Chapter 20-Final Boss: Summoner Vs “Summoner”？

Li Yao was now Level 14.

Even with [Appraisal], he still couldn't see the Goblin King's stats.

Which meant—

The Goblin King was at least Level 20 or higher.

For both humans and monsters, every twenty levels marked a major evolution, bringing a massive power boost.

But there was good news—

The Goblin King wielded a scepter, indicating it was likely a magic-type monster.

Magic users meant high damage, low health.

And with his Chessmaster talent, no matter how strong its attacks were, Li Yao had nothing to fear.

But time was tight.

Li Yao vanished from his spot.

The Goblin King remained expressionless as it raised its scepter.

In the blink of an eye—

A massive boulder, several meters wide, materialized above Li Yao's previous position and came crashing down!

Li Yao didn't dodge.

The impact did nothing to his movements.

In just a few leaps, he closed the distance and threw a punch, activating his rune skills simultaneously.

But the Goblin King reacted swiftly—

A golden energy barrier enveloped its body.

Li Yao's double attack struck the shield, causing visible distortions, but failing to shatter it.

[-3150]

[-9063]

After countless battles, Void Mantis' Strength had already surpassed 1400.

Yet, this damage output still fell short of expectations.

But to the Goblin King—

That 9000+ damage was completely unexpected!

Panic flashed across its face as it frantically swung its scepter, summoning four formation circles around them.

Li Yao ignored them entirely.

Like an unyielding shadow, he stuck to the Goblin King's side, relentlessly pummeling it with one blow after another.

[-1]

[-1]

[-1]

[…]

Without skill enhancements, his attacks couldn't penetrate the energy shield.

But Li Yao knew—

No defense is absolute.

Sure enough—

Within ten seconds, the barrier shattered, the Goblin King's face twisted in shock.

And at that moment—

From the four summoning circles, four towering figures began to emerge.

"Oh? A Summoner?"

Li Yao raised an eyebrow but didn't stop attacking.

[-1002]

[-9145]

[-872]

[-2416 (Weak Point Attack)]

Fist after merciless fist, Li Yao interwove his skills and strikes, delivering relentless blows.

A faint smirk played at the corners of his lips.

A Summoner-type Boss?

Then there was a high chance it would drop Summoner gear!

He had been waiting for a Summoner's loot ever since fighting the Goblin Warlord!

"Screeeeech!"

As the Goblin King shrieked in agony, the four summoned creatures fully materialized.

Goblin Warlords.

Their stats were far stronger than what the Qin family's intelligence had reported.

And there were four of them.

But none of that mattered.

Because if a Summoner dies—

Their summons die with them.

Right now, Li Yao had only one thought in his mind:

Either I kill you—

Or my Shackles run out, and you kill me.

[Shackles Remaining Time: 1:32]

As a Summoner, the Goblin King had many abilities to counter enemies in close combat.

But none of them worked on Li Yao.

Seeing that all of its attacks failed, the four Goblin Warlords tried to forcefully pull Li Yao away.

They had no idea who they were dealing with.

1400 Strength.

Li Yao did whatever the hell he wanted.

No matter how hard they pushed or dragged, Li Yao remained firmly latched onto the Goblin King, hammering away with punch after punch.

But these vermin were starting to get in the way.

Without isolating the Goblin King, he couldn't trigger [Taste Fear] for bonus damage.

"Predator—Rupture!"

BOOM!

An explosive shockwave sent rocks flying.

In that brief moment of knockback, Li Yao seized the Goblin King by the face and hurled it into the distance!

Then, he shot forward, leaving the four Goblin Warlords behind due to the slow effect.

At the same time—

Void Mantis had already finished off the remaining Goblin Vanguards.

It appeared exactly where the Goblin King landed.

Its attacks chained seamlessly.

[-12,492 (Weak Point Attack)]

[-25,176 (Weak Point Attack)]

[-6921 (Weak Point Attack)]

The Goblin King, still in midair, had no way to dodge.

Three consecutive weak point strikes tore through its health bar.

But what truly terrified it—

Was the two scythe-like claws digging into its shoulders, locking it in place.

And in its rapidly dilating pupils—

The face of the human it hated and feared the most grew closer and closer.

"Stay the hell down!"

[-11,943 (Weak Point Attack)]

[-23,411 (Weak Point Attack)]

Two devastating blows.

The earth trembled as the Goblin King's body slammed into the ground, leaving it completely immobilized.

Behind him, the Goblin Warlords came rushing over.

Li Yao snapped his head around—

His blood-stained face met their gaze.

Their charging footsteps halted.

Without emotion, Li Yao uttered a single word:

"Predator."

[Shackles Remaining Time: 0:21]

"Grglrghl…?"

[Overleveled Kill! You have slain the Nightmare-tier Boss: Goblin King!]

[EXP +75%]

[Void Predator has completed an Evolutionary Devour, gaining +20,000 Max HP!]

[You have obtained the Nightmare First Kill Exclusive Drop: King's Scepter (Platinum)]

As Void Predator consumed the Goblin King, the four Goblin Warlords disintegrated into gray mist.

A small vortex leading back to the outside world appeared.

Li Yao hadn't even had time to pick up the golden chest from the King's corpse—

When suddenly—

The ground began to shake violently.

No—

Not the ground.

Li Yao turned around, eyes locking onto the colossal pyramid.

The rumbling intensified, and the stone slabs at its base began to slowly slide apart.

At the same time—

An overwhelming aura erupted from the opening, engulfing the entire Goblin Dungeon.

The sky turned deep crimson.

[Congratulations, Player Li Yao, for being the first to clear Nightmare difficulty solo!]

[Final Rating: SSS]

[Goblin Nest: Hell Difficulty is now unlocked!]

[As the pioneer of Hell Mode, you are entitled to a special reward. Would you like to hide your identity?]

Li Yao's gaze remained locked on the massive gateway.

At just Level 14, he knew he wasn't ready for whatever was inside.

"I'll stick to Nightmare difficulty until I hit Level 20 and complete my Second Awakening."

Just as he was about to collect the loot—

The system prompt rang out again.

[Would you like to hide your identity?]

"Hide my identity?"

"Do I even need to think about it?"

"Of course… not!"