8 CH8: Dungeon Complete || Arcus Maddox

{DING!}

{New Skill Unlocked: Skill Fusion!}

{Skill Fusion will scan Skills and determine the possibility of Fusion with the goal of creating an even stronger skill.}

{Would you like to fuse [Chop] and [Double Chop]?}

'Hell Yeah!'. Shi Feng accepted.

[Chop] and [Double Chop] disappeared from his skill section, and in it appeared a new, more formidable skill.

[Absolving Chop](Action-Type)

Requires: Sword

Level 1

Three slashes combine into one almighty slash

Ignores Defense

Deals 50 + 350% Damage

Cause Bleeding for 2% of Damage Dealt per second. Duration: 10 Seconds

Cooldown: 20 Seconds

"Alright everyone, this shouldn't take too long, let's go". He was so serious, it was unbelievable. Take too long? Who the hell are you fooling? This damn showoff!. But everyone was even more motivated and wanted to get stronger faster, in hopes of, one day, being able to display such a level of power. Deep down, Shi Feng wanted to try out this new skill on the Boss. Unknowingly, his Sword Intent was being focused solely on the Boss.

Willie felt the faint sharp aura of an almighty sword threatening to cut him out of existence, and he was still dazed. Slowly, the Sword Intent has been ingraining itself into Shi Feng's character, giving him the temperament and appearance of a grandmaster swordsman; he had not noticed this. Only when he unlocked more and more of his strength, and the Sword Intent became more powerful, will he become a true dragon among humans.

In this period of time, Shi Feng explained the strategy to defeat Willie. When Shi Feng saw Willie regain his usual bloodthirsty disposition, ready to charge, he shouted: "Cola, start it up; remember to pay attention to the attack patterns and dodge. Lonely, Prominence, Blackie, focus on DPS, remember to attack the weak points. Drowsy, get your heals ready. Everyone, do not forget your positions. Go!."

Cola went off and got within Willie's detection range. Willie lunged at Cola with speed too fast for him to follow. He managed to dodge while blocking and managed to receive only 50% of the total damage dealt by the attack. But he wasn't quick enough to dodge the next one. He received a bit of HP back from heals, but not enough to bring him back to full HP. From then on, Shi Feng decided to get involved a bit. After Lonely Snow struck Willie with [Whirlwind Slash], Shi Feng said: "Lonely, switch!". Lonely Snow nodded and went back, near Drowsy Sloth.

Shi Feng lunged at Willie and sent an air-splitting slash at it's neck. A horrendous -466 appeared above Willie's head. After that, it was smooth sailing. Shi Feng decided to take a passive role in the raid and would correct his party members whenever needed since if he decided to attack, the battle would be over in an instant. When Willie reached 30% HP, everyone stepped back and let Shi Feng handle it. Of course, with minimal movements, Shi Feng would either dodge or redirect Willie's attacks. Surprisingly, Shi Feng got grazed by one of Willie's attacks and lost 20 HP, but was healed immediately. With a frown: 'Huh, I guess I still need more training.'

This battle would grant them quite a bit of fighting experience that could come in handy in the future. Despite no one gaining any levels yet, they were vastly stronger and more efficient under Shi Feng's guidance. Seeing this everyone had finally understood what Blackie meant. They resolved themselves to join Shi Feng on his path to the top, no matter what.

After Willie's death, 5 items dropped. Shi Feng picked up the items, but when he saw everyone letting their guard down… "We're still not done, everyone. Catch your breath and recover!!". With a sense of urgency, everyone did as he was told, but they had no time. Out of seemingly nowhere, a deranged roar shook the Forest and a Werewolf jumped out in front of everyone.

[Werewolf Felt] (Lord-rank)

Level 3

HP 12000/12000

"Well, what do we have here?. Remind me why we're fighting a Lord Ranked monster at this stage in the game again?. This is Grade-A bull****" Not only Blackie, but everyone had mean, annoyed expressions right now.

"Don't panic-" before Shi Feng was about to explain, the Werewolf's eyes turned to a deep shade of red and was about to roar. Shi Feng immediately bolted at the Werewolf, with a tinge of killing intent.

Abyssal Bind!

"Let me speak, you little mutt… As I was saying, don't panic, I have a plan for this. First things first, do not let Felt roar. This monster might be too much for you all to handle at the moment. So; Sloth, focus your heals on me. Lonely, be ready to use [Charge] on my command..." Shi Feng started delegating tasks in a calm manner, while explaining the nature and attacks of Werewolf Felt.

