Kill one monster, stack one poison, and I alone will poison my way across the world!

Tianhe City, entrance to the Howling Mine instance.

Outside the instance, the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed to freeze.

Thousands of fully armed professionals surrounded the distorted portal of light at the dungeon entrance.

The mage corps stationed in Tianhe City had already set up magic-powered heavy cannons on the surrounding high ground, their muzzles flashing with a dangerous red light as they charged.

"First line of defense, mage squad in position!"

"Second line of defense, heavy infantry, move in! All shields activated!"

"Logistics and medical team, retreat to the safety line!"

Instructions were rapidly transmitted through the communication channel.

Lei Jun stood at the very front, holding a giant sword crackling with violent lightning upside down in his hand.

His left cheek, covered in dark purple demonic runes and burns, was twitching slightly and uncontrollably.

Ten minutes ago.

The military's monitoring equipment detected extremely terrifying abyssal energy fluctuations erupting inside the Wailing Mine, which were even mixed with the unique demonic frequency of the "Rift Demon Shadow".

Others might not know what this meant, but Lei Jun knew it all too well.

This means that Rift Demon's plan is nearing completion.

This is what Donghai City was like ten years ago.

The scars on his face and his stuck level of 140, unable to progress any further, constantly reminded him of that nightmare.

"Commander!" An adjutant rushed over, his face pale. "The array masters report that the spatial structure inside the instance is on the verge of collapse, and the energy readings have exceeded... exceeded the instrument's maximum value. The monsters inside are probably about to burst out."

Lei Jun stared intently at the gate of light, his voice as cold as ice: "Seal off all the gates of Tianhe City. Operate the teleportation array at maximum power and prepare to evacuate civilians! Mage Corps, prepare for indiscriminate bombardment. If the Rift Demon Shadow emerges, I will hold it off, and you will bomb me as well."

"But Commander, there might still be professionals inside who haven't come out yet..."

"I said, bomb me too!" Lei Jun suddenly turned his head and growled like a wounded beast.

Just then, the distorted portal suddenly flickered violently.

"They're here!"

"All hands on deck!!"

"..."

Thousands of professionals simultaneously gripped their weapons.

Countless buff skills lit up in the crowd, and colorful magical elements surged wildly in the air.

Lei Jun took a deep breath, and the lightning on the giant sword surged. He was like a fully drawn bow, ready to charge forward and fight to the death at any moment.

Om-!

A beam of white light shot out from the portal and landed in the very center of the encirclement.

Everyone held their breath at that moment; the spellcasting animation of the mage group was in its final stage.

The light dissipated.

A young figure wearing a jet-black breastplate and holding a black iron-grade staff slowly appeared in the spot.

"..."

"..."

Dead silence.

Outside the instance, the area where thousands of people were stationed suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

Su Chen remained in the same position as when he first left the dungeon, staring dumbfounded at the densely packed army before him, their cannons pointed directly at him, as if facing a formidable enemy.

I rely on!

What the hell is going on?

I'm just running a dungeon, is it really necessary to send an army to block the entrance?

If I'm not mistaken, that cannon is an epic-level cannon that was taken from the city wall of Tianhe City, right?

If things were to go wrong, wouldn't he be physically executed on the spot?

Su Chen swallowed hard. "Um... I haven't broken any laws or regulations, have I? What's going on?"

In the crowd, Lei Jun looked at the student who should have died inside, and his eyes twitched violently twice.

The violent lightning on his body flickered a few times, then went out with a whoosh.

"you……"

Lei Jun strode forward, his face, covered in demonic markings, exuding an oppressive aura. "You escaped from inside? You're not dead?"

Su Chen felt that the person in front of him looked somewhat familiar, so he cast a scouting spell on him.

Lei Jun

【grade:???】

【Profession:???】

"Riesling?!"

Su Chen cried out in surprise.

No wonder he looks familiar.

Isn't this the commander-in-chief of the city defense forces who often appears on Tianhe City TV?

This is a very important figure, rumored to be level 140, the kind who could kill He Kaishan, who is level 60, with a single slap.

Su Chenqian chuckled twice: "I should... not be dead yet?"

"This is impossible!" The adjutant beside him couldn't help but exclaim. "The abyssal energy readings in the dungeon have exceeded the limit. All the monsters inside have been transformed into abyssal beings, and there's even a possibility of avatars of powerful demons! Even a level 40 second-job elite would be doomed if they went in, let alone someone who just awakened..."

"Holy crap, level 17?!"

Before the adjutant could finish speaking, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw Su Chen's rank.

The people around him didn't care about politeness anymore and started bombarding Su Chen with reconnaissance spells.

"Level 17?!"

"Holy crap! Wasn't he a student who just switched majors a few days ago?"

"This leveling speed is insane!"

"I remember he was only level 13 before he went in, right?"

"Damn, I leveled up four times in the Abyss dungeon? How did I even do that?"

"..."

The surrounding professionals were in an uproar, looking at Su Chen as if he were a monster.

Ordinary test takers... might not even be able to reach level 13 before the college entrance examination.

Reaching level 15 is considered genius.

This kid's got it all figured out, he still has a few days left and he's already level 17?!

