Chapter 99: The First Dungeon (5)

Just like the players' team was basic, so did Jake use the basic tactic to defeat them.

He took down the healer and two mages whose skills could have caused him the most difficulties. After that, he exposed his presence for a few reasons.

One of them was to give those players hope.

What kind of an archer would come to a melee range to fight a swordsman, tank, and thief?

Though it had been Jake's intent, the mask on his face did the opposite.

It was such a perfect mask for him that Ronan and his friends thought a high-level player had come to them in Jake's stead.

That said, the rest of Jake's equipment was familiar.

Pat, the thief, shouted at his friends, "It's that archer! He must have sent his pets somewhere, so be wary of them! We kill him in the usual combination!"

Ronan nodded, and so did the tank. These two, who wore heavy armor and wielded broadswords, looked like heroes from old tales.

Finally, the thief could have disappeared in the darkness. His role often kept him in his enemies' shadows, making him wait for the best moment to come out and neutralize the opponent or strike at the vital point.

Alas, he couldn't do that now.

His current task was to use the chance his swordsman and tank would create for him to wound the archer.

Biding time in the shadows also should trouble the archer. His presence was as bothersome as a cockroach.

Jake remained still. He was at least twenty meters away from the tank and the swordsman.

The former made the first move.

Keeping his shield high, the tank player clenched the handle and charged straight at Jake. He wasn't fast, but his steps caused earthquakes as he dashed at Jake as fast as possible.

His shield shone in a bright white luster.

Jake thought, 'He must have used two skills... I have yet to get taunted, so either he's limited by a range or waits for my next move to disturb it.'

It did.

Once the arrow connected, the loud bang resounded across the forest.

The tank stopped, and his shield fell heavily to the ground. Because its bottom part had a curved end, it impaled itself in the ground and rooted its user!

The tank inwardly exclaimed, 'What was that?! My hands feel so numb that I can't even lift the shield! Does his arrow have crowd control skills?! It's not a stun! What kind of CC is it?!'

Ignoring his friend's predicament, Ronan ran past the tank and took the first spot in the race. He was so close to Jake that he didn't doubt he would be able to pay back him!

Ronan shouted, "You can't use your bow now!"

"True," Jake nodded and quickly shoved his black bow into his inventory.

Meanwhile, Ronan had already raised his sword over his head. With the momentum carrying him over to Jake, he loaded his skill onto his blade and swung it down.

Jake stepped to the side, dodging the slash. The wind blew his hair behind.

Undaunted, Ronan swung horizontally, only to see Jake ducking below him. He inhaled the air equivalent to two adult lungs and swept his weapon again and again.

Jake, however, was apt at avoiding them.

'He has around three hundred strength... around half of that went to dexterity... maybe even less... he can't fight at a fast pace or without someone stunning opponents for him,' Jake read through Ronan's style and stats. The results of his training with Ingrid were now bearing fruit!

'His stamina must have fallen low already... I can easily blow him away,' Jake came to the conclusion. When Ronan prepared the skill to temporarily elongate his sword and increase his range, Jake went past his comfort zone and struck him in his abdomen.

His strength worth of five hundred points was one thing.

Ronan's lowered stamina and lack of defense against the blow was another.

In conclusion, Ronan was topped backward and landed heavily on his rear.

Jake stood over him, his bowstring drawn.

That was when the thief player emerged from the shadows.