Chapter 27: Racing Dream

Inside an unnamed mountain cave, Ke Lu's sudden display of power sent ripples of shock through the group.

"Is that a Defense Class skill?" Bai Yu whispered to Ma Fei, who was standing behind him. "If I'm not mistaken, that Skill... it should be the Defense Class ability 'Charge', right?"

Bai Yu's voice wavered between uncertainty about his deduction and a fervent curiosity to know the truth.

Without pausing his spellcasting, he glanced sideways at Ma Fei on the stone wall, hoping for confirmation.

"It must be," Ma Fei replied. "The Spirit Power fluctuations it emits are surprisingly low, yet it blocked that attack. It can only be a Defense Class ability."

"When it comes to withstanding pressure, the Defense Class reigns supreme among all professions of the same level."

"Amazing," Bai Yu murmured, his admiration clear, his tone tinged with wistfulness. "We used to look down on her, but now it seems that as long as we avoid the toughest bosses, she could probably solo this entire dungeon."

"Appearances can be deceiving, and the sea's depths can't be measured," Ma Fei said, his gaze complex. "We were blinded by our own narrow perspectives."

"Who would have thought a Support Class character could be so OP?" Bai Yu grumbled.

Ma Fei's expression turned thoughtful. "But... something still doesn't add up."

"What doesn't add up?" Bai Yu frowned, his brow furrowing as he pondered.

Ma Fei's gaze fixed on the short, blue-clad figure. He murmured, "Why did she insist on joining our group?"

-

Nearby, at the heart of the battlefield's maelstrom, the tide was gradually turning.

In a head-on clash, Ke Lu's Rook proved no match for Mountain Tiger's brute strength.

Faced with Mountain Tiger's relentless claw attacks, the towering Rook crumbled, sending shattered bricks and tiles crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.

"Is that all you've got?" Just as Mountain Tiger prepared to press its advantage and finish Ke Lu in one fell swoop, Ke Lu flicked her finger, summoning another Rook to materialize mid-air, blocking its path once more.

Ke Lu shrugged, swallowing another pill. "I have plenty of these. I can summon them as many times as I like."

"Despicable!" Mountain Tiger's face flushed crimson with rage. Even through its thick fur, the angry red was visible.

"Tsk, so noisy," Ke Lu chuckled lightly. "When you can only attack your enemy with curses, it means you've run out of options."

"In that case," Ke Lu stepped forward instead of retreating, her diminutive frame radiating a presence no less imposing than Mountain Tiger's hulking form.

"Then submit to me. Present that crown with both hands, and I'll grant you the dignity of a defeated foe."

"A fool's dream," Mountain Tiger sneered. "Arrogant humans, you will pay the price for this."

"Then I shall watch with anticipation."

The negotiations had broken down, and Ke Lu wasn't surprised.

In her ideal scenario, securing the crown with absolute certainty would have been preferable. But even without it, she wouldn't back down.

What no one expected was Ke Lu's sudden, baffling question: "Shi Lei, can you drive?"

"Huh?" Shi Lei looked utterly confused, unsure what she was getting at. Still, he instinctively answered, "I learned in the simulation arena."

"That'll do." Ke Lu nodded in satisfaction, her fingers tightening around an object, poised to throw it at any moment.

"Hey, what the hell is that?" Shi Lei frowned, his eyes following Ke Lu's gesture.

Before him, a glowing chess piece rolled to a stop at the tip of his shoe—another "Rook."

Within moments, it expanded hundreds of times.

The intricate patterns on its surface became vividly clear, radiating a palpable aura of ancient antiquity.

(Spy-It became the Chinese chess equivalent which is the chariot)

Shi Lei, still baffled, was about to ask Ke Lu for an explanation when the side of the "Rook" facing him suddenly split open with a clean, knife-like incision, revealing a perfectly straight seam.

"Get in," Ke Lu commanded coldly.

Shi Lei's eyes widened as he stared dumbfounded at the "door" silently opening, revealing the interior in its entirety.

