Chapter Forty-Seven: The Champion’s Strategy!

"Found their lair?" Li Kari asked.

Louisa patted her chest, a proud smile spreading across her face. "Found it!"

Though Louisa was only slightly taller than Melina and her build was rather slight, she still carried a certain confidence—much more so than Sonya.

Melina’s closest friend indicated the two thumb-sized transparent vials clutched between her left fingers, her voice soft and gentle, as if not wanting to disturb anyone’s dream:

"Blood-seeking fragrance—they’re called that. Just smear them on sharp stones. Whenever there’s blood nearby, the stones will strike out at twice the normal speed, but only to wound."

"They’re cheap to make because they don’t distinguish friend from foe, so they’re only useful in traps."

Li Kari didn’t hesitate to praise her. "Well done. Next, all we need to do is injure those shark dragons... Their lair is?"

"A single entrance type. It seems the shark dragons didn’t prepare for being trapped inside when they dug it out. I’ve got incense for the Yellow Dragon species, and I’ve alchemically crafted some temporary anti-charge barriers. Once they’re lured inside, they’ll naturally settle down, and the incense will sap their strength..."

Animals in battle truly divide into brawlers and tacticians. Humans might well be the pinnacle of both schools.

Li Kari nodded with satisfaction. "Any treasure?"

"Some pearls, a few topazes, and a bit of banshee gold."

This was clearly a fruitful haul.

Pearls and topazes were ever-scarce materials for casting spells. As for banshee gold—this rare metal could be used to strengthen ley lines, upgrade banshee territories, and was essential for crafting all manner of wondrous and magical items. It was almost priceless and would be snapped up instantly by both humans and banshees alike whenever it appeared on the market.

Li Kari then devised a hunting plan based on the fact that the three had never worked together before—a strategy for teamwork.

"I’ll draw the monsters' aggro. Melina, you maintain continuous fire; no one will be competing with you for shooting range. Miss Louisa, please keep moving around and only strike when you can hinder their mobility."

A simple Echo Squad-style coordination.

She also went over the uses of several cheap magic seals they carried. For example, Little Lu always carried flash and stink seals, combined with poison resistance seals—a set of tools and magic that were excellent value for their cost.

In contrast, Melina’s two frequently used seals—“I Love Blood” and “Flying Demon”—made Li Kari pause.

She couldn’t imagine what these two seals were for. Even though Melina had gained weaponized power through that controller, could she still afford to use these rather inefficient spells?

“Flying Demon” was even more puzzling.

Few sharpshooters in this world could fire while airborne. The closest were ranger bows (luxury-grade weapons, each arrow intricately inscribed, also known as ranger poets) and kunai-throwing ninjas (a specialization branch of ninja weapons). Muskets required standing still to shoot...

She knew Melina specialized in floating shots, but according to Sonya, aiming was still necessary. Flying around would make aiming impossible, wouldn’t it?

Still, she said nothing. She wasn’t the kind of “overbearing teammate” who’d criticize.

Back when she made a living near the royal capital, Li Kari had met plenty of “helpful” people who:

- Knew nothing about gear setups but, after reading a few popular explorer magazines, thought they understood how legendary explorers should equip and select magic.

- Knew nothing about their teammates but acted as if they had grown up together, offering unsolicited advice on gear and life.

Li Kari didn’t want to be that person. Though curious about Melina’s magic loadout, she intended to wait and see. After all, there was no need to be overbearing with just three shark dragons!

Still, she kept a precaution in mind:

“If I can’t hold on, hit me with ‘Flying Demon.’ It’ll give me some air time to recover before coming back, but you’ll have to retreat then.”

For Melina, it was the first time hunting involved such complex tactics. She felt moved at once.

“No problem!”

Usually, when hunting with senior Sonya, there were only three tactics:

- Maria draws aggro, Melina fights solo.

- Sonya draws aggro, Melina fights solo.

- Maria and Sonya both draw aggro, Melina fights solo.

This was the banshee version of the classic pincer attack—a champion tactic!

...

But the first step of the plan ran into a small problem.

Li Kari charged forward brandishing her staff. Melina took her firing stance, but with a crackle and two sharp snaps, both Louisa and Li Kari were electrocuted, frozen stiff and screaming, instantly alerting the three shark dragons basking on the shore like seals.

