Chapter 65: Sweeping Through the Cave (Part 2)
I was greatly startled and quickly gave a fierce shake, flinging off the soft, floppy thing clinging to me.
Damn it, I was both shocked and angry, so mad my nose was crooked – it was actually a red Cave Spider, with four normal ones, still baring their fangs and claws with lingering satisfaction, their bristly appearance terrifying, eight horrifying eyes rolling and flashing. Very good, a very special welcome method, it reminds me of the first time I met you guys!!!
I laughed in extreme anger, leading Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf to meet them. With the Damage of my current Werebear Transformation, I could take care of a normal Cave Spider in two moves. My Attack was already higher than Doug's. That Elite Cave Spider didn't last long under the combined Attack of Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf either. Utter trash, looking at it, it could only hide on the cave ceiling and scare people. Even the recently Mutated Lazy Crow had the urge to give these useless pus-bags a try.
Trash Strength/Power means the Items dropped naturally wouldn't be good either. The Elite Cave Spider only dropped a few Potions and Gold Coin for me. This was the first time I encountered such a stingy Elite Monster, damn.
The second level of the Cave was noticeably smaller. After wandering for a while, I found myself back at the Entrance to the first level. However, the Monsters inside hadn't changed much in type, but their density had increased significantly. Unfortunately, I was already Level 12, and the Experience they gave was already as little as it could get. Watching the Durability of my Equipment constantly drop, I hesitated for a moment, but still decided that if I couldn't reach that legendary Gold Treasure Chest by tomorrow, I would definitely head back.
However, luckily, the second level wasn't large. The day after I woke up, I deliberately walked along the Cave I hadn't seen the day before. After walking for about half a day, I had killed at least several hundred, if not a thousand, Monsters. Finally, I reached the deepest part of the second level.
This deepest part was a huge Cave, lit by several Torches. There were actually several types of Monsters inside, and they were getting along peacefully. It seems the Charm of the Treasure Chest was truly extraordinary, capable of making Monsters who were usually Bitter Enemies, fighting to the death upon meeting, unite to protect it.
And there were even three Elites inside! Elites are good! I exclaimed with emotion. Although I had killed quite a few, this kind of luxurious Lineup was the first time I had seen it. Now, inside the Cave, only encountering Elites could make me happy for a while.
The three Elites were a Hungry Dead, a Skeleton, and a Dark Hunter. I didn't stand on ceremony and charged straight in. I threw the prepared Molten Boulder towards the slow-moving Hungry Dead, then used a Firestorm on the Skeleton and Dark Hunter who were closing in. With just two Spells, most of the Mobs in the Cave were cleared out, leaving only a few lucky Hungry Dead and the ranged Dark Wanderer who weren't affected.
Next, Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf bit the Skeleton, while I transformed into Werebear Form to face the Dark Hunter. I swatted at it with a paw, uh... it was a bit hard. Could this Dark Hunter's added Elite Stats be Skin Hardening? I should have let Poison Creeper deal with it earlier, its Toxin is the Bane of this type of Elite Stats.
After Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf bit the Skeleton to pieces, they turned back. I was going back and forth with the Dark Hunter, having a great time fighting. However, I, with my tough Skin and High HP, was clearly more suited for the Elite title. Even with Skin Hardening, the Dark Hunter couldn't withstand my pot-sized paws fiercely slapping it. And at this point, Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf also came to join in. Before long, this Elite Dark Hunter fell down with an unwilling scream. When I turned back to look at the last Elite, I was amused. This guy was trembling slightly as he "pounced" towards us. Considering its Speed, the Best Senior Award should undoubtedly be given to it.
This guy had already taken a Molten Boulder head-on earlier, losing almost half of its Life. How could it withstand our torment? Before long, it followed in the footsteps of the other two Bosses. The remaining few Hungry Dead and Dark Hunters were all cleaned up by Poison Creeper.
The three Elite Level Monsters dropped a lot of loot, even illuminating the entire Cave, but unfortunately, most of the Light came from Gold Coin. As for Equipment, I glanced at it briefly, and there was no Golden color. That's right, even with the bug Charm on me, Mini-Bosses rarely drop Golden Equipment. What would the Drop Rate for these pathetic little Elites be?
After first clearing away the unsightly Gold Coin, the entire Cave immediately dimmed considerably. What remained were only a few Magic Equipment, White Items, and Potions.
The first thing was a Magic Double Axe. Judging by its position, it should have been dropped by the Elite Hungry Dead.
