Chapter 44 Towards Tomorrow

Just as everyone was conversing.

The "Yaer" that Nina spoke of had already completed her 'charging up,' with crack-like blood-colored patterns covering her entire body.

Wisps of alluring flames swirled around her, and the terrifying high temperature had faintly distorted the surrounding space.

Her entire being resembled a demon that had crawled up from Hell, hideous and terrifying, determined to bring death to all enemies.

The next second, she was seen holding a scarlet spear and stomping fiercely on the ground.

With a boom, the hard rock cracked inch by inch in response, and gravel flew everywhere.

The powerful reaction force made her move as fast as lightning, like an arrow released from a bow, rushing towards the direction of Mu An and the others.

But when she was about to get close, she suddenly leaped high into the air, using the spear as a staff, and descended from the sky, smashing down fiercely.

Clang—

A Rank 93 Undead Headless Knight successfully blocked this heavy, powerful slash with its spear.

Even so, the spot where its legs stood had developed a spiderweb-like depression due to the terrifying force transmitted through it.

It could be said that Yaer had completely gained the upper hand in this clash of attacks.

After the two weapons bounced off each other, taking advantage of this gap, the scarlet spear in her hand launched a tidal wave of dense stabbing attacks.

Moreover, the angle of each attack was extremely tricky, and the spear shaft was even moving so fast that it produced several afterimages!

Undead Headless Knights were not originally very agile creatures.

Even though it tried its best to defend, quite a few 'slippery fish' still hit its body.

The flames carried by the spear tip seemed capable of burning through everything, leaving wisps of burning-like blue smoke on its white bone body.

Correspondingly, its HP was also dropping at an extremely fast speed.

Fortunately, the other Rank 93 Undead Headless Knight stepped forward in time to help, barely managing to block this wave of continuous attacks.

But overall, the two Undead Headless Knights were still being suppressed, with almost no chance to fight back, exhausted by defense, and looking completely disheveled.

Mu An was also slightly surprised.

To be able to suppress two Rank 93 Undead Headless Knights all by herself?

So fierce?

He used the [Enemy Detection Radar] again to probe and discovered that Yaer's Rank had temporarily increased to ninety.

From Rank 71 to Rank 90, she had spanned twenty Ranks in one go!

The cost was that her HP was also constantly 'burning' and continuously decreasing!

Either her own blood would burn out first, or the enemy would fall first.

What a… crazy fighting style!

Seeing this scene, Nina felt even more distressed inside.

She spoke in a dejected tone, briefly explaining to Mu An and the others.

"Whenever she enters this state, it means Big Sister Yaer is starting to fight for her life!"

"Burning her body's potential, burning her lifespan, burning her Soul… burning everything, and then fighting until the very end of her life…"

Everyone's hearts sank at this.

No one wanted to see someone they were close to have their corpse manipulated by someone else one day.

Not only would they be unable to rest in peace, but they would even have to cross swords with them.

Mu An and Elena exchanged a glance.

The latter seemed to have guessed his inner thoughts and spoke up.

"After slaying the Weird Tai Sui, all the corpse Puppets it controls can be released."

"But the place I mentioned before is just a conjecture; there's no guarantee that the guy is definitely hiding there."

"Taking a step back, even if we are truly lucky enough to find the place where it is hiding."

"There will definitely be even more powerful corpse Puppets protecting it nearby!"

Just as Elena said, Mu An indeed wanted to ferret out the Weird Tai Sui that was hiding behind the scenes manipulating other people's corpses.

He stroked Nina's head and comforted her.

"Don't be too sad, I swear I will tear that bastard into pieces!"

"I, for one, hate those guys who hide behind the scenes and casually desecrate the corpses of others' friends and family!"

The young girl was very moved, tears shimmering in her eyes, and she nodded heavily.

Nina had always been willing to believe in her boss's words.

Just as Mu An had originally promised to provide her with a job that included food and lodging!

Mu An's thoughts flew, sorting them out carefully, and he quickly decided on what to do next.

Elena was indispensable as a 'guide.'

Renée and Nina's Ranks were not very high, so if they fought the Weird Tai Sui, there would be a risk of injury.

In that case, it would be better to let those Rank 90+ Undead Creatures take their place on the front lines.

"Elena and I will go find that Weird Tai Sui, as for you and Renée, stay here and observe the situation…"

If not for considering Nina's feelings, Mu An could have completely let all the Undead Creatures 'use their ultimate skills together.'

