Volume 1, Chapter 18: Slaying the Boss Again

Listening to the constant warnings echoing in his ears, Lin Yu’s expression gradually grew grave.

This "Recovery" skill was simply outrageous. Not only did it instantly restore 50% of the target's maximum health, but it also granted an additional 0.1% recovery per second. Calculating based on the Berserk Tree King’s massive health pool of 120,000, this meant it regained 120 health points every single second. Most importantly, this effect lasted for a full thirty minutes!

How on earth was he supposed to fight this? If an average level seven or eight warrior were in his place, their damage output would likely be lower than the amount the boss healed.

*Swish!*

However, in the brief moment Lin Yu was stunned, the Berserk Tree King did not hold back. Its vines lashed out suddenly, striking the defenseless Lin Yu with brutal force. A damage figure of "-11" immediately flashed above his head. The sharp pain snapped Lin Yu back to reality, and he retreated rapidly. Meanwhile, his face grew even more solemn.

Now, in its berserk state, the Berserk Tree King’s basic attacks were capable of piercing his defenses, subjecting him to unprecedented pressure. If he chose to continue the fight, the monster’s current attack power posed a genuine threat. Attempting to kill it now carried significant risk; one wrong move and he could easily capsize in the gutter.

But if he chose to retreat and wait for the berserk state to end, the recovery effect would surely restore the boss to full health, rendering all his previous efforts useless.

"Lin Yu, what do we do now?" Xiao Xiao, standing nearby, had clearly noticed the situation and voiced her concern. The current predicament was far more difficult to handle than before.

"Stay back. I’m going to try again." Lin Yu did not choose to give up, for he was never one to surrender easily. Although the Berserk Tree King was indeed tricky, it was not entirely impossible to defeat.

As he spoke, Lin Yu’s expression turned unusually focused. Simultaneously, his footwork began to shift in a subtle, mysterious rhythm. With these movements, his entire body seemed to become lighter, almost ethereal.

Under this profound state, Lin Yu found he had a chance to dodge even the Berserk Tree King’s basic attacks.

"Is he finally getting serious?" Seeing Lin Yu’s movements, Xiao Xiao narrowed her eyes, her visible anxiety dimming slightly. After all, in his past life, Lin Yu had fought against the Demon Race even after the Great Catastrophe. Even now, reborn without his former power bonuses, the combat instincts etched into his very blood could not be erased. Previously, because the wild monsters couldn't break his defense, he hadn't felt the need to employ these techniques. Now, he had no choice but to reveal his trump cards.

Sure enough, once Lin Yu integrated his combat techniques into the fray, he gradually gained the upper hand. With his precise footwork, he managed to evade five or six out of every ten attacks. As time passed and the boss's berserk state faded, he firmly seized control of the battle.

Within five minutes, the once arrogant Berserk Tree King was being pushed back at every turn, reduced to roughly one percent of its health. Lin Yu needed only three more strikes to end its life. However, just as he prepared to finish the battle, the Berserk Tree King suddenly stopped attacking.

Just as Lin Yu felt a sense of confusion, a vibrant green vine lashed out violently. Before Lin Yu could react, the vine bypassed him, whistling through the air with lightning speed, aimed directly at Xiao Xiao behind him. The creature was trying to take someone down with it before it died!

Xiao Xiao’s expression shifted instantly, and she hurried to retreat. With her current defense and health, she could never withstand such a blow.

*Whoosh!*

It was a desperate, final strike, a "fish dying and the net breaking" gamble that left Xiao Xiao with no path to safety.

"Damn it!" The vine’s speed was too great; she couldn't dodge. Realizing the danger, she gritted her teeth, prepared to fight to the bitter end.

However, at the very last millisecond, the fatal strike suddenly stopped. It abruptly changed direction, lashing out straight at Lin Yu instead.

"What is happening?" Xiao Xiao was stunned. The boss’s target had clearly been her; why would it suddenly switch to Lin Yu? This made no logical sense. Compared to Lin Yu, she was undoubtedly the weaker target. This could only mean one thing: Lin Yu must have performed some maneuver in that split second. Otherwise, the Berserk Tree King would never have made such a futile effort.

"This Lin Yu... he really is becoming more and more unpredictable." Once she regained her composure, Xiao Xiao stared at Lin Yu’s back, her expression growing complex.

...

Just as Xiao Xiao was left in shock, the massive tree-like figure crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. On the other side, Lin Yu sat on the ground, panting with exhaustion. If not for his quick reaction in using a taunt skill, Xiao Xiao would likely be respawning at the fountain by now. Still, it hadn't been easy; to keep her from being one-shot, he had taken that strike head-on.

[Ding! You have killed the新手村 (Newbie Village) Boss, Berserk Tree King. A server-wide announcement is pending. Would you like to hide your name?]

Only when the Berserk Tree King had completely expired did the familiar system prompt ring in Lin Yu's ears.

[Hide.]

Lin Yu still chose to hide his identity; he had no intention of seeking the limelight.

[Server-wide announcement: Congratulations to the anonymous player for killing the Newbie Village Boss, Berserk Tree King. This is hereby announced; we hope all players will continue to work hard.]

...

After the customary three server-wide announcements, the system reward notifications followed.

[Ding! You have killed the Berserk Tree King while under-leveled. You gain: Gold +2, Skill Book +3. Due to party mode, experience gained +50.]

[Ding! You have obtained the equipment dropped by the Berserk Tree King: Berserk Sprint Boots +1.]

[Ding! You have obtained the equipment dropped by the Berserk Tree King: Berserk Soft Armor +1.]

[Ding! You have obtained the equipment dropped by the Berserk Tree King: Berserk Blade +1.]

[Ding! You have obtained the equipment dropped by the Berserk Tree King: Berserk Cuirass +1.]