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Taking advantage of that brief moment, I turned my head to look. The instigator of this chaos, the Poison Creeper, seemed to want to distance itself from the situation, wearing an expression of "nothing happened, I know nothing." Guiltily, it ran far away and wrapped itself around a Sand Leaper. One leaped into the Mid-air while the other burrowed Underground, fighting with great enthusiasm. It seemed their battle wouldn't end anytime soon. As for Xiao Xue's side, with its absolute Strength advantage, Xiao Xue had successfully eliminated the Burning Dead Mage group with its two loyal Minions. Even their current target, the Horror Bone, had only one battered Elite Horror Bone left barely resisting, its death not far off. The Elite Mummy and its four Minions were attempting to fish in troubled waters nearby, but their slow movements posed no threat whatsoever to the Guilang.

The craftiest were the Carrion Birds. They truly lived up to their Title as Desert Bedbugs. Their first target was the completely defenseless Oak Sage. Alas, their Wish was beautiful, but to reach the Oak Sage, they first had to ask if the other two Guilang agreed. The two Level 2 mutated Guilang were locked in an exceptionally fierce Battle against the Elite Carrion Bird and its four Minions.

After taking in the surrounding War Situation, I turned back. The Elite Water Bloated Warrior finally learned its lesson this time and didn't act rashly again. It desperately sharpened its keen Claws, gnashing its Teeth and roaring repeatedly, wishing it could chew me into meat paste. After gathering its four Minions, the five Water Bloated Warriors lunged forward with ferocious expressions.

Fine, since they want to die early, I'll grant their Wish. Looking at the dying Stone Thrower lying on the ground, they no longer had the Ability to threaten me. I instantly made an Assessment, quickly changing into my Lightning Resistance Equipment. Although I appeared completely Easy, facing the multi-shot attack Attribute of the Water Bloated Warriors, even I dared not be careless in the slightest.

The key for a Melee Class dealing with Water Bloated Warriors is to latch onto one and Fight Desperately until it's dead, ignoring the others and not dispersing your Attack. Under extremely high Lightning Resistance and the rampage of Berserk, the multi-shot Water Bloated Warriors couldn't inflict much Damage on me. The Elite Water Bloated Warrior wore an expression of disbelief in its Eyes. It seemed to be wondering why its opponent wasn't afraid of its Lightning? And why did those seemingly slender Claws manage to scratch its Elite Body until its Head was covered in Blood after just a few strikes?

It would never understand, and it wouldn't have the Chance to understand. Its hard armored Body suddenly paused, like a Time Bomb. After ticking for a few seconds, with a "bang—" a Loud Noise, its entire Body exploded from within. I had prepared for this and leaped far away, watching with satisfaction as the Equipment glittered amidst the Water Bloated Warrior's splattering Flesh and Blood. Eight Elite Monsters, they should at least drop a Rare Item, right?

By the time I conveniently sent the Stone Thrower back to the Burning Hells, Xiao Xue had already eliminated the Mummies as well. They surrounded the other two Guilang Brothers, who were wounded from protecting the Oak Sage. These two Guilang were engaged in their final struggle with the sole remaining, and equally wounded, Elite Carrion Bird. They silently encouraged their Brothers with their Eyes, but had no intention of providing aid. This was the Pride of the Wolf Race. Even Xiao Xue, as the leader, could not rashly interfere in the personal Combat of its subordinates unless the Strength Gap with the Enemy was too large, or if their side had lost their Fighting Spirit. Doing so would be a humiliation to the opponent. The Guilang Race had grown strong precisely through this unyielding, proud Spirit.

With the two Guilang's Rapport in their coordinated Attack, the Elite Carrion Bird suddenly stretched its bare neck and let out a mournful Wail. In a death struggle, it flapped its huge Wings, knocking the two pouncing Guilang away. Accompanied by gray Feathers fluttering everywhere, the Carrion Bird breathed its last and fell to the ground. Puddles of bright red Blood slowly flowed from the numerous Wounds on its Body, quickly covered by the fallen Feathers, appearing exceptionally desolate.

"Pant... pant..."

