## Chapter 344: Strange Occurrence
Coming back to my senses, the Dead Dog's particularly eye-catching Golden fur had entered my Vision. A Golden flash, and it burst out from the Forest, but closely trailing behind its Buttocks, several Shadows also shot out from within.
Seven or eight Little People, holding Cleavers and Javelins, were tightly following behind the Dead Dog, less than a step away. Their Mouse-like faces stared intently at the Prey before them, as if Mice had seen cheese, filled with frenzied excitement. The Cleavers and Javelins in their hands continuously fell, attempting to Slay the Dead Dog.
The Dead Dog had already been blessed with an Eggshell by Little Ghost. With the Little People's Attack, they wouldn't be able to break it without ten or so hits, but I actually thought it was unnecessary. If you don't believe me, let's turn our Gaze back to this ridiculous chase.
Firstly, the Dead Dog was slightly inferior to the Little People in Speed. Even if it swung its four furry short legs as fast as wheels, kicking up spectacular dust, it still couldn't outrun the Little People who also had short legs but ran on only two. Regarding this, I, as the Master, felt extremely ashamed. It seems necessary to give the Dead Dog some special training.
Since the Dead Dog's Speed was slower than the Little People's, why is it still safe and sound? Why did I say it didn't need Eggshell Protection? Keep reading, and you'll know. In this lively Small Animal (let's consider the Little People as such for now) race, Little Person A, relying on its slight Speed Advantage, could almost press its face against the Dead Dog's Buttocks. I saw it raise its Javelin high, squeaking excitedly as it Thrust forward. Oh, it Thrust towards the Dead Dog's Buttocks.
Just when everyone thought the Dead Dog's Buttocks would be pierced, as if it had Eyes on its rear, maintaining extremely high Speed, the Dead Dog's Body suddenly tilted at a strange forty-five-degree angle, like a motorcycle turning a corner. No one knew how it did it, but it did, and successfully dodged Little Person A's rear-end Attack. During the brief moment of delay caused by the Attack, it left the opponent behind.
However, the Dead Dog's Crisis was not over. After successfully shaking off A, Little Person B, holding a Cleaver, approached. This Little B was probably a butcher in its previous life, brandishing the Cleaver obscenely. Aiming at the Dead Dog's Golden Buttocks, it hacked down with a Cross Slash. This time, even if the Dead Dog could tilt ninety degrees, it would be useless. At this critical moment, the Dead Dog's highly raised Buttocks suddenly trembled at a high frequency. For a fleeting moment, as if by Magic Trick, the Cleaver clearly slashed past the Buttocks, yet it somehow missed. Just by looking at Little Person B's astonished Appearance, you could tell how heaven-defying the Dead Dog's dodging method was.
Actually, I've been thinking, was the Dead Dog perhaps endowed with a Stats like 99.9999% Dodge Rate?
Finally, a Ghost Wolf rushed forward and blocked the remaining three or four Little People who were still persistently pursuing. Only then did the Dead Dog slowly stop. Shaking its Golden curly fur, it walked past us with its head held high and chest puffed out. Its calm and melancholic rolling Eyes seemed to say: "Servants, the Food has been prepared for you. Don't be polite, be grateful to me, and enjoy my favor to your heart's content."
Tsk, if I hadn't seen more and more Monsters appearing from the Forest, surrounding us, I would have really wanted to teach this conceited Dead Dog a good lesson. Hmm, how about braiding its Long Ears?
Soon after, the Surroundings were again filled with various Monsters. The Quantity was no less than the previous time. I looked at the Experience that was close to Leveling Up, and all Fatigue instantly turned into Joy.
Facing the Little People who were still leading the charge, I waved my Large Hand. The Ground immediately hummed and vibrated, starting to Tremble. Cracks opened in the Ground beneath the Little People's feet, and scalding hot white smoke rushed out from within. Then, Molten Lava irregularly splashed from the cracks, turning the Earth within the Attack range into a Molten Hell. Unceasing Screams of the Little People came from that crimson Purgatory, lasting for about ten seconds. The Molten Lava finally stopped erupting, and the Earth returned to Calm. Thick smoke still lingered on the charred Land, scattered with various "charcoal." From their shapes, it could be seen that some of these charcoals resembled half-limbs of the Little People, some were entire Brains, or incomplete Bodies. In short, there wasn't a single complete piece.
Not considering the waste, the Power of the full version Level 9 Volcano was this terrifying. It gave the enemy a shock far greater than the improved Volcano. In terms of actual effect, although this Volcano only killed a hundred or so Little People, it planted seeds of Fear in the hearts of the remaining several hundred Little People. Several timid Little People had already started secretly slipping away, but within the All-Encompassing Net formed by Light Snow on the Ground and the Lazy Crow in the sky, no matter how they escaped, it was Wasted Effort.
