Chapter 28

If I hadn't learned the Werewolf transformation before, I would have thought twice about proceeding with just the Toxic Vine, and might have even chosen to go around. But now, things are different. With an 8th-level Werewolf transformation, I have enough confidence to easily kill the six Fallen Ones. As for the Elite Fallen Mage, I plan to leave that to the Toxic Vine.

I checked my mana, which was already at its maximum of 24 points. When I first entered the cave, I used the Werewolf transformation once, which cost me 15 points, but several hours have passed since then. Even with the slow regeneration rate of one point every ten minutes, my mana has been fully replenished.

I carefully simulated the entire battle process. After all, this is my first time challenging an Elite-level boss. Although victory is almost certain, I still want to be fully prepared.

"Attack." I gave the Toxic Vine the command to charge directly at the Elite Fallen Mage.

"Roar."

At the same time, I let out a low growl. My body underwent a dramatic transformation. As my body stretched and grew taller, a layer of fluffy white fur rapidly sprouted all over me. My mouth and nose gradually protruded, eventually forming a wolf's head. The wooden club in my hand transformed into a warm current, merging into my arm. I clenched my hands (claws), feeling the sharp claws protruding from the furry fingers, which seemed even more powerful.

"Whine—"

I tried my best to suppress the involuntary sounds after the transformation, but a faint whine still escaped my throat. However, it was so quiet that the Fallen Ones didn't seem to notice.

It only took 40 seconds, but that was enough...

I didn't stop moving during the transformation. By the time it was complete, I was already sprinting alongside the Toxic Vine.

The Toxic Vine's silent approach, combined with the thick pads on my feet after the transformation, allowed us to get within about 5 meters of the Fallen Ones before they noticed us.

The Elite Fallen Mage let out a strange cry, and the six Fallen Ones immediately charged at me with their sharp blades. The Fallen Mage, meanwhile, began chanting rapidly, clearly preparing his signature Fireball spell.

There was nothing I could do. I was still 5 meters away, with six Fallen Ones in front of me. Without any ranged attacks to interrupt him, the Fireball was inevitable.

With a "whoosh," the Fallen Mage swung his skull-topped staff, and a basketball-sized red fireball, accompanied by a wave of flames, rushed toward me.

"Bang." I barely had time to react, instinctively raising my arm to block, but the fireball hit me.

Don't think the fireball's speed is as slow as in games. Among players of the same level, only the most agile Assassins might occasionally dodge it. For a Druid like me, who has never invested in agility, being hit is inevitable. Dodging would be a miracle.

"Whoosh..."

I felt a burning heat in my outstretched arm, as if scalded by boiling water. The fiery sensation burned through to my nerve endings.

I waved my hand expressionlessly, the burning pain not revealing any weakness. Pain? I'm used to it.

However, I was slightly surprised by the power of the Fireball. Elite is elite; that single fireball alone took more than 10% of my health.

One second later, I was already engaged in close combat with the six Fallen Ones, while the Toxic Vine bypassed my battlefield and charged directly at the Fallen Mage.

Fortunately, the Toxic Vine didn't misunderstand my command and knew I meant the Fallen Mage. If it had made a mistake, this battle, which was almost certain to be a victory, would have become complicated.

The Elite Fallen Mage's Fireball cooldown hadn't finished. Seeing the Toxic Vine charging, he wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he quickly drew a short blade from his waist and charged at me, though much slower than the other Fallen Ones. Before he could take a few steps, he was already entangled by the Toxic Vine.

Seeing the Fallen Mage within range, the Toxic Vine emerged from the ground without hesitation. It opened its terrifying, tooth-filled mouth and bit the Fallen Mage with lightning speed, then quickly retreated underground, leaving the Fallen Mage, now covered in green and disoriented from the surprise attack, standing there in shock.

Fortunately, the Fallen Mage was battle-hardened. He quickly recovered from the shock and immediately stabbed the ground with his left hand, his target now the Toxic Vine.

On my side, it was more like a massacre than a battle. My first Werewolf transformation was surprisingly effective. The increased agility and movement speed made my actions faster, and I could occasionally dodge the Fallen Ones' rapid blade attacks.

