Chapter 70 – Dark Dwarves
This chapter was sponsored by William Wang!
Thanks again to all the people who pointed errors in previous chapters!
In the morning at the General Studies of Chinese Characters class.
The professor held an extremely thick book in his hands, reciting the contents from the book with modulated cadence.
“Sha sha sha…”
Beside me, the sound of continuous scribbling of pencils drifts over and outside the window, the birds chirp joyously. Leaning by the window sill, my head gradually nods off into a nap. After a while, someone shook me and I almost knocked my head on the table. Turning around, I see Lin Wan Er staring angrily at me, “Yesterday, what did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. Didn’t I go with you guys to the movies?”
“Oh…”
Glancing around her table, I saw Lin Wan Er’s scribbling on her workbook, drawing a portrait resembling her Pet. It was the Tigerman in game, drawn vividly with its domineering look. Tsk tsk, the beautiful m’lady really does have a wide range of talents!
……
“It really does look like the real one!” I tilt my head and laugh.
Lin Wan Er gently smiles, “Its okay, I’m just doodling…”
Dong Cheng Yue is by Wan Er’s side, toying with her phone. After fiddling with it for a moment, she says, “Guys, big news! Just ten minutes ago, the first level 40 player appeared.”
Lin Wan Er and I say with a mysterious harmony, “Who?”
“Not telling you two…”
“…”
“Fine, its Q Sword of Fan Shu City, and our future guild leader.” Dong Cheng Yue chuckles, “I really didn’t expect Q Sword, a swordsman, to level at a faster pace than me, a mage.”
I asks, “Yue Er, what level are you at?”
“Level 38.”
“What about Wan Er?” I ask once more.
Wan Er opens her pair of charming eyes widely and stares at me. After a long time, Wan Er realized that I was referring to her. She, while looking a little uncomfortable with how I addressed her, says, “I’m currently level 39, with my experience bar at 17%. There are no classes this afternoon, so I should be able to hit level 40. But we are students, how can we compare with Q Sword…”
“Hm, Q Sword seems to be in a rush to reach level 40, I wonder what is he planning…”
Dong Cheng Yue says, “Taking the top spot in the player ranking board naturally comes with many benefits. Firstly, it spreads the player’s name far and wide. Next, it allows him to garner popularity from the other gamers, such that when he creates his own guild in the future, he doesn’t have to worry about being unable to recruit top level gamers.”
Lin Wan Er, also browsing the internet through her phone, says, “Actually, the most important thing is that at level 40, after job change, the new techniques are far stronger than our current ones. Let me see, for Swordsmen, after reaching level 40, you can learn 【Swordsmanship Specialization】, which increases sword-type damage by 25%. On top of that, you can learn either 【Flame Blade】 or 【Ice Blade】; Level 1 【Flame Blade】 increases damage by 3% whereas level 1 【Ice Blade】 increases damage by 2% and reduces the enemy’s speed.
While speaking, Lin Wan Er looked at me, “Li Xiao Yao, your job could also be considered as a swordsman, which one of the two skills are you planning on training?”
I replied immediately, “The effects of 【Ice Blade】 could reduce the enemy’s speed and could be considered as a control technique, one of the ideal skills for PK. Although 【Flame Blade】 has a high offensive power, but I do not lack offensive ability. My Wind Blade can also increase by attacking power by 3%, thus offsetting the setbacks from not learning 【Flame Blade】.”
Dong Cheng Yue rubs her hands together and giggles sinisterly, “Hee hee, today I shall also strive to reach level 40, and I shall start going on the offense!”
Lin Wan Er couldn’t help but smiles, “A level 40 mage isn’t just as simple as being able to go on the offensive. There is still the 【Pillars of Ice & Fire】 which blasts away all monsters in a 5 meters radius. Only after learning 【Pillars of Ice & Fire】 can one proclaim themselves as a true qualified mage!”
“Yup, yup!” Dong Cheng Yue eyes glittered with hope.
……
After lunch, the two beauties, eager to rush their levels, excitedly run back to their dormitory. As for me, I walk leisurely back to my sleeping room. There’s no need to hurry, after all I am only at level 35, there’s still quite a long way off from level 40. Today, I could probably reach level 37-38, but reaching level 40 is still an impossible task.
“Shua!”
