*gallop* *gallop*
*neigh...*
The carriages stop beside an empty patch of meadow. "We will rest here." the coachman says.
I get off my horse and grab the lead, wrapping the lead around a tree trunk to park the horse.
"Hey, Newbie!" Says Xia Ling. "Get some twigs for us."
Xia Ling was the man who complained. The man beside Xia Ling is Yi Heng. Both, when compared to Tian Qiang, are small and slim. However, the scars and stitches on their skin prove that they have gone through many things.
With a mundane and ordinary look, both have simple brown hair and eyes.
"Alright," I reply.
"Oh yeah, go catch a rabbit or something too, please. Do you know how to hunt?" Says Tian Qiang.
"Yep."
The coachman is not providing food for us mercenaries, we will have to hunt some animals ourselves.
Tian Qiang passes me a proper bow and three arrows after glancing at the one around my body. "I don't think you are going to score any big with that bow." He says.
I sigh. "Thanks for borrowing me."
"No problem, just return it after you are done. And don't break it! It's expensive, 6 silver ingots!"
I nod and set off.
About 20 minutes later, I return with a deer on my shoulder.
Tian Qiang whistles. "Woah, you a hunter in the past?"
A campfire is already set up.
"I did help my village hunt a bit of food," I reply.
"Oh, that's interesting. We've already set up the camp, Xia Ling will cook."
"What? Me again?" Xia Ling says.
"You lost in the bet. This is the least you should do." Says Tian Qiang.
?
Tian Qiang glanced at my confused expression and smiled. "We betted if you will hunt something big or not. Thanks to you, I earned big time."
Xia Ling clicks his tongue and reluctantly takes the deer from me.
...
This peaceful...atmosphere.
I look at the coachman. He is on alert, snacking on something while leaning against the carriage.
...
...
"Xie Mo?" Says Yi Heng.
"Ah."
Yi Heng extends his hand, handing me a stick of meat. I didn't realise I was staring into space.
I take the stick of meat. I might be able to distract the coachman by releasing the horses but how do I do that without being detected.
Suddenly, at that moment, the coachman left the carriage and disappears into the forest.
??
...
I stand up. "I will take a walk around."
"Sure."
The other mercenaries did not realise the coachman's disappearance. None have bothered to pay attention to the carriage.
I walk into the forest. Directly walking to the carriage is too obvious. Afterwards, when I am sure no eyes are on me, I sneak to the carriage door.
It's locked...by some sort of array...
-----------------------
Would you like to attempt unlocking this array?
Difficulty: D
[Yes][No]
Attempts left: 3
-----------------------
The sudden panel pops up at the array.
What the?!
...
Yes.
--------------------------
Array Minigame Quest:
Find the core of the array.
--------------------------
!!!!!
After that notification, my consciousness was pulled into the system as if a wormhole is sucking me in.
"Uck..."
Before I realise it, I am lying on the cold greenish stone.
I am in some sort of passageway, the torch illuminated the entire corridor but I don't feel any heat. This isn't real, it feels...like my soul is in some sort of...dimension.
-------------------------
Navigate the maze and find the core of the array located in the middle.
-------------------------
A maze?
I look to my front and my back. Indeed, there's a turn in the corridor to my back. To the front is a T junction.
Not a single speck of sound except the flaming torch fills the maze.
I take a deep breath and step forward. Right or left... In both corridors, the same interior and layout remain: a dead end.
...
Guess I will go to the other side then.
The maze wasn't a difficult one. Probably because of the "D" Difficulty. I suppose the array was a low-ranking one thus, the maze's difficulty.
The decision of paths to venture is easy with the dead-end being able to be seen from long distances away.
Soon I reach a large room with a glowing orange orb.
Without hesitation, I touch it and my entire body glows.
"Hah..."
I was pushed back into my physical body still grasping the door. The array has disappeared.
I quickly open it.
!!!!!!!!
What...
The special goods isn't an artifact, pill or anything useful for my growth. It's a bunch of unconscious children tied up, they have a cloth around their mouths firmly secured.
...There are at least 20 children here... Why the hell-
"Argh!!!"
A scream was heard from a mercenary.
!!??
Someone was knocked out as a mere shadow attacked him.
"E-Enemy attack-"
One by one, everyone drops limply to the floor.
--------------------
An enemy is about to ambush you.
Chance of survival: 90%
The attacker is planning to knock you out.
What would the player do?
1. Fight Back
2. Flee
3. Defend
4. Use Inventory Item
Time remaining: 5
--------------------------
The attacker's movement couldn't even be seen. Throwing a glance at the grey Tian Qiang, a mysterious haphazard shadow is almost touching him from behind.
If he can't fend them off, I don't think I can.
-----------------------------
Time remaining: 4
-----------------------------
Hah...
All options seem bleak.
Can I open my inventory now?
--------------------
96/100 space used.
Weapon:
-1 Silver Sword(10)
Pills:
-17 Primordial Blood Toxin(34)[Unorthodox]
-26 Blood Essence Pills(52)[Unorthodox]
---------------------
-----------------------------
Time remaining: 3
-----------------------------
The answer is yes but time still goes on.
I take out 7 Primordial Blood Toxin and the silver sword. The items float in the air.
-----------------------------
Time remaining: 2
-----------------------------
Afterwards, I store the Jade daggers I got from Jia Xi's protector. It is a better weapon than the sword.
--------------------
97/100 space used.
Weapon:
-1 Jade Fangs dagger(25)
Pills:
-10 Primordial Blood Toxin(20)[Unorthodox]
-26 Blood Essence Pills(52)[Unorthodox]
---------------------
-----------------------------
Time remaining: 1
-----------------------------
Alright, although probably pointless...
Option 2
------------------------
The decision has been made.
Commencing battle.
-------------------------
My body attempts to duck but the attack still connects to my nape.
*BAM!*
"ARCK!" My body twitches as I grit my teeth.
-------------------------
Flee has failed.
The player has too low Qinggong.
-------------------------
I expected this.
Amid the chaos, my mind was forced into hibernation as my eyes roll back. Everything became dark quickly.