Chapter One Hundred and Three: The Fruit of Dagmar

Hey, friend, are you venturing alone through the shadowy forest?” The swordsman called out softly as he approached.

Han Shuo had already noticed the six of them. He had put away the little skeleton, not wanting to reveal his identity as a necromancer. Upon hearing the voice, he lifted his head and nodded to the swordsman, replying, “That’s right.”

In the sky above, the harpy circled, its knees tucked under, watching Han Shuo and the six adventurers meet. Sensing their numbers, it dared not continue testing Han Shuo’s patience and soared higher, observing from above.

The six were a party of three warriors, two mages, and one archer. The archer was a female elf. Of the three male warriors, one was a senior swordsman and two were intermediate swordsmen. Among the mages, one was an intermediate male magician, and the other a senior female magician.

Han Shuo, having participated in the academy’s test, was already familiar with the ranking and insignia of the Magic Guild and the Swordsman Guild. Magicians marked their rank by embroidering a miniature magic staff on the shoulder of their robes—one staff for a junior magician, adding another for each level gained. Swordsmen and knights followed similar conventions, using sword and horse motifs respectively. The adventurers’ attire bore these symbols, allowing Han Shuo to easily gauge their strength.

Their combined strength was not insignificant, yet venturing deeper into the shadowy forest would render them somewhat vulnerable. It was no wonder the harpy continued following them after realizing there were only six—had any among them been a master capable of flight, the harpy would have fled without hesitation and never dared shadow them.

“My name is Odyssey, and these are my companions. I believe you witnessed the harpy’s movements just now. I regret to inform you that its original target was us, but noticing you alone, it shifted its attention to you.

The harpy, a level three magical beast, is difficult to deal with, especially as it flies overhead. If you don’t mind, you can join us. With seven together, the harpy likely won’t dare attack.” Senior swordsman Odyssey spoke earnestly, looking at Han Shuo.

Han Shuo shook his head and smiled, politely refusing. “No, thank you. It seems you wish to venture deeper into the forest, but I intend to return to the outskirts. Our paths do not align. I’d rather not trouble you.”

“That won’t do! If you walk alone, the harpy will surely not let you go. I think you should stay with us; otherwise, you will be in great danger, perhaps even lose your life!” The female senior magician, Aphra, exclaimed softly.

With Aphra’s concern, the others also tried to persuade Han Shuo, but he did not agree to leave with them. Though their strength was considerable, only the archer’s arrows might trouble the harpy. Once the harpy soared high, the swordsmen posed no threat, and the mages’ spells might not reach. However, Han Shuo, equipped with the Demon Slayer Edge and a heavy crossbow, and with the little skeleton’s bone blade and bone spikes capable of flight, had nothing to fear. Should the harpy attack, it would face a fierce counterstrike from Han Shuo and his minion. Thus, Han Shuo declined the invitation, opting to travel alone.

“Thank you for your concern, but I don’t think the harpy will find me an easy meal.” Han Shuo replied with a smile, grabbing two roasted fish and ignoring the six young adventurers as he walked off in their direction.

Watching Han Shuo depart calmly, the adventurers were momentarily stunned. Odyssey, the senior swordsman, spoke, “Let’s follow him from a distance. If he truly has a method to deal with the harpy, we’ll leave him be; otherwise, we’ll help so he doesn’t fall prey to it.”

“Captain, he’s already refused us. Is there any point in this?” Gordon, the intermediate swordsman, grumbled reluctantly.

“The harpy was originally after us, and because we headed this way, we brought trouble to others. I think we should take responsibility.” Odyssey reproved Gordon, then led his party to trail Han Shuo from afar.

After five minutes, the harpy circling above Han Shuo finally acted. It swooped down from the sky, as if about to strike, then shrieked and soared back up, patiently taunting Han Shuo.

Han Shuo was even more patient than the monster. Though his hands seemed empty, the Demon Slayer Edge was ready to fly at a moment’s notice, and the heavy crossbow in his spatial ring was prepared. If the harpy dared approach, Han Shuo would not hesitate to strike it down with a single, fatal blow.

He was fully aware of the six adventurers trailing him in the distance, but paid little mind to their good intentions, continuing unhurriedly towards the Graveyard of Death.

After several feints, the harpy finally lost patience and swooped directly at Han Shuo, its sharp claws curled as it sped toward his skull.

A foul stench filled the air, quickly enveloping him. Most people would be dizzy and disoriented from such a miasma, but Han Shuo, hardened beyond measure, was unaffected. Still, he feigned weakness, staggering as if about to collapse.

“Oh! He’s overcome by the harpy’s stench—this is dangerous, we should help him now!” Aphra, the senior magician, cried out. The six adventurers no longer concealed themselves, emerging from the brush, and the archer hastily prepared to shoot.

