With the class change to Shield Guardian and maxed-out defense, I can maintain infinite health.

We arrived at the edge of the Breeze Forest.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Ming entered the Beast Forest.

He raised his hand, and a long sword appeared in his grasp.

[Strength +10]!

Including the four power runes I bought yesterday.

This Tier 1 common strength equipment already has its attribute bonuses maxed out.

If you want to continue enhancing the runes, you need to improve the quality of your equipment.

For example, high-quality equipment obtained as a reward from the major exam can be enhanced with 20 rune stones.

Epic grade, can be enhanced with 30 runes.

As for higher quality levels, there are legendary and mythical levels.

However, that's not something that ordinary people can obtain.

Equipment sold on the market is generally either ordinary or high-quality.

To obtain epic-level equipment, you need some special channels.

Alternatively, you can spend a high price to find a senior "blacksmith" to personally forge and improve the quality of your equipment.

Chen Ming glanced at his current attributes.

[Class]: Shield Guard

[Level]: 3

【Strength】: 40

[Physical Fitness]: 2550/2550 (20%)

[Recovery]: 169 (13%)

[Agility]: 45

[Mental Strength]: 360 (20%)

【Skill】:

[Rank C - The More You Fight, the Stronger You Become (lv.3)]

[SSS-Rank - Absolute Defense (Max Level)]

With the bonuses from the [Shadowless Armor] and [Feather Boots]...

Chen Ming's attribute values ​​are finally acceptable.

In particular, the Shadowless Armor, with the bonus of 15 Constitution Runes, directly increases Constitution by 750 points.

For Chen Ming, who possesses a lock-on-health mechanism, this is a significant improvement.

"With this stat, fighting level 5 or 6 beasts shouldn't be a problem."

Chen Ming walked through the woods.

In the dim light, his figure seemed to be shrouded in a layer of mist.

The power of the Shadow Armor: Stealth!

To conceal one's whereabouts.

This ability is perfectly suited to the environment of the Beast Forest.

This is why Chen Ming chose this empowerment approach.

"Right now, what I urgently need to improve is my offensive capabilities."

Attack is currently the only weakness that limits him from challenging opponents of higher levels.

Otherwise, let alone killing a beast that's 3 levels higher, he could even fight one that's 10 levels higher.

"One spiritual skill that can be awakened, and two class skills that awaken after level 10."

Surely one of the three skills has some kind of active attack capability.

While pondering, Chen Ming suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He then leaped and disappeared behind a tree to his right.

A few seconds later, a dark figure emerged from the bushes ahead.

It is a praying mantis that is nearly 1.5 meters tall.

Its entire body is covered in a bluish-black hard shell, and its folded arms resemble a butterfly knife.

The densely packed spikes on it reflected a dim, arcing light.

It cautiously surveyed its surroundings but did not find Chen Ming.

Behind the tree.

Chen Ming observed the praying mantis.

【Swift Mantis】

[Level: lv.5]

[Ability: Blade Strike]

[Description: A ferocious beast that grew up in a cutthroat environment, it prefers to strike when the opportunity arises, killing with a single blow.]

After his mental strength reached 20%, Chen Ming's ability to perceive danger also changed.

Previously, it was always strange beasts that ambushed him.

Now he can strike first.

Although he wasn't afraid of being ambushed, the feeling of being suddenly attacked was definitely still uncomfortable.

Chen Ming did not rush out directly.

He used the tree trunk for leverage, and with a leap, he soared into the air almost silently.

A flash of white light!

The long sword in his hand was already precisely aimed at the huge, bluish-black eyes.

The blade pierced his eye, leaving a shallow but deep line.

-76!

Did they directly attack the weak point?

Chen Ming was overjoyed.

A great start!

Looks like I'm having good luck today.

"hiss!!"

The mantis, struck in its weak spot, cried out in pain.

It instinctively waved its sharp forearms.

Swing it at the enemy who attacked you.

However, it came to nothing.

Chen Ming dodged the attack with a swift movement.

Under normal circumstances, Chen Ming's agility attribute has reached 45 with equipment bonuses, which is still far less than that of a level 5 Swift Mantis.

This is mainly because he used his mental probing ability.

The movements of the Mantis seemed to slow down in his "sight".

Since we can't compete in speed, we'll have to rely on reaction time.

After successfully dodging the attack, Chen Ming seized the opportunity and delivered another blow.

-76!

The Swift Mantis was shocked, thinking it had encountered some powerful beast.

They immediately created distance between themselves.

But when it regained its footing and saw its opponent clearly, it was stunned.

A human being?

The Swift Mantis made a strange sound.

It could tell that this human was only a level 3 job changer.

Outrageous!

It was a level 5 beast that was actually ambushed by a mere level 3 human.

Furthermore, being hit in its weak point made the Mantis even more ferocious.

[Blade Strike]!

It activated its own power.

The forewings on its back began to vibrate, and its entire body hovered in mid-air.

It emitted a series of buzzing sounds.

next second.

The Swift Mantis transformed into a blur almost instantly, launching a surprise attack on Chen Ming.

The speed was terrifying.

call--

Before the wind even reached him, Chen Ming felt a gust of wind rush towards him.

Even if the Mantis activates its ability, he can clearly "see" its movements and make predictions in his mind.

only......

He was still too slow.

My mind can keep up, but my body can't.

However, if there's no way to avoid it, Chen Ming doesn't need to worry.

-1!

A pair of sharp forearms, gleaming with a cold light, struck Chen Ming directly in the neck.

With a sharp crack, it produced a metallic clang.

The swift mantis was taken aback.

A pair of large eyes stared intently at the scene, revealing a look of bewilderment.

What's wrong with this human?

-76!

Before it could react, it was struck in the eye again.

Enraged, the Mantis launched another attack, refusing to believe its fate.

In a short while, it had already waved its arms wildly several times.

The strong wind it generated even snapped the leaves and branches of the surrounding trees.

-1! [-1!]

superficial.

Chen Ming held the knife in both hands, no longer trying to dodge the attacks of the Gale Mantis.

He's about to transform into a battle maniac!

-76! [-76!]

......

Chen Ming continued his attacks.

With each strike, the blade strikes only the weakest points.

"hiss--"

The Swift Mantis let out a miserable scream.

Its enormous eyes were almost severed, and it finally couldn't hold on any longer and tried to escape.

"Trying to run? Take this!"

Chen Ming anticipated the opponent's intentions and immediately accelerated his offensive.

-76!

puff!

Blood suddenly appeared.

The giant praying mantis's entire head was severed!

[Slaying the Swift Mantis (lv.5) grants +71 experience!]

[Obtained: Gale Mantis - Beast Core (lv.5)]

[Obtained: Constitution Runestone *1]