96 Chapter 96 - Will-low Wants to Join the Group? (1/2)

Outside the tavern, Dusky Cloud and his gang spent almost an hour saying their goodbyes to Sword Demon. In actual fact, not many words could be exchanged between two parties that had only known each other for two days. Saying goodbye should take five minutes at most, yet Dusky Cloud stubbornly stayed and was even currently discussing with Sword Demon the ideal stat point distribution for Thieves.

Standing by the side, Young Master Han laughed mockingly and said, ”Stop dawdling. Fugitive 27149 isn't coming.”

Dusky Cloud's true intention was uncovered with that single remark. These players claimed that they were here to give Sword Demon a send off while their real goal was to lay eyes on Fugitive 27149's true visage. Gu Fei had become prominent in Yueye City these days. However, his face had remained hidden from start to finish as he wielded a blade in one hand and a Chinese broadsword in the other. While many players admired his getup, none of them knew what he looked like or what his name was. Only Will-low in Yueye City knew of Gu Fei's appearance, and she had seen it not too long ago.

They felt slightly embarrassed when Young Master Han exposed their real intention. But considering how he had tolerated their presence for the past hour, he had at least saved them some face. Although Dusky Cloud felt discontented with Young Master Han, he did not snap at him this time. Dusky Cloud tried to make light of the situation by laughing self-deprecatingly, ”Ha ha… Looks like we don't qualify to meet him. Guess we'll have to trouble Sword Demon to thank him for us. I had intended to do that at the Warrior Encampment yesterday, but he quickly logged off before I could say a word to him.”

Sword Demon smiled and nodded his head, ”I'll be sure to tell him.”

”We won't bother you guys any further, then,” Dusky Cloud said.

Cliché parting comments, such as ”Come and play whenever you're free”, ”Take care on the road”, ”Stay in touch”, et cetera, were all spouted before they truly departed.

The five mercenary group members entered the tavern and saw Gu Fei moving his table back to its original position.

”What're you doing?” Sword Demon asked, puzzled.

”Uh... I feel more secure when I'm leaning against a wall. But since we're leaving now, I'm moving this table back to its original spot,” Gu Fei answered defensively.

”You're eavesdropping, right?” Young Master Han bluntly exposed Gu Fei while flashing him a mocking smile.

”Ha ha… I felt bored doing nothing, so I listened in,” Gu Fei tried to play it off, just like what Dusky Cloud had done not too long ago.

Young Master Han noticed Will-low sitting beside Gu Fei, so he remarked dryly, ”You must have been really bored to busy yourself intently in this one hour.”

Unexpectedly, Sword Demon went up and greeted Will-low, ”You're here, too!”

”Yup! I'll be going with you guys to Yunduan City,” Will-low said happily.

Royal God Call had a dumbstruck look on his face as he whispered to Gu Fei, ”You're quite the player to reel in a lady to return with you in just two days. How did you do it? Teach this lil' bro!”

Gu Fei was annoyed by his insinuation, ”What does a kid like you know? Go play with yourself.”

Royal God Call was affronted by his dismissal.

Gu Fei introduced Will-low to the five men. Besides the new IGN Young Master Han specifically created for this game, Will-low recognized the IGNs of the other players. She punctuated every introduction with bouts of shock. When Gu Fei got to Brother Assist, Will-low bounced excitedly, ”Brother Assist?! You're my idol, you know?”

Everyone was astonished by her reaction. Even Brother Assist did not know how to respond, ”Oh? Even I have fans in this day and age?”

”Yup! Collecting information and analyzing data are my hobbies, too!” Will-low exclaimed.

”Ha ha ha! This lady here has a bright future!” Brother Assist told everyone. Truthfully, Brother Assist's gaming style was often criticized unlike the others. To describe him using past gaming knowledge, he was not a player with amazing control, high level, or overpowered equipment; what he had was the theoretical knowledge of how to properly distribute stats for every job class, what kind of skills did the different job classes had, and how to best utilize the job class that was chosen. Any gaming noobs who encountered him would definitely be in luck, yet Brother Assist's ability to contribute when it came to an actual fight was very minute. Many people could not understand why he spent his entire day meaninglessly obsessing over these things, but they could see that he actually enjoyed doing it.

Spending most of his time discussing matters with other players and posting the top discussion threads on the game forums were how Brother Assist acquired his fame; the same fame that Sword Demon and the others greatly enjoyed in their respective fields of expertise, yet greatly diminished once outside these domains. In contrast, Brother Assist's expertise that could be applied in all areas allowed his fame to be more constant than the other four gaming experts.

However, fame did not equate to strength. The players that despised Brother Assist's work were greater than those that admired it. The players who were interested in researching and analyzing data components were naturally few as well. It was no wonder everyone was surprised when Will-low claimed that she idolized Brother Assist.

As everyone was feeling gleeful, Will-low continued speaking, ”Are you guys part of one mercenary group? Can I join your group?”

Everyone looked at Young Master Han.

Will-low definitely did not qualify to join Young Master's Elite mercenary group considering the level requirement criterion that they had set during its inception. But ultimately, Young Master Han was the one who had set this criterion and the rest were more or less indifferent to that criterion. This matter could be considered resolved as long as he gave his approval.

Gu Fei had his sight trained on to Royal God Call. Recalling that time when Sword Demon had asked him to join their mercenary group, Brother Assist, War Without Wounds, and Young Master Han did not voice objections except for Royal God Call. And yet, this kid currently did not voice any objection when this level 24 Thief had asked to join their mercenary group. A stupid smile was even plastered all over his face as he salivated at the prospect. This kid's disappointing. Truly and utterly disappointing, Gu Fei thought spitefully to himself. Royal God Call usually boasted about his abilities, yet his carnal desire was in full display when faced with this lady. It was no wonder why Amethyst Rebirth's ladies showed such a strong reaction when a male player joined their guild. It was lecherous men like him that sullied male players' good name.

Will-low finally caught on to who was calling the shots in this group. Fixing her gaze on to Young Master Han, she happily said, ”This big sis here must be the group leader. Let me join the group, pretty please?”

Big sis! The harmonious atmosphere instantly dispersed. Everyone nervously looked at Young Master Han as an amiable smile slowly appeared from his originally expressionless face. Young Master Han patted Will-low's shoulder and warmly said, ”So you wish to join our group! Not a chance.” He then turned around and told the others, ”Let's hit the road.”

Young Master Han's words vastly contrasted his friendly tone, so Will-low was momentarily frozen in place. After a bit, she asked, ”What happened?”

Sword Demon sighed deeply as he left the tavern. War Without Wounds laughed weakly and exited the establishment as well.

”When it comes to information gathering, you've still got a long way to go,” with a heavy heart, Brother Assist sincerely said to Will-low.

”Don't worry, leave this to me. Do you have QQ? Let's—”