"Come on, come on, let's all join this feast!"
I laughed madly, my expression revealing a slight distortion under the illumination of the Magic Light. I repeatedly switched the Weapon in my hand, throwing Fire Ball, Blizzard, Lightning, Fire Bolt, Ice Bolt, Charged Bolt, everything useful, all at once. I didn't even spare the Thornwood Fiends and Forest Hunters in the distance. Provoked by me, they Roared, their huge Bodies bringing with them the rumbling wail of the Earth, forming an impenetrable wooden wall pressing towards us.
Normally, I wouldn't be so Mad. I would calculate carefully and try to save Mana and Mental Power as much as possible. But now it was different. I was only a little Experience away from Leveling Up, and it was time to go wild.
Regardless of the Cost and without using Potions, my Mana and Mental Power were rapidly being consumed. Especially Mana. I finally understood why Sorceresses cherished their Mana so much. It turns out that once unleashed, the Consumption Speed of Mana is incredibly fast. Over 300 Mana points, close to a Level 20 Sorceress, hit rock bottom in no time under my full exertion.
However, this approach of draining resources yielded astonishing results. Monsters fell several times faster than previous waves. Only a few Elites and Chieftains could break through my Magic defense line, and they were already covered in wounds, easily dealt with by Light Snow and the others in a few moves.
Just as less than half of the Monster Army remained, and my Mana was about to be Overdrawn, my Body was enveloped by a sudden Golden Glow. The Golden radiance spread across the entire Riverbank.
Feeling the warm sensation within my Body, the feeling of emptiness in my heart caused by the Consumption of Mental Power and Mana was instantly filled. I began to Ponder if that old fellow God had been to my Original World and played that Game. Of course, Civilization is not just on Earth. Maybe he played it in other worlds. In short, I think it's very likely that he was Influenced by the Game when setting these Rules.
Coming back to my senses, I gave the remaining Monsters a hehe smile. As if sensing the malicious intent in my Gaze, the Footsteps of the entire Monster Army paused slightly. The next moment, they started moaning and screaming again under the magic attacks that seemed to cost nothing.
"Big Gain, big Gain..."
Humming a Melody whose Meaning I couldn't even say myself, I was like a diligent farmer uncle, constantly bending down to pick up the Items that caught my eye. Oh oh, isn't this a Paladin's Scepter? It's been a long time since a Paladin's Equipment dropped. I happily wiped the Magic Grade Scepter repeatedly, then put it into my Inventory. As for Appraisal, let's talk about it when we Rest at night. Everyone sitting around together, sighing over Junk, and cheering for Excellent Grade items, that's when it's interesting.
Thus, the post-battle Statistics: A large quantity of Gold Coins, several Potions, several Normal and Magic Equipment, thirty-one Chipped Gems, eight Flawed Gems, and... uh, zero Perfect Gems. In addition, there was one Rune, one Flawed Skull, and two bottles of Rejuvenation Potion. Relatively valuable Equipment, like that Scepter just now, there were a total of three items: a Magic Grade Wrist Blade exclusive to Assassins, Stats unknown; a Normal Maiden Spear exclusive to Amazons, which added 2 levels to the Amazon Tier 2 Javelin and Spear Skills Power Strike, and also 1 level to the First Tier Passive and Magic Skills Critical Strike. It can also be considered a minor Excellent Grade item. If sold, it could at least be exchanged for a Gold Equipment.
Ahh-- The Druid Class Equipment I want, like Wolf Head or Eagle Helm and Antlers or something similar, why haven't they appeared yet, why!!
Finally, there was a Golden Bone Shield, which Little Ghost, who picked it up first, secretly identified. Annoying Little Squirt.
Mark of Sulphur Bone Shield
Defense: 51
Durability: 40-40
Required Strength: 25
Required Level: 18
+32% Enhanced Defense
+10 Defense vs. Missile
+5 Strength
+5 Dexterity
+8 Vitality
+10 Mana
Poison Resistance +15%
Repairs Durability 1 within 1 day
Among all my Gold Equipment, Shields have always been relatively rare. This Bone Shield with good Stats can be considered to make up for this point. It's just, why is it a Bone Shield? Among all shields, this type is the most disgusting. Even if it emits a Golden Glow, it's still very disgusting! If hung on the Wall as decoration, it would definitely scare children under ten years old to tears.
After confirming that not even a single Gold Coin was missed, I took Little Ghost and the others and Departed again. The Monsters in this Zone had almost all been cleared out by us. It was time to find the next Grinding Monsters spot. At this Speed, I estimated that I could reach Level 30 in at most one month. If I kept Leveling Up like this, it would probably take about 3 years to reach Level 60. This is a Stats that would shock Adventurers across the entire Continent.
