Chapter 8: First bronze monster

Finally, we reached level 5 . As usual, I allocated all my stat points to strength . My attack rose greatly and reached 29 – 46 . As for my HP, it reached 500 . More importantly, my power rating reached 100 . This was probably one of the top power ratings right now . Levels were in fact extremely important . This was even more so during the early game when most people still did not have good equipments . The stats one could gain from levels would play a huge role . Those with higher levels would rule the early game .

We continued killing the Lantern Demons . With my new attack rating, this Lantern Demon was killed with four strikes . As it collapsed onto the ground, with a pop, loot dropped . This time, it was a pitch-black stick .

“Wooah!”

Lin Che went mad with excitement . He grabbed at the stick and started laughing heartily, “My weapon! Finally, a weapon dropped!”

As he held onto the stick, the dust around it fell off, revealing the original form of the stick . This was actually a wooden sword . Several simple glowing incantations were carved on the blade . This was indeed the weapon of the Talisman Master cla.s.s, a magic sword . A Talisman Master could only use their talisman magic when equipped with this weapon .

***

Lantern Sword (White equipment)

Magic attack: 8 -14

Level requirement: 4

***

 We were unable to conceal our happiness . Now, killing monsters became much easier . When I slashed on the Lantern Demon and dealt 200 damage to it, a fiery talisman would fly over and struck the Lantern Demon’s head, dealing 171 damage to it . How powerful . The Talisman Master cla.s.s was indeed a cla.s.s one shouldn’t underestimate . The moment they were equipped with a magic sword, they would instantly turn into a main DPS dealer .

“Little Che, how come you have talismans?” I asked while fighting .

Lin Che appeared somewhat embarra.s.sed, “I had actually kept a newbie item on me when you told us to sell all our stuff before . I kept a talisman pack with 200 uses on me . I had believed that it will definitely be useful . Therefore, I did not sell it . ”

“Mhm, that’s a correct decision . ”

I nodded and continued, “But if there are only 200 uses, you have to control your usage . It will be sufficient to use only one talisman per Lantern Demon . Let me deal with the rest . I can still recover my lost HP but you can’t replenish your talismans without going back . I don’t plan on going back before level 10 . The cost of going back is too great . ”

“Alright . Understood . ”

Time pa.s.sed . After killing a bunch of Lantern Demons, we showered in light . All of us leveled up to reach level 6, and once again, our stats increased . We continued forward . Ahead of us was no longer the Lantern Demon zone . Instead, it was the zone of a different monster . Although we were still in the Terror Fields, the monster here was different .

Rustle! Rustle!

Stepping on the dead leaves, we advanced . Everyone was somewhat anxious travelling amid the dark night . Far away, an indistinct huge silhouette could be seen walking around . This was a demon spirit wearing a set of broken red heavy armor . It did not look like a human, nor did it look like a ghost . With a battle axe on its hands, it looked rather ferocious . Above its head, its name was blood red as well . This was yet another monster that was more than three levels higher than us .

***

Will O Wisp (Common monster)

Level: 9

Attack: 15 – 42

Defense: 18

HP: 900

Skill: Heavy Slash

Introduction: Will O Wisp, a demon spirit that had been invaded by the devilish aura . This was a commonly seen demon spirit on the Skyroad Continent . Possessing a part of the devil spirit’s powers, they are very powerful and have been giving the warriors of the empire countless troubles .

***

 “What a terrifying attack . I don’t know if I can tank it with my defense of 25 . ” I was somewhat anxious .

Lin Che said, “Seems like…normal battle tactics won’t work on them? It will be too dangerous . We might all get killed by this Will O Wisp’s battle axe . ”

“Yeah . The damage will be very high when a defense of 25 is. .h.i.t by an attack of 42 . ”

I gave it a thought and said, “How about this . Little Che, you attack with your talismans . Talisman attacks have a range of 40 yards . You will be able to land three attacks before the Will O Wisp can even reach you . That will knock 400 HP off it . Let me deal with the rest . ”

“Ok . ”

Lin Che nodded and smiled . He was already a main DPS of the team . Big Hai was somewhat dissatisfied, hating the fact that he did not have a firearm on him . Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to be a leech here .

