The Shelter Game: Me, Starting with a Tenfold Drop Rate

A massive horde of monsters quickly responded to Irving's attack. The weaker monsters on the outskirts of the horde swiftly dispersed, creating space for the stronger creatures to engage in battle.

As soon as the weaker monsters cleared out, four powerful creatures charged out from the center of the horde. The strength of these four monsters was entirely different from one another.

Leading the charge were two monsters infused with chaotic and dark powers. Their forms were heavily influenced by their respective powers.

The monster embodying chaotic energy took the shape of a gigantic moose, surrounded by a swirling aura of furious chaotic energy. This chaotic energy spread outwards like mist, enveloping the area around it.

The creature representing dark power was a pitch-black crocodile. Despite its seemingly clumsy appearance, this crocodile moved with incredible speed. The pure darkness that covered its body was a manifestation of the most potent dark energy, which even devoured the surrounding light.

As a result, the space around this monster was filled with strange shadows. Upon seeing these two creatures, Irving's sense of caution heightened significantly.

"Whoever is controlling this horde must be more powerful than I anticipated. They can even manipulate such formidable monsters."

Irving felt a wave of unease wash over him. However, with the situation at hand, retreat was not an option. Having chosen to attack the horde, Irving realized that even if he didn't intend to fight to the end, he should at least battle until he uncovered the true identity of the one pulling the strings.

Resolute, Irving prepared to face the threat head-on. He raised his staff high into the air.

Then, in quick succession, waves of intense flames shot forth from the tip of the staff. These searing flames successfully struck the two powerful monsters charging toward him. While the flames did not annihilate the creatures, they significantly slowed their movements.

"I shouldn't waste time with these monsters. I need to push directly into the center of the horde and confront the one behind it in a decisive battle."

With that thought, Irving activated the Gravity Swamp skill. This ability further hindered the speed of the two powerful monsters rushing at him.

Taking advantage of the moment, Irving swiftly maneuvered through the gap between the two creatures.

However, at that moment, Irving discovered that behind the two powerful monsters, there were two more creatures that were not weak either. The additional two monsters possessed the powers of the Abyss and Order.

The monster with Abyssal power took the form of a smaller Abyssal Demon, featuring massive horns surrounded by swirling red flames. These red flames were clearly a manifestation of Abyssal energy.

In contrast, the creature embodying Order appeared as a gigantic, indifferent eye. Its form was almost identical to that of a knowledge fairy. Upon seeing this creature, Irving momentarily froze.

"Could it be that I'm facing another knowledge fairy?" Irving was filled with confusion, unable to comprehend why he encountered a knowledge fairy within the horde of monsters.

As Irving stood there in disbelief, the Abyssal-powered monster locked its malicious gaze directly onto him. Suddenly, a thick, viscous liquid composed of Abyssal energy began to materialize around Irving's body.

At the same time, the knowledge fairy closest to him seized the opportunity, and its indifferent eye was suddenly filled with a multitude of mysterious symbols. These symbols transformed into a series of spells that shot toward Irving.

Faced with the full-force attack from the two monsters, Irving felt an immense pressure bearing down on him. However, he managed to withstand their onslaught using the power of the Taikoo Flame Pearl, allowing him to slip past the monsters once more.

At this point, Irving was very close to the center of the monster horde. He could even see a hunched figure at the heart of the horde. This figure was likely the one controlling the monsters, Irving deduced within himself.

"Whoever you are! Whatever your intentions may be! Since you have attacked me, you are my enemy. I will do everything in my power to eliminate you!" Irving's resolve hardened.

As he charged forward, he gripped the Staff of Calamity tightly. During the earlier battle, he had refrained from using the staff's inherent power. He had held back its power for this very moment—to swiftly eliminate the one behind the horde of monsters.

The figure at the center of the horde seemed to sense Irving's intentions. It no longer intended to hide. The previously hunched figure quickly stood upright, revealing an ordinary-looking young man. This man was clearly the one who had orchestrated the monster attacks against Irving.

"Even if you manage to evade the attacks of the powerful monsters I control, you will not defeat me in the coming battle! As the Apocalypse Proclaimer, I will show you just how strong and terrifying the forces of doom that will descend upon this world truly are!"

