On the other side, Qin Shaoqing, who was following the evacuation group, couldn't help but see the row of messages his system had been sending him.
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
'Sushang, my dear disciple, did you stumble into a farming spot and not tell others?!' Qin Shaoqing's heart couldn't help but question how his fool of a disciple was suddenly a monster.
Had she been holding back this whole time?! Did she feel pity for a pretender hidden master like him? No, impossible. His swindler sense told him she was truly a foolish girl. But why did nobody tell him this foolish girl was so fierce?
Qin Shaoqing couldn't help but regret accepting her as a disciple. If she suddenly found out he was a fraud, what could he do against Mistress Sushang?!
'I must get stronger.' Now Qin Shaoqing resolved himself — he would swindle more people to appear more mysterious in front of Sushang. After steeling himself, he found his shoulder screaming in pain.
"Qin Shaoqing? Are you back now?" Guinaifen, who had tried several times calling Qin Shaoqing, became frustrated and pinched him on the shoulder.
"Ow, ow, ow, alright, I'm listening now."
"Gosh, I wonder what kind of thoughts run through your head." Guinaifen, who suddenly remembered what had happened that afternoon, couldn't help but blush deeply. Truly, this rogue was only a perverted master whose thoughts were filled with lilies.
"A-Anyway, we've reached Starskiff Haven. We should be safe for a while in here." Guinaifen paused and looked at the gate behind her. "But… I'm worried about Sushang."
Qin Shaoqing, who kept hearing his system pings, assured Guinaifen, "Don't worry, that little thing won't die from tripping on a rock." Qin Shaoqing joked.
"Bah, I regret telling you anything!" Guinaifen punched Qin Shaoqing's shoulder again and went on her separate way. She saw some of her friends among the group and wanted to talk to them.
Qin Shaoqing, who now had no one to accompany him, turned to his abnormal system.
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
[Your disciple Sushang defeated a Denizen of Abundance +1 exp]
Ding!
[This System recognizes your swordsmanship as effective. Now added as a skill!]
'Ha? Who told you you're the admin? I am the only one who can tell if my swordsmanship is effective or not!'
[The Ever-Flowing Sword: A flawless swordsmanship created by an incapable swindler! (Unusable) (Current practitioner: Sushang)] [Upgradable!]
Qin Shaoqing, who now looked at the function, couldn't help but fill his head with question marks.
'I'm the creator here! Why can't I use my own damn skill, damn it! And who's the incapable one here! I, Qin Shaoqing, was quite capable in my last life!'
Qin Shaoqing cursed at his system.
'Sigh, at least this system isn't opposing me.'
Looking at the skill again, he finally noticed the button next to the skill.
"Upgrade? Hmm, let me try pushing it!"
[Requires 1,500,000 credits]
[Attempting to pull from host's bank account]
[Failed]
Qin Shaoqing almost had a heart attack after seeing the row of messages. "1,500,000?! Why don't you go rob a bank at this point, System?! Why politely ask me to do so?!"
If the system had called a debt collector to pull money into his account, he would jump off the Loufu—no need to reconsider. His social score was in shambles along with his -1,500,000 debt; the only escape was death itself.
Several curses sounded in Qin Shaoqing's heart.
[Detecting several bad intentions from host]
Ding!
[New mission: My Dear Disciple—Master Is Coming for You!]
[Description: Claim to everyone that you will rescue your disciple and walk out of the gate!]
[Reward: Phantom Presence]
[Penalty: Dance around Starskiff Haven while naked]
[Cowards who disregard their disciple's safety need no pride!]
[Duration: 5 hours]
"..."
System, you've convinced me! You want me dead! Why must you say it in a roundabout way? Just tell me to die already!
Not only did he have next to no battle prowess, but his system also only gave him abilities to confuse enemies, not kill them!
If not for that Heliobus who tried to possess him, he would be left with nothing but shadow clone jutsu to deal with his enemies!
Qin Shaoqing looked over the edge of the Loufu.
'Should I just end it here…?'
Qin Shaoqing agonized for a long time over whether he should really jump off, but ultimately he chose not to. This life had its merits, unfortunately.
The only unfortunate moment was when he received this system as his golden finger.
As for the mission, Qin Shaoqing…
He looked toward the gate where he had entered. Though large and imposing, many Denizens of Abundance were already attempting to break it.
"Form a defensive line, quickly!" Many Cloud Knights gathered around the gate. Many looked at it with fear and dread, hoping the Cloud Knights could fend them off.
Even the Cloud Knights themselves gripped their weapons in worry. Many of their comrades were currently being treated, which made their once-formidable numbers small compared to the Denizens of Abundance. But even if they were consumed by fear and dread, they stood steadfast. Behind them were the lifeblood of innocents, so until they exhausted their final breath, they would stand between their enemies.
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of rhythmic smashing on the gate grew louder. They gripped their weapons harder.
Thud, thud—crack. The seal that had shut the gate tight broke as Denizens of Abundance started to flow through.
"Stay in formation!" one Cloud Knight commanded, lowering their glaive in a practiced motion before sweeping it forward, the blade cutting through the air and striking down the first wave of oncoming enemies.
One Cloud Knight, who was busy with one enemy, was caught by surprise by another closing the distance and stabbing forward. "Ugh!" The sensation of a large blade stabbing through his chest felt clear in his mind.
"I've… failed…" He uttered his last breath before the world before him turned black, and he collapsed.
The Cloud Knights beside him saw a couple of enemies break through their formation and rush toward the people behind them.
Seeing the incoming Denizens of Abundance, some people screamed and panicked.
"S-Shit!.."