"Commander!"

At that moment, an officer's voice trembled as he loudly reported to the commander: "The abyss-like characteristics of the instance have disappeared!"

"What?!"

Lei Jun's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He flashed to the front of the dungeon portal and stared intently at the portal's vortex.

The teleportation portals, which were previously blood red, have returned to their usual azure blue.

Everyone present knew... this meant that the Abyss dungeon had been cleared!

"Holy crap?! This kid cleared the dungeon?!"

"No wonder he was able to reach level 17; he actually soloed the dungeon by himself?!"

"The elite troops the military sent in before, equipped with epic gear, all perished inside, and this kid cleared it with nothing but rags?"

"..."

Those around were shocked.

They all stared at Su Chen in disbelief.

Lei Jun raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

He stared intently at Su Chen, trying to discern some flaw in the young man.

"Kid," Lei Jun's voice was deep, "tell me what you encountered in there. Were the monsters in there ridiculously powerful? Was there a black figure in the final area of ​​the dungeon?"

Su Chen was stunned for a moment.

Judging from Lei Jun's words, they already knew there were demons inside?

"Ah... that's pretty outrageous." Su Chen continued, following Lei Jun's words. "Those attributes are simply inhuman. And that shadowy figure, it seems to be an avatar of a powerful demon..."

"You really did encounter a clone of the Rift Demon!"

Lei Jun's pupils contracted sharply, and his muscles tensed up again.

He grabbed Su Chen's shoulder. "How did you survive? That guy's attacks were ridiculously powerful. Even just a clone of him couldn't withstand an 80-level warrior with all stats invested in stamina!"

Lei Jun's grip was extremely strong, causing Su Chen's shoulder to ache.

"that……"

Su Chen winced as his teeth were pinched, quickly racking his brains for an explanation.

He can't exactly say that he used the true damage from the deadly poison to disgustingly break through the defenses of the Rift Demon, can he?

"I don't know either. I had just pushed to the end when that black-robed demon came out. He was so uncivilized and ambushed me. I thought I was going to die, but..." Su Chen shrugged, looking innocent, "but for some reason, it suddenly screamed and then died on its own."

Su Chen spoke in the most sincere tone, saying things that were half true and half false.

He was indeed attacked, and the other party was indeed killed.

However, a tiny, insignificant step of venom washing was omitted in the middle.

"Did you hang yourself?"

Lei Jun frowned, clearly finding the statement hard to believe.

But looking at Su Chen's mere level 17 stats, he had no choice but to believe it.

How could a level 17 newbie possibly fight against the Rift Demon Shadow's clone?

Could it be that the guy messed up and was rejected by the dungeon rules?

Lei Jun came up with the most reasonable explanation in his mind.

He released Su Chen's shoulder and let out a long breath.

In any case, the worst did not happen, and the tragedy in Donghai City was not repeated in Tianhe City.

"You're lucky to be alive, kid."

Lei Jun looked at Su Chen, a complex look in his eyes.

There was shock, scrutiny, and a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

He was able to solo level 17 in the abyss-like dungeon and survive the attacks of the demon's clones.

Whether it's luck or something else, this young man named Su Chen is definitely not simple.

"Alright, I declare the crisis in Tianhe City resolved!"

"Lift the lockdown."

Lei Jun turned around and waved to his adjutant.

As the order was given, the soldiers who had been on high alert all breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to relax.

They were prepared to live and die with Tianhe City.

The troops began to withdraw in an orderly manner.

Lei Jun turned around, looked at Su Chen who was still in a daze, and pulled him aside.

"Su Chen, is it? The military will keep today's events under wraps. The affairs of the Demon Clan are not something you can interfere with right now."

Lei Jun's tone returned to the cold hardness of a soldier, "However, that demon... Rift Shadow, is extremely vengeful. You ruined his plans and survived in front of him, so he has most likely remembered your presence."

Lei Jun pointed to the demonic mark on his left cheek: "Ten years ago, I was just a corporal. It was in Donghai City that he branded me. This thing can never be washed off."

Su Chen looked at the horrific burns and was secretly alarmed.

Looks like I'll have to be more careful from now on.

This guy is unpredictable and holds grudges; he's like a venomous snake that could jump out and bite you at any moment.

but.

The Rift Demon Shadow Chronicles didn't remember him, Su Chen didn't know, but he was disgusted by his deadly poison.

"I'll be careful, Riesling."

Su Chen nodded obediently.

"Being cautious isn't enough; you need absolute strength."

Lei Jun looked at Su Chen, "At your current rate of advancement, the regular college entrance exam is meaningless to you. Have you heard of Sky Dome Academy?"

Su Chen nodded: "The highest institution of learning in the Great Hua Empire, that's where I'm preparing to apply."

"it is good."

Lei Jun said, "Inside there is a 'Tower of Babel,' which is the place where the resources of the entire Sky Dome Academy are most concentrated. But the threshold for entering the Tower of Babel is extremely high."

Lei Jun paused, staring into Su Chen's eyes: "He must be the top scorer in the provincial college entrance examination."

