Chapter 112: Spearfish (1/2)
Players could be seen at every corner of Frost Forest. As the biggest forest region inside Floating Ice City’s domain, Frost Forest had all kinds of monsters. It was a great place for players to grind, gather herbs, forage, and procure pelts. It was paradise for Level 30–70 players at the early stage of the game.
The enormous number of Chinese players was world-famous. Half a month after the game’s release, Heavenblessed boasted 180 million registered players. That number had been divided into nine tier 2 cities, 20 million each. This was why the low-leveling areas were currently jam-packed with people. A trailblazer like me couldn’t find a grinding zone without walking for at least an hour or two.
……
My trek through the Frost Forest felt like it would never end. It took me 30 entire minutes to finally arrive at the sea region on the map.
Whoosh!
The forest parted and the scene in front of me brightened. The sea breeze brushed over as a notification came.
System Notice: You have entered a neutral zone—Silverscale Coast!
Far away was a boundless azure ocean and the extensive coast I was standing on was like a belt that encircled Frost Forest. Monsters of all sizes were crawling above the sea coast, waiting for a traveling adventurer to kill them!
I was looking for Fish Meat, so I naturally had to find some shallow waters.
A few steps later, I suddenly discovered a dark red region on the map. It wasn’t too big, but it made my heart jump. A temporary NPC camp?
If so, I shouldn’t act too hasty in killing the mobs. Provisions had to be prepared in advance before an army moved out. I had to check out that temporary camp. It wasn’t too late to get a few quests before going to grind some levels.
My bloody cloak fluttered in the wind, my Ghost Ice Soul tightly in my grasp. I was brimming with a cold aura as I strode past the grove of trees. My eyes brightened. A simple and crude NPC camp had appeared in the open space of the forest. They weren’t Night Creatures, nor were they humans. They were fully-armored dark-type NPC soldiers and the leading NPC wielded a sharp sword. He had blue skin and his eyes were blood red.
Blood Dance Legion!
Too similar. There wasn’t much of a difference between Shadow Dancer Xue Wei and this guy. Even though the Blood Dance Legion’s high-level warriors were considered undead, their bodies were intact, especially their eyes. That bloody color contained deeply-harbored grief. A single glance was all it took for others to fall in!
The head NPC was at least a high-rank Blood Dance Legion member. A row of lines floated above his head—
Wandering Blade Dakara (Bronze Rank Boss)
Level: 65
……
I walked up to him. Before I even got a word in, Scout Captain Dakara had already hoisted his longsword and angrily denounced, “Who dares trespass into the Blood Dance Legion's territory?”
“I am an adventurer from Frost Mound!” I drew my longsword, ready to battle.
I didn’t expect Dakara’s attitude to suddenly change. He withdrew his sword and smiled. “I’ve heard of you. Young warrior, you’ve saved Lord Shadow Dancer Xue Wei in an ancient ruin before, haven’t you? She has mentioned you many times!”
I was slightly shocked. My luck’s not bad, I met a friend of a friend!
As such, I approached the group. “Yes.”
“Lord Xue Wei has already retreated deep into the mountain range with her troops in defense. Those damn Night Creatures tried to eradicate every one of us. Utterly detestable! I was sent to patrol this beach by Lord Xue Wei but I never imagined that I would encounter a group of mutated creatures. So troublesome…”
Dakara put on a worried frown. That was my cue. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Oh, it'd be great if you could help me out!”
Dakara broke into laughter. “The depths of the sea have recently been churning with a strange power, causing many creatures to grow in strength. Look, you see all those golden crabs on the beach? Those crabs are extremely violent. Help me kill some of them!”
Ding~!
System Notice: Do you want to accept the quest [Crystal Crab]? (Current Quest Rank: B)
Yes!
Ding~!
System Notice: You have accepted the quest [Crystal Crab]!
Description: A large number of golden crabs has appeared near the sea area of the Silverscale Coast. Please be careful and kill 1000 Crystal Crabs. Find Wandering Blade Dakara after completing your quest for a generous reward!
……
Alright, quest received!
I turned around and left the Blood Dance Legion camp. At the same time, I now had a clear understanding of the factions in this world. Heavenblessed had three major forces. Humans, barbarians, dwarves, elves, succubi, and many other races formed the Silver Moon Alliance and represented the power of light. Masters hidden in the darkness commanded the Night Creatures and represented the power of darkness. The Blood Dance Alliance led by Blood Dance Magnificence Sophia was the third force. It was a branch separated from the Night Creatures that only sought survival, and could be considered a neutral faction in the battle between the Silver Moon Alliance and the Night Creatures.
This is the path I will be treading. Joining the Blood Dance Legion, but also taking quests of the other two factions. Three birds with one stone, that is the king’s way!
I summoned the Dark Wasp and set foot near the coast. Not too far away was a golden crab. It was about one-third the size of a human and held its pincers up high. The crab’s entire body was bright and transparent, like crystal, clearly the reason for its name! I was already Level 58 so I had no problem inspecting its stats—
Crystal Crab
Level: 65
Attack: 375~420