**Chapter 12: Annie and Tibbers the Giant Bear**
Hearing Emperor Blood Killing Heaven's audacious plan, his younger brothers lit up with excitement.
"Fantastic, boss!" one shouted.
"This plan is perfect! Only you could think of something like this!" another chimed in.
"Hehe, does the Zhantian Guild think they can run wild just because they have more people? They'll be drinking from our boss's footbath before long!"
"We must discredit them!"
The younger brothers rallied around Emperor Blood, eager to participate in this scheme. While Ling Feng was less enthusiastic, he nodded in agreement. "Understood. I'll tell Zhenhong to assemble some people for this operation."
Emperor Blood clapped Ling Feng on the shoulder. "Go ahead, but keep this plan under wraps. Most players are concentrated in the first few novice villages; the later villages are less populated. Test the waters there first."
"Got it," Ling Feng replied, his expression serious.
Emperor Blood glanced at his younger brothers. "Besides this operation, keep a close eye on that player named 'Nemesis.' I want updates as soon as there's any news about him!"
"Understood, boss!" the younger brothers chorused.
Meanwhile, in the same warehouse, Zhantianjian observed the details of the auction for the [Horns of the Hillside Sheep Leader], deep in thought. His confidence had faltered with the emergence of this level 4 boss material.
He turned to his deputy, Qingli, a stunning young woman. "Is there still no news on 'Nemesis'?"
Qingli shook her head, a frown on her face. "I've chatted privately with most mid-level guild members, but no one knows anything. Wait—I've just received a private message from Dongshanjian; he might have information on 'Nemesis'!"
She quickly forwarded the message to Zhantianjian.
"Dongshanjian? Isn't he from No. 6 Novice Village?" Zhantianjian frowned and read the private message, which explained that Dongshanjian had encountered 'Nemesis' in the level 3 area and had invited him to join the guild, but his offer was declined.
Z hantianjian reread the message three times, processing the information. Closing the private message interface, he turned to Qingli with a serious look. "Our original plan was to suppress Emperor Blood Killing Heaven, but now that's changed. We need to head to No. 6 Novice Village immediately!"
"Understood, boss."
While chaos unfolded in the novice villages due to Su Yu's equipment and skill scroll sales, he was busy completing the last part of his hidden quest.
**Excellent Hidden Quest: [Tears of Goddess Sawi (20/20)]**
In the dense forest west of the village, Su Yu guided a cute little girl, Annie, who was wearing a red riding hood.
The forest canopy blocked the sun, casting eerie shadows all around. Dusk approached, and the distant howls of creatures echoed ominously.
Annie clutched her little hands, visibly frightened. "Uncle, is my teddy bear Tibbers really here?"
"Of course! Aunt Margaret said so, so it must be true!" Su Yu comforted her, patting her head. He counted quietly in his mind, marking that they were just 100 steps away from completing the 3,600 steps outlined in the quest.
After walking the remaining distance, they reached the entrance of a dark cave.
Seeing the cave, Annie tugged at Su Yu's sleeve, her eyes wide with fear. "Do we really have to go in? It's so dark!"
"Absolutely. If we don't go in, how will we find Tibbers?" Su Yu smiled reassuringly.
Bending down, he pushed aside a bush at his feet and pulled out a teddy bear, handing it to Annie.
**Item Acquired: [Teddy Bear Tibbers (Excellent)]**
*Note: Annie's favorite toy.*
Su Yu found the last part of this quest rather ridiculous. A player walks 3,600 steps to a cave's entrance, and the obvious instinct is to go inside. Annie's earlier hint had suggested they enter together, but Su Yu knew the cave was filled with traps that could kill instantly. The real quest item lay hidden in the bushes at the cave's mouth.
Annie took the teddy bear and jumped up joyfully. "Thank you, uncle! I would've never seen Tibbers again without you!"
"You're welcome," Su Yu replied, ruffling her hair. "But it's getting late. We should hurry back to the village before your father worries."
"But, uncle!" Annie frowned, hugging Tibbers tightly. "If we just leave, won't the bushes be sad?"
Su Yu blinked in confusion. "Sad?"
"Yeah! So, uncle, can you stay with the bushes?" she asked earnestly.
"Well, I suppose that could work."
Before he could finish, Annie interrupted. "But I can't help you, uncle!"
Suddenly, she threw the teddy bear into the air. The bear expanded rapidly, transforming into a giant brown bear, towering at 4 meters!
**Giant Bear Tibbers (Level 6)**
*HP: 800*
"Tibbers! Take care of him!" Annie commanded.
Su Yu, unperturbed, quickly consumed a [Primary Wisdom Potion], boosting his intelligence by +10. He then tore open a scroll of [Frostbolt] and launched it at the giant bear, followed by a dazzling [Lightning Arrow] from his magic wand.
Crack!
The [Frostbolt] struck Tibbers first, dealing 55 damage. Then, the [Lightning Arrow] hit the bear's forehead, scorching a mark into its fur.
101 damage!
With both attacks combined, they reduced Tibbers' health by 20%.
But at that moment, Annie also attacked. She waved her tiny hand, conjuring a massive magical fireball, [Splintered Fire], aimed at Su Yu.
Smirking, Su Yu chose not to activate his [Ice Shield]. Instead, he dodged the fireball, which whizzed harmlessly past him.
He continued his assault, unleashing two more spells that knocked Tibbers' health below 60%.
**(End of this chapter)**