Two talismans flew over and struck the Will O Wisp’s red armor, creating sparks on it . By the time its HP was reduced by about 300 points, the Will O Wisp was already furious . Holding its battle axe, it charged Lin Che . I was already waiting there and struck it with my sword to deal it 247 damage . The damage dealt by me was still not as high as what Lin Che did . Therefore, he was still holding onto the monster’s aggro .

It behaved as if I hadn’t attacked it at all . By the time Lin Che’s third talisman arrived, my second attack landed as well . However, I was still ignored .

Only after landing five attacks on the Will O Wisp did its aggro s.h.i.+fted to me . However, it was already near death at this point . Before long, it was dead . I had only taken a single Heavy Slash from it . That attack dealt me 294 damage, a very scary damage . I definitely couldn’t face tank this monster . With our current stats, if we did that, all of us would die .

The Will O Wisp collapsed on the ground as its body transformed into a pile of dust . At the same time, a blood red helmet dropped and rolled onto my feet . When I picked it up, I found that its stats were quite good .

***

Will O Wisp’s Helmet (White equipment)

Type: Heavy

Defense: 9

Level requirement: 6

***

I immediately equipped the helmet . A blood red helmet was now on my head, making look like quite the powerful player . At the same time, a heavy sensation spread through my body as my defense was increased by nine points .

“The exhaustion rate of the talisman pack is quite high . ”

Lin Che frowned, “I need to use three talismans on each Will O Wisp . The talisman pack with 200 uses will only last me through 70 Will O Wisps . This won’t do . ”

“That’s about enough . ” I glanced at the EXP bar and added, “One Will O Wisp will give us 5% EXP . Killing 70 Will O Wisps will send us to level 9 . While killing them, we will be getting loots such as equipments and consumables . We would also be getting EXP . At level 9, we can think of a new method to grind our way to level 10 . We will definitely be the first group of level 10 players in this newbie village . After we reached level 10, we can return to the newbie village to prepare ourselves to get the first kills . ”

“First kill?” Zhang Wei blanked, “What’s that?”

I waved my hand and shared the official website’s screen with everyone and said, “I saw this while I was healing up earlier . Every newbie villages have the same event . During the event, two first kills will be up for grabs . The event involved getting the first kills of a bronze boss and a steel boss . Players getting the first kills will obtain permanent rewards . Therefore, we must try to get them . ”

Lin Che inhaled deeply as excitement filled his eyes, “Let alone a boss, we haven’t even seen any common bronze monsters . Our level must be still too low for this . ”

“Yeah . I guess level 10 will be when we start seeing them . ”

Having healed up, I stood up and said, “Time to continue . Kill more Will O Wisps and rush to level 10 . Time is everything . There are too many people in the newbie village . Therefore, we will have a lot of compet.i.tors for the first kill . None of us can sleep before getting the bronze boss first kill!”

“Ok!”

Everyone felt their blood boiling with excitement .

……

Half an hour later .

Clang!

When I slashed my sword at a Will O Wisp’s chest, it died with a flash of light . Yet another equipment dropped . Lying on the ground was a pair of crimson bracers . This was definitely another white equipment, the Will O Wisp Bracers . I picked it up and noted that it added eight points of defense . I equipped it immediately . With this new equipment and the level up I reached 10 minutes ago, my stats were much higher now .

***

Hopeful Present (Probationary Horseman)

Level: 7

Attack: 41 – 64

Defense: 43

HP: 700

MP: 100/100

Luck: 0

Great achievement: 0

Power rating: 140

***

My defense was now higher than the Will O Wisp’s attack . Therefore, Lin Che no longer needed to waste his talismans . I took on the role of holding the Will O Wisp’s aggro all by myself . I could even easily kill a Will O Wisp by myself now . After 20 minutes, when we had nearly cleared this zone of its Will O Wisps, we finally showered in light again . Level 8 reached!

 “Time to switch location . Killing Will O Wisps won’t give us much anymore . ” I said .

“Ok . ”

Currently, our entire team looked like a changed person . All three of them were fully equipped with a messy collection of white equipments . Although none of them had a full set of equipment, what they had were already pretty impressive . With our equipments, we would definitely cause a sensation if we return to the newbie village .

One ought to know that most players were still stuck between level 3 or 4 right now . The moment a group of level 7 players like us appeared, everyone would be shocked . The in-game night was slowly coming to an end . The eastern horizon was suffused with white as the first ray of morning light started arriving . We travelled through the Terror Fields and when we were at the edge of the map, a forest of golden shrubs appeared before us .

