118: Chapter 118: A Bountiful Harvest

An exasperated Tuaner sent a message to the entire team: "Didn't succeed! Discussing business, return quickly!"

As it turned out, the partners outside the door had all been stifling laughter as they quickly came to her side. Only then did Tuaner wittily realize that they had been peeking at her and Mia from outside the door the whole time.

She had been too impatient just now, and since they were also quite skilled at concealing their presence, it was a good thing she hadn't succeeded.

She felt as if she had made a small oversight but narrowly escaped disaster. Seizing the last moment, she patted Mia's chest to express her lingering fear... (survival maintenance system warning: "Lingering fear" refers to your own heart; what is the meaning of constantly patting someone else's heart?)

Sitting around a table, Mia gave a few of her signature, specially crafted [Basic Healing Potion EX] to Firing Pin for self-defense. This moved the dense, straight-laced man to tears, and he claimed it was like gaining an extra life. He immediately reopened the bar and arranged wheat juice, fried chicken, and ice cream for the group.

Ryan was gnawing on a chicken wing while looking at the [Hand Wraps - Redemption's Longing] (the name of the blood-stained hand wraps after purification) that Mia had handed him. This item didn't add any attributes, but it was truly a priceless top-tier piece of equipment.

[Hand Wraps - Redemption's Longing: Bind them to your hands, and then, just like that. This item does not increase any of the wearer's attributes, but it can be worn with gloves. Its unique effect: A man who binds these hand wraps will never be disarmed!]

Ryan stared at it for a long time. After giving up on asking if there was a matching set of [Leg Wraps] (he didn't need attributes, only the special effect! Asking might get him killed), he finally realized the main reason Mia had given him this top-tier divine gear: he was the only man on the team. It turned out that the old Chinese saying, "Things are valued for their scarcity," was true!

Happiness had come so suddenly, but it wasn't over. Mia then handed two [zhongzheng sword modified ex] from her inventory to Ryan. Looking at these two weapons, which only had unremarkable Sharpness and Armor Penetration attributes but terrifyingly high attack power, the light in Ryan's eyes even eclipsed the astonishment he felt when he first saw Tuaner bullying Mia. Because besides high attack power, these two swords had a combo effect: when dual-wielded, attack speed increases by 100%.

However, after his excitement settled down a bit, Ryan keenly realized something. This was going to shake his position as the team's tank—she wasn't even planning to let him use a shield! To him, this was even scarier than being dragged off to serve Tuaner in bed! He placed the two [zhongzheng sword modified ex] on the table and waited for Mia to continue.

"You must be thinking," Mia's husky voice carried a seductive rhythm, "how absurd a decision it is to turn the team's main tank into a plate-armor rogue?" Mia's sexy, husky voice made these words sound particularly intriguing. Everyone was waiting for Mia's explanation.

Everyone held their breath, and even Firing Pin propped himself up from the bar, preparing to note down this tactical train of thought.

"Precisely because the enemy will think the same thing." The young succubus's smile reminded one of an angel's redemption. "They won't be able to understand this configuration, and will even fall into hesitation during the engagement."

Everyone present thought simultaneously: Perhaps they should ask Loran to book a psychological counseling session for Mia? Just to create tactical fog, they were actually going to sacrifice the team's main tank?

"Furthermore, my high HP and high evasion can guarantee the team's survival for a long time." Mia revealed her 3630 HP and 35 Agility, leaving the four partners who were ready to refute her speechless.

"Additionally, as far as I know, melee fighters can learn a skill called [Weapon Block], which can compensate for the loss of Ryan's dual-wielding capabilities."

"So if Sister Loran is in bear form, the thickness of our team's front line might be unprecedented for a team of the same level in the history of Paradise Lost." Mia's words ignited the fighting spirit of the entire squad. Firing Pin, meanwhile, rested his chin on the bar, earnestly studying Mia's speech, preparing to try it out in his own team later—even though their team's tank had always been a Berserker.

Mia continued to distribute the loot: she handed the sachet left behind by Kukai to Luo Xiaoya and took out the [Customized Fujifilm X100 Camera] from the team space. "This is a class-change item for a Trainee Shrine Maiden and anti-spirit equipment. I suggest changing classes; after all, not all dungeons are suitable for mediums..."

Luo Xiaoya took Mia's gift with stars in her eyes. Turning to see Loran nod at her, she immediately used the class-change item [Shrine Maiden's Letter of Recommendation] to change into a Trainee Shrine Maiden. She mastered the most basic skills in three categories: [Jutsu], [Shikigami], and [Prayer]. These included the support-type [Binding - Spider Silk], the detection-type [Shikigami - Paper Sparrow], and [Sprout Blessing], which could only cure minor headaches and fevers. It was better than nothing, and regardless, it counted as a survival skill outside of the [substitute doll].

Mia had swiped quite a few [Type-Zero] film rolls for the [Customized Fujifilm X100 Camera] from the Shrine Maiden Fujiwara Chiyo during the previous [Story Scene — Visit of the Mountain Shrine Maiden], and she gave them all to Luo Xiaoya. Because of this deathmatch, both mother and daughter, Loran and Luo Xiaoya, had effectively risked their lives, and Tuaner and Ryan had no objections to this arrangement.

"So, Kukai, in the end..." Ryan hesitated to continue. Although he knew the other party's crimes were unforgivable, a good opponent still left him feeling melancholic.

"Yeah, at the very least, when it came to his lover, he held true to his heart. The dissipation of his soul was his own choice." Mia's answer was as light as a sigh.

"Prepare yourselves. Exchange all points for combat power and supplies. The intensity of this dungeon isn't high, so we can take Luo Xiaoya along. Of course, we also need to purchase explosives from Brother Firing Pin. In case the Celestial Master doesn't recognize me as the 64th generation lay disciple of Longhu Mountain and insists I become a child bride for his grand-disciple, this Longhu Mountain might not be able to be saved..."

"Then what if it's him personally...?" Tuaner's wicked train of thought began to spread; Ryan seemed to even see the black ripples taking physical form...

"What kind of strange things are you stuffing in that head of yours?" As Mia took action, she suddenly felt that Tuaner's head might just be naturally meant for knocking.

"According to the habits of the Paradise Lost System, you will likely be assigned the identities of my partners to continue the previous plot. As for the matter of Zhang Chulan's childhood sweetheart, I'm also very curious about how Paradise Lost will smooth that over?"

"Get ready. There are 150,000 points in the team account and a total of 100,000 points from previous tips. Split them into five parts, and everyone go buy the equipment you need."

Four hours later...

[Paradise Lost System Notification: About to enter the previously saved dungeon content of "under one person." Existing squad members will be assigned identities. Teleportation starting...]

Starlight gathered and dispersed. After the group entered the dungeon, everyone was dumbfounded. Because they were all gathered around Mia's hospital bed...