My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 69: Reputation: Respected

The tactic Fang Zhen planned to use was commonly known as "hit and run."

Hit-and-run refers to a quick attack followed by a swift retreat. It emphasizes flexibility and mobility, designed to gradually wear down the enemy by striking at their forces and morale.

Kiting, on the other hand, is a gaming strategy. It involves using ranged attacks, maintaining distance, staying mobile, and using various methods to control and slow down the enemy.

The two were even more effective when used in combination.

Since the Kobolds couldn’t outrun him, Fang Zhen could easily create distance and kite them, firing a shot before moving to a new position.

When he first considered this tactic, Fang Zhen lacked confidence, mainly due to two key issues.

The first was a technical limitation. Fang Zhen’s Dragon Gall Crossbow had an effective range of about 40 meters. Any farther and the bolts would drift, drastically reducing accuracy and lethality. Kiting at a 40-meter distance felt far too close. Moreover, with both him and the target Kobold on the move, aiming and landing a shot would be extremely difficult.

The other issue was the Dogman Priests.

When using hit-and-run kiting tactics, Fang Zhen wasn’t afraid of the Dogman Scouts. The stats on their inferior wooden crossbows were no match for his Dragon Gall Crossbow. If he committed to kiting them, the Dogman Scouts’ crossbow arrows would lose too much momentum to even reach him.

The problem was the Dogman Priests’ Magic Flame Arrows. Fang Zhen had no idea what their maximum range was, and he didn’t dare to risk finding out the hard way.

These were the two technical problems Fang Zhen had to solve.

The arrival of the Cheetah Hunting Crossbow directly solved the first problem and went a long way toward solving the second.

’The Hunting Crossbow’s attack range can extend beyond a hundred meters, and the Large Laser Sighting Device is good enough for that.’

’I still don’t know the true range of the Dogman Priests’ Flaming Arrows, but if I stay more than 50 meters away, I should be able to dodge them even if I have to react on the fly.’

Fang Zhen’s confidence grew.

...

「2 hours later.」

Fang Zhen received another delivery. This time, it was the asbestos suit he’d ordered.

After accepting the package, Fang Zhen tore it open and tried the suit on.

He had intentionally bought the asbestos suit one size larger so he could wear it over his riot suit for double protection.

With the asbestos suit, Fang Zhen felt that both of the problems holding him back had been solved.

’I’ll get a good rest, then head to the Dogman Mine tonight. Best not to delay and risk new complications.’

’It would be best if I can clear the Dogman Mine in one go.’

And so, by 7 PM, Fang Zhen had taken a nap and eaten a proper meal, bringing his condition back to its peak.

He geared up, preparing to head for the Dogman Mine.

Fang Zhen wore the asbestos suit over his inner riot suit. His arsenal included a long spear, the Cheetah Hunting Crossbow, and an Anti-Riot Shield.

The Dragon Gall Crossbow didn’t suit his new offensive strategy, so he left it behind.

During the day, he had also found several suitable bottles and used the materials on hand to craft four Molotov Cocktails.

Fully equipped, Fang Zhen loaded his gear onto his Jue Ying motorcycle.

Once ready, Fang Zhen went into the computer room and activated the external device.

A Light Gate suddenly activated in the living room.

Pushing his motorcycle, Fang Zhen entered the Light Gate.

After a moment of slight dizziness, Fang Zhen arrived on the hillside at the end of the Dark Path.

The sky had grown dark here as well. With no moon or stars, a chill hung in the night air.

Fang Zhen mounted a high-intensity flashlight onto one of the two metal weapon hooks on the front of his Jue Ying motorcycle. He tightened the knob to secure it, using it as a headlight.

He started the bike. As the engine roared to life, Fang Zhen straddled it, twisted the throttle, and sped off toward Redstone Town under the cover of night.

The Jue Ying sped across the hillside, effortlessly leaping over gullies.

In less than a minute, Fang Zhen arrived at Redstone Town.

He rode right up to the entrance of the Redstone Inn. Before he could even dismount, Quade came running out.

"Lord, I heard the roar of your mount!" Quade’s face and eyes filled with adoration when he saw Fang Zhen. "I told everyone about your heroic deeds in the mine today, but a lot of them didn’t believe me. They thought I was exaggerating and bragging."

"I never brag."

