Chapter 31: Commit to the Act Completely

“I’ve already drunk the healing potion, so don't waste any more energy. My companions need you more.” As if recalling some painful experience, Gavin shook his head repeatedly, declining the young priestess's healing magic.

Not satisfied with just drinking his own, Gavin proceeded to tuck the small glass vials with their little labels into his own potion belt as if they were his own property.

“That makes sense, that makes sense... I heard the High Priest say that those creatures who obtain demonic power use their own souls to trade for immense strength from the demons—incredibly evil and incredibly ferocious... That infernal gnoll must be very powerful... Has that demon's servant already been purified by you all?” Whether it was because the young priestess was too innocent or simply captivated by Gavin's adventure stories, she failed to realize his bandit-like behavior entirely.

“It was indeed very powerful!” Recalling the ferocious and hideous appearance of that infernal gnoll, Gavin nodded involuntarily. “Because we misjudged the enemy's strength, we only had time to kill the ringleader, and many gnolls escaped. Therefore, we need to make more preparations to prevent an ambush. These potions are for that purpose. If they aren't used, I will return them in full; if they are used, I will pay the market price.”

After stuffing his own combat potion belt full, Gavin began stuffing the young priestess's belt. Seeing an extra one in the cabinet, he grabbed it and stuffed it full as well, then tied it around his own waist. No one ever complained about having too many of these; they were a bit inconvenient for movement, but it wasn't a major issue.

The young priestess, who had never left her village or church, was innocently lovely. Lacking a concept of many things, she was being led astray by Gavin.

Not only were various magical potions and scrolls packed away, but she was also changed into a set of slightly oversized leather armor. Underneath, she wore thick leather clothing that filled it out well enough to fit, though her slender and well-proportioned body was now effectively tripled in girth. From a distance, she looked somewhat round, and paired with her chubby, baby-faced cheeks, she possessed an inexplicable sense of whimsy.

Carrying a small round shield and wearing a heavy flanged mace, the way she handled them skillfully showed she had put considerable effort into her training.

“Wait... wait...” Just as they were about to walk out of the church doors, Anna suddenly remembered something. She jogged back, and when she returned, she was clutching a prayer book thicker than her fist.

She hadn't decided how to deal with the part she had smeared with saliva earlier, and fearing the High Priest might return unexpectedly, she decided to carry it with her and find a solution on the road.

Gavin, harboring his own ulterior motives, did not stop her; after all, he hadn't intended for her to come back anyway.

Anna's horsemanship was also unexpectedly skilled. Even while riding through the muddy ground of the early spring thaw at night, she was able to keep pace with Gavin.

They traveled for nearly three hours, just as the innocent young priestess was beginning to grow suspicious, wondering if she had been swindled.

Gavin made a "shush" gesture. Stepping on his stirrups, he straightened his legs and stood up, tilting his ear to listen. A few seconds later, he sat back down and said, “I didn't expect those bastards to be so bold as to gather back here. It's a good thing we prepared thoroughly, otherwise we would have suffered a great loss. Stay close to me; we're going to charge in.”

“Oh, oh, oh!” The young priestess nodded repeatedly. Her face showed no fear of her first battle, only the eager anticipation of a newborn calf that fears no tiger. Her small round shield and heavy mace were already gripped firmly in her hands.

What young man or woman does not yearn for a life of adventure in the wild?

Anna had already envisioned this exact scene in her heart countless times; now, it was finally coming true.

*Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!*

At this moment, Anna finally heard it clearly—the rising and falling sounds of barking in the distance. However, this barking was eerie, sounding somewhat like the drawn-out wail of an infant, sharp and piercing; it was the characteristic sound of hyenas.

When these scavengers appeared, their masters, the gnolls, were usually not far behind.

Gavin led the young priestess on horseback, trotting around a small hill, but they did not see the expected figures. There were only waist-high clumps of dry grass on both sides, swaying continuously as if something were prowling within.

A hunched figure, circling a small wooden cabin and occasionally swinging a weapon, turned to look at them. In its pair of bloodshot eyes, there was unmistakable malice.

*Awooo!*

The largest and strongest one let out a howl toward the sky, sounding like a charge horn.

The figures radiating malice all rushed toward the two riders. As their charge accelerated, they crouched lower and lower until they were using their hands and feet, moving like giant hyenas.

The dry grass on both sides swayed even more violently as ferocious figures, mouths agape, lunged out first. Some aimed for the horses' throats, some lunged directly at the riders, and others went for the horses' legs. Despite being a pack of beasts, they displayed exquisite coordination.

“Charge!”

Gavin ignored them entirely. Having gained momentum from the preceding run, their horses were at full speed; these animals were destined to strike nothing but air.

Their true obstacle lay ahead.

The strongest gnoll charged the fastest, reaching the front of Gavin in the blink of an eye. Its hyena-like face bore innate malice, and Gavin could almost clearly smell the stench emanating from its breath.

The gnoll kicked off the ground hard, leaping upward. Its curled body straightened, its knee-length arms extended, and with a thrusting spear, it displayed an astonishing attack range. The charging enemy was essentially delivering its chest directly under its spear.

*Boom!*

Gavin's azure eyes suddenly lit up, and an invisible surge of energy erupted.

*Mind Blast.*

The attacking gnoll seemed to have its pause button pressed; it froze in mid-air for a mere fraction of a second.

For Gavin, that was enough. The lowered spear pierced effortlessly into the throat the creature had proactively exposed.

Gavin simply flicked the weapon upward, and the powerful momentum of the horse's speed tore half of the creature's neck open.

Leaning his body slightly to the right, the spear that was meant for his chest moved to his left side. Gavin reached out with his left hand and yanked; without the strength to hold on, the original owner's weapon was easily disarmed.

The spear traced a semicircle in the air before Gavin threw it, driving it into the chest of another gnoll that had just leaped.

The sweeping spear then struck the slender waist of a third gnoll, completely deforming its posture. The creature fell to the ground, howling, its upper body struggling while its lower body remained motionless—clearly, its spine had been snapped.

This leaping pounce tactic used by gnolls was highly effective against infantry, especially against groups of militia or commoners, as it allowed them to leap directly into the enemy's ranks to create chaos and begin a bloody slaughter.

But against cavalry, this tactic was akin to delivering oneself on a platter; while airborne, they were perfect targets.

In a single exchange.

Of the seven gnolls, one was dead, one was wounded, and one was crippled.

The remaining ones howled a few times, no longer daring to continue their leaping pounce. They simply leaped past Gavin, allowing him to gallop onward with Anna.

“So... so... so cool!” This was the first time the young priestess had encountered such a spectacle; her large eyes were wide and unblinking.

Every movement the opponent made was as smooth as flowing water, possessing an indescribable beauty amidst the cruelty.

This feeling caused a deep sense of guilt to well up in Anna's heart—how could a priestess of a merciful god harbor such evil thoughts?

Gavin had no intention of turning back; he charged toward the small wooden cabin without slowing down in the slightest.