The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 69 Transformation Technique

Tang Qi drew his scimitar and stepped forward to protect the two girls, warning them:

"It looks very real; at least I didn't notice any flaws."

He had heard the story of the innocent hunter.

So when the hunter in front of him acted as if he knew everything about Xingmei Town very well, and as a reclusive "beastman" living in the mountains, he acted with great composure, Tang Qi was almost about to believe him.

Not to mention that he never intended to step into the camp in the first place.

It was because he lost his partner 'Wolf' and got lost in the eerie mist of the Dusk Forest that he wandered back here.

Looking back now, it seems that this was all a pre-planned trick—

It was precisely because he appeared harmless that he was able to conceal his true intentions.

"That's even stranger."

The hunter stroked his thick beard, then touched the realistic gray-white hair on the back of his hand, standing ramrod straight and elegant.
"I even disguised myself as a hunter."

If you knew this hunter, you would be even more convinced.

"But how could Dad not recognize me!"

Anbi gripped Catherine's hand tightly, shrinking behind her and Tang Qi, her fangs and the fierce glint in her vertical pupils both fully revealed.

The hunter blinked, looked at the girl whose face was hidden under her hood, and then realized what was happening, slapping his forehead:
"He had a child before?"

He smiled, bowed slightly, and said...

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect him to be so cruel. He actually let his child come into this world with a curse."

"You're not allowed to talk about my dad like that!"

“I’m telling the truth, my child. A father shouldn’t allow his offspring to suffer the torment of bestiality and the cold stares of others forever—”

Instead of criticizing others' actions, why don't you explain why you're impersonating someone else?

Tang Qi interrupted.

Because Father Lynn hadn't finished telling the story, he only just realized it.

The hunter who was abandoned by the nobles and had to fight bravely against werewolves was actually Amby's father.

In this way, everything makes sense.

As a renowned hunter in Starplum Town, he was forced to become a pawn in the werewolf attack during Lord Mel's hunt.

Even with the combined efforts of the remaining guards, who managed to decapitate the werewolf, he was inevitably infected with the [Beast Curse].

Therefore, he could not return to Starpine Town immediately, but instead went to Father Lynn's church by roundabout route and told him the whole truth—this kind priest was the only person he could heal and trust.

Anbi's [Beast Transformation Curse] should also be inherited from her father.

Upon entering the camp, the hunter treated Ambly and Catherine no differently than he would a stranger.

In their view, it was clearly a 'father' facing his daughter, explaining his 'origins' to himself.

He even looks exactly like his 'father'.

So weird.

No wonder they looked so nervous.

The only pity was that Catherine, who sensed something was wrong, suppressed Ambly immediately and did not make a big fuss.

But this action itself could not escape the other party's notice.

Due to the information asymmetry, the disguise failed, and the hunter could only accept his bad luck and raise his hands in defeat.
"Okay, I confess."

Immediately afterwards, Tang Qi noticed that his frizzy hair, beard, and even his 'beastly' nails, which resembled those of a wild wolf, seemed to retract back into his body as if they were retreating.

His skin began to turn pale, and the firelight reflected off his shiny scalp.

His torso gradually withered, and his face became thin, like a skeleton wearing only human skin.

Only those eyes were bright and piercing, radiating vitality.

He was like a scholar, well-mannered, yet displaying pride:

"You know I don't want to cause trouble."

Otherwise, I wouldn't have wasted a spell slot just to sneak past you and infiltrate this camp.

Upon seeing the true face of the 'hunter,' Ambition couldn't help but shout:
What did you do to my dad?!

"He is of course dead, child. If you want to know what happened, I'm sorry, but if I were to deliberately try to remember how someone died, my limited mind would probably have no room for anything else."

The man tapped his sunken temples with his withered fingers, even managing a peaceful smile. "Roar!"

Ambryant growled between her barks, about to release Catherine's hand, to pounce on that withered face, and to tear his skin apart with her claws—

Catherine held her back tightly:

"Anbi, don't cause Tang Qi any trouble!"

"But, but—"

"obedient."

Her tone left no room for argument, and she pulled Amby back two steps.

Upon calm reflection, this 'skull' is a sublime spellcaster—

And Anbi's tiny paws couldn't even hurt the dead jackal.

Unable to offer help, the only thing they can do, in the present moment of safety, is not to cause trouble for those who are capable of doing something.

"Everyone, get back to your tents!"

Tang Qi first shouted to the civilians who had been attracted by the commotion and were now unaware of the truth and filled with anxiety.

Old David immediately picked up his pitchfork and rushed towards him.

But Tang Qi glared at him, and he retreated back into the tent in fear.

As the camp gradually emptied out, becoming so quiet that only the faint sound of the wind could be heard, the situation became clearer.

Then the other party revealed their true form, and Tang Qi hesitated for a moment:
"Disguise?"

"It's a transformation technique."

This answer itself is a deterrent, so 'Skull' doesn't mind explaining a bit more.

Sure enough, Tang Qi frowned even more deeply—

While both are spells used for disguise, the differences between [Disguise] and [Transformation] are fundamental due to differences in faction and ring rank.

As a spell within the illusion school, [Disguise] is actually more similar to [Silent Illusion], which Kuru often casts.

A false image is placed over the subject's body.

This makes it seem like it can change its clothing and weapons, but it is difficult to deal with physical inspections.

Even when touching the subject, one can still see through the illusion before them.

The Transformation spell belongs to the second-circle magic of the Transformation school; it is a power capable of altering the form of matter.

It can easily cause the recipient to grow things they shouldn't have, such as gills and webbed feet that allow humans to adapt to underwater movement.

Or, in a physical sense, they could change their appearance, weight, voice, or even imitate another race.

Even the sharp teeth and claws of a beastman can be easily transformed.

The fact that a precious second-ring slot was used on a transformation spell that could only last for an hour already speaks volumes—

The 'skull' in front of us should have plenty of spell slots.

The thought that even the Black Serpent had stumbled at the hands of that old goblin, who was merely a sorcerer with few spell slots...

Shatterstone had already raised his tower shield, ready to charge forward and deliver a hammer blow if anything went wrong.

Tang Qi vaguely sensed that cold sweat was about to soak his back:

"So what? You went to all that trouble to sneak into the camp, not to show off your ability to change size at will, right?"

"There's no need to be so hostile, Mr. 'Hero'."

The 'skull' rubbed his hands together, staring intently at the dwarven rubble—

That was perhaps the only person he could be wary of:
"I've said it before, I don't want to cause trouble."

I only had my eye on one thing here.

If you're willing to hand it over to me, I'm willing to pay the corresponding price.

Tang Qi didn't think it was something that could be easily handed over.

He glanced subconsciously in the direction of the tent; his logbook was still inside his dimensional bag.

What have you taken a fancy to?

"I need a head."

(End of this chapter)