The ordinary-looking young man introduced himself as the Apocalypse Proclaimer. Irving had never heard of this title before; it was the first time he encountered the name "Apocalypse Proclaimer."

However, Irving did not need to fully understand what the name "Apocalypse Proclaimer" represented before taking action. Since the Apocalypse Proclaimer had admitted to initiating the attack on Irving, there was no reason for Irving to show any mercy.

With the powerful staff in hand, Irving charged to within just a few meters of the Apocalypse Proclaimer. In that instant, he pointed the staff directly at him and concentrated all his energy.

Empowered by this immense force, the Staff of Calamity erupted with dazzling brilliance. Following this, a powerful attack shot forth toward the Apocalypse Proclaimer.

A look of terror spread across Apocalypse Proclaimer's face. He knew very well that he couldn't evade this attack, nor could his strength withstand it.

In a moment of desperation, Apocalypse Proclaimer funneled all the life force from the monsters he controlled into himself. When Irving's attack struck, the monsters he commanded absorbed the brunt of the impact.

As a result, Irving's attack did not severely injure Apocalypse Proclaimer; in fact, it barely caused him any harm at all. While Apocalypse Proclaimer remained unscathed, the majority of the monsters he had controlled were nearly wiped out. The few remaining monsters were barely hanging on.

Even those creatures, despite their considerable strength, would not have much impact in the upcoming battle. The next confrontation would be a direct duel between Irving and the Apocalypse Proclaimer.

"Your attack doesn't seem very effective!" Apocalypse Proclaimer said coldly to Irving. Although beads of sweat were forming on his forehead, he remained defiantly stubborn.

Apocalypse Proclaimer did not want to lose any momentum against Irving. Irving, unaware of how Apocalypse Proclaimer had mitigated his attack, began to form his own suspicions as he observed the near-total annihilation of the monsters.

After hearing Apocalypse Proclaimer's words, Irving responded icily, "My attack has only just begun. You will soon find out whether it can affect you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tip of the Staff of Calamity shone brightly once more. An even more potent force erupted from the staff, distorting the space around it.

Upon sensing the true power of Irving's impending attack, Apocalypse Proclaimer realized that he was unlikely to win this battle. Therefore, he decided to temporarily retreat.

The Apocalypse Proclaimer took out a stone tablet. As Irving launched his attack, Apocalypse Proclaimer threw the tablet to the ground at his feet. The moment the tablet touched the ground, a massive circular void appeared beneath it, and Apocalypse Proclaimer fell directly into it.

This allowed Apocalypse Proclaimer to escape Irving's attack. Naturally, Irving was unwilling to give up so easily. He sprinted toward the direction of the void with all his speed. However, just as he was about to reach the circular opening, it suddenly vanished without a trace. All that remained on the ground was the stone tablet left behind by Apocalypse Proclaimer.

Irving scanned the area, ensuring there were no other threats before he took care of the few remaining monsters that had not been eliminated. Afterward, he began to examine the stone tablet left by Apocalypse Proclaimer closely.

The tablet was covered in intricate symbols. Most of the symbols were unfamiliar to Irving, but one symbol at the very center was something he recognized and remembered vividly. The last time he encountered this symbol was deep underground at the old headquarters of the Angel Guild. There, he had met a powerful entity that called itself the Dark Overlord's messenger. This formidable being had once provided assistance to Irving, but at the cost of requiring him to offer even greater dark power in return.
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"Could it be that Apocalypse Proclaimer is also a subordinate of the Dark Overlord? Is Apocalypse Proclaimer's attack on me meant to execute the Dark Overlord's orders? Has the Dark Overlord truly been born?" A flurry of questions flooded Irving's mind.

If Apocalypse Proclaimer was indeed following the Dark Overlord's commands, it would mean that the Dark Overlord's self-awareness had already manifested. The true arrival of the Dark Overlord would then be imminent. This, in turn, suggested that the apocalypse was truly approaching.

Although Irving had been preparing for the arrival of the apocalypse for a long time, he still felt a surge of anxiety upon realizing that it was genuinely drawing near.

"I need to accelerate my preparations!" he resolved. "Before the apocalypse arrives, I must complete all my arrangements. Only then can I successfully lead my companions through the initial onslaught of its arrival."