Chapter 74: Would You Like To Connect Today?

[ Keen Insight ]

A skill that allowed the user to see values and information on their opponent as well as provide an increase in their dexterity when combatting. It was something that anAssassin or a Scout would be able to use as one gathered information and was also helpful enough while engaging with enemies. So far, Bleu was having no trouble capturing and putting the Guardsmen down. So far, the only one with the highest level in Guardsman was simply aLevel 9.

And it was the one that Tierra was fighting, but the Guardsmanclass was negligible as they were also a Spearmanat a Level 21. Perhaps they formally served elsewhere before joining as a Guard of the city.

The others were much less impressive as he put them down—not killing but dealing enough injury to prevent them from moving forward and call in more reinforcements. They were blacked out. Although at a rate of combat like this, it would hardly do anything in his own growth within this simulation. He needed to either kill someone or combat a higher leveled person.

Somehow, after this much time, he had somewhat forgotten why he had joined this in the first place. There was no gratification nor enjoyment as he ducked from the blade aiming for his chest as he reappeared behind the Level 10 Swordsmanand kicked them backwards.

Perhaps the only reason why he still bothered to visit this realm was—

The dagger flew straight and hit oneLevel6 Guardsman in the back. The immobilizing poison worked at once as they staggered back into the ground. Lucia was too caught up in conversing with one of the Guardsman, he wouldn't immobilize that one yet.

His friend needed to raise her guard up more.

And then something changed within the air, a dull sense that alerted him as he glanced back. Tierra was blowing at her fist, but beyond that, the dust settled as a woman arrived into the scene.

Compared to the other ones they had been fighting.

It looked like someone who'd actually manage to put up a better fight. [ Keen Insight ] didn't work at once with them, his lips curled down into a frown once. He was using a [ Skill ] and not a [ Spell ] so she wasn't using anti-scrying and instead…

[ Skill Usage Is Blocked with The Divine Providence of Eemis! ]

[ The Temple of Eemis Provides A Blessing To All Who Worship Him ]

[ Would You Like To Seek A Relationship With A [ Deity ] Entity Today? ]

The Shadow Elf dismissed the annoying notification and readied his daggers. He was considering how to deal with this Paladin or Cleric ? Maybe something else entirely? The City of Gloria either had a Champion to fight them or they had drastically underestimated them. Either way, the person in front of them would be more challenging than the grunts.

Now as to what exact reign that the Deity Eemis held, he wasn't familiar at all. Last he heard that countless minor Deities had joined in this simulation to amass more influence. Well, he didn't bother with them as he kept his eye on the newcomer.

Glancing back at them with furrowed eyebrows, the lady's eyes widened. The [ Illusion ] had been pierced through by their eyes. "What… What are three of you—" She was unable to finish her sentence as Tierra made her way towards the newcomer and the Spearman.

And yet at that exact moment a blinding pillar of light struck down the Tiefling.

Bleu quickly disengaged from the light's radius and kept his face blank as a piercing scream shrieked the walls--Tierra's wail. Tieflings were tainted with a Demon bloodline and influence, needless to say that the [ Holy Smite ] even from a non Player was debilitating.

...It wasn't his fault.

.

.

.

As soon as Timothy and Han stepped out outside of the vicinity of Kraelonia Academy, a certain feeling of deja vu once again implored his senses. It was almost akin to the sound of bells tinkling in his ears, it was a strange feeling that he had been getting ever since he…

"What's the matter, Han?" Timothy gave him a raised brow and waved a parchment in his face, "Are you suddenly nervous with the size of the city? I have a map so we won't get lost or anything." If anything, it seemed like it was the guy who looked queasy as they stared out into the bustling paths.

Compared to the peaceful Rockfall Village, the City of Gloria was akin to a metropolis.

He managed a smile and shook his head, "Not at all. Go ahead and lead the way, Tim." The man gave him a look but then strolled down the street or rather maneuvered towards one of the safer parts of it. Even as they were still at the entrance and exit of the Academy, numerous kinds of carriages and carts were intersecting on the roads.

Their trip on Old Man Joe's cart had made it seem like an easy ride, but now that the two of them were simply on their feet as pedestrians.

It really was jarring.

Somehow it didn't seem too strange to him if someone ended up as roadkill. Han sighed as he considered the options, from what he last remembered from the conversation—nobody was really near the Human Kingdom of Yegarian. Didn't Grandma Moe mention something about the Endless Passes? Did that mean that the Wood Elf arrived here and visited him?

Wouldn't they at least send a message though. Still, he needed to focus on getting the items in his [ Inventory ] sold and also getting his equipment—right behind the back of his Timothy's head, a menu popped up with an announcement:

[ New Player Notice! A Good Number of Other Players Are Within The Vicinity… A Special Quest Will Soon Arrive! ]

Special Quest? This wasn't going to be some kind of Battle Royale would it?

"Let's hurry up, Timothy, I think we need to purchase our equipment soon." Han grimaced and walked faster. He considered running back into the Academy might be safer for him and Timothy, they would be up against veteran Players if his odds would be against them… but he couldn't back down.

Timothy would give him a side glance to which he ignored for the moment. Right now he had to focus—he summoned the 'chat menu' and sent a message to the Wood Elf and hoped that they could at least help him or something.

[ Han: Are you around the area? ]

The Wood Elf was apparently online if the green orb on the screen was any indicator but they weren't responding. Shaking his head, he began to move faster across the street and glanced around the signs. Han had to put his faith into his luck and skills at the moment, maybe it wouldn't exactly be a bloody fight. Negotiations and diplomacy could possibly work and it wasn't like everybody acted like the Demon Lord did they? It made him remember that he had left their messages on unread.

It couldn't have been them hunting him down here, could they?

Maybe he should check and respond—

[ You Can't Reply To The Conversation Anymore. Demon Lord Has Blocked You From Their Contact List ]

.. .

And yet before the Mermaid could barely reach the earth, she was alerted of a sudden presence. [ Sense Humanoids ] had always been useful when she visited shores but this would be the first time it would be useful here. Someone was within the forest, the very same forest that the Wood Elf had assured her was a safe distance away. They saidthat itwould attract no attention from any kind of watchman or lookout of the city.

"Mister Wood Elf, we seem to have a situation."

"Haven't we agreed to our alibis? You were supposed to call me 'dear'." The Elf would chide her lightly with a smile.

Odele shuddered for a moment. Compared to her, the Wood Elf seemed to be unconcerned of perhaps oblivious to the incoming presence. "Aren't forests your natural habitat? Shouldn't you be more aware of our surroundings?" She chewed her lip for a moment and grabbed a hold of her satchel as she gazed around the thick and gnarly forest. Compared to the one that the Wood Elf had stayed in, this one seemed even more unforgiving.

"There's nothing for you to worry about, this is just a little scuffle."

A large explosion came from the right side as the first tree went flying towards them. Needless to say, the Wood Elf tsked their lips and the trunk was carefully put aside. Soon enough the other trees were put asunder, each one seemed to be getting felled and crashed down. She was no Siren but she was sure that she could at least pierce—

"What are you doing here?" A female voice boomed.

Oh for the love of pearls!

She wasn't good at using [ Allure ] against someone that was a girl as well, unless they oriented themselves with girls more. But more importantly, what did they just say? The Mermaid tossed another look at the Wood Elf and frowned. "You didn't tell me that you'd be meeting with someone."

The Wood Elf rubbed their temples, "Oh, I actually did—but I didn't expect her to have arrived before we even stepped into the city. I guess someone's been levelling up properly."