Random tasks are inherently variable and based on chance rather than being fixed or unique. During the novice period, these tasks offer valuable experiences and rewards, particularly the rewards that can significantly boost a player's upgrade speed, even if they provide ordinary equipment. It's worth noting that equipment drop rates are quite low, but missions offer a more accessible way to obtain gear.
In the task system, random tasks typically fall in the medium category, providing better experiences and rewards compared to ordinary tasks.
Chu You swiftly followed the cries for help, dashing through dense underbrush and scaling a rocky outcrop. Suddenly, the vista expanded before him. He scanned the surroundings and spotted a small waterfall in the distance, its cascading waters not falling from a great height.
An intelligent NPC, resembling a seasoned herbalist, found himself in dire straits as two gray wolves closed in on him. The old man cried out in pain, desperately fending off the wolves with a makeshift wooden weapon.
Chu You locked onto the old man's predicament, noting that his health was rapidly depleting. If this continued, the gray wolves would surely overpower him, and the chance to complete the random task would slip away.
Chu You swiftly assessed the terrain, then descended from the rock with agility. When he landed on the ground, his health dropped by -20, which left him feeling slightly embarrassed. Nonetheless, it was a safer alternative to leaping down from a great height.
Drawing his training sword, he sprinted towards his target. The gray wolves remained preoccupied with their prey, oblivious to the approaching danger.
Just as Chu You closed the gap to within two meters of the nearest gray wolf, he entered its attack range.
The gray wolf he targeted let out a howl of pain, redirecting its hostility toward Chu You in an instant. He swiftly slashed his sword at another gray wolf, causing both of them to abandon their assault on the old man and turn their attention to Chu You.
With honed combat experience, Chu You maintained his composure. He relied on his body's agility and heightened awareness to evade the gray wolves' attacks, biding his time for the right moment to counterattack.
Despite sustaining an additional -30 HP, Chu You managed to defeat the two gray wolves.
He sheathed his sword and hurriedly approached the old man lying on the ground.
The old man moaned in pain, his hands tightly covering the injured leg, from which bloodstains seeped.
"How are you?" Chu You inquired.
The old man opened his eyes and expressed gratitude, "Thanks for saving my life, young man, but my legs won't budge."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Chu You recognized that casual conversation with random mission NPCs should be approached carefully. All NPCs in this world possessed high intelligence, with IQs no less than humans, and being too perfunctory in words or actions could lead to an awkward situation.
"I was collecting medicinal herbs for an adult's treatment. Could you assist me? I'm unable to move at the moment," the old man explained as he retrieved some ointment from his medicine basket and applied it to his injured leg.
"I accept the task. No, I'm willing to help you. Please, tell me, what do I need to do?" Chu You had just received a system prompt to accept the medicine collector's quest, and he chose to undertake it.
The old man strained his neck and gazed at the small waterfall. Suddenly, several luminous specks of light appeared on the rocky wall concealed within the ordinary waterfall, forming a surrounding pattern.
Upon seeing this, Chu You's heart skipped a beat, understanding the challenge that lay ahead.
"This is promising. Within that waterfall lies a small secret realm, young man. I need you to retrieve the Blue Devil Flower from it. The flower is located at the deepest level," the old man explained.
Chu You nodded, assuring the old man, "Rest assured, I'll retrieve the flower for you."
After their conversation, Chu You rose to his feet and made his way toward the small waterfall.
"Wait!" came the voice of the old man who had been collecting herbs.
Chu You turned his head slightly, standing tall, ready for the old man's guidance.
"Young man, remember this: the mysterious realm is divided into three levels. You must not choose the other two. The simplest one is meant for you. To be honest, even the simplest level may pose a considerable challenge. I offer this advice in good faith," the old man cautioned.
Chu You nodded once more and approached the location of the entrance, stating, "Thank you, I understand."
The once ordinary small waterfall had transformed into the gateway to the instance. This instance was exclusive to Chu You, and other players couldn't enter even if they were present.
The system issued a prompt: "Would you like to enter the 'Poisonous Spider's Lair'?"
Chu You selected: "Yes!"
The system then presented another prompt: "This dungeon is divided into three difficulty levels: Normal, Hard, and Nightmare."
A fleeting thought crossed Chu You's mind, but he quickly steeled his resolve and opted for the most challenging mode, Nightmare.
In "Tian Shi," all dungeon were categorized into three levels, with Nightmare mode being the most challenging, often referred to as "Death Mode."
Nightmare mode significantly boosted experience and equipment drop rates, but the challenges it posed were nothing short of daunting.
Chu You's digital form dissolved into a cascade of virtual particles beneath the waterfall, entering the instance.
A moment later, Chu You found himself in a dimly lit environment. Behind him lay an impassable rock barrier, sealing his retreat.
Chu You pondered for a moment, then accessed the task interface.
Task Name: Entrusted by the Elder Herbicide
Mission Hint: Traverse the 'Poisonous Spider's Lair' to reach its deepest point, eliminate the Poisonous Spider leader, acquire the mission item 'Blue Devil Flower,' and ultimately deliver it to the Elder Herbicide.
Mission Rewards:?
Upon seeing the task reward displayed as a question mark, Chu You curled his lips slightly. He understood that the copy's reward varied depending on the chosen difficulty level. The more challenging the completion of the dungeon, the better the potential rewards.
