(Kobold's Abode)
"Are you for real?" Luna asked in shock as she stared at Malik. "Are you that eager to die? We've got no MT or Healer, and I can only summon one monster at a time. So what on earth are you planning to do?"
"You don't have to worry about me. Just do your best in controlling the beast you summoned, I'll do the rest of the job," Malik replied, pointing his sword to the sky.
"Who do you think you are? You're just at Level 2 and you want to challenge monsters that are ten levels above you. Are you seriously wishing for death?" Luna retorted as she stared at Malik, whose lips curled into a smirk.
"Are you seriously worried about me?" Malik asked, and the question dumbfounded the Level 13 Summoner. Her cheeks burned red as she stammered, not knowing what to say.
"Why would I be worried because of a noob like you? I just don't want you to die until I get the potion," she fired back, not daring to look Malik in the face.
"Then you've got a lot of work to do, Luna," Malik replied before turning in the direction of the Kobolds. He started walking toward their perception range, and Luna couldn't help but grit her teeth.
"He's really going there..."
She pointed her staff to the sky as she began chanting some incantations. Within seconds, a magic array appeared above the six Kobolds present, and all their attention was drawn to it.
It'll take a few seconds before that array opens. This is my best chance, Malik said to himself as he sneaked up on the monsters.
"Equip Nuturer Fang."
[Nuturer Fang has been equipped, Agility +15]
"Perfect," Malik muttered, then used Charge on one of the monsters. In less than a second, he arrived at the back of the creature.
"Kobold bodies are very tough. They're made out of mountain particles."
"Eyes of Insight."
Malik activated the Eyes of Insight, where he could see a faint red dot at the back of the monster.
"This is it. The weak spot."
Stab!
He plunged his dagger straight into the monster, who let out a loud scream as a damage value of 130 appeared over its head, which had 240 HP.
[You've dealt a critical damage. Kobold will be rendered immobile for two seconds.]
"Two seconds is just enough."
Necro Slash.
A white arc of light tore out of Malik's sword as he slashed it at the Kobold, passing through its defense and beheading it at once.
At that moment, Malik explosively retreated as the remaining five Kobolds had already spotted him. They didn't linger behind as they rushed at him.
[You've slain a Level 11 Kobold]
[You've earned 20 contribution points]
[+5 stats for slaying a monster more than 5 levels above you]
[You've earned 1 Runic Stone.]
"To think that I'll earn a Runic Stone on my first kill. Goddess of Luck, I can't thank you enough."
But Malik's excitement died down when the five Kobolds rushed at him. They were all at Level 11 and their weakness was on the same spot—their neck and chest.
They surrounded him, and one threw a punch at Malik, who infused his spiritual energy into the sword and cut off the hand of the monster. The sword sliced through the monster's hand like a hot knife through bread.
"Isn't that a Bronze sword?" Luna couldn't help but blurt out in shock. "That's definitely a Bronze sword, and the Kobolds are known for their high level of defense—how come he's cutting through their skin like this?"
[Spiritual Energy: 100/300]
"Shit... I don't have much energy left. What the hell is that Summoner doing?" Malik cursed as he weaved between two attacks from the Kobolds. He got behind one and plunged his dagger directly into its back, causing its HP to deplete instantly.
Malik had already weakened all the monsters and, coupled with the fact that they had very slow movements, in no time he took down all the remaining Kobolds and picked up their loot.
[You've received Runic Stone ×3, 20 Silver Coins]
"That's four Runic Stones in less than 15 minutes. I think I can pull this off."
"And what on earth is that Summoner doing?"
Bang!
[You've received 15 contribution points]
[You've earned 30 Silver Coins]
Malik turned instantly to see a Level 18 beast facing off against 8 Kobolds. It had already defeated one, but the remaining seven overwhelmed it as they butchered its HP little by little.
"She isn't useless after all. Let me go help out," Malik said as he rushed toward the Kobolds.
"System, allocate 25 stats to Intelligence."
[Intelligence (—50 → 75)]
[Spiritual Energy: 250/400]
"Now this is what we call awesome."
The smile on Malik's face intensified as he infused 100 Spiritual Energy points into his sword and slashed at the Kobolds.
Necro Slash.
Six arcs of light flashed from Malik's sword in a random manner as they hit the seven Kobolds. The attack dealt 300% of Malik's own damage.
Malik, who had the strength of a Level 7 Player combined with his Spiritual Energy, was now unstoppable. Even the Kobolds, known for their high defense, couldn't withstand such an attack.
They all disintegrated into nothing but loot as notifications after notifications appeared before Malik's eyes.
[You've slain... ×7]
[You've earned... ×5]
[Congratulations on breaking through to the Third Stage of the Apprentice Realm]
[+5 has been added to all stats]
[CP: 40/800]
"Damn. I need 800 Contribution Points to get to Stage 4. What kind of stupid setting is this?"
"Thankfully, I've managed to get 10 Runic Stones. I think with the help of Luna, I can pull this feat off."
"Luna. Come, let's head deeper."
Malik said to her through the team chat, and the young lady couldn't help but stare at him in shock.
"The number in his head has changed from 2 to 3, and his Health Points increased from 350 to 500."
"At Level 3... the highest HP wouldn't even rank above 300, even with equipment that grants bonus health. And he's fully geared in Bronze equipment."
"His damage is also insanely high. Even my Level 18 monster can't deal such damage. That skill of his is the real deal—it's unlike any other skill I've seen before. And to think I leveled up..."
"What kind of monster am I following?"