"Appearing whenever I'm in danger… like last night?" Acoley murmured to herself as she stood in the dimly lit alley.
She recalled the events of that night.
Falling into a hollow, decaying tree at her most desperate moment, he appeared like an angel, bringing warmth and healing. He dispelled all fear and gave her hope—hope in the face of despair.
It was like a lifeline, something to cling to with all her might, refusing to let go.
Especially after Acoley learned that Luo Sheng had avenged her when she was bullied to the brink of death by some aristocrats. He tormented them mercilessly, making her feel a sense of reliance and belonging for the first time.
"What a strange brother. He doesn't even want to talk to me a bit longer. I don't even know how to thank him..." Acoley spoke to herself, tears streaming uncontrollably down her delicate face as she recalled the past.
Carefully, Acoley stowed away the magic scroll and gently caressed her flame magic rifle before tucking it into her black stocking on her right leg.
She plunged back into the fight.
Perhaps it was Lady Luck smiling upon her; Acoley's battles became increasingly ferocious. Especially with the assistance of the flame magic rifle, close-range combat with magical beasts became her forte. She would swiftly draw her rifle and unleash a torrent of shots, eliminating threats as quickly as possible.
Before long, the crisis in Divatu City was resolved. Acoley injured more than a dozen magical beasts and received accolades from the academy.
She was granted additional magical materials, superior weapons, and premium magic scrolls.
However, Acoley remained indifferent. The only thing she truly cared about was the gift from Luo Sheng, which seemed incomparably precious to her.
Meanwhile, Luo Sheng hadn't left immediately.
From the moment Acoley began fighting the magical beasts, he had secretly followed her, fearing any mishap. He resembled a worried father watching over his daughter, anxious that she might suffer even the slightest grievance.
It was only after the beast tide subsided that Luo Sheng returned to his cheap, rundown rental.
"If I taught her directly, she'd probably improve instantly. But unfortunately, I can't." Luo Sheng pondered as he stood by the window.
With his current card master abilities, analyzing magic scrolls or other training materials would allow him to find the most efficient training methods and insights.
But now wasn't the right time to approach her directly.
After all, he had always appeared to her as a mysterious figure of great power. If Acoley suddenly discovered that his strength relied entirely on cards, his towering image in her heart might crumble.
"Forget it. As long as she grows stronger, the method doesn't matter."
The stronger the card characters became, the stronger the card master would also be. Luo Sheng's priority was to improve himself rapidly.
Over the following days, Luo Sheng continued to watch over Acoley's training in secret.
The longer he spent in the card world, the greater the enhancement of his cards. Fortunately, Acoley's growth exceeded his expectations.
In just five days, she mastered the Bouncing Bomb spell. Each time she ventured out, she carried ten bouncing bombs.
If she encountered a group of monsters, one bomb would be enough to scatter them in all directions. She grew fond of this tactic.
And if enemies got too close, she would rely on her rifle to dispatch them.
"Not bad at all." Luo Sheng was impressed.
One day,
"I heard there's a forest drake near Hill Village. It seems to have been driven from its nest by a dragon," an academy mage casually remarked during a conversation.
Overhearing this, Acoley's brows furrowed. She hurriedly stopped the mage and asked, "What's the situation? Has the academy sent anyone to deal with it?"
The mage shook his head. "It's far too strong. No one is willing to take on the task. I suspect Hill Village will be wiped off the map in a few days."
Without hesitation, Acoley set off on the mission.
This forest drake spewed toxic substances, destroyed villages, and caused significant casualties. It had become a primary target for extermination by the academy.
Despite the high danger level, no one dared to confront it—except for Acoley, who resolutely took on the challenge.
At Hill Village, located fifty miles from Divatu City, a quaint countryside settlement, Acoley found the forest drake and engaged it in a fierce battle.
The creature was massive—equivalent to the size of four elephants. Each step it took caused tremors and left deep imprints on the ground. Despite its intimidating size, Acoley fought without fear.
She first used Elemental Combustion, creating a fiery barrier to trap the creature. Then, she attacked with Fireball Mass and other explosive techniques, setting its rough skin ablaze.
The drake roared in agony as its body burned under her relentless assault.
The battle seemed to be going smoothly, but suddenly, the drake burrowed into the ground to mitigate the flames on its body. Emerging, it unleashed a torrent of toxic and corrosive fluids.
The forest surrounding the area was devastated, reduced to ash and charred remains.
Although Acoley managed to evade the worst of the attack, droplets of the corrosive liquid landed on her pristine skin, leaving grayish-yellow burn marks. Her stockings were also shredded, exposing her pale skin.
Undeterred, she continued her assault with bombs.
Unexpectedly, the drake began to shed its green skin, revealing dark emerald scales beneath.
"A dragon transformation?!" Acoley exclaimed in shock.
The forest drake had undergone some form of evolution, perhaps aided by a dragon, entering a new, terrifying phase.
Her fire magic and explosions now had little effect.
Hidden beneath a large tree, Luo Sheng frowned deeply. "Why does she always pick the worst fights? She's just making more work for me."
As the drake's power soared to a silver-tier one or two-star level, Luo Sheng knew Acoley, barely at bronze-tier eight or nine stars, stood no chance.
At that moment, the transformed drake roared and lashed its massive tail toward Acoley.
The blow, with its immense force, could cripple or kill her instantly.
In the nick of time, Luo Sheng appeared, activating Thousand Gate Shield and III Steel Armor.
A massive metal fortress materialized, colliding with the drake's tail.
Clang! The resounding impact echoed through the forest.
The drake couldn't penetrate the Thousand Gate Shield, an extraordinary-grade card.
The creature roared in fury, but Luo Sheng was even angrier. If anything happened to Acoley, all his efforts in nurturing her would be wasted.
He immediately used Blizzard Storm, freezing the drake's limbs and slowing its movements. Two snow maidens emerged from the storm, pummeling the drake relentlessly.
At the same time, Luo Sheng activated a seven-star Holy Light card on Acoley.
Bathed in the warm radiance, Acoley felt rejuvenated, much like she had that night. Her burned skin quickly healed, and all her injuries vanished.
"Go. It's your prey," Luo Sheng said.
"Thank you," Acoley replied, nodding firmly.
With renewed determination, she unleashed Fireball Mass and her explosive techniques.
The enormous fireballs hovered above her staff before hurtling toward the drake.
The drake roared in both rage and despair.
Caught between the freezing cold and searing heat, its once-impervious scales succumbed to the rapid expansion and contraction, breaking apart to reveal vulnerable flesh beneath.
Finally, Acoley claimed victory, reducing the drake to a roasted husk.
(Chapter End)