'I've rarely gotten a chance to go explore the extents of my strength thus far… heheh, this should be fun.'.

Shi Feng wanted to try not to focus his Sword Intent on his opponent and instead kept it contained. Shi Feng saw that Abyssal Bind was undone, and Felt was now free. They stared at each other with fierce gazes…

Wind Blade!

Like two arrows, they bolted at each other and started their fight. Felt kept brandishing his claws, trying to kill Shi Feng but he couldn't. Whenever it thought it was about to strike him, Shi Feng would move ever-so-slightly, and the attack would not touch him. Felt's HP kept dropping at a visible pace. 92%...86%...70%... and downward it went.

The party members were dumbfounded, and amazement decorated their faces. But did not dare even try to get involved unless told to do so. They thought that at this moment, they were fortunate enough to even get to watch such a battle.

Suddenly, a faint ringing sound was going off, Shi Feng struck at Felt with a slice that could be said to bend the air around it.

Absolving Chop!

-2015

Felt was sent flying, and a Bleeding effect was active, taking 40 HP per second. It's HP was now under 30%. With fuming rage in its eyes, it cast it's party wipe skill. They effortlessly dealt with it, due to Shi Feng's HP being a few times higher than Cola's HP. Shi Feng resumed his onslaught, and after a few minutes, Felt's HP was below 10%, causing it to enter its Berserk State. With its overall strength now doubled, afterimages of claws and a sword could be seen. Shi Feng did not intend to drag this on though…

Abyssal Bind!

Absolving Slash!

That was all it took for Felt to meet its end.

System: Your party is the first to clear a Hell Mode Dungeon. Rewards increased by 100%; loot increased by 100%.

System: Cleared Hell Mode of Deathly Forest. Rewarding 8000 EXP.

{DING! +120% Bonus. Total: 2933 EXP}[Only host's exp will receive the bonus.]

A multitude of items lay sprawled across the floor. 'Nice, the crimson blade actually dropped'. Shi Feng's attention was on a dark red sword, which could be deemed outstanding for it's level. He decided to store the sword in his inventory for now, and will equip it after he reaches Level 5 and activates the Dual-Wielding Talent. He started collecting all the items under the rush and scrutiny of everyone. As expected, he found the [Garrison Armor Forging Design], which would serve as a great starting wealth generator, as well as a way to outfit MTs.

In total, There were 15 pieces of equipment and 4 other items. Amongst them, there was only the Secret-Silver, Crimson Blade, 5 pieces of Mysterious-Iron Equipment, and 9 pieces of Bronze Equipment. The Bronze Equipment dropped by the Bosses of Hell Mode were all of the highest quality. Not only was the Bronze Equipment of the highest quality, but Blackie's luck was as well. He received two pieces of the five Mysterious-Iron Equipment items. These two items were part of the Dark Color Set, igniting within him an urge to come back here to complete the set.

The other three Mysterious-Iron pieces were part of sets for a Guardian Knight, and an Assassin. Two went to Cola, and the last went to Dark Prominence. Shi Feng distributed the remaining Bronze Equipment. He refined and replaced some of his own equipment as well. He also equipped the Black Steel Armguard. On to the next 4 items, they were a Forging Design, a Potion Recipe, a rare skill for Cursemancers, and a notebook. Of course, Blackie was already hawking the skill book. It was [Hell Flame]. AoE skills were paramount in the early stages of the game for grinding efficiency. Blackie immediately learned it.

Shi Feng stored the Design, the Recipe, and… he took another look at the notebook. It was odd; this item was definitely something of great importance, so he'll consult the library. With that, he stored the notebook as well.

Afterwards, they left the dungeon, and the surroundings immediately quieted down. All sorts of thoughts were running through everyone's minds; did they actually clear the dungeon?. Did they just stand at the entrance until now?. Did they actually think they could clear Hell Mode?. Shi Feng did not expect so many people would be standing around when his group came out of the Dungeon.

A few moments later, he was approached by Gentle Snow and Xiao Yue'er. Of course, Zhao Yueru was badmouthing Shi Feng non-stop, even though Gentle Snow advised her to stop. But Shi Feng was not having any of it; he skillfully ignored all the flames and derogatory comments that came his way. Afterwards, the group went off to a more secluded place to talk. This incited multiple discussions, a few praised Shi Feng, most cursed him intensely, some even wanted to torture him for his ways of attracting the Snow Goddess.

