"I94YourDad" abruptly grabbed Miller's hair, lifting him like a toy. He pulled Miller close, stroking his chin while carefully inspecting his face with exaggerated amazement, exclaiming, "Whoa, this is so real!" He even shook Miller back and forth, utterly oblivious that he might be a real person.
His cronies immediately echoed, "Yeah, it's just like the real thing." One pinched Miller's cheek, exclaiming, "Wow, amazing! Feels just like real skin." A group of them surrounded Miller, chattering noisily.
Miller grimaced in pain, his face contorted with agony. He didn't dare to make a sound, helplessly letting them manhandle him. He had just wanted to go out and find Nors and the others, being as cautious as possible, but he still ended up in the hands of these people.
Unwilling to accept this, Miller struggled desperately, trying to pry open the hand clutching his hair like a death grip. However, he was too weak; the hand didn't budge, making his efforts seem powerless and futile. Thinking of his innocent parents who had been killed, his eyes involuntarily reddened. But seeing Miller struggling like a small chick, crying, only made them more excited.
They were devils!
"Let go of Miller!" A villager, unable to bear it any longer, tried to swing a wooden stick at "I94YourDad". However, before he could get close, one of the cronies kicked him hard, sending him crashing to the ground, groaning in pain.
Seeing this, the other villagers were filled with a mix of anger and fear, but were powerless, only able to watch helplessly as Miller continued to suffer.
"These guys!" Alex, who was already impatient, couldn't stand it anymore. It was his first time encountering such vile people. Without thinking, he swiftly adjusted his combat stance, casting a speed sigil under his feet. Instantly, his toes surged with power. With a tiptoe, he shot towards the group like the wind.
"Alex!" Nors frowned, not understanding the impulsive guy. He glanced at Celia beside him, signaling with his eyes.
Celia immediately understood, nodding slightly to indicate she got his meaning.
Nors then turned to Ethan and Scarlet, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "Ethan, seize the moment and cast [Bind]. Scarlet, coordinate with Alex."
"Yes," they responded in unison and quickly sprang into action.
Alex swung his blade, Heaven Slayer Demon Blade, striking "I94YourDad"'s wrist. With a cry of pain, he was forced to release Miller. Taking this opportunity, Alex caught the falling Miller, protecting him securely in his arms. Then, with a swift movement, he darted out of the group's range.
"Who dares to snatch people from me?" "I94YourDad" roared in anger, his face turning pale and his eyes bulging like brass bells.
After ensuring Miller was safe, Alex set him down and stood protectively in front of him, his blade raised defiantly. "With me here, you scumbags won't bully kids!"
"I94YourDad" was stunned, and his cronies were dumbfounded, exchanging confused glances.
"This...can't be right. Are NPCs that smart?" One crony with an exaggerated hairstyle said incredulously, his eyes full of confusion.
"I remember there's no special plot hint in this game?"
"Could their AI have been upgraded? Or is it a bug?"
They started discussing loudly, completely ignoring Alex. Hearing their conversation, Alex felt they were insane, unable to understand what they were saying, as if he was just an object.
"Whatever the case," "I94YourDad" sneered, "these NPCs dare to defy us, kill them. They'll respawn anyway."
"Yeah, let's show these NPCs what we're made of!" Another crony agreed, grinning sinisterly.
"With you lot?"
Everyone instantly stopped talking, turning towards the voice. They saw a young man with a stern demeanor and black hair walking towards them, a cylindrical earring on his left ear swaying gently with his steps.
There was something overwhelmingly intimidating about him that sent chills down their spines.
"Hahahaha, this NPC is really arrogant," a crony, slightly scared but putting on a brave face, commented while looking at the imposing Nors.
"I94YourDad" squinted his eyes, staring intently at the young man before him.
No, he's not an NPC. He has words above his head, but they're hidden. Only players above level 30 can unlock hidden features.
So he's one of us! His eyes lit up with realization, and he relaxed, thinking they could now team up with a level 30 player.
"Brother, it's a misunderstanding, turns out you're one of us!" He said with a sycophantic smile. "Since we're all on the same side, how about teaming up? I see you're..."
"One of us?" Nors sneered, his eyes full of disdain. "You think you're worthy?"
His gaze was icy and devoid of any warmth. When their eyes met, an icy chill ran from his feet to his head.
This person is dangerous!
However, recalling the hefty price he paid for his armor, "I94YourDad" felt somewhat reassured. Even if they fought, he might not lose.
"I94YourDad"'s expression changed, becoming awkward, but he was not ready to give up. "Brother, no need for hostility, we're all here to have fun..."
Ding!..... Player "I94YourDad" invites you to join the party Accept/Decline
The system prompt suddenly sounded in Nors's ear. Without any hesitation, he ignored the system interface that appeared and kicked him.
His heel struck the opponent's chest with a heavy thud. The body flew in an arc through the air. He clearly saw a number appear above his attack:
-45
The opponent's HP visibly decreased, but the armor seemed to have mitigated the damage, as the magically enhanced attack was not very high.
It seems that to defeat them, he first needs to break their armor.
Without giving the opponent any time to react, Nors sprang forward, following the trajectory of his kick.
Before "I94YourDad" could react, Nors was already before him. In the instant their eyes met, his left foot kicked the opponent's side, sending him crashing to the ground with a loud thud, raising a cloud of dust.
The cronies were stunned, witnessing their leader being kicked away effortlessly. One crony, the quickest to react, shouted "Boss!" in a trembling voice, feeling as if the kick had hit them too.
Nors landed lightly, standing steadily, his black hair swaying gently in the wind, his gaze cold and sharp.
"Damn it! I won't let you get away with this!" The cronies, after making threats, rushed at Nors, hoping to teach him a lesson.
Alex was dumbfounded, Nors was becoming more and more unrestrained. The always polite guy was now so violent?
"What are you staring at, monkey!" Scarlett reminded timely.
"Oh, oh." Alex settled Miller down, backed up against Scarlet, and prepared to join the fight.
Celia stood on the eaves, her eyes sharp. The wind howled, blowing her golden hair and the beads on her hat, creating a slight jingle.
Switching her gaze, she noticed Nors's actions and instantly understood.
Her left hand began to gather a sigil of light, the glow forming a sharp arrow, aiming at the people in front of Nors.
Aim!fire!
With a "bang", it hit the opponent's armor accurately. The armor didn't crack but shattered into tiny fragments and disappeared. The person's face showed fear, unable to understand what had happened.
Nors seized the opportunity, slashing his sword into the opponent.
-2500, the attack power increased instantly.
The opponent's HP dropped to a sliver.
Under Celia's precise archery, one piece of armor after another shattered. Alex and Scarlet also noticed, focusing their attacks on the armor, making the battle one-sided.
They noticed that these people's swordsmanship was merely flashy, lacking even basic defense and attack skills.
Soon, their HP was down to a sliver.
"Activate the array!" Nors commanded. Ethan, who had secretly set up arrays, immediately activated [Bind].
"What's happening? I can't move!"
"I want to log out! The hits hurt too much!"
"This game company is insane! The realism is too much!"
Bound by the array, the group stood like statues, unable to move. A belated fear gripped their hearts, all feeling the same: These NPCs are truly ruthless!