18: Chapter 18 Heavy Armor Mage! Already being watched at the dungeon entrance?

At six o'clock the next morning, the sky wasn't fully bright yet.

Lin Feng was already busy in the living room.

He was putting on the blue equipment he had fused last night, piece by piece.

[Sturdy Heavy Chestplate (Blue)]

[Defense: 28]

[Effect: Physique +5, Physical Damage Reduction +15]

[Level Requirement: 3]

[Heavy Legguards (Blue)]

[Defense: 2]

[Effect: Movement Speed -1%, but Defense +5 while standing]

[Level Requirement: 3]

[Guardian Armguards (Blue)]

[Defense: 18]

[Effect: When a block is successful, there is a 3% chance to trigger 'Counterattack' (deals counterattack damage equal to Strength ×1)]

[Level Requirement: 3]

Looking at his reflection in the mirror—clad head-to-toe in heavy armor like a tin can—Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

"This doesn't look like a mage at all..."

He moved his arms, and the heavy armor clanked and creaked.

His movement speed was indeed a bit slower, but the sense of security was overwhelming!

His current defense was: 19 from Physique + 28 from the heavy chestplate + 2 from the legguards + 18 from the armguards = 85 points of defense!

Plus the 15 points of damage reduction from the chestplate...

"Even a level 5 monster probably couldn't break through my defense if I just stood there," Lin Feng thought happily.

Next was his weapon.

He pulled out two large items from his Storage Pouch.

[Fine Steel Greatsword (Blue)]

[Attack Power: 35-45]

[Effect: Strength +8, 2% chance on attack to cause 'Armor Break' (target's defense -10, lasts 3 seconds)]

[Level Requirement: 4]

[Radiance Staff (Blue)]

[Spell Attack: +3]

[Effect: Light-attribute skill damage +15%, Mana recovery speed +2%]

[Level Requirement: 4]

Lin Feng slung the greatsword across his back and hung the staff at his waist.

One for melee, one for ranged—perfect!

Finally, potions.

He packed five each of the remaining advanced mana potions and advanced health potions.

He also brought two blazing light stones, a Water Curtain, and the fear shriek whistle.

"This should be enough."

Lin Feng checked everything once more, making sure he hadn't missed anything.

He glanced at his phone: 6:30 AM.

"Let's go!"

...

Lin Feng stood by the roadside, hailing a taxi.

There weren't many cars out so early in the morning. He waited three minutes before one arrived.

The taxi stopped. The driver was an uncle in his forties, with a stubbly beard, munching on a *jianbing guozi*.

"Where to, young man?" the uncle asked, his words muffled by food.

"The Underground Dungeon Teleportation Square." Lin Feng opened the door and got in.

The uncle glanced at him in the rearview mirror, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, an Explorer? So young!"

"Yeah, I just Awakened recently." Lin Feng fastened his seatbelt.

The uncle started the car, sighing as he drove. "Youth is wonderful... I also dreamed of becoming an Explorer back in the day. Unfortunately, my Talent wasn't good enough."

Lin Feng was curious. "What's your Talent, uncle?"

"D-Rank [Akina Speed Star]." The uncle gave a bitter smile. "Sounds cool, right? It just means I can drive a bit steadier and faster. Useless in a fight."

He sighed. "Got a wife and kids to support, so I can only drive a taxi to make some money. Not like you guys, who can go into dungeons, fight monsters, level up... Who knows, you might become a big shot someday..."

Lin Feng fell silent for a moment.

He suddenly realized he was actually quite lucky.

Even though his Talent was F-Rank, at least he had a chance to get stronger.

But people like this uncle might be trapped in their ordinary lives forever.

"Uncle, your Talent is actually pretty good," Lin Feng said seriously. "Safe driving, ensuring passenger safety—that's very important too."

The uncle was taken aback for a second, then smiled. "You kid... you know how to talk!"

He finished his *jianbing guozi* in two bites, wiped his mouth, and said, "Hold on tight! Let me show you the power of a D-Rank Talent!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the taxi roared and accelerated!

Lin Feng felt his back pressed hard against the seat.

