Everyone looked at each other, not fully understanding what just happened. Even Lu Chen swallowed, a knot moving up and down his throat.

Only Alex was still dancing around uncomfortably as if she had to pee. From her palm another burst of fire shot out, starting the flames which had only just now been put out.

She had absolutely no control over her new ability.

This finally snapped Lu Chen out of his trance and he shouted. "Alex! Get the hell out!" He immediately rushed over to the dog that was now lying on the ground and gasping for air.

"Meilin! Bring that cat over!" He shouted, worry and panic written on his face. He could see the numerous wounds on the dog's body and her eyes were glassy and reddened.

Lu Chen felt his heartache. He had only thought about these people around him and the trauma they had gone through. He couldn't bring himself to abandon them.

But he completely forgot about the pressure, the stress, and the added responsibility that fell on little white's shoulders.

Saving these people came at the cost of exploiting her like this. The poor animal was drained completely and she looked like she was about to die any second.

"I am so stupid." Lu Chen muttered.

He wanted to go the right thing? That can go to hell! Who cared about doing the right thing if it could cost the one family he had left.

He shivered as he noticed the big black dog's breathing getting more and more ragged. "It will be fine. You will be alright."

"Where is the damned cat?" Lu Chen shouted again, his voice thundering in the silent room. 

The small tabby cat who was standing right behind him got scared by his outburst and quickly dashed over to Qin Hua, hiding in between her paws.

Lu Chen sighed. He clenched his fist and mumbled in a low voice. "Xu Meilin. Ask it to heal her."

The young girl quickly nodded, afraid to face his eyes any longer. She had never seen Lu Chen this agitated before. He had not been this angry, even when they were facing the massive goblin army.

"Coco, come here. Can you heal 'little white'?"

Meow. The cat shook its head.

"Ahh… Why?" Xu Meilin started panicking. "Coco, be a good cat and heal little white." She again pleaded with it.

But Lu Chen quickly understood what was happening. He took out a storage pouch that was tied on his hip like a fanny pack and took out a zombie's head from within it.

Inside was a small mana core shining brightly. These were the mana cores, they had saved for emergency uses. He quickly helped the cat absorb one and then also helped Qin Hua absorb one.

The next second, she took a deep breath as if she was feeling slightly better. "Can you heal her now?" Lu Chen asked the cat again and this time it nodded its small head rapidly.

It placed its tiny paws on the big black dog and a green mist swirled around the place where it touched.

Growl…

A low yelp sounded and Qin Hua finally regained her consciousness somewhat. She blinked her heavy eyelids and muttered inwardly. [Purchase one health potion. Woooofffff...]

A small red vial magically appeared in her paw and Lu Chen who was paying attention to every single hair on her body noticed it immediately. He also recognized it somewhat.

She had emptied a similar vial into Su Yan's mouth a while back and he also had a vague recollection of her doing the same to him.

So he didn't hesitate and quickly reached out to take the vial and empty its contents in her mouth.

Zwoop!

Woof! Woof!

It only took one second! As soon as the vial's contents were downed, the dog that was seemingly in its last breath suddenly jolted to stand up straight on all its four paws.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

Qin Hua looked around in alarm. [What happened? What happened? Woof?]

All she could see was numerous pairs of eyes looking at her with various emotions and a warm body fell on top of her, hugging her tightly.

[Huh? Did I die or what?] Qin Hua gave Lu Chen a couple of licks and sighed. She silently looked around, observing the small dead bugs littered on the ground.

They all seemed to be burnt to a crisp, black smoke still rising from their bodies. 

In fact, even the people standing around seemed to have some sort of black marks on their bodies as if acid had dripped on that spot and corroded the skin.

Ah! Qin Hua now realized what had happened and quickly summoned her status screen to confirm her theory.

And of course, lo and behold, she saw the new skill!

<Ding. Congratulations. You have unlocked a new skill - Black Rain>

<Ding. Black Rain - Active; Summons dark clouds and dark rain; Each drizzle deals damage equal to 20% magic attack power damage; Skill is boosted 10% by the presence of fear and chaos; Cost 90% of base mana; Can be leveled up for upgrades; Level 1>

<Ding. Congratulations. Your skill [Darkness Manipulation] has upgraded>

[90% of my mana? No wonder I fainted on the spot! Woof! Woof!]

Qin Hua did not know whether to laugh or cry. She had finally succeeded in creating a new magic skill all on her own which was extremely important because of the limited skills available in the shop for purchase.

However, the said skill had almost killed her in the process!

Her gaze flickered over to the man who was tightly hugging her and the small cat who was still busily casting a healing spell on her. She would have foolishly almost killed herself if not for these two taking care of her.

[In the future, I need to be more prepared.] Qin Hua silently sighed and then barked at the two bodies slamming down on her.

[Woof! Woof! Get off me, guys.]

[Coco, go heal someone else already. I am alright.]