Black Hand!

After leaving Zane Dungeon, Si Telan clenched her fists, feeling a sense of unreality.

She sat at a Bonfire, not only fully recovering her status but also actually leveling up?

Just by tapping her finger on that strange-looking panel, she easily became stronger?

Although the Souls used for leveling up were hard-earned from fighting monsters, it still felt a bit unreal.

The average lifespan of elves is around three hundred years. With a little training or learning some health-preserving magic, they can easily live to four hundred, which is four times that of humans.

Historically, there has always been a persistent question: Why haven't the long-lived elves replaced humans as the most powerful race?

There are two answers. First, elves have a low conception rate; even working tirelessly for several years doesn't guarantee a pregnancy.

Second, elves have less enthusiasm for learning than humans.

As if the Creator God deliberately balanced the strength of the elven race, corresponding to their long lives, the time it takes for elves to learn a certain skill is longer than for humans.

Elves have no problem with their intelligence, and their comprehension is normal, but there is a mysterious force that prevents them from learning a completely unfamiliar skill in a short period.

Cultivation is the same; the time it takes for the elven race to advance their professional level by one tier is also longer than for humans.

But in Zane Dungeon, this situation has undergone earth-shattering changes!

Si Telan could feel that the few levels of strength she gained in the dungeon would likely require one or two years of training in the outside world.

One day's effort was equivalent to a year.

She gasped, thinking how terrifying this was.

She had to call her compatriots over!

But before that...

She looked at the sky; it was still early. It was time to go to the weapon shop.

The great Shield and lance Gong Qiying lent her had disappeared along with him when he vanished, but her heart was deeply imprinted with the Shield Poke Style.

She felt itchy if she didn't hold a shield for a minute.

Lance-type weapons were easy to buy. She quickly bought a handy lance. The spearhead was made from the horn of a high-level monster and inlaid with a poison-attribute magic gem. A slight graze could poison the enemy.

The shop owner said this lance had never sold, although its quality was excellent, no one liked using poison-attribute weapons. Everyone pursued fast-paced combat, and few had the patience to wait for their prey to be slowly weakened after being poisoned.

Therefore, upon learning that Si Telan wanted to buy it, the owner was greatly moved and voluntarily gave her an 80% discount.

Si Telan examined the lance in her hand. The poison-attribute gem gave the spearhead a strange dark green sheen. She had originally intended to buy a fire or lightning attribute one, but upon seeing this lance, she suddenly thought—

The drawback of the Shield Poke Style is insufficient damage and takes a long time. Isn't it perfect for applying poison?

I'm truly a genius, she secretly gloated, thinking she must show off to Ma Lei Da when she saw him later.

However, a great shield was not easy to buy. She ran to several weapon shops before finding a decent one. It was usable, but the feel was not as good as the one Gong Qiying had lent her.

"Yo yo yo, isn't this the long-eared one? Why are you here buying weapons?"

Just as Si Telan was holding the shield and preparing to head home, a few unwelcome guests appeared.

"Could it be that you were beaten crying by the monsters in the dungeon and lost your weapon while escaping?"

Her face instantly darkened.

The newcomers were three young human men, all dressed in classic hooligan attire, with appearances that could be described as scrawny, energetic youths.

Si Telan recognized them. These people were notorious local racists who had clashed with many non-human races, but they usually only bullied ordinary people. This was the first time they had come looking for trouble with the Silver Rank Si Telan.

Could it be that their strength has improved? she speculated, continuing forward as if they weren't there.

"My Boss is talking to you!"

A hooligan subordinate reached out to grab Si Telan. Her eyes narrowed, and she was about to strike, but the person referred to as the Boss stopped the subordinate.

"We agreed I'd get some practice today,"

The Boss glared at the subordinate, who sheepishly backed down.

"My name is Morgan, the Boss of this street. I heard you long-ears are adventurers. Today I came to find you—hey, hey, stop right there!"

While he was talking, Si Telan had already walked several meters away.

"Isshin Ashina One, Isshin Ashina Two, stop her for me!"

"Understood, Boss!" x2

Seeing that passersby were being attracted by the commotion, Si Telan reluctantly turned around and said,

"Get lost,"

"Oh, got some temper," Morgan chuckled. "Just listen to me for a bit, don't be so unwilling,"

"What exactly do you want?" She felt like she was humoring a lunatic.

"Well, recently I've been feeling like something good is about to happen. Turns out, while working as a security guard for a big shot, I was noticed by a master who taught me a combat technique, hehe,"

Morgan excitedly took off his gloves, revealing a pair of dark, shiny hands.

"This is the combat technique the master taught me, called Black Hand! I've been wanting to try it out on someone for a long time. You bunch of non-human races, come and witness it!"

"Uh..."

It was obvious this hooligan was just randomly picking a fight. Even if he hadn't picked Si Telan, he would have found other long-ears, or even short people or furry ones.

Beat this guy half to death so he can't bother anyone else, she thought, raising her shield.

Who knew Morgan would stop as soon as he saw the shield.

"What are you doing?" Si Telan had just prepared her Shield Poke Style stance and was extremely confused.

"Unfair, unfair. I'm empty-handed, but you're holding a big shield. How am I supposed to fight?"

Si Telan was so annoyed she almost laughed, saying, "You came looking for trouble first, and you still want to dictate how I counterattack?"

"This isn't looking for trouble, this is a sacred duel," Morgan said with a righteous expression. "Should I throw my glove at your feet as a ritual?"

"Purely insane," Si Telan ignored him and thrust out with her spear. Unexpectedly, the kid was quite fast and actually dodged it.

While dodging, he shouted, "If you've got the guts, throw away your shield! What kind of hero uses a shield!"

"Exactly, exactly, a coward with a shield!" x2, the two subordinates also shouted happily.

Si Telan's forehead veins bulged. She threw a spear with all her might, grazing Morgan's scalp and instantly taking off a large chunk of his hair.

The entire place fell silent.

With a bang, she threw her heavy greatshield to the ground. Clenching her fists, she sneered, "Come on, I can beat you up even with my bare hands."

"Heh heh."

Morgan was sweating profusely, but he forced a laugh and said, "Alright, you're straightforward!"

Haha, this idiotic elf fell for it!

He charged forward happily, his Black Hands shining brightly. This combat skill could enhance his strength. How could a slender elf possibly withstand it!

He had been searching for a long time. Orcs with broad backs and thick waists? Pass. Muscular dwarves? Pass.

When he saw Si Telan, who was on the smaller side and looked like she had no strength, his eyes lit up.

"Haha, go, Boss!" x2

"Take this, Black—"

"Crack!"

Morgan was sent flying backward.

Thanks to the big shots for your monthly and recommendation votes! Also, asking for some more follow-up reads!