Chapter 112: A Mouse Kid Who Can't Pound Isn't a Good Mouse Kid

One hundred calming talismans... completed.

One hundred warding talismans... completed.

A whole set of talisman robes... completed.

"Ugh, I really can't go on!"

He crossed off the items on the list one by one with his pen, and Ji Ming let out a wail and collapsed onto the table.

Only after he sipped the bright red liquid in his cup again did the fatigue on his face ease considerably.

Unfortunately, exhaustion is a complex feeling; even a potent SpiritGathering Liquid can only heal the body, and the mental fatigue from prolonged overwork still remains.

After resting for a while, he finally sat up straight again.

Bathed in the lamp light, he admired the long talisman gloves and long talisman socks he had frantically crafted.

The gloves could barely accommodate five fingers, but the other piece was less a sock than a footed bag, its workmanship extremely crude.

The facts prove that players love this set, and they especially go for the final one.

Stop!

Under the effect of Precise Throwing, it was relatively easy to block the sprinting Mouse Kid with a pestle hammer.

Being so disturbed, Ji Ming lost any desire to rest and had to take matters into his own hands, beginning to pound the medicine himself.

He pounded from evening until midnight, then set up a pot and kept simmering.

Since brewing medicine inevitably requires boiling water, Ji Ming boiled a pot first, then ladled out a basin to give Mouse Kid a bath.

As night deepened, the lonely, cold clang of metal being struck carried far through the chilly air.

"I won't reject you, go quickly."

"There's nothing, really."

Based on the valuable experience he gathered over the past month, nobody comes to his place in the dead of night; only all sorts of trouble show up.

Even before it began, she was already breaking out in cold sweat, her small face completely drained of color.

He kept watching, then slapped his own forehead.

"I..."

But in reality there aren't that many things that can be measured directly by time; it's normal for a curse to show signs in advance.

Having said that, Ji Ming dragged a chair over, leaned against it, and began to doze.

Through the cat‑eye view, his eyes widened instantly.

"What's wrong, did something happen?"

"Ugh, I think I still hear a mouse sound?"

He quickly teleported to the dungeon and opened the surveillance for the corresponding area.

Now Mouse Kid cried even harder.

Ji Ming was stunned for a moment, his eyes almost blurred from emotion.

Not until the latter half of the night did he finally turn all the raw materials into SpiritGathering Liquid.

"Cough."

At six p. m., they logged in one by one on time and launched an attack on the dog‑headed humanoid cave.

... Damn, it's so dark tonight.

But Mouse Kid didn't waste any words; he turned and ran straight away.

The pain of being wrapped in a curse is unbearably tormenting; even recalling it makes one shiver all over.

The bit of SpiritGathering Liquid brewed during the day was far too little—just a few jins, hardly enough for anyone to drink.

Because this time he came prepared, Ji Ming, while announcing the start of Phase Three, let Xi Er Wei Ya publicly perform a miracle, showcasing the Master's reward.

Ji Ming looked at it three times repeatedly before confirming that Xi Er Wei Ya's expression truly meant that.

But after only a short sleep, in his hazy light slumber he heard a faint knocking.

When AdaiEr matched the password, Ji Ming finally opened the main door.

Moreover, those who slipped in stealthily were usually men, while those who entered the main gate upright were usually women...

"Doctor, I feel terrible, the curse seems to be gradually descending..."

【5】 But Ji Ming didn't rush to answer; he first opened her panel for a glance.

But Ji Ming didn't hurry to answer; instead, he first opened her panel and glanced at it.

Even if this were Sunshine City, it would be odd on Earth; instantly his hair stood on end all over.

"No way, I was just ranting during the day, why am I actually locked up at night..."

But he had just closed his eyes.

"Tell me, what piece of clothing did I have you try on this afternoon?"

Then he lay back down again.

"I recall you have a Strong Body, right? That's perfect for doing some physical labor to train your body, huh."

"You heard wrong."

"I, Ji Ming, am good‑looking, kind‑hearted, clever, and dexterous; in a fantasy world I'd surely be a celestial lord, the kind surrounded by a horde of saintly witches who cling to me."

"..."

"Mouse Kid, let's discuss something."

"Doctor, what's going on in your brewing room?"

"Doctor, I can help you."

So he quickly had the young lady sit on a chair beside him.

I test...

To be more stable, all preparations must be declared finished today.

"I still have a lot of preparation work to do here; you go upstairs and rest first."

Mouse Kid sticks out its tongue, making a dry retching motion, then its little mouth starts opening and closing wildly.

He idly looks around and suddenly spots Mouse Kid lying on the table watching the play.

Mouse Kid blinks, and its bean‑sized eyes gradually fill with tears.

"How about helping me grind the medicine?"

However, upon close inspection, those crooked, odd symbols actually add a strange, mysterious aesthetic to the garments, which already carried a hint of decoration.

