Dust and sand filled the defensive position. Once it settled, Nishi saw Cyan standing beside Song Xian's corpse and ran over excitedly.
Unabi reached Cyan even faster, its hooves stepping on Song Xian's body as it nuzzled its head against Cyan's arm.
Nishi ran up to Cyan, grabbed her arm, and pointed toward the gate she had opened in the distance. "Master, let's go find the next officer! That way leads toward Sishui Pass!"
"Enemies are coming. Get ready to fight."
Cyan had originally planned to deal with the two survivors from Black Smoke squad after finishing Survival Mission 1. Since they had chased her all the way here, she wanted to test herself against them.
"Nishi, act according to the situation. If we can't win, we can retreat."
Cyan patted Unabi's head, turning it back into a chess piece and placing it in Nishi's hand.
"Mm, got it."
Nishi nodded, tightly gripping the chess piece.
Random Summon!
Cyan activated Random Summon at the cost of 20 Spirit points. This was her second summon. Together with the 30 Spirit points used on the Spy Cat, the two summons had consumed 50 points of her Spirit limit. She still had 200 Spirit points left to use.
A mysterious summoning circle appeared on the ground. A small humanoid creature that looked like a plant or some kind of living thing emerged from the circle.
What… the hell is this ugly thing?! A carrot that has become a spirit?
Nishi took a step back in shock when she saw the Mandrake.
The little creature quickly buried itself in the soil, leaving only the leaves on its head swaying slightly, as if trying to lure someone into pulling it out.
(The image shows the Mandrake.)
[Summon: Mandrake Grass] STR: 1 | AGI: 1 | CON: 3 | PER: 4
[Entice (Passive): The Mandrake buried in soil releases a strange pheromone that lures others into pulling it out of the ground.]
[Stun (Passive): The Mandrake's cry causes enemies to faint for 5 seconds. It can only affect the same enemy once per hour.]
[Scream (Active): The Mandrake's scream produces a knockback effect.]
[Note: A Mandrake planted in Dracula's castle garden. Never pull it out of the soil out of curiosity because of its slightly swaying leaves, or the consequences are yours to bear.]
"Master, what is this?"
Nishi looked at the gently swaying leaves on the ground. For some reason, she felt a strong urge to pull it out.
"Mandrake."
Cyan showed Nishi the Mandrake's attributes.
I'd better not mess with this little thing…
After seeing the Mandrake's attributes, Nishi suppressed the suicidal impulse in her heart.
"Not running anymore?"
Asuke walked into this defensive position and saw Cyan and Nishi standing there as if waiting for them. He completely ignored the thin, frail-looking Cyan and pointed his sword at Nishi. "Are you ready to die for killing the Poison Blade?!"
"Huh?"
Nishi froze for a moment, pointed at herself, and looked at Asuke in complete confusion.
Is this guy's brain broken?
"Is the Poison Blade you're talking about Zhang Chengfu?"
Cyan took a step forward, hand resting on the hilt of her demon blade, staring at Asuke. She sensed another enemy hiding in the shadows.
"You killed the Poison Blade?"
Asuke looked at Cyan and a trace of amazement flashed in his eyes. This was the first time he had seen such a beautiful and delicate boy. He could almost turn his sexual orientation from female to male.
He killed the Poison Blade?
Asuke looked at Cyan in disbelief, unable to imagine how the Poison Blade had been killed by her.
"That's right. I killed the Poison Blade."
Cyan nodded slightly, her gaze shifting behind Asuke.
"You're still hiding? I've already found you."
"Such sharp perception. You must have a skill that increases Perception, Survivor No. 11766."
Hearing Cyan's words, Lisa walked out from the shadows at a leisurely pace. Since she had been discovered, there was no point in hiding anymore.
"Listen up! We came here to avenge the Poison Blade! If the woman beside you doesn't want to die, tell her to get far away and stay out of this. Otherwise, we'll kill her too."
Asuke placed his hand on his forehead as he spoke. Holy light gathered in his palm and he slashed forward.
[Weapon Blessing] A sacred bright yellow light enveloped his weapon, making it sparkle.
Weapon Blessing, a skill from the world of Dungeon & Fighter, increases weapon attack power and the attributes added by the weapon.
Then he activated another skill. Holy light gathered in his hands. With a wave, the phantom of a light blue staff flashed past.