These dragons resembled plush marine toys one might find in a toy shop, but far more menacing—shark-like in form, their brutal nature and goofy instincts laid bare. The Yellow Dragon’s infamous reckless and troublemaking personality was on full display.

They wasted no time. The moment they saw the explorers, they opened their mouths to unleash multiple poisonous ice spears, all targeting the two fallen explorers.

Melina had no choice but to grab both and retreat, forgetting she was still in her “Super Charged Melina” state. Crackling sounds filled the air as little lady Louisa slipped into a semi-conscious state, while a flash of white light passed over Li Kari, a purifying power saving her from the magical electric shock.

The staff’s strength lay in its early passive control-breaking skill, “Revive Rejuvenation,” a potent self-healing ability that gave staff wielders the confidence to pretend to be frontliners without shields.

Yet even this crucial skill barely held against the monsters, and Melina almost overwhelmed it.

Recovering from the shock, Li Kari dodged sideways with the limp Louisa, triggering a second lifesaving skill:

“Rejuvenate Revival!”

White light restored Louisa from near-unconsciousness.

This was an active “Revive Rejuvenation” skill to free allies from control effects.

Simply put, having a staff wielder in the party guaranteed at least two powerful lifesaving skills for teammates early on.

Still, the stronger force was Melina, who had nearly crippled her comrades with a single encounter, nearly exhausting all her stored weapon magic factors.

Dragons were intelligent creatures.

The shark dragons, true to the Yellow Dragon species’ mischievous nature, quickly caught on and burst into raucous laughter.

Li Kari brandished her staff and charged forward.

But the next second, her charge was interrupted.

Not by the shark dragons’ poison water spears or sand slaps, but because Melina had already opened fire.

Ten muskets unleashed a barrage that instantly covered the entire area.

Such an overwhelming field of fire naturally forced Li Kari to halt her charge.

The only regret: Miss Li was on their side.

Louisa downed two stamina-enhancing potions and rushed forward to coordinate a double charge with Li Kari, but due to poor braking, Melina’s shot struck her squarely in the rear, flushing her face red as she screamed like Tom Cat.

At this point, the shark dragons stopped their mocking laughter.

Melina’s barrage drove the three fat dragons into a panic, clutching their heads and fleeing. Despite their tricky nature, Yellow Dragon species had one major flaw: weak bullet resistance. Melina’s volley quickly suppressed them.

Click—reloading sounds rang out.

The three dragons and the old Li instantly regained focus. The shark dragons began preparing to glide. Li Kari waved her staff; magical energy surged through her, doubling her strength—power amplified! Little Lu was about to move up but suddenly paled:

“Move aside!”

“I Love Blood!” Melina unleashed the “I Love Blood” seal combined with a five-shot technique.

Now things got serious.

Melina’s magic strength was already borderline insane for her level. The dark-red barrage tore the shark dragons’ scales to shreds, their howls filling the air.

Old Li was about to say something but suddenly gasped.

Unconsciously, she had moved to the left angle of the triangle formation, giving Melina the shooting lane. Little Lu stood to the right, bewildered.

She looked down.

Good heavens, she had become a point in the pincer tactic!

Truly, like the tides rising on the Qiantang River, today she understood her role as the corner.

Little Lu and Old Li, holding melee weapons, stood confused at their triangular positions, unsure whether to advance. Reason told them standing still was unwise, but they were not alone—behind them were Maria and Sonya, the larger triangle tactic team!

After firing “I Love Blood,” Melina had reloaded her muskets and unleashed another barrage.

Dragons of level 4 and below could be stunned by this rain of bullets.

Melina was in full attack mode when a roar came from Li Kari! Glancing sideways, she saw Li Kari had already taken her place in the triangle, activating the staff skill “Clear Moment,” which enhanced an explorer’s attack and defense—a supportive skill.

At the other angle, Louisa struck her shield twice, releasing a “Warrior’s Roar” that slowed and weakened the shark dragons.

Actually, neither of them knew quite how this was happening.

Why were their bodies moving so naturally?

What was going on?

Why had they suddenly become such reliable teammates?

The answer was all but unspoken.

“I super, Mei!”