''Heh, like this, I gained 2 more levels. '' Raydon muttered to himself as he watched the lifeless body of the last lion man fall to the ground and dissolve into particles of light.
Then he decided to open the character panel and assess the changes.
[Level]: 8
[Rank]: E (White)
[Experience]: 9,970 / 34,000
...
..
.
[Undistributed stat points]: 28
''Whew, I still need a lot more experience to reach the next level. ''
He had already accumulated an incredible amount of experience points before the match had even reached the halfway point. However, he was only able to reach level 8 as a result of this.
Also, taking into consideration the fact that the required amount of experience points increased by such a large margin with each leveling up, it was unavoidable that his rate of leveling would eventually slow down.
Considering the average level of the battle maids and the lion men he had defeated, it seemed like it would take a considerable amount of time for Raydon to reach the 20s.
However, regardless of how challenging it was, the fact that he could advance in levels was sufficient for him. With a sense of satisfaction, he shifted his focus to the items scattered on the ground.
''I don't have enough space in my inner world to collect all of these. But leaving them on the ground can pose problems as well. '' Raydon furrowed his brow, contemplating the situation.
He recalled a previous encounter where he had faced a similar dilemma. The worm-like Region Boss had seized the items on the ground and vanished underground before he could retrieve them. Determined not to let history repeat itself, he searched for a solution and turned his attention to the cat battalion.
''Hey, while I'm engaged in battle, you guys will protect my loot. '' Raydon commanded, pointing towards the scattered items.
Raydon initially had some doubts about whether or not the cats would comprehend his seemingly uncomplicated instruction, but he quickly realized that his concerns were unwarranted.
The cats, who had been observing Raydon with unwavering attention, sprang into action. They swiftly moved towards the items, their feline agility allowing them to navigate through the scattered loot.
Then each of them grasped an item from the ground with their mouths and turned to look back at Raydon.
''Hahahah, good, good. Just hold onto them. Don't try to eat them. '' Raydon chuckled, delighted to see the cats obediently carrying out his command with determination in their eyes.
The first thing that came to his mind was the possibility that the cats would damage the items or try to eat them. However, he swiftly dismissed that concern when he recalled that cats typically handle their kittens with their mouths and have a delicate touch when it is necessary to do so.
''Man, I might have just found myself some excellent loot pets. ''
Raydon recalled one of the most difficult obstacles that players had to overcome in the majority of the games he had played. During the many hours that were spent grinding for experience points, one of the tasks that required the most time was collecting items that had fallen to the ground. The fact that these cats are demonstrating such great potential as skillful loot collectors, however, means that this issue may now be completely resolved.
''Now I can focus on my tasks with peace of mind. '' Having resolved his primary concern, Raydon shifted his attention back to the Region Boss.
It was clear that the rate at which the Region Boss recovered HP was significantly slower than that of the Chitinous Tyrant. Its amorphous body was still in a state of dispersion, but it was making an effort to reorganize itself.
However, the true challenge posed by this Region Boss lay in its resistance to physical attacks, courtesy of its liquid-like form.
Also, due to the fact that the mucus that made up its body appeared to be quite dangerous, he decided against engaging in close combat with the daggers that he had obtained from Nysora because his body was already injured and his health was low.
'I believe Rusty Chain is my best option for attacking. I just hope this thing isn't immune to flames. ' Raydon thought as he intensified the black flames enveloping his chain.
In fact, Raydon possessed another attack-type skill that surpassed Rusty Chain in terms of effectiveness—the Explosive Swarm. Unfortunately, his current mana reserves were insufficient to activate it. Moreover, he couldn't risk harming his newly acquired pets through friendly fire.
The Region Boss, which had been patiently regenerating its health in a defensive stance, sensed Raydon's focus turning towards it. It carefully manipulated its enormous mucus body in order to get itself ready for the fight that was about to break out.
With its mouth wide open, the Region Boss launched its first offensive move, unleashing a stream of green liquid towards Raydon.
Raydon, anticipating this attack, rolled to the side to perform the most efficient means of evasion available to him, which would also place the least amount of strain on his already injured body.
*Hssss*
Narrowly dodging the attack, Raydon raised his head and muttered as he witnessed the green substance rapidly dissolve the surrounding soil. 'I need to end this quickly.'
Because of the extensive damage that had been inflicted upon his muscles and bones, he had a severely reduced range of motion. And he was well aware that if he were to miss even one of the Region Boss's attacks, it would be enough to end his life.
To ensure a swift victory, Raydon made a decisive choice—he would channel all his strength into a single devastating attack, aiming to deplete the already weakened Region Boss's HP in one fell swoop.
With resolute determination, Raydon unleashed the mana particles within his soul, shifting his aura to the type that would prove most advantageous in this critical moment.
- Dominion Aura (sub-skill): Enhances the user's attack-type skill effects by 100% on all targets within a 2000-meter radius.
Upon activating his sub-skill, Raydon's aura emanated from his body in intense, gloomy waves of black energy.
The aura rapidly expanded, starting from beneath his feet, and caused the dry earth to crack under its influence as it moved forward.
''Meow. ''
The frightened meows of his cats startled Raydon, and he watched as they made an effort to run away from the approaching aura wave.
''Damn, I almost forgot about them.''
He quickly intervened and exerted greater control over his aura in order to protect his companions from it.
''Stop running. You're only making it more difficult!'' Raydon exclaimed with a frown as he observed the cats in a panic.
The cats miraculously stopped running away as soon as they heard their master give the command, and they remained perfectly still. They obediently followed the orders of their new master, despite the fact that their instincts were telling them to flee from the harmful aura.
Their submission to him was greater than their fear of what he might do.
When Raydon saw that the cats had stopped running as a result of listening to his words, he let out a sigh of relief, and then he immediately began to take control of his aura.