The scenery outside the window flew by in reverse!

"Whoa..." He gripped the handhold tightly.

The uncle laughed proudly. "How's that? My driving skills are top ten in all of Donghai City!"

Lin Feng looked at the speedometer's rapidly climbing needle and swallowed. "T-top ten..."

Seven minutes later.

The taxi executed a beautiful drift and came to a steady stop at the entrance to the Teleportation Square.

"We're here!" The uncle turned around. "The fare is 35 points. I'll round it down for you—just 30!"

Lin Feng scanned the code to pay. His legs felt a bit wobbly as he got out.

"Good luck, young man!" The uncle leaned out the window. "Work hard! Show 'em what us ordinary folks can do!"

Lin Feng nodded firmly. "Yeah!"

The taxi drove off.

Lin Feng watched the taillights disappear around the street corner, feeling a warmth in his heart.

"Ordinary people..."

He clenched his fist and turned to walk into the square.

...

The Teleportation Square was even livelier than a market.

Young people were everywhere, gathered in small groups, noisy and bustling.

"Party up for Gloomy Forest! Need a healer!"

"Level 5 Assassin Talent looking for a party! DPS and CC!"

"Selling dungeon guides, 10 points each!"

Lin Feng made his way through the crowd towards the registration desk.

A long line had formed at the registration desk, all newcomers around his age.

When it was Lin Feng's turn, the staff member was a bespectacled young woman.

"Name, level, number of dungeon runs." She didn't even look up.

"Lin Feng, level 4, one dungeon run."

The girl's fingers paused over the keyboard.

She looked up, pushing her glasses. "Level 4? Which dungeon are you entering?"

"Level 5 dungeon, Gloomy Forest."

The girl frowned. "You're only level 4, and you've only run one dungeon... According to regulations, the first three dungeon runs require detailed registration. Especially for someone attempting a higher-level challenge like you."

She paused, her tone serious. "The weakest monsters in Gloomy Forest are level 5, and elite monsters appear. Are you sure you want to go?"

Lin Feng nodded. "Yes."

The girl stared at him for a few seconds, then finally sighed. "Alright, registration complete. Sign here."

She slid a liability waiver form over.

Lin Feng skimmed it—it basically said "don't blame us if you die"—and signed his name.

"Go ahead, Teleportation Array number 3." The girl handed back his Explorer badge. "Good luck."

"Thank you."

Lin Feng walked towards Teleportation Array number 3.

Many people around were looking at him.

"That guy's dressed like a tin can..."

"A full set of blue heavy armor! How much must that cost?"

"Probably the young master of some big Family, right? But why is he going into the dungeon alone?"

Ignoring the chatter, Lin Feng walked straight into the Teleportation Array.

*Hum—*

A flash of white light.

...

When he opened his eyes again, he was in a dim forest.

The air was damp, carrying the smell of rotting leaves.

The surrounding light was very dim, with only sporadic sunlight filtering through the thick canopy.

Lin Feng surveyed his surroundings.

This was the dungeon entrance area, and it was crowded.

Most were small teams of three to five people, discussing tactics.

There were also solo players like him, but very few.

Lin Feng's set of blue heavy armor was too conspicuous; his appearance immediately drew many gazes.

"Look at that kid, his gear is so good..."

"Entering the dungeon alone with such good gear, isn't he afraid of getting robbed?"

"Probably a newbie who thinks good gear makes him invincible."

Lin Feng turned a deaf ear.

He gripped the Fine Steel Greatsword tightly and walked deeper into the forest.

After about five minutes, the people around gradually thinned out.

Lin Feng spotted a lone monster.

[Decayed Treant]

[Level: 5]

[Health: 250]

[Attack Power: 20-25]

[Defense: 15]

[Skill: Root Snare (restricts movement)]

[Description: The most common monster in Gloomy Forest. Slow-moving but tough.]

Lin Feng didn't use a skill.

He wanted to test his melee combat ability.

After all, his parents had taught him many fighting techniques; it would be a waste not to use them.

"Hah!"

Lin Feng let out a low shout, gripping the sword with both hands as he charged forward!

