Luo Wei exited the experience space, returning to the real world. He opened the Sanctuary and flipped through the [Book of Experience: Big Candle Garg].
Big Candle Garg (Rare)
Experience Level: Second Class
Victory Reward: A small amount of piety, at least one related item
Description: Enter the experience space, battle against Big Candle Garg, and earn rewards upon victory. No penalty for failure. After victory, this Book of Experience disappears…
A rare enemy. However, Luo Wei didn't recall much about the name.
In World of Warcraft, rare enemies were special, infrequent creatures that appeared randomly. They were much stronger than their common counterparts but had a higher chance of dropping valuable loot.
Luo Wei considered for a moment before nodding to himself.
Let's see what you've got.
He activated the book and entered Big Candle Garg's experience space.
It was still a mine, but this one was noticeably wider than the one in his previous fights against kobold miners.
"You can't take my candle!" The classic kobold phrase echoed through the cavern, but unlike before, there were no approaching footsteps.
Suddenly, a fireball blazed through the dim tunnel, flying straight at Luo Wei.
Boom!
The fireball exploded against his chest, flames engulfing half of his body. He immediately exited the experience space, gasping.
A kobold mage…
He re-entered.
As soon as he materialized inside the mine, Luo Wei sprinted in a zigzag pattern, dodging fireballs while closing in on Big Candle Garg.
"You can't take my candle!"
The familiar voice rang out just before another fireball shot towards him. Luo Wei barely dodged in time, the fireball scorching the cavern wall beside him.
As he neared his enemy, he finally saw him clearly.
Like all kobolds, Big Candle Garg had a candle on his head, but this one was larger than normal.
So that's why he's called 'Big Candle'? Luo Wei thought.
Strangely, Big Candle Garg wasn't wielding a mage's staff or a miner's pickaxe. Instead, he held a short axe.
Luo Wei faltered slightly in confusion.
A kobold mage… with an axe?
The moment their eyes met, Big Candle Garg let out a battle cry and leapt forward, bringing his axe down in a vicious arc.
Luo Wei dodged just in time.
BOOM!
The axe struck the cavern floor, splitting the stone. The impact left a deep crack in the ground.
That could have cracked my skull open…
Luo Wei shuddered at the thought.
Regaining his focus, he made a quick move to grab the axe mid-swing, trying to wrestle it away.
But unlike regular kobolds, Big Candle Garg was stronger, his grip firm. Luo Wei struggled to overpower him.
Suddenly, Big Candle Garg delivered a swift kick to Luo Wei's chest, knocking him back.
Luo Wei staggered but retaliated immediately. Holy Light Strike!
Golden energy surged around his fist as he struck Big Candle Garg in the face, sending him crashing down.
Both of them hit the ground at nearly the same time.
As Luo Wei struggled to his feet, Big Candle Garg, still lying down, raised a hand—and fired another fireball at point-blank range.
BOOM!
The flames exploded against Luo Wei's chest.
He screamed in pain before being forcibly ejected from the experience space, landing back in the real world.
Sweat poured down his forehead. He gasped, struggling to breathe.
Damn… This guy's tough.
Even compared to stronger enemies, Big Candle Garg was an entirely different level of challenge.
---
The Next Day
Luo Wei arrived at Hadier's Smithy.
The sound of metal clashing filled the air. He glanced at the shop's sign, then stepped inside.
A burly young man, likely an apprentice, was hammering away at a forge.
When Luo Wei entered, the apprentice barely acknowledged him. He had to greet him first.
"Hello."
The apprentice finally turned. "Hello."
Luo Wei got straight to the point. "Do you sell warhammers? How much?"
"Bronze warhammer. No magic. Sixteen runes." The apprentice pointed to the weapon wall, where a square-headed hammer was displayed.
Asgardian bronze was far superior to its Earthly counterpart. It was the primary material for Asgardian weapons and armor. Even the elite Einherjar warriors relied on it.
But the price…
Sixteen runes?!
Luo Wei winced.
"That's way too expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?"
The apprentice pointed toward a corner. "Over there. Training hammers."
Luo Wei examined them. The hammers were mostly made of Asgardian copper, which was widely used in Asgard for everything from cookware to weapons.
After some consideration, he picked up a basic wooden-handled hammer—a simple yet sturdy weapon. In a video game, this would barely qualify as starter gear.
"How much for this?" Luo Wei asked.
The apprentice was silent for a moment.
"I'll charge you three hundred."
"Three hundred small gold coins?" Luo Wei clarified.
"Yes."
"I'll take it!"
Moments later, Luo Wei paid thirty large gold coins and walked out, hammer in hand.
As he returned home, he inspected his new weapon.
It was small, straightforward, and not ideal for real combat. Against a trained enemy, it probably wouldn't last.
However…
It should work in the experience space.
Since the experience space wasn't reality, weapon durability wasn't an issue. Even if it broke, he could just reset.
Fighting Big Candle Garg barehanded was suicide. At least now, he stood a fighting chance.