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

CHAPTER 51: Dual Wielding - The Salvaged Loot

"You know what to do," said Daisuke, flicking another Etherberry into the canine's mouth as they crossed paths.

Then he tightened his grip on the Bonepick, found his mark, and plunged it into the beast's prosternum—a section of its chest with receding hair. The creature heaved a pained roar, its body rearing upwards in response to the jarring blow. Its menacing red eyes frantically searched for its tormentor, but what it found was a blade hurtling towards its eye.

UAAAAAAAAAAAK!

A thunderous roar shook the cavern, sending a chill down the spines of other adventurers who had arrived on the scene. Reckless flames erupted from the creature's maw like a blazing inferno, threatening to bring down the entire cavern.

But Daisuke and Zephyr remained undeterred; they nimbly dodged the falling rocks and debris, maintaining their relentless assault on the monster. Zephyr continued to draw aggro, keeping the fiend under control while Daisuke diligently reapplied the bleed debuff.

"Wait!" Lyanna stopped Rexar who was about to recklessly throw himself into the fray. "You'll be crushed by the falling rocks; we need to find the right opening!"

The samurai and tank regrettably agreed. Rexar grinded his teeth in frustration, and Lyanna contemplated offering support fire. But she didn't want to inadvertently pull the creature's aggro in the process.

Three minutes felt like an eternity when the terrain and a vicious monster were conspiring against them. However, Daisuke and Zephyr persevered. As the third minute approached, the guardian's rage reached a fevered pitch.

Amidst the chaos of falling rocks and the onslaught of fire, fangs and claws raining down like a meteor storm, Daisuke moved with lightning speed. Like a bullet slicing through the turmoil, he drove his dagger into the creature's remaining eye.

As the fiend recoiled in agony, Zephyr leaped into action. Executing a stunning combination of Extreme Speed and Divine Armament, he propelled himself like a meteorite from across the room, becoming a force of nature in his own right.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The violent impact sent the roaring behemoth toppling to the unforgiving ground, its massive frame paralyzed by the debilitating effects of the Extreme Speed skill. No sooner had the beast fallen than Zephyr, his body drained by the merciless backlash of his skills, succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed, slipping into unconsciousness.

Daisuke's eyes blazed with determination. His Stat Points conceded to his desire as he channeled his energy into speed and power, transforming him into a veritable blur. With the agility of a torpedo, he zipped across the room, seamlessly swapping out his weapon in the same fluid motion.

[Sturdy Club]

[Rank: Normal

Type: Blunt Weapon

Melee Attack Power: 64~77 | Durability: 28/59 | Attack Speed: -12%

The Exiled Hilitroll Chief's trusty weapon, hewn from the limb of the millennia-old oak known as the Tree of Ascension. Legend holds that every former chieftain's weapon was cut and carved from this ancient tree.

▪︎ Strength +4

▪︎ Knockback +82%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 16+ | Strength 60+ | Stamina 25+]

WHAAAAM!

The club met the Bonepick, still lodged in the monster's chest, with a resounding impact. The combination of speed and power, coupled with the knockback option fixed to the club, propelled the Bonepick straight through the guardian's heart and emerging from the other side of its massive body. The creature, without a sound or even a whimper, froze in its tracks and crumpled to the ground.

DING!

[Congratulations! You have slain the Floor Guardian «Giant Inferno Wolf»!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[The passive skill «Beginner Dagger Mastery» has been acquired.]

[Swift Leather Boots has been acquired.]

[The spell book «Magic Chains» has been acquired.]

[Vitaberry x4 has been acquired.]

[Etherberry x7 has been acquired.]

[Small HP Recovery Potion x2 has been acquired.]

[Small MP Recovery Potion x1 has been acquired.]

[Giant Inferno Wolf's Mana Core x1 has been acquired.]

[Giant Inferno Wolf's fang x2 has been acquired.]

[Giant Inferno Wolf's claw x1 has been acquired.]

[Zephyr's level has risen!]

[Zephyr's level has risen!]

[Zephyr's level has risen!]

[Zephyr's level has risen!]

***

Daisuke staggered.

His body felt like it was just run over by a steamroller, but he didn't allow himself to fall, not while so many eyes were fixed upon him. He absolutely refused to show any signs of weakness when he didn't know who he could trust.

The raid had granted him three hard-earned levels, which did wonders for his health and mana, but his stamina remained drained. Rest was the only remedy for recharging stamina unless one possessed a rare and costly elixir.

Rexar, bold as ever, offered his support by throwing Daisuke's arm over his shoulder. He couldn't help but question, "Wh-What exactly are you? You're not secretly a ranker, are you?"

The samurai contemplated Daisuke's appearance critically, then remarked, "I don't think a ranker would be clad in such crude equipment."

PUOK!

An arrow, metaphorically inscribed with the word "discrimination," struck Daisuke square in the heart.

"And a ranker wouldn't have struggled against such a low-level mob either," added the tank.

PUOK!

Another arrow pierced him, and Daisuke winced. Should I have just left them to die?

Lyanna interjected, her voice carrying a note of gratitude. "Whatever the case, we should all be thankful that he saved us. I'm pretty sure the three of us working together wouldn't have been able to defeat that monster."

Daisuke's frown eased slightly.

Lyanna followed up, concerned, "How are you? Do you need a potion?"

"More importantly," Daisuke redirected their attention, looking toward the hidden chamber, "how is Elena?"

Tension gripped the group at the mention of her name.

"I've got Zephyr," Lyanna assured, cradling the unconscious pup in her arms. "Let's go."