Chapter Thirty-Three: The Instigator of Chaos

A fiery red lion, radiating intense heat, lay sprawled atop a boulder within a stone cave. Beneath its massive paw rested a charred human skeleton, blackened by flames. The lion’s tongue swept repeatedly over the bones, while several small animal carcasses were scattered nearby. Above the lion’s head, three large words hovered in the air.

[The Chaotic One]

Attack Type: Chaos—inflicts maximum damage on all armor types
Attack Level: Medium
Type: Mutant Creature—Bo...

The brief introduction made me swallow hard. Maximum damage against all kinds of armor meant that whether you wore cloth or steel, you’d have to endure the full brunt of its attacks.

I’d better probe it first!

My greatsword drew a graceful arc through the air and crashed down on the Chaotic One’s head. The “204” that flashed up in response to my heavy strike gave me some comfort, but the monster’s retaliatory swipe nearly made me cry out in pain, knocking off 62 of my health in a single blow. With only 640 HP, ten of those attacks would send me straight back to level 20.

After three consecutive slashes, I couldn’t hold out any longer and fled, dragging my sword behind me. The Chaotic One only chased me a short distance from its cave before turning back. I waited nearby for my health to recover, but to my dismay, the Chaotic One’s health also fully regenerated. My three sword strikes had taken about 600 HP, which was roughly one-tenth of its health. Meanwhile, it had hit me twice for a total of 120 HP—a fifth of my own. The Chaotic One never opened its mouth to attack; it relied solely on its claws, rendering tomato tactics essentially useless.

Glancing at the four medium health potions in my bag, I realized I’d have to use them for this quest—never mind the few coins they were worth. Spending them was inevitable.

So I threw myself into the fight again, desperately buying time with skillful maneuvers and evasions to minimize losses. After burning through two health potions, I finally brought the Chaotic One tumbling to the ground. Unfortunately, there was no system notification for my efforts. Instead, as I approached to check the loot, a milky white glow suddenly shone from its corpse.

System Message: The Chaotic One receives the blessing of resurrection power—entering resurrection countdown!

“10!”
“9!”
...

I broke out in a cold sweat. What was this? After all that effort, nearly working myself to death—now it was going to resurrect?

What should I do? What should I do?

Intricate runes began to rise slowly above the Chaotic One’s head—it was entering the prelude to resurrection!

Wait?

A jade-green orb placed behind the Chaotic One was emitting a gentle radiance. A thin green stream flowed from the orb directly into the creature’s body.

So that was what was sustaining its resurrection!

Treasure! Money!

My eyes lit up. In a swift roll, I snatched the orb and yanked away the thread linking it to the Chaotic One.

The Chaotic One revived!

I immediately tossed the orb into my pack and raised my longsword again. This time, I was mentally prepared. I drained every last health potion I had, and with great effort, managed to bring the Chaotic One down once more, nearly collapsing from exhaustion myself.

This time, the Chaotic One was truly dead—because I saw loot drop!

A magic robe, a leather cloak, a dagger with a ghostly sheen, and a silver token!

[Robes of Chaos] (Green Equipment)
Defense: 18
Stamina: +8
Intelligence: +11
Bonus: Increases healing effects by up to 15
Required Level: 17

[Ghost Dagger] (Green Equipment)
Attack: 21-36
Strength: +8
Agility: +12
Required Level: 16

[Phantom Cloak] (Green Equipment)
Defense: 12
Stamina: +4
Agility: +16
Required Level: 16

...

I’d struck it rich again! The robe’s healing bonus would be perfect for Xuehan; the Phantom Cloak would suit Xinyu. As for the dagger—none of us played a rogue; selling it would net us another tidy sum!

The silver token was the Swordsman’s Trial Proof, and I also found the Chaotic One’s heart among its remains, completing two quests in one go.

I catalogued the Robes of Chaos and sent the stats to Xuehan via friend message.

Shortly after, Xuehan called me, barely able to hide her excitement: “Lin Fan, are you really giving that to me? That’s wonderful! I’ve got good news too—an hour ago I defeated a level 16 Green Knight with a spear and sold it at the exchange for 450 RMB! That’s a pure profit of 1,500. How about I treat you to a meal tomorrow?”

“Really? Congratulations!”

“It’s almost nine. I’m heading to bed. Can I get the robe from you tomorrow?”

...

At last, things were back on track. If everyone could farm gear and sell it, our little studio could keep going!

Returning to Via Village, I handed the Chaotic One’s heart to the little nurse, Maylin, completing her quest—Maylin’s Request. The rewards were generous: experience, money, and an item that left me stunned—a Necklace of Favor!

[Necklace of Favor] (No Grade)
Stamina: +10
Strength: +12
Intelligence: +8
Agility: +14
Bonus: Increases skill success rate by 50%

...

The stats were impressive, boosting all four attributes, but the effect left me puzzled—a 50% boost to skill success rate? What exactly did that mean?

Just then, I remembered the jade-green orb I’d taken—it was still sitting in my pack, yet to be identified. When I checked, I was hit by a wave of frustration.

[Orb of Regeneration]
Effect: When activated, grants the user a 10% chance to revive within 30 minutes. Cooldown: 48 hours. Does not need to be equipped. Disappears after one week.

I was left speechless—a 10% chance of revival meant that I’d have to die ten times for a single chance to come back, and with my luck (the kind that steps in dog poo three times just going down the street), what were the odds? And it would disappear after a week. I couldn’t make sense of it...

...

The silver token was proof of slaying the Chaotic One. I handed it to the village chief, who gave me a letter in exchange: Via Village Chief’s Certificate of Trial!

The quest log prompted: deliver this letter to the Swordsman Trainer in Gale City to advance your class.

Glancing at the time, it was nearly ten—time for bed.

I went to the port, boarded a ship, and logged off. When I logged back in, I’d probably already be in Gale City. Such a wise plan deserved a hot bath in celebration!

As I stepped out, I saw Xinyu cautiously carrying a bowl of noodles from the kitchen, with Xuehan cheerfully trailing behind, chopsticks in hand.

“What are you two up to?”

Xuehan beamed sweetly, “It’s a midnight snack! Hey—Lin Fan, don’t snatch it! I had to beg Xinyu for ages to get her to make it!”

I’d already grabbed the chopsticks. “Xuehan, I’m starving! Let me have some first? Or we could just share!”

Xuehan paused for a moment, a flush rising to her lovely cheeks. “Then you eat first~”

“Hmph, shameless…” Xinyu scoffed, then added, “Always bullying our Xuehan…”