Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 43: Mad Molting Monster
In the Divine Hall’s [Sacrificial Offering] slot was a brownish-yellow object. It looked like some kind of wrinkled fur, or perhaps a piece of dried mud.
...
[Tree Bark of Unknown Origin]:
A token passed down through the generations of the Sen Race, an important clue tracing back to the previous Era.
...
This description left Luh Yao scratching his head.
No Attributes, no Faith Bonus, just a single riddle-like description.
’That’s it?’
In the Divine Hall, Senji, who was kneeling on the floor, said, "O great God, this is a treasure our race inherited from the era of the Forest God. It has been passed down through generations in my family, said to be the key to restoring the Forest God’s glory."
"Our ancestors passed down a prophecy, saying that if our family could be revived, we should use this tree bark to find the path left by the Forest God and return to His embrace."
"Lord God, I know this is now an impossible task. The Forest God has completely fallen, and this land has been conquered and reshaped by the foreign [Whistleblowers] and [Skinners]..."
"The old era has ended."
"The Sen Race has already offered its Faith and loyalty to Lord Yao God, so this treasure from the old era must also be offered to our God."
"I can feel that this tree bark has some kind of reaction with a certain place in the mountains. If Lord God permits, I am willing to take the bark and search for it."
Luh Yao clicked on the little figure.
The character portrait of the Burrow Wizard was an elder wearing a Stone Mask and holding a Bone Staff. His upper body was emaciated and bare, and he wore tattered culottes below. Senji’s hunched body was gazing up at the Sun above.
Below the portrait was a line of text.
—Even if we are as humble as dust, we must not see ourselves as maggots.
...
[Hero Lv13] Burrow Wizard · Senji
Attack 5 Defense 5 Knowledge 13 Mana 8 Luck 1 Morale 2
[Abilities]
Wisdom Lv4: Wisdom is the key for an Apostle to hear the Divine Will. The higher the level of Wisdom, the easier it is to improve and comprehend various abilities.
Wind Listener Lv1: Hear distant sounds on the wind.
...
Senji’s stats were skewed toward Knowledge, with a little bit of everything else, and he had the highest level in the Garlic Tribe. Furthermore, he was the first natural Hero unit.
Looking at the [Tree Bark of Unknown Origin], Luh Yao was in a bit of a bind.
This was an item related to the Forest God. Clues for it could likely only be found in the Pixel World.
He dragged the screen to the west.
In the castle of the Salt Pool Tribe, the situation over here was still at a stalemate.
The good news was, the Blood Knight had gone completely mad. It was slashing at imaginary enemies in the castle, and words no longer appeared above its head, only beast-like roars.
The bad news was, the Blood Knight had become even more dangerous. Due to the difference in Tiers, Isabel’s [Evil Bone Whistle] had no significant effect on it.
Luh Yao mused, ’If one way doesn’t work, try another. I can’t waste manpower here.’
He decided to send Isabel with Senji to find the treasure first.
...
Senji took the tree bark and headed west into the mountains. After searching for some time, he arrived at a collapsed mountainside.
"Lord Apostle, this is where the sensation is strongest. We need to dig through these rocks."
The Burrow Wizard called over some Burrower Monsters, and the group began to chisel away at the stone.
Luh Yao had some recollection of this place. It was the former location of Lisa’s Barbarian Tribe. Or to be more precise, it was the suspicious cave next to the Barbarian Tribe’s village.
A few minutes later, Senji and the Burrower Monsters dug through the rocks, clearing the path once again.
Isabel led them inside.
Luh Yao double-clicked the cave and entered a new instance map.
Inside the cave were winding, dim paths. However, with Senji, a native of the underground, leading the way, they proceeded without any delay.
The group spiraled downward, and a living creature suddenly jumped out from around a corner in the passage.
It was called a [Mad Molting Monster], with LV30 displayed above its head. It looked like a large Wild Person covered in white fur. The moment it appeared, it charged straight for Isabel, and they both instantly entered a combat state.
Luh Yao felt a surge of anxiety.
