Chapter 172: The Cursed Hammer and the Snowfur Beasts
As night fell, the cold became even more biting. However, thanks to Jiang Nana and her Fire Kitten’s protection, everyone was spared the worst of the chill.
The group sat around a furnace, where coal burned steadily. These were the very coals Su Ning and Kou Dingshan had found during a previous outing.
Though they appeared well-equipped on the surface, Su Ning was surprised to find that the Kou family also possessed a spatial storage item.
Most of their coal and supplies were stored inside this special item.
Su Ning’s eyes lingered on the yellow cloth pouch in Kou Dingshan’s hand.
[Storage Pouch]: Contains a storage space of 100 cubic meters.
No doubt, this was the Kou family’s key asset—what gave them the confidence to abandon the comforts of the Sixth Shelter.
They had placed all their resources inside this pouch. No matter where they went, they wouldn’t have to worry about shortages. As for Wang Chang accompanying them—rather than a friend evacuating with them, he was more likely a bodyguard hired by the Kou family to ensure their safe arrival at the Fifth Shelter.
Whether other deals or benefits were involved, Su Ning didn’t know.
But it was certain the Kou family had paid a price for Wang Chang’s support.
Unable to sleep with others around, Su Ning volunteered to take the night watch.
Wang Chang joined her.
Su Ning took this chance to examine his abilities closely.
[Player: Wang Chang]
Talent:
Iron Hammer: Enhances performance with hammer-type weapons and skills.
Skill:
Heavy Smash: A gravity-infused blow that deals massive damage.
She looked at the massive iron hammer strapped to his back, and the thin black hammer hanging from his waist.
At a glance, the large hammer seemed more formidable.
But with her Scavenger’s Eye, Su Ning was surprised by the black hammer at his waist.
[Item: Cursed Spike Hammer]
Effect:
Inflicts a Curse of Agony. If the target is struck and pierced by the hammer’s spike, they will suffer continuous pain.
Note:
Originates from a Curse-type dungeon.
The weapon radiated a chilling aura, like a devil’s fang—its power eerie and disturbing.
“A cursed hammer, huh? Interesting,” Su Ning murmured.
She didn’t dwell on it. Anyone valued by Kou Dingshan was surely no weakling.
Her eyes turned toward the pitch-black night in the distance.
While most people were lost in sleep, Su Ning’s summoned pet Youyou suddenly perked up its ears. Though Su Ning was on watch, her main surveillance tool was Youyou, whose Seismic Sense was like a divine scouting skill.
Sensing Youyou’s alert, Su Ning instantly became tense.
“What is it? Did something appear?”
Youyou let out a low growl.
The others, sleeping around the fire, awoke instantly.
“What’s going on?” Kou Dingshan asked, fully awake.
Kou Dinghe immediately pulled his weapon from his pack, standing ready.
Wang Chang also turned his gaze into the distance.
“Something’s rushing toward us,” he said.
Everyone stood up at once.
“What is it?” Jiang Nana asked.
Kou Dingshan immediately activated his Farsight talent.
Far off in the snowy darkness, countless unknown creatures surged through the snow like a tide.
These were clearly not normal animals.
Seeing them, Kou Dingshan shouted in alarm:
“Damn, they might be Snowfur Beasts!”
Su Ning frowned in confusion. Seeing her puzzled look, Jiang Nana quickly explained:
“Su Ning, you might not know—after you left, the shelters began releasing information on mutated creatures in surrounding areas. The Snowfur Beasts are one of the mutated creatures near the Sixth Shelter.”
Su Ning was stunned.
“How come I never saw anything about this in the communication channel?”
Under normal circumstances, such big discoveries would be hot topics for idle players in the chat.
Zhang Li chimed in:
“The info was only released recently—and only circulated within the shelters. The higher-ups didn’t want such terrifying news to cause panic among residents.”
She sighed.
“Humans already have such limited space due to natural disasters. If people also learned that dangerous mutated creatures are appearing outside, they might start to spiral.”
“I see,” Su Ning nodded.
So not living in a shelter did mean missing out on key information.
At that moment, Kou Dingshan told everyone to prepare for battle.
The Snowfur Beasts were unaffected by the cold and fought fiercely.
Suddenly, a monstrous creature leapt from a nearby snow mound—it looked like a twisted rabbit, baring sharp fangs.
It resembled a rabbit, but was covered in thick fur. Its long, flowing hair draped over its body. Razor-sharp claws gleamed with a cold glint. A single swipe would surely leave a deep wound.
Su Ning activated her Scavenger’s Eye.
[Mutated Creature: Snowfur Beast]
Talent:
Long Fur — Soft, long fur resists extreme cold.
Skills:
Razor Claws, Snow Sprint
“A mutated creature? Different from dungeon monsters… Looks like a normal animal infused with dungeon power.”
Despite its grotesque form, it clearly used to be a chubby rabbit.
“Everyone, be careful! Their claws are razor sharp and their speed is incredible. Pair up—two per team!” Kou Dingshan commanded.
Their team had already devised battle strategies long ago. Though Su Ning had joined unexpectedly, he couldn’t help but feel concern for her—but then again, worrying about her was probably less necessary than worrying about himself.
Just then, a Snowfur Beast lunged toward Su Ning from the perimeter at lightning speed.
Everyone looked anxious, eyes fixed on Su Ning, who remained motionless.
Suddenly, a deafening tiger roar shattered the silence.
Massive spikes shot up from the snowy ground, impaling the beast mid-air like skewers.
A shrill scream echoed into the night.
Kou Dinghe watched in awe as Su Ning stood calmly.
“Oh my god, Sister Ning is a total badass!”
Inspired, the rest sprang into action.
Wang Chang hurled his giant iron hammer like a boomerang. It slammed into a Snowfur Beast, crushing it under his talent’s power.
Jiang Nana’s whip lashed out like a spirit snake. Her Fire Kitten assisted from the side, helping her take down one of the creatures.
Zhang Li and Zhao Fuqing worked together in tandem.
Meanwhile, Su Ning calmly observed everyone’s combat performance. After going through countless dungeon trials, they were clearly no longer ordinary players.
Even in this deadly situation, they handled it with composure.
In just a short while, all the Snowfur Beasts had been eliminated.
Jiang Nana, holding her Fire Kitten, walked up with a grin.
“Su Ning, your pet is amazing!”
Youyou, hearing the praise, proudly lifted its chin.
Su Ning chuckled and gently rubbed Youyou’s head.
On the other side, Kou Dingshan and a few of his companions dragged the Snowfur Beast corpses toward the fire.
“These beasts are full of valuable materials. Let’s split them up.”
Wang Chang called over the two who hadn’t joined the battle.
“Zhou Kai, Zhou Zhen—come help skin and butcher them.”
