I Have a Task Log

The rest of the group had been waiting for so long they were yawning nonstop.

After Colin finished speaking, the group immediately left the Oak and headed for Pegasus Plaza, which they had visited before.

When they arrived, they saw the same Wood Elf rider from last time waiting in the middle of the plaza, holding the reins of three Pegasi.

"Are you the one taking us again?" Colin asked as he stepped forward.

"Oh, yes, sir," the Wood Elf replied. "Same as last time, everyone."

After a moment, an awkward smile appeared on his face, and he added, "Of course, please don’t lie flat on the net this time. It makes landing a hassle, and these ’kids’ don’t really like... well, you know, being the center of attention."

"That shouldn’t be a problem," Colin said with an equally awkward laugh.

The group sat on the triangular net, and the Pegasi immediately took to the sky, carrying them toward the verdant sea of trees that was the Supreme Forest.

The Supreme Forest was so vast that Colin, high in the sky, couldn’t tell if their flight path was any different from the last. Before he knew it, he and the others were dazedly set down in a clearing.

"The Kobolds’ cave is in a clearing to the North. You’ll see it after walking a few hundred meters. Our Scouts have already placed a magical mark at the entrance. You just need to use [Detect Magic] to find its exact location."

With that, the Wood Elf rider handed him something that looked like a Signal Flare and instructed, "Fire this Signal Flare when you come out, and I’ll be here shortly... Let’s just hope we don’t attract any dragons hiding nearby this time."

"Got it."

Colin took the Signal Flare. The Wood Elf immediately spurred his Pegasus into the air, disappearing among the dense canopies.

"Well, let’s get going," Dorn said, crossing his arms.

"Hang on. I’m going to try Ritual Spellcasting. Keep an eye out for enemies for me. It should take about ten minutes." After speaking, Colin immediately sat down, took out his Spellbook, and flipped to the page for [Detect Magic].

Most Magic in the world could be cast through Ritual Spellcasting, including many powerful offensive spells.

For example, several Mages capable of using Tier Five Magic could, through a ritual and an Array, cast an even higher-Tier spell. If the price paid was great enough, the Magic’s range and power could be amplified.

This was why the power unleashed by a group of Mages could turn the tide of a war or even permanently alter the landscape of a battlefield.

Under normal circumstances, however, only certain fundamental Magic could be ritually cast.

This type of Ritual Spellcasting generally used the lowest-cost ritual, so the effects weren’t very powerful, and not many spells could be cast this way.

Most common Magic cast as a ritual required ten minutes. Once cast, the Magic’s duration would be extended by ten minutes. Ritual Spellcasting did not consume the caster’s Spiritual Power, but it also couldn’t be used with Rising Tier Spellcasting techniques.

So far, the [Detect Magic] he had just learned was the first spell Colin knew that could be used with Ritual Spellcasting.

He sat on the ground, looking at the Magic recorded in his Spellbook.

[Detect Magic] required no Casting Materials, so Colin just symbolically traced the runic sigil of the Prophetic System of Magic on the ground with his finger.

Following that, a low, steady Spell flowed slowly from his lips. There was no bright flash, no loud bang—only barely perceptible ripples of Magic spreading through the air.

Colin closed his eyes, chanting the Spell over and over.

As the final syllable fell, the surrounding Magic Net trembled violently, signifying the completion of the magical ritual.

When he opened his eyes again, Colin could clearly see his armor covered in a Spiritual Light representing Transmutation System Magic. At the same time, the other pieces of Magic Equipment in the party also began to emit various faint glows.

Ale, her head still wrapped in her Cloak, asked, "How did it go, Colin?"

"It worked," Colin said. "This kind of Ritual Spellcasting is about as simple as it gets."

With that, the group packed their gear and headed in the direction the Wood Elf rider had indicated.

As they walked, Dorn asked, "Do any of you have experience with Dungeons?"

"Didn’t you go with us to the Undercity a few days ago?" Kase retorted.

"That’s different," Dorn continued. "Going into the Undercity is completely different from clearing an Ordinary monster nest in the wild."

"We’ve cleared two Goblin Nests," Orelia said, full of confidence.

"Then you’re complete amateurs."

"Huh?" Orelia’s voice trailed off in disappointment.

"I’m not trying to put you down, but Goblins are a bunch of lazy bums who can’t even be bothered to maintain their traps. When the time comes, you two—Colin and Kase—will back me up. The three of us will take point."

As Dorn finished speaking, Colin turned to Orelia and asked, "I remember you have [Silence] among your Tier Two Divine Skills, right?"

"I do, Mr. Colin."

"We can use that Magic to deal with sentries and the like. We’ll be counting on you then," Colin added.

A little while later, the group arrived at a clearing.

It wasn’t a clearing in the strictest sense. There was a huge, broken, dead tree, and the new saplings were only a few meters tall, which made the area stand out awkwardly amidst the surrounding giant trees.

At the same time, Colin could clearly see a bright red light flickering from the broken section of the giant tree.

"The Elves’ mark is at the base of that dead tree."

As he spoke, Colin carefully scanned the surroundings.

’To be honest, if you could spot some telltale signs around a goblin’s cave, this Kobold nest had absolutely nothing strange about it. It was practically indistinguishable from the natural wilderness.’

"I’ll go take a look." "Me too."

Kase and Dorn crept toward the area around the entrance, one after the other.

The Half-Orc hunched over, his movements as nimble and agile as a snow leopard. But Dorn, with his height advantage, was even better at concealment than Kase. He hadn’t gone far before he vanished from sight.

Colin squinted, searching for a long time, but still couldn’t see where he was, as if he had turned invisible.

After a short while, the two of them returned, one after the other.

Dorn gave his conclusion: "No hidden sentries around. We can go straight in."

"I’ll extend the duration of [Detect Magic]. After the Ritual Spellcasting is done, we’ll drink the [Shrinking Potion]."

Orelia raised her right hand and chimed in, "Oh, I have a Divine Art that can enhance a creature’s vitality with Divine Power. It lasts for about eight hours."

"Then let’s do it," Colin nodded.

"Light of the dawn, aid my friends!" Orelia immediately took the Holy Emblem from her pack and began to recite a prayer.

Countless specks of golden light gathered from all directions and settled upon the group.

Colin felt a wave of warmth spread through his body.

He could clearly feel his body growing stronger. The sensation was very similar to having his Constitution Attribute enhanced.

Colin then began the Ritual Spellcasting. After completing it, he took a [Shrinking Potion] from his Medicated Bandage, and then, along with the others, uncorked the bottle and downed it in one gulp.