Chapter 61: Little Ditz
"Since we're going to act together, should we elect a leader?"
Old Baal put away the map. It was only natural for him to carry it—he knew the Black Forest best. Besides, everyone had already memorized the map, so who carried it didn't matter.
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
Su Xiao glanced at the others, suddenly recalling a scene from the Ghoul world—a combination with Arima, Takatsuki Sen, Priest, and Kirishima.
Compared to those four, Old Baal and the others were stronger, but this current group was far less complicated than that one. Back then, the five of them each had their own goals, all harboring ulterior motives.
Now, Su Xiao had a general idea of the three people's intentions. The one who needed the most observation was Little Ditz.
That's right, Little Ditz. Although she hadn't shown anything unusual, she still warranted watching. This was just Su Xiao's caution.
Old Baal had always been on Su Xiao's watchlist. It was true he had a bomb inside him, but blind confidence never led to good results.
As for Umbrella-less Bro, he was a bit harder to figure out. This guy was ridiculously unlucky, yet his survival ability was extremely strong.
"I suggest Bai Ye be the leader."
Little Ditz's eyes curved like crescent moons, a smile in them.
"I nominate myself."
Umbrella-less Bro puffed out his chest, full of confidence.
"Little Ditz—"
"Little Ditz."
Su Xiao and Old Baal spoke almost simultaneously, exchanging a glance.
"Huh? I'm the leader now?"
Little Ditz wrinkled her nose, sensing a whiff of conspiracy.
"Yeah, you're the leader. Get ready to move out."
Su Xiao stood up, and Little Ditz followed suit, seemingly unfazed by Su Xiao taking charge.
Bubu Wang glanced at Little Ditz and let out a long sigh. It would be a shame if such a cute girl died.
Umbrella-less Bro also looked at Little Ditz. He had already anticipated this situation, which was why he nominated himself. After all, having traveled with Little Ditz all the way from the Red Earth Zone, some friendship had inevitably formed.
"A pack of 'wolves.' Good luck, Little Ditz."
Umbrella-less Bro shook his head. He suddenly felt that Little Ditz was like a lamb among wolves. The 'two wolves' weren't hungry yet, but when they got hungry...
Umbrella-less Bro secretly decided he needed to become a porcupine.
As they approached the armored vehicle, Little Ditz's eyes lit up.
"I'll drive. Don't worry, I often take my family's sports car out for a spin."
From this statement, it was clear that Little Ditz came from a well-off family in the real world.
"Up to you."
Su Xiao was a bit tired from driving all the way.
Everyone got in, and Little Ditz muttered to herself from the driver's seat.
"Left foot clutch, right foot gas, brake in the middle..."
"What did you say?"
Not just Umbrella-less Bro, but the others couldn't make out what Little Ditz was mumbling either.
"Nothing. Hold tight."
Little Ditz started the engine, pressed the clutch, shifted gears, and released the clutch while stepping on the gas.
"Vroom~."
The armored car lurched forward a bit before screeching to a halt, tossing everyone's bodies back and forth.
"Do you actually know how to drive?"
Su Xiao stared at Little Ditz, who gave an awkward smile. "Yes, I do."
"What kind of car did you drive before?"
Noticing Su Xiao's gaze was off, Little Ditz started stammering.
"A... a go-kart. Does that count?"
"Get out!"
"Give me one more chance. The road here is really flat."
Little Ditz fumbled with the controls, and after a few jerky starts, the armored car finally got moving.
"Hahaha, this is so exciting!"
Little Ditz gripped the steering wheel tightly, her expression exhilarated.
"Stop the car! I'll drive!"
Umbrella-less Bro grabbed the handle on the roof, his face pale.
"This isn't the road to the Black Forest! Turn!"
Little Ditz yanked the wheel, nearly sending the armored car into a hearse-style drift.
...
Two minutes later, Little Ditz sat in the back seat, looking completely innocent, while Umbrella-less Bro drove from the driver's seat.
"Listen, let me explain. I really have driven before."
"Shut up."
Su Xiao, who had been resting nearby, spoke up.
"Oh~."
Little Ditz lowered her head, her fair index finger drawing circles, as if cursing Su Xiao in a little circle. He had just grabbed her by the scruff from the driver's seat, nearly scaring the piss out of her.
The armored car rolled smoothly along the road. Su Xiao sat in the second row, with Bubu Wang beside him, sleeping soundly.
"Bai Ye."
Little Ditz spoke up. Su Xiao turned his head to look at her in the back seat.
"In combat, what attributes do you need? You can choose two from Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Intelligence. But you probably go for Strength and Agility, right? Or Strength and Stamina?"
Su Xiao raised an eyebrow. It seemed Little Ditz wasn't just cute and clueless—she could boost all four attributes, indicating her abilities were no joke.
"Strength and Agility work. Agility and Stamina work too. Strength and Intelligence are fine as well."
Su Xiao developed all four attributes, so boosting any two was acceptable.
"Aren't you a melee fighter? What do you need Intelligence for?"
"Increases mana."
"Huh?"
Little Ditz was surprised but didn't press further.
Although Su Xiao had 1,363 mana points, his abilities consumed mana heavily. If he activated the Azure Steel Shadow energy vibration, it would cost over a thousand mana points.
Moreover, some equipment skills also required mana.
[Mikasa's Heart]'s shield barrier consumed 10% of mana each time it was activated.
[Silver Saint Ring] required 100 mana to dispel control effects.
[Havana's Eye] cost 30 mana per use.
[Spider Empress] needed 100 mana to scope in.
Finally, there were the Black and White Twin Guns. Continuous spraying would drain a significant amount of mana as well.
So, even with 1,363 mana, Su Xiao couldn't squander it freely in every fight.
"Mm, got it. Do you have any resistance to shield skills?"
Little Ditz wasn't probing for intel; these questions were perfectly reasonable.
"Yes, I have resistance. Don't put shields on me."
"What about speed auras?"
"No resistance."
Hearing that Little Ditz had aura-type skills, Su Xiao nodded inwardly. Maybe her healing output wasn't strong, but her buffs were not to be underestimated.
"Then..."
Little Ditz asked a few more questions. After getting answers, she pulled out a small notebook.
"Attribute compatibility, speed compatibility, defense resistance. Mm, I have a plan."
Just as Little Ditz was figuring out how to support Su Xiao, a sudden clattering rang out from one side of the armored car, sparks flying. Umbrella-less Bro and Little Ditz ducked in fright, while Su Xiao and Bubu Wang remained calm.
"Stop the car."
Umbrella-less Bro hesitated for a moment before slamming on the brakes.
Su Xiao opened the door and leaped out of the armored car. He moved fast, but Little Ditz wasn't slow either.
"Holy Purity."
"Rain's Echo."
"Fountain of Strength."
"Eternal Life."
"Haste."
...
Before Little Ditz could finish applying her buffs, Su Xiao had already drawn the Black and White Twin Guns, unleashing a barrage at a large boulder in the distance while sprinting forward.
Rat-a-tat-tat...
Stone chips flew. Behind the boulder, three contractors were pinned down, unable to raise their heads from the sudden, intense firepower.
Click, click.
The Black and White Twin Guns ran out of ammo. Su Xiao holstered them on his thighs and drew Dragon-Slaying Flash with one hand.
A pale blue blade aura cut through the air. The boulder split cleanly in two, and a contractor's throat was slashed open by the blade aura, blood spurting wildly.
Su Xiao charged behind the boulder, sword in hand. Screams rang out, blood spraying everywhere.
A minute later, Su Xiao emerged from behind the boulder, his long blade still dripping blood.