The weak and helpless Mouse Kid has no choice but to submit to Ji Ming's… divine might, and lifts the grinding hammer.

Even the clumsy slime saw the players' intention, huddling together for warmth and producing a Wind‑Thunder slime.

But at that moment, he suddenly feels a bright flash strike his eyelid.

Huh?

"So I entrust this glorious task to you, letting you enjoy the treatment of a divine beast—how splendid, right?"

【My lord, the third phase of the closed beta encountered issues; all players who went to the east side of the training ground were killed by kobolds.】

He lowers his head to restrain a few malicious smiles, and a sincere expression appears on his face.

He also carefully washes the grinding hammer and stuffs it into its hand.

When he opens his eyes, it's a message from Xi Er Wei Ya.

At night in Sunshine City there are no streetlights; he can only vaguely see a silhouette standing outside the door.

Whether it's the Gunblade or the Justice Hero Squad, they are all itching to use a championship trophy to cement their first team's reputation in the jianghu.

"By my divine authority, I command you—quickly start grinding for me!"

Already... no need to fight anymore...

Time is tight, the mission is heavy.

He locks eyes with Mouse Kid, Ji Ming swallows nervously, quietly rises, and moves closer to the main door.

He throws the scheming Mouse Kid out the window, then Ji Ming opens the door.

"You rest first; I still have a bit of wrap‑up preparation to do."

"You're tired and sleepy, drink this."

"Don't be afraid; I'm a good person. I just have a very tiny favor to ask of you."

"Stop pretending; in my world, every mouse is best at grinding."

AdaiEr still wears her usual red mage robe, but now she furrows her brows and breathes heavily.

He takes out the grinding hammer for medicine and begins processing the raw ingredients.

Just as he is about to speak, a clattering sound comes from the brewing room.

With Mouse Kid's expectant gaze, Ji Ming pours a bottle of fourth‑generation Rejuvenation Pill and places it beside it.

"Don't cry, don't cry, Mouse Kid; I know I'm being kind to you, but there's no need to be so moved."

"It's fine; haven't you been stuck in the drawer these past few days? Just give it a wash and it'll be clean and hygienic."

Under AdaiEr's skeptical gaze, he regains his usual composure.

Just as he hesitates whether to play dead or run away, a familiar voice pierces his ear.

Sitting amid a pile of bottles and jars, Ji Ming slowly closes his eyes.

"Doctor, are you there? It's me, AdaiEr."

But it pounds the ground repeatedly, so forcefully that it's as if it's smashing something damned.

If they could be worn on a tall, healthy big sister...

Although his body's condition is fine, the simple repetitive mechanical labor is exhausting, and Ji Ming's expression quickly turns grim.

Ji Ming, at his wits' end, stumbles over each word.

Hold on, could it be a succubus in disguise?

Ji Ming shakes his head, gets up, and walks toward the storage room.

Unfortunately, it's still the same saying: "If the thief can go, I can go too."

"Hey, by the way."

Fortunately, there are still about twelve hours left, which is ample.

AdaiEr opens her mouth, but finally swallows the words, and climbs to the second floor, looking back three times with each step.

Ji Ming walks over and snatches it up in one hand.

"Alright, alright, I know you're too excited, come on!"

…

Ji Ming quickly darts into the house and lands a series of heavy punches on the deliberately disruptive Mouse Kid.

Although some are still being crafted in Morton and the carpenter's shop, it doesn't prevent us from drawing the cake first.

But before it could crawl to the window, a giant hammer crashes down, startling it into a halt.

"Mouse Kid, how do you think I've treated you all this time?"

It's ruined; just because my charm value is so high, a pale‑skinned, beautiful, long‑legged succubus finally couldn't resist coming to snatch me!

"Finish processing all the materials before you call me, okay?"

AdaiEr tilts her head in confusion.

Tomorrow is the day AdaiEr's curse erupts; that's the most urgent matter right now.

Moreover, what about the kobolds that possess basic intelligence and are famed for their cunning?

"Besides, in my hometown there's a legend: on the moon lives a very beautiful fairy who asked a rabbit to help her grind the medicine."

"Sheepskin robe..."

Strange, these dog‑headed creatures are, in a way, weaker than raging goblins, so how could they possibly kill the players dead?

Seeing the Mouse Kid with a troubled expression, he raised an eyebrow.

byd you're crazy! Asking a mouse to help you pound herbs?

"How could I suddenly have this strange idea!?"

From the Mouse Kid to the assistant, they're all very considerate good partners!

Powerful gear that can be exchanged based on the number of dog‑headed creatures killed, a commemorative crystal that anyone can obtain by occupying the dog‑headed creatures' cave, and a champion trophy awarded to the first to slay the dog‑headed chieftain…

"You misheard, I told you you misheard!"

But just as he took a step forward, AdaiEr called him back.

"Naughty."

The Mouse Kid trembled, extended its paws, and pointed at itself.