"Do you know anything?" Jiang Han went straight to the point, launching his inquiry.
"..."
Sheryl remained silent for a moment, then lifted his head to glance at Jiang Han, saying, "Once... I was also a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, naturally aware of the origin of the jade pendant."
Jiang Han was taken aback.
The 'once' mentioned by the mentor should refer to his past life.
He never thought that Sheryl could have any connection with the Sword Pavilion.
Taking the jade pendant from Jiang Han's hand, Sheryl examined it while explaining, "Every female in the Sword Pavilion, from elders to disciples, possesses a jade pendant. If one secretly admires a certain man, she will present the jade pendant, expressing her feelings. It's an unwritten rule in the Sword Pavilion."
"I see." Jiang Han nodded.
So...
The woman who had a fleeting romantic connection with Luo Yi chose to give him the jade pendant, expressing her attitude?
"The jade pendant in your hand is extraordinary." Sheryl said solemnly, "Her status within the Sword Pavilion is probably astonishing!"
"If I give her the jade pendant, will it be very dangerous?" Jiang Han knowingly asked.
It could be said that danger was inevitable.
The S-rank side quest was by no means a simple matter; otherwise, the rewards wouldn't be so substantial. The Bloodthirst Sword and Hidden Qi Technique were, strictly speaking, intended as advanced task rewards.
"Perhaps, it is fate..."
Sheryl returned the jade pendant to Jiang Han, took out his own weapon, wiped the blade with his left hand, and said, "The sword in my hand is also from the Sword Pavilion and needs to be returned. Come with me tomorrow."
"Alright."
Jiang Han naturally agreed.
With Sheryl, a mentor even more powerful than a Holy Knight, by his side, he would be safer.
"You should rest first." Sheryl said, "I can see that the journey to the Lava Mountains has left you exhausted."
After saying that, he disappeared into the mist.
Seeing this, Jiang Han accessed the system panel, chose to log out of the game.
...
Removing the game helmet, Jiang Han stood up to stretch his muscles, took a shower, put on clothes, went to a nearby convenience store to buy some bread and milk to fill his stomach, and then went to sleep peacefully.
The next day, at noon.
Jiang Han got up, brushed his teeth and washed his face, ate takeout, and continued his adventure.
"Swoosh!"
A white light appeared, and he reappeared in the Ghost Marsh.
As if sensing Jiang Han's appearance, Sheryl timely appeared, saying, "If you're ready, let's go."
"Sure."
Jiang Han agreed.
After that, Sheryl led the way, and Jiang Han followed behind, heading towards the direction of the Dark City.
"Mentor, how do you view my sudden appearance and disappearance?" Jiang Han curiously asked.
From last night's actions, Sheryl didn't seem particularly surprised by his "logging in" and "logging out."
"The adventurers in this otherworldly adventure belong to their own space." Sheryl said lightly, "It's quite an interesting method, probably a privilege bestowed by the God of Time and Space."
God of Time and Space?
Is that how the game lore explains it?
Soon, they arrived at the Dark City they had seen a few days ago.
The current city was no longer dilapidated and desolate. Every part, including the walls, had been renovated, presenting a completely new appearance. Both inside and outside the city, pedestrians moved busily, creating a lively atmosphere.
However, high-level soldiers guarded the city gates, making it extremely strict.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You have entered the map [City of Radiance]!
[City of Radiance]: The Dark City recaptured from the hands of the Dark Faction is in the process of recovery. As a level-one main city, its foundation remains, and it is believed that it will soon be restored to its original state.
"Do you have a method to conceal your presence?" Sheryl asked.
"Yes."
Jiang Han immediately used the Hidden Qi Technique on himself.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Please choose a pseudonym for yourself and fill in various false values!
"Pseudonym?"
Jiang Han was momentarily stunned.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Naming successful.
Indeed, Jiang Han's ID changed from [Dark Control · One Jiang Han] to [Pseudonym], effective immediately, lasting for 24 hours.
Jiang Han: "..."
Trash system, not at all intelligent, didn't it notice that my statement was a question?
Setting aside the complaints, he then adjusted all the data on the character panel to the standards of a level 15 ordinary player.
"Pseudonym? Good name, let's go." Sheryl nodded, his evaluation quite casual, "Those soldiers are only level 50, and they should not be able to discern your true identity."
"Yes."
Subsequently, the two smoothly entered the City of Radiance, reaching their destination—
The teleportation array!
Resembling a six-pointed star, the array was inscribed with numerous mysterious symbols.
