Volume One, Chapter 18 Chapter 18: Sudden Catastrophe, the Dungeon Transforms into Hell Mode!
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Suppressing the excitement within, Lin Yi immediately opened his attribute panel.
【Level: LV15 (13482/50000)】
【Attributes: Strength 350, Spirit 1060, Stamina 400, Agility 410】
【Health Points: 3600】
【Mana Points: 12500】
【...】
It was clear that since entering the dungeon realm, Lin Yi’s strength had undergone a transformation beyond recognition, increasing by more than tenfold!
With a week remaining until the official start of the Trial Tournament, Lin Yi was certain that he could easily ascend to the rank of Bronze Mage.
When that time came, facing off against other rookies who had started at the same time as him would be nothing short of self-inflicted torment.
Now, with a casual Fireball spell, Lin Yi could deal nearly twenty thousand damage.
Even a newly promoted Bronze-class adventurer would be utterly annihilated by such overwhelming power!
Compared to Lin Yi, those so-called secretive professions were not even worthy of tying his shoes.
Even if others had slightly better attributes under the same conditions, none possessed the godlike max-level skills he wielded.
Once he transitioned into an Arcanist and that remaining gap vanished, Lin Yi would become even more terrifying!
Among Lin Yi’s equipment, three pieces were Silver-grade.
Most of the rest were Bronze-grade, with only a few items still Black Iron.
Cheng Muqing and Bai Jia, who watched this scene, couldn’t hide their envy.
Especially Cheng Muqing, who felt it more deeply.
Bai Jia might not fully understand, but Cheng Muqing knew clearly — Lin Yi had only awakened two days ago!
In such a short time, he had single-handedly slain a level-15 purple lord monster.
Such a growth rate was astonishing!
She didn’t even dare imagine what Lin Yi could achieve with enough time.
Surpassing the four great families of Jiang City no longer seemed impossible!
At this moment, her regard for Lin Yi reached an unprecedented height.
Cheng Muqing was about to speak when Bai Jia suddenly murmured, “Strange, why haven’t we received our completion scores yet?”
“Shouldn’t the Demon Mage Cassio be the final lord monster of this dungeon realm?”
Bai Jia’s question suddenly awakened Lin Yi.
He had been so immersed in his joy of gains that he had completely forgotten this.
The delay in the clearance scoring gave Lin Yi a vague premonition.
There could only be one explanation:
This dungeon realm had not truly ended!
Immediately, Lin Yi’s gaze involuntarily shifted to the altar.
From the moment they entered, he had sensed something was amiss.
Now it was clear: this altar was evidently a medium for communicating with abyssal monsters.
The faint necromantic aura at Cassio’s fallen spot was quietly seeping into the underground altar.
Though the Demon Mage Cassio had perished, at the last moment of his life, he completed a sacrificial ritual.
“Hum...!”
As if sensing everyone’s gaze, the long-calm altar no longer hid its presence.
The intricate runes carved upon it suddenly blazed with a dazzling black light.
A surge of abyssal energy erupted ceaselessly.
【Level 15 Black Iron Dungeon Realm—due to an unexpected unknown event, difficulty has escalated to Hell Mode!】
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【Dungeon Realm sealed by an unknown force; explorers temporarily unable to exit!】
【...】
A series of system logs flashed across Lin Yi and the others’ eyes, instantly clarifying the situation.
The dungeon’s difficulty had actually been raised!
Cheng Muqing was on the verge of tears.
She only wanted to find a place to practice, never expecting the dungeon’s difficulty to suddenly spike!
“Hell Mode! Are we doomed...?”
Faced with the inability to exit, both Cheng Muqing and Bai Jia were filled with panic.
They had thought they were about to clear the dungeon, only to encounter such a twist.
Before meeting Lin Yi, they had struggled even to clear a Hard-level dungeon.
Now, with the difficulty leaping to Hell Mode, it was unimaginable!
Cheng Muqing tried to activate the Golden Teleportation Charm in her hand.
But it was utterly ineffective, sinking her mood to rock bottom.
Lin Yi’s expression turned grave and swift, yet he maintained his composure.
Though Hell Mode was terrifying, how could he surrender without a fight?
His newly acquired power filled him with unshakable confidence.
