Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 50: Lupine Disaster - The Floor Guardian

BOOOM!

The impact was devastating; Zephyr crashed into his chest with bone-crushing force, snapping several ribs like brittle twigs. Agony coursed through Daisuke's body, knocking the air from his lungs. Their combined momentum slammed them mercilessly into the wall. A deep indentation formed, cracks radiating outwards like veins.

"Cough!"

Blood splattered from Daisuke's mouth. His eyebrows knitted as he glanced down at Zephyr. Despite the damage, the canine was still mindlessly rearing to go, his fur bristled in absolute fury.

[Berserk]

[Rank: Rare

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

Unleashing the primal fury within, Zephyr enters a state of frenzied aggression, enhancing his strength and speed at the expense of self-preservation and some levels of self-control.

In this state, Zephyr becomes a relentless force, unleashing devastating attacks upon its foes until either victory is achieved or its own demise.

Skill Effect:

▪︎ Upon activation, Attack Power, Attack Speed, and Movement Speed surge by 45% for 5 minutes. However, Composure, Defense, and Dexterity plummet by 50%, 30%, and 20% respectively.

▪︎ After the skill elapses, Zephyr will be unable to move for 10 minutes, and mana will be reduced to zero.

Mana Cost: 40% of Max Mana

Skill Duration: 5 Minutes

Skill Cooldown: 24 Hours]

Dammit! Is he unable to think clearly due to the Berserker state?" Daisuke thought, frustration evident in his eyes. The backlash is brutal, and the activation time should be reaching its end. I need to wrap up this fight as quickly as possible, but how?

DING!

[Your Companion, Zephyr, has learned the active skill «Divine Armament».]

[Divine Armament]

[Rank: Unique

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

Tapping into the vein of divine providence, Zephyr envelops his entire body in a translucent armor forged of holy magic, significantly bolstering defense. This sacred and formidable barrier protects against both physical and magical attacks.

Skill Effect:

▪︎ Enhances Physical and Magical Defense by 65% for a duration of 3 minutes.

▪︎ As proficiency increases, the intricate details of the golden armor become more pronounced.

Mana Cost: 50% of Max Mana

Skill Duration: 3 Minutes

Skill Cooldown: 45 Minutes]

Daisuke's eyes widened in surprise. That's incredible! He exclaimed inwardly. No wonder the cooldown time is almost an hour; this skill is absolutely epic!

"Nice. I can see a way out now," he murmured with a smile, even as he slipped a pair of berries into Zephyr's mouth. Then he popped one into his own.

[Vitaberry]

[Gathered from the Vitality Tree, Vitaberries serve as the key ingredient in crafting health recovery potions.

Item Effect: Replenishes 150 health

Cooldown: 20 Seconds]

[Etherberry]

[Etherberry bushes require plenty of water and moonlight to grow, and it is rumored that exposure to mana supposedly helps to accelerate their growth to maturity. Etherberry are a crucial component in the creation of mana replenishing potions.

Item Effect: Replenishes 150 mana

Cooldown: 20 Seconds]

WHOOOSH!

The guardian's snout glowed with an ominous purplish-black flame, which foretold of an impending disaster. In response, Zephyr leaped from Daisuke's hand, his small frame still radiating a bright crimson aura from the Berserk skill.

"Zephyr!" Daisuke's voice carried a note of urgency as the Bonepick materialized in his grip. "I want you to keep your distance and use four skills: Divine Armament, Gallop, Antagonize, and Ember. While you're keeping it distracted, I'll move in and try to take it down."

FWOOOOSH!

The conversation was abruptly severed as a river of fire descended akin to the infernal breath of Hades, determined to consume everything in its path.

Zephyr swiftly evaded the fiery fangs by a hair's breadth, blessed by the swiftness of his skill. With a provoking roar, he successfully seized the guardian's attention, winning its aggro. Then his small form was enveloped by an invisible barrier that momentarily flashed with protective light.

DING!

[The proficiency of the active skill «Ember» has advanced to level 2! Ember now transforms into Emberstorm!]

[Emberstorm]

[Rank: Normal

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

With a primal howl, Zephyr ignites his inner fire, unleashing a searing blaze from his jaws that engulfs enemies like the vicious seas at Sirens' Reach.

Skill Effect:

▪︎ There's a 25% chance of inflicting the «Burn» Status.

Mana Cost: 30

Skill Duration: 7 Seconds

Skill Cooldown: 15 Seconds]

As Daisuke made a beeline for the Floor Guardian, he observed with satisfaction as Zephyr's flames engulfed the creature's face with a vengeance.

The chamber seemed to shudder with the beast's agonized roar as it struggled, its hulking form careening into the cavern wall like a wrecking ball.

Capitalizing on its disoriented state, Daisuke lunged forward like a reckless cheetah at an elephant. His dagger struck out, aimed at the creature's seemingly vulnerable body.

"Ugh!"

However, it quickly became evident that vulnerability was an illusion. His dagger failed to pierce the coarse fur, let alone the thick hide beneath it.

Dammit! It's like striking sandpaper!

Even with the exceptional piercing ability of the Bonepick, the harsh reality remained—it was a level 1 weapon. To conquer this monstrous adversary, he'd have to identify and target its weak points.

As the savage beast relentlessly pursued Zephyr to exact revenge a thousand-fold, it left behind a trail of destruction in its wake. Yet, Daisuke kept close, his eyes tracing the creature's lower legs, then narrowing in on the tendons. Next, his focus shifted to the eyes and underbelly.

"I know what I need to do, but I'll need some help," he murmured before sending a mental command tohis Status Window to equip the recently acquired loot.

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