Chapter 34: Blood-Thirsty Bats

The skeleton warrior dropped only one piece of green-quality equipment.
【Undead Slayer (Skeleton)
Quality: Fine
Type: Accessory
Effect: Increases damage to skeleton-type undead by 2
Description: Yes, you’ve become a more seasoned skeleton slayer. Applause for you!】

A more exquisite skull fragment with some brass edging appeared in Xiao Yang’s hand. Of course, he was very familiar with this item.

For most players, such trinkets were merely amusing toys due to their limited versatility. But for Xiao Yang, it was quite practical. After all, he had no other upgrade avenues for now; his progress depended on clearing out the skeleton dungeon’s various bony foes.

Xiao Yang rummaged through the skeleton warrior and pulled out a rusty broken sword.

【Rusty Broken Sword
Quality: Fine
Type: Weapon, Heavy Weapon
Damage: 12
Effect: Attacks have a chance to cause bleeding.
Description: A rusty sword slicing into crimson flesh—do you hear that? It’s the cry of tetanus!】

Perhaps because it was a boss, the skeleton warrior’s drop rate was decent. Xiao Yang managed to loot two green-quality items from it, though nothing blue—unsurprising, since skeletons, skeleton soldiers, and skeleton warriors weren’t exactly formidable enemies.

Hoping for good loot from them was a bit unrealistic.

A door leading to the second level of the dungeon appeared before Xiao Yang. The simple conclusion left him somewhat unsatisfied, and in such situations, some reckless moves were inevitable.

He pulled out his Freedom Shovel.

Of course, this approach bordered on reckless, but sometimes recklessness wasn’t just folly—it could be the most efficient way to mine the map’s resources.

With a heavy strike, the shovel plunged into the ground. Then, the entire skeleton dungeon trembled, and Xiao Yang heard a tremendous rumble.

Clearly, something significant had been unearthed by the Freedom Shovel. At the same time, notifications from the Divine Game began popping up continuously.

【The environment of the area has changed; new enemies and monsters have been added. Specific details are left for players to explore.】
【The Freedom Shovel in the player’s possession has found its epic path. Would you like to start the equipment advancement quest?】

Xiao Yang’s face twitched at this sudden change.

It seemed he had stirred up something serious! Maybe he shouldn’t have acted on impulse!

Raising the Freedom Shovel, he noticed the description had changed.

【Freedom-Sharing Shovel
Quality: Excellent
Effect: Allows additional digging actions in every new environment.
Description: This is the key used by a group of prisoners to open the gates of freedom. Dig, dig, yearn, explore—just keep swinging that shovel! Keep swinging that shovel!】

In the corridor outside the boss room, several red-eyed giant bats fluttered their wings, seeking suitable spots to hang upside down. Xiao Yang cast a scouting spell on them.

These vampire bats weren’t particularly strong but were notably agile.

Moreover, like the prisoner zombies, they carried a trait called Bloodthirst Carrier.

Not powerful, but if they landed a hit, they could cause trouble.

Unfortunately for the bats, their target was Xiao Yang.

Their attacks were weak and barely broke through his defenses.

As Xiao Yang stepped out of the boss room, a bloodthirsty bat swooped down on him. Its flapping wings launched an assault, but Xiao Yang swung his Justice’s Consolation weapon and missed—the creature was too agile, as if it anticipated his move.

Suddenly, the basketball-sized vampire bat lunged onto Xiao Yang’s body. Its bald, wrinkled head crept close to his face, grotesque and terrifying.

It opened its mouth, sharp teeth snapping to bite at Xiao Yang’s neck.

Yet it couldn’t even break the skin. Xiao Yang hadn’t maxed out his defense, but this bloodthirsty bat couldn’t penetrate it.

Even if it bypassed the leather armor and targeted his exposed throat—a spot theoretically vulnerable and likely to cause critical damage of at least one or two points—it was futile.

Xiao Yang’s Tenacious Skin trait and damage immunity proved more valuable than he expected.

A bright red zero popped up—no skin broken, no infection transmitted. The bat’s eyes lost their fierce red glow and instead showed a hint of bewilderment.

Now it was Xiao Yang’s turn. He grabbed the big bat swiftly.

It was tricky to strike while it maneuvered in the air, but once it charged at him, handling it was straightforward.

Yanking the bloodthirsty bat off his body left him a bit annoyed. He had just begun to enjoy the thrill of overwhelming his foes with sheer stats, only to find himself outpaced again in agility by this bat—always a step slower!

That feeling was unpleasant.

A strike from Justice’s Consolation dealt nine points of damage. Two more strikes later, the struggling bat fell silent and peacefully asleep.

Unexpectedly, a drop appeared.

【Stab
Quality: Common
Type: Skill
Restrictions: Dagger, Short Staff, Spear
Effect: Delivers a piercing attack that bypasses two points of enemy defense.
Description: Jab the thing in your hand fiercely—do you get it? Jab the thing in your hand fiercely!】

Another skill, albeit a white one with a common effect, but it had no special requirements, and Justice’s Consolation fit perfectly. Xiao Yang chose to learn it immediately.

Despite the crushing victory, Xiao Yang was not satisfied with the battle. Even with overwhelming power, he had still been charged at by the bloodthirsty bat.

No stopping the potion popping just yet. Tomorrow was the Celestial Trade day, and Xiao Yang planned to boost his defense and agility properly.

Strength could wait. With the Blackstone Prison Warden’s Badge, he didn’t need to rush increasing damage; his attack power was already overflowing.

Clearly, new challenges awaited him in the skeleton dungeon. That impulsive shovel strike had definitely made things harder for himself.

But it wasn’t a big problem. More monsters weren’t necessarily bad. At worst, he’d just have to grind harder.

Just a little more grinding! Just a little more! That was all it took.