Fang Zhen smiled.

Quade must have been unable to contain his excitement and told everyone about the battle in the mine.

For Quade, this was likely a heroic feat he could brag about for the next decade.

"Get ready and head to the woods in front of the mine. I’ll wait for you there," Fang Zhen said. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Okay!" Quade replied.

Fang Zhen started his Jue Ying. Just as he was about to head for the mine, the door of the Redstone Inn swung open and several people emerged.

Fang Zhen recognized the tavern proprietress and several familiar-looking patrons.

"Esteemed Lord Knight, can you really drive the Kobolds out of the mine?" a red-nosed, middle-aged man called out.

"Yeah, Lord! Can you really do it?" a few more patrons called out as they emerged.

"I always keep my word," Fang Zhen replied.

"That’s wonderful! Lord, I’m no fighter, or I’d follow you to the mine myself. The miners of Redstone Town have been having a really hard time." The red-nosed man’s eyes grew red. "Life has been so difficult for all of us."

"Lord, if you can really drive out the Kobolds, you’ll be saving Redstone Town! You’ll be saving its miners, their families, their wives, and their children."

"Bless you, Lord."

The red-nosed man drew an upright triangle over his chest and bowed deeply and sincerely to Fang Zhen.

"Blessings upon you, Lord."

"Bless you."

The patrons behind him, their expressions all solemn, followed his lead. They too drew upright triangles over their chests and bowed in unison.

Fang Zhen was taken aback by the scene.

’Has my reputation in Redstone Town gone up again?’

’Looks like I’ve at least grinded my reputation up to Respected. I might even be close to Revered.’

He was just trying to clear a dungeon and get his hands on some Magic.

He never expected his actions would garner so much attention, hope, and blessing from the people of Redstone Town.

’Right. To me, this world is just a dungeon. But for the people of Redstone Town, this is the home where they’ve spent their entire lives. This is their livelihood.’ Fang Zhen had a moment of realization.

Fang Zhen wasn’t the type to be easily moved, but in that instant, he was touched. A warm feeling seemed to spread through his chest.

Material gains and new abilities were crucial, of course. Yet, in addition to these tangible rewards, Fang Zhen seemed to be gaining something intangible—something for the Spirit.

Fang Zhen’s gaze softened slightly.

"You lot are clueless! The Lord Knight follows the God of Industry and Machinery. It’s not right to bless him with the rites of the Tade Church, is it?" a woman’s voice cut in.

Fang Zhen looked over and saw it was the proprietress of the Redstone Inn.

The proprietress, who ran the inn all by herself, stepped forward and looked at Fang Zhen. "I won’t bother with blessings, Lord Knight. I’ll give you a real, solid promise."

"As long as you can drive the Kobolds out of the mine, any drink in this inn—be it beer, raspberry wine, or even Ruska—is on the house for you."

"Redstone Town is my home. I don’t want to see it fall to ruin because of a pack of Kobolds."

Listening to these simple words from these earnest people, Fang Zhen felt their spirit affect him, and a smile touched his lips.

"Alright," he replied simply.

Fang Zhen revved the Jue Ying’s engine, turned the bike around, and headed toward the mine.

"You must succeed!"

Behind him, the inn’s proprietress and the miners of Redstone Town cheered him on, their shouts echoing one after another.

Fang Zhen raised his left hand and gave a casual wave without looking back, then drove his motorcycle toward the mine.

「Nearly 15 minutes later.」

In the forest before the mine.

Quade, a backpack slung over his shoulders, had also arrived.

Fang Zhen smiled at Quade, who was flushed and brimming with excitement.

"Have you been drinking?" Fang Zhen asked.

"No! Lord, I am absolutely loyal to your orders. You told me not to drink, so I didn’t," Quade said. "It’s just... heh... because I’m with you, driving out the Kobolds... The people at the inn were saying I was just bragging, but they were actually really impressed. I felt... respected. To use your words, I’m a little... excited."

Fang Zhen smiled at his words.

’Quade really is a simple soul.’

"Good. It’s good that you kept a clear head by not drinking."

"Now, listen to my plan. You’ll wait at a designated spot with some of my gear and act on my command."

"Now, listen closely to my plan."

In the ten-odd minutes he’d been waiting for Quade, Fang Zhen had already formulated a battle plan, which he now explained.