A021 – Grindfest

A021 – Grindfest

After a few minutes of sufficient rest, Hecate restarted her grindfest.

As she walked in the path, she continuously clashed against various high-leveled undeads. But this time, she replaced her garment with Black Phantom's cloak, the +7 Cloak of the Fallen, and her face has been hidden by Black Phantom's mask, the +7 Mask of Serenity.

Spoiler ; ; Item Name: +7 Cloak of the Fallen Requirement: 3rd Jobclass Type: Armor - Garment Rarity: Durability: 800/800 Effect: STR +30, AGI +20, MAX HP +10%, MAX MP +7%

Hides your entire figure.

Very light-weight.

Upgrade bonus: DEF +35

MP Regeneration +25%

HP Regeneration Disabled

EXP Penalty +50%

Able to use [Indomitable] for each UpgLv per day (7/7)

Automatically inflict [Stone Curse] debuff to the attacker when attacked by close melee attack.

[] Soul Essence: Platinum Golem

Prevents knockback, Indestructible Armor, DEF -100

[ ]

Details: Cloak that was made from a skin of Chaos Wyrm.

It represent both immortality and immorality.

; ; Item Name: +7 Mask of Serenity Requirement: All Classes, Lv1 Type: Head - Face Rarity: Durability: 200/200 Effect: STR +8, AGI +3, DEX +9

Upgrade bonus: DEF +35

Distort the user's voice into unrecognizable pitch.

[ ]

Details: The newest fashion in Netherworld.

Its horrendous design, is supposedly cute by their standard.

Obtainable from limited cash shop items.

The cloak's effect would ensure her to survive any fatal injuries with just one HP left, for 7 times per day. Not only that, it also grants her a lot of bonus stats, as well as +25% MP regeneration. It was a powerful epic-grade equipment that makes Hecate more versatile.

And, the main reason why she changed to this cloak was the anti-knockback effect. After all, knockback in this place was fatal. If she got thrown off from the path and fall to the ravine, then it will be a sure game over.

However, it also has the demerit of halting HP regeneration and the increase of 50% EXP penalty in case she died while wearing this cloak. And by breaking the Lunar Set effect1 [Lunar Wand + Lunar Cape (Chapter 006)] , she loses her +10% Max MP and +40% MATK.

"Mystical Amplification! --- CYCLONIC STORM!" (distorted voice)

Hecate's spell blasted the surrounding undeads, along with their arrows and spells once more.

WHOOOOOSSSSHHH!!

-148.500 -147.600 -148.200 -148.300 -148.800

Some of the enemies were blasted from the pathway and fell off to the ravine. It's a pity that their loot also disappeared along with their bodies.

'The difference in loss is only 3% MP, it doesn't really matter. But, the loss of MATK 40% is quite detrimental... Though, it can still be compensated by casting MA first. It's a little troublesome, but I have no choice.'

She could only sigh. But she had to do this to increase her survivability.

Meanwhile, the mask can perfectly conceal her face and voice. So if somehow there are people who saw her wearing Black Phantom's clothes, they won't be able to recognize her as Hecate.

To add more precaution, Hecate also opened the minimap with a transparency setting of 97%. A hotkey slot of Crime Scroll also ready to be used anytime. If a green dot which symbolized Players appears in her minimap, she can immediately activate the scroll to hide her name.

Being a crime loli is hard!

And thus, the grindfest continues...

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As she continued the descending road, Hecate encountered a few of Wraith Deads and Banshee Masters. Their appearance was even more horrible to look at, compared to the Wraiths and Banshees on the previous floor.

Not only their appearance, but their skills also more frightening.

; ; You have been hit by the spell Soul Strike!

You took 280 damage! (10)

Your Ring of Death Warding successfully protected you from Insta-death!

Your +4 Saintess Necklace successfully protected you from Confusion.

You have been hit by the skill Death Claw!

You took 15.215 damage!

Your Ring of Death Warding successfully protected you from Insta-death!

Indomitable has been activated, you endured a fatal damage! Water Vapor used: 35/50 Tidal Wave used: 1/30 ; ; Precision Mana Control Proficiency +5 (759/1000) ; ; Experience value has reached the threshold. ; ; Skill proficiency has reached the threshold. Your mana control has been enhanced. ; ; A mysterious dark power prevented you to continue.

