Could these two be pretending to be weak while hiding their true strength?
They did not look like they were pretending to be complete novices, either.
The Imperial Guards frowned and wondered to himself. For the sake of his pride, he kept silent.
Being an astonished spectator while someone else showed off did not fit his persona or style.
Thus, the Imperial Guards took a deep breath and focused on exploring the Dungeon.
Because they were moving slowly, Xia Miao relaxed after a brief period of tension and began examining the Equipment Hua Luo Hongchen had given her.
【Worn Simple helmet】: Level 10, Constitution +2, stamina +1.
Description: A helmet riddled with holes. Blocking bird droppings is probably its only use.
【Worn Rusty Iron armor】: Level 10, Constitution +3.
Description: An iron armor covered in rust. The dents on it showed that it had been through a great deal.
【Worn Leather handguards】: Level 10, Strength +2, stamina +1.
Description: A pair of decent-quality leather Handguards, though somewhat damaged.
【Worn Hemp Trousers】: Level 10, stamina +2, Speed +1.
Description: Cannot block the wind or keep out the rain, but it can prevent indecent exposure—a divine equipment!
【Worn Sheepskin Boots】: Level 10, stamina +1, Speed +2.
Description: Very warm, but not breathable. Wearing them for too long will make your feet sweat.
【Worn Fishbone necklace】: Level 10, abnormal resistance +1%.
Description: Carries a faint fishy smell. Are you sure this is not simply a fishbone?
【Worn Grass ring】: Level 10, Critical Hit Rate +1%.
Description: Roughly made but uniquely shaped—the exclusive Accessories of the poor!
【Worn Wood-Carved bracelet】: Level 10, Evasion Rate +1%.
Description: Looks like an apprentice carpenter’s shoddy work and gives off the smell of cheap paint.
Level 10 Common-Grade Protective Gear usually provides 3 points of Attributes, while Accessories provide special rather than basic Attributes.
That was also why accessories were rarer and more valuable than protective gear.
A full set of Common-Grade Equipment gave Xia Miao 15 points of basic Attributes—the equivalent of gaining one and a half levels. Not bad.
“Monsters ahead.” The imperial guards’ low voice served as a warning.
The others went on guard, gripping their weapons and preparing to act at any moment.
Only Xia Miao continued craning her neck and looking around. The curiosity on her face seemed to ask, “Where? Where are the monsters?”
Soon, several extremely short, green-skinned figures appeared in the wide passageway ahead.
Goblin
Level: 15
Health: 950
Description: Ugly creatures that live in dark environments. They are crafty by nature and can create traps.
These Goblins stood no higher than an ordinary person’s knees. Bumps covered their greasy green skin, their bodies were bizarrely shaped, and they carried Spiked Wooden Clubs. They looked hideous.
When the Goblins saw them, they shrieked and brandished their Spiked Wooden Clubs in provocation. They did not charge, behaving very differently from the monsters in the Leveling Area.
“Take them out from a distance. Watch for traps.” Hua Luo Hongchen gave the order calmly.
“I’ll do it. This is my specialty!” Handsome Hua Manlou stepped forward, nocked an arrow, drew his Longbow, and began charging it.
This was one of the archer’s Level 10 skills—Charged Arrow.
“Have the snail scout the way. Wenwen, go with Hua Manlou.” Hua Luo Hongchen added.
Only after hearing Hua Luo Hongchen’s words did Spirit-Calling Snail and Nangong Wen raise their magic staffs.
“Come forth, earth golem.” Spirit-Calling Snail waved her magic staff and jabbed it into the ground.
Crack, crack—
The ground began to writhe, then formed a burly humanoid Earth Golem.
This was the mage’s Level 10 skill—earth golem!
With a wave of Spirit-Calling Snail’s magic staff, the earth golem walked slowly toward the several goblins.
When the earth golem had walked halfway there, the ground collapsed with a boom, and it fell into a large pit.
The Goblins cheered and charged toward the Earth Golem, raising their Spiked Wooden Clubs and shrieking as they went.
They had a little intelligence, but not much!
Once the Goblins surrounded the Earth Golem and began smashing it with their Spiked Wooden Clubs, they entered its Attack Range.
“Get them!” Handsome Hua Manlou called. His fully charged, glowing arrow left the Longbow and shot toward the Goblins.
At the same time, Nangong Wen finished preparing a fireball and hurled it over.
Boom!
The Charged Arrow and Fireball struck their targets and exploded, engulfing the Goblins in flames.
“Follow me.” The imperial guards called out and charged ahead first, cross sword in hand.
A highly agile black shadow followed close behind: the Assassin—the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The two had already darted several steps ahead before Xia Miao realized what was happening. She hurried after them, dragging her Cross Sword.
The injured Goblins went berserk and charged at them, waving their Spiked Wooden Clubs.
The Imperial Guards rushed forward and slashed one Goblin. He then stunned another that tried to ambush him with a Blunt Strike before following up with a backhanded slash.
Then he roared, drawing the attention of all the goblins.
Level 15 knight skill—taunt!
While the Goblins attacked the Imperial Guards, the Embroidered Uniform Guard slipped behind one of them. His dagger sliced across its throat. He twisted his wrist and drove the blade into its back.
Level 10 assassin skill—backstab!
The Combo flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water, as smooth as Dove chocolate.
Hua Luo Hongchen had been right. The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s movements were indeed very cool when killing monsters.
Xia Miao arrived at last, found the nearest Goblin, and swung her sword at it.
Whoosh—
The sword’s edge skimmed over the Goblin’s head without leaving a scratch and nearly twisted Xia Miao’s slender waist instead.
“Pfft—” Seeing such an incredible move, Handsome Hua Manlou nearly burst out laughing and hurriedly covered his mouth.
The goblin had not even moved its feet when Taunted, yet she had still missed. That was somewhat embarrassing.
Nangong Wen covered her face and silently repeated, “I can’t see this.”
Hua Luo Hongchen frowned and gently waved the Cross in her hand. A faint green light rose from the Imperial Guards.
+160!
Level 10 priest skill—Healing Spell.
Xia Miao felt no different. She swung her sword again and finally struck a Goblin.
-25!
A pitiful damage number appeared above the goblin’s head.
“Is the damage this low? Did you invest everything in a pure-tank build? Why aren’t you using any Skills?” Handsome Hua Manlou asked, puzzled.
Nangong Wen rolled her eyes and remained silent.
She knew Xia Miao had no Active Skills at all; she could only show her strength after taking a beating.
After the Imperial Guards used Taunt to draw the monsters away, Xia Miao had no chance to contribute.
Even Hua Luo Hongchen frowned at this point.
She had given the two of them her highest level of treatment. Wen Wu Shuangquan’s damage was impressive, and the strength she had shown already justified it.
But this Shrimp Sprout…
Even slacking off did not have to be this blatant, did it? Charging forward with basic attacks that dealt no damage was one thing, but she was not even willing to use a single Skill.
Could it be that she did not even know how to use skills?
Hua Luo Hongchen could not help feeling perplexed.
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