"With your hidden profession and current level, becoming the top scorer in the city shouldn't be a problem. But I hope you can strive for the top scorer in the province and secure a spot in the Tower of Babel."

Su Chen nodded.

Provincial top scorer?

Do your best.

This world is too wonderful, with too many strange encounters. Who knows if there are even more perverted people than yourself?

"Also, you're currently level 17, which isn't far from the level 20 threshold for your first job advancement."

Lei Jun lowered his voice, "Don't go to ordinary job change temples, or use those ordinary job change stones. That will ruin your potential."

"There is a special secret realm located 20 kilometers south of Tianhe City. Clearing that secret realm will allow you to undergo a special job change, which will greatly enhance the unique characteristics of your job and further strengthen your class."

"However, that secret realm is extremely dangerous, and no one has ever cleared it in decades."

"I hope you can give it a try. After you reach level 20, come find me and I'll give you the coordinates."

"..."

Su Chen was slightly shocked.

Special job change?

In this world, you need to change jobs every 20 levels, otherwise you will be stuck at the level cap.

There are two ways to change jobs: one is to go to the Job Change Temple to complete the dungeon, and the other is to use a Job Change Stone to change jobs directly.

Either way, it's difficult for ordinary people.

The Temple of Job Change dungeon is no easy task; you simply can't beat it without someone to help you.

It usually requires spending a large sum of money to hire other people to help.

Job-changing stones are incredibly expensive, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

therefore.

Many people are stuck at level 20 their entire lives.

Most of those who frequently travel outside the city to gather materials to support their families are like this.

And the job change secret realm that Commander Lei Jun mentioned... can actually further enhance job characteristics?

Su Chen's eyes lit up.

"That's interesting."

His current [God of Poison] and [Dampness Absorption] are already monstrous enough. If he could be further enhanced... how powerful would he become?

He quickly said, "Thank you, Commander Lei."

Lei Jun nodded, said no more, and waved his hand, signaling his adjutant to bring over an exquisite little box.

then.

He snapped to attention and gave Su Chen a perfectly standard military salute.

"Tianhe City was able to be saved today thanks to your heroic efforts. On behalf of the Tianhe City Defense Force and the Chinese military, I would like to express my highest respect to you."

"Take this. It's a reward I'm awarding you for resolving the crisis in Tianhe City."

"..."

"Oh, Commander Lei, you're too kind. It's all I should do. I can't accept this..."

Su Chen reacted quickly, taking the box and opening it immediately.

Inside was a small badge emitting a purple glow. The front featured the national emblem and military emblem in a square shape, while the back was printed with the four large characters "Special Military Made".

【Discrimination Badge (Dark Gold Grade)】

[Rank: Dark Gold]

Usage requirements: None

[Entry: [Discrimination]: A detection technique that blocks the detection abilities of those with a skill level below 100.]

……

This is great stuff!

Su Chen had been troubled by this for a while. Everyone in this world had a reconnaissance skill, so he was practically naked in front of others.

Now that this badge is in place, professionals below level 100 can no longer freely view his information.

Lei Jun remained in the position of handing out the box, his lips twitching slightly.

This kid doesn't seem as honest as he appears.

Then there's no need to worry about him too much.

He patted Su Chen on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "You're too sharp, kid. Now the Demon Clan is eyeing you. You need to be extremely careful in the future."

"Don't worry, Commander Lei, I've got it."

Su Chen looked like he had learned something.

Lei Jun suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, the Abyss dungeon drops Abyss Crystals, you didn't use them, did you?"

He warned, "The Abyss is best at tempting people with power. To pursue the power of the Abyss is like drinking poison to quench thirst. Sooner or later, one will lose oneself and become a lackey of the Abyss."

Su Chen chuckled awkwardly, "How could that be? That thing was pitch black and scary to look at, so I just threw it away."

"Yeah?"

Lei Jun's expression softened considerably.

"What, can it be sold for money? How much?"

"..."

Lei Jun's lips twitched slightly. "Abyss Crystals are the highest-level contraband in China, even higher than various drugs. If someone is buying or selling them... the police will be at your door in less than ten minutes."

Su Chen was slightly disappointed.

such a pity.

He thought he could actually buy it.

Otherwise, wouldn't chewing thousands of them directly be incredibly satisfying?

Lei Jun didn't say anything more, got into the jeep and left.

Su Chen blended into the crowd and quietly left.

In a secluded corner, he checked his attributes.

Su Chen

[Class: Poison Mage (SSS-Rank Unique Hidden)]

[Level: 17]

【Strength: 26】

[Agility: 44]

[Stamina: 129]

【Spirit: 1660】

[Class-Specific Traits: All Things Corrode, God of Poison, Absorb Misfortune]

[Skills: Reconnaissance (Basic), Corrosive Serpent Guard]

[Current Toxin Level: 2750]

[Equipment: Bursting Staff (Black Iron), Heavy Black Iron Breastplate (Black Iron), Bloodthirsty Pigskin Leggings (Bronze), Summoning Ring (Black Iron), Tough Gargoyle Necklace (Silver), Shadow Dancer Ring (Gold), Cerberus Gauntlets (Gold), Cerberus Skull (Gold), Emblem of Severance (Unique)]