Although Kent knew that nothing in the lower level of The Chaotic Rock Cave could threaten him, he still set up a precaution on the rock blocking the entrance. He dug a shallow trench in the ground, placed his tail inside, and pressed the rock on top of it. If the rock were moved, it would squeeze his tail and wake him from his sleep.
...
Once again, Kent was rudely awakened from his dreams, filled with rage. He had finally managed to meet Mazelshia in his dreams, only to be interrupted!
It was Mazelshia!
The timing couldn't have been worse. Just as she was tying up her hair!
Kent was furious, and the consequences would be dire.
The moment he saw the Loving Team entering the cave, he activated Savage Charge.
"Damn it! Why is there a giant wasteland dragon lizard in The Chaotic Rock Cave?"
The Loving Team was shocked, but their mature and steady captain, Reinhardt, was the first to react and start issuing commands.
"Shield me! Haste on everyone! Retreat immediately!"
After giving out these three orders in quick succession, Reinhardt activated Shield Block, tensing his muscles and preparing to face the charging beast head-on.
[Shield Block (Grade D): Consumes 150 mana and 100 stamina, raises the shield to block frontal attacks, reducing damage by 15% and temporarily gaining 500 shield points.]
"Shield's up!"
Priest Anna immediately cast the pre-prepared Overheal, followed by chanting Flash Heal. At the same time, Mage Harry began chanting Group Haste.
[Overheal (Grade D): A 3-second chant (can be pre-prepared) consuming 150 mana, restores 443 health points to the target, with 75% of the overflow converted to a shield.]
With the combined effect of these two grade D skills, Reinhardt was covered in two layers of light, providing a total of 832 shield points!
With such a high shield value and a 20% damage reduction, the Loving Team finally felt some relief. They believed that the shield, which had always stood in front of the team, blocking countless monsters, could protect them once more.
Only Reinhardt knew the true danger. This was the most perilous moment since the Loving Team's formation.
That lizard seemed off! The oppressive force it exuded, like a high-speed magic-powered battering ram, was not something an ordinary giant wasteland dragon lizard should possess!
Despite his heavy refined iron armor and the double-faced armored beast shield, and even with the dual shields on him, he felt no sense of security.
But he couldn't dodge. The cave was too narrow; he could dodge, but what about his teammates behind him?
Reinhardt's intuition was correct. After leveling up and gaining numerous attributes from devouring, Kent's Savage Charge now dealt 3663 damage!
Boom!
A loud explosion echoed through the cave. The Loving Team members watched in horror as their proud captain was sent flying by the beast's charge, blood spurting from the gaps in his helmet. His limbs twisted unnaturally as he convulsed.
A large number floated above him.
-832! (shield value) -2282!
And as he flew back, Reinhardt crashed into the boulder at the cave entrance, causing secondary damage.
-100!
"Captain!"
The mournful cries echoed in the cave as the dual-axe warrior and greatsword wielder, ignoring the captain's retreat order, charged at the giant wasteland dragon lizard in a desperate attempt.
Humans were inherently weaker than monsters. The level 18 shield guardian Reinhardt had a physique that stood out among first-rank superhumans, but even with equipment, he had only 25 points in physique.
Reinhardt's health was reduced to a mere 118 points, putting him in a critical state (less than 5% health remaining), and he fell unconscious.
Additionally, when NPCs are critically injured, they suffer from bleeding, continuously losing health. Reinhardt was now on the brink of death!
Kent quickly assessed the NPCs' conditions and decided to finish off the critically injured tank without hesitation.
Ignoring the axes and greatsword slashing at him, he strode towards the fallen Reinhardt.
Better to cut off one limb than injure ten fingers!
"Stop! Please!"
The Loving Team's eyes were red with fury. The melee fighters desperately threw themselves at Kent, trying to stop him, even risking their lives to block his path. But they were easily swatted away, helplessly watching as he got closer to their captain.
Priest Anna raised her staff and cast Flash, attempting to blind Kent.
[Flash (Grade E): A 1.5-second chant that consumes 200 mana, emitting a bright light that blinds enemies looking at it for 3 seconds.]
However, Kent, often targeted by rookie priests during the beta test, wouldn't fall for this. Timing it perfectly, he closed his eyes for 0.5 seconds and reopened them, flawlessly avoiding the flash.
Seeing the Flash fail, Anna began chanting Heal at the fastest speed of her life, while Mage Harry, having cast Group Haste, didn't hesitate to gulp down the most expensive mana potion from his backpack.
The hunters drew their bows and prayed their relentless training would pay off, hoping the armor-piercing arrow would hit the giant wasteland dragon lizard's eye.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain.
Kent reached Reinhardt and, under the desperate gazes of his team, bit him, killing him amidst their anguished cries.
Anna finished chanting Heal, but her mind went blank. The spell dissipated unused as a single thought echoed in her head.
If I hadn't insisted on buying the space ring, if someone else in the team could taunt, would the captain still be alive?
Before Anna could gather her wits, a great force yanked her away from the approaching jaws.
Slap!
A stinging slap brought Anna back to her senses. Old hunter Glass, gritting his teeth, barked:
"Stop dazing, avenge the captain!"
Tears streaming down her swollen cheek, Anna began chanting Group Heal.
This was the first time the Loving Team had hit her.
The man who would always fix her mistakes, pat her head, and comfort her was gone.
Seeing the NPCs' overwhelming hatred, Kent nodded in satisfaction, dodging the arrows aimed at his eyes.
He was conflicted about using Devour on humans.
But these were just NPCs, and he needed to wipe out this mercenary team completely.
If any escaped and reported to the Kaelin Village mercenary guild, it would lead to tasks targeting him—investigation, capture, or even extermination.
These were things Kent, who wanted to develop stealthily, couldn't afford.
So, he had to kill their captain in the most brutal and hatred-inducing way possible right before their eyes.
He couldn't understand what these mercenaries were saying, but seeing the shield guardian directing them indicated he was their leader.
With the dual-axe warrior behind him now fully enraged and ignoring positioning, Kent quietly positioned his tail and launched Whip Lash.
"Dodge!"
The other mercenaries shouted warnings, but it was too late.
A series of four tail lashes struck, and the dual-axe warrior exploded into a blood mist after enduring only three hits.
The Loving Team's melee DPS, the dual-axe warrior Kinlaf, was dead.
Devour activated again, restoring 15% of Kent's max HP, bringing his health back to full.
Taking advantage of the team's emotional turmoil, Kent moved stealthily towards the cave entrance, trapping them inside.
Today, these mercenaries must be annihilated!