Nolan used the same tactics to take down the remaining Ruin Guards, gaining huge amounts of Adventure EXP each time.
However, in the last one, he ran out of crossbows and arrows, so there was no way to continue using such a tricky method to solve it.
Adventure EXP: 2162
Nolan looked at his character panel - more than 2,000 Adventure EXP would allow him to level up twice, but it wasn't enough for a qualitative change.
Enhanced physical quality is still difficult to create a threat to the Ruin Guard, but there is no need for him to fight alone, there is still Noelle.
Noelle could easily defeat a Ruin Guard herself, but then Nolan wouldn't obtain any EXP.
In order to obtain Adventure EXP, he had to land the final blow.
After some thought, Nolan invested 1500 Adventure EXP into leveling up twice.
After two consecutive level-ups, his body experienced an even greater warmth than before, and Nolan felt as if every cell of his body was in a hot spring, which was warm and extremely comfortable.
If it wasn't for the fact that there were two ladies beside him, he might have made some strange sounds.
The evolution ended quickly. Nolan checked his character panel again:
Name: Nolan Walker
Level: Lv.9 (0/900)
Race: Human
Title: None
Innate Talent: Entangling Affection
Skills: Hunter's Archery Lv.3 (0/300), Favonius Archery - Fundamentals Lv.2 (0/200), Martial Arts Lv.2 (0/200)
Specialty: [Descender]
Adventure EXP: 662
The information on the panel was much richer than before, and there were still quite a few Adventure EXP left. Nolan didn't continue to use it for the time being, he hadn't thought about whether to keep it for leveling up or skill enhancement.
With so many skills, he couldn't train them all evenly. Specializing was crucial, or he'd just be mediocre at everything and not much stronger overall.
After stretching and moving around to get used to his enhanced physique, Nolan looked at Noelle.
She gazed seriously at the last Ruin Guard, her fair, soft face directed at it.
Her maid-like skirt fluttered in the breeze. Her silver-white greaves looked heroic, yet cute on Noelle.
"Noelle, there's one Ruin Guard left. Shall we team up and take it down?" Nolan suggested.
He added with a smile, "I'm stronger now, so I won't drag you down."
"Mr. Adventurer must be joking, I'm not as powerful as you think I am."
Noelle demurred, resting her hands on some rubble as she lowered her eyes shyly.
What a warm yet modest person.
"Noelle, I'll go first and attract its attention. Then you look for a chance to leap up and strike its core, paralyzing it. Leave the final blow to me!"
Nolan swiftly laid out his plan.
"Huh?!" Noelle looked surprised at his words. She waved her hands quickly, "I should be the one drawing its attention. What if you get hurt-"
She shook her head vigorously, as if to banish some unpleasant mental image, repeating herself, "No, no."
"Don't worry, the Ruin Guard's movements are sluggish. I'm confident I can evade it. As for the core...I don't have the power for a decisive strike, but you definitely can!"
Nolan gently shook his head in explanation.
The Ruin Guard's weakness was obvious, but its core wasn't so fragile that a touch would shatter it. Even crossbows needed over a dozen hits. Ordinary unarmed people really couldn't break through its defenses without a weapon.
If a sneak attack failed and it targeted you instead, one of its spinning attacks would be deadly. Even in-game, Noelle's Breastplate talent (Elemental Skill) wouldn't block more than a few hits.
What's more, Noelle was still growing. Unlike games, she couldn't just use EXP books to instantly hit level 90. She didn't have Max-Defense Artifacts either, just an Energy Recharge Favonius Greatsword.
So to be on the safe side, it was better to let the more powerful Noelle attack the core decisively in one hit, minimizing accidents.
"If you say so...alright," Noelle conceded with a nod, accepting the plan.
"I'll cheer for you guys!" Vile piped up excitedly nearby.
"Mm," Nolan smiled. "Let's move then."
Nolan and Noelle emerged from the massive rubble concealing them. The Ruin Guard didn't notice them immediately.
If they were targeted by the Ruin Guard at a long distance, there was a high probability that it would use a missile attack, which could track targets - rather troublesome.
In order to avoid this situation, Nolan and Noelle were waiting for the Ruin Guard to turn its back in their direction before they acted.
Nolan held the scimitar contributed by the Boss of the Treasure Hoarders in his hand, and Noelle picked up her Favonius Greatsword.
Their footsteps made little sound as they slowly closed in, then accelerated.
Suddenly, the Ruin Guard ahead spun abruptly, its core flashing as if entering attack mode.
As expected, Ruin Guards didn't use sight to survey, just sensing range. Front or back made no difference.
"Mr. Adventurer, Watch out!"
Noelle looked at the Ruin Guard's huge rust-colored steel fist slamming into Nolan.
It hadn't been felt until he got closer, the Ruin Guard's massive body actually felt so intimidating.
Nolan admitted that his previous actions had gone too smoothly, causing him to underestimate them a bit.
But its sluggish blow was nothing to him now! With agile footwork, he easily dodged sideways.
Bang!
The stone slabs cracked, dust and debris spraying outward.
At this moment, because of Nolan's attack, the Ruin Guard's back was exposed, and there was a light emanating from there, which was the same as its head's "eye", the core of the guard!
"Noelle, it's up to you!" Nolan shouted.
"I understand, Mr. Adventurer!" Noelle seized the moment, her Favonius Greatsword with Geo Element, and charged forth unstoppably like a juggernaut.
"Haaa!"
The petite body ran up at breakneck speed, like an unstoppable chariot, the high-heeled armored boots stomped on the ground, leaving a slight crack.
Noelle leaped high into the air, the enchanted Favonius Greatsword shone with a golden light, holding the sword in both hands and stabbing down at the core of the Ruin Guard's back!
The Ruin Guard was simply unable to dodge such a hit, and its steel body sank downward, emitting a short-circuiting zippy sound as golden currents flickered, falling into a semi-paralyzed state.
All that was needed now was one final blow!
"Mr. Adventurer!" Noelle called out.
Nolan instantly comprehended, jumped onto the back of the Ruin Guard with his scimitar in hand, and slashed with force.
Crackle, Boom!
Deprived of energy, the Ruin Guard crashed lifeless to the ground.
[Defeated A Powerful Enemy, Obtained 522 Adventure EXP]
...
(End of Chapter)
To be continued...
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