As for my attacks, they were even more devastating. Standing over 2 meters tall, I towered over the small Fallen Ones, like a White Wolf Prince facing seven dwarfs (including the one fighting the Toxic Vine). The high vantage point and the 17% increase in strength allowed me to deal massive damage, whether with a powerful downward strike or with my sharp claws. The 24% increase in attack speed made my claws move so fast that they created visible air currents, leaving deep gashes on my enemies.

"Roar," I leaped up, my claws tightly clenched and raised high above my head. I then brought them down with the force of my falling body, smashing into the head of the Fallen One in front of me.

"Bang." The Fallen One was dazed by the impact. I thought that if not for the game's rules, his entire head would have been crushed into his neck. Even so, the blow almost stunned him, and he staggered, barely able to stand. I quickly dodged the blade of the Fallen One behind him and struck the dazed one with both claws.

Heh, it's foolish not to take advantage of an opportunity.

Attack, attack again. I only needed six strikes to finish off the dazed Fallen One, which used to take at least eight. I was delighted; my damage output was now on par with Doug and Goff.

Of course, I'm talking about damage output, not attack power. I'm a level 3 Druid, while they are level 11 Barbarians. Even with my 8th-level Werewolf transformation, my damage is far less than theirs. I've seen them fight; they can usually kill a Fallen One in just three hits.

However, their attack speed is slower than mine. In the time it takes them to attack four times, I can attack six times. One of the characteristics of Barbarians is their low hit rate; out of four attacks, one often misses, effectively reducing it to three attacks. This means the time it takes them to kill a Fallen One is about the same as mine.

After a while, I managed to kill two more Fallen Ones. Suddenly, a white light flashed on the ground, and the first Fallen One I had killed, with its brain matter spilling out, stood up again, brandishing its blade. This was the first time I had seen the Fallen Mage's resurrection spell.

However, I had no time to marvel at this first. Seeing the Fallen One rise again, I was annoyed—this damned Fallen Mage, struggling to survive, still had the nerve to resurrect these small Fallen Ones.

I glanced at the other battlefield. Sure enough, the Fallen Mage, who had just barely cast the resurrection spell, was now being entangled by the Toxic Vine, waving his short blade and occasionally casting a Fireball.

Looking at their health, I was shocked. The Elite Fallen Mage was indeed tough. Judging by its color, the Elite status must have enhanced its defense, which was a weakness against the Toxic Vine's poison attacks. However, the Toxic Vine had already lost a third of its health.

But the Fallen Mage was even worse, with only a third of his health remaining. The stronger and weaker were clear.

The best way to deal with these Fallen Ones would have been for the Toxic Vine and me to focus on the Fallen Mage first, then deal with the smaller ones. But after transforming into a Werewolf, I was confident and wanted to test the Toxic Vine's power, so I let it face the Elite Fallen Mage alone. Now that my goal was achieved, I had no more interest in testing. Seeing that the Werewolf transformation was about to end, I didn't hesitate. I rolled on the ground, evading the attacks of the Fallen Ones around me, and quickly charged at the Fallen Mage.

Rolling seems to be becoming my signature move. How many times have I rolled now!

Under the fierce attack of the Toxic Vine and me, the Fallen Mage let out a final, defiant howl before slowly collapsing. As he fell, I clearly saw several items drop. It was a big drop, and I was overjoyed. Elites are indeed different; they are generous. It looks like I can finally say goodbye to the days of running around naked.

At this moment, my Werewolf transformation ended. A flash of light, and I returned to my original form. The wooden club, which had merged into my body, reappeared in my hands.

Phew, it's a good thing the transformation back is instant. The gradual transformation, with the bones slowly stretching, is a creepy and painful sensation that always sends shivers down my spine.

The remaining four Fallen Ones (originally three, but one was resurrected) were no longer a threat. I didn't even bother to look at them, silently giving the Toxic Vine the command to deal with these small fry.

I eagerly crouched down, ignoring the disgusting, poison-corroded body of the Fallen Mage, and began searching for the dropped items. The allure of equipment is indeed irresistible.

My hand searched under the corpse, first grabbing a bottle. I was disappointed—it's just a potion?