At that moment, the harpy, sensing the opportunity, descended from seven or eight meters above, its iron claws reaching for Han Shuo’s skull, intent on cracking it.

Han Shuo’s lips curled into a cold smile. His staggering grew more pronounced until, as the harpy’s claws neared, he stiffened abruptly and fell back with lightning speed, causing the beast’s attack to strike only empty air.

As the harpy screeched and tried to adjust, the Demon Slayer Edge, wreathed in crimson light, suddenly shot forth, imbued with fierce, scorching power, and struck the harpy’s body with a resounding impact.

With a plaintive cry, the harpy flapped its wings, struggling to leave the ground. At that instant, Han Shuo seized his heavy crossbow, taking aim at the creature’s slender neck and firing mercilessly.

The harpy, its body glowing with red magic flames, howled in agony. Unable to steady itself, it failed to notice the deadly attack approaching. The crossbow bolt pierced its neck, propelling its body backward, neck arched skyward, before crashing heavily to the ground.

“Oh heavens, he killed the harpy!” Andrew, the swordsman rushing over, exclaimed as the harpy’s massive body toppled, disbelief plain in his voice.

The other adventurers, whether reciting spells or readying arrows, halted and stared at the harpy, its wings fluttering weakly, astonished.

Under Han Shuo’s will, the Demon Slayer Edge, now lodged in the harpy, unleashed the “Mystic Ice Demon Flame,” incinerating the beast’s insides without smoke, leaving its body quickly charred and emitting a pungent odor that spread far.

Han Shuo stood, brushed the dust from his clothes, approached the now lifeless harpy, held his breath, summoned the Demon Slayer Edge, and extracted the level three magical beast’s crystal core, then severed its iron claws and stored them in his spatial ring.

In truth, level three magical beasts were not so easily defeated, which explained the adventurers’ headache. The harpy relied on its overpowering stench and aerial advantage to remain invincible.

Unfortunately for it, neither advantage worked against Han Shuo. Instead, they became his tools. With the Demon Slayer Edge’s unmatched sharpness and its connection to Han Shuo’s will, the harpy met a swift and tragic end.

“Hey, friend, you truly are formidable. It seems our worries were indeed unnecessary.” Odyssey finally approached Han Shuo, smiling warmly.

Though they hadn’t helped much, Han Shuo, through his magical perception, understood their words and actions and found them rather decent. Now, as Odyssey spoke, Han Shuo smiled and nodded. “I was merely lucky—my strength is perhaps less than yours alone.”

“You’re far too modest.” Odyssey clearly didn’t believe this, replying courteously.

“Captain, since he’s no longer in danger, we should continue deeper into the southern forest to search for the ‘Dagmar Fruit,’” Gordon urged as he approached.

“Sigh, I really don’t know if this ‘Dagmar Fruit’ exists—a fruit shaped like a human brain? I’ve never heard of such a thing!” Aphra, the senior magician, lamented.

Han Shuo, about to bid them farewell, paused at Aphra’s words, curiosity piqued. He looked at her and asked, “What is this ‘Dagmar Fruit’? How could it resemble a human brain? It sounds incredible—could you tell me more?”

“Everything I know about the ‘Dagmar Fruit’ comes from our captain, Odyssey. He knows more about it.” Aphra smiled kindly at Han Shuo and gestured to Odyssey.

Odyssey smiled and explained, “Are you interested in the ‘Dagmar Fruit’? Legend has it Dagmar was a demon who relished consuming human brains. After his death, strange fruits may have grown where he was buried. These fruits are about the size of a fist, with dark brown patterns, closely resembling a human brain.

It’s said the ‘Dagmar Fruit’ possesses miraculous powers. An ordinary person who eats it becomes deranged, but if crushed by an apothecary, it can be used to concoct precious potions. I accepted a commission to try my luck in the shadowy forest and see if I can find the ‘Dagmar Fruit.’”

Hearing Odyssey’s account, Han Shuo was suddenly elated. In Chu Canglan’s memories, there was mention of a fruit called the “Holy Brain Fruit,” which could greatly enhance the mind, turning an ordinary person into a madman. However, for someone like Han Shuo, in the soul-molding stage of cultivation, consuming the “Holy Brain Fruit” alongside magical techniques would significantly boost his powers.

Han Shuo had never considered the possibility of such a fruit existing in this world, but Odyssey’s description matched the “Holy Brain Fruit” perfectly.

The prospect of obtaining a fruit that could greatly advance Han Shuo’s cultivation was irresistible. Without hesitation, after Odyssey finished, Han Shuo asked, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to join you in searching for the ‘Dagmar Fruit.’”

His request took all six adventurers by surprise, none of them expecting Han Shuo to make such a proposal.