Teamwork

Li Qiuzhi destroyed the remaining Ruin Guards one after another with the same method, earning another large haul of Experience Points.

But when he reached the last one, he had run out of crossbow bolts and could no longer rely on that shortcut.

Experience Points: 2162

Li Qiuzhi glanced at his Character Panel. Over two thousand Experience Points would let him gain two levels, but that would not be enough for a qualitative change.

The improvement in his physical abilities would still hardly make him a threat to a Ruin Guard. Still, he did not have to fight it alone. He had Noelle, after all.

Noelle could easily take care of the Ruin Guard herself, but then Li Qiuzhi would have no way to earn Experience Points.

No matter what, he had to deliver the blow that stripped the enemy of its ability to resist if he wanted to receive Experience Points.

After some thought, Li Qiuzhi made his decision and invested 1,500 Experience Points in his level.

He gained two levels in succession, and a warm current far more powerful than any before surged through his body. Every cell seemed to be soaking in a hot spring, warm and blissfully comfortable.

If not for the two ladies beside him, he might even have let out some strange noises.

His body's evolution soon ended, and Li Qiuzhi looked at his Character Panel again:

Name: Li Qiuzhi

Level: Lv.9 (0/900)

Race: Human

Title: None

Innate Talent: Intertwined Affection

Skills: Hunter's Archery Lv.3 (0/300), Favonius Archery: Basics Lv.2 (0/200), Hand-to-Hand Combat Lv.2 (0/200)

Specialty: [Descender]

Experience Points: 662

The panel contained far more information than before, and he still had a fair number of Experience Points left. Li Qiuzhi did not spend any more for now, since he had not decided whether to save them for leveling up or improving his skills.

With so many skills, he could not spread his points evenly among them all. He needed to specialize in one first. Otherwise, an overly balanced approach with no outstanding skill would do little to improve his combat strength.

He flexed his hands and feet, moving around to adjust to his stronger body, then looked at Noelle.

Her fair, soft face was turned toward the remaining Ruin Guard, which she watched intently.

The breeze gently stirred the hem of her maid-apron-style skirt. Her silver-white armored boots reached above her knees and should have looked imposing, but on Noelle, they looked a little more cute than anything else.

"Noelle, there's one last Ruin Guard over there. How about we work together to defeat it?" Li Qiuzhi suggested.

Smiling, he continued:

"I've gotten stronger again, you know. I won't hold you back."

"You're joking, Mr. Adventurer. I'm really not as capable as you think."

Noelle rested both hands on the edge of the rubble, lowering her gaze a little bashfully.

She really was both warmhearted and humble.

"Noelle, I'll go over first and draw the Ruin Guard's attention. Then find an opening to jump up and attack its core, leaving it partially disabled. Let me handle the finishing blow!"

Li Qiuzhi quickly put together a battle plan and explained it.

"Huh?!" Noelle looked surprised at his words and hurriedly waved her hands. "I should be the one drawing its attention. What if you get hurt..."

At that, Noelle quickly shook her head, as though trying to shake off some awful imagined scene, and repeated:

"No, no."

"Don't worry. Ruin Guards are slow, and I'm confident I can keep it occupied. As for the core... I'm not confident I can get it in one hit. But if it's you, Noelle, I'm sure there won't be any problem!"

Li Qiuzhi shook his head gently as he explained.

A Ruin Guard's weak point might be obvious, but its core did not shatter at the slightest touch. Even a crossbow needed more than ten hits in quick succession. An ordinary person without a weapon really would not be able to break through its defenses.

If the sneak attack failed and the Ruin Guard locked onto them, then unleashed a deadly spinning attack... yikes. Even in the game, Noelle's Breastplate talent probably could not withstand more than a few hits.

What was more, Noelle was still growing stronger. In reality, she could not simply use experience books to jump straight to level ninety. She also lacked a god-tier set of Artifacts with everything invested in defense, and her Favonius Greatsword boosted energy recharge instead.

For safety's sake, it was better to let the stronger Noelle attack the core. They needed to succeed in one strike to minimize the chance of anything going wrong.

"In that case... all right." Noelle nodded, agreeing to the plan.

"I'll be cheering you both on!" Ver said excitedly beside them.

"Mm." Li Qiuzhi smiled. "Then let's get moving."

Li Qiuzhi and Noelle emerged from behind the huge chunk of rubble concealing them. The Ruin Guard did not notice them immediately.

If a Ruin Guard locked onto someone at long range, it was quite likely to launch missiles. Those missiles could also track their targets to a limited extent, making them troublesome.

To avoid that, Li Qiuzhi and Noelle waited until the Ruin Guard had its back to them before moving.

Li Qiuzhi held the scimitar supplied by the Treasure Hoarders' leader, while Noelle took up her Favonius Greatsword.

Their footsteps made little noise against the ground as they gradually picked up speed and approached.

Suddenly, the Ruin Guard before them spun around without warning. Its "core" flashed, as though it had entered attack mode.

Sure enough, Ruin Guards did not rely on their "eyes" to stay alert. Once someone entered their detection range, it made no difference whether they approached from the front or the back.

"Watch out, Mr. Adventurer!"

Noelle watched the Ruin Guard's enormous, rust-colored steel fist smash toward Li Qiuzhi.

He had not felt it before getting close, but the Ruin Guard's massive body was incredibly intimidating.

Li Qiuzhi admitted that things had gone so smoothly earlier that he had underestimated them a little.

The steel fist bore down on him with a rush of air, but ultimately, it was too slow for Li Qiuzhi as he was now!

With his nimble movements, Li Qiuzhi easily dodged the Ruin Guard's fist to one side.

Boom!

The stone paving shattered, sending dust and fragments flying.

As the Ruin Guard attacked Li Qiuzhi, it left an opening at its back. A light shone there, marking another core just like the "eye" on its head!

"Noelle, it's all yours!" Li Qiuzhi shouted.

"Understood, Mr. Adventurer!" Noelle seized the opportunity, imbuing her Favonius Greatsword with Geo. "Hah!"

Her petite body accelerated into a sprint like an unstoppable chariot. Her high-heeled armored boot pushed off the ground, leaving a faint crack behind.

Noelle leaped high into the air. Her infused Favonius Greatsword shone with pale golden light as she gripped it in both hands and drove it down into the core on the Ruin Guard's back!

The Ruin Guard had no way to dodge. The strike landed, forcing its steel body downward. It crackled with short circuits, golden currents flashing as it slumped into a partially disabled state.

Now all it needed was the finishing blow!

"Mr. Adventurer!" Noelle called. Li Qiuzhi understood at once, leaped onto the Ruin Guard's back with his scimitar in hand, and hacked down hard.

Bzzzt-bang!

The Ruin Guard lost power and crashed to the ground.

[Defeated a powerful enemy. Gained 522 Experience Points.]

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