Apocalypse: I Can See the HP Bar, Killing Monsters Drops Loot

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Wang Tao quickly shook his head. Theoretically, it might work that way, but it was a pity that it wouldn't in reality. The reason was that the Impact Hammer had a major side effect—Attack Speed -50%!

Wang Tao had seen many pieces of equipment that reduced speed, and this 50% reduction was one of the ceilings.

His first creation, the Worn Battle Axe, had an attack speed reduction of 5% to 50%. The reason for the variability was that it was related to one's own strength. As long as one had enough strength, the reduction in attack speed would be less.

But the Impact Hammer was different. It fixedly reduced attack speed by 50%, regardless of how strong you were. This must be akin to a "rule-like" power. Unless there were pieces of equipment that increased attack speed to offset it, no amount of strength would make a difference.

The Black Iron Heavy Armor suit in Wang Tao's backpack also had a Speed -50% attribute, which was even more ruthless, reducing both attack speed and movement at the same time. Even with his physical condition, it was impossible to negate...

So whether it was he, Xu Xiaojun, or Xiang Hongbin using the hammer, they would all suffer from the negative enhancement of Attack Speed -50%...

Such a significant reduction in speed rendered Wang Tao's idea of "infinite dizziness with high attack speed" useless.

But it wasn't all bad news—the hammer didn't reduce movement speed. That suggested that as long as one was strong enough, they could perhaps be quite agile while wielding the hammer... right?

In any case, the hammer was powerful, but its limitations were significant, and it was also luck-based. It was a piece of equipment with very clear pros and cons.

For Wang Tao, its advantages outweighed its disadvantages. Even if the attack speed was greatly reduced, it was possible to kill in one hit, which would actually be more convenient.

If it could be combined with the Ability "Massive Impact," it would be even better, potentially replicating the Hammer Zombie's move—smashing down, shattering all Level 4 and even Level 5 zombies within an area larger than a soccer field with a Shockwave... Just thinking about it was thrilling!

Wang Tao tried the Impact Hammer. It was very heavy but within a range he could handle.

So Wang Tao took it out for others to try as well, and he also brought out the Explosion-Proof Suit.

"Eh?"

Seeing the hammer and the Explosion-Proof Suit, Qu Shilin was very curious.

She had seen Wang Tao bring back the Hammer Zombie's spoils of war, but when the Tendril brought them back, they weren't like this! How had they changed so much in such a short time?

The others were already accustomed to such oddities and weren't surprised.

"These pieces of equipment are very nice..."

Wang Tao gave everyone a brief introduction.

He didn't discuss specific data, since others wouldn't understand the concept of the data. He simply stated that the Explosion-Proof Suit was the highest Defense equipment currently available, and the hammer had the highest Attack power.

Hearing these two "highest" descriptions, everyone was somewhat excited, especially a few of the men, who really wanted to give them a try.

"Try them out and see how they work."

Wang Tao handed the equipment to them.

"Wow! So heavy!"

He Jijun was quite surprised; the actual weight of the hammer was much heavier than it appeared! But since he was a System Awakener, he could still wield it mightily.

After a round of testing, everyone could use the Explosion-Proof Suit, but only Wang Tao, He Jijun, Xiang Hongbin, Lu Gang, Xu Xiaojun, and Jiang Shixue were able to use the Impact Hammer. Others could lift it, but using such heavy equipment in combat would be very laborious.

Even for Wang Tao and the others, it was somewhat taxing. If anyone could handle it without effort, it would be Xiang Hongbin, but at the cost of consuming more Crystal Core Energy. He wouldn't last long otherwise, or he'd overheat.

So, all things considered, the Explosion-Proof Suit could be used by anyone who needed it, but the weapon could only be used at specific times. It wasn't suitable for regular combat.

Wang Tao felt the most suitable time would be when a System Awakener reached Level 5, and learned the Ability "Massive Impact." Only then would the hammer's full advantages be unleashed...

