The Effect of New Equipment

Dungeon, Level 15.

The cavernous passageways were filled with dark, damp air, carrying the smell of stone, which permeated the gray rock cavern.

A few scattered light sources near the ceiling flickered like campfires, cutting parts of the dimly lit scene into irregular shapes, as if in eternal night.

In this dark underground labyrinth, in a corner of a cave passage, a fierce massacre is taking place.

"Whoosh!"

The silver light flickered and slicing through the air and the wind, its unparalleled sharpness striking a Hellhound.

"Pfft!"

A flash of blood appeared. The Hellhound, which had been compressing flames in its mouth, was sliced through by this lightning-fast slash, its flesh severed and its nerves cut off. Even though its muscles were solid and its fur was incredibly tough, this slash still easily cut the Hellhound in two, leaving it utterly dead.

"Garururururururu--!"

Seeing their companion's gruesome death, the remaining Hellhound all let out angry howls.

However, the flames floating in their mouths failed to be released. The adventurer who had easily killed their companion rushed over at an astonishing speed, raised his hand, and silver light flashed again, slashing towards them.

"Pfft!" "Pfft!" "Pfft!"----

The sounds of flesh being slashed by sharp weapons rang out continuously, and the angry howls of the Hellhound turned into the agonizing cries of impending death, causing blood-red light to leap continuously in mid-air, intertwining with the silver light that turned into afterglow to form a hellish scene of slaughter, which at first glance even had a certain beauty.

Soon after, the pack of Hellhound was slaughtered by the adventurers who had broken in, plunging the cave into silence.

At this moment, the adventurer wielding the silver sword stopped his ghostly pace and emerged from the darkness.

It was Leo.

"Wow, that's amazing, Mr. Leo!"

Lefiya, who had been watching from the rear and ready to support Leo at any moment, stared wide-eyed, then became incredibly excited.

There was no way around it; the strength Leo had just displayed had completely stunned her.

That strength was clearly much stronger than what was shown the day before yesterday, perhaps even significantly stronger.

No wonder—no wonder when we entered the Dungeon today, after reaching the 13th floor, Mr. Leo suddenly suggested we explore the deeper floors, and even led her directly down the vertical cave from the 13th floor, skipping the 14th floor, crossing floors, and arriving at the 15th floor.

Lefiya was initially worried that Leo wouldn't be able to handle it, but to her surprise, after reaching the 15th floor, Leo displayed strength far greater than before, showing an overwhelming dominance.

"Did you update your ability stats?"

Lefiya ran up to her, asking expectantly.

"Yes." Leo, still savoring the feeling of the battle, replied with a smile, "I updated my stats with Loki after returning home the day before yesterday, and my strength has increased a bit."

Lefiya wanted to say that this was more than just a little bit of growth.

Based on the strength Leo just displayed, he's no less than a veteran at Level 2.

Whether it's lethality or speed, it's on a completely different level compared to the day before yesterday.

"Given the strength Mr. Leo just demonstrated, he should be able to adapt to floors beyond the 18th, let alone the 18th Floor, right?"

Lefiya exclaimed in surprise.

And that is indeed the case.

With this stat update, Leo's overall proficiency increased by approximately 2700. His "Strength" and "Durability" have reached E, while "Dexterity" and "Agility" have reached D, sufficient to meet the basic requirements for leveling up. As for "Demonic Power," it has even reached C. These stats are sufficient to meet the guild's standards, not only on the 15th floor, but also on the 20th floor and even on the deepest middle floor, the 24th Floor.

According to the strategy guide provided by the guild, the lowest level of the middle area between floors 13 and 24, that is, 24th Floor, still requires a strategy guide of Lv.2, and the required ability parameter is CS.

By this standard, Leo already meets one of the parameters of "Demonic Power".

If he is matched with two teammates who also meet the strategy criteria, he can now proceed to the 24th Floor for his adventure.

Under these circumstances, Leo was only venturing into the 15th floor and didn't feel much pressure, even though he was alone and had no teammates to fight alongside him.

Certainly----

"The fact that we were able to fight so decisively and cleanly is largely thanks to having the right weapons."