This would have a very high chance of 'killing' Yaer on the spot.

But this method was somewhat cruel, and unless it was a last resort, he didn't want to do that.

After all, watching one's own friends and family be reduced to nothingness was a very painful thing!

If possible, Mu An still wanted to help her break free from the Weird Tai Sui's Puppet control while protecting Yaer's corpse.

"Hey, don't underestimate me, I can go help too!"

"That kind of hateful monster should be shot to death fiercely by my arrows!"

On the side, Renée volunteered, hands on her hips, speaking angrily.

Although she hadn't spent much time with Nina, she had long since accepted her as a friend.

In Renée's view, if friends encountered trouble, one should extend a helping hand.

To go through fire and water for a friend, without hesitation!

But Mu An shook his head and explained his reasoning in detail.

"It's not that I won't let you come along, but you have a more important task, which is to watch over her!"

As he spoke, he pointed to Yaer, who was fighting crazily against the two Headless Undead Knights not far away.

The young girl was like a lone wolf attacking crazily without regard for the cost.

Every move and style was a trade of injury for injury, with no intention of defending at all.

"If we really find the Weird Tai Sui and fight it."

"Once we fall at a disadvantage or are unable to defeat it, it is highly likely to control all the Puppets to return and join the battle."

"I don't want to be held back by concerns for her safety, and it would be bad if we were forced to destroy her corpse at that time."

Renée bit her lower lip lightly, weighed the pros and cons, and reluctantly accepted the task.

"Then… alright!"

"Boss, thank you! Really, thank you!"

Seeing Mu An considering her feelings so much, Nina was truly moved to tears, her nose slightly sore, and even her eyes turned red.

She didn't know how to express it, so she could only bow repeatedly.

If it weren't for her, would Mu An not have to take so many unnecessary risks?

"What kind of talk is that? You are my outstanding employee, if I don't support you, who will?"

Mu An waved his hand nonchalantly.

[Favorability from Nina +10, current favorability: 85!]

"Due to the increase in employee Nina's favorability, you have received a random drop reward — [mana recovery potion * 5], [Skill Proficiency + 3000], [Gold + 10]!"

[There's an unexpected surprise? Does this count as a good deed being rewarded to some extent?]

Mu An was stunned for a moment.

Before leaving, Mu An left behind four Undead Creatures.

They were a Rank 97 Death Shadow Scythe Ghost, a Rank 95 Undead Lich Mage, and two Rank 93 Headless Undead Knights.

On one hand, it was to protect Nina and Renée.

On the other hand, it was to strive to hold back the manipulated Yaer as much as possible during his absence.

As for the remaining two Rank 95 Death Shadow Scythe Ghosts, they were taken away by him.

It goes without saying that if they really encounter the Weird Tai Sui later, there will definitely be a battle between them!

And don't ask why he only brought two Undead Creatures, because…

Mu An once again used his first max-level skill — Undead Summoning!

"Come out! My big baby!"

...

Just like the process when Renée first saw the summoning of Undead Creatures, Elena couldn't help but widen her beautiful eyes.

The super huge Undead Bone Dragon slowly emerged from the summoning magic circle.

Those flapping bone wings stirred up gusts of wind.

Although it had no flesh and blood, the body composed of grim white bones was still so magnificent.

Standing in front of it was just like standing under a mountain, making one feel an inexplicable sense of insignificance in their heart.

This kind of visual impact was absolutely unparalleled!

"Rank 98? This strength is just passable!"

Mu An rubbed his chin.

The previous Rank 99 Undead Bone Dragon was still executing the task of 'escorting the elves back to the Forest of Elves' and could not return for the time being.

Now, summoning another Undead Bone Dragon could be considered a successful 'replacement.'

With it as a mount, the speed at which Mu An and Elena traveled later would undoubtedly be much faster.

On the side, Elena didn't know what to say after hearing this.

A Rank 98 Undead Bone Dragon is actually only… passable?

If this guy were placed outside, heaven knows how many human kingdoms it would destroy!

However, thinking that Mu An had multiple Rank 90+ Undead Creatures in his hands, it didn't seem so hard to accept in her heart.

[As a Lord Hero, it seems quite reasonable for his strength to be a bit outrageous!]

"Let's go!"

Mu An exerted a little force with his legs and easily leaped onto the lowered skull of the Undead Bone Dragon.

You have to know that this height was at least seven or eight meters!

