167. The Mastermind
While fighting monsters, Bronya suddenly noticed that Yun Ling was still using a beginner's longsword.
"Why are you still using beginner equipment? Don't you have any equipment?" Bronya was surprised, but even more curious about how Yun Ling had managed to reach level 45.
"No, it's just that my skill is strange. It depletes the sword's durability very quickly. A normal level 40 gold one-handed sword would break after two uses."
"I don't remember designing such a strange skill." Bronya blinked.
"Uh... a self-created skill. It suddenly popped up." Yun Ling replied.
"A self-created skill... show me." Bronya put away her weapon and watched to see what Yun Ling's self-created skill was.
Yun Ling didn't waste any time. He raised his hand and unleashed several sword energies, instantly turning the monsters into fragments before they even reached him.
"This is... sword energy?" Bronya's eyes showed a hint of interest.
"Brother Yun Ling, over here!" Susannah attracted a large group of monsters running over.
Then, she did another classic flat-ground fall.
Yun Ling formed a sword incantation, and the 'Beginner's Longsword' in his hand transformed into countless sword shadows, shooting towards the horde of monsters.
The charging monsters all died, dropping a large amount of materials and equipment.
"This is the Taixu Sword Qi?!" Bronya looked at the scene before her with great familiarity.
Isn't this the 'Taixu Sword Qi' that Li Sushang often used? Why does Yun Ling know this move?
"So the captain knows this. What skill is this?" Yun Ling asked in surprise; this was the first time someone had called out the name of this skill.
"This is a profound martial art from the Shenzhou. Currently, only four people have mastered it. Why do you know this?" Bronya asked, frowning.
"Oh, this martial art appeared in my mind when I woke up, and after trying it a few times, it popped up as 'Self-Created Martial Art.' Is it that powerful?" Yun Ling wanted to ask more about 'Taixu Sword Qi.'
"Extremely powerful. In Shenzhou, this martial art is known as the 'Supreme Martial Arts' in the martial arts world, truly the best in Shenzhou." Bronya nodded.
"Supreme Martial Arts…no wonder the damage is so high." Yun Ling nodded, seemingly understanding.
"I'll ask the class monitor and Li Sushang about you when I go out; perhaps they know something about you."
"Then thank you in advance, Captain." Yun Ling said gratefully.
After learning about Yun Ling and Susannah's skills, Bronya also demonstrated her weapon and skills.
"Heavy Armor Bunny 0019, Fire!"
Bronya leaped into the air, the gun in her hand emitting a dazzling light, and then a beam of light shot into the horde of monsters, causing an explosion.
"So this game has guns?" Yun Ling hadn't expected such things in a medieval setting.
"Actually... this weapon is just something I designed for myself." Bronya's face flushed slightly.
After all, she was the creator, so having a little bit of authority was no problem.
Part of the reason she was progressing so quickly was because of this weapon.
After getting to know each other better, they continued their advance.
Susannah was responsible for buffing and drawing fire, while Yun Ling provided frontal support for Susannah, and Bronya kited from a distance.
Bronya was very familiar with the weaknesses of each monster, since she designed it. Although some parts had been buffed, the underlying mechanics remained unchanged.
During breaks, after Susannah, another "glutton" joined the fray. After all, Yun Ling's cooking was so delicious that they no longer wanted to eat restaurant food.
"After we get out, would you be interested in becoming a chef? I can hire you with a high salary," Bronya said half-jokingly.
"Captain, don't set such a flag; it's easy to get yourself killed," Yun Ling reminded her helplessly.
"So, Yun Ling, you actually believe in this kind of superstition?" Susannah seemed to have discovered an interesting side of Yun Ling.
"I don't really believe in it, but it still feels a bit weird, like those 'I'll go home and get married after the war,' or 'I'll retire after this job'... The result is usually a gruesome death," Yun Ling explained.
"Oh! I get it! It's like telling yourself you need to maintain your figure, but you still get out of bed in the middle of the night, walk to the fridge, and eat cake. It's the same principle, right?" Susannah gave an example.
"That's just because you're greedy," Yun Ling and Bronya retorted simultaneously.
"Ugh!" Susana wailed.
"Yun Ling, don't you really have any thoughts about what you would do after you go out?" Bronya asked.
"Um... I want to have a relationship... By the way, is the captain married?" Yun Ling voiced his thoughts.
"...No, but I have someone I like." Bronya shook her head.
Although there was a slightly ambiguous feeling between her and Seele, marriage... she hadn't thought about that yet.
Although Yun Ling's question was a little awkward, she wouldn't misunderstand that he liked her, because his gaze was so clear.
"I never thought the captain would have someone she likes? That's unbelievable." Yun Ling's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?" Bronya looked at him with a dark expression.
"Nothing, I'm just curious what kind of person the captain would like, since the captain rarely shows her emotions... except when she's with Houmu." Yun Ling blinked.
"Okay, stop talking." Bronya rolled her eyes; she could now clearly sense that Yun Ling was a straight man.
"What about Susannah?" Yun Ling shifted the topic to Susannah.
Then, our single-core CPU-like little bear made a spectacular misunderstanding.
"Um…um…I…am considering it…" Susannah fidgeted with her fingers, her cheeks flushed.
She only admired Yun Ling; she hadn't had any other feelings yet. But Yun Ling saying it like that made her feel a little expectant.
"Susannah and the captain should be of the same generation, right? If that's the case…well, you're almost forty…"
Before Yun Ling could finish speaking, he saw Bronya aiming her exclusive weapon, 'Heavy Bunny 0019,' at his head.
Even Susannah stared at him blankly, sending a chill down his spine.
"I'm sorry, I overstepped my bounds," Yun Ling readily admitted.
So, age is every woman's biggest taboo? Even the idiot Susannah was no exception.
After this incident, Yun Ling never dared to mention age again.
Unbeknownst to them, more than a month had passed, and the three of them had reached the ninety-ninth floor.
"Finally, we're going to get out?"
Susannah stretched. It had been so tough; every day was a battle. If it weren't for Yun Ling's delicious food to comfort her, she probably wouldn't have lasted this long.
"We still don't know what the mastermind's purpose is. Don't let your guard down," Bronya reminded her.
"Right!" Susannah quickly abandoned her playful mood and became serious.
Yun Ling's fingers caressed the hilt of his beginner's longsword, looking worried.
"Yun Ling, what's wrong?" Susannah asked, puzzled.
"Nothing, let's go." Yun Ling smiled faintly and headed towards the boss level on the ninety-ninth floor.
After two hours of fierce fighting, they finally reached the top floor.
And here, they finally met the mastermind.
"So it really was you... Gray Serpent!"
...