Leo raised the silver sword in his hand, looking at the blade that still gleamed with a cold light, showing no signs of wear, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

This third-tier weapon, made primarily from the fangs of Young Dragon with a small amount of Adamantite, originally priced at 4.5 million Valis, was bargained down to 1.8 million Valis by Loki. Its power truly justifies its touching price.

In the previous battle against Hellhound, even though Leo was able to strike his opponent with lightning speed, his small straight sword was greatly hindered by the opponent's fur, which was harder than cowhide, not to mention the massive muscles beneath that fur.

It can be said that in order to kill the Hellhound, Leo put all his strength into every attack. Without a full-force attack, he couldn't even cut into the opponent's body. Even if he did manage to cut it, it would most likely only leave a wound. Unless he hit a vital spot, it would be impossible to finish it off in one blow.

But things are different now.

Just now, Leo barely used any strength to successfully tear open the Hellhound's fur, slice through Hellhound muscles, and cleave it in two with a single sword strike, rendering it utterly dead.

This is enough to demonstrate just how sharp this new weapon is.

Its power is already very close to that of a second-tier weapon, making it more than capable of easily defeating mid-level monsters.

"With this, I probably won't need to worry about changing weapons until I reach Lv.5."

Leo twirled the silver blade in his hand, growing happier the more he examined it.

Generally speaking, even among first-level adventurers, not everyone can use first-level weaponry.

Bete Loga, for example, is currently using second-tier weapons as his primary weapons, but the weapons he uses are extremely special and their value is in no way inferior to first-tier weapons.

Equipment, barring unforeseen circumstances, is usually matched to the adventurer's level. For example, a level 1 adventurer should ideally use level 1 weaponry, and a level 2 adventurer should ideally use level 2 weaponry, so as not to be held back by their equipment.

Adventurers like Leo, at level 2 (or level 3), typically use level 3 weaponry. However, the sword in Leo's hand is already close to level 2 weaponry in power, and its durability and hardness are comparable to level 2 weaponry. Therefore, even if he upgrades to level 3 or even level 4 later, he can still barely continue to use this sword.

"It's decided, I'll call you Dragon Fang Sword."

Leo gave the sword in his hand a name.

Because it was commissioned to be made by someone else, and the time was very tight, this sword hasn't even had a name since it was made.

Since the main material used to forge this sword is the fangs of Young Dragon, calling it the "Dragon Fang Sword" is quite fitting.

"Mr. Leo!"

Lefiya saw Leo playing with his newly acquired weapon with obvious delight, and was about to say something with a smile when she caught a glimpse of something extraordinary out of the corner of her eye, causing her expression to change drastically and her to gasp in surprise.

Leo heard it too; suddenly, heavy footsteps and heavy breathing came from the passage behind him.

Those were the footsteps and panting sounds only large, ferocious beasts could produce.

Amidst the slight tremors that shook the ground, Leo slowly turned around.

Then he saw it.

From the darkness, a colossal body, exuding an astonishing aura that would frighten even the most skilled adventurers, making them want to flee in terror, slowly emerged.

Its massive body was entirely copper-colored, with huge muscles bulging all over. Its bulging shoulders and arms, as thick as ropes, exuded a strong sense of oppression. Its rock-hard hooves landed on the ground, each step causing the ground to sink and leaving hoof-shaped marks.

His heavy breathing continued.

The majestic bull's horns are curved.

It was definitely over two meters tall, with a bull's head, a human body, bloodshot eyes, and wielding an enormous natural weapon resembling a battle axe.

"Brother, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!"

A terrifying bull-like monster emerged from the darkness, letting out a roar that shook the entire cavern.

That was a roar that could awaken the most primal fear in the heart of life.

That is a terrifying threat that can bind the body and mind of living beings, rendering them unable to move.

The powerful roar can shake an adventurer's fighting spirit and break their will, causing everyone who faces it to immediately think, "It's unstoppable."

Whether it's the strength to stand up and fight or the courage to engage in direct combat, all of that will vanish in an instant at that roar, leaving one's mind blank, body stiff, and ultimately losing all ability to resist, leaving one completely at its mercy.

