Chen Ming hadn't expected to be this lucky.
He'd actually gotten a Dungeon Rune Stone to drop.
Like Attribute Rune Stones, Dungeon Rune Stones were obtained by killing beasts, but their drop rate was absurdly low.
Kill enough beasts, and you'd eventually get a few Attribute Rune Stones.
But some Class Changers could go a whole year without getting a Dungeon Rune Stone from killing beasts.
That comparison alone showed just how low the odds were.
[Comprehensive Dungeon Rune Stone] [Use it to mark the location of a dungeon on the Class Changer's personal map!]
"It's actually a Comprehensive Dungeon, not a Challenge Dungeon."
Chen Ming could barely keep the corners of his mouth from lifting.
Dungeons were generally divided into small and large dungeons.
Large dungeons were permanent and didn't disappear after being cleared.
They were the main way for Class Changers to level up after reaching level 5.
Small dungeons, on the other hand, were also known as outdoor dungeons and could only be cleared once.
Despite the word "small" in their name, their rewards were even more generous than those of large dungeons.
Unlike large dungeons, outdoor dungeons weren't limited to Challenge types. There were also Treasure Hunts, Comprehensive Dungeons, Mystery Dungeons...
In fact, it could be said that small dungeons were personal opportunities for Class Changers.
If someone found a Dungeon Rune Stone in the wild, and it was for a Treasure Hunt dungeon, clearing it successfully would bring them great benefits.
Chen Ming looked at the Dungeon Rune Stone in his hand, feeling a little anticipation.
It wasn't the easiest type, nor the one with the best rewards, but a Comprehensive Dungeon was still pretty good.
[Comprehensive Dungeon Rune Stone used successfully!]
Chen Ming opened his personal panel and checked the dungeon's location on the map.
"It's a bit far."
The marked spot on the map was quite some distance from where he was now.
It was already deep inside the Level One Beast Forest.
Other low-level Class Changers wouldn't dare head there so casually.
"Once I reach level 5, I'll go check out that dungeon."
Chen Ming shook his head. For now, he needed to finish today's goal first.
[-1!] [-32!] [Defeated Red-Tailed Fox (Lv. 3), EXP +26!] [Obtained: Red-Tailed Fox Beast Core (Lv. 3)]
"Just one more."
Chen Ming checked the time. There was still an hour before nightfall, so he had plenty of time.
He continued looking for level 3 beasts.
But along the way, he ran into a bit of trouble.
[Black-Armored Rhino] [Level: Lv. 5] [Ability: Rock Armor] [Introduction: Its thick, sturdy black armor can withstand most physical impacts. It favors brute-force charges.]
"A level 5 beast, and a Black-Armored Rhino at that."
Chen Ming was only level 2. The difference in stats between him and a beast three levels higher was already substantial.
More importantly, just looking at it, he could tell that this beast had extremely high defense.
His attacks might not do much.
"I'll give it a try."
[-8!] [-1!]
Chen Ming tried attacking it, but the damage he dealt was pitiful.
Without hesitation, he turned and ran.
Even if he managed to wear the Black-Armored Rhino down, he'd probably end up at death's door himself.
Not worth it.
[-1!] [-30!] [Defeated Blue-Striped Weasel (Lv. 3), EXP +25!] [Obtained: Blue-Striped Weasel Beast Core (Lv. 3)] [Congratulations! You have reached level 3! (350 EXP needed to level up)]
"Goal achieved."
Chen Ming rubbed his palm, which had gone a little numb.
"Two levels in one day, on my first day as a Class Changer. A top-three ranking for the first day is practically guaranteed."
He looked at his class panel.
[Name]: Chen Ming [Class]: Shield Guard [Level]: 3 [Strength]: 35 [Constitution]: 1121/1800 (20%) [Recovery]: 169 (13%) [Agility]: 30 [Spirit]: 357 (19%) [Skills]: [C-Rank · Battle-Hardened (Lv. 3)] [SSS-Rank · Absolute Defense (Max Level)]
"Time to head back."
The sun sank toward the horizon in the suburbs outside the city.
Chen Ming could make out the outline of the city's outskirts in the distance.
He saw plenty of people returning from the safe zone after a day of leveling.
Some were delighted, while others looked downcast.
Most had started the day full of confidence, only to end it without even reaching level 2.
He'd barely gone a few steps when he unexpectedly ran into someone he knew.
It was Qin Zhixue, currently the only other member of the Morning Light Squad.
She had evidently just finished a day of fighting as well. She wore a long coat shimmering with faint light, its surface fitted with metal plates, and held a longsword in her hand.
Perhaps because she had awakened as a Holy Radiance Angel, even though she was covered in gear, Qin Zhixue now seemed to possess a distinct, almost otherworldly air.
Chen Ming had assumed that a SS-Rank Class-Changer like Qin Zhixue would choose to level up alone.
But it seemed that wasn't the case.
A young woman followed behind her, her eyes curved into crescents and bright as could be.
"Chen Ming?"
Qin Zhixue spotted him too and looked over.
The young woman beside her did as well.
Chen Ming nodded and smiled in response, about to greet them.
Then he noticed that both of them were looking at him with the same strange expression.
"What's wrong? Why are you both looking at me like that...?"
Chen Ming was puzzled. He saw that they were sizing him up.
He looked down at himself, then realized what he looked like...
It was a bit of a sorry sight.
Holes, torn pant cuffs—his whole outfit could only be described as shredded.
He'd gotten carried away fighting beasts in the forest and forgotten all about it.
His fighting style relied entirely on physical combat, and he wasn't wearing any Constitution gear.
Naturally, his clothes hadn't held up to a full day of fighting.
Now the wind was blowing through his tattered clothes, making him look like a beggar...
Looks like Constitution gear was essential. He'd have to buy some today!
Chen Ming made up his mind.
"Pfft, you look so bedraggled..."
Qin Zhixue seemed amused by his appearance. She raised the back of her hand to her mouth, the corners of her lips curling up.
She could tell that Chen Ming was in good shape and hadn't suffered any serious injuries, so she'd teased him a little.
Chen Ming gave an awkward smile.
The next moment, he felt a radiance suddenly settle over him.
A faint rosy glow clung to his body like a Feather Garment.
Light swirled above his head, and a pair of translucent wings even appeared faintly behind him.
He paused, then realized this was Qin Zhixue's Holy Radiance Angel class talent—[Angel's Shelter]!
[All attributes of the entire team +20%!]
The Feather Garment concealed his tattered clothes, and even gave him a more ethereal air.
Looking at his "brand-new" appearance, Chen Ming couldn't help but sigh.
There was no denying it: SS-Rank classes were on another level.
Never mind the stat boost.
Even the dazzling visual effect was beyond what ordinary classes could match.
Other people fought with holy light shining everywhere and sword rain sweeping across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, he just charged in swinging a blade, going absolutely wild.
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