'Leeching Edge' was one of the first support skills Rosaline awakened during her early days as a Hunter.
It is an enhancement skill designed specifically for bladed weapons. Its principle is incredibly simple yet devastating when an imbued weapon strikes an opponent, it disintegrates their mana. Within the Hunter Association, only a handful of individuals possess such a capability.
However,… Rosaline's version has a special property that sets it apart from all others.
Behind Charlwind, Rosaline let out a cold smirk at the Lord of the Desert Bats. The creature's fur-covered face contorted in a silent scream as it watched the white particles condense into glowing orbs orbiting the Hunter girl.
[Skill Effect: Leeching Edge - You have obtained Mana Essence from the enemy.]
"You're not the only one who can burn mana," Rosaline whispered, her voice as sweet and sharp as a blade.
The Sand Bat was consumed by a mix of rage and terror. The power it took pride in was now being turned against it by an enemy with the exact same ability! It beat its wings frantically, splitting into a swarm as it lunged toward Rosaline.
"Ready, Professor? As I said, don't fire at the leader unless absolutely necessary," Rosaline said, reapplying her skill to the blades protruding from Charlwind's palms.
"The one with the red eyes, right? It's been a while since we've had this much fun together," the middle-aged academic replied with a grin. Standing his ground, he thrust his hands forward, launching volleys of blades like a gunslinger in a duel.
Thuck! Thuck! Thuck!
One by one, the smaller bats were pinned to the ground. Eugene provided cover fire with his pistol, while the others unleashed their own skills and bullets upon the swarm.
Seeing Amalin struggling with a cluster of bats, Rosaline reached out and enchanted the engineer's pickaxe. A faint red flame flickered across the metal tool before Amalin swung it, clearing the air.
"Don't use your skills!" Rosaline warned, slamming a fresh magazine into her handgun and firing to assist Charlwind.
More white particles bled from the bats' wounds—the effect of the Leeching Edge coating. They condensed into three more orbs, circling Rosaline like planets in a silent, glowing orbit.
Realizing the threat, the Sand Bat recalled its swarm and reformed instantly. It swung its fang-like blade at Rosaline, completely ignoring Charlwind.
"Ignoring me like this? I'm hurt," Charlwind remarked. He manifested a circular metal shield from his palm, blocking the heavy strike with a single hand. "I may be an academic at the Academy, but I'm still a Rank A Hunter... though I must admit, that strike almost made me get serious."
The Sand Bat sneered at his optimism, doubling its pressure. It smirked, feeling Charlwind's mana flowing into its body. But instead of despair, it saw Charlwind still smiling—an annoying, mocking smile. Before the creature could react, it was met with a counterthrust of equal, if not greater, strength!
Rosaline caught everyone's eyes and roared, "STAB IT NOW!"
The De-von realized its fatal mistake. It spun around, slashing wildly, but met only empty air. No one was there! Realizing it had been tricked, it tried to split back into a swarm.
In that split second, chain-scythes erupted from Charlwind's palms. He lashed them out, the blades biting deep into the creature's neck and waist.
SCREECH!!!
The Sand Bat howled in agony as Charlwind yanked the chains taut, the scythes widening the wounds to bleed out more Mana Essence. Though it had absorbed some mana from the chains earlier, it was now being drained faster than it could replenish.
"Don't underestimate us humans, De-von," Charlwind said, wrapping the chains tightly around his fist.
"Attack it now! Physical attacks only! If you use skills, it will just suck your mana back in!" Rosaline's voice rang out like an executioner's decree. Her deep blue eyes held the cold light of a predator.
Empowered by the Leeching Edge or sheer desperation, the team swarmed the creature, unleashing a barrage of attacks. Rosaline watched the scene with a chilling, clinical calm.
Even the seemingly frail Professor didn't flinch at the creature's screams. In this war between species, there was no room for mercy—no more than the De-vons showed humanity. The Sand Bat, stripped of its mana and physically broken, finally fell silent and crumbled into sand.
[Congratulations! You have leveled up: Lv. 288 ⇥ Lv. 289]
[Skill: Leeching Edge level increased: 63 ⇥ 64]
Rosaline stared at her status window. She hadn't leveled up in three years—not since the Regen mission. Between the battle with Phovene and this encounter, her experience bar had finally tipped over.
"Finished sooner than I thought... I was just getting warmed up," Charlwind said, dissolving his weapons as he turned to Rosaline.
Around them, the low-rank Hunters were in a state of shock and joy. The experience gain was massive for them; some had jumped nearly ten levels.
"...There are still plenty of De-vons left to handle," Rosaline said, tempering their excitement. "We're here to work, not play like the old days."
"But your skills always make things so exciting," Charlwind said, eyeing the seven white mana orbs orbiting Rosaline. "It makes me want to try being a solo Tank for once."
"Professor... Commander Drake asked me to keep you safe, not to use me as a test subject for your combat theories," Rosaline scolded. She knew he wasn't entirely joking; he was already manifesting a shield larger than the last one. "Professor Charlwind!"
"I know, I know. Work, not play. Honestly, you're so loud... I'm seventy-eight, you know, not a child," Charlwind grumbled as he picked up the crystals and artifacts dropped by the Sand Bat. "That was just the first one. If it had more intelligence, we would have been in trouble."
Rosaline agreed. She had sensed danger the moment Malloch charged in blindly. She hadn't wanted to use her unique skills, but the situation had left her no choice.
"Who are you people, exactly?" Amalin asked, her gaze fixed on Rosaline. She could feel it now—this 'Grey Hood' was not on their level. She wasn't even sure if the woman in front of her was truly a 'Support.'
Rosaline knew her cover was slipping. She whispered to Charlwind, "Professor, help me out here."
"I could, but..." Charlwind gave a mischievous squint.
"The solo tank thing is a separate issue!" Rosaline snapped back.
Charlwind chuckled and nodded. He turned to Amalin and the others. "As I introduced myself earlier, I am a researcher from the Academy. Grey Hood and I have... collaborated on several occasions." He adjusted his glasses, picking up a sun-yellow crystal. "My, the mana inside this is fascinating. The light is beautiful, isn't it, Ms. Amalin?"
He tucked the artifacts into his coat, patting the pockets. His dismissive attitude immediately drew suspicious glares from Alka and Malloch.
"I expect those to be divided after the mission. That's our contract with the Association," Alka stated bluntly.
"Of course. Artifact Hunters always want their prizes. Once they are proven safe, the Association will reward you as per the agreement. If not, you'll receive the monetary equivalent as usual," Charlwind replied smoothly.
Alka fell silent, knowing the Professor wouldn't be easy to rattle. He was only on this mission to clear his record for illegal artifact trading, and he didn't want to jeopardize his chance at a pardon.
Rosaline sighed, but then she felt a sudden presence closing in. She looked up just as a massive fist swung toward her face!
BOOM!
Rosaline caught Malloch's punch just in time. Her shoes skidded against the cave floor, smoke rising from the friction of his sheer force.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?! You used me as bait! You filthy woman!" Malloch roared, loitering over her. "You knew that damn bat could burn my mana, didn't you!?"