Warrior's Fire Double Axe
One-Hand Damage: 6-17
Durability: 24-24
Required Strength: 43
Required Level: 13
Axe Class: Normal Attack Speed
+37% Enhanced Damage
+60 Accuracy
Adds 3-10 Fire Damage
An Excellent Grade three-Stats Axe with high Attack. Unfortunately, it requires Level 13, which isn't a big deal, but the Strength Requirement of 43 points is quite depressing. I only have 22 points now.
Under the Axe, there was also something similar to a badge. I looked down and saw it was a Necklace. This was a rare Item! Just looking at Lars and the others who had been adventuring for so many years and hadn't gotten a single Necklace, you know how low the Drop Rate is.
Sea Blue's Condensed Shield Amulet
Poison Resistance +14%
5% Chance to cast Level 3 Frost Nova when struck
Excellent Grade, another Excellent Grade. Not to mention the use of the Poison Resistance Stats when killing Andariel, the second Stats is already very overpowered. A 5% Chance when struck? This is simply tailor-made for me. Imagine wearing this Necklace and then transforming into Werebear Form, standing in a pile of Monsters. Wouldn't the 5% Chance trigger "constantly"? Of course, the premise is that those Monsters' Attack isn't too high...
The Hungry Dead was quite generous. Not only did it drop 2 Magic Equipment, but one of them was the rarest Necklace.
As for the Dark Hunter, damn it, I wasted so much time dueling with her, and she only dropped 2 White Items: a Hand Axe with 3-6 Damage and a pair of Heavy Boots with 6 Defense.
However, the Heavy Boots were still better than the Normal Leather Boots I was currently wearing. Change them, change them.
The Skeleton only dropped one Magic Equipment, which was a Light Belt.
Deep Blue's Energy Light Belt
Defense: 3
Durability: 14-14
Cold Resistance +19%
+3 Energy
Uh... the Durability of my previous Sash was long gone. I quickly put it on. Unexpectedly, the biting cold inside the Cave was significantly reduced the moment I put it on. So Cold Resistance has this effect. It seems I need to increase my Cold Resistance before going to Harrogath in the future, otherwise even a Class Changer would freeze badly.
Besides that, there was a quiver of Crossbow Bolts (221).
Well, the haul was pretty good, especially the Necklace. Even Mini-Bosses rarely drop them, but I managed to get one here, and the Stats are so good.
However, the main event was next. I looked at the deepest part of the Cave, the slightly glowing Corner, and quickly walked over. As expected, what was placed inside was a waist-high Gold Treasure Chest!
The Treasure Chest was locked, but that didn't matter. I heard that these locked Chests were all made by the Blacksmith, and the style was exactly the same. Ever since an Assassin cracked it and created a Key, as long as you carry such a Key, all the locked Chests in the hands of Monsters are no different from being open. It's laughable that these Monsters clearly know that locking is useless, yet they still tirelessly try every means to get a locked Chest from the Blacksmith.
With immense excitement, I inserted the Key I got from Akara's Place into the keyhole and gently twisted. With a "snap," a Crevice appeared on the tightly sealed top of the Chest. The Light shooting out from the Crevice was as golden and dazzling as the Sun in the dim Cave.
The most exciting moment had arrived. I gently lifted the lid, and the dazzling Light spread out with my Movement, finally illuminating the area within ten meters brightly.
My eyes were stinging a bit from the golden Light. After finally adjusting, I quickly poked my head inside.
Uh, a Gold Coin. I "pinched" a Gold Coin out of the Chest with my large Bear Paw and stuffed it into my Inventory.
Another Gold Coin, uh... it's a Treasure Chest, lots of Gold Coin, lots of Equipment, not strange, haha...
Still another one...
One more...
After I pinched the last Gold Coin into my Inventory and looked inside again, my eyes immediately welled up with tears. The last Item lying at the bottom of the Chest was finally not a Gold Coin.
Then, I used my pot-sized paw to drag out the last thing. From its shape, it looked like a Slightly Red Potion! No, I couldn't be fooled by its appearance. Maybe this was the legendary Sacred Potion that increases Maximum Life. I examined it carefully for a long time before I had to admit that its scientific name was Minor Healing Potion.
Someone must have looted this Treasure Chest not long ago. I glared fiercely at the empty Gold Treasure Chest, wishing I could stare some Equipment out of it. Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind. This isn't a Game! Looking at this Treasure Chest, it seems quite valuable!
Anger rose from my heart, and boldness grew towards evil. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I was already grinning lewdly at the Treasure Chest – although Gold Coin was just a number to me now, no one dislikes having more Money. An Ant is small, but it's still meat.
Just as I was Pondering how to stuff the Gold Treasure Chest into my Inventory Space, Ghost Wolf suddenly roared. A faint sound of Footsteps rang in my ears. Before long, several Figures appeared at the Entrance of the Passage in the opposite Cave.
"Who..."