Gripping his staff tightly, Lin Yi fixed his gaze on the altar undergoing mutation.
The cause of this dungeon upheaval was the abyssal monster summoned by Cassio!
What sort of monster was it exactly?
The trio held their breath, watching the altar with nervous anticipation, their anxiety running deep.
...
Meanwhile, Cheng De and the others waited quietly outside the dungeon realm.
Suddenly, a strange wave of energy shattered the stillness.
The transport vortex, glowing white, suddenly erupted with brilliant light.
Then, it became enveloped by an ominous black glow.
A flicker of alarm crossed Cheng De’s eyes as he stepped forward rapidly, attempting to decipher this sudden change.
“This is bad! Miss is in danger!”
Upon learning the dungeon’s difficulty had sharply increased, Cheng De’s face grew stern.
He turned immediately, urging, “Quick, we must enter at once!”
Though Cheng De had suffered heavy injuries protecting the family head Cheng Batian in the past,
leaving his level stalled at twenty,
this very circumstance allowed him to enter the dungeon realm.
...
At this moment, the dense black light on the altar gradually faded.
From the lower layer of the altar’s magic circle came low growls and gnashing teeth, chilling to the bone.
Soon, an unknown monster leapt into view, revealing its true form.
The creature exuded a dark purple glow all over its body, with curved horns atop its head.
Its tail bristled with sharp spikes, constantly swaying.
On its back unfolded a pair of bat-like wings.
“Nether Fiend!”
Cheng Muqing gasped, immediately recognizing the unknown creature.
“Insignificant humans, is it you who slew my servant Cassio?”
The Nether Fiend bared its fangs fiercely; its voice thundered like a war drum, distorting her expression with shock.
【Nether Fiend】
【Level: LV15 Lord Class (Gold)】
【Health Points: 534,907】
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【Skills: Dragon’s Roar, Nether Flame, Brutal Assault...】
Seeing these terrifying stats, Cheng Muqing’s heart sank.
This Nether Fiend was far stronger than any enemy they had faced before.
Especially the over half a million health points—it was truly daunting.
Just then, Lin Yi was about to speak.
Suddenly, a rift tore open in the sky as a new batch of adventurers was teleported in!
“Uncle De!”
Seeing this, Cheng Muqing called out joyfully—it was Cheng De and his group.
“Miss, are you alright?”
Cheng De exhaled in relief upon seeing Cheng Muqing safe.
Then, he fixed his gaze on the Nether Fiend and resolutely stood before everyone.
“This is an abyssal monster; everyone must be cautious!”
“Wonderful!”
The Nether Fiend flapped its wings and sneered coldly.
“Another group of humans seeking their own demise. Today, I shall feast well!”
Before Lin Yi could react, Cheng De motioned everyone to fall back.
Then, Cheng De and nine others swiftly formed a battle formation.
Auras of various beneficial effects rapidly stacked.
These level-20 Black Iron warriors all had attributes surpassing a thousand.
Cheng De understood the grave threat posed by a golden lord-class monster.
But at this moment, fighting was their only choice.
Otherwise, if the miss met misfortune here, how could he face the family head?
Taking a deep breath, Cheng De shouted, “Attack!”
At his command, the warriors’ weapons gleamed as they charged forward in unison.
Assassins concealed themselves, seeking the perfect moment to strike.
Mages and archers stood ready in the rear.
Two priests perspired on their brows, prepared to cast healing spells at any time.
“Boom...!”
A flood of colorful skill effects converged and struck.
Yet the Nether Fiend arrogantly crossed its arms, calmly awaiting the assault.
Lin Yi had intended to strike to slay it, but Cheng De’s arrival disrupted his plan.
So he decided to observe the battle first and gauge the Nether Fiend’s true strength.
“Bang bang bang!”
Various skills struck the Nether Fiend, but the damage dealt was minuscule.
-453!
-512!
-397!
This string of three-digit damage stunned everyone.
After one full round, the total damage barely exceeded two thousand.
Compared to the Nether Fiend’s massive health pool, such damage was negligible!
“It’s a demonic body!”
A chill rose within Cheng De; this Nether Fiend’s constitution was nobler than expected.
Its defense and resistances far exceeded the norm.
“This is trouble. What should we do now?!”