I Can Extract Game Items

Chapter 24 - 24: Reaching Level 20

The Cave Fangfiends were known for their << Venomous Howl >> which reduced player defenses, and their << Lunging Bite >> which was a high-damage attack that could knock players to the ground.

The combined group fought furiously, trying to keep the beasts at bay. The tanks in the front lines took the brunt of the attacks while the mages and rangers rained spells and arrows from the back. It was a well-coordinated effort, but the Fangfiends were relentless. One of the creatures, a Fangfiend Alpha, towered over the others with twisted horns protruding from its head. Its HP was dropping steadily, but it still had enough to wreak havoc.

August watched carefully from the shadows, calculating his next move. He was well aware that he was becoming infamous within the cave. The nickname "Kill-Stealing Ghost" was starting to spread among the players in these parts.

Some had assumed he was a high-level player, given his ability to move in and out of sight and his high-damage strikes. They would have been furious to learn he was still only level 19, inching his way up by taking calculated risks.

The Fangfiend Alpha's HP dropped to a sliver. Now was his chance.

He readied his Lightning Bolt spell, aiming it directly at the alpha.

<[ Lightning Bolt Spell Activated ]>

[ - 500 MP ]

The bolt shot through the air, crackling with electric energy, and struck the Fangfiend Alpha right between the eyes.

[You have dealt the finishing blow to Fangfiend Alpha. +4500 EXP]

[ Congratulation! You Have Leveled Up ]

[Item Drop: Alpha Fang, Venom Sac, Shadowsteel Claw]

The alpha let out a deafening howl before collapsing into a heap of fur and muscle. The players in the area turned their heads in shock, realizing what had just happened.

"Are you kidding me?!" a mage shouted, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Not again! It's that damn Kill-Stealing Ghost!" another player yelled, his voice echoing through the cave.

The group that had just lost the kill began shouting at each other, trying to coordinate a

He proceeded to run up the wall and leap from it before grabbing a piece of a protrusion.

The shadows here were much darker. The instant he arrived there, he activated << Shadow Stealth >> again to blend into the shadows.

The pursuing players stopped briefly at the entrance, scanning the chamber for any sign of him. They were hesitant to enter, wary of traps or ambushes.

"Let's spread out and search the area," one of the players suggested but there was uncertainty in his voice.

August watched them from his hiding spot as they stepped in cautiously and began to scan the surroundings.

He would wait them out, let them tire themselves searching. For now, he was safe, hidden in the shadows like a ghost.

The legend of the "Kill-Stealing Ghost" would only grow after today, and August was just getting started.

---

August felt a rush of relief as he finally logged out of Enders Light. He opened his eyes and removed the VR helmet, his body feeling stiff after the long session in the game.

A tired smile crept onto his face. Reaching level 20 was a significant milestone. His hard work—grinding, stealing kills, and evading enraged players—had paid off. The next time he logged in, he could focus on taking on quests to gain even more experience and loot.

He stretched his limbs, feeling the familiar ache in his muscles from spending too much time in the game pod. "Finally," he muttered to himself. "Level 20."

But he couldn't dwell on it for long. Time was slipping away, and he needed to get ready for work. August glanced at the clock—he had just enough time to change and grab a quick breakfast. As he changed into his worn-out factory uniform, he thought about his sister, Sophie.

She was already up, sitting at the small kitchen table with her books spread out in front of her. She looked up as he walked in, her green hair catching the morning light. "Morning, Auggie," she greeted him with a soft smile, her angelic face radiating warmth.

"Morning, Soph," he replied, tousling her hair as he passed by. "You've got a lot of studying to do, huh?"

"Yeah, big test coming up," she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "You think I'll do okay?"

August grabbed a piece of toast from the counter and gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll do great. Just keep at it. You're way smarter than I ever was."

Sophie chuckled. "Well, that's not saying much."

He laughed. "Hey, I'm the one keeping a roof over our heads, remember?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't overwork yourself, okay?"

"I won't," August said, but they both knew it was a promise he couldn't keep. "I gotta head to the factory now. Don't forget to eat something other than just cereal."