[Angel's Blessing] Like Weapon Blessing, this was also a skill from the world of Dungeon & Fighter, increasing the power of energy-damage skills for teammates or himself and boosting Intelligence and Spirit.
"You're really confident!"
Nishi was furious at Asuke's tone that suggested he had them completely figured out. She looked at the skills he was using to buff himself and Lisa, then glanced at the gently swaying leaves of the Mandrake on the ground.
"Be careful. Don't forget what I said."
Seeing that Nishi was about to attack, Cyan reminded her while keeping her hand on her demon blade and watching Asuke.
"Got it."
[Extreme Speed!]
Pale blue light appeared on Nishi's body and turned into a blue shadow that vanished from her original position.
"You picked the wrong opponent, little girl."
Lisa lowered her head. The corners of her lips curled upward beneath her silk veil. The air temperature dropped sharply. Ice blocks radiating cold formed spiked ice armor around her body.
[Ice Encasement Armor] A skill from Diablo 2, used by the Sorceress.
Nishi's short blade struck the Ice Encasement Armor, breaking through it and dealing a little damage to Lisa.
Rebounded by the Ice Encasement Armor, Nishi lost more than ten points of HP.
[Frost Nova!]
Lisa raised her staff. An expanding ring of ice appeared, condensing a thin layer of ice on Nishi's body that reduced her movement speed by 30% and dealt over sixty points of energy damage, knocking her flying.
Frost Nova, also a skill from Diablo 2, used by the Sorceress.
Nishi landed on the ground, rolled to the side, and dodged the fire breath from the staff. She quickly ate several recovery items to restore her HP.
I wonder how long that Ice Encasement Armor on her will last. I'll harass her from range…
Nishi picked up a rock and threw it at Lisa while circling around her, looking for an opening to attack.
With the Ice Encasement Armor on Lisa, initiating close combat was very disadvantageous for Nishi. Her only ranged skill was the cloak's skill, which was still on cooldown.
If Mud Throw counted as a ranged skill, she could add that too.
"Useless. Your attacks feel like tickling to me."
Lisa's purple magic robe glowed. A pale blue magic shield appeared around her body.
"You're just his servant. There's no need to risk your life for him."
Nishi's earlier slash had dealt a little damage to Lisa, letting her know Nishi's identity. So she tried to persuade her to stop helping Cyan so she could go assist Asuke.
[Vize's Magic Robe]
[Type: Plot Character Special Upper Body]
[Enhancement Level: 5]
[Attributes: INT +3, SPI +3, increases Spirit recovery speed by 12%.]
[Skill: Magic Shield — When activated, forms a magic shield with Spirit that absorbs damage using Spirit instead of HP. The Spirit-to-HP ratio is 1:3.]
[Special Effect ①: The magic robe has a magic storage function, storing up to 2 spells for 12 hours.]
[Special Effect ②: The magic robe mixed with mithril can amplify magic power, increasing magic skill power by 7%.]
[Equipment Requirements: INT 20, SPI 20. Note: Once equipped, this item is soul-bound to the wearer and cannot be traded. If the wearer dies, the item disappears!]
[Remark: Vize's magic robe is sewn from high-quality monster spider silk mixed with mithril. It can store magic and amplify magic power.]
"You talk way too much, old witch!"
Nishi said impatiently. Golden lightning wrapped around her body and her speed suddenly increased!
Bang!
Asuke blocked the demon blade's attack with his round shield.
Feeling the force transmitted through the shield, Asuke frowned slightly. This strength — her Strength attribute must be at least 30.
So fast, and her Strength isn't low either… Is this really an attribute someone who has only gone through three or four survival games could have?
Well, if she's crushing me in attributes, then it won't be boring!
Battle intent ignited in Asuke's eyes. He swung his sword in wide, powerful arcs while closely watching Cyan's movements.
Although his Agility was far inferior to Cyan's, his round shield always managed to block her attacks at just the right moment.
This was exactly the attack-and-defense integrated, offense-and-defense balanced skill he had mastered — Holy Cross Sword and Shield Technique!
[Holy Cross Sword and Shield Technique (Passive) – Skill Level: LV3] A sword-and-shield technique that Holy Knights train hard at. By alternating sword and shield attacks, it achieves integrated offense and defense, increasing attack power by 15%. Attacks have an 8% chance to trigger Holy Light Strike or Holy Shield Strike.
