Taking advantage of the lowered defense, Jiang Han quickly unleashed Death Spirit Slash, Grip of the Undead, and Chaotic Slaughter in succession, dealing nearly eighty thousand damage in one go, reducing the Sharp Beak Fire Ape King's health by around 4%.
"Are you trying to tickle me?" The Sharp Beak Fire Ape King burst into laughter, "Your strength is so feeble, is your vital energy insufficient?"
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: The Sharp Beak Fire Ape King has used the skill [Ultimate Taunt], employing verbal attacks to reduce your attack by 10%!
Oh, system, which eye of yours saw his taunt taking effect on me?
I, Jiang, am full of vital energy, alright?
Jiang Han, feeling speechless, quickly retaliated, "Your physique is so exaggerated, several times larger than the ordinary Sharp Beak Fire Ape. Can you really fit into places?"
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Your verbal attack has lowered the [Sharp Beak Fire Ape King]'s defense by 20%, attack +10%, attack speed +10%!
"You..."
The Sharp Beak Fire Ape King, infuriated, seemed to be hit in a sore spot, raising its right fist and unleashing a violent blow, both in speed and power.
Due to the close distance, Jiang Han had no way to evade.
"Swish!"
At a critical moment, a pale green energy shield appeared in front of him, formed by elemental energy, helping to reduce the damage of this punch.
Zephyr Guardian!
-30157!
A damage of thirty thousand, still within Jiang Han's acceptable range.
After enduring the Sharp Beak Fire Ape King's heavy punch, Jiang Han continued to taunt, "With such little strength, you embarrass yourself coming out. Just go home and drink milk!"
"Your speech sounds like a duck's quack, I can't understand a word you're saying!"
"I'm saying, with your appearance, so refreshing, even dogs would shake their heads!"
"You... you wretched creature!"
"If you can't argue back, just resort to name-calling. Beasts will always be beasts!"
...
A fierce verbal battle ensued between man and ape, mutually decreasing attack and defense. However, Jiang Han's superior skills prevailed. After a dozen rounds, he infuriated the Sharp Beak Fire Ape King, making it burst into a rage, ending the continuous effect of the Ultimate Taunt skill.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Jiang Han once again activated the Slaughter Domain, drank two healing potions, and unleashed various skills, ultimately defeating it.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Congratulations on successfully killing the level 42 Golden-tier BOSS, [Sharp Beak Fire Ape King]. Rewards: Experience +1800000, Reputation +2500!
"Swoosh!"
Golden light scattered, reaching level 37!
Not only that, due to the numerous Sharp Beak Fire Apes and the generous experience from the BOSS, Jiang Han directly reached level 37 with 88% experience, soon to hit level 38.
After picking up the two dropped items and three gold coins, Jiang Han immediately checked their attributes—
[Flame Dagger](Golden-tier)
Attack: 250-280
Effect: +25% Attack
Effect: +30% Attack Speed
Negative Effect: -20 Health per second
Required Level: 40
Introduction: A dagger tempered with special flames, capable of cutting through iron like mud. It has significant damage, but its surface is extremely hot, posing a risk of self-injury.
[Flame Helmet](Golden-tier)
Defense: 80-100
Health: 2500
Effect: +20% Defense
Required Level: 40
Introduction: An astonishingly defensive helmet, forged from precious flame crystals. Ordinary weapons can hardly leave a mark.
...
"This dagger's attack is truly formidable..."
After examining the Flame Dagger's attributes, Jiang Han looked at his Frost Cloud Sword, shaking his head, "Brother, you're in a sorry state!"
Although he was outclassed in various aspects, he hadn't considered changing weapons. As a Dark Swordsman, his skills were tailored for sword-type weapons, and using a dagger would be uncomfortable due to its limited attack range.
Of course, it wasn't entirely fruitless. The Flame Helmet had significantly better attributes than his current Obsidian Helmet and was definitely worth the upgrade, but he was still a bit short of the required level.
Subsequently, Jiang Han continued to climb the Lava Mountain.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Please note, due to the high-temperature environment, health is reduced by 10 points per second!
The scorching red rocks made the air dense, and Jiang Han was drenched in sweat, extremely uncomfortable.
The higher he climbed, the higher the temperature in the mountain range. It had reached the point of causing damage, and upon reaching the barren summit, health was deducted by 500 points per second!
Fortunately, the environment wasn't an enemy. Not entering combat state meant that the Death Energy could still provide 0.5% health recovery per second, keeping him at full health.
"Found it!"
According to the treasure map's description, Jiang Han surveyed the surroundings and arrived at a rocky location. He saw a wooden stick pressed into the soil, immediately using the Frost Cloud Sword to dig it out—
[Coarse Long Stick](White-tier)
Attack: 1-1
Required Level: 1
Introduction: Only a woman in despair for love would ultimately choose it.
...
This...
Such an evil introduction, isn't the game designer afraid of being beaten to death?
Criticism aside, Jiang Han waved the stick and couldn't help but feel speechless, "Is this the treasure?"
He thought he would obtain something valuable, but it seemed Cheryl only arranged a task for him, and the stick was just a symbolic endpoint.
"Gurgle..."
Just as Jiang Han was about to return with the stick, his blood suddenly surged in his body, cold energy circulated through his limbs, and a purplish-black energy rushed out from within.
What's going on?
Is the potential of the Dark Swordsman awakening again?
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You sense a presence that resonates with you. Current distance: 500 meters!
"Resonates?"
As the energy in his body gradually settled, Jiang Han felt a faint and elusive energy nearby, immediately starting to search.
...
Current distance: 505 meters!
Current distance: 493 meters!
Fortunately, the system kept reminding Jiang Han of the remaining distance to the destination, allowing him to find the direction. Otherwise, even if he traversed the entire lava mountain range, he might not be able to find the destination.
Current distance: 1 meter!
Upon reaching the endpoint, Jiang Han's surroundings did not change. He took out the Frost Cloud Sword and began to dig.
After a while, he touched a hard tile, removed it, and saw a hidden room beneath, spacious but with damaged furniture. The walls and floor were covered with sword marks and burn marks from flames.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You have discovered the hidden map [Town God Tower]!
[Town God Tower]
Introduction: An ancient building from who knows how many years ago. Perhaps due to its special material, it still maintains its original appearance after endless years. Legend has it that this
is the battleground where numerous top experts fought against mysterious and evil monsters...
...
Seeing the information about the Dark Swordsman in the introduction, Jiang Han probably understood why there was an energy here similar to his own.
With this in mind, he didn't hesitate to jump into the Town God Tower.
Although the description in the introduction portrayed it as a battleground for powerful beings, and it might not be safe, he was a player. Even with only one life, if he feared adventure in playing a game, he probably wouldn't get far.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, as Jiang Han touched the floor inside the tower, a scorching golden flame erupted from beneath, engulfing him.
Zephyr Guardian!
At the critical moment, he decisively used his only protective skill.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You triggered a restriction left on the ground by the Flame Demon God. Due to the erosion of endless years, its power has greatly diminished, causing only 157891 points of damage to you!
Good!
A good use of the word "only"!
Having saved his life by relying on Zephyr Guardian, Jiang Han sighed in relief, waiting for the Death Energy to replenish his health.
Looking at the seemingly safe floor next to him, he spat out, feeling a lingering fear.
A player who fears adventure probably won't get far in playing games. But a player unafraid of adventure might end up kneeling right where they stand.