It can only be said that the attribute increase brought about by the Rank increase was indeed very satisfying.

These movements might be comparable to a superman in a movie in the eyes of ordinary people.

Elena nodded, didn't hesitate, and followed closely behind, jumping up.

"Boss, have a safe trip!"

Nina waved at Mu An.

The latter gave a thumbs up and pointed to his head.

Signaling that if there were any problems later, they could notify him through the 'Employee Communication Chat Function.'

Seeing Renée, the Elf Princess, staying here, Elena originally wanted to give a few words of advice to let her pay attention to safety.

But she looked at the young girl's Rank (Rank 62) and the several Rank 90+ Undead Creatures guarding her side, and then silently looked at her own Rank (Rank 50).

Never mind! Never mind!

Perhaps it was she herself who should pay more attention to safety!

Whoosh—

The Undead Bone Dragon flapped its bone wings and soared into the air.

Under the gaze of Renée and Nina, the figures of Mu An and Elena gradually moved away.

Boom—

Suddenly, Yaer pulled a feint.

The crimson flame wolf head transformed from the scarlet spear attacked the place where Renée and Nina were located.

Unfortunately, it was still successfully blocked by the Undead Lich Mage's defensive magic.

The roaring flames collided with the magic barrier and slowly dissipated.

The light of the flames illuminated her expressionless pretty face, and there was no light in her beautiful eyes, only numbness and emptiness like a marionette.

At this time, the two Headless Undead Knights also reacted quickly, rushing over on their horses again, and entangled with her in battle.

The Rank 97 Death Shadow Scythe Ghost hidden in the shadows was also secretly protecting the two women, strictly following the orders given to it by Mu An.

"Big Sister Yaer…"

Nina looked at that familiar pretty face with complicated eyes, her heart aching faintly.

She couldn't help but recall when she was wandering the streets after her mother died of illness.

That winter was very cold.

She was hiding in a dirty alley in rags, her bare feet frozen to the point of having no sensation.

Because her identity was a lowly demi-human, she was often bullied by people for no reason.

There wasn't much good on her body, it was all black and blue.

The bruises faded and then deepened, and when one wound healed, another appeared.

Just like the endless suffering for the rest of her life, coming and going, again and again.

Going hungry was also a common occurrence.

She couldn't compete for trash cans, so she could only pick some leftovers that others didn't want.

Fortunately, Big Sister Yaer and the others passed by and, being kind-hearted, picked her up and brought her back to the camp, even giving her meal after meal of full food.

Even though food in the camp was very scarce at that time.

Big Sister Yaer would still specially set aside some from her own portion of food for her every time.

That year, the little girl, who had suffered so much, had an extra piece of candy in her heart.

It's just a pity that good people at the bottom of this world are destined not to live long.

Five years ago, a terrifying monster tide destroyed everything…

Big Sister Yaer and the others tried their best to cover the retreat of the demi-humans in the camp.

But they themselves almost all died in battle.

Even though the surviving demi-humans later rebuilt the camp on the seventh level of the maze, they were unfortunately attacked by hostile forces some time ago.

Big Sister Jia'er risked her life to cover her retreat.

In the end, the entire camp… except for her who luckily escaped, no one was spared.

The sea of bitterness submerged the girl again, as if returning to that cold winter.

Every breath she took brought bone-chilling cold and pain to her lungs, cold enough to numb her Soul, painful enough to be suffocating.

Sometimes, she even thought.

If she had just frozen to death in that nameless alley back then, would she not have brought suffering to others?

If not for meeting the boss back then, Nina felt that dying like that would have seemed like a good choice.

At least… at least she wouldn't bring bad luck and death to others anymore…

At this time, Renée seemed to see Nina's dejection and spoke to comfort her.

"Don't worry!"

"Although that stinky man always looks like a stingy miser with his eyes glued to his money bag, he is actually very reliable when doing things."

Nina nodded heavily, a bright light shining in her beautiful eyes.

As if speaking to Renée, and also as if speaking to herself.

"I believe in the boss! I have always believed in him!"

Just as she believed back then that he would be a ray of sunlight shining back into her heart.

Dispelling the cold, dispelling the hunger, dispelling the death.

Dispelling all gloom.

That warm, big hand would take her small hand, step by step, towards tomorrow.

And all she had to do was hold on tightly to that warm, big hand, hold on tightly to that ray of light that belonged to her.

Even until death, she would never let go!