Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
More than 10 white skeleton soldiers emerged from the ground. These skeleton soldiers with spiked shields in their right hands and short scythes in their left were miniaturized versions of the golden skeleton. However, they were numerous, and exuded an imposing air as well.
The skull’s eyes on the Lockheed Soul Staff glared with a furious red glow. These skeleton soldiers’ eyes shone with red light as well as their pupils dilated, eventually turning into the same shape as the eyes of the skull on the Lockheed Soul Staff.
“Your great master has offered up his soul to the magnificent god of the underworld, and inherited his will, Hades’ will. With blood and honor, a contract was made to grant you souls and thoughts. My brave warriors, prove your piety to the god and fight!” Lockheed chanted an ancient spell which affected a person’s emotions.
When Lin Fei heard this, she felt irritated. She quickly stopped in a corner and calmed herself down so that she would not make a mistake while trailing them. Lin Fei was surprised to see the skeleton soldiers. There were almost 20 of them! She had never heard of a Necromancer who could summon a powerful undead servant and a bunch of low-level skeleton soldiers at the same time.
‘Is it because of that Lockheed Soul Staff?’ Lin Fei thought about the Redra’s Staff in Tian Kuang’s hands. It was not impossible for the Lockheed Soul Staff to accomplish such a feat. This Necromancer was a formidable character for being capable of summoning a powerful undead servant and a bunch of low-level skeleton soldiers at the same time.
However, while the Necromancer obtained power, he would have to shoulder certain duties or live with some limitations that could be obvious or discrete. No powerful item would bestow great authority to its wielder without imposing certain duties on them.
Lin Fei whispered to Tian Kuang, “Looks like we’ve run into a troublesome bunch.” Lin Fei relayed what she saw to him.
A powerful Necromancer and formidable support classes such as the Shadow and Poison Wizards. With the Wizards there, the Necromancer was practically unstoppable!
When he saw Tian Kuang’s heavy expression, Tian Fei could not help but ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Things have gone slightly complicated.” Tian Kuang told them what he had heard from Lin Fei.
“Lockheed Soul Staff?” Xiao Ling muttered to himself. As he had expected, he was not the only person to be in possession of some unique items. The continent’s history was well established. There were many players who owned Legendary items or Artifacts. Xiao Ling found himself touching his Hilaire’s Demon Ring.
Tian Kuang was also absentmindedly caressing his Redra’s Staff. Tian Kuang spoke, “This is the third Legendary item or Artifact we’ve encountered already. Legendary items and Artifacts are scary, but there’s no cause for worry. Usually, the wielder will also suffer some limitations while using these magical items. Some limitations will lower the user’s stats, while some will impose restrictions on their skills. The more outrageous a magical item is, the more powerful its limitations. He’ll certainly have some weaknesses we can exploit. The more powerful his attacks, the weaker his body will be.”
“Weakness?” Tian Kuang’s words resounded in Xiao Ling’s ears. The more outrageous a magical item was, the more powerful its limitations. Did this apply to Hilaire’s Demon Ring as well? However, when Xiao Ling bound the Hilaire’s Demon Ring to himself back then, there was no system message. There was also nothing on the Hilaire’s Demon Ring’s attributes. All it said was that binding the Hilaire’s Demon Ring would mean forming a contract with the demon, and he would gain the powers of all three Warlock specializations. Could there be some fine prints to this demonic contract?
Tian Fei asked, “What do we do now?”
“We wait,” said Tian Kuang. “Their target is the Demon Boar King. We might have an opening the instant they defeat that Demon Boar King.”
Tian Kuang suddenly paused before adding, “No, something doesn’t add up.”
“What?” Tian Xin asked. Judging by Tian Kuang’s expression, he seemed to have noticed something.
“That map! Lin Fei said that they had a map of the Boar Mine’s terrain!” Tian Kuang said in a heavier tone.
Tian Fei and Tian Xin seemed to have understood his point. Xiao Ling, however, was bewildered. So what if they had a map?
Tian Fei explained, “Big Sister said that they had a map, but how come Evil Alliance players have a map of Brakada? From what I know, a map of Brakada could be sold for 50,000 to 60,000 gold coins in the Evil Alliance nations, at least! Do you think normal players would buy it? Only certain guilds will have a map or two in their possession.”
“Maybe their guild gave it to them?” suggested Xiao Ling.
“Any player brining a map of the opposing Alliance’s nation will drop it once they are killed by players from the opposing Alliance. The player who picks it up can exchange it at the capital for rewards such as merit points or experience points based on the Alliance insignia on the map. Due to the scarcity of maps, the price of an enemy Alliance nation’s map sold here has skyrocketed. Do you think they’d bring with them something worth about 60,000 gold coins which could be dropped at any time on a risky adventure to Brakada’s heartlands?” explained Tian Fei.
Xiao Ling did not know much about the details of these settings. Endace Continent was a world modeled after medieval Europe. Besides the chat function between players, there were no modern forms of communication. There were no communications between players aside from word of mouth and notices on the capital’s notice board.
Because this world had many unknown parts, the players would have to go on adventures and explore it on their own. That was what attracted the multitude of players here.
Through his experiences, the stories, legends, and the cumbersome game rules gradually made the image of Endace Continent richer in Xiao Ling’s mind.
“So, there must be something fishy about that map!” said Tian Fei meaningfully. “It might be some kind of treasure map! They would never travel all the way for nothing!”
Tian Fei’s words reminded Xiao Ling of the goblin treasure map in his personal vault. Xiao Ling had to admit that Tian Fei had a point.
“I’m suddenly feeling all fired up!” Tian Xin rubbed his palms together excitedly.
Tian Kuang had a faint smile. “Don’t rejoice just yet. We don’t know if we can chew this bone for now. Let’s wait for more information. I’m now worried that the level 22 quasi-Boss won’t be giving them too much of trouble to kill. We won’t have any chances then. We might even be in trouble if we’re entangled with them.”
“We have you on our side, don’t we, Big Brother?” Tian Xin blurted out. He seemed to have immediately noticed his mistake as he stopped talking.
Tian Kuang was still hesitating if he should tell Xiao Ling about Redra’s Staff. The guild had asked him to keep it a secret before. Tian Kuang considered it and decided to keep it that way unless he had no choice. This way, he would not be going back on his promises.
Wild Dance!
Under the cover of the golden skeleton, the Orc Warrior brandished his two huge axes and charged toward the Boar herd. His pair of axes drew streaks of light in the air like a meteor shower.
The golden skeleton took the vanguard. It led more than 10 low-level skeleton soldiers and charged toward the Boar herd. It raised its scarlet scythe and brought it down. A Boar was sent flying. Their battle had finally begun.