"Hmm? Nemesis Will? Guardian Spirit?" Lin Fang blinked in surprise. His eyes couldn't help but gaze at the first notification. "A coin for every kill. Now, that's another way to earn money." He couldn't help but grin, feeling a surge of excitement. "Alright, let's kill more."
Just as he is prepared to fight the undead that slowly materialize, tightening his grip on the sword, Li Chengfeng said with a hint of disapproval on his face. "We are not here to slay monsters, Lin Fang. We are here to help you connect to the Spirit King."
"Uhh…" As Lin Fang blinked twice in awkwardness. With swift thinking, he replied. "I hear this word, more, something just whispered in his head. I'm getting this strong feeling that I should kill more monsters."
"A whisper?" Li Chengfeng furrowed his brows.
Li Xue was taken aback but then said with glistening eyes. "That makes sense. Nemesis is an evil spirit king. It loves to eat other spirits. So, the thing absorbed into you was its condensed spirit. I thought it was some remnant mana or something."
Li Chengfeng observed Lin Fang.
In the meantime, the six skeleton soldiers that reached nearby were destroyed by Betty with a simple paw wave.
"Alright, let's continue." With a nod from Li Chengfeng, Lin Fang tightened his grip on the sword once again with resolution. "Good."
Ding!
[You killed Skeleton Soldier. +1 coin]
[+1 Skeleton Soldier's spirit has been absorbed by Nemesis' will.]
[You killed Skeleton Soldier. +1 coin]
[+1 Skeleton Soldier's spirit has been absorbed by Nemesis' will.]
[You killed Skeleton Soldier. +1 coin]
[Skeleton Soldier's spirit has been absorbed by Nemesis' will]
.
.
.
[You killed Skeleton Soldier. +1 coin]
[Skeleton Soldier's spirit has been absorbed by Nemesis' will]
Lin Fang's focus sharpened with each successful kill. At the same time, he continued to collect coins. After killing 24 Skeleton soldiers, his mana reserves became empty, and Li Chengfeng gave him another mana crystal to give him another 524 points of Mana.
Walking through several narrow passages and killing another 37 skeleton soldiers, they eventually reached a large empty chamber, before a giant golem-type monster rose from the ground instead of skeletons.
Lin Fang's eyes were put to work quickly, activating his inspection skills. The holographic screen appeared with its details.
Emberwood Golem
Level: 21
Grade: Rare
"Level-21?" He couldn't help but halt his movements; the hesitation became evident on his face. So far, the skeleton soldiers he faced were all around level 6 to 8. He didn't expect a sudden jump.
Li Xue also seemed to have sensed its strength, even without possessing an inspection skill like Lin Fang's. "It's an Elite-tier monster. You sure you can handle it?" Her voice had a hint of worry. But Li Chengfeng only pushed him forward by stating, "What is there to worry about when Betty is there to protect his back?"
Li Xue averted her gaze and quietly muttered, "Well, Betty was already feeling greatly uncomfortable helping him out. And I don't think I can control her for a long time."
Meanwhile, Lin Fang, who was pushed forward a few steps, almost stumbled forward. He balanced his footing with his grip tightened on the sword's hilt.
*Raaa*
The Golem let out a gluttural roar, immediately charging at the intruders. Its fist was raised high to smash it down on Lin Fang's head. The latter rolled to the side in reflex and swung the sword horizontally. The blade scraped against its leg, leaving a small cut, but his mana was reduced by more than 30 points.
"Eh?" As Lin Fang looked at the damaged blade, Li Xue spoke aloud. "Betty, kill it."
The Frost Veiled Cat immediately raised its paw to kill, but Li Chengfeng stopped it. "Wait."
"Hmm?" Both Li Xue and the white furred cat turned their heads to look at the middle-aged one. The latter raised his hand, mana gathered at his palm before it shot out in the form of tendrils of energy, binding the Golem in energy ropes.
*Graaa* Graaa*
The Golem continued to roar, trying to get free, but the bindings firmly stayed, immobilizing it in place. He then gazed at Lin Fang. "Don't think too much and attack."
Lin Fang didn't hesitate either. He didn't care whether he got support or not. All he cared about was killing them.
Gripping the sword tightly, he charged forward without fear, slashing at its leg.
A few minutes later;
"Master Li, please give me another mana crystal."
*Ding!
[348 Point of mana has been added.]
Another minute later.
Lin Fang jumped high, raising the sword enveloped by mana. "Oraaa." Letting out a battle cry, he swung it down at Golem's chest. Its core cracked and then broke like glass.
As it dissipated like sand, a notification was received by him.
*Ding!
[[You killed Emberwood Golem +100 coins]
[Emberwood Golem's spirit has been absorbed by Nemesis' will]
[Emberwood Golem's spirit is converted into 100 common-grade spirits.]
"Ugh…"
Lin Fang sat down, letting out a groan, feeling the aftereffects of the continuous fight for the past half an hour.
Li Chengfeng couldn't help but frown, seeing his state. "Lin Fang, we have only covered one-third of the dungeon. You can't get tired yet. Get up." His tone turned stern at once.
"Hmm?" As Lin Fang turned his head, the master continued. "The more you push to your limits, the closer you will get to drawing out the spirit king's power. If not for the fact that you are not a match for the Golem, I wouldn't have even stepped in."
Lin Fang wanted to scoff and say that he only needed to kill monsters and collect their spirits, that's all, but in the end, he kept mum, not wanting to reveal his secret.
He bore the pain and rose to his feet again. He wobbled left and right for a moment, but he stabilized his footing, nodding at him.
However, before he made another step, Li Xue grabbed his arm, stopping him. "No, sit down."
"Hmm?" "Huh?"
"Uncle, that's enough." Li Xue stepped between Lin Fang and Li Chengfeng with her tone as sharp as a blade.
"Why not? Look at him. He hasn't gotten out of gas yet." Li Chengfeng countered coldly with his arms folded. "If he rests every time he feels tired, he'll never grow. Monsters don't wait for you to catch your breath."
Li Xue's brows knitted in displeasure. She readily argued back at her uncle. "He's not a veteran like you, Uncle. This is his first dungeon raid. You can't push him like this."
Their voices echoed off the cavern walls as the remnants of shattered skeletons crunching beneath their boots. Lin Fang glanced between them, unsure if he should say something.
"Xue'er, you're far too soft."
"And you're far too stubborn!" she snapped back, surprising even Lin Fang with her fiery tone. They only knew each other for a bit, and seeing how she was defending him agressively, Lin Fang felt a warm feeling in his heart.
"I don't care if you're my uncle. Today, I'm not letting you kill him just to push out his potential to connect with the spirit king."
The standoff lingered for a bit until Li Chengfeng finally exhaled through his nose in defeat. "Fine. Twenty minutes. Not a second more."
Li Xue smiled faintly in victory and guided Lin Fang to sit against a broken wall.