NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Harvest equipment
"Master, attack and retreat quickly. Don't engage in prolonged combat. The Skeleton Captain has high attack power but lacks your speed. You can defeat it," Caiyi advised Arlo with a clear plan.
Arlo nodded. "Got it! Watch how I take down this boss and grab some loot!"
As before, when the Skeleton Captain was about four or five meters away, its massive iron spear thrust forward. Arlo dodged swiftly, closed in, and struck twice with the ram's horns. Then he quickly retreated, evading the sweeping spear. He repeated the attack-and-retreat tactic, landing four consecutive hits that reduced the Skeleton Captain's health by 100 points, leaving it roaring in frustration.
"Master, keep it up! The Skeleton Captain only has 500 HP. Just 375 more to go!" Caiyi cheered.
"375? If each attack takes off 25 HP, I'll only need 15 more hits!" Arlo's spirits lifted. "Alright, watch me crush this boss!"
Arlo began circling the Skeleton Captain, exploiting the dual-hit advantage of his ram's horns, which effectively halved his attack count. Time and again, Arlo's speed and weapon made a mockery of the boss, leaving it growling furiously.
"Haha! Boss, you're born to drop loot. Just accept your fate!" When the Skeleton Captain had only 75 HP remaining, Arlo delivered another two-hit combo, knocking off 50 HP. With only one more attack needed, victory seemed imminent.
Excited, Arlo prepared for the final blow. But suddenly, the Skeleton Captain let out a furious roar, its body radiating black light, sending Arlo flying.
"Master, this isn't good! The Skeleton Captain is evolving. Attack quickly before it finishes! If it completes its evolution, you'll stand no chance!" Caiyi yelled anxiously.
"Damn it, evolving?!" Arlo wasn't thrilled. Instead, he was terrified. Defeating bosses alone in the game was nearly impossible. Even with the Skeleton Captain, Arlo relied heavily on his speed advantage. If the boss gained more speed through evolution, escaping would be nearly impossible, let alone fighting it.
"You damn boss, take this!" Arlo charged at the Skeleton Captain, striking it twice with the ram's horns. The damage numbers popped up: -1, -1. Arlo was stunned.
"Seriously?!"
"Master, don't freeze up! Keep attacking! You still have the Resurrection Necklace. You can do it! Only 23 HP left! Go!" Caiyi encouraged.
Gritting his teeth, Arlo yelled, "Screw it! Let's go all in!"
He relentlessly attacked, chipping away at the boss: -1, -1, -1...
The Skeleton Captain, realizing it might not finish evolving before being defeated, roared and thrust its iron spear, piercing Arlo.
A sharp pain overwhelmed Arlo as his screen went dark—he had died. But moments later, a golden light enveloped him. The Resurrection Necklace activated, reviving Arlo on the spot.
"Master, only 11 HP left! Go, go, go!" Caiyi shouted.
With a 3-second invincibility window, Arlo furiously swung his ram's horns, knocking off another 6 HP before being skewered again by the Skeleton Captain.
Once more, the Resurrection Necklace revived him. Now livid, Arlo unleashed his rage. "Damn you! Die, die, die!!!"
He struck with all his might, landing a series of blows. On the sixth strike, the Skeleton Captain let out an earth-shaking roar. With a dazzling explosion, it collapsed in defeat, becoming the first boss Arlo ever killed.
"Master! Amazing! You defeated a Silver-tier boss!" Caiyi grabbed Arlo's hair, squealing with excitement.
"Ow, ow, ow… Stop pulling! You want me to become a monk?" Arlo complained, prying Caiyi off him.
"Master, check the loot!" Caiyi urged, pouting.
At the mention of loot, Arlo's eyes lit up. He hurried to inspect the items.
When he saw the dropped equipment, his eyes sparkled as he burst into laughter.
Cold Iron Spear: Level 8, Bronze-tier, two-handed weapon.
Attack: 50
Iron Armor: Level 8, Bronze-tier equipment.
Defense: 50
"Ha! Bronze-tier equipment! So much stronger than those trash white items!" Arlo couldn't help but laugh as he admired the items.
Unfortunately, both items required Level 8 to equip. Although defeating the Skeleton Captain boosted Arlo to Level 5, there was still a long way to go before reaching Level 8.
One peculiar item caught Arlo's attention, though.
"Why did a Skeleton Captain drop an ostrich egg?" Holding up the massive egg, Arlo asked Caiyi, "Is this its food or something?"