After their Victory, the two Guilang were also nearly exhausted. After relaxing, they didn't even have the Strength to stand up. They lay on the ground, panting heavily. Their scarlet Tongues hung out long. They had to face an Elite Monster and its Minions while also protecting the slow-moving Oak Sage from any Damage. They did it, proudly completing their Quest. Xiao Xue and the other two Guilang affectionately gathered around, licking their fur clean of Bloodstains with their Tongues, like a gentle Mother licking her Children's knees. The scene after the Battle always felt particularly Heartwarming. I was even envious of the precious friendship between the Guilang.

However, it felt like I had forgotten something. Our Eyes simultaneously looked towards the Poison Creeper. It was still bouncing and playing with the Sand Leapers. One was flexible and unpredictable, the other was skilled at Sneak Attack. At first glance, it looked like Children playing a Game, but the scene was not cute at all. Look, another Sand Leaper was caught squarely by the Poison Creeper, its entire Body swallowed with a gulp by that circular, serrated Mouth, which had grown to the size of a washbasin. That scene of being swallowed alive, the Bloodiness, and the Sand Leaper's tragic Wailing before Death could scare anyone with weak psychological tolerance into incontinence...

By now, the entire Battlefield was left with only one Elite Sand Leaper still screaming in Fear. Its death was only a Matter of Time. Facing the Poison Creeper, unless a Monster was Poison Immune and too large to be swallowed, even a Mini-Boss Level Monster was no match for it.

Under the Poison Creeper's Poison Corrupt, the last Elite Sand Leaper finally fell, gradually disappearing into a puddle of pus. The ground was covered in Gold Coins, Potions, Gems, and Equipment, and the Golden Chest furthest inside was simultaneously beckoning to me with enthusiastic hands.

Gold, Gold everywhere. The eight Elites, needless to say, even their four Minions had slightly increased Drop rate. Piles upon piles of Gold were spread on the ground, making it feel as if I were in a King's treasury. Even the simple Hall was rendered Golden, almost blinding.

First, I collected the most Radiant, yet cheapest, Gold Coins. Otherwise, finding good Items in a pile of Gold wouldn't be an Easy task. After a while, the Gold Coins in the Hall were swept clean. Weighing them, there were at least over a thousand coins, nearly seven or eight times more than from ordinary Elite Monsters. I hoped the Quality of the Equipment would also increase by seven or eight times, or at least not decrease because of this excessive Gold. I thought this In One's Heart.

Then, I quickly scanned the area. After collecting the Gold Coins, the Hall suddenly became a bit darker. The Quality and condition of the Equipment on the ground were clear at a glance. The first thing that caught my Eye was naturally the Golden light. Hidden beneath the Normal Items and Magic Items, two streams of Golden light shone through, unable to be concealed. My Heart rejoiced. Although the Equipment hadn't increased several times like the Gold Coins, getting two Rare Items from eight Elite Monsters was something even Adventurers who always had the Goddess of Luck's underwear on their head wouldn't complain about.

Pushing aside the Normal Items on top, the first thing that came into view was a silver-white Chain Mail made of tightly connected metal plates. The Golden light emanating from it enveloped it in a Mysterious Aura.

Oh dear, I'm running out of Scrolls of Identify. I took out a Scroll from the Book of Identify and checked the remaining quantity, sighing deeply. I had brought nearly fifty Scrolls from the Rogue Encampment, and now only a little over ten remained. It seems a high Drop rate isn't necessarily all Good Deeds.

Hidden Chain Mail of Twister

Defense: 135

Durability: 45-45

Strength Requirement: 48

Required Level: 21

5% Faster Hit Recovery

+50% Enhanced Defense

+5 Strength

+3 Dexterity

+10 Life

Cold Resistance +25%

Checking the Attributes, my Eyes immediately lit up. This Rare Chain Mail had two highlights. The first was its High Defense. I can only say the Defense is too overpowered, nearly double that of a normal Chain Mail. Wearing this Chain Mail, then adding Resistance Aura and Frozen Armor Transformation, I estimate that Elite Grade Monsters with weaker Attack wouldn't even be able to break my Defense.

In addition, it came with a Rare attribute of "5% Faster Hit Recovery." Increasing Faster Hit Recovery means shortening the Duration of various Negative Statuses that might occur after being attacked. Although 5% is only a tiny bit, in a duel between Masters, such a tiny bit of Time might decide the Victory/Defeat. Unfortunately, I am not a Master. Utilizing this 5% Time is too difficult for me. If it were 50%, it would be much better...