Chu You made his way toward the only available path. It led him into an underground cave, where dense cobwebs crisscrossed the terrain. Occasional hisses echoed from a distance, lending an eerie atmosphere to the surroundings.
As Chu You advanced, he carefully surveyed his surroundings. He was aware that in general, Nightmare mode dungeon featured elite-level monsters. The optimal approach to combat was one-on-one; facing two or more adversaries in a single instance meant a dire outcome—either death or...
Chu You refrained from adopting a running stance, conserving his energy for a critical moment.
In a brief period, a massive spider sprawled across the path ahead of Chu You. This arachnid was sizable, nearly the size of a swan.
Chu You avoided entering the creature's detection radius and paused to scrutinize his target.
White Sac Spider, Level 5, One-star Elite. Monsters encountered within dungeons tended to be more formidable than those found in the wild. In such confined spaces, regardless of the tactics employed, there was little chance of staying hidden from players' sight.
After his assessment, Chu You drew his training sword and proceeded cautiously. When he closed to a mere ten meters from the White Sac Spider, it sensed an approaching threat.
The spider abruptly raised its terrifying head and emitted a piercing screech, its eight legs poised to attack Chu You.
Chu You swiftly assessed the situation. The opponent's speed was not particularly impressive. Initiating a running mode would ensure the creature couldn't catch up with him.
As the two adversaries drew nearer, a confrontation was imminent!
Chu You's countenance was determined, the challenge invigorating his spirit. Such a demanding trial ignited a fervor within him.
The White Sac Spider raised its front legs, assuming an offensive stance against Chu You for the first time.
Chu You deftly sidestepped the attack, simultaneously thrusting his sword forward.
-20
With an attack power of 45, inflicting 20 damage was a commendable achievement, considering the level difference between the combatants.
The One-star Elite designation marked the lowest tier of elite monsters. As a Level 5 elite creature, the White Sac Spider boasted swifter movements and higher attack potency than standard Level 5 monsters, making its damage output particularly menacing.
Consequently, the White Sac Spider wasted no time in launching another attack against Chu You.
-49
Chu You's health bar dipped by a fifth, but he remained composed. Immediately after taking the hit, Chu You purposely refrained from using a healing item. His objective was to gauge the extent of damage inflicted by the spider's attacks, forming a mental assessment.
With a clear understanding of the White Sac Spider's attributes, Chu You shifted into a more focused and serious mindset.
Leveraging the intricate terrain, Chu You swiftly made his way to a stone column, his gaze fixed coldly on the relentless White Sac Spider that pursued him.
As the spider lunged for another attack, Chu You adeptly evaded it by utilizing the stone pillar as cover. He rested one hand on the stone column and extended half of his body to thrust his sword at the White Sac Spider, inflicting damage before readjusting his position relative to both the spider and the stone pillar. This tactic was crucial because engaging in a confrontation would not favor Chu You. The spider boasted high attack power, and his health was perilously low.
Chu You engaged in a guerrilla warfare strategy against the White Sac Spider, circling the stone pillar as his makeshift stronghold.
When the White Sac Spider was about to attack, Chu You skillfully dodged behind the stone pillar.
Employing this tactical approach, Chu You successfully wore down the Level 5 One-star Elite monster. The visible increase in experience was evident. While it didn't yield the substantial experience gains seen in leapfrog killing, the ability to single-handedly defeat elite-level foes was a valuable skill.
The Fighting God's physique was well-earned, and without the bonus from his physical attributes, Chu You realized he wouldn't have stood a chance against the White Sac Spider. He contemplated venturing deeper into the instance.
Moving forward with utmost caution, Chu You meticulously surveyed the surrounding terrain, diligently searching for a potential hiding spot.
The need for a safe zone weighed on Chu You's mind, yet he had not discovered one thus far.
Before long, two White Sac Spiders emerged ahead. Chu You scrutinized the area and identified a potential shortcut.
Crawling alongside a lava rock, Chu You moved silently, maintaining a distance of over ten meters from the White Sac Spiders. As long as he remained quiet and kept his distance, the spiders would remain oblivious to his presence. But what if he made a noise?
Should a sound escape him, nearby monsters would be drawn toward the source of the disturbance. Initially, they'd approach from about two or three meters away, and if the player continued making noise, they would steadily draw closer until they entered the perception range and detected the player.
Chu You navigated cautiously along the uneven and steep stone wall, monitoring the nearby spiders while also paying attention to his footing.
In the end, Chu You skillfully evaded the obstacle and ventured further into the depths.
There were no forks in the path here; a single road extended all the way to the end.
Continuing forward, Chu You encountered several White Sac Spiders individually. In one-on-one battles, he exuded confidence. As he defeated each of them, Chu You's experience grew, and he ascended to Level 3. This was a remarkable achievement, especially considering he had only started the game a short while ago. Reaching Level 3 in just four hours placed Chu You at the top of the rankings.
The game's time progression was notably slower, with a ratio of 2:1 compared to real time. Two days in the game equated to one day in reality. Therefore, after spending 48 in-game hours, only 24 real-world hours had passed.
However, Chu You soon furrowed his brow as he noticed what appeared to be a "dead end" up ahead.
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