’This is so damn unsportsmanlike.’
’Normally, shouldn’t there be minions guarding the outside and a big boss waiting inside? You’re starting with a boss ambush? Have you ever won a fight in your life?’
Luh Yao cursed under his breath, but his hands didn’t stop moving.
He opened the battle screen, ready to provide support with a long-range bombardment via [Miracle] at any moment.
With a reserve of over 10,000 Faith as ammunition, Luh Yao wasn’t actually panicking.
In the battle interface, the Mad Molting Monster’s attack method was very peculiar.
It set its own head and hands on fire and frantically entangled Isabel in combat, completely unafraid of her Holy Sword. When struck by the sword, flames would erupt from its body, igniting its flesh and blood in what could only be described as a self-immolating assault.
It was the first time Luh Yao had ever seen such tactics.
’Going all-out from the start?’
Faced with this suicidal monster that had no fear of death, Isabel had no choice but to switch to a defensive and evasive strategy.
...
[Mad Molting Monster LV30]
Life Value: 3090/3090
Mana Value: 552/552
Damage: 35
Defense: 35
Speed: 10
[Evasion Lv15]
Can evade some damage from attacks. This probability is higher against weaker life forms.
[Burning LV15]
Attacks cause the enemy to be burned, dealing continuous damage.
[Mad Sacrifice LV1]
Awakens the sacrificial flame; attacks burn the life of both the user and the target.
...
This stat panel gave Luh Yao a shock.
The [Mad Molting Monster]’s health was ridiculously thick, almost on par with the level 60 Blood Knight.
The most dangerous ability was [Mad Sacrifice], which turned the Mad Molting Monster’s attacks into true damage. As long as she was burned by the flames, Isabel’s Life Value would decrease.
On top of that, the monster’s health bar was exceptionally thick. If they were to fight it head-on, it would just be a matter of who could last longer... and it would be very difficult to outlast it.
The [Mad Molting Monster] ambushed them from the start precisely because it wanted to burn away life directly.
Luh Yao felt a sense of relief.
Fortunately, Isabel had rich combat experience. Moreover, her Speed was a high 18, giving her an absolute advantage even against a Mad Molting Monster of a higher level.
It looked like Isabel was nimbly dodging the enemy while continuously dealing damage with her Holy Sword. But even with her overwhelming speed, every attack she made actually carried enormous risk.
The entire battle became a scene that was both tragic and bizarre.
The Mad Molting Monster set itself on fire, wanting to see who would outlast whom in a contest of life. However, Isabel just kept dodging, watching the "-1," "-1" damage prompts continuously appear above its head.
Nearly an hour later, the Mad Molting Monster’s health bar was depleted, and it burned into a pile of ash.
But Isabel did not leave immediately.
She stood by the enemy’s remains, an exclamation mark appearing above her head.
"This ash... is it from a Tree Person?"
A white light emanated from Isabel’s body as she used Mourning Prayer, but the black miasma on the surrounding ground failed to coalesce.
A question mark appeared above her head.
"Mourning Prayer failed. The Dead here are not slumbering. In other words, the Tree Person has not truly died yet."
Luh Yao typed in the dialogue box.
—If you need support, just say the word. I can use a Miracle at any time.
"Yes, my Lord."
Isabel led Senji onward.
Ahead, seven more [Mad Molting Monsters] appeared one after another, each with a higher level than the last. The final one was as high as LV39. However, its Speed was still only 12; no matter how strong its attack, it was futile if it couldn’t land a hit.
Luh Yao didn’t dare to sleep, afraid that Isabel wouldn’t be able to handle it alone. He felt uneasy not being able to watch, so he gripped his [Energy Staff] and prepared to pull another all-nighter.
By the time Isabel had annihilated all the [Mad Molting Monsters], it was already 8:30 the next morning.
Luh Yao saw that he was running out of time, so he typed with one hand while putting on his clothes and shoes.
—That’s enough for today. Take Senji and the others back to the tribe for now. We’ll continue after I get back.
"Yes, my Lord."
Isabel accepted the order.
