Chapter 24: Goblin Scavengers
One hour later.
With a massive expenditure of ammunition, countless Wild Cave Worms were converted into experience points. Once the worm-infested area was cleared, mountains of waste appeared ahead. From within these heaps of scrap, a "squeaking" chewing sound emerged—a sound with piercing intensity that was unsettling, as if something were gnawing on my very skull.
Soon, several monsters appeared in my field of vision, their health bars visible. They were a group of insects with golden carapaces and heads covered in compound eyes.
[Iron-Eating Worm] (Elite)
Level: 20
Attack: 85-125
Defense: 38
HP: 2000
Skills: [Steel Bite Lv4], [Steel Spiked Armor Lv4]
Details: Iron-Eating Worms, creatures living in the green waste dump. They feed on iron, and their bodies contain high levels of the element, allowing them to transform it into spiked armor that leaves enemies with nowhere to strike.
...
This is getting tricky!
I frowned. The strength of the Iron-Eating Worms was far beyond that of the Wild Cave Worms. Their attack power reached 125, while my defense was only 76. Taking a hit would certainly be painful. Furthermore, with their 38-point base defense and the 4th-level Steel Spiked Armor buff, their actual defense likely exceeded 60. This was quite a headache!
There was no question about it: prioritize long-range fire and avoid letting them get close!
I raised my submachine gun and unleashed a barrage at the five charging worms, retreating as I fired. Damage numbers popped up everywhere. Their defense was indeed high, mitigating nearly 30% of my bullet damage, but I had no choice. In this situation, I had to trade my ammunition reserves for a massive amount of experience points!
"Squeak, squeak~~~"
By the time three of the Iron-Eating Worms were gunned down, two had already closed the distance, opening their scissor-like mandibles to strike.
"Whoosh!"
I abruptly turned and executed a Dash Slash to create a five-yard gap, then quickly pivoted to continue firing. Bullets shredded their wounds, spraying green fluid—it was incredibly satisfying.
"Click..."
As the fourth worm fell, the magazine ran dry.
Without hesitation, I switched my main weapon to my blade and lunged at the fifth worm. A burst-powered charge trampled through its body. The distance was short, only 6 yards, but it was enough to stun the target. I followed up with a combo: Auto-Attack + Dragon Blade + Auto-Attack + Earth Spike Slash, killing it instantly!
"Squeak..."
The Iron-Eating Worm twisted its body and finally expired. As the creatures dissolved into rays of experience points flowing into my body, I felt a faint sense of satisfaction.
I frowned. Though the experience was generous, the consumption was too great. I estimated that after this dungeon run, I would be suffering from a massive headache over my ammo reserves.
Whatever. I’ll finish this first!
Perhaps this dungeon would yield some useful gear to help subsidize my expenses. In *Star Abyss*, there is no such thing as "dungeon-bound" equipment; even items dropped within a dungeon can be traded freely. This is quite convenient, so if a dungeon crystal is found, the best choice is to clear it immediately—not only to maintain a level advantage but also potentially to make a fortune from drops.
I searched through the piles of waste for more Iron-Eating Worms, leaving none behind and converting them all into experience. This lasted until about four in the afternoon.
At this point, my ammunition was critically low, and the bullets for my "Roarer" were nearly depleted.
I had underestimated the consumption rate of the dungeon. I thought my remaining 1,800+ rounds would be enough, never expecting it to be so dangerous. Fortunately, the Iron-Eating Worms were now wiped out. There were no monsters left in the dungeon, only the mountains of waste standing, waiting for the dungeon's master to make an appearance.
"Damn you! You destroyed our home!"
A sharp voice echoed from above. Suddenly, a massive object plummeted from the sky—a war chariot erupting with crimson light!
This was the "Boom-Boom-Bang" Rocket Car mentioned in the dungeon details!
Sitting inside the vehicle was a short, hideous-looking man, steering the car as he charged toward me.
In a flash, I captured his attributes!
[Goblin Scavenger] (Green BOSS)
Level: 20
Attack: 60-85
Defense: 5
HP: 1500
Skills: [Fury Lv4], [Revenge Lv4], [Rocket Car Mastery Lv6]
Details: The Goblin Scavenger, master of this green waste dump. He collected raw materials to build a "Boom-Boom-Bang" Rocket Car. Do not underestimate him; although he is extremely weak on his own, the vehicle he pilots is not to be trifled with!
...
"Damn it..."
Looking at his stats, I was speechless. Even as a Green BOSS, he was level 20, yet his stats were so pathetic they were barely better than ordinary level-20 mobs! If not for this rocket car, he wouldn't have been a match for me in a single exchange.
"Kid, die!"
