A few moments before Xu Ran's arrival, Leng Su, a student from Class 6, was walking calmly through the outer zone.
With her large glasses and simple hair left loose naturally, she moved alone, a mage staff in hand.
She was solo, and had not engaged in any combat since entering the dungeon.
As she proceeded quietly, a team of five students from another class suddenly blocked her path.
— What's a girl doing alone in this forest?! Did you get lost? one of them said.
Behind her glasses, Leng Su remained perfectly calm.
— You know, we can't just leave a girl alone in such a dangerous forest. Come with us, we'll protect you.
They spoke with smiles that did nothing to hide their intentions.
Yet Leng Su did not panic. On the contrary, she seemed as calm as if they posed no threat at all.
— I won't come with you, she replied simply.
They were taken aback.
— Easy there, little sister, don't be so cold. We're not bad people.
— Yeah, little sister. We big brothers will protect you, so don't be nervous.
— I said I won't follow you, she repeated, still just as neutral.
They kept insisting, until one of them looked at her more carefully.
— Wait… don't you think she looks kind of familiar?
— Now that you mention it… she looks like Leng Su?
— Of course! I should've realized it earlier. What other girl could be this neutral, if not the famous Leng Su?!
Leng Su — [Lv. 4 | HP: 100% | Energy: 100%]
The second strange individual of Class 6.
The mysteries surrounding her were just as deep as those of Xu Ran, who made the bodies of monsters he killed disappear without leaving any trace, loot, or anything at all.
In her case, the mystery lay in her energy.
Since childhood, wherever she went, she influenced the emotional and mental state of those around her.
But after being taken in by the academy, she learned to control this energy.
And thanks to this simple mastery, she was able to:
Attract monsters (aggro control)
Repel monsters (instinctive fear)
Buff allies (confidence, stability, accuracy)
Debuff enemies (doubt, agitation, disorganization)
But that was where the true mystery lay.
Despite all these abilities, she had awakened no profession.
Given her potential, it couldn't be said that this absence came from any weakness.
Unless something was blocking her awakening, she should have been a genius among geniuses.
Moreover, she could reabsorb 100% of the energy she expended.
In other words, her energy was not consumable like everyone else's — she would never run out.
No one understood how or why.
Exactly like Xu Ran.
Because of these shared mysteries, she and Xu Ran had grown extremely close.
However, she possessed no ability that directly inflicted damage.
Thus, during training, she had been labeled a Cleric — a support-type profession — even though she was not truly one.
— So you're that Leng Su?! one of them exclaimed.
— Even better. Join us, and we'll help each other out.
— No. I won't join you, she replied, still perfectly calm.
Her neutral responses began to irritate the entire team.
They stepped closer, growing more insistent.
— You shouldn't refuse help, you know?!
— Yeah, yeah, you shouldn't reject us like that.
As they drew even closer, behind her glasses, the bright light in Leng Su's eyes dimmed.
She emitted no perceptible killing aura.
Yet her intent weighed heavily.
It was as if a gigantic invisible scythe had been placed against their throats, tightening with every step they took.
Their eyelids began to feel heavy.
Suddenly, a voice shattered the tension, and everything returned to normal.
— Leng Su?!
It was Xu Ran.
She turned around. Behind her glasses, her eyes had returned to their usual calm.
Xu Ran arrived at her side.
— Leng Su, what's going on here? Is this your group? Why are there six of you?! he asked, confused.
— No. This isn't my group, she replied.
— Not your group? Then why are you—
He stopped abruptly.
— Wait… don't tell me you're solo?!
She nodded.
Xu Ran slapped his forehead.
— Haa… I should've known.
— You… you're Xu Ran?! one of the group members asked.
Pulled back to the present, Xu Ran replied:
— Huh? Yeah, I'm Xu Ran. And you are?
— No need to be on guard. We just wanted to invite Miss Leng Su to join us.
— Oh? Really? But you're already five. How do you plan to solve that problem?
— Brother Xu Ran doesn't need to worry. We were planning to let her follow us, and at the end, we'd share the team's points with her.
— Yeah, exactly. Besides, we'd feel bad leaving her alone in such a dangerous forest. Hehe.
'Huh?! These guys… do they take me for an idiot?' Xu Ran thought.
— I see. But I don't think she agrees with the idea of following you.
— You're not going to force her, are you?
— And if you're worried about her being alone, don't worry. She'll team up with me.
— Oh? Brother Xu Ran wants to play the hero saving the princess?
— What do you think? Xu Ran replied as he summoned his hammer.
A moment of silence followed.
Then they burst out laughing.
— Hahaha! What? You don't seriously think you can fight us, do you?
— Let me remind you, we've got one Lv. 5, three Lv. 6s, and one Lv. 7!
— And you're just a Lv. 4 and a Lv. 5.
— If you know what's good for you, leave your items behind, and we might consider letting you walk away in one piece.
The Lv. 5 — (HP: 100%) — added while staring at the hammer:
— That hammer in particular. Is it just for decoration? Because it could sell for some really good gear. Hehe.
Xu Ran smiled.
— Oh yeah? You want my hammer?
He suddenly threw the weapon at him.
— Then here. Take it.
While they were still mocking him, their Lv. 5 teammate was violently slammed into a tree by the hammer.
Lv. 5 — (HP: 5%)
They froze, stunned.
— Oops… did I throw it too hard? Or was he just too weak? Xu Ran added.
Immediately, the others charged at him.
— You?! Don't get arrogant just because you beat the weakest among us!
— So what if you beat him?!
— After all, it was only thanks to your hammer!
— Now that you don't have it anymore, let's see how you'll defend against our combined attacks!
Xu Ran took a few steps forward as they rushed toward him.
— Lost my weapon? You think so?
He assumed a stance.
— I don't think so.
— What are you talking about? Are you scared now?
They were already right in front of him and leapt forward.
— Say… have you ever seen Marvel? Xu Ran asked.
He opened his hand.
The hammer instantly reappeared in his palm.
— What the—?!
They had no time to react.
Xu Ran gripped his weapon, spun on the spot, and in a tornado-like circular motion, swept them all away.
3 x Lv. 6 — (HP: 5%)
Lv. 7 — (HP: 5%)
— Alright. I'm not a cruel person. I'll let you walk away in one piece, Xu Ran said.
They let out sighs of relief.
— Thank you…
— But I'll still have to take your team's points, hehe, he added with a malicious smile.
— Xu Ran, you bastard!! You won't get away with this!
After forcing them to use their Return Scrolls, Xu Ran collected their points.
[Xu Ran: Points +5,000]
Xu Ran then turned toward Leng Su.
— Alright, Leng Su. Come with me.
He sent her an invitation.
[Xu Ran has sent you a team invitation.
Accept? — Yes / No]
End