Bonfire

What do you do when you run into a mob?

The answer is Hound Step, Hound Step, Hound Step.

This Weapon Skill was already strong in the game, and it's absurdly powerful in this otherworld too—because it has genuine invincibility frames!

When the Giant Corpse's club came crashing down, Si Telan quickly used Hound Step. The next moment, her figure vanished without a trace, reappearing several steps away.

"Whoa,"

She hadn't expected this unassuming Weapon Skill to be so incredible!

"Woo~ can't hit me, can't hit me,"

She was completely absorbed in the game of teasing the Giant Corpse with Hound Step.

But after using it a few more times, Si Telan felt her stamina give out and had to stop to rest.

"Oooh!"

The Giant Corpse seized the opening and charged, about to land a hit.

Gong Qiying grabbed Si Telan and used Hound Step himself, dodging the attack with her in tow.

"Don't get too cocky. One mistake and you'll die."

"Oh."

After recovering a bit of stamina, the two spammed Hound Step all the way through the dangerous street, making it past safely by the skin of their teeth.

Skill spamming—that's how powerful it is!

Si Telan had taken a minor hit. A poison arrow from a blowgun-wielding monster perched on a rooftop struck her in the rear, and the pain made her face twist with uncertainty.

As soon as they left the street's range, the monsters stopped chasing. But the creatures ahead were still numerous and troublesome. Gong Qiying had figured that adventurers would be worn out after clearing Fat Brother Street, so he deliberately placed strong monsters further in.

For Si Telan, who had grasped the true essence of Shield Poke, these monsters were manageable as long as she was careful—especially with Gong Qiying watching her back.

Finally, they arrived at the Fog Gate.

"What's this?" Si Telan stared at the door shrouded in white mist, feeling like stepping through would lead to something serious.

"The boss room," Gong Qiying asked casually, "Other dungeons don't have this, right?"

Si Telan shook her head. "Other dungeons have doors that lead to boss fights too, but no white mist."

She looked at the Fog Gate and sighed, "It's pretty intimidating."

Passing through the Fog Gate, once she saw what the boss monster looked like, Si Telan's face stiffened.

It was a Giant Curse Frog!

She instantly recalled the miserable experience of being chased by a swarm of Curse Frogs in the poison swamp, and the arm holding her shield trembled.

Seeing her reaction, Gong Qiying wore a satisfied smile. It was worth it—after spotting Si Telan, he'd deliberately placed a Giant Curse Frog here just to savor that delicious expression!

"I-I'm going in!"

To overcome fear is to move forward. Si Telan raised her Greatshield and charged!

The Curse Frog shot out its tongue.

The Greatshield was snatched away!

"Huh!?"

Suddenly stripped of her Greatshield's protection, Si Telan felt lost, as exposed and insecure as if she'd been stripped naked.

But she quickly recovered, thrusting her Lance forward and stabbing it into the Giant Curse Frog's lower jaw. The monster yelped in pain and spat out the Greatshield with a "wah."

"My treasure," Si Telan beamed as she reclaimed her shield, then engaged the Giant Curse Frog in a classic Shield Poke duel. Before long, the Curse Frog was covered in wounds.

"Ptoo!"

The Giant Curse Frog suddenly spat out a cloud of black Curse of Death mist, forcing Si Telan back, then leaped onto the ceiling with a loud roar.

The walls cracked open, revealing large holes, and countless eerie lights flickered to life.

"Oh no, you've got to be kidding?"

Si Telan's hair stood on end. If she wasn't mistaken, those lights were—

A swarm of small Curse Frogs!

At a glance, there were over a dozen of them, summoned as minions by the Giant Curse Frog, all glaring at Si Telan.

"Damn."

She turned back to Gong Qiying and called out, "Help me out here!"

"Alright."

Gong Qiying pulled out a damp Wet Sickle, but that thing was PVP-specific and useless against monsters, so he swapped to a staff.

Meteorite Staff
Weapon Skill: Spin Around and Around
Spirit Power per use: 200

Rating: C

Glintstone Pebble!

Magic Glintblade!

Meteorite Ball!

He unleashed one spell after another—flashy effects aside, they were all practical and effective. The Curse Frog Swarm had no time to resist before being wiped out entirely.

Si Telan's face twisted into a look of utter bewilderment, like an old person staring at a smartphone. She realized these spells were yet another thing she'd never seen before.

"Did you find those spells in the dungeon too?" she asked curiously.

"You can pick up scrolls with magic recorded on them in the deeper layers," Gong Qiying said. "Want to learn?"

Si Telan nodded eagerly.

"Too bad the scrolls only work for one person," he shrugged. "If you want one, go down and get it yourself."

A spark of determination lit up in Si Telan's eyes.

Just then, the Giant Curse Frog realized its swarm had been annihilated and let out an enraged roar. It kicked off with its hind legs and lunged straight at them!

"My turn!"

She raised her Greatshield and planted herself in front of Gong Qiying, as immovable as a mountain.

Gong Qiying paused for a moment. I was about to say I could dodge that.

And then it was time for Shield Poke again.

Before long, the Giant Curse Frog crashed to the ground. Its massive body dissolved into smoke, leaving behind a single purple light orb.

Si Telan glanced at Gong Qiying. He gestured with a "go ahead" motion and said, "Take it. That thing's useless to me now."

"Thanks."

She gave a slight bow, walked over, and picked up the orb. A stream of information suddenly appeared in her mind.

Giant Curse Frog's Soul Using it at a bonfire can slightly enhance one's constitution Using it directly grants a large amount of souls

"Bonfire? What bonfire?"

Si Telan wondered if she'd misread the text. Using it directly grants a large amount of souls? What souls? What would I even do with souls? I'm not a necromancer.

That was when the commentator Gong Qiying stepped in.

"This is the bonfire."

Following where he pointed, she saw that after the frog's death, an unlit bonfire had appeared in the room. A strangely shaped Spiral Sword was thrust into the pile of wood.

"Try lighting it."

"So mysterious," Si Telan muttered, tossing a match into it. The bonfire burst into a warm, comforting flame, as if sitting there for a moment could ease the mind.

Then, a line of text appeared before her: Use Giant Curse Frog's Soul?

"Uh, use it."

The Giant Curse Frog's Soul was cast into the bonfire. In the next instant, the flames flared up violently, and Si Telan felt a wave of warmth wash over her—an indescribable comfort.

Then she realized in astonishment—

"My strength increased?!"