Chapter 76: Deathmatch
System Notification: You have entered the unknown area ‘Shattered Rock Ridge’.
Stepping out of Maple Flower Forest, gradually, the trees were replaced by gray-black stones, and before they knew it, they were walking among piles of stones.
Giant boulders several meters high were everywhere, differing in shape, creating a natural wonderland.
“Wow…” Cute Orange gently pressed her little hands together over her pink lips, “This is the first time I’ve seen such big stones.”
It seemed that such things could only be seen in Dream of the Mists.
“Stop looking, we need to focus on the task at hand!”
“Oh, okay.”
They continued forward, with scattered rocks piled up everywhere.
Suddenly, a brown-black pile of stones emitted a strange sound.
“Crack, crack—”
The rocks shook continuously, dust flying everywhere, and then, as if a mecha was transforming, the stones connected on their own to form a humanoid figure!
Check Attributes!
Quartzite:
Rarity: Silver Grade
Level: 22
Health: 5000
Attack: 114-123
Physical Defense: 70
Magical Defense: 90
Skills: Ground Smash, Rock Throw, Resilient Body
Description: Under the influence of time, this quartzite has developed its own thoughts.
Zane sent the attributes to the team.
“A level 22 silver-grade monster…” Cute Orange’s face turned pale, “I… I don’t want to collect herbs anymore! I want to go back!”
Zane said nothing, controlling Starry to charge forward, while Star Cat jumped off Starry’s shoulder and sprinted alongside her.
“Ah! That girl rushed forward!”
The stone man naturally wouldn’t be polite upon seeing a human, and its right fist smashed down!
Miss!
Its intention was too obvious, and Starry quickly dodged to avoid the blow.
Star Cat jumped onto the rock, claws aimed at the giant stone.
“Crack—”
-57
Not good, the level difference was too great! Star Cat was only level 10; lifting its paw, it saw that its claws were about to break!
“Clang!”
Qiu Yue Sword slashed from below, carving a massive gash in the stone man’s arm.
-779
Not done yet, Ice Moon Slash!
-1282
Frost clung to it but faded away like a tide in an instant; was it the Resilient Body?
The previous attacks also triggered the light state of the silk gloves, and now Starry’s movement speed bonus had reached 64%.
Plus the agility bonus, swiftly avoiding another attack from the stone man’s other arm, Starry moved behind the monster and slashed diagonally.
-795
The stone man was furious; this human was as slippery as an eel!
It suddenly jumped up, its thousand-pound body explosively crashing down to the ground.
Zane and Cute Orange were far enough away not to worry.
Only Starry had no way to deal with such an AOE attack.
What should we do?
Of course, jump!
Instinctively, Starry squatted down smoothly, arm bending, and leaped!
“Boom!!!”
This earthquake’s force was probably stronger than that of an explosive.
Star Cat clung tightly to the monster’s head, barely not getting thrown off.
Meanwhile, Starry jumped 2 meters high on the spot!
The vibrations were no longer a threat as she descended.
The stone man seemed dazed from the jump, little stars circling before its eyes.
Starry took the chance to harvest its life, and before it could even unleash Rock Throw, it collapsed.
Looking at the drops, there was a piece of quartz and 3 gold coins—was that it? So stingy…
“Hey! Are you okay?” Zane looked at the petrified Cute Orange; when did she also turn into a stone man?
…
Just when Zane was about to explain to her.
“Clap, clap—clap, clap!”
Who’s clapping?
Suddenly, a figure leaped down from a giant rock.
Zane focused to see a man with an arrogant expression; his ID was ‘Specially Treating All Dissent’.
What a pompous name, and… it felt a bit familiar.
Oh right, he was the fourth-ranked swordsman!
And he had actually reached level 20!
These guys… did they just level up a side profession and catch up this quickly!
He laughed heartily, a strong battle intent evident in his eyes. “Shaking off Starry, Fengchen Yanhua, I’ve wanted to meet you two for a long time, just didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“What do you want?” This guy… probably didn’t mean well.
“What do I want? Of course, to challenge you! By the way, to knock you down a level, or else this thousands-year-old fourth place is too uncomfortable.” He casually uttered those arrogant words.
Cute Orange remained frozen in shock.
“Why should we accept the challenge?” Zane frowned.
“You don’t have to accept; I’ll just follow you. Who knows when I might strike?” He smirked.
“Are you not afraid that we will just kill you right now?”
“I couldn’t ask for more!” Specially Treating All Dissent drew his azure sword, seeing the exquisite craftsmanship and silvery glow, it was at least a silver sword!
Zane remained silent, not uttering a word.
In the living room, “Brother Shiu! What’s the background of this Specially Treating All Dissent?”
“What thing?”
“That one who’s fourth on the level leaderboard!”
“Oh, that person? He’s known as a battle maniac, interested in challenging various masters; it’s said he barely won once against Fenghuayue in three matches at the Glazed Flower! Wait, you’re not running into him, are you?”
“Yeah.”
“Aren’t you going for a side profession? How could you bump into him?”
“It’s a long story…”
“Have you transformed yet?”
“I’m conflicted about whether I should transform.”
“What about Starry? Isn’t she with you?”
“She’s… but right now, she’s just a rookie stand-in.”
“Ask Starry if she’s confident; if she is, just challenge him directly and take him down. Otherwise, you may have to transform!” Brother Shiu said solemnly.
“…”
Directly take him down? I don’t even know how strong these so-called masters really are.
That last character, Ruyin Ruyuan, had given him quite a shock; if that person hadn’t underestimated him, he might not have died so easily.
“What’s the matter, stuck?” Specially Treating All Dissent said impatiently.
“Of course not,” Zane denied. “Let her fight you.”
Starry stepped forward.
“Hey, let the girl go first? I’ll deal with you later.”
This person… Zane clenched his fists.
System Notification: ‘Specially Treating All Dissent’ has sent you a duel invitation. Do you accept?
Accept! Starry nodded.
In the blink of an eye, the two figures disappeared.
“Hey? Where did they go?” Cute Orange asked.
“…”
This was Zane’s first time using such a mode.
In a deathmatch state, they would automatically enter a system-reset map space, shaped as a circle with a radius of 50 yards, with a terrain identical to the previous location.
Everywhere was scattered with stones, and there would probably be many variables in battle.
As Zane looked around, a 1-meter high countdown appeared at the center.
3
2
1
Start!
All skills and potions have reset their cooldowns, and Star Cat stood at full status on her shoulders.
Specially Treating All Dissent charged forward with heavy footfalls, from about 20 yards away; his body suddenly turned into an afterimage, flying rapidly towards Zane!
This is… Charge!
