Already numb, Gotti walked up to the champion's corpse, picking up the blue shield, potions, and gold it had dropped. She casually used Find Potion again—maybe because of the corpse's stronger essence, blood spurted everywhere, splattering even on her clothes. Huh, a Minor Mana Potion popped out.
She gazed at the vial, the enchanting blue glow almost intoxicating. This was something even the Rogue Encampment's alchemists couldn't craft—yet she had just pulled one so easily. A powerful sense of achievement swelled inside her. Rubbing her eyes, she carefully handed the potion to Maijessie.
Maijessie couldn't help but smile at her expression. "Sister Gotti, you're so cute. It's just a Minor Potion, like you've never seen one before. I still have several in my bag. If you like them, I'll give you two bottles of each."
Gotti gave a sheepish smile and politely declined, then hurried a few steps to catch up with Leo.
The three continued hunting monsters. Gotti was already level 6, and Leo figured it was time to try fighting larger groups. The Hell's energy was dense here, and monsters were plentiful—single ones were harder to find.
Soon they spotted a pack of seven Fallen, all regular ones.
"Gotti, what skills have you learned, and what do they do?" Leo asked, feigning casualness.
"Ah, I've learned Find Potion, Howl, Taunt, and Shout." She then explained them in detail:
* **Howl**: Nearby monsters scatter in fear, running 16 yards for 3 seconds. Mana cost 4. No prerequisites.
* **Taunt**: Provokes one monster to attack you. Target's damage -5%, accuracy -5%. Mana cost 3. Requires level 6. Prerequisite: Howl.
* **Shout**: Warns allies, boosting their defense. +100% defense for 20 seconds. Mana cost 6. Requires level 6. Prerequisite: Howl.
Leo handed her two Stamina Potions.
"Buff up, then Taunt the one on the edge. We'll kill them one by one. If it fails and all of them charge, you use Howl, and we run. Those stamina potions are your escape talismans."
Gotti muttered inside, What kind of tactic is that? Planning the retreat before the fight even starts? Still, free potions were free—she accepted them, feeling their lingering warmth and a strange sense of safety. She shook her head, mocking herself. Gotti, Gotti… getting sentimental in old age? Forgotten the mission to revive the Barbarians?
They formed up, activating Might aura, Burst of Speed, and Shout. Standing beside Leo, Gotti cast Taunt on the nearest Fallen.
The creature felt power surge over it, suddenly seeing itself as invincible—able to chop Baal, trample Diablo, even bed Andariel. Then it turned to see three weaklings spying on it.
"Rakanishu!" it roared, charging at them. The other Fallen just blinked, baffled, before returning to sitting, lying, or dozing.
Leo grinned. Looks like it works. The three slowly retreated, letting the monster chase.
Seeing the "cowards" run, the Fallen chased harder.
Wait—they stopped running? Fresh meat tonight then. It raised its rusty blade toward the biggest one, only to see a shield smashing into its face. Everything went dark.
Gotti fired mechanically. One after another, the Fallen threw themselves to their deaths. White light flashed—level 7. She felt like she was dreaming. Peeking at Leo, she thought, Such a powerful paladin—truly rare.
After the fight, she looted the corpses. It was near noon, so Leo called for a break to divide the spoils.
He tore open an Identify Scroll: **Gothic Shield of Blocking** — Defense 35, +10% chance to block, +15% faster block rate. Medium shield. Requires Strength 60.
It slowed movement by 5%, but was far better than his old Bone Shield. He casually gave that one to Maijessie.
The other white gear—ring mail, chain boots, chain gloves, sash—went to Gotti. With her increased Strength, she could finally wear them.
Once geared, Gotti swiftly cooked lunch: a thick stew with meat and vegetables, fragrant and hearty, served with bread. Simple, nourishing, delicious.
Leo sat on a rock, eating greedily and washing it down with ale. Suddenly, a sharp spike shot out with a hiss, piercing his thigh and knocking him down. He lost around 20 health.
He stared in pain at his spilled meal and roared, "Damn spined rat! You ruined your grandpa's lunch—I'll roast you for it!"
Grabbing his new shield, he braced for a test. The creature looked like a porcupine, its quills launching like arrows, sometimes with poison.
Another spike flew. Leo adjusted his shield. A loud clang—force slammed into him, bouncing the spike away. The impact nearly tore the shield from his hand, and its durability dropped.
The other two reacted quickly, buffing themselves. Maijessie's Psychic Hammer kept knocking the beast back.
Leo seized the chance, rushing in and Shield Bashing it into a daze. The fight ended quickly. The spined rat fell, dropping a white longbow and some gold.
The longbow was perfect for Gotti, so Leo handed it over. Still fuming, he drew out The Tooth.
Maijessie paled. "Brother, don't. We still have to eat. If you really want, roast it somewhere else."
Leo sulked, putting the weapon away, then returned to his rock to pick up his utensils. The overturned stone revealed a hidden item beneath—a Small Charm. He identified it: **Sturdy Small Charm of Life** — +7 defense, +9 life.
Not bad. A blessing in disguise. He tossed it into his inventory.
With lunch settled, the three resumed grinding. With Taunt now in play, everything except spined rats got lured in and slaughtered for experience. By afternoon, they had gained as much exp as in the past few days combined, reaching level 9.
They also upgraded much of their gear. But the real prize was the potions: 15 Minor Healing, 12 Minor Mana, and 5 Stamina Potions. These didn't exist in the Rogue Encampment—perfect for monopolizing the market. Stamina Potions especially, instantly restoring 35% life and mana, true lifesavers.
Back at camp, Leo sent Maijessie and Gotti to Charsi to repair and sell gear, while he took the potions to Akara.
Familiar with the way, he called softly outside her tent. "Lady Akara, are you in?"
As always, her gentle voice replied, "Come in."
He stepped inside, suddenly feeling drained—waist and knees weak, dizzy, vision blurring.
//Check out my Patreon for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[www.p@tre0n.com/Razeil0810](http://www.p@tre0n.com/Razeil0810)