Chapter 18: Hidden Boss [5]
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
A crisp triple chime echoed through the skies of every Novice Area.
At that moment, a golden announcement streaked across the horizons of countless villages like a comet.
[World Announcement]
[Congratulations to player Adrian (Novice Zone #10010) for completing the First Kill of the Golden Boss — Terrorclaw Bear (Lv.15)]
[ Rewarded: +50 Four-Dimensional Attribute Points, +5 Skill Points, 1 Golden Treasure Chest, and 1 Honor Point.]
All players in each Novice Zone hold their breath for three whole seconds, silence lingered.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The novice areas exploded into uproar.
---
10086 Novice Area
Inside of the narrow mossy canyon, several ragtag teams were busy killing level 5 ( Rank Blue) monsters.
As their bloody swords clashed and arrows whistled the monster angry curses filled the air.
Suddenly, every player froze as their system interface lit up at this intense battle moment.
When they saw Adrian Gold Boss killing announcement the reaction was something worth seeing.
"Are you f***ing kidding me?!" one berserker shouted, as he could not control his anger he threw his axe which went flying then clanged against stone as it spittle.
"Our team was wiped out twice because we were just trying to kill one level 5 blue wolf and that Bastard guy killed a level 15 Golden Boss? how is that even possible?!"
Another rogue slapped his own forehead so hard the sound echoed. Slap!
"Impossible! Totally impossible. Don't tell me a hundred-man raid sacrificed themselves just to take it down?"
A mage with crooked glasses muttered through gritted teeth, "Adrian… judging from the name, he's from Dragon Country. Must be some consortium's rich kid, yeah? Using unlimited consumables to brute force. Shameless!"
One tall, skinny player with a dark sneer typed furiously in party chat. "Remember this name. Adrian. My ID is McLens, and I'm already level 6. When server integration comes, I'll grind him to the dirt. I'll make him cry and call me daddy!"
The others snorted, half in disbelief, half in fear.
---
9527 Novice Area
Above Scarecrow Hill, the sky suddenly flared crimson. Whssshhh! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A meteor shower rained destruction.
All the monsters within a radius of one kilometer turned into corpses in this meteor shower.
Blood Wolves howled in terror before being vaporized; scarecrows ignited like torches; wild boars shrieked as flaming stones crushed them. Within seconds, a kilometer radius turned into a field of smoking corpses.
And at the top of the scarecrow hill, golden light was rising from under the feet of two figures.
Equipment clattered to the ground
Clink!
Clang!
Tink!
—over a dozen drops shining temptingly.
Then there was a handsome man and a beautiful lady, both at level 8 and level 5 but the woman looked like a teenager, she was breathtakingly beautiful, all men from the valley ran before her like dogs.
Their levels ranked first and second in the 9527th Novice Zone.
But at this moment their faces were extremely ashen.
"Brother Nathan…" the girl whispered, frowning. "How could anyone kill a level 15 Boss so fast?"
But Nathan has a cold expression as he said " I don't know how… I have a gut feeling that tells me this Adrian guy is not some ordinary player. He might also be the owner of a zodiac jade pendant."
"The owner of the zodiac jade pendant?" The girl was slightly surprised, but soon revealed a hint of disdain,
" He might awaken a God Level Talent."
She soon scoffed, pride brimming.
"Even so, he's nothing compared to Brother Nathan! You awakened as a Forbidden Spell Mage. One forbidden spell a day, no cost. Once you gear up and expand mana, you'll chain forbidden skills like fireworks. Let Adrian strut for now.
There will be a time when our and others' servers merge and he'll know who the real king is."
Nathan didn't like how Vanessa underestimated someone by seeing him in person so shook his head slowly, strands of dark hair brushing his cheeks. His eyes gleamed like a predator's.
"Never underestimate anyone, Vanessa. Watch him. If he stays ahead, he has secrets. I'll find them. Then crush him."
Vanessa leaned against his shoulder, eyes shining with devotion. "Brother Nathan will be the world's true king. And I… I'll be your queen."
Nathan raised his hand to Vanessa's head then touched her hair as he strand of her hair, brushing it across her lips then his voice dropped to a whisper in her ear. "Just wait a little more time once I cure this illness….. you'll be mine forever in game and reality."
Vanessa had a slight pink blushed on her face as she bit her lip and felt Nathan closeness, her heart pounding faster than the fading echoes of falling meteors from the sky.
---
10000 Novice Area
Players are full of bustling the village square with guild banners fluttered in the breeze.
Then we see a tavern inside there where a burly man with the guild crest of Batian slammed his fist into the table.
Bang!
All the people turn to see who it is when they see who it was. They respectfully said.
" Novice Area 10010 is Yuksun's Novice Zone. Get word from him immediately. Ask if Adrian is willing to join our Batian Guild!"
"Yes, Guildmaster!" a subordinate nodded. "I've already sent the message. As soon as Yuksun logs out, we'll get his answer."
The guild members exchanged hungry grins. A first-kill prodigy like Adrian could skyrocket Batian's dominance.
