Chapter Six: The Remarkable Power of Unusual Equipment

Name: [Enhanced Shadow-Devouring Larva] (Insectoid Entity Derivative)
Health: 15/15
Attack Level: Weak
Defense Level: Extremely Weak
Attack Speed: Fast
Alert Range: Moderate
Abilities: Wing Slash, Pounce
Description: The combat power of the enhanced shadow-devouring larva far surpasses that of ordinary insectoid entities and possesses extremely aggressive tendencies. Its insect wings are razor-sharp—equipment of poor quality will easily be damaged in battle against it. As a minor leader within its swarm, it can command ordinary shadow-devouring larvae in combat. However, if it is slain, its remaining subordinates will fall into disoriented chaos.

...

Ember immediately shared the attributes of the enhanced shadow-devouring larva with Not-a-Sword-Immortal.

“The defense level isn’t null?” Not-a-Sword-Immortal frowned. “My sword’s attack level is only ‘extremely weak’. If we really have to fight, it’ll be a tough slog. Maybe we should wait until the Peashooter is fully grown?”

“No! If we let them return to the nest, even with the Peashooter’s help, facing two enhanced larva will be extremely difficult—not to mention dealing with a swarm of ordinary ones.”

Ember’s tone was firm. After a moment’s thought, he decided to spend an important attribute point to raise his strength level to two, then drew his standard-issue telescopic baton, now imbued with Sluggishness.

“I’ll handle the enhanced larva. You take care of the remaining six minions. Even if you get hurt, it doesn’t matter—we must intercept and eliminate this wave of insects right here. What do you think?”

“All right! I’ll follow your lead this time.”

Seeing Ember’s resolve, Not-a-Sword-Immortal agreed without hesitation. He wiped his sword blade and charged out, unleashing a skillful horizontal slash that swept through four shadow-devouring larvae. He then sprang forward, widening the distance, taking the four wounded larvae with him and drawing the enhanced larva’s aggro in the process.

Screee!

The enhanced shadow-devouring larva was enormous—three times the size of an ordinary minion. It had two pairs of blood-red compound eyes that glimmered eerily in the darkness. Its wings vibrated violently, poised to strike, while the two shadow-devouring larvae beside it obediently joined the assault on Not-a-Sword-Immortal at its command.

Suddenly, Ember rushed forward, swinging his baton down on the creature’s head, colliding headlong with the airborne enhanced larva.

The standard telescopic baton clashed midair with the sharp insect wing, sending out a brief shower of sparks.

[Prompt: Your strength level matches your opponent’s. This confrontation caused no effect on the target!]

Ember felt a powerful force reverberate through his hands—the enhanced larva was clearly much stronger than ordinary minions. If he hadn’t just raised his strength, he would likely have suffered a setback from the collision.

Screech!

At this moment, the enhanced larva let out a strange cry. Blocked by the uninvited Ember, it was furious and intended to tear him apart, but suddenly felt an overwhelming heaviness in its limbs—it could barely move, which made it even more agitated.

[Prompt: The enhanced shadow-devouring larva’s agility is below four, so it cannot ignore the “Weak” Sluggishness status.]

Under the effect of Sluggishness, the enhanced larva’s speed dropped by over 20 percent. Its once-fierce attacks became no more threatening than those of an ordinary larva. Indeed, the additional property of [Gluttonous Appetite of the Living Softbody] is the nemesis of most agile monsters. Ember took advantage, launching a wild barrage at the beleaguered creature.

[Prompt: You dealt 2 damage to the enhanced shadow-devouring larva.]
[Prompt: You dealt 2 damage to the enhanced shadow-devouring larva.]
[Prompt: You dealt 3 damage to the enhanced shadow-devouring larva.]
...

The enhanced larva’s defense halved Ember’s damage, but thanks to the Sluggishness effect, Ember landed consecutive hits in five seconds. Though he didn’t inflict a stun, the larva was left powerless to counterattack. When the Sluggishness finally wore off and it tried to retaliate, Ember, ready and alert, dodged nimbly, opening the distance and quickly regaining stamina.

Screee!

The battered enhanced larva screeched in rage, and Ember immediately heard an answering chorus from nearby.

“Careful, it’s calling the minions over!”

