Chapter 69: Player

[Server Announcement! Player Grind God was the first to kill the Icefield Field Boss: King of the North. Achievement Reward: 75 gold and 75 Fame.] 

The announcement came right after and it was pretty satisfying to receive free gold just like that. To make it even better, Liu Ye would soon receive another one for the solo kill. 

Or at least that's what he thought. 

"Huh?" Liu Ye raised his eyebrows at the lack of the second announcement. For a second he thought he missed it but even after scrolling through his inbox, he couldn't find anything. 

"Is there something wrong?" Avi questioned as he pulled away from her. "You look confused." 

"Hmm, I'm not too sure myself," Liu Ye replied as he analyzed the situation in his brain. He received the first clear so his attempt to get aggro worked and this battle should also count as a solo kill. 

There were only two solutions to why it didn't work. 

Either she wasn't an NPC or there were no Solo Kill achievements for Field Bosses in the Mainland. He stared at her suspiciously and she actually looked away to avoid his gaze. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Avi asked unhappily. "It was just a friendly hug... Don't be mad at me."

"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about something," Liu Ye apologized and stopped guessing. "Anyway, let's get out of here." 

Since Avi was an NPC, this had to be the latter. Maybe there would be too many announcements so they limited it to just one. It was a shame but he couldn't do anything about it.

"Oh! Water Stone!" 

Just as Liu Ye pulled out his reward for the kill, Avi exclaimed in surprise which only confirmed his theory. 

"Yeah, I plan to use it to improve my Water Element Mastery," Liu Ye replied casually but Avi immediately stopped him. 

"Are you crazy? Do you realize how expensive and rare it is?" Avi questioned as she grabbed his arm. "A single Elemental Stone can reach the price of up to 20,000 gold and you are going to waste it? Those stones sell out as soon as they get on the market." 

Liu Ye was taken aback by the price. Does that mean he is sitting on 60,000 gold right now?

"Doesn't it improve your Elemental Mastery though?"

He already had two Water Stones so he planned to use one for himself in hopes to receive another Elemental Point but he was immediately scolded. 

"Of course it helps but so does your training. You are still a newbie so it is easy for you to improve. It's best to use them once you reach a block and find it hard to advance," Avi suggested. "If you already awakened Water Element, it is better to sell it in an auction and then use the money for the Training Room in the Academy. Works much better." 

"What do you do in the Training Room?" Liu Ye wondered interested. 

"It's basically a simulation of the battle where you never get tired from using Abilities. It is actually so much better than real battles since you don't need to risk your life," Avi explained as she pressed the Water Stone against his chest. "Keep it safe or someone will kill you for it. Even I'm tempted to steal it from you." 

He didn't hesitate and kept it as suggested. If not for her, he would already bet his luck on the 1% chance of the Water Stone. 

"Good boy. Remember to always use them only to awaken your Elements instead of boosting your Elemental Mastery," Avi reminded and walked towards the exit. "Let's head back to the city now."

"Huh? Already?" Liu Ye asked surprised as he followed her. "I can still train for the rest of the day."

He had more than 12 hours till the servers would close so he had more than enough time to grind for a few more levels. He could also test two more abilities after spending his points and this place was perfect for grinding. 

"Well, I like to spend time with you but I'm also a businesswoman," Avi replied with a shrug. "I can be making 500 gold per hour just by coaching and you are not paying me right now. I helped you for a while and you helped me so we are even now. Life in the Academy is not free so I have to go make money." 

"What if I pay you?" Liu Ye asked right away. "I don't mind paying if you were to do whatever I ask."

Avi stopped walking away and looked at him with interest. "Are you going to pay me 500 gold per hour?" 

"Sure," Liu Ye nodded, already having an action plan in his mind. "I don't have money on me right now but I have the Water Stone which I can sell later to pay you back. How about 10 hours for 5000 gold?"

He hoped for some free labor but it seemed like he wouldn't be as lucky as he was in the Newbie Village. 

"Hmmm…" Avi paused as she stared at him in wonder and nodded, "Fine, but I can only stay with you for five hours. Let's not hunt at night since the monsters here get more fearsome. I also have something to do in the morning so I need to retire to sleep early." 

"That's a deal then," Liu Ye accepted as he walked up to her and explained, "I want you to lure—" 

He paused halfway, suddenly hearing the sound of an announcement. He got excited thinking it was just a delay only to get disappointed. 

[Server Announcement! Player Black Widow was the first to kill the Grasslands Field Boss: Toxic Butterfly. Achievement Reward: 10 gold and 10 Fame.] 

Liu Ye didn't think much of it until it was followed up with another announcement. 

[Server Announcement! Player Black Widow was the first to Solo Kill the Grasslands Field Boss: Toxic Butterfly. Achievement Reward: 10 gold and 10 Fame.] 

"Wait a second…" Liu Ye muttered under his nose and gazed at Avi only to find her already walking away.

"You know, I think I actually forgot that I had scheduled coaching so I better return—" 

"Wait!" Liu Ye cut her off as he swiftly chased after her. She tried to get away but he was faster and caught her shoulder. 

"Tell me honestly, are you a Player?"