Chapter 31: Rising to Level 5 (2/5)
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“The Wrath of the Gods.”
A vast voice seemed to pierce straight into the soul, but the roar of the explosion was so deafening that it felt almost like an illusion.
Smoke and dust billowed in all directions.
Yang Fan stood unharmed before the utterly destroyed Zombie King.
“Congratulations, player—Silver Max-Level Zombie King slain. Title awarded: Zombie Slayer!”
“As the first player to defeat a Silver Max-Level Boss, you are granted a random skill book, 500 Apocalypse Coins, and 50 Reputation Points.”
“Congratulations on unlocking the Reputation System early.”
“Congratulations on reaching Level 3.”
“Congratulations on reaching Level 4.”
“Congratulations on reaching Level 5.”
A series of system prompts echoed. When the smoke cleared, Yang Fan immediately downed the Level 3, 4, and 5 potions—not to heal wounds or out of fear of danger, for the Zombie King was truly, utterly dead. What remained was his own glory and renown.
The move he had just used came to him in a flash: the Explosive Talisman had to be touched to detonate. Tossing it like a ninja was impossible, and charging in while holding it would be suicide. But then Yang Fan remembered his skill: Wrath of the Gods, five seconds of invincibility.
So, the moment the explosion went off, Yang Fan activated his invincibility. The Zombie King bore the full brunt of the blast, while Yang Fan emerged completely unscathed.
“Consumed Level 3 Stamina Potion—Stamina +20!”
“Consumed Level 3 Strength Potion—Strength +20!”
“Consumed Level 3 Agility Potion—Agility +20!”
“Consumed Level 3 Intelligence Potion—Intelligence +20!”
...
“Consumed Level 4 Stamina Potion—Stamina +30!”
“Consumed Level 4 Strength Potion—Strength +30!”
“Consumed Level 4 Agility Potion—Agility +30!”
“Consumed Level 4 Intelligence Potion—Intelligence +30!”
...
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“Consumed Level 5 Stamina Potion—Stamina +40!”
“Consumed Level 5 Strength Potion—Strength +40!”
“Consumed Level 5 Agility Potion—Agility +40!”
“Consumed Level 5 Intelligence Potion—Intelligence +40!”
...
In total, his stats had multiplied by nine. Counting his previous abilities, his average attributes now stood at seventeen times those of an ordinary human. Yang Fan felt a surge of heat and power throughout his body, his bones crackling, his mind clear as if soaking in a hot spring—a blissful sensation that lasted three seconds before fading away.
“Seventeen times the combat power of an ordinary person.” Yang Fan estimated his own strength: at least 170 in all attributes, 190 in strength, and a full 200 in agility. Overall, it was an impressive result.
“With such balanced stats, it must be due to the restorative potions.” He threw a punch, instantly sending a strong gust of wind that swept away the lingering smoke. Seventeen times normal ability was incredibly powerful—he could sprint a hundred or two meters in a second. He recalled a film he’d seen, “Spider-Man.”
The protagonist there possessed abilities over fifty times greater than a normal person, but less than a hundred times.
“If I reach max level and take Tier-3 potions from Level 1 to 10, my abilities might rival Spider-Man’s,” Yang Fan murmured, then turned his attention to the system-granted skill book: a Grade B skill, “Steel Qi Impact.”
[Skill Book]
Steel Qi Impact.
Current Level: Grade B.
Potential: Grade SSS.
Effect—Stun: Chance to inflict stun.
Effect—Deep Wound: Increases Qi sharpness by 50%, adds 30% of strength as damage, and has a chance to deepen wounds by 10%.
Description: Channel Qi to cloak the body, charge forward for massive damage, with a high probability of inflicting stun.
---
“A fine skill.” Yang Fan immediately learned it. The skill was perfectly tailored to his current situation—system rewards might not always be amazing, but they were always practical.
As he learned the skill, his mind flashed with understanding. He saw himself, wreathed in fiery red energy, launching a fierce attack.
“So that’s how it works.” The skill might seem simple, but there were many critical details. The learning process took but a second. As soon as he finished, Yang Fan’s first instinct was to look at the ground. The Silver Max-Level Zombie King had been terrifyingly powerful—if not for his invincibility and Explosive Talisman, he could never have brought it down.
After the Zombie King’s death, the loot would surely be substantial, even if zombies rarely dropped anything at all.
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As expected, the Zombie King dropped loot: a greatsword, a bow, a pair of bracers, a pair of rings, and a skill book. He also received 1,600 Apocalypse Coins—1,500 went straight to his account, the remaining 100 to the girl in white.
“A jackpot,” Yang Fan exclaimed in delight. He hadn’t expected such a rare drop from a zombie—four pieces of equipment and even a precious skill book.
Not far off, several people stared in disbelief.
“He... He actually killed that zombie.”
The handsome young man with a staff gaped at Yang Fan, safe and sound in the distance. Even such a powerful explosion hadn’t so much as singed his clothes—truly incredible.
“What a powerful man.”
“Amazing...”
“Not necessarily. Maybe he has a special skill that lets him survive a fatal blow.”
“Probably. Should we go over there?”
They debated among themselves, but the girl in the white dress spoke up: “Let’s not. We ignored him at first. What’s the point of going over now?” Her voice was calm and quiet, yet it struck a chord.
“You're right.”
“Sigh, we missed out on a real expert.”
Everyone nodded, but there was no ill will—just a sense of having missed a rare chance.
“No, we must go.” Yet the young man with the staff insisted, making the others frown.
“Everyone should get a share of the spoils. It’s the apocalypse; we can’t pass up any opportunity to grow stronger or survive. Did you see those items? Two are Silver grade, the others are top-tier Black Iron. My Eye of Spirit can see them all. Since our little sister helped him, maybe we can strike a deal.”
“A deal?” Someone was confused.
But the staff-wielder’s friend suddenly understood. “Exactly. We should reclaim what’s ours, or at least offer him some Apocalypse Coins. Let’s go.”
“Our sister did help him out a lot. Technically, the loot isn’t ours, but there is a bond of kindness. We can negotiate, maybe buy something from him.”
They discussed among themselves, and soon, everyone except the girl in white agreed. The loot was rightfully Yang Fan’s, but since their friend helped him, they had no claim—but at least the right to negotiate.
So, they headed toward Yang Fan...
(Finally, a friend has come by for sunflower seeds. A good friend, too. I might go for drinks tonight, so there might be an update, or not. My apologies—rest assured, all owed chapters will be uploaded, one by one!)