Chapter 565 - Goals Aligned (1/2)
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Izroth regrouped with the players from Sacred Beasts. By the time he returned, the barrier set by Meng Jiang was gone, and the party appeared in a healthier state after having recovered a bit. However, going from one high stakes situation right into another caused them to enter into a state of vigilance.
Nevertheless, the members of Sacred Beasts could not forget what they witnessed just moments ago. To say they underestimated Izroth was an understatement.
They were amazed at how he breezed through an ambush of almost forty players single-handedly! Even if those players were not as strong as the elites from top guilds, it was still an impressive feat. After all, seeing how they had the strength to survive in this part of the Rosentarus jungle, there had to be some decent skill to their names.
”I shouldn't have listened to my friends back then and chose warrior over the combat master cla.s.s. If I knew combat masters could get this strong, I would not have hesitated at the time.” One of the Sacred Beasts players sighed.
”What are you talking about? Combat masters aren't that simple. Anyone can become one, but few can reach a level of usefulness. There's a reason it's considered a trash cla.s.s despite being the most powerful cla.s.s on paper.” One Shot Brick explained.
He then continued, ”Most players think combat masters are weak because the top guilds labeled it a trash cla.s.s. But, they misunderstood our reason for doing so. It's known as a trash cla.s.s because of the insane learning curve attached to it. Anyone can be a mage, warrior, or any other cla.s.s and get by for the most part with the system's guidance. But, combat masters have no such mercy from the system. Every gain has to be earned by their own hands. Therefore, while they have no theoretical, combat masters are too inconsistent and unpredictable. Pair that with having no skill tree to learn from, and you get a cla.s.s even the top guilds want nothing to do with.”
”He's right. Being a combat master isn't all it's cut out to be. I have a few friends who picked it. The majority of them failed to learn a single skill, but a few were able to. However, the highest was a C-ranked skill—that they spent almost a week in-game time learning. Why go through the trouble when you can just choose a cla.s.s with a stable skill tree?” Banshee commented.
”A week just for one C-ranked skill?!” The Sacred Beast player exclaimed. After he heard that, he no longer regretted not choosing the combat master cla.s.s. If he had done so, there was no way he would have made it to the status of a Sacred Beasts core member. But that's when it dawned on him.
If it took Banshee's friend a week to learn one C-ranked skill, what ridiculous amount of time did Mr. First Place spend learning so many high-ranked skills?
However, how would the members of Sacred Beasts react if they found out that the majority of the skills Izroth displayed were not ones of his creation, but rather ones he acquired from skill books?!
The entire time during the fight against the Failed Chimera and even in his battle against the players from the Headhunter Syndicate, Izroth had not revealed even 5% of the skills he created!
”I didn't take you for the merciful type, Mr. First Place.” Meng Jiang said as she approached Izroth alone upon his return.
”Impressive summon. A skill?” Izroth stated as he glanced over at Acogu'An, who was resting on the ground near the other Sacred Beasts members.
”Nothing so fancy. Just a basic sense of smell.” Meng Jiang replied with a smile.
Whatever was previously cloaking the Headhunter Syndicate players' scent allowed them to get close without Acogu'An noticing their presence. However, its effects had long since faded. Therefore, Meng Jiang was aware that Izroth let the last person from their attackers live due to Acogu'An's great sense of smell.
”I don't know why you've chosen to let them escape, but I'm sure there is a reason behind your action. That being said—I a.s.sume you know the ident.i.ty of our attackers, correct? You even seem to have some sort of personal history with them.” Meng Jiang questioned as her gaze flashed with a trace of sharpness.
It was not over yet. Whoever those players were, Meng Jiang wanted to make sure they knew the price of attacking and threatening her Sacred Beasts.
”You can say we have a bit of history. Though if I were you, I would not waste my time chasing them—since I plan to remove the Headhunter Syndicate from this event personally.” Izroth stated.
”The Headhunter Syndicate... My, how bold they've become in recent times. They always had an aura of arrogance and recklessness. But, they understood who they could and could not afford to offend. After a bit of success, they must view my Sacred Beasts as something they can trample on without consequence. Tell me, if you were in my shoes, would you be able to sit idle?” Meng Jiang a.s.serted.
A carefree smile appeared on Izroth's face as he responded, ”No, I suppose not. What do you intend to do?”