Chapter 161 Terrifying Output
After checking out the insane power in those item descriptions, Eric couldn't help but feel a rush of awe. This was his first time seeing the specific stats of an Epic Level item fragment. In his past life, that info was always kept under wraps. Players could only guess at how powerful they really were.
The Divine Breath of the Celestial Dragon, in particular, was way more intense than he had imagined. It didn't just boost stats; it cranked them up exponentially.
No wonder people always said only the strong could handle Epic Level items. A weaker player might get a stat boost, but they'd never unlock the item's full potential.
If Eric equipped the Divine Breath of the Celestial Dragon right now, he could easily take down Level 20 elites, even though he was only Level 12. Unfortunately, he can only gaze in longing at the requirements: 200 points in strength, 200 in agility, and 120 in intelligence. His current stats were 111 Strength, 123 Agility, and a measly 48 Intelligence.
Even with the Demonic Weapon's bonus of two extra attribute points per level, he'd need to hit at least Level 20 and get a full set of Level 20 Adamantite Equipment before he could even think about using the ring.
"Tonny, see if you can equip these," Eric said, handing over Mephisto's Guardian Shield and the Radiant Ring of Brilliance.
He picked those two items for a reason. He couldn't always be there to guide the team; he had other stuff to handle. But to make sure they kept growing and succeeding, they needed a strong leader.
And who better to lead than the person he trusted most?
Epic Level items were rare and super valuable. Giving them to Tonny gave Eric peace of mind. With those items boosting his power, Tonny's damage output would probably surpass even his own. After all, the Demonic Weapon, for all its power, was still only on par with an Obsidian Weapon. It was nowhere near the level of an Epic.
Plus, as a magic class, Tonny's farming efficiency was already higher than Eric's. With Mephisto's Guardian Shield's powerful area-of-effect spells, he could lead the team to new heights with ease.
"I… are you sure?" Tonny stammered, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and nervousness. He felt unworthy of wielding such legendary artifacts.
But Eric's gaze was steady, filled with unwavering trust. Seeing that, Tonny nodded firmly.
The 80 Intelligence requirement for Mephisto's Guardian Shield was tough, but doable. Reaching Level 11 had significantly boosted his stats, and by equipping a few pieces of Mithril Equipment and putting all his free attribute points into Intelligence, he just barely met the requirement.
As he equipped the staff, a surge of energy rushed through him. His stats skyrocketed. Mephisto's Guardian Shield, even at Level 11, was a game-changer. It even gave him a hidden attribute: a 20% magic critical hit rate, something he had never seen before.
With the staff's ability to lower equipment level requirements by five levels, he could also equip the Radiant Ring of Brilliance. He swapped out his old Level 15 Dark Iron and Bronze gear for his new magical equipment.
The transformation was instant. Tonny practically radiated power, his presence commanding attention.
"My Intelligence… it's 186!" he exclaimed, his voice shaking with a mix of shock and excitement.
186 Intelligence was more than double his previous amount. And that wasn't even counting the increased magic damage and other bonuses. His overall power had more than doubled, making him capable of obliterating even a well-equipped Level 10 elite monster with a single spell.
"Incredible…" Ezio breathed, his eyes wide with envy. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, but it was quickly replaced by admiration and anticipation.
He had only recently joined Aether Wing Studios, and they had already helped him level up a lot and given him several pieces of valuable Mithril Equipment. To even dream of wielding an Epic Level item at this stage was… well, it was beyond his wildest dreams.
Moreover, witnessing Eric's effortless generosity and his willingness to entrust his teammate with such formidable artifacts filled Ezio with hope. He knew that if he proved himself, if he earned their trust, he too would one day wield such legendary power.
"Epic Level items… they're something else," Eric said, a hint of pride in his voice as he checked out Tonny's transformed stats.
Epic Level items scaled with the player's level, so Tonny's power would only grow as he leveled up. The true potential of Mephisto's Guardian Shield wouldn't be unlocked until he hit Level 60. What they were seeing now was just a taste of its real power.
