Chapter 45: Black Rose's Scheme

When Liu Ye escaped from the Dungeon, the General Store didn't calm down at all. It only became worse minute by minute as the people gathered to meet the legendary player. Grind God has been dominating the whole early game while getting every achievement available and everyone wanted to know his secret. 

What was a better way to learn it than stalking him? This was probably their only chance to meet him before he departs to the Mainland.

"What is going on here?"

Black Rose couldn't help but frown when she couldn't even enter the store. She pushed through the crowd when everyone started chanting happily. 

"Grind God!"

"Grind God!"

"Grind God!"

Her interest got piqued immediately as she rushed to the pod that was surrounded tightly. She was surprised to see countless women waiting at the front as if excited to meet their idol. 

'Do you think he will treat you better just because you are a woman?' Black Rose thought scornfully, knowing the true nature of the man they idolized. He wouldn't hesitate to kill them if they stood in his way.

She experienced his treatment first hand and it wasn't her favorite. Even though she only pushed him a little, he executed her with no mercy. 

"How long has he been inside?" Black Rose questioned a random player only to widen her eyes at the answer. 

"Don't know exactly but at least more than five minutes. I guess he is too shy to leave." 

Shy? Grind God shy? Bullshit. 

She approached the pod after sensing something was suspicious and jerked the door open. 

Oooh!!! 

Her action caused a round of commotion in the store as everyone stared at the empty pod.

Grind God was gone. 

"The pod is only locked when someone is inside. Grind God either logged out or used some other method to ditch you all," Black Rose explained with a roll of her eyes and entered inside the pod to investigate. 

She closed the door and touched the chair to check its warmth but it was all gone. Even when Black Rose neared her face to smell it, she couldn't sense any scents. 

"He must have used the Dungeon Key…" Black Rose muttered, finding it the only logical solution.

He wouldn't log out just because of some random players and only the Dungeon Key could teleport him away at this stage of the game. That discovery caused her to purse her lips and sit down with an evil plan in her mind. 

Black Rose took off her bandana and loosened her leather armor to reveal her chest. She didn't forget to mess up her hair in all directions as if she just fought for survival. 

'Let's see how you explain yourself when you come back…'

———

Liu Ye had no idea what was happening in the General Store as he was busy dragging a freezing body out of the open area. 

[★ Bandit Leader - Lvl. 15] 

[HP:2450/5000] 

[MP: 1200/1250] 

Bandit Leader only lost 51% of its HP when the cavern regained its light and Masked Bandits scrambled to find the enemy. Even though Liu Ye hid behind a boulder, it was only a matter of time before he was discovered. 

"Quick! Search for the Leader!" 

The leading Berserkers cried out orders while Liu Ye was busy gulping down on potions to prepare for the worst. 

'If I die, at least you are going down with me,' Liu Ye thought as his fist was covered with water and he began bashing on the Bandit Leader's head. 

-50

-17

-50

-17

He only needed less than 30 seconds to defeat the Bandit Leader but even that was impossible to get. 

"They are here!" A Masked Bandit yelled in alarm as soon as he saw them. "Let go of our Leader!" 

Liu Ye could only finish gulping down his Mana Potion and threatened while creating a Large Water Whip to defend himself, "Get back or I will kill him!" 

The Masked Bandits hesitated but Berserkers came to the scene and immediately attacked, aiming for Liu Ye's head with their fireballs. 

"Kill this bitch or our Leader will die!" Berserker ordered sternly. "Attack him from behind!" 

'Damn,' Liu Ye cursed as his secret plan failed. He wanted to use their attacks to kill his target faster but they weren't as dumb as he thought. 

The Bandit Leader's body was too heavy to lift it up so Liu Ye slipped underneath it, using it as a shield. Instead of attacking, he switched to defense and transformed his Water Whip into numerous Ice Walls surrounding him. As soon as one was crushed, he created another, stalling for more time. 

75%

80%

85%

"Quick! Someone, knock them up!" 

Liu Ye only heard another order when the ground shook and his body caught air. He saw all the bandits ready to shoot at him but Liu Ye desperately clung onto his dagger as they headed towards the ground. 

90%

92%

95%

Thud!

-50!

Liu Ye fell down while using Bandit Leader as a cushion but he still received massive fall damage. He didn't mind though as the Bandit Leader received the same which bought him another second. 

97%

98%

'Fuck!' 

Tens of abilities forced Liu Ye to roll on the ground at the last 2% HP. He thought of taking the risk but it was a guaranteed one shot. 

"Kill him!" Berserkers shouted before spewing a wave of flames his way, leaving Liu Ye with no other choice. 

Ha!

He lunged forward and stabbed the Bandit Leader's hand, ticking the last 2% while the heatwave covered his body. 

-20

-7

-20

-7

-20

-7

Flames constantly applied damage and burned him but despite the pain, Liu Ye forced his eyes open and saw a black portal spawn right in front of him. He shut them right after and lunged blindly in the direction of the portal as his only saving move. 

Huh?

Liu Ye expected a hard landing against the surface of the chair yet he fell one something soft with his palm sinking with a familiar feeling. When he realized what it was, Liu Ye snapped his eyes open and was surprised to see Black Rose lying right beneath him.

Pa!

Before he could react, Black Rose kicked the door open and screamed while staring at him in fear. 

"Aaaaaa!! Help me!"