Most likely, those two Reapers acts as a Gatekeeper or something along those lines. Without defeating both of them, nobody can proceed further to the 4BF. If that was the case, then it make sense why they didn't chase the Players and continue to stay within their territory.

But either way, Hecate didn't plan to move now, since she had almost used her spells for today.

Spoiler ; <td colspan="3"> Lv131 -> 132 Precision Mana Control Lv1 -> Lv3 ; Firebolt used: 78/100 Fire Lance used: 38/50 Vermillion Blast used: 27/30 Waterbolt used: 80/100 Water Vapor used: 50/50 Tidal Wave used: 30/30 Wind Slash used: 50/100 Wind Barrage used: 28/50 Cyclonic Storm used: 25/30 Waterbolt Scroll: 80/100 Coldbolt Scroll: 88/100 Ice Barrage Scroll: 81/100

It was because of this limited arsenal that she didn't challenge the Reapers, and also avoided the route that has Ghoul Slaughter in it.

The most important spell, Water Vapor, has been used up. Without it, she would have been bombarded by the undeads. Other spells and scrolls also almost exhausted.

"Well, I guess this is it."

As Hecate cleaned the last monsters on the altar, Hecate relaxed.

But suddenly, she sensed a bad feeling in her heart.

Her vision suddenly turned red due to the warning from the Fortune Instinct. However, before she could react, something suddenly hit her from behind.

SWIIISH!! PAAAK!!

-44.300!

"GAAHHK...!!"

; ; You have been hit by the skill Assassinate!

You took a surprise blow from the skill and receive triple critical damage!

You are immune to poison, Deadly Venom loses its effectiveness!

You took 44.300 damage!

Indomitable has been activated, you endured a fatal damage!

Severe pain suddenly overwhelmed Hecate's mind.

Hecate has set her Pain Receptors at 100%, completely different than most players. She did this to increase the skin sensitivity to feel the friction of air, which also affects her swiftness response during movement. But this also meant the pain she received just now was the same as the pain of being cut in real life.

Of course, not just anyone can set their Pain Receptors to 100%.

During the entire login time, the game will monitor the player's brainwave and heart rate. This data will be used to calculate the upper limit of Pain Receptors that the player can set. Players with strong mind and body, without any health problem can set theirs to 100%. Meanwhile players with health issue will have lower limit.

However, even if the players have 100% upper limit, few will chose to do so. Most players who play this game mainly chose their Pain Receptors at 'recommended' option, which was only 10% or below.

Only the extremist will dare to set their Pain Receptors to 100%.

'Wha!!? I got ambushed? But there's nothing appeared in the minimap? Don't tell me...'

Hecate immediately turn around and jumped backward from her position. As she jumped, she quickly activated a skill.

"SAFETY WALL!"

FWOOSSH!!

; ; You used the skill Safety Wall!

1 Ruby has been consumed!

Safety Wall successfully created!

This wall can block any attack up to 10.000 damage

and will last for 6.8 hours!

In that instant, a red-colored barrier with the shape of a dome appeared, protecting Hecate.

The barrier can block any attacks up to 10.000 damage. But compared to the damage Hecate was received just now, it probably can only defend her just once before it shatters.

'Well, I didn't take any Safety Wall-related support skills. Of course this wall would be fragile.'

Hecate took another Hi-Potion and drank it.

'But blocking once is enough! If they dare to attack, then...'

At the same time, her eyes looked at the surrounding area, searching for the enemy.

It didn't take a long for Hecate to find the supposed enemy. In a pillar not far from her position, a figure that observing her can be seen very clearly. It was an undead with skeletal figure. But unlike regular skeleton, it has flesh and muscles, indicates that it was a ghoul.

Not only that, it has a trace of wisdom.

The Ghoul Slaughter!

Considering it has one of the strongest DPS skill, Assassinate, it can be concluded that it belonged to Assassin, or Shadow Assassin Jobclass. Then, the reason why it didn't appear on the minimap, most likely due the skill Presence Concealment.

The moment Hecate realized who was the enemy, her first response was...

Grappling Hook activate!

--PSHAAW!

"Hasta la Vista, BABY!"

Prompt retreat!

Without hesitation, she immediately run away from the enemy.