Several more days passed like this. As Experience kept rising steadily, Three-No Princess leveled up to Level 23, while Little Ghost, whose Leveling Up Speed was like a snail, also saw her Experience increase to Level 13 and over one-third. It's a pity that not all Zones have so many Monsters to grind. In some Zones, within dozens of miles, there aren't even two Kittens. Plus, when there are other Adventurers nearby, I also don't want to expose this Leveling Up Method (if seen, it would definitely be on the headline of the Adventurer's Weekly). So, back and forth like this, the Leveling Up Speed was a bit slower than I expected.
This day, after continuously grinding several small Monster gathering spots, we stopped to take a short Rest. According to Three-No Princess's guess, we were now approaching the Vast Wetland, but we got nothing regarding Gheed's News. According to Phoenix's guess, since the Little People could actually sneak into Kurast, their Tribe definitely wouldn't be too far, and it could be roughly confirmed that it should be within the range of the Spider Forest. But now we were almost out of the Spider Forest, yet still had no Clue at all. I almost planned to give up on this Quest.
"Caw-- Caw--"
Just as we were preparing to Depart again, the Lazy Crow's off-key cries came from the Distance. Like a black arrow, it rushed down and stood on my Shoulder, pretentiously preening its oily and shiny black Feathers.
Nowadays, this Lazy Crow was extraordinary. After basking in the sun in Lut Gholein, and then cooling down in Kurast, it surprisingly rose another Mutation Level, reaching Level 4 Mutation, exactly 2 Levels higher than the Level 2 Mutated Ghost Wolf. Its Flight Speed bonus reached a terrifying 80%. If exerting full Speed, even Light Snow couldn't see its Figure clearly. Of course, its Life, Defense, Attack, Resistance, Strength, and Dexterity also increased, but in my opinion, its Combat Power was still just as weak. Dealing with a Chieftain was no problem, but if it was an Elite, not to mention whether it could win, I'd have to ask if it was willing to fight first.
The Lazy Crow's Mutation Level increased, which was good news. Moreover, based on previous Experience, it was almost time for the four Ghost Wolves to improve as well. I've let them battle more these past few days to see if they can Level Up collectively in one go. The only thing that made me depressed was the Poison Creeper and Light Snow . Light Snow is fine; after advancing to Elite Tier 2, her Strength rose to a new level. As an Expert who is solitary, she has no enemies that can provide further Leveling Up, and I understand this point. It's just the Poison Creeper, which still remains at Elite Tier 1. I don't know what new Opportunity is needed to be able to continue Leveling Up.
Of course, there's also the last one - the Oak Sage, which didn't even trigger Mutation. I've completely given up on it. A +70% Life Aura seems quite overpowered already.
"Caw caw--"
While preening its feathers, the Lazy Crow conveyed the situation to me using the meaning it could express.
"South of the Forest... open ground... Monsters... very many, very many..."
Muttering the News received from the Lazy Crow, I turned my head and glanced at the eager-to-try Three-No Princess and Little Ghost, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Then, let's pay a little visit to the Master there."
After painfully passing through a dense Forest, the scene that appeared In Front of us made us freeze. I finally understood what the Lazy Crow meant by specially emphasizing with two "very many."
On an open ground nearly the size of ten football fields, rows of Torches stood upon it, and clusters of Campfires burned fiercely. There were several thousand Little People gathered on this open ground, a dense crowd of heads gathered together, quite lively. What surprised me the most was that the Little People here included Projections and Corrupted Ones, and even quite a few normal ones. These three different Types of Little People actually gathered together peacefully. Although not necessarily friendly, they didn't look like they were setting up an Arena for a group fight. What kind of fellow had so much Charm that they could actually gather these Little People together?
I suddenly recalled in my Brain the News seen in the Adventurer's Weekly back at the Inn in Kurast - recently, Little People suddenly gathered in large numbers for no reason. Could it be this matter?
The several thousand Little People seemed to surround a platform in the center. I was too far away here and couldn't see very clearly. I had to sneak among the Jungles, going halfway around the open ground, and finally found a Concealment point closest to the Little People. Carefully climbing onto a Tree, I looked down from above, and the scene I saw couldn't help but greatly surprise me.
On the platform surrounded by these Little People, stood a person whose entire Body was shrouded in a black Mage Robe... No, perhaps it was just a similar shape. Whether it was a person couldn't be confirmed yet. I was far away now and couldn't see if it had a Monster's unique Name.
I saw this unknown object, whose face also seemed shrouded in black, seemed to be muttering something. Then, it spread its hands, and the several thousand Little People immediately became agitated, their faces filled with Joy and frenzy.