Mu Lan and Beng Zeng lay motionless for five minutes—dead, but not defeated.
The moment their respawn timer hit zero, they sprang to their feet and sprinted straight back to the Rainbow Spider.
When they arrived, the beast was waiting—fuming, its many eyes fixed on the two "insignificant insects" who dared wound its magnificent form. With a furious hiss, it charged.
But Mu Lan was ready.
The instant he reached the battlefield, he drew an arrow from his Magical Quiver and nocked it without hesitation. All he needed now was to draw his bow—and deal damage.
He released.
At that exact moment, the spider lunged toward him. The collision between Mu Lan's speeding arrow and the rushing spider created a perfect impact point.
–100
Mu Lan's eyes widened.
That much damage?!
In his past life, he'd only ever played an Assassin—he'd never experienced the raw power of an Archer's kinetic strike. But now? Seeing 100 damage rip from a Level 0 bow against a boss monster filled him with indescribable joy.
"Whoa! Mu—what the hell was that?!" Beng gasped, stunned. "A Level 0 archer just hit for 100?! That's a one-shot kill on regular mobs! And you did it to a boss?!"
"It was just a critical hit," Mu Lan said calmly, though his heart raced. "Nothing to overreact about. But I've got a new plan."
He switched to whisper mode.
"Beng, I know how to maximize our damage now. Here's what we do:
I'll run away. The spider will think I've fled and turn on you. The moment it's about to reach you—I'll taunt it back. While it's charging at me again, I'll fire. Even if it's not a crit, the collision damage will be huge."
"Got it," Beng nodded.
Mu Lan took off like a shot.
The spider, still confused by these relentless pests, gave chase—but Mu Lan's Agility kept him just out of reach. Soon, the beast lost sight of him entirely.
Spotting Beng still standing nearby, it pivoted instantly and charged him instead.
Just as the spider closed in, Mu Lan reappeared—bow drawn—and began shouting.
"Hey, you overgrown pest! If you're so tough, come kill me! Or are you too scared? I'm gonna end you—right here, right now!"
The spider shrieked in rage.
Scared of you? I'll crush you first, then we'll see who's talking!
It whirled and charged Mu Lan again—at the same speed as before. It couldn't go faster.
Mu Lan stood his ground, waiting for the perfect angle.
He fired.
–50
No crit this time—but still massive damage. The momentum-based collision mechanic was real, and Mu Lan was mastering it fast.
"This isn't as strong as the last hit," Beng called out, "but it's still insane! We'll kill this thing soon—but don't forget the poison!"
"I haven't," Mu Lan said, already retreating. "I'll pull back again. When it turns on you, I'll come back in."
"Understood."
They repeated the cycle—kite, taunt, collide, damage—with flawless rhythm. The spider's HP plummeted:
30%…
20%…
Still, no poison.
"Mu," Beng said, eyes sharp, "it hasn't used its venom yet. It's definitely saving it for 20%."
"Agreed," Mu Lan replied. "I'm pulling back again—be ready."
The spider dropped to 20% HP—and instantly reared up, fangs glowing green.
But Mu Lan was already dodging.
The venom sprayed through the air… and missed completely.
The spider froze in disbelief.
How did that human avoid my venom?!
Furious, it charged again—but Mu Lan and Beng were already back in rhythm.
15%…
10%…
5%…
1%…
One final blow.
Mu Lan nocked his last arrow, waiting. The spider, desperate and enraged, charged him one last time.
He fired.
–50
The Rainbow Spider let out a final, guttural screech—then collapsed in a shimmer of light.
[Rainbow Spider – Defeated!]
Silence fell over Solitary Valley.
Then Beng let out a whoop.
"We did it! After dying twice, we actually killed it!"
Mu Lan exhaled, shoulders relaxing. "Now… let's see what it dropped."
For the first time, the path to true power—and Skill Books—was finally open.