The six shadow-devouring larvae, hearing their leader’s call for help, immediately abandoned their assault on Not-a-Sword-Immortal and rushed to its aid. In that critical moment, Not-a-Sword-Immortal stepped forward and unleashed a skill, slaying two low-health minions with a single stroke, then shouted a warning to Ember.

Despite the formidable foe ahead and a swarm bearing down from behind, Ember remained unfazed. Already confident of victory, he advanced on the enhanced larva, ignoring its desperate counterattack, and delivered two heavy blows—one to its head, one to its body. The enhanced larva, having barely managed to wound Ember, fell with its health depleted, dead on the spot.

[Prompt: You have gained a large number of contribution points.]
[Prompt: Your character level has risen to four. You have gained one core attribute and one important attribute.]
[Prompt: The contribution pool is exhausted. You have lost double-contribution status.]

The dying shriek of the enhanced larva threw the remaining minions into panic—their formation broke instantly. Some froze in place; others scattered in terror. Seeing this, Ember and Not-a-Sword-Immortal joined forces to mop up the remnants, completing the interception without mishap.

“Whew! I nearly dragged you down with me…”

Not-a-Sword-Immortal breathed a sigh of relief, eyeing the corpse of the enhanced larva with envy as he urged Ember, “No wonder it’s an elite monster—it actually dropped loot. Quick, see what it is!”

Ember was surprised by this. He turned over the larva’s corpse and found, sure enough, a segment of its wing lying on the ground, emitting a faint, eerie glow.

...

[Shadow-Devouring Insect Wing] (Basic)
Type: Enhancement Material

Function: Grants the weapon a “Quick Strike” effect, occasionally allowing an extra attack that does not consume stamina.

Description: Basic material dropped by the enhanced shadow-devouring larva. It makes weapon attacks swifter, but for full control over the enhanced weapon, it’s best to have higher agility.

[Prompt: Submit this item to a Foundation Enhancer, and after spending a certain amount of credit points, you can enhance your chosen equipment.]
[Prompt: Each enhancement raises the equipment’s usage requirements. The number of possible enhancements depends on the equipment’s quality.]
...

“This is great! Your telescopic baton already hits hard—once enhanced, it’ll be even more formidable.”

Not-a-Sword-Immortal couldn’t help but praise. If his own attack power were higher, he’d have taken on the enhanced larva himself. Still, this battle wasn’t without reward—after finishing off the last minion, his own character reached level three.

Ember smiled and stowed the insect wing in his pouch, which, with its seven slots, was only using three so far.

Since the two had lost little health in the fight, there was no need to use any basic healing spray. Meanwhile, the level-three Peashooter sprout continued growing in its container, though without the nutrient battery, it was lagging far behind the basic Peashooter. Ember was keen to see how many credit points the pest-extermination task would yield—he wanted those three nutrient batteries as soon as possible.

“Good thing I teamed up with you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to complete this quest alone.”

Not-a-Sword-Immortal regarded Ember with newfound respect. Surrounded by six larvae, he’d had to play at the top of his game, defending and dodging blows, and only took two minor bites—leaving both of them nearly at full strength for the toughest challenge ahead.

“There’s a little more than a minute left before the Peashooter is ready.” Ember, having quietly raised his perception, felt his field of vision expand and said to Not-a-Sword-Immortal, “I think it’s best to proceed steadily. Our progress is definitely ahead of the others, so taking this nest safely is the top priority. Besides, healing items are still scarce. Let’s intercept one more wave, then switch to defense and use the Peashooter’s ranged advantage.”

Not-a-Sword-Immortal considered and agreed. “Let’s do it your way!”

The two continued their stakeout, and within a minute, successfully ambushed another squad of shadow-devouring larvae emerging from the nest.

This windfall further reduced the number of visible larvae inside the nest to fewer than ten, easing the pressure they’d face in the coming battle.

[Prompt: Your weapon is imbued with a “Weak” Sluggishness status for five seconds.]
[Prompt: The basic Peashooter has successfully grown and can now provide you with supporting fire.]

As the standard telescopic baton gained the Sluggishness effect once more, Ember’s basic Peashooter finally made its debut.

With its bean-leaf arms, it gently pushed open the cover of its container. What Ember saw next was a Peashooter whose mouth resembled a gun barrel, one hand on its hip and the other saluting him, its bean eyes sharp and keen—just like a crack artilleryman awaiting orders.