Lin Yi flashed across the battlefield like a bolt of lightning.
He slashed out, his sword whistling through the air as it struck the boulder hurtling toward the mage with perfect accuracy.
Bang!
The boulder shattered in midair into countless fragments that scattered in all directions, kicking up clouds of dust.
The mage still seemed somewhat shaken. They stared at the warrior who had suddenly appeared before them, their eyes filled with disbelief:
"Bro, you..."
At that, Lin Yi gave the mage a faint smile.
But he did not stop, continuing to charge toward the [Mountain Giant].
Seeing that its attack had failed, the Mountain Giant looked furious.
It raised its right fist high, then slammed it toward the ground, seemingly intending to unleash [Earth Shakes and Mountains Tremble].
If that blow landed, most of those present might die!
Meanwhile, accelerated by [Leopard's Swiftness], Lin Yi had already reached the [Mountain Giant].
He drew a deep breath, channeling all his strength into his beginner longsword.
Just as that enormous fist was about to fall, Lin Yi slashed upward.
Boom!!!
The sword tip collided with the fist, producing a deafening roar.
A powerful shock wave spread outward from the point of impact!
Nearby trees were uprooted as sand and stones flew everywhere, creating an utterly spectacular scene.
The [Mountain Giant] could not match Lin Yi's strength and staggered backward, falling to the ground.
-486430!
But at that very instant!
The A-rank longsword's blade broke apart inch by inch in the violent collision, dissolving into specks of starlight in the air.
Lin Yi gave a wicked smile, undeterred.
He casually discarded the hilt in his hand and pressed his advantage, leaping into the air.
He drove a vicious punch into the [Mountain Giant]'s stomach!
-534210!
Boom!!!
The ground seemed to tremble, as though the earth shook and the mountains swayed.
The [Mountain Giant] crumbled into countless stones that scattered everywhere. Lights of various colors began flashing on the ground as a pile of treasures dropped.
Silence fell over the battlefield. Everyone gaped, staring as though petrified at the proud, aloof figure standing on the ground.
"Bad... badass!"
A shield warrior broke the silence, raising his heavy shield in his right hand and shouting.
"Holy shit! That was seriously badass!"
"Two hits... am I seeing things?"
"How much damage was that just now? Five hundred thousand? Mama mia!"
"Wait... wasn't that a boss? How did he kill it in two hits?"
"Could it be that he's playing on a private server, and we're all NPCs?"
"Thank goodness he came to save the day, or we'd have been screwed!"
"Yeah! What a great guy!"
[You participated in killing the [Mountain Giant]. Congratulations! You received 666 hours of lifespan and 28,000 experience.]
Although he had been the main attacker in killing the [Mountain Giant], that group of survivors had still taken a considerable share of the experience.
Ignoring the praise around him, Lin Yi began examining the treasures dropped on the ground.
[Mountain Heart] Category: Gem Rank: U Effect: Socketing it into the Destiny Bracelet grants +5,000 combat power and increases all-attribute defense by 1,000.
[Giant's Tear] Category: Material Rank: T Description: A Mountain Giant's tears, containing powerful natural energy. Can be used to craft special potions or equipment.
[Immovable as a Mountain Skill Book] Category: Skill book Rank: U Description: Use to learn the skill [Immovable as a Mountain]. Upon activation, reduces damage taken by 50% for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 30 minutes.
[Mountain Armor] Category: Armor Rank: S Effect: Provides high physical defense and reduces physical damage taken by 15%.
[Mountain Greatsword] Category: Two-handed weapon Rank: U Effect: Combat power +20,000. Attack speed halved. Attacks have a 10% chance to release a seismic wave, dealing 50% splash damage to enemies within a 5-meter area ahead.
Loot!
A loot explosion!
All the [Mountain Giant]'s good stuff was right here. In his previous life, Lin Yi had never obtained any of the good items with names beginning with "Mountain" while in the beginner village.
All he could say was that arriving at the right time beat arriving early!
"Bro! Thanks for saving us back there! Otherwise, we'd definitely have been wiped out!"
Just as Lin Yi was about to pick up the equipment, the mage jogged over and patted him on the shoulder.
At that, Lin Yi turned his head, looking slightly bewildered, and asked in puzzlement:
"When did I... save you?"
Just then, the dozen or so survivors gathered around, talking animatedly:
"Bro, don't be modest! You're way too strong. You really took down the boss all by yourself!"
"Yeah! If not for you, we might all have died here today."
"You were seriously cool! That'll keep me stunned for a whole year!"
The mage raised his right hand, signaling everyone to quiet down, then smiled at Lin Yi:
"Bro, let's get acquainted."
"My name is Lu Renjia. I'm royalty from the Canglan Galaxy."
"These guys are all from the same galaxy as me, so we naturally formed a team."
"After hearing [Return to Zero]'s village-wide announcement last night, we figured there should be similar teleportation arrays in a few other places."
"We traveled through the night to get here."
"But this boss was so damn tanky. It was hopeless! Thank goodness you lent us a hand, bro!"
"Oh, right, bro, what's your name?"
Lin Yi grinned and said mildly:
"I'm the [Return to Zero] you mentioned."
"As for lending you a hand?"
"You seem to have misunderstood something. I didn't..."
Before Lin Yi could finish, everyone's exclamations interrupted him again.
"Holy shit! Return to Zero himself!"
"Badass! No wonder you're the big shot who triggered the village-wide announcement!"
"Seriously impressive! Huh? There are several treasures here!"
"This Immovable as a Mountain is practically a god-tier skill! It's perfect for an HP tank like me!"
"Holy shit! [Mountain Armor] gives 15% damage reduction? How are its stats so broken?"
"A greatsword that adds twenty thousand combat power, with area damage too?"
"A gem that gives five thousand combat power isn't bad either, but what's a Destiny Bracelet?"
Lu Renjia's expression darkened as he said in mock anger:
"Stop making such a racket! We have a guest here!"
He turned to Lin Yi and apologized sheepishly:
"Sorry you had to see that, Brother Return to Zero!"
"Even though there are more of us, you can pick one of these five items first!"
"By the way, how did you trigger the village-wide announcement? Do you just have to enter that cave behind the boss?"
"I'm royalty from the Canglan Galaxy, so I do have some influence."
"I plan to establish a guild after leaving the beginner village. Want to be my second-in-command?"
"This is a game, after all. Sometimes two fists can't beat four hands. Our guild will be your strongest backing!"
Clack!
Lin Yi instantly picked up everything on the ground. He slotted the [Mountain Heart] into the [Stardust Triangle Chain], donned the [Mountain Armor], and held the [Mountain Greatsword] in one hand.
The stars had already climbed into the sky, and Lin Yi's armor gleamed in their light.
The edge of the two-meter-long greatsword rested against the ground, glinting with a cold light.
Lin Yi lowered his gaze slightly, a trace of puzzlement appearing in his eyes:
"So, have you misunderstood something?"
"I wasn't lending you a hand, and I didn't save you!"
"Because you're... about to be wiped out!"
[Check-in spot for those who kept reading to the end of Chapter 20]