Chapter Sixteen: The Checkpoint

Chapter Sixteen: The Checkpoint

Amid their banter and chatter, the group soon passed through the Frostpine Forest, drawing ever closer to the location marked on their mission map. Before them stretched a vast icy plain, shimmering with frost. Beyond this frozen expanse loomed a towering cliff that pierced the clouds—a magnificent sight. Their destination was the Frost Crystal Cavern at the cliff’s base, reachable within minutes if they hurried.

However, no sooner had they stepped onto the ice field than an ice elemental appeared. Level 30, with magical attacks. Yang Qi stepped forward to test their strength, delivering a single strike—“Furious Slash!”—which cut the elemental’s health by half. He then retreated sideways, narrowly avoiding an icy arrow. Two swift slashes later, the elemental shattered into a heap of ice fragments.

“Not bad! Low defense and health, with a slow attack rate. After the mission, this would be a good place to level up,” Yang Qi commented, pointing at the scattered ice.

“Let’s leave that for later,” Lin Zheng said, gripping his dagger. “Our priority is completing the mission.”

“But the monsters here are already level 30. What could the ones inside the Frost Crystal Cavern possibly be? Do you think we can handle them?” Xiao Meng asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry,” Yang Qi said with a relaxed smile. “Monsters under level 50 are manageable. Up to that point, they can’t overwhelm us. If we encounter anything above level 50, then things might get dangerous. But the chance is slim. Xiao Lin, who took this mission, is only level 19. Judging by the difficulty, the final boss shouldn’t exceed level 45, or else it would be an S-rank boss, not a mid-tier A-rank.”

“Hearing that makes me feel a lot better,” Xiao Meng admitted.

“Of course! You’d expect nothing less from me!” Yang Qi boasted. Lin Zheng ignored the comment and led the way toward the Frost Crystal Cavern.

After about ten minutes, Lin Zheng and his team reached the cavern’s entrance. It was uniquely shaped—like a dragon’s head with a gaping mouth. From the opening, cold breath escaped intermittently, as if a colossal dragon were exhaling.

“Do you think this is really a dragon’s head?” Yang Qi casually asked.

Lin Zheng studied the entrance. It was dragon-shaped, but hardly realistic. “I doubt it. If it were an actual dragon’s head, that thing would have to be enormous!”

Yang Qi nodded in agreement. They stopped examining the entrance and stepped inside the Frost Crystal Cavern.

System prompt: “Your team has entered the Frost Crystal Cavern. Monsters here are of high level. Exercise caution!”

The danger had yet to close in, but Xiao Meng was already sneezing from the cold. Lin Zheng and Yang Qi shivered as well—one clad in leather armor, the other in metal, both inadequate against the chill. Meanwhile, You Xi and Lilith, both wearing cloth armor, were warm and comfortable, proving the advantage of cloth wearers in such conditions.

“Lower your sensory settings, or the cold will freeze you before you can fight,” Yang Qi suggested. Xiao Meng nodded urgently—it was freezing! With their senses adjusted, the mission officially began.

Lin Zheng pulled up the Frost Crystal Cavern map. The cave resembled a multi-story building, divided into five descending levels. Each lower layer was smaller, with the smallest at the bottom where the boss awaited. The mission was straightforward: reach the bottom floor, defeat the boss, and retrieve its core. There was no shortcut—only a direct assault.

Suddenly, a white shadow lunged at Lin Zheng. Lilith shouted, “Watch out!” Lin Zheng leapt back just in time. Yang Qi stepped forward with a “Greatsword Thrust!” The white figure was struck and sent flying, taking 650 damage. As it landed, the group finally saw what it was.

Ice Ape: Level 35 (Elite)
Physical Attack 446-580
Physical Defense 330
Magic Defense 320
Health 2800

Snow apes from the Frostpine Forest had mutated into these ferocious ice apes, empowered by the Frost Crystal Cavern.

Thanks to his Black Crow Mask, Lin Zheng easily scanned the monster’s level and shared the data.

“Damn! An elite monster with an attack cap of 480—this is intense!” Yang Qi said, surprised but undeterred. Wielding the Black Crow Sword, he attacked and killed the ice ape swiftly.

The large experience gain lit up their eyes—this was truly an A-rank mission map, with monsters yielding abundant experience.

At that moment, incessant chattering echoed through the cavern. They soon saw countless ice apes flooding into view. Seeing the wide cavern filled with apelike nests, Lin Zheng broke out in a cold sweat. How long would it take to kill them all?

“There are two options,” Yang Qi said, holding up two fingers. “One: kill them one by one. But with this many, we’d be at it until dawn.”