The giant rocket car came barreling forward. Suddenly, a launcher on top opened, and a smoking missile fired directly at me!
*Are you kidding me...*
I cursed inwardly. How could this be? The guy is weak, but he can hand-craft missiles? Is this a game humans are supposed to play?!
In an instant, I locked onto an empty spot to my right and unleashed a maximum-distance Burst Charge!
"Boom!"
Three points of internal energy burned violently, creating a terrifying thrust that launched my body away, covering 40 yards in an instant!
At the same time, I raised my Lan Shield with my left hand to brace for impact!
The next second, the missile detonated where I had been standing, a terrifying shockwave sweeping across the area!
"23!"
"31!"
"26!"
"29!"
Even behind the shield, the intense shockwave continuously drained my HP!
"Kid, you can't run!"
Inside the rocket car, the Goblin Scavenger roared, his face twisted in rage: "You dare invade my territory and kill so many of my Iron-Eating Worms and Cave Worms? I’m going to grind your bones to dust and drink you in a soup!"
As he spoke, mechanical parts on both sides of the rocket car spiraled open, transforming into something I recognized.
They were two weapons similar to 1130 close-in weapon systems...
Screw you!
"Bang-bang-bang~~~"
The weapons opened fire. Huge bullets whistled through the air, and as they struck the Lan Shield, my health bar began to plummet!
"233!"
"252!"
"199!"
"227!"
...
The firepower was dense. In an instant, my HP dropped to about 50%!
I had to ensure it didn't drop below 30%. Once it hit 30%, it would trigger an "Injury" status. Being injured in this game was no joke; you either had to pay for medical treatment at a hospital or spend months recuperating. This was a cost no average player could afford.
"Click!"
I canceled the shield's defensive stance. As the Lan Shield vanished, I executed a Dash Slash toward the front left, followed by a ground roll to escape his line of fire.
"You won't escape, you bastard!"
The Goblin Scavenger stopped firing and quickly maneuvered the rocket car, intending to attack from the side.
Right at that moment, a dungeon prompt appeared on my interface:
[The "Boom-Boom-Bang" Rocket Car is powerful, but it has a weakness!]
[There are flammable and explosive waste materials in the dump. You can detonate them to deal lethal damage to the rocket car!]
...
As I turned, the waste mountains remained, but some now had red arrows marked on them, with the words "Explosive" written in small print underneath. If I hadn't read the prompt, I never would have noticed the detail!
I picked up my gun and bolted!
"You brat, you’re trapped! Do you really think you can leave here alive?"
Inside the car, the Goblin Scavenger shrieked maniacally: "I’m going to boil you into a delicious meat soup! I’ll eat your intestines first, then your brains!"
He sure had specific tastes, knowing which parts were the best.
I sprinted, rounding several piles of waste, and quickly switched my main weapon to the "Wind Whisperer." I aimed at a waste mountain flashing with an arrow. Just then, the rocket car rumbled over, stopping only a step away from the explosive pile.
Now!
I pulled the bolt and fired!
"Bang!"
In the crisp sound of the shot, the bullet flew with a flash of fire, sinking into a bright red piece of scrap on the pile!
The scrap cracked, followed by a violent explosion!
"Boom-boom-boom~~~"
In the terrifying blast, the rocket car flipped over several times.
I finally saw that this BOSS had a dual health bar: the rocket car was the outer layer, and the Goblin Scavenger was the inner one. After the explosion, the rocket car's health bar was less than half full!
"Damn you! I’ll make you pay!"
The Goblin Scavenger, his face twisted in rage, charged at me in the damaged rocket car!
I didn't move an inch, aiming instead at the next explosive waste mountain. It was a bit close, but with the Lan Shield to absorb the impact, my health should hold up!
"Bang!"
The second shot rang out, and the second waste mountain turned into an inferno of explosions!
"Clang~~ Clang~~~"
Amidst the deafening noise, the rocket car's health bar vanished, and the vehicle was reduced to wreckage.
I held my shield in front of me, enduring the impact as my health plummeted!
It was a close call—my HP stopped at 33%. Any more damage and I would have been "injured." Even so, the massive loss of health caused waves of intense pain to ripple through my body.
...
"Bastard!"
The Goblin Scavenger stumbled out of the wreckage, brandishing a rifle, his face full of fury.
I didn't hesitate for a second and charged!
Burst Charge!
"Boom!"
A storm of energy erupted, instantly stunning the Goblin Scavenger. I immediately followed with my smooth combo: Auto-Attack + Dragon Blade + Auto-Attack + Earth Spike Slash. Just as his health hit zero, I swung my blade in a horizontal arc, slicing his ugly head clean off!
Blood splattered like rain. Satisfying!