Ethereal Snake Escape, a rare skill with off-the-charts utility!
After casting the word spirit, it summons an invisible spirit snake with decent attack power and extreme stealth.
It functions like an invisible, agile summoned beast—strikes wherever you command.
"Chen Nian! We're all grinding monsters hard, why are you slacking off?"
Qin Yu grumbled discontentedly.
Though clearing these minor foes didn't require full effort, seeing Chen Nian coasting made her feel unbalanced!
The other three stiffened!
Holy moly, Yu, you've got some nerve!
Across the entire world, you're probably the only one daring to call out "Silent" for slacking in a dungeon... Impressive.
With his strength, isn't fighting these minor foes like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?
We'll still need him when it really counts!
"Xiao Yu, it's fine. We can handle these monsters easily without Brother Chen stepping in."
"Yeah, Yu-jie. Brother Chen's abilities might not be the best match for these fire elementals. Don't be so hard on him!"
Qin Yu's eyes widened at this.
"Wait... did you guys take money from him? You're defending him everywhere, making me feel like an outsider!"
This was ridiculous. Friends she'd known for a year were suddenly less important than a stranger.
They were even constantly accommodating him and putting up with his antics. What kind of nonsense was this...
The other three rolled their eyes inwardly.
Little Yu, if you knew he was your idol "Silent One," you'd be even more biased than us. Blame yourself for fainting earlier.
"Let's move on. Keep pushing deeper. I have a feeling we're close to the boss."
Pressured by the others, Qin Yu felt awkward pressing the issue further—it would make her seem petty.
After clearing several elite monsters along the way, the five finally reached the deepest part of the dungeon.
A lava pool roughly the size of a basketball court bathed the entire rock wall in crimson light, the scorching air almost warped by the intense heat.
Hot. So hot!
Qin Yu's snow-white neck glistened with beads of sweat.
Had he not been an extraordinary being with a constitution far surpassing ordinary humans, he likely wouldn't have lasted much longer.
"This is the deepest part of the dungeon. Where's the boss?"
"If we stay here much longer, we'll all be roasted alive!"
Just as the group was puzzling over this, the lava beneath their feet suddenly erupted. Boom!
Amidst the splashing water, the monster slumbering in the magma finally awoke. Rolling lava flowed down its body, and a terrifying oppressive force washed over them.
The Fire Rock Giant!
It seemed assembled from massive stone blocks, crimson liquid seeping from the joints. Its pupils resembled two miniature suns.
"This... this is the boss..."
Qin Yu instinctively took half a step back, timidly saying, "Looks kinda tough. Can we... beat it? Maybe we should just retreat!"
Conservative estimate: this boss was at least Tier 50.
"It's okay, Yu. We can handle it."
"This big guy might look scary, but it could just be a paper tiger."
Qin Yu: ???
She felt like she was losing her mind.
Normally, these guys would've bolted ages ago—they were way more cowardly than her!
But today, they were all acting dead calm. Had they swallowed the wrong medicine?
This was insane!
"Watch out, it's attacking!"
"Get out of the way!"
The Lava Giant's fist slammed down.
BOOM!
It smashed a section of ground, causing it to collapse and sink into the churning lava.
Qin Yu's face went pale with fear, but she mustered her courage and fired an arrow. Her innate talent was the common "Archer."
A green arrow struck the rock giant's head with precision!
At that moment, Chen Nian activated his Word Spirit, "Void-Darting Serpent."
An invisible serpent shot through the air, colliding directly with the rock giant's head.
Another piercing roar echoed.
The Ethereal Snake of Flight smashed through the giant's skull, shattering half its skull!
Qin Yu couldn't see the serpent, mistaking the effect for her own arrow. She was both shocked and delighted.
You're right, it really is a paper tiger! Even my arrows can hurt it, heh heh.
The other three: You really have no sense of your own limitations...
They knew perfectly well it was Chen Nian striking from the shadows.
They couldn't help but marvel inwardly—so powerful!
To strike invisibly yet deliver such devastating force... Truly the strongest player in Calamity!
Whoosh!
Qin Yu fired another arrow.
Chen Nian coordinated perfectly, directing the Ethereal Serpent to attack.
The Fire Rock Giant suffered another devastating blow, its chest blown open with a gaping hole!
"Yes!"
Qin Yu was overjoyed, her eyes sparkling brightly.
"This Fire Rock Giant looks huge, but its defense is pathetically low! I can handle it all by myself without your help!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Yu-jie, you're so strong!"
"Awesome, Little Yu! Keep it up!"
The other three cheered for Qin Yu with expressionless faces, though their eyes were all fixed on Chen Nian, marveling at his incredible skill!
Qin Yu, oh Qin Yu... They say God gives you a door but closes a window. With beauty like yours, it's only natural your brain isn't quite up to par...
You couldn't even handle those minor monsters alone, and now you're facing a boss? You actually think this is your own strength?
But honestly, this is perfect. Saves us the trouble of figuring out how to trick you.
Qin Yu drew her bow again and again!
The Fire Rock Giant's body was relentlessly ravaged by Chen Nian's word magic, riddled with holes and shattered into pieces.
Finally, with a thunderous crash, it collapsed entirely, sinking into the molten lava.
Only then did Chen Nian calmly recall the "Void-Darting Spirit Serpent." A string of text prompts appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations on defeating the boss "Fire Rock Giant"]
[Genetic Energy +900]
[Level Up: 43→45]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Epic Equipment "Flamefire Bow"]
[Congratulations on clearing the instance "Fire Abyss"]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Skill Scroll "Hundred Birds Pay Homage to the Phoenix"]
[Congratulations on obtaining the Talent Card "Elemental Marksman"]
Holy crap... Chen Nian was stunned by the rewards.
A class talent card... epic gear for archers, an archer skill scroll—this is a full set drop!
None of this stuff was useful to Chen Nian; he'd just sell it for cash. The only archer in the whole party was Qin Yu... ahem...
"We cleared it!"
"So, did you guys get anything good? I got a rare-grade armor piece, hehe!" Qin Yu was as happy as a little bunny.
The other three had also gotten loot, and they were all thrilled!
Getting carried through a dungeon by the legendary Bu Yu was absolutely amazing!
They barely had to lift a finger during the boss fight—they cleared it effortlessly. If we'd gone to take on that boss ourselves, who knows what kind of trouble we might've gotten into.
They almost wanted to kowtow to Chen Nian right then and there, but since they couldn't reveal his identity, they held back.
"Hmph! I carried you through the dungeon, and you don't even say thanks!" Qin Yu crossed her arms and gave Chen Nian a cold snort.
"Thanks."
That single word nearly made the other three members kneel on the spot!
You're too kind... Damn it!
"So did you get anything good?" Qin Yu pressed.
"Yes."
Chen Nian pulled the "Firework Bow" from his backpack.
An epic-tier weapon, it shimmered brilliantly, its flaming feathers blazing like fire, utterly eye-catching.
The moment she saw this new gear, Qin Yu's eyes instantly lit up brighter than stars!