Chapter 178: The Terrifying Tomb Level Three
"Brother Wu, this is as far as we'll take you. You need to be careful."
Ultraman sincerely patted my shoulder with his thick Large Hand. These four people's personalities were quite similar to the few friends I had in my Original World, so even though it had only been a short day's Effort, I had quickly become familiar with them.
We were currently at the Entrance to Tomb Level Three. The place we rested last night wasn't actually far from here. When I asked them for the location of the third level's Entrance early the next morning, they weren't surprised. They even offered to lead the way for me, after all, the nickname Directionally Challenged had already spread throughout the entire Rogue Encampment along with my reputation.
It was hard to refuse their kind offer, and coupled with the fact that I truly had no Confidence in finding the Entrance based on their verbal description, I immediately agreed. Under their guidance, we wandered around for over two hours before finally arriving here.
"Ultraman, aren't you guys going down?" I looked at them curiously, noticing how they maintained a certain Distance from the Entrance.
"Heh heh, we've decided to hang around on the second level for a bit longer and get some Fire Resistance Gear first."
Ultraman mimicked my actions from yesterday, giving me a thumbs up with a hearty laugh. His slightly protruding teeth on both sides gleamed. To be honest, he really did have some of Arach's charm...
"Fire Resistance... Gear?... Are there very powerful Magic Monsters on the third level?"
I looked at him confusedly. This time, it was their turn to open their mouths wide in surprise.
"Brother... I really don't know what to say about you. Generally speaking, you should gather some Data about the area before you Depart, right?"
Wizard Carteryev looked at me with a wry smile.
"Haha, to be honest, I really don't have any Experience in that area. Sigh..."
Facing their concerned Gaze, I lowered my Head somewhat ashamed. Was I being a little too confident? I should definitely reflect on that.
"However, perhaps it's not necessary for a guy like you. After all, you've already defeated Belial. Tomb Level Three probably won't trouble you. Isn't it good to have such Confidence? Damn it, it's really enviable. I wish we could do that someday..."
Seeing my low spirits, the unscrupulous Uncle Carteryev, using his Wizard's weak Strength, heavily punched my Chest.
"That'll kill someone..."
The Assassin Qiert beside him retorted without hesitation.
"It's fine. I'll plant your favorite Mud Dung Flower (a small yellowish-brown flower that grows in Latrines) in front of your Tomb..."
Barbarian Hockleyv's mouth was always moving, whether he was eating or making Sarcasm towards Qiert.
"Why do I have to die before you? And why do I have to like Mud Dung Flowers the most? Where did you hear that? Don't force your hobbies onto others, acting like you understand me so well, hmm...??"
Qiert twisted his face into a strange expression, glaring like a small hooligan demanding protection money on the street in a comic book, and approached Hockleyv. If he had a few more scars on his face, it would be even more realistic.
"Shouldn't you sacrifice yourself for righteousness at the most crucial moment? My. Mer. ci. ful. Lord. Qiert!!"
"Don't worry, you're the only one I absolutely. will. not. save..."
Hockleyv refused to be outdone and stepped closer. The two stood eye to eye like fighting cocks, neither willing to give up.
"It's their old habit, just ignore them."
Ultraman shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly.
"Haha..." I laughed understandingly. With these two jokers around, it would truly never be lonely.
"However, since you're not in a hurry right now, I'll briefly explain the situation on the third level. Although it won't pose any Danger to you, if you're not cautious, getting beaten up is unavoidable."
Carteryev took over the topic and spoke to me.
"If it doesn't hinder your Time, I am honored to Accept this chance to turn over a new leaf."
My exaggerated Statement immediately drew a round of teasing from the four of them.
Tomb Level Four is Andariel's Lair. It's not complicated inside, with only a few Rooms and a Great Hall, besides a wide straight corridor leading directly to Andariel's throne. Therefore, Tomb Level Three is practically the Door to Andariel's Lair, the last line of Defense leading to Andariel's Lair.
Thus, the Monsters on Tomb Level Three are absolutely incomparable to the previous two levels, both in Quantity and Quality.
Carteryev's words to me, and at this moment, I deeply understood them.
"Bang bang—"
Somewhere on Tomb Level Three, it was as if it had been carpet bombed by bombers. Heatwaves rolled non-stop, and the Surroundings were filled with scorching hot Air that burned the skin. Even the hard green stone floor was like hot pebbles in a stone hotpot.
"I'll attract attention in the front, Light Snow and the others split to the sides. Poison Creeper, stealthily sneak over."
I took deep breaths of the Air that could even burn the mucous membranes of my respiratory tract. The intense burning caused a dull ache in my lungs, a sign of oxygen deprivation.
Across from us, over a dozen tall and thin Corpses, like sticks, wearing black Mage Robes and holding a Sandalwood Staff in their right hands. Their withered yellow left hands were burning with raging flames, and condensed Fire Balls the size of soccer balls, flashing with dazzling red light, were shot out from their burning left hands, accurately smashing onto us. The red light suddenly condensed, followed by blinding Light and violent explosions. The frenzied flames could envelop all objects within a few meters, and the bursting hot airflow could even blow a several-hundred-pound Ghost Wolf into Mid-air nearby.
