Overlord: Welcoming the Birth of the King
Chapter 27: Short Staff, Danger, Magic Arrow!

As the words "Eight Fingers" appeared! 

The air briefly fell silent. 

“I already told you, no nonsense.” A black-robed man blocking the path behind suddenly spoke in a deep voice. 

“Hehe, I haven’t said anything.” The thief man gripped his dagger in reverse, his eyes cold and sinister. 

Hearing the brief exchange between the two, Tang Zheng knew his guess was right—their real target wasn’t money, but him. 

The so-called "Eight Fingers" is an underground organization with eight crime divisions, its influence spreading almost throughout the entire Li Yestige Kingdom. 

Behind it, faint traces of kingdom nobility could be sensed! 

The Li Yestige Kingdom does not ban the buying and selling of slaves, leading to a series of criminal networks such as child abduction, slave trading, brothels, bribery, and more. 

Tang Zheng recalled that in a year or two, the Golden Princess Rana would propose a "Slave Trade Prohibition Law," which would deal a huge blow to the "Eight Fingers." 

In fact, this was one of Golden Princess Rana’s masterstrokes of scheming. 

Among the many decrees she proposed, this was one of the few that passed, and it was incredible that such a decree, filled with vested interests, could be approved at all. 

A princess who had never left the palace’s depths, without any faction or underlings, yet somehow gained the support of most of the people through a strange means. 

Moreover, after the decree passed, the resulting benefits indirectly influenced the Bahāruth Empire, going head-to-head with the Bloody Emperor—hardly surprising that she was called a "monster." 

On the scene! 

The dangerous situation tensed Tang Zheng’s body. 

While holding a short sword in his left hand, his right hand also took out from his item box a first-tier "Magic Arrow" magic scroll he had just purchased. 

“You guys are really bold. This place isn’t far from the square center and the Adventurer’s Guild. Aren’t you afraid that if I shout, none of you will escape?” 

Tang Zheng deliberately spoke loudly, hoping to attract the attention of nearby people. 

“You can shout louder.” 

“But I’ll remind you, no matter how much you shout, no one will hear what’s happening here.” 

A deep voice came from behind. 

Tang Zheng’s heart tightened. He turned his head to look back and saw the other holding a short staff about ten centimeters long, similar to a small wand. 

Almost simultaneously! 

The attribute panel in Tang Zheng’s vision displayed information. 

[Skill Discovered: "Silencing" Required: Basic Mage-class profession, Level: 8–14.] 

[Current conditions not met...] 

The moment he saw this information, Tang Zheng knew what the black-robed man behind him was holding. 

A short staff! 

A type of magical item, which can be understood as an enhanced magic scroll. 

If a "Magic Scroll" is a single-use item containing a one-time spell, then a "Short Staff" contains multiple uses of the same spell. 

In the game "YGGDRASIL," the short staff is a more cost-effective magic item than magic scrolls, but its only drawback is the profession limitation. 

For example: a short staff imbued with the "Holy Light" spell can only be used by faith-based magic chanters, while one with the "Fireball" spell can only be used by mana-based magic chanters. 

Magic scrolls do not have this restriction. 

Of course, some high-level short staffs can ignore this limitation. 

In the other world, short staffs were much more expensive than magic scrolls since they were considered magical items. 

Confirming that the black-robed man used a short staff, Tang Zheng was certain the other was a mana-based magic chanter. 

A thief and a magic chanter! 

It was obvious who needed to be taken out first. 

“Give up resisting, brat!” 

The masked thief gripped his dagger in reverse, his footsteps moving swiftly as he charged toward Tang Zheng. 

“Slash to kill!” 

In an instant! 

The thief’s charging speed not only increased but his figure became somewhat blurry. 

Seeing this, Tang Zheng knew he had to gamble! 

Without hesitation or pity. 

Tang Zheng immediately threw the "Magic Arrow" magic scroll at the thief. 

In a flash, the scroll’s light gleamed. 

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! 

Three non-elemental magic arrows formed in the air, swiftly flying toward the thief. 

At the same time, the attribute panel also displayed information. 

[Skill Discovered: "Magic Arrow" Required: Basic Mage-class profession, Level 1–7, Current conditions not met...] 