"Minotaur!"

Lefiya's voice changed, carrying a subconscious fear that she herself was unaware of.

The Minotaur is the most iconic monster in the middle level of the Cave Labyrinth.

It is a beast that would be classified as Lv.2 even if it were alone. It is undoubtedly the strongest monster in the entire middle layer, up to the 18th Floor, a safe floor, except for the floor master located at the end of the 17th Floor.

These monsters typically only appear on floors below the 15th floor, making them a nightmare that adventurers venturing into the middle levels of the Cave Labyrinth cannot afford to ignore.

Even the Hellhound, which possess magical attacks, are far less terrifying than a single Minotaur in the eyes of adventurers, even when they come in Hellhound.

"Brother, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!"

The bull-like monster roared once more, shaking the very air and kicking up countless clouds of dust. Then, it shattered the ground and charged towards Leo.

"Watch out, Mr. Leo!"

Lefiya's face turned pale instantly, and her voice became panicked.

She was only a Level 2, and a non-combatant. Even though she had followed the elite members of her clan to the deepest areas below the 50th floor, she still couldn't help but feel fear when faced with this terrifying monster that could make even advanced adventurers stiff and unable to move.

Not to mention Lefiya, even Leo, who was used to the Dungeon and no longer as nervous as when he first faced a monster, couldn't help but tense up when he saw this minotaur, and his eyes suddenly changed.

As the bull-like monster charged forward with earth-shaking, heavy steps, seemingly about to crush the entire cave passage, and raised its large stone axe high, Leo almost reflexively drew a jade-green cane hanging from his waist.

"[Light of Heaven, Sword of Stars.]"

The crystal-like gem shimmered with dazzling light, aimed at the roaring, charging bull-like monster.

"[Meteor Dance]!"

As the short incantation was recited, a magic circle shimmering with dazzling Starlight rotated and unfolded at the tip of the emerald staff.

"Boom!"

A meteor streaked out from the magic circle, carrying a terrifying force, and hurtled towards the incoming Minotaur.

The meteor was nearly twice the size of the thick, pillar-like meteor that Leo had previously unleashed.

Therefore, when it appeared, the darkness in the entire cave was dispelled, and the dazzling Starlight directly illuminated the entire cave, turning the originally dark cave, which was as dark as eternal night, into a bright and dazzling daylight.

The Minotaur, charging menacingly, was struck before it could even react to the massive meteor, which was almost as large as itself.

"BOOM!!!"

A deafening roar erupted, and the incredibly thick meteor blasted the bull monster away. Its entire massive body was propelled forward by the meteor, finally crashing heavily into the wall and exploding along with countless rocks.

In an instant, rubble flew everywhere, dust billowed, and the entire cave shook with a deafening explosion, causing countless specks of dust to fall from the ceiling.

"This----this----"

Lefiya was completely dumbfounded.

Not to mention Lefiya, even Leo, who had come to his senses, was somewhat surprised.

"The power of magic—has increased so much?"

This firepower, even if it hasn't reached Lv.4 level yet, it shouldn't be too far off, right?

"Is this wand really that powerful?"

Leo's gaze changed as he looked at the emerald cane in his hand.

The spell he just cast with this wand was so fluid it was almost unbelievable. He could clearly feel a power flowing from the wand amplifying his spell, increasing its power, and reducing the strain on his mental energy.

"Is this the difference between having a wand and not having one?"

Just like an adventurer, having a weapon in hand and not having a weapon in hand are definitely different.

While thinking this, Leo forgot that his "Demonic Power" parameter had increased by a full six levels compared to before, from the lowest I to C.

In addition, the wand's enhancement of the "Demonic Power" parameter and its amplification of magical power significantly increased his firepower, bringing him to nearly Lv.4 level.

Such firepower is already somewhat excessive when dealing with a Minotaur that is only classified as Lv.2.

Therefore, when the smoke and dust cleared and all the rubble fell to the ground, Leo and Lefiya saw the fierce bull monster lying in the hole in the wall, its body torn and covered in blood, almost as if it had lost half of its body.

Their fate is unknown.