The Exiled, it is said, were a group of evil Wizards in life. Because they committed many evil deeds, they were exterminated by the entire Dark Continent. After their deaths, their Body was corroded by Dark Power, turning them into lifeless cold Corpses, but they retained a part of their Instinct from when they were alive. They are obsessed with Hell's burning flames and can unleash area bombardment skills similar to a Wizard's Tier 3 Skill - Fire Ball, and their Cooldown is extremely fast. Having mastered this Skill, they are deeply favored by Andariel and are therefore appointed as its Guards, guarding Tomb Level Three and Four. They are an extremely dangerous Monster.
This was the most Exiled I had ever encountered at once. The previous times there were only 3 to 6. Although the Fireball Spell, like artillery bombardment, was indeed very troublesome, coupled with their thick skin and tough flesh, they had strong Defense against Physical Attack and Spell Attack. But under the Strength/Power of me and Light Snow and the others, they could only turn into Ashes.
But this time, there were a full 16 of them. Almost every two seconds, a Great Fireball flew over. The continuous bombardment finally made me realize the Power of a Wizard's indiscriminate carpet area bombardment. No wonder people say that a few Wizards gathered together are an unbeatable Storm.
It might have been better in an open area, but now it was a narrow straight corridor, with no Space to Dodge. In helplessness, I could only use Werebear Transformation, standing alone in the middle to Attract the Exiled's attention. Poison Creeper could sneak over using the Advantage of burrowing, while the Ghost Wolves slowly approached, sticking close to the base of the wall. This way, they could Dodge the area explosion attack of the Fireball Spell and avoid being swept away by the bursting airflow.
No wonder Ultraman said he needed to get more Fire Resistance Gear. That's what he meant. I had already equipped all the Fire Resistance Gear I could, even if the Stats were trash. My Fire Resistance barely reached over forty, but some Damage cannot be immune to just because Resistance is high. Under the continuous Fire Ball bombardment of 16 Exiled, my Life was still slowly decreasing, coupled with the surrounding scorching hot Air, making me feel Pain as if I were in Molten Hell.
Fortunately, all sixteen Exiled were completely Attracted by the big clumsy bear standing in the middle of the road and didn't notice the Ghost Wolves sneaking over in the shadows at the base of the wall and the Poison Creeper burrowing underground. In less than a moment, their Fire Ball frequency decreased. I looked up and saw that the Ghost Wolves and Poison Creeper had approached them and successfully entangled with them.
Good opportunity, I was greatly rejoiced in my heart. I quickly stepped with heavy footsteps and rushed straight over with a rumble. Several Fire Balls flew over, but they could only make my Body pause for a moment. Being clumsy also has its advantages; if I hadn't used Werebear Transformation, I might have been blown away by now.
Five Ghost Wolves and one Poison Creeper had no chance of surrounding sixteen Exiled. While they were trying to interrupt the Fireball Spell in the Exiled's hands, seven or eight Exiled took advantage of the gap and escaped the encirclement, scattering in all directions. Then, under my unbelievable Gaze, they disregarded their companions and smashed the Fireball Spell in their hands onto the Ghost Wolves. The roaring flames immediately Devoured Light Snow and the others, and even the Exiled who were surrounded inside...
Seeing this situation, I rolled my eyes and a plan came to mind. I quickly instructed Light Snow and the others not to bother with the other escaping Exiled, but to first take care of those surrounded inside, and to get as close to them as possible when attacking.
The Fire Balls from seven or eight Exiled were not enough to be fatal to the Mutated Ghost Wolves, let alone the Elite Level Light Snow and Poison Creeper. For a moment, the Exiled surrounded inside suffered a double blow. Under the merciless attack of Light Snow and their own companions, it only took half the Time as before to completely annihilate these Exiled.
The remaining seven or eight Exiled had scattered and couldn't concentrate fire, so they couldn't form any threat. However, putting aside their Fireball Spell, even their Melee Combat Ability was no problem. Punching down with their ragingly burning left hand, the Flame Attack attached to the Physical Damage was also very terrifying.
"Damn it..."
After taking almost all my Strength to kill this group of Exiled, I cursed as I cleaned the scorch marks on my Clothes. I didn't need to think to know that my current Image probably wasn't much better than someone who'd been roasted. However, a crooked and twisted Staff carried back by Lazy Crow, which looked similar to the burnt sticks held by the Exiled, timely soothed my wounded heart.
Knout
Damage: 4-12
Durability: 35-35
Required Level: 24
Staff Class: Normal Attack Speed
+1 to Warmth
+2 to Fire Ball
+50% Damage to Undead
Good stuff! After experiencing the Exiled's carpet bombing, I was drooling with desire for the Fire Ball Spell. I didn't expect to get one like this. Unfortunately, I can only use it after reaching Level 24. I'll just drool over it for now.
I gently stroked the uneven Staff, my Eyes shining, until I saw the scarlet large characters "Required Level: 24". Only then did I reluctantly stuff it into my Inventory.