A Hundred Times: Ascending With The Strongest System
Chapter 40 - 39: A Hundredfold Advance

Chapter 40: Chapter 39: A Hundredfold Advance

Zoey moved further into the dungeon, eventually climbing into the second floor. The dungeon remained the same, but the Mana in the air was vastly different, meaning that the enemies would only be tougher. Which is rather beneficial for Zoey, as she needs all the experience she can get.

’The Mana is richer up here. Perfect place to practice [Concentrated Breathing] and level it up.’ Zoey thought as she used the Skill, taking in the Mana into her lungs with deep breaths, feeling it entering her body and replenishing her Mana at faster speeds.

’This is really good, if I continue to practice like this, then the Skill would reach it’s maximum in no time!’ Zoey thought with a grin, opening up her [Inventory] as she opened her palms, and a small glow eminated from her hands as a few [Lizardmen Scales] appeared in her hands.

’While there are no monsters at the moment, I think I’ll start absorbing some [Lizardmen Scales] to increase my Skill levels.’

Zoey started to absorb the materials, increasing the levels of her Skills with quick speeds that made them level up rapidly, she continued to absorb the materials, while absorbing most to increase her experience.

After a while of absorbing the materials, only a few remained, 15 scales. Way more than what the average Hunter would consider normal, but Zoey decided that she’ll give these to the guild, as she basically absorbed more than half of everything.

Zoey opened her status window after finishing with the absorption process, deciding to take a look at the progress she had managed to make.

[Name: Zoey Monroe]

[Level: 2]

[Stats]

[Health: 100/100%]

[Mana: 100/100%]

[Stamina: 89/100%]

[Strength: 76] [Vitality: 80]

[Intelligence: 80] [Defense: 77]

[Talent(s): A Hundredfold Ascension(-), Heightened Senses (A+)]

[Skills: (E)Fireball Lv100, (C+)Earth Skin(Passive) Lv100, (C)Hardened Will Lv30, (C+)Concentration Breathing Lv20, (C+)Armour Weathering Lv17, (C+)Grace Of The Wind Lv15]

[Stat Points: None]

[Inventory]

[Exp: 65,500/100,000%]

"This is very good!" Zoey couldn’t help but excitedly exclaim out of joy, each of the [Lizardmen Scales] gave about 5% Exp, and after absorbing about 85 of them, she had managed to earn over 40,000 Exp!

’If I keep up with this pace, It wouldn’t be long until I level up again. However, this time, I’ll need to be as prepared as possible, who knows what my next Trial can be? I can’t sleep tonight, I need to prepare!’ Zoey instructed herself mentally, gripping [Knight’s Oath] tighter in her hand, determination etched on her face,

’!!!’ Zoey’s eyes quickly widened as she felt something sharp coming her way, the sound of air whistling like a whistle putting her on edge as she gazed up to see an arrow hurling towards her.

Zoey sidestepped as the arrow passed by her and inpacted the ground, her eyes locking on the attackers. She saw a full squadron of Lizardmen, however, these were different, stronger, and much more coordinated.

There were a new variation of blue Lizardmen at the front of the squad, their claws slightly larger than the previous Lizardmen, their aura deadlier and more intimidating, they still had a white aura around them like the previous ones did, meaning that Zoey wasn’t outmatched, but on even ground with them nearing strength.

’This could be tricky...’ Zoey narrowed her eyes as her vision zoomed in at the back of the squadron, where orange coloured Lizardmen hung at the back, holding bows, their gazed determined and full of malicous intent.

The Blue Lizardmen at the front roared out as they charged at her, starting the battle as they closed the distance between Zoey and them with their deadly agility.

"Tch!" Zoey clicked her tongue as she narrowly dodged an attack of an Lizardmen, before parrying another blow, and being send back as she stumbled backwards.

She didn’t have time to gather her thoughts as more arrows soon shot her way, cutting through the air as they approached her. Zoey tuned her senses with her [Heightened Senses] as she began to dodge the arrows, while parrying a few with her insane reaction speed, but she wasn’t fast enough to stop one from nearing her arm.

’Damn it!’ Zoey cursed as she quickly slashed her sword to parry the arrow, however it was too late.

The arrow stuck her arm, and Zoey quickly closed her eyes as she expected to feel a surge of pain.....but that didn’t happen.

Plonk!

The arrow tore through the fabric surrounding her arm, but it couldn’t penetrate the skin, as it was as hard stone! Zoey looked at her arm in astonishment, she only felt like someone was poking their finger on her arm, and not any actual pain.

’Thank goodness, this skill is coming in handy already.’ She heaved a sigh of relief, clutching her chest.

She glared the Lizardmen down, activating [Hardened Will] as her strength surged higher. The Lizardmen felt a chill run down their spine as they felt the air around them becoming colder, as their deaths were imminent.

"Haaah!" Zoey roared as she activated [Armour Weathering] sending a pulse of darkness that instantly impacted one of the Lizardmen as their defenses dropped massively, before firing a furious flurry of fireballs that exploded wildly upon coming in contact with the Blue Lizardmen.

Pained cries rang out as the Lizardmen suffered serious burn damage, a few of them even suffering way worse damage as the "Burn" effect from [Fireball] Skill activated, dealing increased damage that managed to kill a few Lizardmen.

About 3 Lizardmen died, while the rest were seriously injured, barely alive. Zoey received 15% Exp from the three of them, applied with the 100x effect, she received 4,500 Experience from the Lizardmen, bringing her Exp to 69,500%.

The Lizardmen charged at her again, but this time, she was prepared, and far stronger with the effects of [Hardened Will] as Zoey started to battle against the Lizardmen with fierce determination.

Cuts and deep gashes appeared all over the bodies of the Lizardmen as Zoey continued to easily deal with them, overpowering them to the point where they couldn’t hope to win, but fight if they wanted to increase their chances of survival....which were none to begin with in this case.

"Gaah!" A Lizardmen cried as Zoey delivered a strong slash across it’s chest, in retaliation, the monster clawed at her face. The claws met her face head on, but upon coming in contact with her skin, its claws immediately broke off like glass, blood splattering from the open wounds as it let out a blood curdling scream.

"Hmph." Zoey scoffed confidently as she delivered a strong slash at the Lizardmen’s head, cleanly removing it off it’s shoulders as blood erupted from the decapitated head.

All the Blue Lizardmen were dead, and all that was remaining were the Lizardmen Archers, who were trembling uncontrollably in that moment, too scared to draw their bows and fight back.

’I’ll put them out of their misery,’ Zoey thought as she aimed her hands at them, casting [Armor Penetration] on all of them, enshrouding them in black mist that heavily weakened their defenses, before activating [Fireball] and firing a barrage of flames.

BOOM!