Chapter 17 – Clearing the Dungeon (Bonus Chapter Seeking Favorites)

Chapter 17 – Clearing the Dungeon (Bonus Chapter Seeking Favorites)

“Ranged classes spread out, warriors protect!” Cheng Yang shouted quickly, intending to continue the battle strategy they used defending Luofeng Village – kiting this Inferior Demon leader to death.

With Cheng Yang leading the mid-tier Inferior Demon in circles, Yu Kai fired arrows relentlessly from behind. As for Liu Hao and Li Wanshan, they could only watch from the sidelines – their speed couldn’t keep up with the demon’s pace. Niu Bing’s summoned ghost wolf met the same fate.

After several rounds of attacks, the demon that could have brought despair to most people at this stage fell. Before anyone could cheer, a faint light screen appeared, enveloping the demon’s corpse.

Two seconds later, the light dissipated, revealing a wooden staff where the corpse had been.

Yu Hao and others exchanged puzzled looks. What was going on? The staff looked somewhat similar to the wooden rod Cheng Yang was holding.

Liu Hao, the gaming nerd, reacted first. “Is this… dropped equipment? Yang, didn’t you say these demonized creatures don’t drop equipment directly?”

Cheng Yang replied calmly, “I only said the ones outside don’t drop equipment. This is a dungeon – it’s different. Also, judging from what just happened, only the stronger monsters in dungeons have a chance to drop equipment.”

The group didn’t dwell on this. Getting equipment drops from monsters was great news for them.

“Yang, you’re lucky. This seems to be a magic staff for you,” Niu Bing stepped forward and picked up the staff.

Cheng Yang already knew it was a magic staff. In fact, he had guessed as much before killing the demon. According to rules established in his past life, the player who contributed most in a dungeon had higher chances of getting equipment related to their class. Undoubtedly, Cheng Yang had made the greatest contribution in that battle.

As expected of the most basic equipment that would be mocked in the future, it only added 1 point of magic attack. However, for now, this Withered Wood Staff gave Cheng Yang an unparalleled advantage, increasing his attack power by 10%. More importantly, with this +1 magic attack, he could now kill early-tier demonized beasts with three magic missiles instead of four.

Cheng Yang immediately equipped the new staff, raising his magic attack to 11 points.

Encouraged by this equipment drop, the group pressed on into the courtyard. The subsequent battles went smoothly. After defeating another mid-tier Inferior Demon, they faced the strongest monster in the Blood Church dungeon.

This demon also dropped equipment upon death:

Cheng Yang was thrilled – this was Black Iron grade equipment! In normal difficulty dungeons, usually only Common grade equipment dropped. Getting Black Iron grade was extremely rare.

After explaining the equipment’s stats, Cheng Yang tossed it to Liu Hao. “Hao, you should use this. The physical defense boost will help you better withstand monster attacks while using your shield.”

Liu Hao protested, “Yang, you should keep it. You’re our main pillar. The stronger you are, the safer we’ll be.”

Cheng Yang shook his head. “That’s not the right mindset. This apocalypse is brutal. Individual strength means little. Even if I become incredibly strong, if I get cornered by a dozen monsters, I’m still dead. What we need now is teamwork. Your and Old Li’s job is to protect us. Only when you’re safe can we focus on killing monsters.”

After some thought, Liu Hao accepted the bracers and equipped them on his right arm.

Cheng Yang then addressed the group, “You all should stay out of the next fight. Late-tier demonized creatures are too dangerous for you now.”

Yu Kai immediately objected, “How can we do that? We entered this dungeon together. We should advance and retreat together. We can’t just hide when there’s danger!”

Niu Bing agreed, “Yang, I agree with Old Yu. Either we all go together, or if the final boss is too strong, we retreat together. We can’t let you face it alone.”

Cheng Yang smiled wryly, “Don’t be so pessimistic. I’m suggesting I go alone because I have a plan. Otherwise, even I would stand no chance against a late-tier demonized beast.”

The others eventually agreed, realizing Cheng Yang wouldn’t do something suicidal.

Following Cheng Yang’s instructions, the group stayed outside while he entered the central courtyard alone. This was the largest courtyard in the Blood Church, dominated by a massive tree with a smooth, unclimbable trunk over ten meters tall, its branches completely covering the area.

At the courtyard’s far end stood the prayer hall, home to their final target – an Inferior Demon Leader, a late-tier demon with significantly higher stats than its predecessors.

After surveying the familiar surroundings, Cheng Yang made his move. He charged towards the prayer hall, spotting a shadowy figure inside. Without hesitation, he launched a magic missile and sprinted towards the courtyard’s left wall.

Reaching the wall in moments, he used a stone bench to vault onto it, then climbed onto a tree branch extending over the wall. Soon, a massive demon emerged from the hall – similar to previous Inferior Demons but nearly a meter taller.

Spotting Cheng Yang in the tree, the demon roared and charged. Cheng Yang, now perched on a thick branch about 15 meters up, smiled down at the frustrated creature.

Though this world had game-like elements, it was still reality. In games, such exploit spots would be patched, but here, if it existed, it was fair game – especially against creatures with limited intelligence.

Several minutes later, the demon leader with 120 health points was whittled down to nothing, never finding a way up the tree. After its death, Cheng Yang climbed down to check his reward – a black-gray robe dropped by the demon leader.