Holy Light Strike: Swings the sword to deal 120% of attack power as holy light damage. Holy Shield Strike: Swings the shield to deal 80% of attack power as holy light damage and stuns for 0.5 seconds.
Facing Asuke, Cyan felt like she was fighting a turtle curled up in its shell that occasionally stuck its head out to bite. Most of the time it stayed hidden, waiting for an opportunity to attack.
This is the strength of a veteran…
[Demon Flame!]
[Infinite Style · Gale Slash!]
A trace of irritation flashed in Cyan's eyes. Deep purple demon flame erupted from her hand and burned fiercely on the demon blade.
[Ripple Dash!]
Cyan's entire body lit up with mist-like golden light. Her speed suddenly increased. Afterimages appeared around her as she moved, causing Asuke's judgment to fail. He couldn't block this ferocious attack with his shield!
Ssshh!
Blood sprayed from the wound. Cyan's blade pierced through the armor and left a gash on Asuke's chest.
While damaging him, Cyan also felt pain as if her entire body had been stabbed by sharp spikes.
[Survivor No. 11766, you received the special rebound effect from Survivor No. 8437's Thorn Ring and took 5% of the damage dealt. HP -2!]
[Thorn Ring]
[Type: Accessory]
[Special: Rebounds 5% of damage received.]
[Equipment Requirements: CON 20.]
[Remark: Hit me! Hit me harder! Ow! My skin is so itchy! Harder! Harder!]
[Slow Heal!] (Also a skill from DNF, used by the Holy Knight class.)
Green light shone on Asuke's body. His HP instantly recovered by 25 points. The lost HP slowly regenerated, and the wound on his body also healed under the effect of Slow Heal.
"Not bad. That one slash of yours dealt nearly 50 HP of damage to me! No wonder you were able to kill the Poison Blade!"
Asuke praised her, then let out a loud shout. Flames appeared burning beneath his feet.
[Survivor No. 11766, you received damage from Survivor No. 8437's Holy Fire. HP -15! Kubaji's Mercury Earrings special effect activated, reducing flame damage received by 30%. HP -10!]
[Survivor No. 11766, you received damage from Survivor No. 8437's Holy Fire. HP -15! Kubaji's Mercury Earrings special effect activated, granting 15% immunity to received damage. This damage is immune!]
Continuous flame damage?
Cyan glanced at the burning ring of fire beneath Asuke's feet.
A skill similar to Bodyguard Fire that can damage enemies within a certain range…
Cyan retreated nearly two meters before the HP deduction stopped.
[Demon Flame! 30 Spirit points!]
Deep purple demon flame gathered in her hand. Cyan swung and threw it. The demon flame struck Asuke, and the Thorn Ring's special effect rebounded another 10% of the damage back to her.
Even ranged attack damage gets rebounded…
Asuke lifted the face guard of his helmet. The corners of his mouth carried a faint mocking smile as he looked at Cyan standing there, not daring to approach.
"What? Scared now?"
Asuke raised his hand and crooked his finger at Cyan in a taunting gesture. "If you don't come over, I'm coming over."
"You're joking."
Cyan's gaze turned cold. She ate a recovery item and charged at Asuke, dodging his swinging sword and crouching in front of him.
[Infinite Style · Gale Slash!]
[Infinite Style · Single Slash!]
Cyan's knee slammed into Asuke's abdomen, which was protected by armor. The demon blade, charged with sword energy, slashed upward, launching him into the air, then chopped downward. While damaging him, she continued to suffer the damage from Holy Fire every second.
I can't drag this out any longer!
Cyan adjusted her breathing and fully unleashed the ripple energy in her blood. Intense golden light erupted from her body.
"Holy Knight's Glory!!!"
Asuke realized Cyan was going all out! He immediately activated the set skill of his Holy Knight armor!
Sacred light formed a shield that surrounded both him and Lisa. Holy Knight's Glory increased defense by 50 points and reduced damage received by 20%. Combined with the bonuses from his equipment and accessories, his defense had reached an extremely terrifying level.
Cyan's rapidly swinging demon blade dealt single-digit damage below 5 to him, like tickling. Because the rebounded damage didn't even reach 1 point, the Thorn Ring's special effect didn't activate.
It really was hard enough to numb her hands, yet she still couldn't kill him.