Appearing by the side of the Dragon City, I find Beast Tamer Dalin roasting a python over a bonfire. The python was as thick as a bowl, with scales that were gray in color and belonged under the category of Desert Snakes. Pi Pi Pa Pa, the crackling sound of the fire could be heard from where I stand. The persistent python was clinging onto its life and continuously writhing its body around. Apparently, the python did not understand what kind of person the Dalin is. Dalin, with one hand seasoning the python with pepper, was smacking the snake on its head with his other palm and shouts angrily, “Show some respect to your elders and stay still, if you continue to squirm around I’ll deep-fry you!”
I tremble at the sight. My master is really not an ordinary person.
Carrying the Jade City Sword, I walk up to him and ask, “Teacher, I have come again. Are there any quests for me?”
Dalin looks up and replies, “Oh, kid, you finally appeared! This morning, Captain Frost passed by our campsite and told me that in the Fire Stone Canyon, east of Dragon City, they sighted a group of Dark Dwarves. These detestable Dark Dwarves originally resided underground. However, due to their greedy nature, they are extremely passionate about seeking gold. Apparently, some rumor spread amongst them, saying that underneath the Dragon City, countless gold bars and precious stones can be found. Hmph, those Dark Dwarves have gathered thousands of troops in the Fire Stone Canyon, they are definitely aiming to invade us!”
While saying this, Dalin suddenly stands up and pats my shoulder, “Kid, there is no room for complaints, you are to immediately head forth to Fire Stone Canyon and punish the bunch of greedy Dark Dwarves!”
A piece of golden sheepskin appears in front of me and on top of it, written in a large font is the word “Bounty”. Dalin looks at me with great expectations and says, “Lad, go to the Fire Stone Canyon, kill at least 2000 Dark Dwarves, and their names will be recorded on this magical scroll. On top of that, you have to kill at least one of the leaders of the Dark Dwarves, only then can the quest be considered complete!”
“Ding!”
System Notice: Received quest 【Hunting Dark Dwarves】! (Quest Grade A)
Quest Description: Head forth to Fire Stone Canyon and kill at least 2000 Dark Dwarves. On top of that, you must exterminate one or more dark dwarf leader. Great caution should be exercised since Dark Dwarves are blessed with innate magical talent and they are incomparably greedy and savage. Once caught by them, even if you possess thousands of lives, you will end up getting killed by them. Thus, just before they grab hold of you, it would be best to free your worries by stabbing yourself.
……
“Damn…”
I unconsciously grin. I got the quest just like that, a grade A storyline quest! Given that is a storyline quest, the rewards are bound to be shockingly bountiful and also, without doubt, the difficulty of the quest will also be unthinkably difficult. No matter, let’s slaughter our way in and then think about it later!
After fixing my equipments at the quartermaster and retrieving Indigo Sea Pills from my storage, I’m ready to head off!
Walking along a familiar road, I pass through the Desolate Cloud Swamp and head directly toward the Fire Stone Canyon. Unlike before, the levels of the players now are already considerably higher compared to a few days ago. In fact, when I was passing by the Desolate Cloud Swamp, there were quite a few parties training there. Also, at the edge of the forest, there was a new space created just for the players. It was a temporary campsite created by the Ba Huang City’s NPC scouts. Blacksmiths, pharmacists, whatever basic needs a player requires could be found there. By adjusting according to the players, the NPCs of Ba Huang City are extremely intelligent and this is one of the pluses in the game.
“Hi, that level 35 big brother dressed in heavy armor? Do you want to come with us to fight the Cloud Water Snakes? We only require a heavy armor class!”
A distance away, a party was extending their hands and inviting me to join them. Such a pity that the Cloud Water Snakes no longer catch my eye, my target is the Dark Dwarves in the Fire Stone Canyon!
Shaking my head while smiling, I step into the shallow waters and reject their offer, “Thanks, but I am currently on a quest and I’m heading towards another map. So, have fun and good luck!”
That guy shakes his head and hehe laughs, “Yeah, good luck to you too. The monsters in front have extremely high levels, don’t die!”
“Of course!”
With the blessings from those strangers, I step on the road to leveling. On my way, I find that the levels of the monsters are higher than before. Last time I came, the monsters were level 37 but now, they’ve been replaced with level 39 monsters. Obviously, this showcases the capabilities of the AI of Destiny; the levels of the monsters would follow the majority of the gamers. As most of the gamers level up, the levels of the monsters change accordingly.
Reaching the entrance to the Fire Stone Canyon, shoosh shoosh sounds became apparent, as the harsh wind blew against me, I glanced around but there was no other players to be found. On a rock far away, there were a few level 40 small devils. Given that most of the players are around the 32~34 level range, killing these monsters would b