Chapter Seven: The Blazing Bomb of Destruction!

[Flame Bomb (Grade D): Consumes 100 magic points. Attaches a flame bomb to the target, inflicting continuous fire damage. After the target suffers five instances of fire damage, the flame bomb will detonate, causing an area explosion. Current continuous fire damage is 10 points per second, area explosion damage is approximately 103 points. Spell damage increases with the caster’s intelligence and spirit attributes.]

...

The description for Flame Bomb was longer than any previous skill, but it was a genuine Grade D spell. When this skill was discovered through research, Yi Shen was somewhat stunned. Although the spell research panel showed that skills and attributes could be acquired through research, he had simply meant to disassemble some trash for easier battlefield cleanup, never expecting such a generous reward.

“An AOE skill, too?”

Yi Shen’s lips curled upward as he read the skill description. Though his use of Fireball had become quite proficient, a skill with area effect would be a true weapon for monster cleanup!

The market price for Grade D skills, even the most worthless, started at several thousand contribution points. If it was an offensive area spell, it could easily fetch tens of thousands at auction. To think that Yi Shen had acquired such a skill for free at level three—it made him appreciate the spell research “lottery” even more.

...

With Flame Bomb in hand, Yi Shen felt much more confident about clearing out the horde of monsters. He slowly approached the edge of the group, selected a lone sand dune worm, and promptly attached a flame bomb to it.

Testing revealed Flame Bomb’s casting range to be about twenty meters, noticeably shorter than Fireball. However, after Yi Shen cast it, magic energy gathered instantly, enveloping the target in flames without any visible projectile.

The sand dune worm was confused by the attack, hurriedly burrowing beneath the sand. But in Yi Shen’s field of vision, its health was visibly dropping every second!

“-10...”

“-14...”

“-13...”

“-13...”

“-11...”

A resounding boom echoed after five instances of damage, shaking the area around the sand dune worm!

“-156!”

“-93!”

The final explosion not only dealt a critical hit, but also inflicted over ninety points of damage to another nearby creature. A small crater formed at the center of the blast, and Yi Shen saw the corpse of a sand dune worm glowing—it had clearly been killed by his spell.

Sand dune worms at levels three and four had just over two hundred health points. With a single Flame Bomb, Yi Shen wiped them out instantly, leaving the creature dead without ever understanding what had happened.

Another sand dune worm had been exposed by the blast. Yi Shen promptly attached another Flame Bomb to it. Though the mana cost was considerable, for someone like Yi Shen, who could use skills without consumption, it was essentially an unlimited area spell!

“Boom!”

Another thunderous explosion, and the second sand dune worm was blasted to the ground.

The only regret was that their bodies were completely mangled, virtually worthless for further use.

Yi Shen didn’t rush to collect his spoils. After the two explosions, other monsters began to converge on his location. Despite his confidence in his offensive abilities, with no defensive equipment, Yi Shen had no wish to be surrounded.

Finding an appropriate spot, he systematically attached Flame Bombs to each sand dune worm and snow serpent. Some monsters noticed Yi Shen’s presence and tried to attack him. Yet, with each explosion, they departed this world one by one.

...

[Ding, your level has increased to lv4. Attributes have been enhanced.]

[Strength +2, Agility +2, Intelligence +4, Endurance +2, Spirit +3]

...

This level-up was much faster than before, but lacked the augmentation effect of the Spellheart—just an ordinary rise in level. After tidying the battlefield and completing spell research, Yi Shen only gained a slight boost in intelligence, with no new skills emerging.

A minor disappointment, but understandable. After all, today’s gains were already substantial. If a powerful skill appeared every few minutes, the system might well treat him as a bug.

Having cleared the monsters outside the cave, Yi Shen disassembled most of the materials, keeping only a level 4 bracer to wear.

Its attributes were mediocre, providing just a 2-point bonus to constitution, but it was better than nothing.

...

Generally, equipment that can be placed in the inventory has two ways of being worn. One, after meeting the requirements, it can be materialized directly onto the body. The other, if requirements aren’t met, can be worn manually but grants no attribute bonuses.

The bracer belonged to the former; when materialized on his arm, it even carried a hint of sci-fi flair.

These caves weren’t large, merely nests for sand dune worms and snow serpents. After clearing out every nest, Yi Shen found only about twenty scattered creatures. Fortunately, he had ventured deep into the bone pile. There should be many such nests; casting an acceleration spell on himself, he continued his journey to hunt monsters.

...

Sand Bone Pile.

Though Yi Shen tirelessly hunted monsters, other explorers were present as well. Some came for experience, some to hone combat skills, while others sought materials.

Since inventory slots were limited, large monsters like snow rabbits were unwieldy to transport, even after being slain. Smaller creatures like sand dune worms and snow serpents, however, could be carried by the bagful each trip.

Many sand bone piles dotted the snowy desert. Those near the strongholds even had organized teams systematically hunting them.

Thus, not far from Yi Shen, two figures appeared.

Both carried large backpacks, moving along the walls of the bone pile. They weren’t clearing monsters, but searching for something.

“Sister Qing, are you sure it’s possible to earn over five hundred contribution points a day here?”

The girl with short hair, trailing behind, voiced her doubts.

“Mm.”

“It’s the sand dune worm’s spawning season. If we work efficiently, five hundred contribution points a day is perfectly attainable.”

“The hides of sand dune worms and venom sacs of snow serpents fetch good prices. Their bodies are small, so we can fit dozens in a single bag and sell them; one trip alone can net over a hundred contribution points.”