Chapter 7 – Bronze level BOSS
Jiang Chen's maneuvers looked difficult.
Jiang Chen had to simultaneously guide the attack direction of the first small monster and the movement rhythm of the second small monster, keeping both monsters in sync.
Only then could he dodge attacks while maintaining the same rhythm with both monsters.
This way, all three would stay in a straight line, always synchronized.
It was an extremely challenging operation, and Jiang Chen couldn't guarantee success.
But he still managed to do it.
He controlled the situation.
With some evasive maneuvers, he took down the first gnoll.
The second one finally got close, but it was no longer a threat to him.
It quickly fell under Jiang Chen's poisonous healing.
"If my movement speed were higher, I could kite them without all this trouble."
Jiang Chen couldn't help but sigh.
"Brother Mortal Dust, I leveled up to 4!"
Not far away, Qing Ying shouted happily.
"Mm, keep it up."
Jiang Chen casually replied and charged towards a new gnoll.
Qing Ying's face turned red, and she muttered, "I can't even help, what am I cheering for..."
***
Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Chen reached level 6.
As usual, he allocated his free attribute points, bringing his spell power to 100!
At the same time, he noticed a prompt on the panel:
[Current intimacy with Qing Ying: 57/10,000]
"If I remember correctly, 57 is the number of small monsters I just killed."
"It seems that as long as we're in a party, each monster kill adds 1 point of intimacy. But this 10,000 points... it's really not a small number."
Seeing this intimacy value, Jiang Chen felt he needed to work even harder.
Just as he was about to continue his efforts.
"Awooo!"
A fierce wolf howl suddenly came from ahead.
Not far away, a gnoll raised its head, howling at the moon in the sky.
In an instant, its eyes turned red, and its body grew by half.
[Mutated Gnoll (Bronze BOSS): LV5]
[Pounce and Bite: For every 10% health lost, it will charge at the target and perform a full-force bite, dealing 500% damage.]
"A BOSS appeared!
At this stage, very few people can even handle level 5 small monsters.
This level 5 Bronze BOSS, even if someone encounters it, they can't take it down.
If I can kill it, it might be the first kill!"
Jiang Chen looked at the mutated gnoll, practically drooling.
After all, a Bronze BOSS is guaranteed to drop at least one piece of Bronze equipment.
With the "Drop Quality +1" buff, that means a piece of Silver equipment!
And most importantly.
For the first kill of each type of BOSS, the player who lands the final blow gets an extra piece of class-specific equipment!
This allure was immense for Jiang Chen.
However.
Looking at the BOSS's skills, Jiang Chen calmed down and didn't act rashly.
The mutated gnoll's [Pounce and Bite] was a charge skill. With his current movement speed, he couldn't dodge it by maneuvering.
If he got hit, with his current stats, he would be instantly killed with no chance of survival.
"I need to think of a plan..."
After some calm thinking, Jiang Chen's gaze fell on Qing Ying.
Knight!
Shield Block!
"Good thing I partied with a Knight!"
A smile spread across his face.
Seeing Jiang Chen smiling at her, Qing Ying was momentarily stunned, a blush creeping onto her delicate face.
Jiang Chen was a bit speechless, then said, "I'll go pull the BOSS in a bit. You stay there and don't move. Listen to my commands. When I tell you to use Shield Block, activate it immediately."
"Qing Ying, did you understand?"
Seeing no response, Jiang Chen emphasized again.
Qing Ying naturally understood, she was just stunned.
She didn't expect Jiang Chen to go for the BOSS!
Can he really do it?
Qing Ying had some doubts, but they quickly dissipated.
Because she thought of Jiang Chen's inhuman maneuvers.
Since that was the case, she just needed to watch her big brother perform!
"Mm, I got it!"
Qing Ying nodded, then asked, "Do I need to do anything else?"
"No, just stay put."
With that, Jiang Chen walked towards the BOSS.
Positioning himself at the maximum distance, he cast a Healing Spell.
-180
A white light fell, and a number floated above the BOSS's head.
But its health bar barely moved, showing 98.2% remaining health.
"Ten thousand health."
Jiang Chen understood and immediately retreated.
The injured BOSS quickly approached Jiang Chen.
It raised its claws, larger than those of a regular gnoll, and slashed down fiercely.
Jiang Chen dodged.
His steps seemed to be dodging left and right, but his body subtly moved towards Qing Ying.
The BOSS followed closely.
As the BOSS got closer, Qing Ying felt a sense of pressure and grew nervous.
Soon, Jiang Chen led the BOSS to Qing Ying, just a body length away.
He stopped retreating and began dodging in small movements.
Jiang Chen's Healing Spells never stopped, casting as soon as the cooldown ended.
Fifteen seconds later.
The BOSS's health dropped below 90%.
"Awooo!"
It suddenly stopped attacking and let out a roar.
Here it comes!
Jiang Chen's expression turned serious, and he immediately retreated.
The BOSS pounced!
Just half a second before it leaped.
Jiang Chen shouted, "Shield Block!"
At the same time, he shifted behind Qing Ying.
Qing Ying shivered, quickly raising her shield, which glowed with golden light.
Clang!
The pouncing BOSS bit into her shield.
Sparks flew.
"It actually blocked it!"
Qing Ying was shocked but filled with joy.
It seemed... this BOSS could really be beaten!
Damn, that's awesome!
Qing Ying couldn't help but praise Jiang Chen's incredible maneuvers in her heart.
Then, Jiang Chen, who still had the BOSS's aggro, pulled the BOSS back to a body length away from Qing Ying.
He resumed his evasive maneuvers.
When the BOSS's health dropped another 10%, Jiang Chen repeated his tactic.
With perfect timing, he neutralized the BOSS's pounce and bite skill again.
Qing Ying stood still, waiting for the command to use Shield Block.
She didn't dare move an inch, fearing it would disrupt Jiang Chen's rhythm and maneuvers.
***
Three minutes later.
The BOSS fell with a thud.
[You have killed the wild BOSS: Mutated Gnoll (Bronze), completing the first kill.]
[Your level has increased to: 7.]
[Your four main attributes +1 point, and you have gained 4 free attribute points.]
[Current intimacy with Qing Ying: 67]
Jiang Chen allocated the points to Intelligence.
Constitution: 16 (↑1)
Strength: 16 (↑1)
Agility: 16 (↑1)
Intelligence: 45 (↑5)
"Brother Mortal Dust, I leveled up again!"
Qing Ying was overjoyed. She was now level 5, almost level 6.
Killing the BOSS had leveled Jiang Chen up by one, and Qing Ying nearly two levels.
Seeing the faint glow under the BOSS's corpse, Jiang Chen quickly picked up the loot.
[You have obtained Flowing Cloud Robe (Silver).] (First kill final blow reward!)
[You have obtained Sharp Dagger (Silver).]
[You have obtained Sealed Skill Book (Two-star).]