Chapter 50: Rest Assured, I’m Ready

A few days later, Ram departed for the Port of Polopolore to find an identity for Wu Qingsong. With only a handful of wolfmen remaining to safeguard the camp, the valley regained its serene atmosphere.

Harold resumed the training they had previously undertaken in Umber. With Wu Qingsong’s decision known, Liuli diligently participated in the training this time, showing no signs of her previous laziness. On the other hand, Ling exhibited even greater dedication than before.

Ram had left plentiful provisions. Additionally, the valley’s goats provided both milk and meat, giving them ample nutrition that noticeably enhanced their physical prowess. 

According to Harold, they had transitioned from mere liabilities to individuals who could somewhat fend for themselves. They were even equipped to provide backup from the rear with surprise arrow attacks or serve as supportive forces.

In Harold’s opinion, this was pivotal. If Liuli could be present on the battlefield, even if her transformation lasted a mere ten minutes, it could be a game-changer at decisive moments.

As for Wu Qingsong, Harold envisioned him as the group’s commander. Harold believed that the upcoming battles didn’t necessitate a leader to be on the frontlines, engaging in direct combat. If Wu Qingsong could adeptly manage and direct forces from the rear, it would suffice. In fact, merely ensuring a consistent flow of resources to the squad would qualify him as competent.

Initially, Harold aimed to merely test Wu Qingsong’s mettle by imparting his strategies and techniques from his days as a mercenary leader. To his surprise, Wu Qingsong already had considerable experience in spearheading small-scale combat situations. Although there were some errors in his approach, once these were addressed, Wu Qingsong showcased a remarkable flair for battlefield leadership.

Wu Qingsong felt somewhat helpless. How could he even begin to explain? 

In the past, he had dived into countless dungeons, whether to grind for his own gear, assist others in their gear hunt, or just to accompany friends. The sheer number of times he had done this was nauseating.

Although he wasn’t the head or main strategist of his guild, he had occasionally guided the newcomers. And those random teams he joined on a whim? Too many to count. In terms of combat and leadership experience, how could Harold, who had hardly ever truly engaged in real combat throughout his life, even begin to compare?

Now, everything had been simplified to just three categories, heavy infantry, spearmen, and crossbowmen. Skills and spells? All removed. No healers, no mages, and no reference charts or statuses. The strategies at their disposal were thus severely limited. In turn, the expectations for leadership had plummeted to a level that Wu Qingsong found almost laughably straightforward.

Of course, the virtual world and reality were vastly different. But in some ways, especially in mindset and accumulated experience, Wu Qingsong genuinely outstripped Harold manifold. Additionally, given his unique trait of invulnerability, combined with the fact he had already spilled blood and taken lives in this world, he might not be ready to lead massive battles, but when it came to elite dungeon-level skirmishes? It was second nature to him.

Harold was pleasantly surprised by this revelation. What uplifted their morale further was that, with the concerted efforts of Wu Qingsong and Ling, Liuli finally came to accept her transformative abilities, even agreeing for Wu Qingsong to trigger her transformation every other day.

When transformed, Liuli embodied the definition of stubbornness. It took considerable effort from Wu Qingsong and the team to convince her to consider training. She eventually agreed to fight based on Harold’s tactics rather than merely trusting her instincts.

Soon, they came to understand the formidable strength of the large catwoman. In a mere ten minutes, Liuli, once transformed, completely leveled an entire patch of forest.

Harold even sourced the ideal weapon for her–the massive double-handed sword from a mastiffman named Halo. This weapon, paired with her agility and monstrous strength, made her a peerless force on the battlefield, akin to an unstoppable meat grinder.

“Meow~ Just leave everything to Liuli!” said the transformed Liuli on numerous occasions. “Whenever you say the word, Wu, Liuli will annihilate anyone who dares to anger you!”

“Liuli is our secret ace, only appear in the most critical and dangerous situations,” Wu Qingsong had to constantly coax her like a child, finding ways to persuade her to accept the intense training Harold had in store for her.

Simultaneously, the power that Wu Qingsong had awakened within Ling was consistently advancing, thanks to their nightly training sessions. The pearl, which had started the size of a fingernail, had now grown as big as an egg. Ling was now adept at directing it to fly at a notably swift speed.

While the speed still didn’t match the bullet-like velocity Wu Qingsong hoped for, with Ling’s continuous efforts, it began to shape-shift into simple forms, like a round shield or sharp elbow-length needles. Fueled by the maximum speed Ling could muster, it could lodge itself deep within solid wood.

Such force was certainly potent enough to pierce human flesh.

Were it not for the limitation she could only control it within a mere three-meter radius around Ling, Wu Qingsong believed that, with its ongoing evolution, such a power might be nothing short of invincible.

He viewed himself as a tank, capable of enduring a barrage of hits and adept at luring enemies to divert their attacks. Yet, his actual weight and close-combat offensive capabilities were glaringly poor. This posed concerns, but he believed he could compensate partially by poisoning his weapons. As a commander-type tank, he felt this would suffice.

Ordinarily, Liuli might be considered a slack long-range attacker. More often, she seemed better suited to roles resembling support or even a pet. But once her other self was awakened, she instantly became a powerhouse, slicing through foes with unparalleled prowess. 

The downside?

Her agility lasted just ten minutes, with an exceedingly lengthy cooldown that spanned several hours to a couple of days. An ace that had to be used with discretion.

Upon evaluation, Ling appeared to be the trio’s most reliable member, even though she was plagued with self-doubt. While she might not have been naturally inclined toward combat, her dedication was evident. She wielded the crossbow with such finesse that she could be a consistent damage dealer within their formation. Additionally, her ability, once activated, sustained for a full twelve hours. Within its three-meter area, she was a perfect blend of offense and defense. Protecting herself and Liuli should pose no significant challenge.

This realization invigorated Wu Qingsong’s spirits, making him eagerly anticipate the forthcoming adventures.

Yet, to his surprise, Ram, who’d promised a prompt return, was nowhere in sight. Instead, the typically elusive Nina unexpectedly returned to the valley one night.

“Nina?”

“There’s been a series of disappearances from the nearby villages,” Nina said with a somber demeanor. “I suspect a small raiding group might be operating close by.”

“Have you found the missing villagers?”

“Not yet, but I’m confident we’ll find them soon,” Nina responded.

“Let us help,” Wu Qingsong proposed immediately. 

He harbored a burning desire to reshape the image he suspected he had in Nina’s eyes. There was this subtle sense he couldn’t shake, that while Nina had always been courteous toward him, an unspoken estrangement lingered, as if she was consciously maintaining a certain distance.

In his eyes, this likely stemmed from that previous failed experiment on Ram, which inadvertently placed him in an awkward position with her.

The last thing he wanted was for both Nina and Ram to perceive him as some sleazy individual, an image that might stick for a long time.

“Under normal circumstances, we can handle ourselves. If something unexpected arises, Liuli will certainly be of help,” he voiced, hoping to persuade Nina.

Nina hesitated for a brief moment.

Given it was harvest season, the majority of her aides had returned to their respective villages to help. She was undeniably short-handed. While Wu Qingsong’s team might not boast significant combat prowess, their extended training here assured they wouldn’t be burdensome. And in particularly challenging circumstances, maybe Liuli could genuinely offer some help.

“Very well, prepare yourselves. We embark at dawn tomorrow.”