Chapter 63: You Should Leave the Team (Fourth Update, Alliance Leader Bonus)
Su Xiao stepped back a few paces, a sharp pain radiating from his shoulder as blood spurted from the wound, the amount of bleeding far exceeding what the injury itself warranted.
[Tip: You are affected by the ‘Evil Fang’ effect. Physical defense -10, duration 30 seconds (Weapon Gem Socket Effect).]
[Tip: You are affected by the ‘Pain Queen’ effect. Healing effects below the fourth rank are reduced by 30%. Duration 8 minutes (Weapon Gem Socket Effect).]
[Tip: You are affected by an unknown energy. Due to high resistance, this debuff has been nullified.]
[Tip: You are affected by the ‘Blood Praise’ effect. Bleeding rate +60%, Bleeding-type damage +100%. Duration 40 seconds, stackable.]
Su Xiao had only been grazed by the war scythe in Rose’s hand, yet he was already suffering from reduced healing, lowered physical defense, a 60% increase in bleeding speed, and doubled bleeding damage.
Undoubtedly, the weapon in this woman’s hands was terrifying.
If Su Xiao was in a bad spot, Rose was in an even worse one. The Azure Steel Shadow energy was rampaging through her body. She had to endure not only the true damage from Azure Steel Shadow but also the true damage from the Demon Mark, as well as the ability derived from Su Xiao’s True Agility attribute reaching 80 points—‘Living Severance,’ which inflicted damage that ignored defense.
With just one slash, Rose’s health dropped by a sixth. Of course, this was also related to the fact that the strike had hit her neck.
“It seems that in my normal state, I’m no match for you. As expected.”
As Rose spoke, another short-handled war scythe appeared in her left hand. She specialized in dual-wielding, one scythe in each hand. The right scythe increased bleeding damage, while the left scythe inflicted two types of normal bleeding effects and one true bleeding effect, and could also absorb blood to restore health.
Staring at Su Xiao not far away, a scene flashed through Rose’s mind. It was fleeting, as she couldn’t afford to be distracted in the middle of a fight.
…
The scene Rose recalled was quite amusing. In it, she was watching anime with Leng Yue, Blood Rose, Hei Bai, and the others. A group of girls were staring intently at the screen, some sitting on the sofa, others on the carpet, which was covered in snacks. They all held various treats in their hands.
“Captain, you should leave the team.”
Leng Yue suddenly spoke, a straw dangling from her mouth.
“Huh?”
Rose, the captain of the Blood Spider Lily Adventure Group, was stunned. She lifted her foot and lightly kicked Leng Yue in the lower back, thinking she was joking.
“Mm, stupid captain, you should leave the team.”
The scheming girl Xiao Hei also spoke up. This time, Rose could tell they weren’t joking.
“Why? Even if we’re just a first-rank adventure group, we’re happy. No matter how cruel the Reincarnation Paradise is.”
Rose’s mood began to grow heavy.
“We…”
Leng Yue lowered her head, clenching her fists.
“…are holding you back.”
Xiao Hei finished the sentence Leng Yue hadn’t.
“Suppose our combat talent is 5. Yours is at least 500 to 700. You could see it from the last world. The nine of us were surrounded by Kabane and nearly all died, while you fought your way out of a horde of them alone. Our attributes are now similar, and our skill levels are roughly the same. This shows that combat requires talent. It was obvious in the last world. We’re seriously dragging you down. The team’s overall evaluation for that world was B. If it had been just you, it would likely have been an S or S- rating.
Make your choice. Leave us, or we all leave the Blood Spider Lily. Your talent shouldn’t be bound by some adventure group. You’re a natural soloist. That’s clear from your actions.”
Xiao Hei munched on potato chips, her expression calm.
“Why… say that? Isn’t everything fine now…”
Rose seemed a bit lost.
“Why? Because you, our stupid captain, are too good to us. As long as we have any conscience, we can’t keep holding you back. Going solo yields higher rewards. Based on my guess, some powerful soloists might even get special treatment, like helping the Reincarnation Paradise carry out special missions. Dangerous, yes, but also higher rewards.
Remember, if you go solo, you need to prepare all kinds of supplies to handle different situations. If possible, try developing multiple attributes. You’re a melee fighter. Strength, Agility, and Stamina are all crucial. Intelligence should be raised moderately. Charm is also important. Charm might be an independent combat system. I recommend you focus on Strength, Agility, and Stamina, raise Intelligence moderately, and boost Charm a bit too.
When you’re solo, don’t trust anyone easily. We’re women. If you lose to some disgusting enemies, you can imagine the consequences. Also, if an adventure group tries to recruit you, don’t refuse outright. Leave them some hope, but never actually join. Groups with tight structures will suppress you at first to test your mentality and potential. That will seriously slow down your growth…”
Xiao Hei started rambling on.
“Stop it.”
Rose’s breathing grew more rapid.
“What are you hesitating for? Do you want us to keep following you, guilt-ridden, ‘sucking your blood’ while smiling as we split the rewards that should be yours? Wake up. This is the Reincarnation Paradise. It’s the cruelest, most realistic place. The strong live, the weak die.”
Xiao Hei’s expression remained calm. If anyone in the Blood Spider Lily was qualified to walk alongside Rose, it was Xiao Hei. Unfortunately, she didn’t choose that path.
“And when you become a big shot, don’t forget us, stupid captain.”
Xiao Hei stretched lazily.
“Choose. Either you leave, or we leave. Our bond of life and death won’t let me keep dragging you down.”
“Yeah, Captain, make your choice.”
“Thanks for everything, Captain.”
Rose’s mouth opened and closed, unable to speak for a long time.
“Here are some notes I’ve compiled. My combat talent might be crap, but my IQ… heh.”
Xiao Hei raised her middle finger and used it to push up her glasses. If it were any other time, she’d dare to flip Rose off, and Rose would definitely beat her up.
Though Rose looked like a soft girl, she was naturally gifted in violence. At six, she had beaten up her thirteen-year-old older brother until he cried. In middle school, though she seemed lively and helpful, she was someone no one dared to mess with.
…
Inside the Dawn Organization’s underground base, Rose’s slender, fair fingers traced her neck. Blood stained her fingertips, and she licked the crimson off them.
“Rose, former captain of the Blood Spider Lily, has come to settle old scores with you!”
Blood-red energy surged from within Rose. Her long black hair billowed.
“Blood Dancer: Conviction!”
The blood energy enveloped her. Her short black hair lengthened into crimson locks, swaying without wind. Blood-red patterns appeared on her cheeks. Her eyes grew even darker. The two short-handled war scythes in her hands elongated, and red mist wafted from their blades. This girl had transformed.