Bizarre Voyage: Summoning The Fourth Crisis

As time went on, the players’ exploration of the Near-Sea Cave had reached its second half.

After dealing with the initial Screaming Sea Anemones and hordes of Living Bones, they continued forward to find three paths and one narrow, hidden passage that was difficult to spot.

Of the three paths, one was the main route that led to the largest cavern. The other two were filled with clusters of Cave Living Bones and piles of Screaming Sea Anemones, making them more dangerous.

Compared to the previous monsters, these two groups were a bit more difficult, but the loot they dropped also seemed to be more abundant.

Li Miao got a rusted shortsword and a piece of tattered clothing, both of which were of shoddy quality. The haul was pretty pathetic...

The last narrow path was hidden in the shadows and wasn’t easy to find. After entering it, there was only a single creature called a "Thief Living Bone," which looked slightly different from a regular Living Bone.

It moved with great speed, but for Li Miao, it was still a piece of cake.

Having finally finished exploring these side paths, Li Miao breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward the largest, most open cavern.

’I have a feeling that open cavern ahead is the end of this dungeon.’

Before entering, he glanced at his character status.

[Title: Brother Miao Won’t Fail the Exam]

[Tier: Residual Ash]

[Level: 10]

[Ability Values: ...]

[Talent: Strong and Healthy]

[Skills: Dodge, Bone Fork Throwing]

A while back, he and Faraway had farmed the Fishman Leader for a long time to complete a specific quest, so naturally, he had obtained and learned this Combat Skill.

His Ability Values were naturally focused on Power and Constitution, giving him high Blood Volume and formidable Attack Power.

After making his final preparations, Li Miao took a deep breath and slowly stepped into the cavern...

Not long after he entered the cavern, a strange sound came from a pool of water up ahead. A heap of Flesh and Blood Algae, tangled with gore, began to writhe and intertwine, finally forming a monstrous humanoid creature.

[Fire Ignition·Lakemod]

[Tier: Residual Ash]

[Level: 10]

[Talent: Flesh and Blood Algae (It lacks the typical weaknesses of a body of flesh and blood.)]

[Skills: Corrosive Algae Fluid, Knight Charge]

[Explanation: A young man attempting to restore his family’s glory through Fire Ignition explored this far. He failed and was forced to become part of a bizarre algae life form.]

’This cutscene is really well made, but it’s also kind of disgusting...’ Li Miao grimaced as he watched.

However, he had a strong stomach and wasn’t really affected. Instead, he limbered up and tightened his grip on the Candlefire Scimitar.

’Bring it on...’

Li Miao thought to himself, staring intently at the monster before him.

"Restore... Lakemod..."

"Kill!"

The Fire Ignition Starter was mindless. Sensing an enemy, it had only one reaction: attack!

Corrosive Algae Fluid spewed from the palm of its hand.

Li Miao, who was focused intently on it, reacted immediately. He preemptively created distance, then used the opening to close in.

He and Faraway had discovered long ago that this game’s combat was extremely realistic.

Although the monsters would adjust their actions in response to the players, the players weren’t limited to just using the 50% damage reduction from a roll to mitigate an attack.

Running, jumping, or repositioning at the right moment could all be used to dodge damage.

Rolling was just a last resort—a gamble for when an attack was unavoidable, not a standard tactic.

And by now, Li Miao’s combat techniques were already quite polished.

Dodging an attack like that was easy for him. He even found an opening to land a slash before pulling away again.

However, when he saw the wound from his Candlefire Scimitar heal almost instantly, Li Miao frowned.

But he quickly noticed that small clumps of broken algae were falling off Fire Ignition·Lakemod’s body, turning to Ashes and dissipating.

’So the attacks are effective. It’s just that because of its Flesh and Blood Algae Talent, Fire Ignition·Lakemod isn’t affected by its wounds.’

’It’s not that difficult.’

After a brief exchange, Li Miao mentally assessed the Dungeon Boss’s strength and then refocused on the fight.

’But it still has one more Skill it hasn’t used. Better stay cautious.’

