For Sasha, intelligence and data were paramount. Only with a thorough understanding of the enemy could victory be secured with ease.

Thus, for future growth, Sasha would inevitably need to investigate topics far beyond her current reach—things she likely wouldn’t encounter for a long time.

“The nearest teleportation station to the northern edge of the Black Forest is about ten kilometers away,” Xue Die said after tapping her phone screen.

“We probably won’t enter the Black Forest from the same spot as Thuke and the others.”

“Then… won’t it be hard to contact them?” Sasha countered.

“We should’ve exchanged contacts earlier.”

“Sasha must have Roland’s number, right? You can message him, and Miss Tina can create a private group in the app. We’ll all join,” Xue Die suggested.

Xue Die’s solution was sound—but Tina had already anticipated this.

“No need for trouble. It’s simple.”

She pressed the middle finger of her right hand against the bridge of her glasses.

Instantly, Tina’s voice echoed in Sasha’s mind:

【Little Sasha, can you hear me?】

“…”

*Soul transmission?*

Only a Grandmaster-level expert should wield such ability.

But Tina wasn’t a Grandmaster…

Could it be—

Sasha turned, nodded confirmation, then asked, “Is this the Faithhunter Goggles’ function?”

【Correct. To contact someone, just place your finger on the glasses—like this,】 Tina explained.

Xue Die’s expression shifted slightly. She’d joined the mental chatroom too.

Quick to catch on, she placed her index finger on her own goggles.

【Very convenient.】

【Oh~ As expected of Xue Die—learned it instantly,】 Tina remarked with mild surprise, then added Agnes to the link.

Agnes: 【So we’re using the Faithhunter Goggles for silent communication?】

【Mm… meaning…】 Sasha realized.

【Even separated by ten kilometers from Roland’s group, we can still talk?】

【Exactly. Phones handle voice calls, but the Goggles allow silent coordination—enemies can’t overhear our plans. Crucial against intelligent foes,】 Agnes added.

Monsters wouldn’t care about human speech. Only clever adversaries adjusted tactics based on eavesdropping.

“Still, no need to contact them yet,” Tina deactivated the link. “Too much info at once overwhelms them.”

Sasha wholeheartedly agreed. She was still digesting earlier details herself.

“Our immediate task is simple: track the Lionbite Shark’s lair,” Tina stated, tone utterly serious.

No jest. No hesitation.

They’d soon face that near-flawless monster.

…

Inside the Black Forest, the air turned sharply cold.

If the teleport gate area hovered near 35°C, here it felt closer to 10°C.

Such a drastic shift would chill anyone—but as martial artists, Tina’s group barely noticed the cold despite light clothing.

“Might be late to ask… but what’re everyone’s preferred weapons?” Sasha ventured.

No objections. Tina led by example, drawing her weapon first.

A pure white Imperial-style armor-piercing sword. Slender, razor-sharp, its blade radiated lethal precision—daring none to touch it. One thrust could pierce hardened armor.

“I use this. Not some legendary blade—just a custom piece forged in the Fifth Ring. Quality’s solid, but I didn’t lean on family heirlooms,” Tina said.

“Miss Tina *acts* independent,” Agnes cut in bluntly, “yet relies on the family at every turn.”

The young lady murmured, “I… I don’t rely on them…”

Agnes: “What about the teleport channel just now?”

Tina: “Uh…”

Agnes: “Or inviting Lord Leng Li?”

Tina: “Uh…”

Agnes: “And buying the entire museum? You couldn’t afford that alone, right?”

Tina: “Uh!”

Agnes pressed without mercy, clearly enjoying Tina’s fluster.

Sasha quietly decided: *Miss Agnes might be the most dangerous one here.*

“Back to weapons.” Agnes flicked her wrist. A black staff shot from her Spatial Storage Ring—slightly taller than her petite 150cm frame.

“A staff…?” Sasha murmured. Uncommon choice; spears or halberds usually suited polearms better.

*Click.* Agnes shook her wrist. A crescent blade, ~1.2 meters wide, snapped from the tip.

The staff transformed into a massive scythe—shifting from clean efficiency to eerie lethality.

“Staff form handles non-lethal targets. Scythe?” Agnes smirked. “For hard-shelled monsters… or scum who deserve to die. Like Thuke. Once we regroup, he’ll *admire* this treasure.”

Sasha’s heart sank. *I’m sorry… it’s all my fault. If you die, please rest in peace.* She already pictured Thuke’s tragic end.

“So, Little Sasha?” Agnes tilted her head. Sasha shot both hands up like surrender.

“This!”

“Your fists?” Agnes cupped her chin. “Roland said you’re a body-refinement expert. Surprisingly sturdy?”

“Super tough!”

“Oh~ *How* tough?” Agnes seized Sasha’s wrists, eyes gleaming. “I worried hurting you before… but now? Can Little Sasha handle *any* force?”

Sasha: “N-no… if possible, I’d still rather not feel pain.”

*Crap! I should’ve kept pretending to be a delicate girl!*