The dead leaves littering the ground and the golden shrubs filling the entire field gave off a feeling of tranquility . Amid the shrubs were numerous ferocious beasts moving slowly . These were the Hyenas, a monster known for its treacherousness .

We slowly approached, not daring to make a sound . When we were 30 yards from one of them, its stats appeared . When we saw it, our hearts throbbed in fear . At the same time, excitement filled us as well . What we feared was the terrifying stats while what excited us was the fact that these Hyenas weren’t common monsters . These were bronze monsters . This signified that these Hyenas had a chance to drop bronze equipments as loots . Equipments at bronze-rank and above would start giving the users stat point bonuses . Although the drop rate was extremely low, one could still dream .

***

Hyena (Bronze monster)

Level: 11

Attack: 32 – 68

Defense: 30

HP: 1100

Skill: Bite

Introduction: Hyena, the most treacherous monsters of the shrubs . They were greedy by nature, and were incredibly sly . The patrols of Great Xia Dynasty would rather face the dead or the devil spirits than these Hyenas that would always move in groups .

***

“We will get at least 150% EXP killing monsters three levels above us . ” I licked my lips . The future seemed ever so hopeful .

Lin Che, “Of course, we must ensure we won’t get one shotted by these Hyenas . ”

Big Hai coughed, “Are we doing it? One must always take risks in life . What if we get bronze equipments out of them? We might be the first players of this newbie village to be fully equipped in bronze equipment . ”

“Full set of bronze equipment is not possible . ”

Lin Che narrowed his eyes as he studied the wandering Hyenas, “Our team is too small, with some of us being leeches . We are different than those top national teams like Dragonslayer, Ancient Sword, and Heavenslaying Alliance . Each of them would have four or five kings in their lineup . Their farming speed is definitely higher than ours . We don’t need to think that far ahead for now . Let’s first get the first kill of this newbie village . ”

“Prepare yourself . ”

I raised my sword, “Little Che will be attacking with talismans . Four talismans per Hyena . I will look for an opening to attack . Big Hai and Big Brother Wei, stay alive . ”

“Ok . ”

