Liam grinned. "It actually worked?" This was a huge risk he had taken, but now it has paid off. He lifted the bell in his hand again and shook it one more time.
"Hymn of Tranquility, how do you like it?" He shoved the bell back into his inventory space and hurriedly dashed at the confused barbarian.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
Liam immediately bombarded the barbarian with fire slashes, one of his strongest attacks. The big guy roared in anger and retaliated back, but he no longer possessed the overwhelming power and the abundant strength.
His attacks were easily blocked, and Liam's agility was much higher than the other party's. Moreover, he also had the black dragon sword while the other party was fighting barehanded, relying on a strength that was no longer there.
Suddenly, the overgrown barbarian in front of him became no different than any other barbarian. It was Liam's turn to dominate the fight. Health points rapidly dropped, and soon the guy was on his last 5%.
Liam took a deep breath and twisted his body to land the last flurry of attacks to finish this fight once and for all finally.
However, right at this moment, the barbarian exploded in strength one more time. The strange, hostile aura erupted out of him, and his health once again skyrocketed.
Roar! The barbarian's eyes widened, completely blood red as he realized the same too. He immediately rushed forward towards Liam wanting to smash the human being into a meat paste.
"Damn it." Liam immediately stepped back several paces in alarm. Was the bell not working any longer? Perhaps the effect was not a permanent one?
He took out the item again and shook it in a hurry.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
A melodious sound flooded the battle scene. The barbarian again began to fumble in his steps, panting and heaving.
Liam did not want to take his chances anymore as he gulped a rage potion and used the extra burst attack damage to drain the barbarian's health even faster than before.
But once again, it was easier said than done. The bloodlust completely reinvigorated the barbarian and restored him to total health, so Liam had to start cutting him down from scratch all over again.
Even without the boost, Level 70 barbarian was not a joke. The sparring continued with several attacks flying back and forth, and when finally the big hulking guy was brought down, Liam collapsed on the ground, completely out of breath.
"Luckily, I had the chance to fight him alone." He huffed and stood up. Now it was time for the next part, the part where he finally gets the reward that had been eluding him for so long.
He prepared to leave when he suddenly noticed some strange red symbols flickering on the barbarian's corpse. It was only for a second before the body disintegrated.
"Hmmm?" Liam decided to ignore it for the time being and picked up the silver coins. He then did not linger around the wilderness for long and made a beeline out of the forests into the elven city.
And once he reached there, he directly took the teleportation portal to the royal city where the damned old fart resided. Of course, he did not go to him straight. He first visited the King.
The elven King stared at Liam in shock. "I cannot believe this. You have found a solution to our problem so soon?"
"It was just a coincidence, your highness. While studying the different crafted weapons and armor, I came across this unique weapon, and I sensed that it might help us." Liam replied with a smile, trying to be as modest as possible without undermining his efforts.
The King looked at Liam and then at the bell and started laughing loudly. "Ha Ha Ha! Maesel, look at this! Hymn of tranquility! What an ingenious idea! Well done, Liam! Well done!"
Surprising even Liam, the elven King hugged him and patted him on the back. "I am sincerely grateful for your invaluable contribution."
"We have always been at odds with those beasts who have no laws or morals, but only recently have they been acting like this, possessing such strange power. Now, with your help, we can get to the bottom of this."
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this invaluable contribution, Grandmaster Liam."
<Ding. You have been rewarded 50,000 reputation points>
<Ding. You are now Revered among the elves>
Yes!! Finally! Liam rejoiced inwardly, only barely containing his happiness. He had really worked too hard for this damned quest, and it looked like the King was not done talking yet.
"We elves are eternally grateful to you. Please let me know how I can repay this debt. You can ask me for anything. In fact, guards!" The King clapped his hands and called for the two guards stationed near the inner chamber.
"Please escort our esteemed Grandmaster to our Treasury. Please, Grandmaster Liam. Please let me know if anything in our Treasury piques your interest after looking through it." The elven King beamed.
Liam was also startled to receive such a huge reward. He could possibly gain another Legendary weapon from this endeavor. This was truly tempting. Nevertheless, he shook his head. There was something else that he direly needed.
"Your Highness. Unfortunately, I have to refuse your generous reward."
"What?"
"Your Highness. I apologize for being straightforward. Instead of this reward, please kindly speak to Elder Elidyr on my behalf. I wish to seek his tutelage to improve my abilities. I desperately require his wisdom to further my forging skills." Liam spoke and bowed deeply in front of the King.
Hearing such a humble request, even the King couldn't ignore him. Moreover, it was for forging, and the elven kingdom could profit a lot if he made another breakthrough and forged an exceptional weapon.
Wheels began turning in the King's head as he quickly made a decision. "Please rise, Grandmaster Liam. I will try my best to convince my father. I give you my word."
Hook! Line! And Sinker!
Now let me see how you are refusing me, you old bastard. Liam subconsciously rubbed his neck, thinking about all the times he had fallen flat on the ground.
He smiled at the King with one more bow and a grateful nod and watched the man leave the grand hall to do his bidding immediately. The elven Queen and the other elders present in the hall also gave him an encouraging smile.
"Please, Grandmaster Liam. Please take a seat and enjoy some wine with us." Liam smiled.
He sat down, his eyes still expectantly fixed on the door, and lifted the wine glass to drink a mouthful of the delicious, aromatic wine.
The rich liquid filled his mouth with an exquisite flavor. He savored the mouthful and was halfway through gulping it down when the King stormed back with an angry expression on his face.
Liam froze. No, it can't be. It can't possibly be. But…
"I have failed you, esteemed Grandmaster." The King banged on the wall with his fist. "I tried my best, but the elder is… I apologize. I am helpless when it comes to my father."
Spurt. Liam spat out the wine in his mouth.
