Infinite Realm

The 10th floor of the Middle region was a bit different from how it was since the last time a player had ever set foot on it. Though the differences weren't much, they were crucial to the forthcoming battle. This was especially so for the inconspicuous mountain that stood at the centre of the floor, replacing the previous kobold settlement that stood there before. While most players would feel that it was too bizarre and might even be disadvantageous to them, they couldn't put their finger on it. 

With the mountain occupying their previous location, the kobolds had relocated to a few hundred metres away from the mountain. This new location happened to just be in the direction Sato and the others so they were saved from the stress of having to go round the mountain in search of it.

'Aiya~ This young master is always charged with the toughest role of drawing them out. This is no fun.' 

Glancing at the kobold settlement from the cover of a boulder, Lu Zhen seemingly sighed at his terrible fate.

Just like before, Lu Zhen was chosen to be the bait for the Kobold King. Logically, with Sato being the one with the highest level amongst them, he should have taken on this role. However, there was no other reason for this other than the skills associated with the [Assassin] class. 

While it was true that Sato's [Agility] and [Dexterity] were currently on par with Lu Zhen's and his increased strength assured his survival, when it comes to sneaking into a guarded area as well as escaping the sight and grasp of the enemy, the [Assassin] class was built for this. Skills like [Fade] and [Silent Steps] made an [Assassin], an assassin. Because of this, the role of drawing out a target would forever be assigned to Lu Zhen. 

If there was one person Lu Zhen had to blame for this, it would only be himself.

The target this time around was the Kobold King, so unlike before, where Lu Zhen only had to wreak havoc and turn the hatred of the kobolds to himself, he had to vex an above level 10 BOSS and also draw it away from the settlement all on his own.

'This would be fun.'

Despite having such an almost impossible task placed on his shoulders, Lu Zhen still had the energy to make a joke.

'Sneaking in and attacking it is extremely dumb so the only way to draw its attention would be to cause a commotion at the front gate.'

While the main target of this mission was the Kobold King, who most likely resided in the depths of the settlement, it was way too risky and stupid for Lu Zhen to sneak into the settlement and attack the monster even though this seemed like the most direct and obvious option. The reason was simply that once he did so, Lu Zhen would find himself surrounded by God knows how many kobolds. However, this would be the best-case scenario. The worst possible result would see him being killed instantly by the Kobold King. It should be known that the true prowess of the Kobold King was still unknown so it was definitely a dicey situation.

"Guess it's gonna be the same ol' strategy." 

Taking a scroll out from his space bag, Lu Zhen unfurled with a reluctant expression before uttering the chants written on it.

The scroll in his hands was a recorded AOE spell with a range of 30 metres. The range was impressive and the scroll was currently the only Mortal grade scroll accessible to players with such an attack range. Because of this, the price for the scroll was something that would even hurt the pocket of a 2nd tier guild. 

However, for the scroll to achieve such a splendid attack range, the attack power of the scroll was sacrificed, becoming weaker than most attack scrolls at the same level. Against a level 10 monster, it might still cause damage but against the Kobold King, it might not even be able to tickle it.

Lu Zhen's intention behind using it, however, wasn't to cause any damage but to cause a commotion.

"...[Fire Rain]"

After completing the chants of the scroll, Lu Zhen then swung it towards the sky and activated [Fade], entering stealth mode. Despite being a sheet of paper, the scroll had managed to reach an impressive height of more than 50 metres in the air.

At that height, the scroll then lit up in flames as it slowed turned to ash that scattered high up. Before 3 seconds could count on the clock, tens of fireballs had taken form in the air. If one had paid attention to the scroll from the very beginning, they would realise that these fireballs were actually birthed from the ashes of the scroll that light up in flames. The tiny ash particles had mysteriously turned into fireballs.

[Fire Rain]

Sato had already considered various possible options and the idea of using a large-scale AOE attack was his idea. The [Fire Rain] scroll was also purchased by him using some of this reward from the Main Trials. To prevent their reliance on external help, this was the only scroll Sato had purchased despite having a large amount of wealth that could even make the treasuries of a few guilds go green with envy.

As the tongues of flames dropped on the kobold settlement, they set ablaze the thatched houses and roads in a 30 metres radius. Since Lu Zhen was still some distance away from the kobold settlement, the attack had only managed to reach the outer region of the settlement but it was still enough to cause devastation. The unlucky kobolds who were out in the open got burnt by the flames, falling to the floor with a loud shrill. It was like armageddon had descended on the kobold settlement. Flames ablaze everywhere while chaos spread with the noise.

"Roar!!!!!"

A terrifying roar broke out from the centre of the settlement, forcing the other kobolds to a stop and eliminating the disorderly screams due to the panic.

"Finally." Lu Zhen narrowed his eyes.

A 7 metres tall kobold, similar to a little mountain, walked out from the building at the centre of the settlement. With a pair of green eyes and a pair of horns longer than the ones of an average kobold, this figure glared at the scene before with rage. 

Flames of fury seemed to flare up in its eyes as it glanced at the houses being set on fire and the kobolds who were covered in flames.

"Roar!!" 

A roar filled with extreme rage broke out from its mouth. The roar had somewhat solidified and even began putting off the flames on the houses and the kobolds.

With just one roar, the calamity that had befallen the kobold tribe was put to an end.

Lu Zhen inhaled a large amount of air out of astonishment. That was the attack of a Mortal Grade level 10 scroll! Even if it was powerless against above level 10 monsters, to be able to put it off with just a roar was alarming. 

Without a doubt, this was the world-class BOSS that had drawn the attention of the three towns towards Black Grill's Cave. This was the Kobold King.

'This guy-'

Just before Lu Zhen could complete his comment on the Kobold King, the monster suddenly glanced in his direction. At that moment, Lu Zhen felt his blood run cold. His body froze out of fear and his eyes widened in shock.

'He, he noticed me.'

Lu Zhen was surprised by his thoughts but he didn't doubt them. Some could say it was a coincidence that the Kobold King happened to glance in his direction, after all, Lu Zhen was in stealth mode so it should be impossible for this to happen. However, Lu Zhen was sure that it had glanced at him; 100% sure.

Run.

That was the only word that crossed his mind before Lu Zhen took to his heels. He wasn't bothered whether his abrupt movement would reveal his position or not. Right now, the only that was in his mind was to escape this place.

"Remember, you either draw the BOSS away or the monsters. I believe drawing the BOSS away would be a lot easier than drawing the monsters away but the BOSS is quite cunning. I doubt it would be easy to pull that off. It's even quite possible that the very second you make your move, you would be spotted. So, try as much as possible to pull off your task in one move. Whether it works out or not, just run. The Kobold King isn't something we should underestimate."

Recalling Sato's words back then, Lu Zhen could finally understand what he meant by it. At that time he thought that Sato was exaggerating things. Even if the Kobold King was powerful, it shouldn't be able to spot him in stealth mode from far out. So long as he was outside the active range of the monster -which he estimated to be 30-40 metres- he should be safe. But now, Lu Zhen realised how wrong he was. 

Luckily for Lu Zhen, he had managed to attract its wrath towards himself. In this way, his task could be said to have been completed.. He just had to hear where the others were and live through this event.