Putting on the [Divine Turtle Shell Armor], Chen Lang immediately felt emboldened and launched a relentless assault on the Level 2 Turtle!
The Turtle's attack power was only 12 points, while Chen Lang's defense was a solid 14, allowing him to reduce damage by nearly 60%. The Turtle could only inflict about 5 points of damage on him, posing no real threat.
Of course, Chen Lang wasn't careless, as recovering health took time, and time was money—he didn't want to waste it.
In the following hours, Chen Lang relied on his formidable defense to grind down the Turtles, completing 20 kills in just over two hours.
"Ding!"
[System Alert: Congratulations, player has leveled up. Mana +10, gained 5 free attribute points. Keep up the good work.]
A golden light flashed, and Chen Lang successfully reached Level 2.
Without hesitation, Chen Lang allocated all 5 attribute points to Strength. In an instant, a surge of explosive power coursed through his body.
ID: Tianya Langzi (Apprentice Assassin)
Level: 2 (4/500)
Attack: 19-20
Defense: 14
Health: 80
Mana: 120
Attack Speed: 109%
Movement Speed: 109%
Strength: 18
Intelligence: 3
Constitution: 5
Agility: 9
Luck: 0
Insight: 0
Skills:
[Insight Art]: Can probe information of targets up to 10 levels higher than oneself.
[Assault] (Assassin Novice Skill, non-upgradable): Launches a fierce attack on the target, dealing 120% damage. (Cooldown: 10s) (Mana Cost: 5 points)
[Backstab] (B Grade) (lv2): Launches an attack from behind the target, dealing 130% damage and silencing the target for one second. (Cooldown: 15s) (Mana Cost: 10 points)
...
With an attack of 19-20, he could easily break through the Turtle's shell defense!
Chen Lang took a deep breath, calming his excited heart, then moved behind a Turtle and unleashed [Backstab], slashing fiercely at its neck!
"-26"
A bright red number floated up, a critical hit, not bad.
In less than a minute, Chen Lang dispatched the Turtle, earning 8 experience points and six copper coins.
"It's past seven, time to eat first!"
As the sky gradually darkened (the game synced with reality), Chen Lang checked the time—it was nearly seven o'clock—so he decided to eat before continuing his battles.
Removing his helmet, Chen Lang stretched, quickly visited the restroom, and then dashed downstairs.
A bowl of beef noodles, 15 yuan, quite affordable.
Chen Lang then opened the local forum, noticing quite a few people had already reached Level 2. The speed surprised him, indicating there were indeed many skilled players.
Ten minutes later, having finished the large bowl of beef noodles, Chen Lang logged back in at seven-thirty.
A flash of white light, and he reappeared in the Novice Village.
By now, the sky was completely dark, and most players had gone out to hunt monsters. Few remained in the village, most still at Level 0, with only a handful at Level 1, and Chen Lang being the sole Level 2 player.
"Damn, that guy's got a chestplate and a hat, how did he manage that?"
"Yeah, how is he already Level 2? I've been grinding for over seven hours without food or drink and just barely hit Level 1!"
"That's because you died too many times..."
From a distance, many players cast envious glances at Chen Lang. After all, most players were still in novice gear, while Chen Lang was already sporting a chestplate and a hat, which seemed a bit excessive...
Ignoring their gazes, Chen Lang quickly walked to the village entrance and found the White-Bearded Village Chief again.
"Old man, I've gotten stronger. Got any dangerous tasks for me?"
Chen Lang glared at the White-Bearded Village Chief.
"You?"
The White-Bearded Village Chief glanced at Chen Lang, hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Well, the Old Blacksmith needs some Poison Bee Stingers. There are some Poison Bees in the South Mountain Ravine. Go collect some stingers for me!"
"Alright, old man, I'll get it done!"
Chen Lang was delighted to have a task.
"Ding!"
[System Alert: You have accepted the Qingfeng Village Chief's commission to collect 20 Poison Bee Stingers. Task completion (0/20)]
With the task accepted, Chen Lang immediately headed towards the target coordinates.
Half an hour later, Chen Lang finally reached his destination, killing a few Mountain Chickens along the way.
In the dim night, surrounded by green mountains and trees, a ravine stretched across the center, with large, colorful bees buzzing back and forth, quite a sight.
Though not far from the village, few people were here, as most players were still teaming up to fight Turtles or soloing Mountain Chickens.
Tianyan's design was quite frustrating; players could generally only kill monsters of the same level, making it hard to kill higher-level monsters without a team.
For instance, Chen Lang should be fighting Level 2 Turtles.
Without hesitation, Chen Lang bypassed the players teaming up against Poison Bees and quickly headed deeper into the ravine.
A dozen or so minutes later.
Chen Lang reached the depths of the ravine, where trees grew densely, and the night added a sinister atmosphere.
"Let's get to work!"
Chen Lang took a deep breath and cast an Insight Art.
[Poison Bee]
Level: 3
Attack: 20
Defense: 10
Health: 400
Skill: Stinger...
Damn, these Poison Bees are tough, not only with 20 attack points but also equipped with skills.
"-19"
With only 10 defense, the Poison Bee's damage reduction against Chen Lang's 19-20 attack was about 25%, and with the [Assault] bonus, he could completely ignore its defense.
"Shhh!"
"-15"
After using the skill, Chen Lang followed with a regular attack, knocking off another 15 health points from the Poison Bee.
"Buzz buzz—"
The Poison Bee was instantly enraged, biting down on Chen Lang's arm!
"-13"
"Fuck!"
Chen Lang winced in pain, his health dropping by a sixth.
"Backstab!"
Chen Lang quickly followed with a normal attack and a Backstab, dealing 36 damage to the Poison Bee, though it was barely noticeable against its 400 health points.
"Screech—"
The Poison Bee trembled, swinging its stinger at Chen Lang's face.
"-16"
"Ding!"
System Alert: [Poison Bee] used the skill [Stinger] on you, causing 16 damage. The toxin has entered your body, dealing 2 damage per second for 5 seconds.
"A skill?"
Chen Lang was startled, quickly retreating.
The skill had dealt a total of 26 damage, which was quite terrifying.
Moments later.
Chen Lang crouched on a large boulder, contemplating how to take down the Poison Bee.
The Poison Bee's damage was high, and it had the Stinger skill, making it difficult for him to kill with his current strength.
Unless he could find the Poison Bee's weakness, his chances were slim.
"Find the weakness first!"
Chen Lang sat for a moment, waiting for his health to recover, then stood and charged at a nearby Poison Bee!
"-20"
"-15"
[Assault] followed by a normal attack, Chen Lang struck the Poison Bee's head and chest, dealing a total of 35 damage, but no critical hit occurred.
"Buzz buzz!"
The Poison Bee was enraged, lunging at Chen Lang's face, and Chen Lang, startled, slipped his foot.
"Miss"
A large "miss" floated up as Chen Lang narrowly dodged the Poison Bee's attack.
...