And this was just the start. Eric knew where to find a bunch more Epic Level items, hidden treasures just waiting to be claimed. But he couldn't do it alone. He needed a strong team, one that could tackle any challenge.
"Eric," Tonny's voice crackled through the team chat, excitement practically oozing out. "Let's go find some elites. I want to see what this staff can really do!"
A grin spread across Eric's face. He remembered the thrill of getting his first Epic Level item, the burning desire to test its limits against tough foes.
"Of course," he replied. "Let's go find something worthy of your newfound power."
It didn't take long to find a suitable target. Under Eric's guidance, they tracked down a Level 17 rare elite: the Swampscale Behemoth.
[Swampscale Behemoth (Rare Elite, Level 17)]
[HP: 20,000]
"I'll draw its attention," Eric announced, his voice calm and steady. "Ezio, try to keep it from moving too much, and watch out for its breath attack. It'll slow you down. Tonny, stay back and unleash hell."
Even with his Level 12 strength, the upgraded Level 10 Abyssal Blade, and Tonny's newfound power, Eric knew better than to underestimate the Swampscale Behemoth. It was one of the most dangerous creatures lurking in the swamp.
The Swampscale Behemoth was a melee powerhouse, capable of delivering devastating physical blows. A single swipe from its claws could cleave through a Level 15 tank's HP in an instant. Its attacks also inflicted a petrification debuff, slowing down its victims. And to make matters worse, it was incredibly fast, boasting the highest movement speed of any creature in The Silent Marshlands.
A Level 15 party stumbling upon a Swampscale Behemoth was as good as dead. It was a creature most adventurers avoided at all costs.
Eric circled around the behemoth, activating Frost Azure Flame and unleashing a flurry of attacks. His Wind-chasing Sword found its mark, piercing the creature's thick hide.
-288
-224
Two damage numbers appeared above the Swampscale Behemoth's head.
His damage output had increased significantly since his encounter with the Triheaded Serpent Witch, but against the behemoth's massive 20,000 HP, it was a drop in the bucket.
The creature roared, its massive claws lashing out at Eric with blinding speed.
Eric reacted instantly, sidestepping the attack and retaliating with a Level 7 Slash. His blade found its mark, striking a critical point and dealing a satisfying 1058 damage.
The Swampscale Behemoth howled in pain, its iron-like tail whipping towards Eric with bone-shattering force.
Eric leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack and putting some distance between himself and the enraged behemoth.
Ezio seized the opportunity, charging forward and slamming his shield into the creature's side, interrupting its next attack. A measly 28 damage popped up.
Ezio winced. Even with his Level 11 strength, Mithril Weapon, and the behemoth's level suppression, he could barely scratch its thick hide. Without those advantages, his attacks wouldn't even break double digits.
"Alright, let's see what you can do," Tonny murmured, a hint of excitement in his voice.
He raised the Mephisto's Guardian Shield, unleashing a Level 7 Shadow Bolt enhanced by the staff's power. The bolt struck the Swampscale Behemoth with a resounding crack, dealing 712 damage.
And then, the passive skill activated.
A spear of silver energy materialized out of thin air, piercing the behemoth and dealing a critical hit for 1354 damage.
Tonny followed up with Diabolic Lash, summoning nine thick, thorny vines that ensnared the behemoth, rooting it in place. The creature thrashed wildly, each vine dealing 116 damage as it struggled to break free.
With his Intelligence exceeding 100, Tonny unlocked a hidden passive skill: Quick Chant. His casting speed increased dramatically, allowing him to unleash a relentless barrage of spells. The Swampscale Behemoth's HP plummeted as hundreds of damage numbers filled the air.
"This is insane!" Ezio exclaimed, his jaw dropping as he watched the spectacle unfold.
"Is this… the power of an Epic Weapon?" Tonny murmured, his voice filled with awe.
Within a minute, the once-mighty Swampscale Behemoth lay defeated, its massive bulk collapsing onto the swampy ground with a heavy thud. It dropped four items: a Level 15 Dark Iron Equipment for warriors and three rare crafting materials.
"Let's find a bigger crowd," Eric said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I want to see that Luminous Celestialflare in action."