For the Bright Faction, teleportation arrays were crucial as they allowed remote deployment of troops. Therefore, if the Dark Faction chose to attack the city, its first target would be the array.
Entering the teleportation array, Sheryl said, "Go to Clearwind Town."
"Sixty silver coins in total." The mage responsible for activation extended his hand to collect the fee.
Jiang Han paid the bill.
...
As the teleportation array flickered with a colorful brilliance, the figures of Jiang Han and Sheryl disappeared from the spot.
"Swoosh!"
Once again, they appeared in a new town. Before them were crisscrossing streets, with a continuous flow of pedestrians, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You have entered the map [Clearwind Town]!
[Clearwind Town]: A level-three town, though not far from the influence of nearby Dark Faction, due to the Sword Pavilion residing here, there is no invasion.
Residing here means that the Sword Pavilion map has not yet been opened, right?
Jiang Han pondered.
"It's not suitable to move during the day; let's depart in the evening." Sheryl suggested.
Jiang Han understood, "Sure."
Since the Sword Pavilion was concealed, it was certain that he couldn't easily enter. Sheryl had practically told him that he had to sneak in.
As for what to do after entering, it was naturally up to Sheryl to decide. He didn't believe that Sheryl would suddenly betray him and expose him, abandoning the Dark Faction.
The reason was simple; to catch him, there was no need for so many procedures.
"During the day, you can explore a bit, try not to attract attention." Sheryl said, "Is there anywhere you want to go?"
Jiang Han decisively replied, "I need supplies."
From the drugs obtained from Daniel, he had only one bottle of healing potion left. Since he had the opportunity to come to the Bright Faction, he had to replenish his resources.
Afterward, Sheryl accompanied Jiang Han to the pharmacy.
"Hello, may I ask what potions you need?" The pharmacy clerk enthusiastically approached.
Jiang Han looked at the inventory confidently, "Bring out your best life
-replenishing potion."
After killing Jennifer and the Sharp-mouthed Fire Ape King, two Golden-tier bosses, he currently had as many as 236 gold coins. What potion couldn't he afford?
"What do you think of this?" The clerk pointed to a milky white potion on the counter—
[Holy Water]
Introduction: A potion made from the extensively diluted sacred spring water within the Elf Realm. It has a tremendous recovery effect, be cautious not to burst from the potency.
Effect: Restores 1% of health per second, lasts for ten seconds.
Cooldown: 180 seconds.
Required Level: 120.
Price: 50,000 gold coins.
...
A very powerful potion, directly restoring a percentage of health. It was undoubtedly a highly sought-after item even in the late game.
"Cough cough!"
Looking at the price, Jiang Han coughed twice and said, "How about something more modest..."
In the end, Jiang Han spent 100 gold coins, purchasing a hundred bottles of healing potions and fifty bottles of curative potions. Fortunately, the potions stacked ten bottles into one slot; otherwise, they wouldn't fit.
[Healing Potion]
Introduction: Currently the most popular potion among adventurers.
Effect: Restores 500 points of health per second for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Price: 50 silver coins.
[Cure Potion]
Introduction: A potion that can cure injuries and illnesses.
Effect: Restores 1000 points of health per second for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Price: 1 gold coin.
...
For Jiang Han, who had a whopping 270,000 health points, perhaps the amount restored by the potions wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. In prolonged battles, it was definitely better than having nothing.
After buying the potions, Jiang Han planned to wander around, but as soon as he left the pharmacy, not far away in an alley, he saw a seemingly sleazy man harassing a young woman.
Obviously, both were NPCs because if they were players, taking any action would surely lead to a thunderstorm penalty. The punishment was not just a simple level drop but could be more severe than that.
Should I play the hero and save the beauty?
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: Congratulations, you triggered the hidden fun quest [Be as Cool as the Wind], do you accept?
"Yes!"
Since he encountered it, there was no reason to let it slip by.
But...
Why is it called a fun quest?
"Ding!~"
System Prompt: You have received the quest [Be as Cool as the Wind]!
[Be as Cool as the Wind] (Difficulty: D)
Introduction: You see a local bully harassing a young woman and decide to intimidate the bully while maintaining a hidden identity, making him feel fear and hesitate to offend easily.
Quest Requirements: Repel the bully while gaining enough coolness points. Each coolness point will be exchanged for ten thousand experience points after the quest.
Methods to Gain Coolness Points: Elicit fear, shock, and other emotions in the bully; evoke emotions of inferiority, admiration, etc., in the woman.