“Then tell us the second plan,” Lin Zheng rolled his eyes. Killing until dawn? You Xi and the others had no classes tomorrow, but this was just the first level. Was the mission really going to take two or three days?

“The second plan,” Yang Qi pointed toward a narrow stone crevice in the cavern, “is to lure the monsters there for group attacks. That way, efficiency will soar. But Lilith will have a tough time healing—the monsters’ attacks are high, so she’ll have to keep the tankers alive.”

“Then second plan it is,” Lin Zheng decided. “Otherwise, we’ll really be here all night.”

“Alright, let’s get ready,” they nodded and moved toward the stone crevice, killing a few ice apes blocking their path. The crevice wasn’t deep but wide enough to fit all five of them. You Xi and Lilith, both wearing cloth armor, would stay in the rear. Lin Zheng, clad in leather and with mediocre defense, had surprisingly high health thanks to his careless attribute allocation and could hold the front line for a bit. Yang Qi planned to alternate with Xiao Meng to tank. With Lilith’s healing support, Yang Qi could hold the front without trouble. Positions assigned, they prepared to lure the monsters.

“Who’s going to pull aggro? With so many, I’d be dead instantly if I tried!” Xiao Meng swallowed nervously.

“We’ve got two pros here. No way you’re pulling, little girl,” Yang Qi said.

“Come on, rogue. You or me?”

“I’ll go,” Yang Qi drew the Black Crow Sword. “Its Shadow Strike is perfect for pulling. Watch and learn!”

With that, Yang Qi darted forward, nimbly circling to the opposite side of the cavern, weaving among the ice apes.

Yang Qi kept a clear distance to maintain monster aggro without being hit—getting too close would mean instant death amid so many enemies. Soon, she had drawn most of the ice apes behind her, hundreds of them pursuing relentlessly. Lin Zheng and the others watched in alarm.

About 25 yards from the crevice, the path ahead was blocked by ice apes. Just as Lin Zheng’s group held their breath, Yang Qi thrust her Black Crow Sword forward. “Greatsword Thrust!” The strike sent one ice ape flying into a cluster, knocking down many. A vacuum opened within ten yards in front of her. Seizing the moment, Yang Qi surged forward ten yards. The path was blocked again, and she stabbed once more, this time unleashing “Shadow Strike!”

Lin Zheng and the others saw a black blur flash through the ice ape horde, arriving before them in the blink of an eye. Who else but Yang Qi? Behind her, all the ice apes along the strike’s path were knocked back, their health bars flashing red—a magnificent sight.

“So that’s Shadow Strike? Damn! That skill is insane!” Lin Zheng exclaimed, amazed.

“Heh, of course! You think a boss-level skill is some common trick?” Yang Qi bragged. “Shadow Strike can be upgraded—I’ve leveled it to 2. Now it instantly dashes 15 yards, dealing 110% physical damage to enemies in its path. Pretty powerful, right?”

“What’s the cooldown?”

“30 seconds! Great for soloing, but a bit unfortunate,” Yang Qi sighed. “The Black Crow Sword is a bit low-level. I’m already level 23, so its damage output is falling behind.”

“Take it slow. Maybe this mission will drop you a legendary sword! But hurry and get ready to defend—the ice apes are closing in!” Lin Zheng’s expression changed as the massive horde bore down.

Yang Qi hurried into the crevice to defend. No sooner had she turned than the ice apes charged. Lin Zheng unleashed “Stomp,” stunning all the attackers. Taking advantage, he and Yang Qi swiftly killed the stunned ice apes. Behind them, You Xi launched a chain lightning spell, dealing significant damage to the dense crowd.

Lin Zheng accumulated five charge points and called out, “Rogue, Greatsword Thrust! I’ll go out and detonate!”

“Got it!” Yang Qi shouted, wielding her sword to deliver a “Greatsword Thrust,” pushing back the attackers. Seizing the chance, Lin Zheng dashed out, immediately surrounded by ice apes. Without hesitation, he unleashed “Detonation,” instantly killing a large cluster. After the attack, he retreated back into the crevice to defend.

“Damn! High-damage dueling swordsmen are broken!” Yang Qi said, envious as Lin Zheng returned. “Why don’t greatsword knights have any group attack skills? So unfair!”

“Jealous now? Just wait!” Lin Zheng grinned proudly. “Detonation is powerful but has a long cooldown—ten minutes! Plus, it requires charge points, which is a hassle.”

Yang Qi rolled her eyes. “Of course! Without those limits, dueling swordsmen would be unstoppable!”