The Decayed Treant noticed the enemy and swung its branch-like arms to smash down.

Lin Feng sidestepped to dodge, bringing the greatsword down in a follow-up slash!

*Clang!*

The blade struck the Treant's body with a dull sound.

[Damage dealt: Strength 19 ×2 + weapon 35-45 = 73-83, Actual damage: 58 (after deducting 15 defense)]

The Treant's health bar dropped by a small chunk.

"Defense is pretty high..." Lin Feng muttered.

The Treant roared in anger. Suddenly, several black roots sprouted from its body, snaking towards Lin Feng's ankles!

Skill: Root Snare!

Lin Feng was prepared. He jumped back a step to avoid them.

At the same time, he swung the greatsword in a wide sweep!

*Squelch!*

The blade cut a gash in the Treant's waist, oozing black sap.

[Damage dealt: 62]

Lin Feng grew more comfortable the longer he fought.

He realized that even without skills, his combat instincts were strong.

This was probably a benefit of the Glorious Corona Physique—his body coordination and reaction speed far exceeded that of ordinary people.

"Final blow!"

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Feng brought the greatsword down in an overhead slash!

*Crack!*

The Treant was split in two, dissolving into black smoke.

[Killed Decayed Treant. Experience +50]

[Obtained: Decayed Wood ×3 (White Material)]

[Obtained: Treant Sap ×1 (White Material)]

Lin Feng caught his breath and collected the drops.

"Not bad." He wiped his sweat. "A bit slow, but safe."

Plus, this way he could conserve his mana for critical moments.

He continued deeper in.

After another ten minutes, he encountered a second Decayed Treant.

This time, Lin Feng fought even more skillfully, taking less than a minute to finish it off.

[Experience +50]

[Obtained: Decayed Wood ×2]

...

An hour later.

Lin Feng had ventured about a kilometer into the dense forest.

He could hardly see any other Explorers around now.

He checked his experience bar: Level 4 (476/5000).

"A bit more killing and I'll level up!"

Lin Feng felt excited.

Just as he was about to continue looking for monsters, he suddenly felt something was off.

Behind him... Was someone there?

Lin Feng subtly slowed his pace, glancing back out of the corner of his eye.

Three young men with dyed yellow hair were following him furtively.

They wore mismatched equipment and held weapons like cleavers and iron rods.

They didn't look like proper Explorers at all.

"Muggers?" Lin Feng's heart sank.

He remembered the chatter from the people at the entrance earlier.

"Entering the dungeon alone with such good gear, isn't he afraid of getting robbed?"

So it wasn't a joke...

Lin Feng quickened his pace, trying to shake them off.

But the three yellow-haired men also sped up, fanning out as if to surround him.

"I've been targeted..." Lin Feng tightened his grip on the greatsword.

He glanced around.

This place was already remote enough. Further ahead was even deeper forest.

"Need to think of a way..."

Lin Feng's mind raced.

Run?

He couldn't run fast in heavy armor.

Fight?

One against three. He had the equipment advantage, but they had numbers.

And he didn't know if they had any Talent skills...

"Assess the situation first."

Pretending not to have noticed, Lin Feng kept walking forward.

But his hand had already quietly moved towards the blazing light stone at his waist.

If it came to the worst, he'd have to use his trump card.

Behind him, the three yellow-haired men exchanged glances.

"Boss, that kid seems to have noticed us," the skinny yellow-haired one whispered.

"So what if he has?" The leader grinned. "A mage in heavy armor can't even run fast. You saw him fighting monsters earlier—he didn't even cast a single skill. A total rookie!"

"That set of equipment... must be worth tens of thousands of points at least!" The chubby yellow-haired one's eyes gleamed.

"Let's do it!" The leader licked his lips. "I'll give the signal, then we all go in together! Make it quick!"

"Got it!"

The three of them quietly closed the distance.

Lin Feng felt a chill run down his spine.

He could sense the Killing Intent getting closer.

"Looks like... I can't avoid it."

The young man took a deep breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Since you want to rob me...

Then don't blame me for being impolite.