"What?!" Xuanyuan exclaimed. If one's level is reduced to level 49 on failure, one would have to grind to level 50 again but the difference between the two levels is not a mere 1 level difference. And not being able to challenge the quest for another 24 hours is even worse. The time is enough for expert players to do many things. If a front line expert is unable to promote in 24 hours, he'd be eating the dust left behind by other experts.
As for the 20% increase in difficulty, he didn't care about that. Even if the difficulty is raised by 1000% he'd still complete it. That was the confidence of a Great Human Saint!
Xuanyuan didn't release his Mana domain to fight this time. He wanted to play normally like other players and would only use his true powers when required.
He looked around and chose a certain direction. The system didn't provide any Map to guide him so he need to find his own way.
He had just taken a few steps when he suddenly sensed a killing intent around. He was a Void realm expert so he didn't face any difficulty in terms of sensing the killing intent.
He looked around and saw about twelve Humanoid monsters gazing at him as if he was their Archenemy.
Xuanyuan pretended as if he didn't notice them and walked normally until one of the Assassins revealed himself as he tried to stab Xuanyuan.
Xuanyuan unsheathed the Silver Runic Sword and swung it behind him deflecting the dagger coming for him and repelling the Assassin several steps back.
The twelve monsters were composed of A Berserker, A Swordman, Two Shield warriors, Two Assassins, Two Rangers, Two Mages and Two Healers.
HP: 50000...
The monsters quickly arranged themselves in a formation to fight Xuanyuan. The two Shield warriors were at the fore front with the Berserker and Swordman directly behind them. The Mages were at the middle while the Healers and the Rangers form the back lines. The Assassins were in stealth and patiently waited for the fight to begin so they can find a way to sneak attack.
"They are so intelligent!" Xuanyuan commented to their actions.
In game, as monster tiers increase, they start gaining a certain level of intelligence. Demon Emperors even have intelligences that rivals Humans'. This monsters are designed to give players massive headaches as there are even some monsters and Bosses that'd toy with players before finishing them. Also as their intelligence increases, their combat standards also improve and even ordinary monsters would have the combat abilities of a Body Refinement realm expert. For the Humanoid monsters before him, they possess abilities of Half step Body Refinement realm experts...
Once they were ready, the Guardians led the attacks and charged at Xuanyuan with their Shields raised.
Xuanyuan tightened his grip around the Sword and began dodging the attacks of the monsters until he appeared in front of the Healers. But before Xuanyuan could attack them, two thick bolts of dark lightning suddenly descended upon his head. Since he chose not to use his powers he had to sidestep to dodge leaving the Healer safe from harm.
"Is this the 20% increase in difficulty?" Xuanyuan muttered.
Although, the monsters were sentient monsters, their intelligence is still too much for their level. The only explanation he can think of is the 20% increase which gave the monsters additional intelligence allowing the monster Mages to attack Xuanyuan when he went for the Healer.
In individual battles, Healers were useless but in group battles, they were second only to Assassins in terms of annoying opponents. In group battles, The most important players are the MTs. The next are Healers because as MTs absorb the damage dealt, Healers ensure MTs won't die because a Team without an MT is half finished. Imagine just when you were about to kill your opponents' MT to cripple them and their Healer heals him ensuring he doesn't die how would you feel?
Shield Warriors have high HP compared to other classes. Coupled with their defense, they are tough nuts to crack. With Healers behind to heal them, they are nearly invincible. So in group battles, Healers are primary targets and Assassins are usually deployed to sneak up to them and eliminate them. Since he was alone, Xuanyuan chose to attack the backlines first not knowing their Dark Mages was already prepared.
The monsters were smart but Xuanyuan was smarter. When the Mages' attacks missed, he swung his Sword rapidly and sent two sword lights at the Mages who was caught off guard. Without any suspense, the Mages were sent flying away with up to 30% of their HP gone.
The Melees who had just reacted turned to attack Xuanyuan but Xuanyuan dodged and went for the Healers who we're about to heal the Mages. With two slashes, he disrupted the spells of the Healers and even reduced their each by 10% each.
The Rangers who had been prepared all this while shot six spear like arrows at Xuanyuan who swung his Sword sis times and the arrows were defected towards the Berserker, Swordman and Shield warrior respectively and sent them several steps back with 25% of their HPs gone. As for the Rangers, Xuanyuan slashed at them and forced them back also.
In an instant he'd effortlessly disrupted the formation arranged by the monsters.
Before they could rearrange themselves, Xuanyuan was already sending chops after slashes reducing their HPs without giving the Healers any chance to cast their spells.