Chapter 13: Breaking Historical Records

Dracula’s first wave of normal attacks only chipped away one-fifth of the Black-Robed Deacon’s health.

Next came a series of normal attacks combined with the Crimson Feast skill. Since no additional damage was triggered, the deacon’s health was only reduced to just above half.

Once the cooldown was over, Dracula unleashed a sequence: normal attack, Deadly Shot, Crimson Feast, and then the extra damage.

This continuous onslaught dealt nearly six thousand points of damage, instantly obliterating the Black-Robed Deacon.

At that moment, the main hall was engulfed in an eerie silence.

The expressions on Lin Yuan and the others’ faces were incredibly complex. Though they already knew Dracula was an epic-level summoned beast, they were still stunned speechless by his recent display.

Nearly six thousand damage!

Could this really be the work of a level 4 summoner?

Even a Dragon Knight empowered by dragon might wouldn’t be able to pull off such devastation!

A strong sense of disbelief welled up in their hearts.

Such terrifying damage, even in a Hell-level dungeon, could probably crush everything in its path.

With this thought, a knowing smile spread across their faces.

It seemed the SSS rating for the novice dungeon was guaranteed, as was the first-clear reward for the Hell-level dungeon.

This time, they had truly encountered a master.

[Black-Robed Deacon slain · BOSS, Experience +555]

[Obtained loot: Black Deacon Emblem ×1]

[Obtained loot: Black Deacon Robe ×1]

[Level Up]

[Level: LV.5 (505/1080)]

[Strength: 57]

[Agility: 56]

[Constitution: 58]

[Spirit: 59]

[Summoned Beast: Dracula LV.5 (Epic)]

[Talent — Currently eligible to acquire a Dark Bloodline]

[You have cleared the Temple Ruins (Hard), rewards gained: Dungeon Chest ×1 (Hard), Professional Experience +500]

[Clear successful, you will exit the dungeon in 60 seconds: 59, 58, 57...]

“This... we cleared it?”

Lin Qingqing’s gaze was tinged with bewilderment — it was just too fast!

From entering the dungeon until now, only a little over two hours had passed.

Along the way, they chatted and laughed, never once feeling pressured or challenged.

—

Lin Yuan placed his hands on his hips and laughed heartily. “Hard dungeon? Trash! I’m going to challenge Hell-level!”

Lin Qingqing glanced over with a look of exasperation. Few people like Lin Yuan, who’d never been thrashed by a dungeon, were left.

Gu Chen checked the time and then addressed Lin Qingqing and the others: “After we exit, you should take care of your own matters. At 2 PM, gather at the dungeon entrance.”

“Got it.” Lin Qingqing, Su Ran, and Wu Ziyi all nodded.

Normally, dungeon runs require adventurers to maintain a high level of mental focus, which is extremely taxing physically and mentally.

After a run, with all the map navigation and battles, one would be exhausted.

Therefore, it’s customary to rest a full day after finishing a dungeon to replenish energy before the next run.

But Gu Chen was different. He commanded his summoned beasts throughout the battles, so his personal exertion was negligible.

If he had any fatigue, it was only from the Gray Mist Curse, which caused dizziness and limb weakness.

Even that slight weariness vanished completely once the Black-Robed Deacon was slain.

So this dungeon run cost Gu Chen virtually nothing.

He could run ten more dungeons like this without strain.

As for why he wasn’t diving straight into the Hell-level dungeon, it was partly to give Lin Qingqing and the others time to borrow funds, and partly because he needed time to select his next summoned beast.

After all, he had just leveled up to 5 after killing the Black-Robed Deacon.

Soon, the one-minute countdown ended, and Gu Chen and his four companions were teleported back to the dungeon plaza.

It was just past eleven o’clock, and the plaza was still packed with people — even more than in the morning — most waiting to form parties.

“Look, a team’s being teleported out already? So fast?”

“The novice dungeon only opened a bit over two hours ago; no one could have cleared it that quickly.”

“Yeah, historically it takes at least eight hours.”

“Just over two hours? They probably didn’t even get through the temple gates.”

“Exactly, they must have failed and used a teleport scroll.”

“Hey, isn’t that Gu Chen?”

“Haha, I knew it — that lowly summoner.”

“No wonder they’re out so fast. Choosing summoner as a civilian class is a dead end.”

“What if they actually cleared it?”

“First, he’s a civilian summoner; second, there’s no way someone would clear it in under three hours.”

The consensus among professionals was clear: civilian summoners were doomed.

Just as everyone mocked Gu Chen, convinced he had failed and been forced out by teleportation, an announcement from the novice dungeon administration silenced the entire plaza.

[Congratulations to the novice adventurer team for breaking the Temple Ruins (Hard) record]

[Clear time: 2 hours 35 minutes 13 seconds]

[Team Leader: Gu Chen (Summoner)]

[Team Members: Lin Yuan (Swordsman), Lin Qingqing (Warrior), Su Ran (Assassin), Wu Ziyi (Martial Artist)]

[Rewards earned: Professional Experience +500, Personal Achievement +1, Historical Record Gift Box ×1]

Silence!

The vast dungeon plaza fell into a deathly stillness.

Since Gu Chen’s accomplishment broke the historical record, this announcement appeared before every novice adventurer’s eyes.

It wasn’t uncommon for novice dungeon records to be broken.

As the professional system matured, newcomers’ abilities and combat power steadily improved. Almost every time a rare combat class emerged, dungeon records were updated.

But this time, the clear time was outrageously fast — over five hours faster than the previous best.

Two and a half hours to clear the novice dungeon!

No matter how much imagination novice adventurers had, none would dare dream of such a feat.

Especially considering the team’s weak lineup.

The leader was a civilian summoner, and the four members were swordsman, warrior, assassin, and martial artist.

Such a combination barely allowed for any teamwork.

Speaking of teamwork, some recalled that Gu Chen, unable to find teammates, had originally gone with actors.

In other words, this dungeon run was essentially a solo clear!

Solo clear!

With that realization, expressions on everyone’s faces shifted dramatically.

Solo clearing a dungeon, and on Hard difficulty no less, was something even gifted adventurers couldn’t achieve.

Suddenly, all eyes burned with admiration as they turned to Gu Chen.

Among them, Gu Chen’s classmates from Lin City No.1 High School were the first to speak up.

“Brother Chen, solo clear and breaking the record — congratulations!”

“Brother Chen, you’re my idol! Can I come with you next time?”

“Brother Chen, here’s 100,000 coins — just as a friendly gift.”

“Brother Chen, you worked hard on this dungeon run. Lunch is on me.”

“Gu Chen, I like you. Can I be your girlfriend?”

...