["Genius" profession activated, base profession requirement met, consume 1 skill point to learn?] 

After releasing the magic scroll, Tang Zheng didn’t look at the result but quickly turned and charged toward the magic chanter behind him. 

Seeing the attribute panel’s prompt, Tang Zheng knew he had guessed right and quickly agreed in his heart. 

Skill: Magic Arrow (Tier 1) 

Cost: 5 MP 

Description: Releases magic to create three non-elemental arrows to attack enemies. For each additional point of mana consumed, an extra arrow is created, up to a maximum of 10! 

…… 

“Kid, you picked the wrong opponent.” 

The black-robed magic chanter sneered mockingly upon seeing Tang Zheng charge at him. 

“Strong acid...” 

“Magic Arrow!” 

Tang Zheng’s speed increased even more, and before the black-robed magic chanter could finish speaking, he had already activated the newly learned "Magic Arrow." 

How could this be? 

The face hidden beneath the cloak showed a stunned expression. 

Wasn’t the other a faith-based magic chanter? 

Could he also wield mana-based magic? 

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! 

Three magic arrows rapidly shot forward. 

The black-robed magic chanter quickly changed the spell: “Shield Wall!” 

Swish! 

An invisible transparent barrier appeared before him. 

Boom!!! 

Three arrows simultaneously struck the barrier. The magical forces of both canceled each other out and dissipated. 

“You’ve angered me, brat...” 

The black-robed magic chanter’s face showed fury as he extended a magic staff from his cloak, preparing to cast a spell. 

But the next moment, 

His face turned pale, because Tang Zheng had already reached him. 

How could he be so fast! 

As a magic chanter, maintaining distance from an opponent was fundamental—he knew this well. 

There was at least 15 meters between them, and a magic chanter’s physique could not allow such speed unless the opponent was more than just a magic chanter... 

The moment this thought appeared in his mind! 

Tang Zheng’s short sword slashed swiftly: “Rapid Strike!” 

A cold gleam flashed in the air. 

The blade heavily struck the black-robed magic chanter’s neck. 

But! 

At the moment of contact, a white light emerged from the magic chanter’s body. 

The blade clashed with this white light, producing a muffled sound and was successfully blocked! 

However, the white light immediately dimmed significantly. 

This was... 

“A magic item!” 

Tang Zheng’s eyes shifted slightly. 

“You didn’t expect that, huh.” The face hidden under the hat brim appeared, younger than imagined, looking about 20 years old. 

However, the black-robed magic chanter hadn’t had time to be pleased! 

Tang Zheng’s gaze hardened, he gripped the sword’s hilt with his other hand and pressed down fiercely. The white defensive light flickered and quickly dissipated! 

Squick! 

The sword tip slashed heavily across the magic chanter’s throat, causing a gush of blood to spray all over Tang Zheng. 

[Experience gained: 350] 

“Idiot!” Tang Zheng said. 

Knowing he had a defensive magic item but still not casting magic, instead wanting to see his surprised face. 

Under Tang Zheng’s attack, the defensive white light dimmed, clearly having a strength limit. 

Moreover! 

As a magic chanter, allowing an enemy to get so close showed a lack of close combat experience. 

“You bastard, I’ll cut off all your limbs!” 

A cold roar came from behind. 

The thief who had been blocked by the magic arrows had already rushed over. 

No footsteps were heard at all! 

Was this a thief’s skill? Or a special ability? 

Tang Zheng hurriedly adjusted his stance and turned to face behind. The dark purple glow on the other’s dagger had already appeared right in front of him. 

Another magical weapon! 

Crisis moment! 

Bang!! 

Tang Zheng instinctively swung his short sword. The clash with the dagger produced a crisp and piercing metallic sound. 

The thief’s eyes flashed with surprise, and after the collision, he stepped back a few paces, looking at Tang Zheng with uncertain astonishment. 

Crack! 

Tang Zheng looked down at his short sword. The spot where they clashed had a crack and a chip. 

But this time, Tang Zheng’s serious expression slowly faded. 

“I realize you guys are weaker than me.” 

A strange expression appeared on Tang Zheng’s face as he looked up at the opposing thief.