Novel Lived
Chapter 9 - Only Children Make Choices; I Want Them All!
Chapter 9: Only Children Make Choices; I Want Them All!
“Corrupted Wasteland, Energy Stone Mine.”
“This is the place.”
Guided by a level-three map of the Corrupted Wasteland, Su Mu expertly avoided densely packed monster zones. The journey to the Energy Stone Mine wasn’t safe; several clusters of monsters marked on the map were recommended for players at levels above ten. Without this map, venturing here would have been nearly impossible.
Ahead of him, a pair of red-headed wild boars grazed aggressively, their bulky forms standing out in the desolate landscape.
[Scarlet Wild Boar]
[Level: 5]
[Trait: Extremely strong impact]
[Description: Where there are pigs, there is wealth]
“Level five, huh? Stronger than the Skeleton Dogs,” Su Mu mused. Then his eyes narrowed.
“Wait, they’re fighting the Skeleton Dogs?”
Not far away, a Scarlet Wild Boar clashed with three skeletal hounds. Being a living, breathing creature, the boar was a natural enemy of the undead.
Suddenly, the boar charged, its massive body slamming into one of the Skeleton Dogs with a deafening crunch. From his hiding spot, Su Mu winced at the sound of bones shattering. It was then he noticed why several of the Skeleton Dogs appeared injured.
“One hit, and the Skeleton Dog almost falls apart?” he muttered, impressed.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
For creatures renowned for their physical resilience, the Skeleton Dogs were struggling. Players often complained on forums that beginner weapons couldn’t even scratch them, but the Scarlet Boar’s raw power was overwhelming.
The three Skeleton Dogs counterattacked, snapping and clawing at the boar, but their efforts were futile. The boar’s thick hide rendered their strikes useless.
“Rookie killers,” Su Mu said, smirking. “Only dangerous to the clueless.”
He checked his stats. After defeating that large Skeleton Dog earlier, he had gained some experience.
[Level 1 (270/1000)]
“Not bad, but I can do better,” Su Mu said.
His eyes flicked between the Scarlet Boar and the Skeleton Dogs. A plan formed in his mind.
“I want both the Scarlet Boar and the Skeleton Dogs.”
From his concealed position, Su Mu aimed his Anti-Evil Crossbow at the retreating Skeleton Dogs. One by one, the glowing bolts struck their marks, taking them out with ease.
The Scarlet Boar paused, its enemies suddenly vanishing. Confused, it grunted and turned toward the source of the attack—just in time to see Su Mu reload and fire.
“Humph!”
The boar squealed as a golden bolt pierced its side. Furious, it charged at Su Mu.
“Unless it’s a headshot, the Anti-Evil Crossbow can’t kill non-undead creatures in one shot,” Su Mu muttered. “But instead of running, you’re coming at me? Really?”
He sighed, steadying his aim. “A pig’s still a pig.”
As the boar barreled toward him, Su Mu calmly fired another bolt. This one struck its head, and the creature crumpled to the ground.
…
With the fight over, Su Mu moved to collect the spoils. He glanced at his information panel and frowned. No energy stones. These monsters wouldn’t drop any.
Then, from the Scarlet Boar’s corpse, a glowing orb appeared.
[Scarlet Boar Flesh]
[Dropped by: Scarlet Wild Boar]
[Description: A piece of wild boar meat filled with a crimson and bloody taste. Not only does it taste good, but it also increases your physical strength.]
“Wild boar meat?” Su Mu’s eyes lit up.
The compressed biscuits from the starter pack wouldn’t last forever. Fresh meat was a welcome discovery. Most players were still gnawing on dried rations and scavenging for scraps, but Su Mu was already dining in luxury.
“Looks like I’m the first to kill a Scarlet Boar,” Su Mu muttered. The scarcity of these creatures and the need for a special map to find them made it unlikely anyone else had done so.
Checking his level, Su Mu smiled.
[Level 1 (350/1000)]
“One Scarlet Boar is worth five Skeleton Dogs. Not bad at all.”
He turned his attention to the remains of the Skeleton Dogs. “Can’t leave those drops behind.”
Gathering the loot, he found fifteen Purified Bones. The Anti-Evil Crossbow’s increased drop rate was proving invaluable.
…
Approaching the Mine, the entrance to the Energy Stone Mine sloped downward, guarded by three more Scarlet Wild Boars. These hulking creatures stood their ground against a swarm of Skeleton Dogs, scattering the undead with devastating charges.
“The undead attack anything alive in this world,” Su Mu observed, “but these boars are hogging my experience.”
Dozens of Skeleton Dogs had already been reduced to loot, their shimmering drops scattered across the ground. Su Mu’s eyes gleamed.
“This mine belongs to me,” he said, a cold edge to his voice.
The Scarlet Boars had taken what was rightfully his. Now, he intended to make them pay—with their lives.