Chapter 144 Forming the Squad
To Tonny and Ezio's astonishment, Eric simply nodded.
"Eric, your leveling speed is insane!" Tonny exclaimed.
"The highest level I've seen is 9. I doubt anyone in the entire Silvercrest Dominion has hit 10 yet. There's been nothing on the official forums, no news about anyone reaching level 10 and entering the city. You're probably the first in all of Eldoria!"
Tonny was ecstatic. High-level players understood the grind between levels 8 and 9, let alone 9 and 10. The experience requirements were exponentially higher. Eric was miles ahead of the curve.
If the Martial Alliance knew, they'd be sick with envy.
It was a well-established fact among gamers that an early lead could snowball into an insurmountable advantage later in the game. Eric merely needed to sustain this momentum, and it was only a matter of time before the Martial Alliance would quake at the mention of his name.
Ezio, meanwhile, was dumbstruck.
He had been worried about their ongoing conflict with the Martial Alliance, convinced it was unsustainable. But seeing Eric hit level 10, equipped with a small arsenal of Mithril gear, filled him with renewed confidence. At this rate, they could crush the Martial Alliance and become a force to be reckoned with in Silvervale City.
"Alright, enough gawking. Gear up, we're going hunting," Eric said with a wry smile, noticing their awestruck expressions.
He had been too preoccupied to focus on his team's progress. Now, with time to spare before the Shadowwing Citadel trade, he could help Tonny and Ezio catch up.
He planned to establish a guild in the future, but a guild needed a strong foundation, a core group to prevent chaos. His current team would form that core. From now on, he would prioritize their growth. If they could all reach level 10 and get to Silvervale City early, it would be a huge boon.
Tonny and Ezio exchanged excited grins and quickly equipped their new gear.
Gone was their mishmash of level 5 and 6 Bronze and Dark Iron equipment. Now, they sported a respectable set of level 8 Dark Iron gear, accented with a few pieces of level 8 Mithril. They were significantly more potent. Facing the Martial Alliance now wouldn't be such a daunting prospect.
"What about Cola and the others, Eric?" Tonny asked, his excitement tempered by concern. "They said they're being watched, can't even go to the Wilderness to level up safely."
"Don't worry, I've got them working on something important back in town. Once the Martial Alliance clears out of Tempest Canyon, they'll be joining us here. You'll be surprised," Eric said with a knowing smile.
Tonny and Ezio exchanged curious glances. What could Eric have possibly tasked them with that would be so surprising?
"Alright, let's go level up."
Eric smiled, keeping the details to himself. The Martial Alliance watching Cola and the others wasn't entirely a bad thing. It presented an opportunity they hadn't had before. Now that they were confined to town, they could focus on this other task. If they succeeded, it would make his plan much more accessible, and his confidence in their success would be even greater.
The Silent Marshlands, while a level 15 to 20 zone, had level 15 monsters on the outskirts, 16 to 18 further in, and only level 20 monsters in the heart of the swamp.
With the Abyssal Blade reducing level suppression by 5, the outskirts were perfect for their needs.
"Let's check it out."
Eric consulted the System map and pointed towards a bubbling black pool in the distance.
Tonny and Ezio, despite their excitement, were apprehensive. This place was teeming with level 15 monsters. While their gear was significantly better, and they could handle level 10 monsters with ease, level 15 was a different beast altogether.
As they neared the pool, a series of large bubbles erupted from its murky depths. A pair of large, black eyes slowly broke the surface, staring at them from afar.
"Eric, I don't like this. Look, there's something big watching us," Tonny whispered, his unease growing as he stared at the fist-sized eyes. He had a bad feeling about this.
As if on cue, the creature rose from the water, revealing its massive form.
Steelhide Riverbeast, Elite Level, Level 15, HP 6000.
"Eric, that's a level 15 elite! We need to go, now! If that thing charges, we're done for!" Tonny exclaimed, his voice tight with fear.
Eric knew Tonny and Ezio couldn't handle a level 15 monster, let alone an elite. However, he had ways of dealing with creatures with specific weaknesses, and this Riverbeast was no exception.
Divine Realms: Legends, in its pursuit of realism, had enhanced the weaknesses of particular creatures, like the Riverbeast. Exploit those weaknesses, and even these fearsome creatures became manageable.
As the Steelhide Riverbeast emerged, it was joined by a pack of level 15 Marshland Riverbeasts, over twenty strong, pouring out of the black pool.
Marshland Riverbeast, Common Level, Level 15, HP 2000.
Seeing the Riverbeasts surge towards them, Eric pulled out a Scroll of Veiled Tranquility. "Use yours too," he instructed.
Tonny and Ezio didn't hesitate.
The Scroll of Veiled Tranquility was most effective against level 15 monsters. Once activated, it significantly reduced the user's presence, rendering them semi-transparent for thirty minutes.
As the scrolls took effect, the charging Riverbeasts skidded to a halt, confused, their gazes darting around as if their prey had vanished.
"Riverbeasts have terrible eyesight. Beyond a certain distance, they can't see clearly. The Scroll of Veiled Tranquility makes us practically invisible to them," Eric explained. "Tonny, hit that Steelhide Riverbeast with a Shadow Bolt. Stay at least 75 feet away, it won't be able to see you."
Understanding dawning on his face, Tonny immediately complied.
A Shadow Bolt shot out, striking the sluggish Steelhide Riverbeast for a measly 24 damage. The damage was insignificant, but it enraged the creature. It whirled around, searching for its attacker. Seeing no one, it lumbered a few steps in the direction of the attack but still found nothing. Just as it was about to return to the pool, another Shadow Bolt struck.
Now truly enraged, the Steelhide Riverbeast roared, charging towards the source of the attack. It barreled forward for a good 30 feet before stopping, confused, unable to find its tormentor.
Tonny, watching from a distance, chuckled to himself but didn't let up. He continued to pepper the creature with Shadow Bolts, kiting it further and further away from the pack.
The pool was now swarming with level 15 Marshland Riverbeasts.
Eric, cloaked in the Scroll's magic, approached.
As he closed to within 60 feet, the Marshland Riverbeasts finally noticed him. With a surge of aggression, over twenty of them abandoned the pool, charging towards him. It was a force that could easily overwhelm an entire party of level 15 players.
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