Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Slaying the Hidden Boss
At the third Undead Mine entrance, Lin Ye’s figure gradually emerged from the dark mine passage.
As for Han Dong and the others, they were already on guard, watching their surroundings.
Clearly, they were frightened by the previous commotion.
Seeing Lin Ye come out now, they all seemed to have let out a sigh of relief, as if they found their backbone.
"Boss, you’re finally out. Was that noise your doing?" Han Dong approached timidly.
Without a doubt, the operations Lin Ye conducted were to release the one who let out that terrifying howl just now.
According to Han Dong’s strategy guide, there were no monsters capable of such roaring sounds within Black Stone Mine.
As for how Lin Ye pulled it off, Han Dong was curious but held back from asking.
"Just a hidden BOSS, killing it will achieve an SSS-Class rating," Lin Ye said.
This method isn’t a secret anymore.
After all, many have guessed that the Black Stone Mine’s SSS-Class rating conditions are related to the three Undead Mines, but no one has triggered all three mechanisms simultaneously.
A novice Professional reaching 100 points in a single attribute at Level 5 is extremely difficult.
Only a few among the few can reach the 100-point standard.
Gathering three such novice Professionals at a settlement is no easy task.
It was in one certain year of Lin Ye’s previous life that a super-large settlement happened to produce three SSS-Class high-end novice configurations, achieving the first SSS-Class pass of the Black Stone Mine.
In this lifetime, Lin Ye was quick to reach the achievement ahead of others.
The other three felt excited upon hearing Lin Ye’s explanation.
Needless to say, the first-ever SSS-Class rating in history, especially at Abyss level, had a high value.
This couldn’t be compared to the SSS-Class rating in regular difficulty Secret Realms!
Even if it seemed like they were riding on the success, sometimes universities recruiting don’t care about that...
As long as it looks impressive, it reflects their recruitment capabilities and becomes a highlight during reports!
Now, they were just one step away from achieving this feat — killing the hidden BOSS!
With Lin Ye leading, the team charged to the mountaintop at a startling speed.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo..."
Here, the wind howled, carrying a chilling sense that pervaded the surroundings.
The wind was mixed with a sound that could either be the howling of wind or the whimpering of lurking beasts, making one’s spine chill.
Amidst the gust, a roughly five-meter-tall black silhouette could be seen wandering on the mountaintop platform.
"Gulp..."
The scene made the other three in the team involuntarily swallow hard.
This oppressiveness seemed somewhat unfair for a Level 5 Secret Realm, didn’t it?
Lin Ye, however, looked calm. Honestly, deeper Secret Realms had far more intimidating scenes.
Moreover, the world still had many unconquered Anomalous Spatial Rifts — those were true hells on earth!
Each is a real space, and you could even find many human corpses within them.
These were the remains left behind by Professionals who failed to challenge the Anomalous Spatial Rifts.
Compared to those places, the hidden BOSS of Black Stone Mine was nothing.
"Li Fei, start the fight; Han Dong, assist; An Xinmeng, activate Spiky Aura after the battle begins."
Lin Ye rapidly issued instructions.
"Okay!"
The other three promptly agreed, and Li Fei drew her sword, stepping into the fierce wind, charging toward the BOSS.
Han Dong closely followed, making sure Li Fei maintained aggro.
-13!
As Li Fei’s flaming strike hit the BOSS, shallow red damage numbers floated up.
-5!
Han Dong followed suit, punching the BOSS, but felt little feedback from the impact.
Moreover, the low damage value left Han Dong a bit stunned.
Clearly, the BOSS before them had significant physical damage reduction.
With this damage rate, how long would it take to defeat the BOSS?
Although Lin Ye’s Healing Technique could ensure they weren’t killed, the key issue was whether they can defeat the BOSS before exhausting their stamina?
After all, a Professional’s stamina is finite!
Han Dong felt this battle’s intensity might only allow him to last thirty minutes.
But with their current damage output, killing the BOSS within thirty minutes seemed challenging...
"Don’t worry, with Lin Ye here!" Li Fei said, evidently noticing Han Dong’s concern.
She knew well how strong Lin Ye’s output was...
Han Dong nodded; it’s true.
A healer’s Healing Technique could inflict damage on Undead monsters.
And An Xinmeng also stepped onto the battlefield, activating Spiky Aura as Lin Ye instructed.
At this moment, she realized the howling wind atop the mountain was composed of twisted-faced phantoms!
Entering combat status caused sustained damage.
This damage made the Life Value of the other three beside Lin Ye decrease noticeably!
In just a brief moment’s distraction, An Xinmeng’s health dropped to two-thirds!
"Glow!"
At this moment, the light of Healing Technique illuminated her body.
"Don’t daze out, remember to dodge BOSS attacks; otherwise, you might be killed instantly!" Lin Ye’s warning echoed.
An Xinmeng was jolted awake and immediately corrected her attitude.
As Lin Ye said, the current scene didn’t allow for any mistakes.
Clearly, the words were meant for Han Dong, too!
Seeing his Life Value, just healed by Lin Ye, drop rapidly again made Han Dong’s scalp tingle.
This historical first-ever SSS-Class rating challenge was exceptionally difficult.
Without a Mage present, only Lin Ye’s Healing Technique could genuinely hurt the BOSS on the field.
But Lin Ye also had to ensure their Life Value, leaving little room to attack the BOSS.
Since entering Black Stone Mine, this was their first fight of such intensity.
Han Dong couldn’t afford to think too much; it was fight or... perish!
Now he was forcing himself to continue fighting until utterly exhausted.
And Lin Ye watched An Xinmeng nervously avoiding BOSS attacks randomly falling just a short distance ahead, his expression unchanged.
Perhaps it’s time to subject this girl to some real challenge.