The Frugal Mage

Since Josen only had 2 Spells, Magic Missile and Mana Shield, they knew how important it was to select the Spells they should learn since they only had seven slots for them.

Nonetheless, Rayven only shrugged, letting them draw their own conclusions. He wasn't about to explain the truth.

After a few moments, the group huddled together behind the bushes near the cave mouth. Drosk drew a line in the dirt with his knife as he shared the plan.

"The Greater Beast will charge the moment it sees us. Its horns can pierce steel. Hale, you'll intercept, force it sideways. Victor, Emma… Hit its flanks. Don't let it get a clean rush. I'll go for the legs. Cripple it, and it's over."

He turned his gaze on Rayven. "You… stay back. Ready whatever spells you've got. When we create the opening, you finish it."

Rayven nodded…

"I'll do more than that. My Mana Pulse can stun it briefly. If I time it right, you'll have a clean chance to strike its vitals. But it'll only last a moment. You need to be ready."

The four glanced at one another as they knew that stunning a Greater Beast wouldn't be as easy as stunning a Lesser Beast.

"A stun spell?" Hale muttered. "Now that… that could turn the fight."

Drosk's grip tightened on his sword hilt as he liked this idea as well.

After all, even Josen needed about 7 clean hits of Magic Missiles to pierce through a Greater Beast… There was also a problem with his accuracy.

On the other hand, if the Hybrid Goat was really stunned, then they could all work together and target its vitals…That would be a lot easier.

"Then that's our cue. The moment you stun it, we strike as one. No hesitation."

The plan was set. All that remained was to draw out the beast…

***

After a few moments, Victor snapped a branch and tossed it toward the cave entrance while Emma readied and nocked an arrow on her bow.

Thud…

The sound echoed faintly, and moments later, a deep snort rumbled from inside.

They then heard as pebbles tumbled from the cave mouth, and the Hybrid Goat finally emerged.

It was larger than any ordinary beast… It was not standing on its two feet with human arms like Rayven imagined.

Instead, it was like a drugged goat that was a bit larger than a horse. It had spiraled horns curved upward, and it seemed like a luxury good.

No wonder it would fetch a high price.

"There it is…" Emma whispered as she readied to strike…

The beast's nostrils flared, and it pawed the ground…

"Charging!" Drosk reminded…

Just like that, the Greater Hybrid Goat dashed forward, destroying whatever it was that destroyed its peaceful sleep.

Boom!

Dust and gravel exploded as it got closer to them…

Still, they weren't discovered yet.

It was at this time that Rayven made his move.

"Mana Pulse."

[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]

[ Current Balance: 556 Gold Coins ]

A wave of invisible force rippled out and crashed into the beast's body.

The Hybrid Goat's body stiffened, and it was the sign they were waiting for!

"Now!" Drosk roared.

The team moved as one.

Hale swung her axe downward, targeting the beast's front leg joint, forcing it to buckle. Victor darted to its flank with his twin blades, stabbing into the exposed belly, drawing out hot, steaming blood.

'No resistance… There should be a bit of protective mana on them…' Hale and Victor thought as they had fought against Greater Beasts before.

They had large Beast Cores and had better control over mana. They should have some sort of passive shield that protects them from physical attacks.

However, it seemed that Rayven's Mana Pulse just now had also brought down its defenses!

They thought that they had to put more effort, but it seemed that Rayven's Spells were a lot better than they thought.

'This guy is too humble…' Victor thought.

Twang~

Then, Emma's arrow flew straight and sank deep into one of the Goat's eyes.

At the same time, Rayven had also released his "Mana Flick."

This Spell was very accurate and something he was proud of…

[ 1 Gold Coin deducted. ]

[ Current Balance: 555 Gold Coins ]

Just like that, its remaining eye was also injured!

On the other hand, Drosk tried to aim at its throat, but its thick hide prevented him from pushing any deeper.

The beast cried in pain as its head whipped violently to the side.

It started thrashing aggressively as the two-second stun had ended… But the damage was done!

The creature's vitals had been pierced, and its vision was robbed. Blood sprayed from its throat where Victor's blade had found a small opening…

It was still alive, but it was definitely dying at this point.

Suddenly, its body surged with mana.

There were glowing cracks racing across its horns as it prepared to unleash a burst of destructive power.

They had no idea what kind of power it was about to release, but they didn't have the plan to find it out.

"No you don't…" Drosk growled as he charged in…

With a powerful leap, he drove his greatsword straight into the beast's mouth, ramming it deep through tongue and throat until the tip burst from the back of its neck!

"Whoa~"

Even Drosk was surprised at how easy it was…

Just like that, the Greater Hybrid Goat let out a strangled roar… Its glowing horns dimmed, then collapsed to the ground.

Silence followed, as the group looked at the dead Greater Beast… They were surprised. It had never been easy to kill such a beast!

This was the first time they had experienced something like this.

"Dead…" Hale confirmed as she pulled her axe…

Victor nodded and looked at the unmoving body. "That was… smoother than I expected."

Emma gently nodded as she looked at Rayven…

"Your stun saved us a lot of trouble. You also released it so quickly… Is it all because of that Staff? Does it allow you to cast a Spell without the usual chant?"