People who really want to win don't smile.

Unless they just can't hold it in.

When Dal saw that his Artorias Greatsword could actually one-shot a Ghost without needing to rely on a Temporary Curse, the corners of his mouth curled up—partly because Tusi's reaction was just too damn funny.

[Artorias Greatsword]

[The weapon used by the Knight Artorias, who "walks the Abyss"]

[Artorias specializes in hunting Soul-sucking Ghosts; this sword, stained with the blood of those tainted by the Abyss, also deals tremendous damage to the minions of darkness]

He'd originally thought this Great Sword only had bonus damage against Soul-sucking Ghosts, but now it looked like even Ghosts—these beings belonging to the Abyss—were getting shredded by it.

Come to think of it, so these Ghosts actually count as part of the Abyss Force.

"If that's the case, maybe it can cleave through the Four Kings of Little Longdu's Armor as well."

After witnessing the greatness of this Great Sword, the Fran Guard couldn't help saying so, and at the same time some people let out sighs:

"What a pity. We still haven't managed to get a second Artorias Greatsword. How the hell is this weapon even obtained..."

If every single member of the Fran Guard could be armed with an Artorias Greatsword, the scene alone would be enough to scare all Soul-sucking Ghosts and Demon Clan members into pissing themselves.

Of course, that's not to say that everyone in the Fran Guard running around with an Undead Team-style Great Sword right now is bad gear. That already counts as pretty insane equipment, but having an Artorias Greatsword would be on a whole different level.

Dal could only shrug helplessly; even he couldn't reproduce the process of obtaining this weapon.

After he'd gone back to the Painting World to visit the Wolf Knight several times, each time stacking Beneficial Magic on the Wolf Knight with everything he'd learned in his life just to show off his progress in one burst, Artorias suddenly tossed him this as a keepsake one day.

Up to now, he was still the only one who owned this weapon. Just like Leon's Ring Knight Straight Sword, he'd never heard of a second person having it.

He'd always treated it as a kind of spiritual Faith, carefully maintaining it every day; whenever he had Forging Stone to use, it would always go on this Great Sword first. Whenever they ran into a Monster, this was the first blade he'd draw to let it gorge on fresh blood.

And now, the Artorias Greatsword was actually showing unexpected functionality in dealing with Abyss Creatures. Dal's heart was instantly flooded with emotions and a mess of thoughts.

"Now I'm even more fired up. Let's move."

He patted the Red and White Elf Ball hanging at his waist, and everyone together stepped onto the narrow wooden bridge hovering over the water.

What came next was just following the instructions recorded in the bestselling guidebook "A Hundred Things You Absolutely Need to Know About Little Longde Ruins—Skyrim Strategy Group Teaches You How to Fight Soul-sucking Ghosts."

They advanced steadily and methodically; no matter how many Ghosts swarmed over, they would only be treated like road trash and hacked flat. Their wild fighting style even made Tusi click his tongue in amazement.

And because Tusi was helping on the side, he could almost always scout out in advance those spots where Ghosts were lurking to launch ambushes on passersby, avoiding situations where the only option left after an ambush was to kill the Ghost. It was all very simple.

They almost didn't expend any effort before successfully activating the first mechanism, draining the water from half of Little Longde Ruins.

When the standing water, stored up who knew for how many years, was finally drained, the Soul-sucking Ghosts lurking within bared their ferocious faces and reached out their claws to grab the intruders...

And then, when they looked up, they saw fourteen burly men riding gray giant wolves, swinging Great Swords, greatswords, great hammers, Dual Blades, long spears, and Magic Wands charging straight at them.

"!!!"

This was the first time Tusi had ever seen fear in the eyes of Soul-sucking Ghosts, and he had to admit it felt pretty damn satisfying.

The entire Fran Guard was equipped with Undead Team Great Swords that had extra damage against Wandering Souls, and looking at these Soul-sucking Ghosts' appearance, they definitely counted as Wandering Souls. Everyone figured that when hacking them, their weapons should be dealing increased damage.

As for why it was only "figured," that was because when a whole group ganged up to beat on one Soul-sucking Ghost, the damage obviously overkilled by a mile. Before they could perceive whether there was bonus damage or not, the enemy was already dead.

The Soul-sucking Ghosts here should be buffed, right?

No idea. They got killed before anyone could feel how strong they were.

The water in the other half of the ruins was also successfully drained. At the very instant the water was cleared out, a gloomy, ominous Storm swept across the entire Little Longde Ruins.

"That's the Abyss."

Tusi pointed to the huge black hole that had appeared not far away. Jumping down from there would take you straight to the Four Kings of Little Longdu. He had walked this path who knew how many times before, and yet to this day he still hadn't managed to defeat them.

In his own combat review, his conclusion was that his damage output was too low, his agility wasn't high enough to dodge attacks, his potion supply ran out too quickly, and the timing on the Wolf Ring was cut way too close... In short, he was basically failing on all fronts.

But if it was the Fran Guard challenging the Four Kings of Little Longdu, then he held very high expectations, because every single member of the Fran Guard here felt stronger than him when taken alone!

He trusted these people a lot.

"Get ready. We move."

Dal and the others gathered at the edge of the huge black hole. Looking down, it was pitch black with no bottom in sight. The damp, icy aura wrapped in the scent of death continuously spouted from the opening, turning into a bone-piercing chill that stung the minds of those it touched, like some colossal Monster breathing out Highly Poisonous air.