As for the other Attributes, they were only average Level for a Rare Item. Overall, the Quality of this Rare Chain Mail was quite good. It would also be one of my main pieces of Equipment in the future. The other Rare Hard Leather Armor, with 31 Defense, was too Low for me right now. However, the attached +)% Lightning Resistance was quite Practicality / Utility at times (for example, when dealing with Water Bloated Warriors). For now, I'll let Little Ghost wear it so she can also experience the feeling of Golden light.

Another Rare Item surprised me greatly. It was like the Cape, a unique piece of Equipment that didn't exist in the Game – a Wristguard. The Drop rate for these unique Items is even lower than for Rare Items like Rings, Necklaces, and Charms. I didn't expect to drop a Gold Tier one this time. I really should go gamble at Elzix's again today.

Poison Finger Leather Wristguard

Defense: 17

Damage: 8-9

Durability: 10-10

Required Dexterity:

Required Level: 9

+8 Defense

+2 Minimum Damage

+3% Increased Attack Speed

+2-5 Poison Damage

+1 Dexterity

Replenish Durability 1 per day

How to describe it? Although the Attributes were listed on six rows, the overall Ability wasn't strong. The only Rare Increased Attack Speed attribute only increased it by 3%. As the old saying goes, for Melee Masters, increasing Attack Speed by 3% might decide a lot, but I am not a Master right now.

However, I should still be happy. This Wristguard is like a Small Charm; the Attributes are basically given for free. Having it is better than not having it. Many Masters who come to the Second World haven't even seen what a Wristguard looks like. Moreover, its Attributes aren't actually that bad; it's just that I've been spoiled by Top-tier Equipment.

Rare Chain Mail, Rare Wristguard, Rare Gloves, Rare Heavy Boots, Rare Helm, Rare Ring. Just pull off the Cape, and well, wearing them all, the visual Effect could be described as a Golden God of War, couldn't it? Although my muscles aren't big enough, it looks a bit more like a Nouveau Riche...

Besides these two Rare Items, there were also four Magic Items, several Normal Items, one red Socketed Jewel with +8 Defense and +2 Strength, two Rejuvenation Potions, five Chipped Gems, and two Flawed Gems. On a side note, Flawed Gems are the highest-Grade Gems that can drop in Lut Gholein (except from Demon Kings and Treasure Chests). If you want to drop Flawless Gems from Monsters, hmph, talk about that when you get to Harrogath.

After sweeping up everything on the ground, I focused my attention on the Golden Treasure Chest. What kind of Surprise would it give me? An ancient Golden Treasure Chest, it should at least give something sufficiently Stunned, right?

Damn it, the chest is locked. I took out the Key Akara gave me and twisted it desperately. The Key that always worked before, perhaps because the lock was old and poorly maintained, wasn't working well. Twisting it back and forth, there was always a feeling that it was just a little bit away from opening, yet I couldn't figure out how to proceed.

What the hell, does it want non-violent non-cooperation? Be careful, I'll smash you.

My Anticipation for the contents of the Treasure Chest was so high that I almost couldn't resist picking up my Hammer and smashing it. Sweat, I was just saying that. Akara had repeatedly warned me not to open chests violently unless absolutely necessary. Such an Action would, on one hand, leave future Adventurers Gained Nothing, which was tantamount to Killing the chicken to get the eggs. On the other hand, and most importantly, Treasure Chests are all equipped with Magic Traps, especially Golden Treasure Chests. If you really plan to open it violently, please be prepared for Death.

What kind of Thing is this? In the Game, wasn't it "Key in hand, Treasure Chest is mine"? Why is it being special, seeking Independence? Isn't it afraid of hurting the feelings of other Treasure Chests?

I glared at this non-conformist chest, my Anger rising In One's Heart, malice growing in my guts. I lifted my foot and stomped on the chest lid. I'll show you non-cooperation, I'll show you being special, I'll show you having a Luster more Radiant than my Rare Equipment...

Unexpectedly, just as I was stomping with gusto, the lock suddenly emitted a magic radiance without warning. Within my Mind, I suddenly had a Realization – oh, so this is a Magic lock, no wonder the Key couldn't open it. In that Thought, the Treasure Chest lid suddenly sprang open violently, flipping my entire Body onto the ground.

(end of chapter)