25 Chapter 25 (2/2)
”Oh, what do you call a cow with no legs?” His voice carried across the field towards the Mad Cow, causing the beast to look up from its grazing, turning its eyes towards Oak. The Mad Cow took note of the blood on the warriors face, and its eyes narrowed. The beast let out a snort.
”Ground Beef!” The group let out groans at his joke, even as the mad cow started to glow, steam rising from its body as it charged. ”Moooooooooooooooo.”
Oak held his shield before him as the cow charged towards him. Just as the beast neared him, Oak sidestepped the beast, slashing at its side with his sword. ”Ole.” He cried out with a grin. The mad cow simply snorted and bucked, kicking his shield and sending him flying.
”You'd think he would have learned.” Z and the others were laughing at the leader's comment, as they began launching their attacks at the Mad Cow. Arrows sprouted from the beast's side, while a magic missile smashed into the side of its head. The cow simply snorted and turned, ignoring the attacks as it focused on Oak.
”Eh, tis but a scratch.” Oak managed to get out, before the bull smashed into his shield, its horns punching through it, lifting him up.
”This guy seem a little tougher than before?” Faust seemed to be the first to notice the mobs had gotten stronger, as he launched another magic missile into the cow. If James had to guess, the mage was taking note of how many attacks the group needed to kill certain mobs, to manage his mp. It was a common aspect players in games would take note of, especially those who had to manage mp usage.
”Not that you mention it.” Oak was still clinging to his impaled shield, as he stabbed down at the mad cow's eye with his sword. The blade drove in deep, and the cow seemed to slow. James could tell the beast was nearing its limit. ”His kick did more damage than before.”
A feather sprouted from the mad cow's other eye, and the beast was defeated. The group all circled around it, collecting their loot, as they looked at their screens.
”Looks like the mob leveled up.” Elm made the comment as he glanced from the mad cow to the group. ”He was level 2 this time. Had more hp, def, and atk. He also gave us more experience.”
Z looked down at his screen at Elm's comment, a grin crossing his face. ”Did you all gain 2 experience points too?” The others grinned as they nodded. ”So, it seems the dungeon has already started to grow, meaning our enemies are going to be tougher, but offer more experience. If we are going to get double the experience now from all mobs, that means a single mob clearing run should net us each-” Z closed his eyes, and James could tell the adventurer was doing some quick math.
He was extremely interested in hearing just how much experience the group would get from a clear of the mobs. James also figured the group was splitting experience, which was a common enough mechanic for games. If each of the members had received 2 experience from the level 2 Mad Cow, he was guessing a Mad Cow was worth 10 experience. There had to be a way for him to check how much experience his mobs offered adventurers, and James made a mental note to glance at his Mob Screen once Z's group was done diving.
”-at least 40 experience points per party member for a single clear.” Faust commented before Z could finish counting. Of course the gamer choosing to be a mage would be faster at math. ”As long as this instance fills up, we can probably snipe mobs as well, like we have been. I think our record is slaying 10 sets of mobs before the floor got empty?”
”Yeah, I think you're right.” Z was nodding, as the others started to grin. ”So, if we can do that again, we can each gain over 400 experience in this single instance. If clearing the whole floor is going to take us about 2 hours, plus an hour penalty every time we clear, then we can be level 6, and ready to take on the boss again, in about 12 hours.”
”What are we waiting for?” Oak's comment, as the warrior turned head deeper into the dungeon, was met with cheers.
”Think they'll take down Old Man Jenkins?” Rue as looking from the party to James, while sipping what appeared to be hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows. Part of James was growing jealous at her ability to eat and drink. He didn't realize he would miss such things.
”We will see in 12 hours.” James paused as he looked around the group, and found himself grinning. The nearest set of mobs to the group, was a group that consisted of a sacrificial lamb, and a flock of dickens. James highly doubted the mobs would kill Z's group. But that didn't mean the fight wouldn't be highly amusing.
”For now, you're going to want to watch this fight.” James couldn't help but chuckle in anticipation, as he watched The Knights Who Go Ni advance on the mobs. They were definitely not prepared for what was in store. He cast a sidelong glance at Rue, who was gingerly sipping on her drink. Neither was she.