About 20 minutes away from Ba Huang City lied the Frost Maple Highlands, which was a medium level training area. All across Frost Maple Highlands are level 41-42 bandits. These bandits often went looting surrounding villages, so they ended up dropping a lot of money when killed. A single kill could drop at least 5 silver. At a 1:8 exchange rate, killing a bandit can earn .40 RMB. That was why gold farmers in the vicinity of Ba Huang City frequently gathered here.
I followed behind Song Han and Old K as my Silver Locked Battle Boots stepped onto the fiery red maple leaves. Fox was at my side, holding up his rifle as he laughed, “It’s still early, so there probably isn’t anyone here yet. By the time it’s nighttime, you can’t even stick a foot inside the Frost Maple Highlands, once a bandit spawns, a whole horde of players kills it in seconds.”
Me: “Isn’t the rule of Frost Maple Highlands basically first come first serve?”
“Yeah. Generally speaking, reasonable parties will discuss the matter and divide up the training grounds. The unreasonable ones will start attacking immediately. Yesterday those Thunder Spirit studio guys were being unreasonable, the type that directly starts fighting. And you know how Old K is, he is extremely short-tempered, which resulted in him dying.”
I took out a few Pardon Cards from my bag and handed them out while leaving one for myself. I laughed, “Ah, if those guys from Thunder Spirit show up today, I will show them their place, I’m not joining your party so you guys focus on killing the mobs. I’ll handle the players.”
“Alright!”
Song Han turned around and chuckled impishly, “He he, this time we have brother Xiao Yao taking care of us, it shouldn’t be too embarrassing.”
“Yup!”
….
Not too long after, the four of us climbed up to the highlands. There were actually several parties training here, but they were spread out far enough so that everyone had enough space to farm for money. This was a forested area filled with cruising bandits carrying broadswords. Song Han and the other two started killing some mobs. Old K attracted aggro while Song Han stunned to gain control and Fox sniped from far away. Basically, it was a one-sided fight, which was great for grinding.
“Pata……”
Jumping onto the top of a red rock at my side, I crossed my arms as I sat beside a 2 meter tall pine tree. Other players couldn’t see me, while I was able to see everything on the Frost Maple Highlands.
There was no movement for an entire hour.
Right as I was about to fall asleep, Ran Min’s voice suddenly said, “Boss, be careful! They are coming. It’s those guys from Thunder Spirit!”
….
A party of players suddenly emerged from the foot of the hill. Before each player’s name was a family’s title. They even had [Vanguard]’s certification emblem. (Certification Emblem: The emblem only serves cosmetic purposes and will not grant a guild buff until the guild is officially established).
Leading them was a Lv 42 Mage, ID: [Thunder Spirit Emperor], the highest level player in the group. Behind him was a Swordsman – [Thunder Spirit King], and a Berserker – [Thunder Spirit Marquis]; both were Lv 40 and had undergone their second job promotion. This family had quite an impressive name. Those three were probably the only ones I needed to worry about, the players behind them had not gone through their second job promotion and probably couldn’t even break through my defense, therefore I could probably just ignore them.
…….
“Ha, it’s those noobs again…” Thunder Spirit Marquis held his battle axe and smiled from a distance away: “Thunder Spirit studio is farming gold here for 5 hours. Unassociated people need to get out, don’t stand around here being an eyesore! I’m talking to you, Hero Ran Min, GTFO. If you’re not gone in a minute, I’ll help you lose another level.”
Old K was trembling with anger as he held his battle axe. Even though his level, equipment, and skills were all shy in comparison to his foes, he ground his teeth and yelled, “You want to kill me? Then come! Let’s see if you have even have the ability to do so.”
….
“ShaSha…”
As I sat up from the rock, slowly and silently, I drew out the Frost Rain Sword from its sheath. Joining Song Han’s party, I used the team chat and whispered: “Use a Pardon Card. This is our first team battle as Zhan Long studio. Old K, run straight into their group and let loose on Thunder Spirit Marquis. Little Wolf, stun the Swordsman. Fox, use your gun to kill Old K’s target.”
Song Han whispered, “Brother Xiao Yao, the most dangerous one is that Mage, Thunder Spirit Emperor!”
While clutching the Frost Rain Sword, I smirked: “Leave that Mage to me!”
This chapter was brought to you by Base-RyuBon, Mavender and Goodguyperson.