27 Chapter 27 (2/2)

645 xp to next level

HP: 55

AP: 55

Currency: 47 copper 6 silver 0 gold 0 platinum

James glanced quickly at Z's health, noting he had appeared to gain 5hp per level, raising from his 30 at level 1, to 55 at level 6. James tabbed over to the next screen, looking at Z's stats. There were a range of numbers, all showing differing amounts for different stats, such as constitution, charisma, strength, and dexterity. James knew such stats had effects on everything Z's character would be able to do, and as he scanned the sheet, he found the stats he was looking at below.

Atk: 25+5+1

M. Atk: 0

Def: 10 + 10

M. Def: 0

Focusing on the bonuses to Z's Atk stat, he found that the bow the archer was using was giving him a +5 to his attacks, and the dicken arrows were giving him a +1. Assuming Z and Elm were running the same archer build so far, that meant each of their attacks was dealing 31 damage per arrow. Given that Old Man Jenkins defense absorbed 25 points per arrow, each attack was doing 6 points of damage to the boss. It wasn't much, but James knew those arrows, combined with the magical attacks from Faust, would dig away at the boss's 550hp.

”E-I” Had James been in his human body, he would have jumped at the boss's sudden booming voice. As it was nearly closed the instance screen in his panicked hurry to close Z's character sheet. He wanted to turn his full attention back to the fight.

”Group up!” Z's voice cried out and the party moved together, their eyes glancing at their feet. They were looking for the telltale pentagram to show who the target was.

”E-I,” the glowing pentagram appeared underneath Med Ic. That was going to hurt.

”O.” Even as the donkey's hooves appeared from the ground, Med Ic was knocked to the side, Oak taking his place. The warrior leveled his shield, allowing the piece of metal to absorb the kick, even as he was sent flying backwards.

”Scatter.” The guild leader's voice once again echoed a command, and the three DPS members pulled back, resuming their attack on Old Man Jenkins, while Med Ic ran to Oak, his hands already glowing with healing light. The warrior was quickly back on his feet, rushing back towards the enraged boss.

”Oh, they are good.” Rue's voice was filled with actual admiration as she watched the fight take place. Her eyes were darting around the group, and it seemed she was so focused she had forgotten about her popcorn.

”Well, they are probably mythic raiders.” James had been a mythic raider in Warcraft Universe, a title applied to those who would enter the hardest raids and dungeons the day they were released, and who would continue to fight through them until they could clear it. Almost all instance first players were mythic raiders, and James had figured Z and his group were of the same caliber.

Even though they seemed light hearted, even as they joked and messed around, he could tell as he watched them fight now, that when they were serious, they were a force to be reckoned with. Old Man Jenkins had caught them by surprise at level three with his flaming pitchfork, but the group had likely used the knowledge of that attack, as well as he ability to attract mobs to aid him, as they planned for their next battle with him. In fact, the group had cleared all the mobs from around Old Man Jenkins before they began their battle with him. Very impressive.

”I guess this means I'm going to lose my bet.” Rue's voice took on a pouting tone as she watched the fight. Oak had again taunted the boss, and the archers had resorted to launching two arrows at once into him, likely doing their best to burn him down while he was taunted. Faust's magic missiles were even larger in size, and James figured the archer skill, and larger missiles, were their level 5 skills. He had to wonder what Med Ic had gotten at level 5, a better heal?

”Guess that will teach you to vote against Z's group, eh?” James was in a good mood. Yeah his boss was finally being brought down, but this was just the first form of Old Man Jenkins. James had two upgrade points to modify his boss with, as well as another level to give him. The group would find their next fight with Old Man Jenkins to be much different.

”No, it makes me want to vote against his group even more.” The pixie's eyes were filled with mischievous fire, and James guessed he and the pixie would be placing many bets against Z's group in the future. Hopefully his faith in the group didn't backfire on him later.

”Just a little more!” Z's voice pulled James and Rue back to the fight, as Old Man Jenkins fell to his knees, his eyes blazing with hatred as another arrow landed into his chest. The fire had gone out of his pipe, and his clothes were covered in various tears and blast marks. Countless arrows peppered his form, and as he leaned forward, barely catching himself one the ground, James knew it was over.

”Plea-” The sound was faint, and even as Old Man Jenkins seemed to speak, Oak's sword was swinging down on the boss's neck, finishing him off. It all happened so quickly, James had to wonder if he had imagined it.

”Huzzah!” The group erupted in cheers as the boss fell to the ground, and James noticed a message bar appear in front of him.

Attention: The [Guild] Knights Who Go Ni, have defeated Tier 1 Boss- Old Man Jenkins.

”That makes two!” The group was continuing to cheer as they all pulled up their screens, their emotions were infectious, and James couldn't help but cheer for them as well. They had tried so hard, he was glad they finally reached their goal.

”Aren't you Tier-ered?” Elm let out a laugh as he stared at his screen, and if James had to guess, that was the name the developers had given the achievement for clearing the boss first in the instance. If he had to guess, they had also earned an achievement just for beating the boss.

”Hey, you've read Dungeon Core and Litrpg before, you know we are bound to just encounter a lot of puns and bad jokes.” Z's face was covered in a massive smile, as he made a motion towards his screen. ”Besides, those two achievements, and slaying the boss, leveled us up to 7.” More cheers accompanied his revelation.

”Now, how about we grab our loot and get ready to head back. I'm guessing this five minute timer is our limit to either get out of the dungeon ourselves, or we will be forcibly teleported out.” As he spoke, he glanced at his screen, grinning as he collected his loot. James listened intently, but none of them let out an exclamation, and if he had to guess, none of them had received a piece of the unique set loot. Ah well, maybe next time.

”Pay up.” Having figured the group was done for now, given they were about to be booted from the dungeon for an hour, James had time to do a little upgrading himself. But first, he could use the extra 20 resources Rue had just lost to him.

”Fiiiinnneeeee.” Rue waved her hand, and as James glanced at his character sheet, noted his resources had jumped to 980 of 1100. He had gained 120 more resources during the 12 hours of waiting for Z's group to challenge Old Man Jenkins, putting him at 220, well 210 after losing his bet with Rue. Then, his achievements had bumped him to 960, and with his 20 from Rue, he was sitting happy at 980. He had a lot of plans for upgrading his dungeon, and he was going to use every bit of resources he had to do it. After all, as a dungeon core he was supposed to be constantly upgrading and evolving for the adventurers. He grinned as he went to work, at this rate, he felt he might be able to reach Tier 2 before his night of immersion was complete.