Chapter 133 FlameDancer
Willowbrook Forest, lush and green.
A team of level 5 players was besieging three level 5 Woodland Wargs. Their battle was well-coordinated, forcing the Wargs to retreat step by step. Before long, one Woodland Warg fell to a flying fireball, leaving only two with low health.
"Captain, we're all level 5 now. Woodland Wargs are getting a bit stale, don't you think? How about we move on to those level 6 Savannah Cubs? I hear they drop some decent loot, and the experience gain would be much better," the burly Shield Warrior suggested.
"Better not. Things are a bit too hot right now, remember? We're wanted, all of us in the Martial Alliance. They're offering one silver coin for each of us. There are lots of players who'd love to make some easy money," the Elementalist captain replied, shaking his head at the Shield Warrior's eagerness.
"Captain, have you gone soft?" A sallow-faced Berserker chimed in, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Back when we were snatching elite mobs and gear, back when we were hunting down other players, you didn't hesitate."
"We're the Martial Alliance, the top dogs in Willowbrook Town. Who in their right mind would dare come after us? They'd be signing their own death warrant. And even if they did, we'd wipe the floor with them and make a tidy profit while we're at it."
The Elementalist considered the Berserker's words. He had a point.
The Martial Alliance had always been the bullies, the predators in Willowbrook Town. Who would dare challenge their dominance? It would be suicidal.
"Alright, fine. We'll finish off these mutts, then it's off to hunt some Savannah Cubs," the Elementalist conceded.
"Now you're talking!"
The Shield Warrior sported a triumphant grin as he steadied his shield against the assault of the remaining Warg. With a concluding, powerful strike, he shattered its cranium, bringing an end to its existence.
As the last of the Wargs breathed its final breath, the Martial Alliance team found themselves staring down a group of over twenty players, their names glowing a menacing red, a testament to their bloodstained hands.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here, boys. A whole pack of Martial Alliance scum."
A red-named Assassin, her lithe form radiating a dangerous allure, emerged from the shadows, a predatory smile playing on her lips.
A chill ran down the spines of the Martial Alliance members. The Assassin had been observing them, a silent predator stalking its prey, and they hadn't even noticed.
"What do you want?" the Elementalist captain demanded, his voice cold, his eyes darting around, assessing their predicament.
"What do we want?" the Assassin echoed, her smile widening. "Why, to have a little fun with you, of course."
"FlameDancer, why waste your breath on these clowns? Let's just end this and collect our bounty," a Ranger called out from the encircling players, his bow already drawn, an arrow aimed squarely at the Martial Alliance Priest.
The Shield Warrior, sensing the futility of resistance, attempted a desperate bluff. "I'd think twice if I were you. The Martial Alliance doesn't take kindly to being attacked. Once we're done with Kai, we'll be coming for everyone who dared cross us. Walk away now, and we might just forget this little transgression."
"The Martial Alliance, is it?" FlameDancer chuckled, twirling a dagger between her nimble fingers. "I hear my idol, Kai, has been making you dance to his tune lately."
"And anyone who messes with my idol, messes with me. Consider this your final curtain call."
"Get them!"
The encirclement erupted into chaos as the twenty-plus players descended upon the hapless Martial Alliance members.
FlameDancer, the female Assassin, slipped behind the Elementalist captain, her dagger a whisper of death that silenced his cries before they could escape his lips. A swift slash across the throat, followed by a brutal backstab and eviscerate, ended his life in a flurry of cold, calculated violence.
The remnants of the Martial Alliance, their morale shattered by the abrupt and decisive end of their leader, dispersed and retreated.
Their escape was short-lived. A wall of ice, conjured by the enemy Elementalist, blocked their path, followed by a Frostburst Orb that slowed their movements to a crawl. Several Berserkers, their bodies imbued with unnatural speed, charged forward, their Tendon Severance skill crippling the fleeing players, turning their desperate flight into a slow, agonizing crawl. One by one, they fell, their cries of defiance swallowed by the indifferent forest.
