard replied, "The magic tools are all crafted by me personally, so the cost isn’t as high as one might expect."
In reality, the cost wasn’t just low; it could be described as laughably inexpensive.
The metal strips were specially designed by him to avoid exposing too much of his power. Because of the batch manufacturing technique of light engraving, aside from upfront investment, the remainder was merely material costs.
Joseph naturally knew none of this, but hearing Richard’s words, he showed a respectful expression towards Richard, saying, "Even if the cost isn’t high, for Wizard Richard to provide so many single-use magic tools indicates incredible efficiency in crafting. Are you possibly a Magic Pattern Master?"
"I wouldn’t say master; at most, I possess some research into magic runes, yes, just some research."
"That’s impressive enough," Joseph commented, "Wizard Richard, have you heard this saying: Every wizard who excels in magic runes is the cornerstone of a great wizard organization. This means, in a wizard organization, every wizard proficient in magic runes holds extraordinary significance.
Your current skills already qualify you to join the Truth Society, and given your expertise in magic runes, I believe you’ll quickly ascend to the core level of the Truth Society.
I was worried your attack methods were too costly, but now it seems that for others it might be expensive, but for you it’s entirely acceptable. Regardless of your choice to join the Truth Society, you have sufficient sources of gold coins, whenever you wish."
"It’s alright," Richard said, "Speaking of gold coins, I haven’t been paid yet for the materials I sold to the organization for study, right? Though as a member of the organization, I should have a spirit of dedication, I think being clear about accounts is better."
"Ah, this..." Joseph was momentarily stunned, then asserted his stance, "Wizard Richard, rest assured, the Truth Society always upholds fairness and justice, surely won’t encroach upon your rightful interests. Believe me, in a few days there will be a proper account of this matter."
"That’s good, let’s continue the exploration then."
When the conversation ended, Richard, Joseph, and Bobbobovic proceeded deeper into the relic.