Fortunately, the Fine-grade two-handed greatsword was powerful enough; even the physique of a strong Minotaur Warrior could be easily cut through, effortlessly.
"The Boss's Constitution is definitely stronger, probably over 150," Noah said.
"Can zero-order Awakeners really handle this?" Claire, wrapped in thick beast hides and not worried about freezing to death, heard Noah's guess and looked utterly disbelieving.
"After all, it's a five-person instance," Noah sighed.
This intensity was naturally difficult for one person, but distributed among five people, it was not unacceptable.
"However, thinking that five SSS-Level Talent Awakeners can casually clear it by teaming up is thinking too much."
Hearing this, Claire couldn't help but smile.
Before entering the instance, she had been on the forums and naturally knew the current trend.
After SSS-Level Talent Awakeners started making their moves one by one, the first clears of various Trial Instances were taken down one after another, which gave everyone a strange sense of confidence, and some even believed that with five SSS-Level Talent Awakeners joining forces, the Advancement Instance could also be easily cleared.
However, talents include combat-oriented and support-oriented ones; low-difficulty Trial Instances can naturally be steamrolled, but trying to play like this in high-difficulty Advancement Instances won't work; a reasonable team composition is key.
"We've killed three waves of Minotaurs; even the Blood Hoof Tribe, no matter how slow, should have a reaction by now.
Next, we should be careful and not rush to confront them head-on."
Noah stated his plan.
"Okay," Claire had no objection.
An hour passed in a flash; the two kept moving.
Later, Claire's stamina was insufficient, so Noah casually picked her up, like carrying a chick.
Claire indicated, 'I have an opinion, but I dare not say it.'
During this time, they encountered a few waves of monsters; they avoided them if possible, and killed them if they couldn't.
Noah was stalling for time.
It had been almost two hours since entering the instance, and his various attributes had all increased by 20 points, making him stronger and stronger.
"If the countries of Blue Star cooperate fully and form the strongest team, how long would it take to clear the Advancement Instance?" Noah suddenly asked.
"Uh, well..." Claire was startled; she thought seriously for a moment: "Death and exiting both lead to failure in the challenge, and you have to wait ten days to enter again.
Therefore, those who truly hope to get the first clear won't enter the instance casually.
Most likely, they will let others clear the way and gather certain information before officially entering."
"It might take over ten hours."
Noah nodded slightly.
He couldn't say how accurate Claire's guess was.
It was impossible for countries to put aside all contradictions and competition and cooperate sincerely, but it couldn't be ruled out that some SSS-Level Talent Awakeners were willing to pay the price of failure to enter the instance to explore and provide a lot of information for others.
If Noah wanted to get the first clear, he still had to be conservative.
"When all attributes exceed 200, we'll make our move."
Over two hours later.
Noah glanced at his own attributes.
Strength 215, Agility 212, Constitution 216, Spirit 213.
[Skills: Swordplay Proficiency Lv3, Magic Shadow Step Lv3].
"Enough."
The two stood on a small dirt hill, looking towards the Blood Hoof Tribe in the distance.
They had found the location of the Blood Hoof Tribe.
"Are we going to force our way in?" Claire was a little nervous.
In her eyes, Noah's actions had always been very reasonable; first eliminating the small monsters and Elite monsters wandering outside would undoubtedly reduce the difficulty of the Boss fight.
Now there were no Minotaurs outside; to clear the instance, they would inevitably have to face the entire tribe.
"It's a pity we couldn't lure the Boss out," Claire said with some regret.
"You hide well; I'll be right back."
Carrying the heavy two-handed sword on his shoulder, Noah strode towards the Blood Hoof Tribe, with no intention of concealing himself.
Finally discovering Noah, the murderer, angry roars echoed from the Blood Hoof Tribe.
Immediately after, a large number of Minotaurs swarmed out of the Blood Hoof Tribe and charged towards Noah with murderous intent.
"Come on, then."
Noah showed no fear; the greatsword on his shoulder suddenly leaped up and swept horizontally.
Three Minotaurs were separated into upper and lower halves, blood spurting out.
As their screams were emitted, Noah charged forward, the greatsword thrusting straight, piercing through chests, stringing four Minotaurs together like candied hawthorns.
Then, with a casual swing of the greatsword, he flung the Minotaur skewers away.
In the blink of an eye, seven Minotaurs had died unnatural deaths.
"Whoosh."
The greatsword slashed backward, splitting a tall Minotaur Warrior from head to toe.
Noah, who had charged into the Minotaur crowd, began a massacre.
Not a single Minotaur was his opponent in a single exchange.
It was truly instant death upon contact, and demise upon being struck.
Claire, who was hiding, watched in a daze, as if seeing the scene from the Shogunate Mutiny instance where Noah was like entering an uninhabited land among the rebels, feeling a sense of history repeating itself.
"Roar~"
An extremely fierce roar sounded; a mountain-like figure pushed aside the blocking Minotaurs and charged in front of Noah.
The giant axe in its hand chopped down fiercely towards his head.
212 points of Agility made Noah's reaction incredibly fast; the greatsword crossed the air, blocking the axe.
"Clang."
There was no shocking power as imagined; Noah easily blocked it, then used force in his arm to push it away.
Only then did he have time to size up the opponent.
A height of three meters five, significantly taller than the surrounding Minotaurs, an incredibly burly physique, a giant axe in its right hand, two thick, long streams of white air Spurting from its nostrils, and eyes glaring at Noah as if spitting fire.
This appearance, nine times out of ten, was the Boss, the chief of the Blood Hoof Tribe, Rune.
The two sides didn't understand each other's language, and Noah had no interest in communicating; he directly attacked.
Unlike the other Minotaurs who fell in one sword strike, Rune's strength was extremely high, coupled with the assistance of other Minotaurs, preventing him from being killed in one blow.
Soon, Noah figured out Rune's stats.