Chapter 8: First bronze monster.  . Finally, we reached level 5 . As usual, I allocated all my stat points to strength . My attack rose greatly and reached 29 – 46 . As for my HP, it reached 500 . More importantly, my power rating reached 100 . This was probably one of the top power ratings right now . Levels were in fact extremely important . This was even more so during the early game when most people still did not have good equipments . The stats one could gain from levels would play a huge role . Those with higher levels would rule the early game We continued killing the Lantern Demons . With my new attack rating, this Lantern Demon was killed with four strikes . As it collapsed onto the ground, with a pop, loot dropped . This time, it was a pitch-black stick “Wooah!”. Lin Che went mad with excitement . He grabbed at the stick and started laughing heartily, “My weapon! Finally, a weapon dropped!”. As he held onto the stick, the dust around it fell off, revealing the original form of the stick . This was actually a wooden sword . Several simple glowing incantations were carved on the blade . This was indeed the weapon of the Talisman Master cla.s.s, a magic sword . A Talisman Master could only use their talisman magic when equipped with this weapon ***. Lantern Sword (White equipment). Magic attack: 8 -14. Level requirement: 4. ***.  We were unable to conceal our happiness . Now, killing monsters became much easier . When I slashed on the Lantern Demon and dealt 200 damage to it, a fiery talisman would fly over and struck the Lantern Demon’s head, dealing 171 damage to it . How powerful . The Talisman Master cla.s.s was indeed a cla.s.s one shouldn’t underestimate . The moment they were equipped with a magic sword, they would instantly turn into a main DPS dealer “Little Che, how come you have talismans?” I asked while fighting Lin Che appeared somewhat embarra.s.sed, “I had actually kept a newbie item on me when you told us to sell all our stuff before . I kept a talisman pack with 200 uses on me . I had believed that it will definitely be useful . Therefore, I did not sell it . ”. “Mhm, that’s a correct decision . ”. I nodded and continued, “But if there are only 200 uses, you have to control your usage . It will be sufficient to use only one talisman per Lantern Demon . Let me deal with the rest . I can still recover my lost HP but you can’t replenish your talismans without going back . I don’t plan on going back before level 10 . The cost of going back is too great . ”. “Alright . Understood . ”. Time pa.s.sed . After killing a bunch of Lantern Demons, we showered in light . All of us leveled up to reach level 6, and once again, our stats increased . We continued forward . Ahead of us was no longer the Lantern Demon zone . Instead, it was the zone of a different monster . Although we were still in the Terror Fields, the monster here was different Rustle! Rustle!. Stepping on the dead leaves, we advanced . Everyone was somewhat anxious travelling amid the dark night . Far away, an indistinct huge silhouette could be seen walking around . This was a demon spirit wearing a set of broken red heavy armor . It did not look like a human, nor did it look like a ghost . With a battle axe on its hands, it looked rather ferocious . Above its head, its name was blood red as well . This was yet another monster that was more than three levels higher than us ***. Will O Wisp (Common monster). Level: 9. Attack: 15 – 42. Defense: 18. HP: 900. Skill: Heavy Slash. Introduction: Will O Wisp, a demon spirit that had been invaded by the devilish aura . This was a commonly seen demon spirit on the Skyroad Continent . Possessing a part of the devil spirit’s powers, they are very powerful and have been giving the warriors of the empire countless troubles ***.  “What a terrifying attack . I don’t know if I can tank it with my defense of 25 . ” I was somewhat anxious Lin Che said, “Seems like…normal battle tactics won’t work on them? It will be too dangerous . We might all get killed by this Will O Wisp’s battle axe . ”. “Yeah . The damage will be very high when a defense of 25 is. .h.i.t by an attack of 42 . ”. I gave it a thought and said, “How about this . Little Che, you attack with your talismans . Talisman attacks have a range of 40 yards . You will be able to land three attacks before the Will O Wisp can even reach you . That will knock 400 HP off it . Let me deal with the rest . ”. “Ok . ”. Lin Che nodded and smiled . He was already a main DPS of the team . Big Hai was somewhat dissatisfied, hating the fact that he did not have a firearm on him . Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to be a leech here Two talismans flew over and struck the Will O Wisp’s red armor, creating sparks on it . By the time its HP was reduced by about 300 points, the Will O Wisp was already furious . Holding its battle axe, it charged Lin Che . I was already waiting there and struck it with my sword to deal it 247 damage . The damage dealt by me was still not as high as what Lin Che did . Therefore, he was still holding onto the monster’s aggro It behaved as if I hadn’t attacked it at all . By the time Lin Che’s third talisman arrived, my second attack landed as well . However, I was still ignored Only after landing five attacks on the Will O Wisp did its aggro s.h.i.+fted to me . However, it was already near death at this point . Before long, it was dead . I had only taken a single Heavy Slash from it . That attack dealt me 294 damage, a very scary damage . I definitely couldn’t face tank this monster . With our current stats, if we did that, all of us would die The Will O Wisp collapsed on the ground as its body transformed into a pile of dust . At the same time, a blood red helmet dropped and rolled onto my feet . When I picked it up, I found that its stats were quite good ***. Will O Wisp’s Helmet (White equipment). Type: Heavy. Defense: 9. Level requirement: 6. ***. I immediately equipped the helmet . A blood red helmet was now on my head, making look like quite the powerful player . At the same time, a heavy sensation spread through my body as my defense was increased by nine points “The exhaustion rate of the talisman pack is quite high . ”.  . Lin Che frowned, “I need to use three talismans on each Will O Wisp . The talisman pack with 200 uses will only last me through 70 Will O Wisps . This won’t do . ”. “That’s about enough . ” I glanced at the EXP bar and added, “One Will O Wisp will give us 5% EXP . Killing 70 Will O Wisps will send us to level 9 . While killing them, we will be getting loots such as equipments and consumables . We would also be getting EXP . At level 9, we can think of a new method to grind our way to level 10 . We will definitely be the first group of level 10 players in this newbie village . After we reached level 10, we can return to the newbie village to prepare ourselves to get the first kills . ”. “First kill?” Zhang Wei blanked, “What’s that?”. I waved my hand and shared the official website’s screen with everyone and said, “I saw this while I was healing up earlier . Every newbie villages have the same event . During the event, two first kills will be up for grabs . The event involved getting the first kills of a bronze boss and a steel boss . Players getting the first kills will obtain permanent rewards . Therefore, we must try to get them . ”. Lin Che inhaled deeply as excitement filled his eyes, “Let alone a boss, we haven’t even seen any common bronze monsters . Our level must be still too low for this . ”. “Yeah . I guess level 10 will be when we start seeing them . ”. Having healed up, I stood up and said, “Time to continue . Kill more Will O Wisps and rush to level 10 . Time is everything . There are too many people in the newbie village . Therefore, we will have a lot of compet.i.tors for the first kill . None of us can sleep before getting the bronze boss first kill!”. “Ok!”. Everyone felt their blood boiling with excitement ……. Half an hour later Clang!. When I slashed my sword at a Will O Wisp’s chest, it died with a flash of light . Yet another equipment dropped . Lying on the ground was a pair of crimson bracers . This was definitely another white equipment, the Will O Wisp Bracers . I picked it up and noted that it added eight points of defense . I equipped it immediately . With this new equipment and the level up I reached 10 minutes ago, my stats were much higher now ***. Hopeful Present (Probationary Horseman). Level: 7. Attack: 41 – 64. Defense: 43. HP: 700. MP: 100/100. Luck: 0. Great achievement: 0. Power rating: 140. ***. My defense was now higher than the Will O Wisp’s attack . Therefore, Lin Che no longer needed to waste his talismans . I took on the role of holding the Will O Wisp’s aggro all by myself . I could even easily kill a Will O Wisp by myself now . After 20 minutes, when we had nearly cleared this zone of its Will O Wisps, we finally showered in light again . Level 8 reached!.  “Time to switch location . Killing Will O Wisps won’t give us much anymore . ” I said “Ok . ”. Currently, our entire team looked like a changed person . All three of them were fully equipped with a messy collection of white equipments . Although none of them had a full set of equipment, what they had were already pretty impressive . With our equipments, we would definitely cause a sensation if we return to the newbie village One ought to know that most players were still stuck between level 3 or 4 right now . The moment a group of level 7 players like us appeared, everyone would be shocked . The in-game night was slowly coming to an end . The eastern horizon was suffused with white as the first ray of morning light started arriving . We travelled through the Terror Fields and when we were at the edge of the map, a forest of golden shrubs appeared before us The dead leaves littering the ground and the golden shrubs filling the entire field gave off a feeling of tranquility . Amid the shrubs were numerous ferocious beasts moving slowly . These were the Hyenas, a monster known for its treacherousness We slowly approached, not daring to make a sound . When we were 30 yards from one of them, its stats appeared . When we saw it, our hearts throbbed in fear . At the same time, excitement filled us as well . What we feared was the terrifying stats while what excited us was the fact that these Hyenas weren’t common monsters . These were bronze monsters . This signified that these Hyenas had a chance to drop bronze equipments as loots . Equipments at bronze-rank and above would start giving the users stat point bonuses . Although the drop rate was extremely low, one could still dream  . ***. Hyena (Bronze monster). Level: 11. Attack: 32 – 68. Defense: 30. HP: 1100. Skill: Bite. Introduction: Hyena, the most treacherous monsters of the shrubs . They were greedy by nature, and were incredibly sly . The patrols of Great Xia Dynasty would rather face the dead or the devil spirits than these Hyenas that would always move in groups ***. “We will get at least 150% EXP killing monsters three levels above us . ” I licked my lips . The future seemed ever so hopeful Lin Che, “Of course, we must ensure we won’t get one shotted by these Hyenas . ”. Big Hai coughed, “Are we doing it? One must always take risks in life . What if we get bronze equipments out of them? We might be the first players of this newbie village to be fully equipped in bronze equipment . ”. “Full set of bronze equipment is not possible . ”. Lin Che narrowed his eyes as he studied the wandering Hyenas, “Our team is too small, with some of us being leeches . We are different than those top national teams like Dragonslayer, Ancient Sword, and Heavenslaying Alliance . Each of them would have four or five kings in their lineup . Their farming speed is definitely higher than ours . We don’t need to think that far ahead for now . Let’s first get the first kill of this newbie village . ”. “Prepare yourself . ”. I raised my sword, “Little Che will be attacking with talismans . Four talismans per Hyena . I will look for an opening to attack . Big Hai and Big Brother Wei, stay alive . ”. “Ok . ”.