Gentle Snow took a better look at him and thought that this man was odd. He always kept calm and had a steady, unshakeable aura around him. At first, she thought he was nothing but a noob wanting to garner her attention, but this all changed. He was definitely an expert that knew how to hide his aura. It hasn't changed much for Zhao Yueru, since she still wasn't done talking smack about Shi Feng, but she didn't care much about that. Snow wanted to obtain the strategy for the Deathly Forest, but was surprised when he offered the strategy to her as an offer of goodwill and future cooperation.

"I can't just receive this strategy and give nothing in return. How about I invite you to raid a Level 5 20-Man Dungeon with us, the Dark Moon Graveyard?" Gentle Snow had a bright smile on her face, considering this man to be an equal. Next to them, Blackie's mind was looking at Shi Feng like he was a god. He might ask him for tips to conquer women at a later time.

"That works with me. Make sure to leave a few spots open. But I'd like priority over all forging designs and Swordsman equipment. Contact me a few hours before the raid. We'll be there on time."

"Understood. Let's add each other as friends then. We'll be in touch."

With that, the group separated. Gentle Snow left, and Shi Feng's group headed towards the core of the Dark Moon Valley. After about 1.5 hours of grinding, everyone had gained a level, and Shi Feng was just 1000 EXP away from Level 5. A few moments later, they encountered a Hazard Gnome, someone even more dangerous than Werewolf Felt, despite being a few ranks lower.

[Hazard Gnome] (Special Elite)

Level 5

HP 1600/1600

It might have low HP, but its danger lies in its broken defense, which reduces damage received by 80%.

'Might as well give it a try.' Shi Feng laid out the strategy to fight the gnome. Before anyone moved, Shi Feng decided to test the waters, and sent a quick attack at the gnome. In less than a second, Shi Feng silently disappeared and appeared in the same spot. Above the gnome's head…

-98

Shi Feng was already grinning like an idiot. 'I guess this is what happens when you have a system...'. No one was surprised. Although they knew of the Gnome's defense, due to Shi Feng's explanations, they weren't even shocked anymore. They understood that whoever got involved with him would be destined for greatness.

The abnormality that is Shi Feng focused his Sword Intent on the Gnome and made it weaker altogether. With that, the team went to work on the Gnome, cautiously of course. They couldn't deal big damage like Blackie's Evil Whip or Shi Feng. After the Gnome's HP reached 10%, the Gnome abandoned the robot and tried to activate it's Rocket Boots by tapping the button on his belt. Everyone would have expected the Gnome to blast off into the distance. Right before the Rocket Boots activated, he was bound by strands of darkness. Nearby… "So you thought you could just leave the party?. Oh no no, can't have that, now can we?".

Shi Feng noticed that the boss' name changed.

[Arcus Maddox] (Lord-rank)

Level 5

HP 510/510

Shi Feng instantly knew who this was. But he had no time to think about it as the time of Abyssal Bind was dwindling. Arcus did not have the heightened defense anymore. In an instant…

Absolving Chop!

-1930

With one overbearing slash, Arcus Maddox was no more. A few moments later, only 3 items dropped. A bit anticlimactic, but that was until Shi Feng inspected the items.

The first one was a white notebook. On the cover, it read: [Elemental Imbuement Device Designs](1/16). Shi Feng might have reincarnated, but he had never heard about something as versatile as this. This notebook's pages were missing, but the missing fragments were pages that held designs for devices that could imbue items, both weapons and armor, with 8 different elements. Wind, Earth, Lightning, Water, Ice, Fire, Light and Darkness.

For weapons, it gave them the ability to deal Elemental Damage, and for armor, it gave them the ability to grant Elemental Resistance. What was surprising was that the cost of producing each device depended on the rarity of the Elemental Source used; with the cost exponentially increasing as the Elemental Source's rarity increased. Of course, along with cost increase, came overall strength increase. An example would be comparing a Dark-Gold Fire Imbuement Device and an Epic Lightning Imbuement Device. The Dark-Gold Device would allow the weapon to deal an additional 300% Fire Damage with every attack, while the Epic Device would allow the weapon to deal an additional 375% Lightning Damage with every attack.

'I don't think this would ever become obsolete. Even though I only have the fire imbuement method for weapons, it has the potential to become the foundation of a Guild & elevate it straight to the top.'. Shi Feng was over the moon with this new acquisition. Maybe because no one ever succeeded in killing Arcus Maddox in his previous life, this item never appeared.