Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 147: Chapter 146: Taunting is a Required Course for Main Tanks

Something’s not right, Jon thought.

He’d been rampaging through the blizzard in search of the enemy, having a blast slaughtering Wraiths along the way. The Spirit-Devouring Owls that occasionally tried to block his path were nothing more than walking experience packs.

But something about it all felt... unsatisfying.

Besides a massive number of Wraiths and a few Spirit-Devouring Owls, was this all the Eternal Frost Sect had to offer?

Where were their Official Level Professionals? Their signature Dragonbone Spiritual Puppets and Frost Young Dragons?

Where had all their core combatants gone?

Even if they hadn’t anticipated reinforcements for Viscount Paris, did they really think these Wraiths and Demons alone were enough to take down a squad built around several Knights?

Unless—

’They never stationed much of their Power here to begin with...’

The realization made Jon grit his teeth.

’Power doesn’t just vanish into thin air. If it’s not here, then it must be somewhere else!’

A bad feeling crept over him.

’I hope this isn’t a base trade... I have to solve the problem here as quickly as possible.’

His class limitations meant he wasn’t particularly good at tracking, but as a main tank, he had other ways of making the enemy reveal themselves.

”Hey, you Eternal Frost Cultists, where do you guys usually live?”

”Don’t tell me you hole up in caves with these stinking beasts?”

Jon said mockingly, chopping off the head of a Spirit-Devouring Owl and swinging it in his hand.

”That’s just so undignified. You’re an old, established Sect that’s been famous for years. Shouldn’t you at least take care of your believers’ basic living conditions?”

’This guy—!’

The Eternal Frost Cultist hiding in the shadows gritted his teeth but didn’t respond aloud.

He knew his opponent was strong but clearly couldn’t find him, which was why he was saying these things—to provoke him into revealing himself.

’Who would fall for such a childish provocation?’

But in the next instant, the detestable man changed the subject to a sensitive topic.

”By the way, your god... he’s never actually shown his face, has he?”

The Eternal Frost Cultist choked, and the blizzard he was controlling slowed for a moment.

’Th-this guy... How dare he—!!’

But Jon’s words continued, becoming even more blasphemous, more unforgivable.

”You call him a Dragon God, but couldn’t he just be some Sub-dragon from who-knows-where, pretending to be the real thing?”

”Makes sense, if you think about it. If he were a real dragon, why would he need to hide? Competing for godhood is nothing to be ashamed of.”

As these two sentences fell, a suppressed fury began to permeate the slowing blizzard, and a vicious smile spread across Jon’s face.

He tossed aside the Spirit-Devouring Owl’s head, spread his arms, and caused the illusory dragon heads swirling around him to solidify slightly.

”Stop believing in that bullshit Ice Dragon. Take a look at this draconic aura I’ve created by Visualizing a true Dragon King. Think it’s good enough to compete for your Dragon God’s throne?”

”Think about it~”

”CONSIDER MY ASS!!!!”

His faith blasphemed, the Eternal Frost Cultist no longer hid himself, appearing on the roof of a house.

He roared in fury, his gaunt body trembling beneath his dark blue robes as frosty air poured from his mouth and nose.

”You blasphemer... I’m going to fucking kill you! Kill you!!!”

”I’m going to break every bone in your body, I’m going to—”

But before he could finish his threat, Jon’s attack landed.

BOOM—!!

The same [Concussive Impact] that had once collapsed the Lord of Birch’s Mansion reappeared, blasting the still-roaring figure into the sky.

’So much bullshit.’

Where was the snide, sarcastic Jon from a moment ago?

All his words, actions, and his entire tone had been a performance tailor-made for these Cultists. Knowing how to taunt an enemy without using Skills was a required lesson for any competent main tank!

His Magic had been ready to cast from the very beginning, and his combo wasn’t over yet.

Before the aftershocks of the [Concussive Impact] had even faded, three Fire Elemental Arrows shot out, striking the mid-air Eternal Frost Cultist from different angles before he could even land.

Three damage numbers popped up.

After this series of blows, the man’s mind went completely blank, and the blizzard he had been controlling began to dissipate.

Pressing his advantage, Jon charged forward and roared at the top of his lungs.

”An Eternal Frost Cultist is over here!”

His cry, imbued with [Frightening Roar], was incredibly piercing. It both applied a control effect on the falling Eternal Frost Cultist and alerted everyone else in the vicinity.

The other teams heard his voice and began to converge on his position without hesitation.

But by the time they arrived, the battle was already over.

Jon was pinning the Eternal Frost Cultist to the ground with his knee. He had stripped the man of all his belongings, and his arms and legs were bound with thin cord at sickeningly unnatural angles. His bones had clearly been broken to prevent any chance of escape.

But no one was disturbed by this. Instead, they were simply amazed at how professionally Jon had captured the enemy.

How much time had passed from the start of the fight to the capture?

The Cultist who had troubled them for days had been captured just like that?

’This man really is powerful!’

A moment later, Paris arrived with the rest of his men.

They too were exhilarated to see the Eternal Frost Cultist lying at Jon’s feet like a dead dog.

Paris immediately stepped forward and extended his hand.

”Sir, I am eternally grateful for your help. Might I ask your name?”

Jon didn’t act as if he expected a reward for his deed. He simply took off his helmet, tucked it under his arm, and shook Paris’s outstretched hand.

”Hello, Viscount Paris. I’m Jon, an Adventurer.”

”This rescue mission isn’t just my own doing. Your vassals and the forces from the Noble United Commerce Association have likely already reached the outskirts of Meis Town.”

Paris and his Warriors were clearly surprised when they saw Jon’s face. They hadn’t expected their savior to be so young.

But Paris was, after all, a nobleman who had long managed an important economic center like Birch Town. Social grace was practically second nature to him, and despite his momentary surprise, he offered a perfectly timed and pleasant compliment.

”Even so, that cannot diminish the nobility of your actions—braving the danger and breaking through the blizzard to rescue us.”

His expression was solemn as he spoke, enunciating every word.

”We will forever remember the aid you have given to the Manola family!”

”Should you ever ask anything of us, we will not refuse!”

’Why does that sound so familiar?’

’Oh, right. Yadri said something similar.’

’Like Lord, like vassal, I suppose...’

Jon suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and nodded to accept the thanks. He then let go of Paris’s hand and hauled the Eternal Frost Cultist up from the ground.

”Time is short. We still need to resolve this bizarre blizzard and regroup with the main force as soon as possible.”

”Your safety isn’t just about you. It’s about all of Birch.”

Paris froze.

”Why is that?”

”The details are complicated. We can talk while we’re interrogating this Cultist.”

”An excellent idea! Please!”