[Received 4EXP (14/100)]
[Received 4EXP (18/100)]
[Received 3 copper]
Liam shook his head from his harvest.
"Leveling up is still slow as always."
However, Liam didn't expect much from those level one wolves. Fate of Crunaboul had always based its rewards on difficulty.
To truly level up quickly one had to defeat monsters with a higher level than oneself.
Liam ignored the wolf corpses which would disappear in a minute and took out Meyhran's trap, burying it in the ground.
Having achieved his objective, Liam returned, stopping before the crowd could spot him.
At this moment his message window plopped up:
[Cyclone: Haha! An item! Those wolves dropped an item!]
[Bleary Mirage: Really?]
[Silver Blade: Congratulations!]
[Talin: Wow! Can you show us?]
[Bleary Mirage: You can post its information in the message window.]
Cyclone took a second to figure it out.
[Cyclone:
[Old copper ring
Category: Common
Level requirement: 1
Intelligence +1
Why does your brain feel clearer?]
[Silver Blade: Great! It's perfect for you!]
[Cyclone: Hehe.]
Liam was also happy for Cyclone. It was quite unexpected to receive an item during one's first fight.
Don't tell me she has a high luck stat?
Liam thought randomly while directing his team to gather at his position.
After everyone arrived, he sent out Silver Blade to talk to the old man, hoping that her moving alone was less conspicuous.
But at this point another batch of players had died to the wolves. As they discussed angrily, they couldn't help but mention Liam's group.
Thus, many noticed Silver Blade as she came out of the forest.
"Hey, it's her! She got the quest!"
Immediately people crowded around Silver Blade. The young woman was taken aback, feeling nervous.
"Come on, just tell us!"
"How did you get that old man to give you a quest?"
[Silver Blade: Guys, what should I do?]
[Bleary Mirage: Just tell the truth.]
Silver Blade looked in the eager faces. She gritted her teeth and straightened her body.
"Please, calm down everyone! You only need to talk to the old man for the quest!"
"Don't lie to us! I tried it earlier!"
At this moment, Liam also led the others out of the forest, since hiding was clearly useless.
But just as he stepped onto the road, Liam noticed something.
The blond man taking the lead earlier went up to Meyhran.
Liam thanked the man inwardly as he exclaimed:
"Look! That guy is receiving the quest!"
The shout directed everyone's attention towards the blond man.
Freezing for a moment the man quickly proved his composure as he spoke with a smile:
"Everyone, I just confirmed it for you. You can indeed gat a quest here. Come, don't be shy guys."
Immediately the crowd of players reacted, swarming around Meyhran. Liam didn't notice the glint flashing in the blond man's eyes as he approached Silver Blade.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Let's wait for the players to scatter for a bit before finishing the quest. We just can't waste our lead."
"Ok."
The party followed Liam's words, approaching Meyhran a few seconds later.
"Ah, adventurer, you are back. Did you place all the traps?"
"Of course."
"Great. Here, take this! I prepared this bait for the wolves. Just take it and lead them to the traps, and then… barbecue!"
Meyhran almost drooled as he spoke the last word. Liam smiled wryly, recalling how much of a foodie the old man was.
As Silver Blade took the pieces of meat which Meyhran retrieved from his bag, the quest changed for the party.
[
[Step one: Place Meyhran's minor flame trap in the marked area.]
[Step two: Lead the wolves towards the traps.]
[Hint: The traps will only react to the wolves.]
Liam addressed his party:
"Ok guys, the first to lure the wolves will draw most of them…"
"You can do it.", interrupted Cyclone with a snicker.
Liam smiled but this was what he was about to suggest anyways.
Everyone agreed, opening up some distance.
Liam imagined the path in his mind. He wasn't nervous as he approached the wolves, knowing that such quest enemies usually had tampered stats.
If a quest was designed to be solvable for level one players, then even level five monsters would have their stats nerved appropriately.
Thus, Liam even had the leisure to give his teammates some advice as he took out a large piece of meat.
Immediately, sniffing could be heard.
Some players stared in confusion as the wolves they were fighting just now suddenly lost interest.