"Alright, boys, loot and scoot. There are more bounties out there with our names on them," FlameDancer commanded, her voice laced with a predatory glee.
"These chumps were carrying some decent gear. Three pieces of Bronze equipment! Imagine what Kai's crew is packing, they're on a whole other level," a scrawny Berserker exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with avarice as he eyed the dropped loot.
"What's this, AquaBison? Thinking of betraying my idol and going after his team?" FlameDancer asked, her voice deceptively sweet.
AquaBison shuddered, a flicker of fear crossing his face. "N-no way, boss. Just thinking out loud. I know my place. Going after them would be suicide."
"Good. Remember that," FlameDancer replied, turning away from the carnage, her gaze already scanning their surroundings for their next target.
Meanwhile, in the dimly lit confines of the Drunken Heart Bar, located in the heart of Willowbrook Town's slums...
Crash!
Leo forcefully struck his fist against the table, resulting in the shattering of his glass and the subsequent scattering of glass shards across the room. His visage was a representation of wrath, as he assimilated the details within the report he held.
"What in the nine hells is going on?!" he roared, his voice echoing through the bar.
"Why are our members dropping like flies, while Kai's team is nowhere to be found?!"
The report painted a grim picture. In the span of just two hours, fifty-eight members of the Willowbrook Town Martial Alliance had been slain, including nine of their most elite players. Each death resulted in a loss of experience, a dropped piece of equipment, and a significant blow to the guild's coffers. Leo found himself shelling out a small fortune in compensation for their losses.
More importantly, the steadily rising death toll was taking its toll on the morale of the remaining members. Whispers of discontent were spreading like wildfire, and many were considering abandoning the sinking ship that was the Martial Alliance. If he didn't act quickly, the entire guild would crumble around him.
"Leo, perhaps they're lying low, making themselves scarce. That would explain why we haven't been able to catch them. We need to up the ante, offer a bounty that even the most seasoned veterans can't resist," Simon Hemdrift suggested, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of fear and excitement.
"Fine, double the bounty. I refuse to believe that they can just vanish into thin air," Leo growled, his voice laced with frustration. "And Hemdrift," he added, his voice low and dangerous, "the moment you catch wind of their whereabouts, you contact CelestialParagon. Immediately."
"Leave it to me, boss. I'll handle it right away."
In the intermediate forging room, Eric was repeatedly doing the same task.
He picked up another piece of sturdy stone, the heat of the Frost Azure Flame washing over it, softening it to his will. With practiced precision, he hammered away at the glowing stone, shaping it into another Advanced Whetstone of Precision.
System: [Advanced Whetstone of Precision successfully forged. Forging proficiency increased by 1. 200 experience points gained.]
Advanced Whetstone of Precision (Consumable): Restores 8-12 durability points to weapons below level 20. Increases weapon damage by 3% for 30 minutes. Usable 3 times.
These whetstones would become increasingly valuable as players progressed to higher levels and faced tougher foes. Monsters above level 7, in particular, were notorious for their durability-draining attacks. Some even possessed skills that could significantly reduce a weapon's durability, making Whetstones of Precision a must-have for any player venturing into the unforgiving wilderness of Divine Realms: Legends.
The advanced version, compared to its regular counterpart, not only restored more durability but also enhanced a weapon's sharpness, granting a 3% damage boost. This temporary enhancement was akin to a potent buff, a boon for any melee class. The allure of increased damage output was a powerful motivator, and Eric had no doubt that these whetstones would sell like hotcakes.
As he finished crafting another whetstone, a system notification chimed, announcing his accomplishment.
System: [Congratulations! You are the first player in Divine Realms: Legends to achieve the rank of Intermediate Forging Apprentice! You have been rewarded with 10 Runeforged Steel and 50,000 experience points.]
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