Chapter 12 – Extra Income (1/2)
Chapter 12 – Extra Income
“Why learn Alchemy Crafting?” Yao Yao (Dark Mystery) asked in a puzzled tone.
“Mages who don’t learn Alchemy Crafting are certain to become poor beggars by the time they reach a high level. After all, magic potions are extremely expensive. The innate skill of a Human Mage is that they are able to skip a grade when creating magic type potions. It would simply be too much of a waste if a Mage didn’t learn Alchemy Crafting,” Nie Yan replied.
“Alright then, I’ve recorded the coordinates. Thanks for the recommendation, Nie Yan.
After noticing the movements of a water spider just ahead of him, Nie Yan began swimming towards its location. It was in an area about five meters away. Though suddenly, he stopped and swam no further. The Water Spider in front of him wasn’t exactly the same as an ordinary Water Spider—its build was slightly larger than average.
Water Spider Leader: Level 3
Health: 160/160
“It’s a Leader monster,” Nie Yan turned his head and said to Yao Yao.
“Can we beat it?” Yao Yao asked. Nie Yan was more knowledgeable than her. So somehow, she was starting to get used to asking Nie Yan whenever she had a question.
“Just barely. Only… it’s going to be slightly difficult.” Nie Yan surveyed the nearby area. The open water didn’t have any terrain they would be able to make use of. Not to mention this region was a haven for Water Spiders.
“If it’s too dangerous, then we should let it pass,” Yao Yao added. It would simply be too much of a loss if they ended up dying and dropping a level. For it would take two to three days’ time at minimum if they desired to train back to their current state.
“Do you have any Underwater Breathing Pills?” Nie Yan asked. The Water Spider was a type of creature that could only move on the water’s surface. Hence, they were unable to dive underwater—a fatal weakness of theirs.
“I don’t have any more. I didn’t carry enough and ended up using them all before.” Yao Yao’s expression had turned a shade of red. She hadn’t expected that—while on this journey—she would be required to use up so many Underwater Breathing Pills. If she did have enough pills, she also wouldn’t have met with such dangers. She could dive underwater whenever she encountered danger, and there would’ve been no problems at all.
“I still have one more pill with me… Take it. Water Spiders can’t dive underwater, so you’ll be the one attacking it first. If you’re forced into close quarters with it, then dive underwater immediately. I’ll be in the distance shooting crossbow bolts to draw it away. Once it’s gone far enough, resurface and continue casting. When its health nears zero, we’ll regroup and face it then,” Nie Yan said after contemplating for a moment.
Using this method, they could gradually whittle at the Water Spider Leader’s health until it died.
“I didn’t see it before, but that head of yours is truly useful.” Yao Yao couldn’t help but stare at Nie Yan. In his hands, any sort of problem simply became a cakewalk to resolve.
“When I was younger, my IQ was tested to be at two hundred and six. Matters such as these are a mere trifle!” Nie Yan smiled before swimming over to another side.
Seeing the appearance of how pleased Nie Yan was with himself, Yao Yao couldn’t help but break out into a grin. Really, this guy, give him a little praise and he gets so happy.
Seeing that he was about twenty meters apart from the Water Spider Leader, Nie Yan signaled Yao Yao.
She waved her staff and cast Holy Smite. The spell struck the Spider Leader’s body, dealing fifteen points of damage to its health. [Health: 145/160]
What’s with this Leader monster? Its defense is actually higher by a lot!
「Hiss!」The Spider Leader let out a strange screech and began sprinting towards Yao Yao. Before the Spider Leader was able to reach her location, she could still cast one more spell. She began to activate Holy Strike.「Boom!」A beam of light exploded forth, falling from the Heavens and smashing down onto the Spider Leader’s body—causing it to lose sixteen health. [Health: 129/160]
Once Nie Yan finished arming his crossbow, three bolts fired out in succession.「Putt! Putt! Putt!」All of them hit their target. −6, −6, −6
[Health: 111/160]Three damage numbers floated above the Spider Leader’s head. Afterwards, he continued to rearm the crossbow.
Having finished casting Holy Strike, Yao Yao saw that the Spider Leader had charged close to her position. Almost immediately, she dove back into the water.
After Yao Yao had dove underwater, the Spider Leader had no means of getting to her.
The Spider Leader was skittering back and forth fretfully on the water’s surface, where Yao Yao had submerged.
「Whsh! Whsh! Whsh!」Three bolts arrived at their target, hitting the Spider Leader’s head. [Health: 93/160] Nie Yan immediately attracted its attention, and the spider went sprinting towards his location.
Nie Yan anxiously resupplied his crossbow with bolts. Before he could even finish fully reloading, the Spider Leader had already rushed in front of him. He hurriedly swapped his crossbow for his dagger.
“Assassinate!”
Nie Yan struck out with Assassinate, stabbing the Spider Leader in its flank—dealing twelve points of damage to its health bar. [Health: 81/120]
The Spider Leader leapt forward and struck him, causing Nie Yan to lose sixty health.
What a strong attack!
If I suffer another hit, I’ll undoubtedly die!
Nie Yan originally wanted to fight it out for another round. However, when he was facing a danger of this degree, he didn’t dare take the risk. In the next moment, he dove into the water.
The Spider Leader’s next strike hit empty air. Raising its sharp stinging legs, it stabbed into the water below. Its legs were similar to arrows raining down and entering the water’s surface. One struck Nie Yan and pierced directly into his shoulder.
−32
A damage value floated atop Nie Yan’s head.
The Spider Leader had succeeded in hitting with one of its attacks. Soon after, another leg came piercing towards Nie Yan.
Nie Yan did a quick roll within the water. The Spider Leader’s awl-like leg pierced through the water, just past Nie Yan’s cheek, causing a large streak of bubbles to emerge.
Close call! Only after Nie Yan dived a bit deeper, did he finally leave the Spider Leader’s attack range. He had a little less than twenty health remaining. Next time he wouldn’t confront the Spider Leader head on.
“Sacred Art!”
Taking advantage of the Spider Leader’s attention on Nie Yan, Yao Yao cast her strongest spell dealing twenty-seven damage to its health.
[Health: 54/120]
“Are you alright?” Yao Yao asked in a worried tone. She saw two very large damage values float over Nie Yan’s head.
“I’m fine. The Water Spider Leader’s attacks are too powerful. By all means, do not get hit by one of its attacks,” Nie Yan said while still having some lingering fears. He had underestimated the Spider Leader’s attack capability and nearly died.
“Okay, I understand,” Yao Yao answered back and continued to brandish her staff.
Under her unceasing bombardment of attacks, the Spider Leader’s aggro shifted back to Yao Yao. Once more, it charged in her direction.
“Holy Smite! Holy Strike!”
−15 [Health: 39/160]
−16 [Health: 23/160]
After Yao Yao finished casting another round of spells, she once again dove underwater.
The Spider Leader irritably skittered around the water’s surface. Nie Yan then fired off another three bolts, hitting the Spider Leader in its butt. [Health: 5/160]
So after kiting it back and forth, the Spider Leader’s health bar was gradually drained clean. Following Yao Yao casting one final Sacred Art, the Spider Leader’s health bar dropped to zero. its body floated above the surface of the water, shrivelled and curled up.
The entire process was simpler than they had imagined.
Seeing the Water Spider Leader meet its death, Nie Yan finally relaxed and sighed in relief. After killing it, his experience bar rose to fifty-two percent.
“What item did it drop?” Nie Yan asked.
“Come and see.” Yao Yao put the two items she just picked up into the trade window.
Fine Silk Gloves (Bronze Grade)