Chapter 22: I’m the Healer

After breakfast, the five set off south. Just two li past the south gate, they reached a stretch of rubble, and further ahead, ruins loomed faintly.

“Going any further, we’ll probably encounter monsters. Let’s discuss our formation to avoid being ambushed.”

Ma Shangfei was full of confidence, but no one responded, so he went on talking to himself.

“I’m a Wolf Demon Swordsman—good at both ranged and melee attacks, but low HP and agility.”

After saying this, he looked at Su Ning. She didn’t respond, instead giving him a silent stare, which lasted until Huoyang, unable to bear the low-pressure atmosphere, broke the silence.

“I’m a Bimon Warrior—high HP, can tank, low agility, average attack.”

He scratched his head afterward. Su Ning and Qiao Duoduo exchanged a glance and turned to look at Ma Shangting.

“I—I’m a Brewer. I can’t attack.”

No sooner had she spoken than Ma Shangfei interjected: “My sister may have no attack power, but her eyesight is exceptional. She can spot monsters from far away.”

Of course, Su Ning thought privately: Am I blind? Regardless, Ma Shangting really seemed like a liability.

“Shangfei’s hometown is in Henan. He can’t leave his sister behind; she must level up with us.”

Huoyang helped explain, and Qiao Duoduo smoothly picked up the topic.

“I’m an Archer—ranged attack, high damage, high agility, high burst.”

After that, ignoring Ma Shangting’s envy and Ma Shangfei’s complicated expression, Su Ning asked a practical question.

“If she doesn’t attack, how do we distribute money and cards?”

Su Ning’s loot mainly depended on last hits. Publicly declaring last-hit items would reveal too much, so if she didn’t land last hits, her talents couldn’t be used—she’d lose out.

“She only tags along for experience. We take turns on last hits. No private hoarding or allocation issues.”

“That’s good. I’m the healer, mainly responsible for restoring HP. From a class perspective, priority healing goes to Huoyang, then Ma Shangfei, then Qiao Duoduo. Shangting sticks close to me, protects herself, and avoids injury. As for last-hit order: Huoyang, Ma Shangfei, Qiao Duoduo, and finally me.”

Su Ning had considered claiming to be an attack mage so she could appear innocent while snatching last hits, but with Qiao Duoduo escorting her, and Huoyang unconcerned, the only outsider was Ma Shangfei.

Since last hits would be fairly distributed, Su Ning naturally chose to be the healer with the most decision-making power.

Ma Shangfei finally understood why Su Ning was so flamboyant, extravagant, and seemingly reckless. Even Qiao Duoduo, pampered by Huoyang, often yielded to her. She was, it turned out, a lifesaving treasure.

The five-person formation was simple.

Huoyang led the way as the tank. Ma Shangfei and Qiao Duoduo flanked left and right for support. Su Ning stayed in the middle with Ma Shangting, heavily protected.

Keeping formation, they cautiously advanced along the edge of the ruins, alert for ambushes.

Soon, a faint rustling came from beneath their feet.

“Spread out!” Su Ning shouted.

Everyone quickly scattered, and the stones underfoot trembled. As the vibration intensified, a “pff” sound erupted, as something burst from the ground.

When the dust settled, a gray-furred rat the size of a small forearm charged toward Huoyang.

Su Ning immediately activated everyone’s HP bars and locked her focus on Huoyang, ready to heal.

The “Lv.6 Gray-Furred Rat” with a red HP bar first met Qiao Duoduo’s arrow attack.

“Squeak~” HP dropped by one-tenth.

The rat managed to dodge Ma Shangfei’s throwing knife with a stumble and bit Huoyang’s calf, taking away one-fifth of his HP.

Su Ning instantly restored Huoyang’s health to full, letting her relax for a moment.

Huoyang punched the rat, reducing its HP by another tenth.

Ma Shangfei immediately joined in, and after several rounds, the rat was dead. Experience surged by 15.

As they pushed forward, the next rat approached Su Ning—but unexpectedly, a mutation occurred. The once rabbit-sized gray rat grew visibly to the size of a medium dog.

Its title upgraded to “Lv.8 Elite Rat.”

Su Ning felt uneasy. This was a level-up breakthrough. Huoyang struck first again—barehanded.

This revealed a problem: Huoyang came out fighting monsters without weapons and hadn’t mentioned it. Even a simple club would have been better than bare fists.

Regardless, they had to defeat this elite rat. Judging by damage, its size and defense were over twice the original gray rat.

After ten minutes of battling the elite rat, Su Ning finally landed the last hit.

Loot: 25 copper, 20 experience, 10 cards, 2 blue, 2 white, 6 green.

Su Ning felt the trip was worth it—the elite monster was rewarding.

As they advanced again, Su Ning suggested separating elite monster last hits from normal monsters to ensure fairness.

Ma Shangfei agreed, pleasantly surprised by her fairness. As a healer, Su Ning could have selfishly benefited, but she chose to be transparent.

His impression of Su Ning improved.

Qiao Duoduo, meanwhile, wished she could let Su Ning take all the last hits herself. How many good cards could be gained that way?

But since there were no plans for long-term collaboration with the Ma siblings, Su Ning’s talents had to remain secret.

The more she thought, the more annoyed she got. Huoyang, the strong but clueless tank, had cost her so many potential cards.

Su Ning didn’t mind her boldness, but she guarded her talents, class, and lineage closely.

She feared that revealing them would draw unwanted attention.

Huoyang didn’t know the significance of Su Ning’s last hits. Su Ning hadn’t told him, and Qiao Duoduo knew it was Su Ning’s secret, so she hadn’t mentioned it to Huoyang either. Currently, Huoyang’s greatest respect for Su Ning boiled down to:

“Healer is great! Su Ge heals me!”

It had to be said: four people advanced much faster than two. By afternoon, Qiao Duoduo suggested returning to rest, and Su Ning agreed. Ma Shangting wholeheartedly approved.

She was exhausted, a non-combatant. After following them for most of the day, staying alert and cautious at every step, she was wary of any oversized rat suddenly emerging from the rubble beneath her feet.