Liam felt up to ten pairs of hungry eyes staring at him.
"Tzz. Come here if you dare!"
Taunting the wolves Liam abruptly turned around and disappeared into the forest.
Excited and angered howls echoed through the air. Ten wolves separated from the group and shot after Liam.
The young man breathed evenly as he sprinted through the foliage. He ducked between low-hanging branches and jumped over fallen trees.
The cracking of branches sent shivers down Liam's spine. He looked over his shoulders, finding the wolves approaching quickly.
They are faster than I thought!
Liam gritted his teeth as he took off all his equipment save for his boots. His movement speed rose slightly.
Fortunately, the situation right now didn't count as a fight or Liam wouldn't have been able to unequip.
Don't panic, you are almost there.
Howls rang from behind Liam's back. He could almost feel the wolves breathing down his neck.
Suddenly a claw brushed Liam's leg.
[-10!]
Seeing the number popping up Liam wasn't distressed but rather delighted. Obviously, the damage had been nerved, making the escape more about psychological pressure.
Still, with ten wolves behind me I have to give it my all.
Liam narrowed his eyes, gathering all his focus. He could already see the clearing not far away.
But just then a few leaves in front of Liam rustled. Three players suddenly jumped out, led by the man with blond hair.
Liam didn't show any change in emotion. He continued running, using [Inspect].
>>> <<<
Name:
Glorious Sunrise
Level:
1
Primary Attributes:
?????
HP:
39/39
Fury:
0/30
>>> <<<
I will remember you…
Glorious Sunrise blocked Liam's path, staring at him with a vicious smile:
"Ha! B*stard! Where are you going now?
Think you can complete the quest by yourself?"
A smaller man with black tattoos on his face echoed:
"Right boss! No one but us can complete this quest!"
Next to the tattooed man was a tall woman:
"Look at him! Doesn't even dare to talk! Hahaha! Such a coward!"
The distance between Liam and the group closed quickly. Glorious Sunshine already brandished his sword.
"Just hold him back!"
"Got it, boss!"
Suddenly a sword swung through the air. Glorious Sunshine's name turned red, marking him as someone engaging in player killing.
Although Liam could now kill him without penalty, he was rather busy at the moment, to say the least.
The other two players didn't have weapons yet, stepping forward with wide open arms, this action not recognized as an attack yet.
Everything happened within seconds.
The sword came for Liam, intent on slowing him down. The veteran moved perfectly. Bending his body he dodged below the sword.
[Stance -5]
Glorious Sunshine's wings were in Liam's way. He punched out heavily, knowing that most new nephilim didn't have much control over their wings yet.
And indeed, the opponent was easily pushed away, turning his body from the momentum, like a door.
The blond man opened his mouth, questioning his own gaming experience.
Next to him, the tattooed man tried to react, but Liam easily evaded his hands.
A mocking shout reached the trio's ears:
"Thank you."
They could only stare blankly as the wolves arrived, tearing them apart. Even with their damage nerfed ten wolves didn't take much time to get rid of the three players.
Glorious Sunrise even dropped his precious sword.
Liam chuckled as he reached the clearing. The small interlude bought him a lot of time.
Stading right outside the trap's radius, Liam stared at the forest, waiting for the wolves to come. Soon the wolves appeared, their graceful movements hiding a deeper threat.
The monsters slowed down, snarling at their prey. Hunger was in their bloody eyes as they stared at the peace of meat in Liam's hands.
Suddenly the human moved his arm, throwing the meat before him.
"Grab it if you want to!"
Instantly the pack of wolves pounced. Wild growling rang as ten wolves fought for a single piece of meat.
However, the struggle didn't last long.
Boom!
An enormous flame shot into the air. The wolves wailed in pain. Liam was unperturbed as a wall of flames raged ten centimeters before his face, heat engulfing his body.
He was rather thinking about how great it were if he could take some flame traps with him.
Liam waited for a while until the flames died down, meanwhile confirming with his party members if they succeeded.
A few players arrived during this time, looking at the large flame with ugly faces. They realized that it probably wasn't their turn to finish the quest.