Wang Tao checked everyone's HP; it had mostly recovered quite a bit, but because of their injuries, it was estimated that it would take at least a day or two to return to a Full Peak State.

"Let's just stay here and heal up over these next two days. Once our injuries are mostly healed, we can head out again."

Wang Tao said to everyone.

"Okay!"

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Everyone naturally wouldn't overestimate their capabilities. Venturing out in their current condition would be tantamount to disregarding their own lives.

"Right, there's also this thing..."

Wang Tao took out the "Mysterious Shadow" and "Strange Heart."

The zombies had been killed by everyone working together, so it was only fair not to hide any good loot.

"I call this the 'Mysterious Shadow,' and this is the 'Strange Heart'..."

Wang Tao explained these two items to everyone.

Hearing that both items could grant Hidden Attributes, everyone was somewhat surprised; such valuable items had not been seen by them in a long time. Moreover, the Mysterious Shadow guaranteed 100% chance of granting a Hidden Attribute, and although the heart wasn't a sure bet, at 50% it was still much better than those Strange Poison Sacs.

"Does anyone want to merge with them?"

Wang Tao asked with a smile.

The good items were certainly to be used up internally first, and anything not needed by the group would then be sold to outsiders.

Everyone looked at each other and then shook their heads.

Most of them already had Hidden Attributes, and to merge again would mean undergoing a Second Awakening. But Wang Tao's next plan was to have those whose first Awakening had failed to try again, with the goal of getting everyone to awaken. If they went through a Second Awakening, it would inevitably consume resources meant for those who had not yet awakened, which would disrupt the plan...

Furthermore, Wang Tao had mentioned that a Second Awakening was best done with an Advanced Awakening Secret Key, but they didn't have any at the moment. So even if they acquired a Hidden Attribute, it wouldn't be very useful.

Thus, it was better to save the items for later. Whoever needed them could use them in the future; after all, the items wouldn't expire.

Moreover, to be honest, although they also wanted to become stronger, they preferred to focus resources on Wang Tao, as this was more cost-effective. They were the team's lower limit, while Wang Tao was their upper limit.

The lower limit just needed to avoid holding the team back, but if the upper limit increased, it opened up limitless possibilities.

"What about you, Chen Zhuang?"

Wang Tao looked at Chen Zhuang, the only person in their team without a Hidden Attribute. Previously, he had consumed a Strange Poison Sac and ended up poisoned... So now he didn't even have a Hidden Attribute.

"Actually, I wish to awaken a Healing Ability..."

Chen Zhuang scratched his head.

He was originally a surgeon, but the fall of the base had forced him onto the path of killing zombies. Yet, he still held a fondness for the medical profession, especially now in the post-apocalyptic world where helping others brought him a strong sense of accomplishment.

He felt that his previous poisoning was perhaps providence, a sign not to abandon the medical profession. Plus, he genuinely liked it, so now he wanted to see if it was possible to choose...

"A Healing Ability... Sure! I'll keep an eye out for you."

Wang Tao nodded.

The Mysterious Shadow was of the Dark Series, and the Strange Heart belonged to the System; clearly, neither was likely to awaken a Healing Ability.

To awaken a Healing Attribute, one must obtain a Hidden Attribute related to healing. This would definitely be tricky, as Healing zombies or monsters were rare. However, rare didn't mean nonexistent; Wang Tao had encountered them before, and it was possible that Level 4 Lords or higher might drop related items.

Moreover, for their team, having an additional healer would be a good thing, easing the burden on Jade Lotus. Especially since Chen Zhuang was already a professional when it came to medical treatment and saving lives.

"Thank you!"

Chen Zhuang immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Haha, no need for formalities among our own!"

Wang Tao waved his hand dismissively.

"Um... could I buy one?"

At this moment, Qu Shilin, who had been quiet until now, raised her hand.