Relying on the advantage of my arms and longsword, I stabbed the Big-Eared Rabbit BOSS in the butt over and over again, but it was powerless. Its small body was stuck in a thorny bush and simply couldn’t jump out, so it frantically bounced around in panic, only to be riddled with holes by the poisonous needles!

In less than two minutes, the Big-Eared Rabbit’s HP was already at the bottom. This was the first BOSS I’d ever killed, and my blood was practically boiling with excitement. Deep down, I shouted: “Drop something good, give me a handy weapon, I’m begging you, Brother Rabbit!”

“Wah!”

The Big-Eared Rabbit BOSS let out a miserable cry and died, dropping two items with a clatter.

“Shua!”

The generous experience points made me level up twice. I put all 5 free stat points into Strength again, and my attack instantly reached 7-12—pretty sharp!

The joy of leveling up was nothing compared to the thrill of getting loot. My eyes widened as I clearly saw the Big-Eared Rabbit drop a breastplate glowing with a faint green light, and a diamond-like large stone fell to the ground as well.

Carefully, I reached out with my longsword and picked up the breastplate. With a “pop,” it landed in my hand, and the equipment stats immediately appeared before my eyes—

【Big-Eared Rabbit Glimmering Battle Armor】 (Blackstone Gear)

Defense: 9

Stamina: +2

Required Level: 2

……

I was overjoyed—it was Blackstone Gear, which meant it had stats! In Tianzong, equipment is ranked: White Gear, Blackstone Gear, Bronze Gear, Refined Iron Gear, Mysterious Iron Gear, Silver Gear, Gold Gear, Dark Gold Gear, Purple Gold Gear, Spirit Gear, Immortal Gear, and Divine Gear. Although this Blackstone Gear is near the bottom, for the early game, it’s nothing short of divine armor!

I quickly equipped the Blackstone armor, and my character stats became—

ID: Broken Spear

Class: Death Knight (Apprentice)

Level: 4

HP: 140

Attack: 7-12

Defense: 10

……

My defense became 10 points. With these stats, killing level 3 Big-Eared Rabbits would be a breeze, and my HP also increased by 20 points thanks to the 2 extra Stamina, reaching 140!

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of happiness—my defense was high, so at this stage, I was basically a walking fortress, right?

Wait, there’s more—the Big-Eared Rabbit BOSS also dropped a stone!

I crouched down, reached out, and picked up the stone. Sure enough, it was the legendary Magic Stone—a Large Magic Stone (Quality: 77)!

In Tianzong, monsters don’t drop gold coins, but they do drop these Magic Stones. Any monster with magical power has a chance to drop a Magic Stone, which can be sold to any merchant for money. There are five types of Magic Stones: Small Magic Stone, Large Magic Stone, Phantom Magic Stone, Amethyst, and Divine Crystal. The higher the quality, the more money it fetches.

The Large Magic Stone I got had a quality of 77, so it should sell for quite a few copper coins!

Leaping out of the Snakeblood Thornbush, clad in my new Blackstone armor, I looked imposing—at least it covered up my fancy ribs. Hmm, if I get a pair of greaves and boots to cover my lower half, and a helmet to cover my face, I’ll basically be presentable enough to meet people.

Not far ahead, a level 3 Big-Eared Rabbit lunged at me. I didn’t dodge—bring it on!

“2!”

A big damage number popped up above my head, and I almost laughed out loud. 10 points of defense is really strong—Big-Eared Rabbits of my level can barely scratch me now.

A couple of quick sword strikes finished off this reckless Big-Eared Rabbit, and I hurried back to the newbie village, found Warden of the Deadlands, and turned in the quest item: five coarse Big-Eared Rabbit leg hairs!

“Very good, young little skeleton, you’ve really impressed me!”

Necro Barbarian patted me on the shoulder and laughed heartily: “Here, this is your reward. All of this, for the return of the Night Spirits to the land, and for gold and women!”

My eyes widened—what a bold NPC! I really like this guy! But, from Necro Barbarian’s attitude, it seems he thinks I’m one of the Night Spirits?

……

“Ding~!”

System prompt: You have completed the quest [Kill the Big-Eared Rabbit], gained 150 experience points, received 10 copper coins, and +1 reputation!

I swallowed—was this reward generous? Well, I’ll take it. At least I got 150 experience points. A few more Big-Eared Rabbits and I’ll reach level 5.

Warden of the Deadlands continued: “It looks like you’ve already slain the Big-Eared Rabbit leader. Very good, so the Big-Eared Rabbits are no longer a concern. I have an even more important task—are you willing to take it on?”

I couldn’t wait and nodded repeatedly: “Tell me, tell me.”

“Hmm!” The guard gripped his battle axe and said, “On the outskirts of the town lies the endless Dawnlight Forest. Our skeleton brothers have reported that some green mantises have appeared in the Dawnlight Forest. Their bodies are huge and they have sharp double blades. You must go to the Dawnlight Forest, kill 100 green mantises, and bring me 10 green mantis blades. If you do, I will give you a generous reward!”

“Ding~!”

System prompt: You have accepted the quest [Green Mantis]! (Quest Level: F, Intermediate)