MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Steal
[Steal Successful! Skill Proficiency +20!]
[You obtained 'Spider Venom Gland' ×1!]
[You obtained a Black Iron-tier Equipment ×1!]
"Success on the first try, and I got two items? Nice!"
Zane's newly evolved Steal skill did not disappoint.
At that moment, the Venomous Spotted Spider suddenly stiffened.
It sensed something missing from its body—one of its venom glands!
For a creature like this, each venom gland was crucial for survival.
"Hiss!"
The spider let out a furious screech, its attacks suddenly accelerating.
A white silk thread shot from its mouth, latching onto a shield warrior and dragging him close. The spider swiftly finished him off, using both fangs and legs.
"Why does this thing seem angry all of a sudden?"
"Duh, we're trying to kill it. Wouldn't you be mad too?"
Domination Guild's Silver Spear shot his clueless teammate a sharp glare.
"Focus up! The moment it exhausts its skills is our best chance to strike. Attack!"
To be fair, Domination Guild had some real skill. They slowly stabilized the fight, though taking down the boss still seemed uncertain.
Zane took this opportunity to retreat. Before his stealth ran out, he slipped behind a pile of beast remains to hide.
He wouldn't make another move until his stealth recovered. In the meantime, he opened his inventory to check his spoils.
[Spider Venom Gland]
Type: Alchemical Material
Grade: Basic
Effect 1: Used as an ingredient for crafting potions. Effect 2: Extract and apply its venom to a weapon, adding 50 poison damage per hit. 20% chance to inflict Poisoned status (losing 20 HP per second for 20 seconds).
[Poison Fang Necklace]
Grade: Black Iron
Attributes: Strength +50, Accuracy +50
Bonus Effect: Adds 50 poison damage to attacks.
Required Level: 10
"Just as I thought, the spiders in this cave do have venom! And I stole it directly! Hah!"
Zane grinned.
With fresh poison at his disposal, his Poison Coating skill was back in action, boosting his combat prowess significantly.
Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed through the cavern—another dozen players had rushed in.
It was reinforcements from Domination Guild, called in by Silver Spear.
With these extra hands, the battle started turning in their favor, the boss's HP steadily dropping.
Zane didn't mind.
To him, this boss was already his "walking loot chest." Even if they landed the killing blow, there was no telling how much loot they'd actually get.
Because Zane wasn't going to stop at just one steal.
The moment his Stealth skill refreshed after 20 seconds, Zane moved again.
All eyes were locked on the boss—no one noticed his presence.
Using the massive body of the spider as cover, he crept behind it.
Then, his hand shot out!
Steal!
[Steal Successful! Skill Proficiency +20!]
[You obtained 'Spider Venom Gland' ×1!]
[You obtained a Black Iron-tier Equipment ×1!]
"Hah, two more items in one go!"
Forget grinding. Forget effort. Zane was here for easy profit.
His laughter was silent, but his heart roared with delight.
These Domination Guild players were putting in all the hard work, while he effortlessly pocketed their spoils before they even got the kill.
This time, Zane didn't immediately retreat.
His earlier attempts confirmed that even when angered, the boss didn't detect him.
With Stealth lasting 120 seconds, he had plenty of time to keep pilfering.
After all, Steal had only a 10-second cooldown.
And so, Zane continued his cycle—Stealth, Steal, Hide, Repeat.
Success. Success. Failure. Success…
"Hisss!"
Losing multiple vital organs, the Venomous Spotted Spider was on the verge of madness. Its attributes were visibly decreasing!
Yet, with its limited intelligence, it couldn't figure out what was happening—so it vented its fury on the players attacking it.
Domination Guild's forces continued to drop, but so did the boss's HP.
Zane, meanwhile, kept at his "grand heist."
One by one, venom glands, gear, potions, and even coins disappeared from the boss's inventory before it could die.
By this point, even if someone did manage to kill it, there wouldn't be much left to loot.
Who knew how long had passed…
"Alright, time to make another withdrawal!"
With Stealth refreshed, Zane emerged from the bone pile once more.
Hands in pockets, he casually strolled forward—not like a thief, but like a man visiting his personal ATM.
Once again, he approached the boss unnoticed, flashed a bright grin, and extended his hand.
"Time to get rich!"
[Steal Successful! Skill Proficiency +20!]
[You obtained 'Spotted Venom Gland' ×1!]
"Hmm? This one's different?"
Zane's instincts tingled. He was about to check his inventory when—
"SCREEEEECH!"
A piercing, rage-filled shriek erupted before him!
The soundwave rattled the air, carrying an almost soul-crushing fury.
"The hell?!"
Even the Domination Guild players jumped, momentarily halting their attacks, expressions wary.
Zane immediately backed off, watching the boss carefully.
The spider's vivid markings were fading, its killing intent surging—but instead of gaining strength, it looked like it was dying.
It was as if it had suffered an irreparable loss.
"Wait… no way…"
Zane hastily checked the newly acquired venom gland.
[Spotted Venom Gland]
Type: Alchemical Material
Grade: Intermediate
Effect 1: Used for crafting advanced potions. Effect 2: Extract and apply its venom to a weapon, adding 300 poison damage per hit. 50% chance to inflict Poisoned status (losing 100 HP per second for 60 seconds).
"Holy crap. Did I just steal its literal life force?!"
Suddenly, everything made sense.
It was like… robbing a man of his kidney.
Who wouldn't go berserk?!
[Warning! The Venomous Spotted Spider has entered a state of extreme rage and despair! It has lost all rationality and will attack with increased aggression! Proceed with caution!]
A loud system notification rang through the cave.
"Don't panic! This is just its final struggle! Tanks, hold the front line! Priests, focus heals on the vanguard—ignore everyone else!"
Silver Spear, ever the seasoned leader, barked out orders confidently.
Zane, meanwhile, wasn't taking any chances.
He immediately turned to slip back to his hiding spot.
But just as he moved—
The boss let loose a final, desperate attack.
Its head tilted back, gathering white fluid in its mouth before—
"Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!"
Silken threads shot out in all directions, weaving together in the air.
In an instant, a massive spiderweb formed, collapsing upon the entire battlefield.
It had activated its ultimate skill—
[Web Trap!]