Chapter 5: Is Lin Tianhao an Ancient God? - My Basic Attacks Permanently Increase HP

Futu Shenlang finished off the Flame Serpent in front of him and opened the video.

"That's some serious damage."

That was Futu Shenlang's first reaction.

But immediately after, he froze.

"At this stage of the game, how is anyone capable of kite-walking this smoothly?"

Futu Shenlang was an Archer himself — and not just any Archer, but one of the most technically skilled players in the class.

He knew better than anyone just how difficult it was to execute smooth kite-walking in Ragnarok.

"Which guild is he from? We have to poach this person no matter what — I'll offer ten million a year."

After his brief shock, Futu Shenlang's mind immediately turned to recruitment.

"Got it, Guild Master. I'll look into it."

At that moment, Lin Tianhao was rapidly mowing down Twisted Treants.

The drop rates in Ragnarok were truly pitiful. Despite hunting so many Twisted Treants above his level, Lin Tianhao had only managed to get the Rejuvenation Ring from before.

Ding—

Suddenly, a clear chime rang out as a piece of equipment dropped.

Treant Pauldron: Normal Grade.

Equip Requirement: Level 10, all classes.

Effect: HP +200.

Durability: 100.

"Want this?" Lin Tianhao glanced over at Futu Dunshan.

"Yes, please — but Snow Emperor, this one can't be priced the same as the ring, right?"

"Three thousand."

Lin Tianhao said flatly.

Pauldrons were standard equipment, relatively easy to come by, so naturally they couldn't command the same high price as the ring.

"Deal."

In truth, money wouldn't matter much later on. The only reason Lin Tianhao still needed it was to cover his immediate living expenses.

Once he had enough for daily costs, he planned to start trading equipment for in-game goods instead.

Just then, a system announcement rang out.

"Server-wide Announcement: Congratulations to player Berserker Blade for being the first to reach the Main City! Rewards: Gold Coins +500, Iron-Grade Class Set +1, Class Skill Book +1, Free Attribute Points +50. Announcement ends — may all players continue to strive forward!"

"Holy shit!"

Futu Dunshan checked the time. "That fast? That Blade guy is already Level 10?"

"And the rewards for being the first to leave the novice village are that generous."

Lin Tianhao couldn't care less. Those rewards were nothing worth looking at.

The novice village was a treasure trove.

Leaving it with real power — that was the way to go. Once you left, you could never come back.

In his previous life, countless players had learned about the novice village's hidden bonuses only after leaving, and beat their chests in regret.

"Keep it up, Snow Emperor!"

"By the way, Snow Emperor, you're clearly incredible — which guild do you belong to?"

"None. I'm a free agent."

"A free agent?"

Futu Dunshan was a little surprised. With Lin Tianhao's skill level, he looked nothing like a solo player.

But in an instant, Futu Dunshan thought he understood why.

Lin Tianhao must be an ancient god of gaming!

Back in the day, PC games had been dominated by legendary veterans. Some of those ancient gods had incredible game sense, crystal-clear technique and strategy.

But as they aged, their hand speed couldn't keep up, and they were gradually phased out.

Ragnarok, however, was a full-dive virtual MMORPG — everything was digitized. Hand speed was no longer a factor.

Still, seeing that Lin Tianhao was focused on grinding, Futu Dunshan wisely kept his mouth shut.

Ding. "You have reached Level 4. Free Attribute Points +5."

Lin Tianhao put all his free attribute points into Attack Speed, raising it by 0.1 to 0.93.

At the same time, his HP had grown by over a thousand, and his basic attack damage increased once more.

-448.

At this damage level, it still took five arrows to take down a single Twisted Treant.

But he was getting closer and closer to finishing them off in four.

Futu Dunshan stood to the side, silently envious. There was nothing he could do — the bulk of the experience was going to Lin Tianhao, and leveling up wasn't easy for him.

"Finally, one showed up."

Lin Tianhao spotted the Twisted Treant ahead and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Twisted Treant (Elite): Level 10.

HP: 5,700 / 5,700.

Attack: 49.

Skills: Rejuvenation, Vine Spin, Vine Bind.

The Elite-grade Twisted Treant had gained an additional crowd-control skill.

"Snow Emperor, want me to tank it for you?"

Futu Dunshan was a pure tank build, and with deep pockets, he had already equipped a few low-level gear pieces. By his own estimation, his stats were quite impressive.

"No need."

Lin Tianhao replied coolly and immediately launched his attack.

-449.

His output was steady, though it still took thirteen arrows to bring down a single Elite Twisted Treant.

Even so, under Lin Tianhao's kite-walking technique, the Twisted Treant was already dead before it could even get close to him.

Ding. "You have slain an Elite Twisted Treant. EXP +321."

A satisfied smile crossed Lin Tianhao's face. Hunting Elite monsters was definitely the way to go — the experience gains were far greater.

Even Futu Dunshan, who was just along for the party, earned thirty-two experience points from each kill.

One, two, three...

Lin Tianhao's HP kept stacking higher and higher.

Around this time, server-wide announcements began going off one after another.

Players from major guilds were reaching Level 10 and entering the Main City — and some solo players were making it there too.

Futu Dunshan watched with burning envy, but there was nothing he could do. He could only look on helplessly.

"My losses here are way too steep."

Lin Tianhao maintained his cool, aloof demeanor and paid no attention to Futu Dunshan's complaints.

Just then, another piece of equipment dropped.

Treant Armor (Elite): Level 10.

Effect 1: Magic Resistance +10.

Effect 2: HP +500.

Durability: 100.

"Awesome! Snow Emperor, is this one of the set pieces you mentioned?"

Lin Tianhao nodded and tossed the equipment to Futu Dunshan. "Yes. Hunt enough Elite Twisted Treants and you can collect the full Treant Set."

Futu Dunshan's eyes lit up. "Snow Emperor, you're the best! When you went offline earlier, I thought you were ditching me."

Lin Tianhao's expression darkened, but he said nothing and went back to grinding.

And so he ground on — for a full hour.

One thing the novice village truly had going for it was the monster respawn rate, which was extremely fast. Otherwise, it never could have kept up with Lin Tianhao's relentless slaughter.

Ding. "You have reached Level 6. Free Attribute Points +5."

In just one hour, Lin Tianhao had gone from Level 4 to Level 6, and his Attack Speed had climbed from 0.93 to 1.13.

In the same span of time, Lin Tianhao had also obtained three more pieces of the Treant Set, all of which he handed over to Futu Dunshan.

A player could equip a maximum of thirteen items at once:

Main Weapon, Boots, Chest Guard, Armor, Helmet, Cape, Rings (×2), Necklace, Pauldrons (×2), and Leg Guards (×2).

Futu Dunshan now had four pieces — nine more to go.

This set was, without question, the strongest shield-warrior set available before Level 20. Bar none.