Inside was a cockpit bristling with intricate instruments and control levers!

The battlefield situation could change in an instant, leaving no time for hesitation. Having completely submitted to Ke Lu's authority, Shi Lei didn't think twice before taking a long stride into the vehicle.

The door automatically sealed shut. Shi Lei breathed into his hands to warm them before gripping the steering wheel.

Inside the cockpit, Ke Lu's voice came through a small screen:

"Drive. Provide support fire."

The command was simple, concise, and perfectly suited for the urgency of the battlefield.

"Leave it to me," Shi Lei replied, barely containing his drool.

After all, what boy hasn't dreamed of being a race car driver?

Imagine: behind the wheel of a sleek sports car, rocking cool sunglasses, with your best buddies or girlfriend riding shotgun, tearing down the highway...

This was a scene countless boys had fantasized about.

Shi Lei was no exception. Unfortunately, being underage, he wasn't allowed to drive.

Now, Ke Lu had given him his chance.

Though the cockpit was small, it was fully equipped with all the essentials.

A steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, a tactical screen, and even a few buttons labeled with unknown functions... This was truly a dream come reality!

Shi Lei felt the cockpit looked like a treasure trove, never knowing what surprise might be pulled out next.

His driving skills were actually quite good, but his age had always been the limiting factor.

As soon as he stepped inside, his eyes darted across the many labeled buttons. Martial Artists possessed significantly enhanced capabilities compared to ordinary people. Observing the rapid response speeds, Shi Lei swiftly deciphered the operating principles.

"Big Cat, your grandpa's here to see you off," he declared, brimming with newfound confidence. Recalling how he'd been knocked to the ground in their initial encounter earlier, he slammed his foot down, flooring the accelerator.

The screech of friction between the chassis and ground filled the air. Shi Lei glanced at the speedometer: 180 kilometers per hour—impressive performance indeed.

The Mountain Tiger wasn't about to wait passively for death. Pinned between two Rooks and harassed by bullets and spells, it grew increasingly agitated.

It made a split-second decision.

Since it couldn't quickly eliminate Ke Lu or breach her defenses, it would target the nearest threat: Shi Lei.

The battlefield couldn't withstand its repeated assaults. It needed to unleash a devastating burst of power to cripple one opponent instantly.

Mountain Tiger's eyes narrowed, his terrifying aura coalescing into a colossal, surging wave. Savage Spirit Power gathered in his claws and fangs, promising despair to his opponent.

[ Earth Splitter ], Mountain Tiger's ultimate Skill, was a lethal move meant to kill instantly.

This strike was meant to kill.

Boom! The devastating claw slammed down, leaving a deep ravine in the ground.

Yet, once again, he struck empty air.

Shi Lei dodged the lethal strike with a drift.

Immediately, he gripped the giant sword with a reverse grip and pressed a button on the vehicle.

The demon energy-infused blade emerged, resembling a bird's wing.

Propelled by the vehicle's 180-kilometer-per-hour speed, this "wing" carried immense momentum as it slashed brutally at Mountain Tiger's limbs.

In an instant, flesh and blood erupted in a spray.

Mountain Tiger roared in agony. Through the gashed wounds, stark white bone was visible, marred by a deep crack.

Blood gushed forth as if pumped out by a severed artery, clearly indicating the main vessel had been severed.

The Demon energy enveloping the wounds rapidly decayed the flesh.

"Wooo-hoo! That was awesome!"

Distant bullets and magical attacks rained down on Mountain Tiger, adding fuel to the fire and inflicting fresh wounds.

"We're going to win," Ke Lu concluded inwardly.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, if the stalemate continued, victory would undoubtedly belong to their side.

She felt a flicker of disappointment.

Could she have been mistaken about the crown's significance? Was it truly nothing special?

Suppressing her emotions, she calmly directed her forces with machine-like precision, urging them to maintain relentless attacks.

Celebrating victory prematurely was a grave mistake.