Li Miao didn’t get complacent; on the contrary, he grew even more cautious.

Sure enough, under his relentless pattern of dodging and counterattacking, Fire Ignition Lakemod seemed to enter a frenzied state.

Its bloated, white eyeballs spun wildly in their sockets.

"Charge!"

After letting out a roar and an indistinct, furious bellow, it raised its right arm, tucked it into its armpit as if couching a sharp Lance, and charged straight at Li Miao!

Its once-sluggish speed suddenly skyrocketed, making it seem like a veteran Knight who had drilled the move countless times. Even without a Weapon, it was unstoppable!

Li Miao’s heart leaped in alarm.

The difference in the boss’s speed before and after activating the Skill was immense. His rhythm was completely thrown off, leaving him no time to dodge in advance.

But Li Miao still made the best possible choice in that instant: Dodge.

CRASH—

Fire Ignition Lakemod slammed headfirst into the stone wall. A dull thud echoed through the cavern as the Flesh and Blood Algae composing its body splattered everywhere, collapsing into a heap.

SPLAT!

Li Miao’s Candle Spirit Body solidified from its blurry state. He scrambled to his feet and let out a breath.

’I’ve seen a lance with no tip that could still kill someone, but this is the first time I’ve seen a "lance" that doesn’t even exist almost kill someone!’

’Good thing the Dodge Effect triggered, or that hit would’ve laid me out flat!’

Then he noticed the scattered heap of Flesh and Blood Algae was starting to pull itself back together!

’Is this... a downed state?’

’An opening!’

The experienced Li Miao raised his scimitar and rushed forward, hacking furiously at the heap.

He hacked most of the Flesh and Blood Algae into Ashes, which even seemed to slow down its re-formation.

To finish it off, Li Miao backed away to a safe distance, took out the Bone Fork he had farmed earlier, assumed a stance, and hurled it with all his might!

Combat Skill·Bone Fork Throwing!

THWIP!

Perhaps thanks to Li Miao’s relentless assault, the Flesh and Blood Algae, having been hacked to bits and then struck by his Combat Skill, simply dissolved with a final squelch just an instant before it could finish re-forming!

[You have slain Fire Ignition·Lakemod]

[Obtained: Wax Oil x15]

[Obtained: Rusted Light Armor x1]

[Obtained: Battle Ash·Knight Charge]

[Rusted Light Armor (Ordinary)]

[Type: Chest Armor]

[Explanation: A finely crafted piece of Light Armor that has rusted after prolonged submersion in water, reducing its quality.]

[Battle Ash·Knight Charge]

[Type: Skill Book]

[Quality: Residual Ash]

[Effect: After a brief charge-up, you ram forward. Damage is maximized if wielding a spear or lance-type Weapon. (Note: This skill has certain Attribute requirements.)]

[Explanation: Though his flesh was shattered, his residual Soul still remembered the Combat Skill he had honed through countless trials.]

"Holy shit!"

"My luck has finally turned around!"

Li Miao was thrilled to see such awesome loot.

He knew from past drop rates just how hard it was to farm a Battle Ash, and he had actually gotten one on his very first clear.

’The Goddess of Fortune is smiling on me!’

"So satisfying."

Li Miao let out a long sigh of relief.

Currently, the only Battle Ashes that could be easily farmed on Candle Island were the Fishman’s Bone Fork Throwing and the Sand Worm King’s Concealment.

The latter had Attribute restrictions, so Li Miao couldn’t learn it...

Now, he had finally gotten another Battle Ash, and he didn’t need a second glance to know it was designed for melee players like him!

’Hmm, this dungeon is well-designed. The monster difficulty is moderate, and the loot is really well-thought-out.’

After touching the Milestone Spirit Candle, Li Miao was all smiles.

’This Near-Sea Cave is just perfect for melee players!’

After gathering his things and checking his surroundings to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, Li Miao stepped into the Gray Mist and left.

He had agreed with Faraway that whoever cleared the dungeon first would come out immediately to share information about the Near-Sea Cave’s interior.

’Faraway has probably cleared it by now, too...’

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