"Master, there's a hole in the roof. It lets me scout the inside properly," Loli Monkey said, poking her small head out toward Soulshadow Tianyou on the ground below.

"Good," Soulshadow Tianyou replied, giving her a thumbs-up. "Stay careful. Observe everything closely."

"Roger," Loli Monkey chirped, scrambling back immediately.

...

A moment later, Loli Monkey peeked over the roof's edge again. "Master, the second floor's half-collapsed. A treasure chest sits at the end, guarded by a Beachcomber. And downstairs—it's not just one Beachcomber. The middle one's bait. Near the door, another Beachcomber grips a spear, already on high alert. You'll get ambushed the second you step inside."

"Can you handle the Beachcomber upstairs alone?" Soulshadow Tianyou asked calmly, tilting her head up.

"Master? What's your plan?" Loli Monkey questioned, puzzled, flat against the roof.

"I'll take the first floor," Soulshadow Tianyou said, slightly lowering her head.

"Then... I'll handle the second floor," Loli Monkey decided. Seeing her master's expression, she didn't hesitate. She had to trust her.

As a pet, she could never doubt her master—even if wrong, she'd follow blindly.

Soulshadow Tianyou grinned, flashing an OK sign. Loli Monkey smiled back, then vanished into the rooftop.

"Alright, game designer. Watch me wreck your masterpiece," Soulshadow Tianyou muttered. A wicked grin twisted her cute face, lips curling as she stepped toward the door.

The door hid lethal danger.

She stepped halfway in, then instantly retreated.

*Whoosh!* A trident spear lunged from the corner—but only sliced empty air.

Sure enough, a Beachcomber lurked beside the door! The one facing away spun around, charging like it was on fire.

But the ambusher was faster. It rounded the doorway, spear thrusting straight at Soulshadow Tianyou's chest.

Her violet eyes flashed coldly. She pushed off one foot, gliding backward. Her shoe carved a watery trail.

The rusty spear grazed her leather chest armor—then stopped short.

System判定... Attack missed!

Not a drop of her HP vanished. She sneered, summoning two mushrooms—one in each hand. She tossed the invisible Landmine Mushroom ahead. Mid-retreat, she spun stylishly, hurling the other forward.

The Poisonous Mushroom spiraled toward the Beachcomber's face.

*Hiss~ Hiss~* The Beachcomber screeched, sweeping its spear to knock the mushroom aside.

*BANG!* It exploded on the floor—hitting nothing.

Soulshadow Tianyou fell silent. Her feet landed, sliding to a stop.

Projectiles could be deflected. Thrown mushrooms counted as projectiles.

She licked her lips, watching both Beachcombers charge. A plan formed instantly. Left hand summoned another Poisonous Mushroom; right hand drew her wolf-tooth dagger.

Long-range throws got shot down. Close-range it was. Now, she'd wait. Wait for them to spring her trap.

*Hiss~ Hiss~* The lead Beachcomber shouted nonsense, spear raised high.

Soulshadow Tianyou closed her violet eyes.

One...

Two...

Three—her eyes snapped open.

*BANG!* The Beachcomber stepped on the Landmine Mushroom. Its blast far stronger than thrown ones. The creature flew back one space, losing two health segments (full health: ten segments). Purple poison mist erupted.

Soulshadow Tianyou struck instantly. A slide step brought her face-to-face with the unbalanced Beachcomber. She sidestepped, slamming the Poisonous Mushroom onto its fish head.

*BANG!*

Mushroom explosion on weak point: 5x damage. Critical hit: 2x damage. Seven health segments vanished—the bar plunged from green to red. Only a sliver remained.

The attack wasn't over. Her wolf-tooth dagger plunged into its belly, wiping out the last health.

The Beachcomber dissolved into white light. Soulshadow Tianyou leveled up to 13.

She didn't relax. Waving away the poison mist, her violet eyes locked onto the next charging Beachcomber.

She watched the incoming trident spear calmly. One glance—then she struck!