---
001 Novice Area
Inside a dark stone chamber, fire torches that were placed were flickered against walls etched with sinister runes.
Then we see a man in a white doctor's coat standing at the center, his expression calm yet chilling.
"Doctor, do we need to investigate Adrian's real identity?" a hooded subordinate asked cautiously. "I can arrange for someone to… pay him a visit."
The doctor waved a gloved hand. "No need. It's just a first kill. It means nothing… for now. Keep watch. If he threatens our plan, we'll remove him."
"Yes, Doctor."
Then a man , who did not talk the whole time, opened his mouth and said " Boss, what are you afraid of our brother Huang Tian has already reached level 8 and with his leveling speed he will be at level 10 very soon."
He said by swinging his great sword that was placed behind his back.
When the Doctor heard this news he smiled faintly "Good… very well then I'll be waiting to see his name on the next system announcement."
Whoosh~
With the sound all flames touch lit down one by one.
---
10010 Novice Area — Resurrection Point
Flash!
Kevin reappeared with a pillar of white light beam falling from the sky .
Then in anger his veins bulged on his forehead and then he clawed at his hair and screamed.
"ADRIAN!!!"
Kevin who had suffered a significant humiliation by Adrian's now his roar tore through the air like a mad beast's howl.
Villagers turned to stare at him as some sneered, some yelled at for shouting in the middle of the village.
The humiliation burned. He had stayed perfectly still, letting the Terrorclaw Bear shred him, only to die with a spear shoved up his rear. That memory seared him more than the pain.
And now… his level had plummeted back to 3. His ranking in Novice Zone #10010 obliterated.
"Damn it…" Kevin's teeth ground so hard they squeaked. Crrkk! "That Boss was mine. How could Adrian… kill it? Unless he cheated. Yes, he must've exploited a bug!"
But even as he spat this venomous nonsense from his mouth, still doubt gnawed at him.
"Wait.,No ... .even with a 200% stat bonus , it isn't enough to solo kill that bear monster. Something's wrong. This guy's dangerous. Too dangerous. I can't fight him now. I'll bide my time. Develop quietly. When the world merges… then I'll crush him."
Kevin's eyes darkened. His screams turned into whispers of hatred.
---
Dugbog Valley — Scene of the Battle
Jason and the surviving players stood frozen like statues. The ground was still littered with corpses and scorched stone where the Terrorclaw Bear had fallen.
"Holy crap…" one soldier whispered, his voice trembling. "He… he killed it. Alone. A rampaging level 15 Golden Boss… gone in under fifteen seconds."
Another player rubbed his eyes like he was hallucinating. "That damage… four thousand criticals? My max hit is 500…"
A healer stammered, "Was that even a fight? But why didn't the Boss fight back but now it was like watching a puppet being dismantled!"
The group of player awe had now turned into a mix of fear and reverence.
Meanwhile, Claire had her gaze locked on Adrian's handsome face as she looked at him, her heart thumped like a war drum.
Thud
thud
thud.
Next second, as Adrian turned around and his eyes met with hers and she flinched as soon as she met her cheeks blazing red in embarrassment. She dropped her gaze instantly.
But Adrian walked towards her step by step…as his boots crunched over gravel.
Claire's breath hitched as she saw Adrian coming towards her.
Then—Shiiing!
Adrian standing in front of her , he didn't say anything but move forward his hand then a gleaming rifle appeared in his hands. It has a metallic surface shimmered with a faint blue glow.
---
[Semi-Automatic Rifle] (Item)
Quality: Rare
Profession Requirement: Gunner
Damage +180
Special: Each bullet deals 10 base damage + (1% user's physical damage).
On hit: minor slow.
---
Claire's jaw dropped seeing its attribute and its quality and her sapphire-like eyes widened in disbelief. "L-Lan Wu…?"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She was still wielding a pathetic level 3 white rifle. This blue-grade weapon was a dream—a weapon that could skyrocket her firepower.
Adrian casually dangled the rifle before her.
Her lips trembled. " Adrian, Are you sure you… want to give this rare weapon to me?"
For quite some moment she was in disbelief as her heart soared, imagining the kindness behind the gesture.
But Adrian only rolled his eyes.
"Give you? You're dreaming."
Crash! Her fantasy shattered instantly.
Claire's mouth fell open, her face frozen in a perfect "…".
Adrian smirked. "I'll sell it to you for 100,000 copper coins and you've got an hour to arrange the money as I know you can manage it."
Though stung, Claire's hands shot forward and clutched the rifle to her chest as if afraid it would vanish before seeing it.
Her eyes gleamed with determination for this rare weapon.
"I want it, I'll find a way to get 100,000 copper coins so maybe I have to wait for level 10 players to appear. "
.
"I'll get it! My family's funds can buy game coins once Glory Town opens at level 10. I'll pay."
Adrian touched his nose with a faint grin. "Level 10, huh? Then I'd better hurry. I only need one more monster."
The valley fell silent again, the players' awe thick in the air.
One thing was clear: Adrian wasn't just a strong player. He was a storm that had only begun to gather.
(To be Continue)