Chapter 57 – Barrage of Arrows

After another five days, Su Ning finally reached level 11. Excited, she couldn’t help but mutter silently to herself—leveling up was really hard.

At the same time, Luo Nanchuan had already reached level 15. This was the difference between solo killing and group attacks.

Although Luo Nanchuan wanted to level up quickly and leave, the trouble caused by the freezing cold and Yao Qianqian’s low level meant that even with Luo Nanchuan killing desperately, he only reached level 13.

Unlike Luo Nanchuan’s desperate battles, Su Ning was sitting on Qiao Duoduo’s sofa, waiting for Duoduo’s freshly prepared food.

While waiting, her mouth didn’t stay still.

“Duoduo, hurry up! I’m starving, starving, starving!”

Qiao Duoduo rolled her eyes at Su Ning, unbothered.

“Starving? Heal yourself.”

Ignoring her, Su Ning quickly changed tactics.

“Duoduo, I met several new pretty girls these past few days.”

“And?” Duoduo calmly tended to the food in the pot.

“Aren’t you a little jealous? I’m about to have new girls in my life. If you don’t treat me better, you’ll lose me.”

Finally turning to look at childish Su Ning, Duoduo laughed and said,

“Then tell me, should I break her legs or yours?”

“What a malicious woman’s heart.”

Su Ning whispered under his breath. Duoduo, naturally, ignored him. Recently, Houyang had become the shopkeeper’s favorite, learning blacksmithing, so their alone time was rare.

Drinking the freshly cooked hot soup, Su Ning felt Duoduo’s cooking was improving. Although most ingredients came from the store and had lower stats, the taste was excellent.

After eating, Su Ning sat up seriously and patted the sofa.

“Qiao Duoduo, come over.”

“What for, little ancestor?”

“I have a gift for you. Guess what it is.”

Seeing Su Ning’s proud expression, Duoduo guessed casually.

“Not guessing. Give it or not.”

“You’re no fun, Duoduo.”

Seeing Su Ning’s pitiful look, Duoduo reluctantly complied.

“Alright, what gift?”

Su Ning blinked mysteriously, pulled out a small cloth bag, waved it in front of Duoduo, and placed it on the coffee table, signaling excitedly.

Duoduo pretended to be surprised. “Wow! Amazing! I love it!” Yet her tone was full of pretense.

But when Duoduo opened the bag and truly saw its contents, she gasped.

Su Ning raised her little head proudly, full of satisfaction.

Inside the bag was an antique-looking skill book. On the top-right corner of the cover were four bold characters: Barrage of Arrows.

Skill: Barrage of Arrows
Details: Launches a group attack on monsters within 100 meters, ignoring allies. Deals (Strength*10) attack damage to monsters. Costs 15 mana, cooldown 3 seconds.

“Su Ge, did you really get this for me?” Duoduo couldn’t believe it—a group attack skill for archers!

Su Ning rolled his eyes. “Not for you. It’s for you to see.”

“Love you, love you, love you the most!” Duoduo quickly flattered him. But amidst her joy, she asked curiously,

“Su Ge, you spent a lot, didn’t you?”

“One gold coin. Aren’t you moved?” Su Ning rubbed his hands excitedly like a child awaiting praise.

“No, I don’t have money.” Duoduo answered cheerfully and, without waiting for Su Ning to protest, immediately learned the skill.

Su Ning pouted. “Hmph.”

“Alright, love you the most, but skill books are way too expensive,” Duoduo said, grateful but teasing.

Su Ning returned to a serious expression. “Expensive, yes. This skill book is the only one in the entire game. I originally wanted it for myself, but it’s your lucky day.”

“Then I’ll work hard fighting monsters and support you while you just level up,” Duoduo raised three fingers and swore.

“Good.”

Su Ning’s eyes twinkled with joy.

Soon, Houyang returned home, and Su Ning said goodbye, heading home to sleep. Houyang, upon learning about the skill book, was filled with envy and admiration at Su Ge’s generosity.

The next day, the three returned to the Snake Fields. Without hesitation, they unleashed a barrage of arrows. Dozens of low-HP giant snakes quickly crawled toward them.

Houyang quickly entered long-term monster resistance mode, killing one with each strike and launching several into the air.

Su Ning, meanwhile, was flustered. Fortunately, the Sheep Bone Staff was light enough to wield without too much effort. Though some snakes managed to bite, her gear allowed her to withstand the damage and heal herself.

Soon, a second wave of arrow rain arrived. Dozens of snakes fell. After a short rest, Su Ning healed herself. Together, the three cleared the snake corpses.

Houyang checked his experience bar excitedly.

“Su Ge, this skill was a great buy. Our experience just jumped by one bar. At this rate, before the house expires, we’ll all reach Full Blessing.”

Su Ning was thrilled. “Worth every penny.”

Within just one day, all three leveled up to 12, secretly overjoyed.

That evening, Duoduo took out all her cards and sent them to Su Ning.

“Su Ge, we don’t have much worth a gold coin, but these cards are for you. Use them as you like—it’s the thought that counts.”

Su Ning checked her backpack. “Aren’t you keeping some mana potions?”

“Nope, we have plenty,” Houyang added.

Su Ning shrugged. “Alright, quite a haul.”

The three laughed together. Afterward, Duoduo said, “Su Ge, you’d better get a set of AoE skills too, so you can handle things safely.”

Su Ning frowned. “True, but they’re hard to buy!”

“We searched the whole game for skill books. Don’t worry, Su Ge—even if I’m broke, I’ll watch for you.”

Touched by Houyang’s support, Su Ning still explained the harsh reality.

“Yang Ge, the shop selling skills has a lower limit to prevent price dumping.”

“What limit?” Houyang scratched his head in confusion.

Su Ning looked at him sympathetically. “If you have less than one gold coin in your backpack, you can’t even find that shop or its items.”

“Discrimination! Isn’t that discrimination?” Houyang protested indignantly.

Duoduo laughed. “Alright, Su Ge, do you have enough money? Should we chip in?”

Duoduo wasn’t short on money either; after all, they shared monster loot, and Houyang voluntarily handed over his share. But with recent cooking experiments—pots, pans, oil, salt, various ingredients—nothing was cheap. They weren’t short on money, but one gold coin was still insufficient.

“No need, I have enough. If not, I’ll craft some gear. Oh, it’s summer—should I customize a set of couple outfits for you guys?”

Before Su Ning finished, Houyang agreed enthusiastically.

“Great idea!”

Duoduo’s expression showed anticipation. Su Ning thought, besides couple outfits, he should also make a team uniform, or else he’d feel out of place. Hmph!