MMORPG: Crowd Control

The fighting lasted for 30 minutes or so, mainly because the ambushed players weren't weak either.

They were all Tier 2 players and had nimble movement skills, allowing them to avoid all the catastrophic spells that were launched at them.

And during the fight, Lei Zhen's group also came to an understanding as to why most players struggled against them.

If one weren't prepared for such a well-planned ambush by the enemies, then it was extremely easy for them to fall.

Once all four enemies were detained thoroughly, Tang Qiaolian wiped some of the sweat on her forehead.

"They sure are extremely tough and difficult to go against." She exclaimed in shock, seemingly dumbfounded that such veterans were able to stay hidden from the public eye for such a long time.

Although they were enemies, Tang Qiaolian had to admit that they were some of the best players she had ever encountered in a fight.

"Their movement trajectories are too complicated, making the fight difficult. Once we grasp their movement trajectories and predict their next action, then they wouldn't be difficult to defeat." Howard suddenly said, giving his advice as an experienced soldier.

Griselda nodded her head.

"Howard is right. So long as we can predict their movement trajectories, then the fight would become easier."

"I was taking my time with that person, studying its movement so I can subtly understand how our enemies are going to move. Although I didn't grasp it fully, I can confidently say I can mimic their movement for about 70 percent." Howard then said, showing a confident look.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhen twitched his brows from the back.

'Damn, what a showoff this Howard was.' He exclaimed inwardly, feeling that Howard was trying his hardest to impress the women.

Now that the danger was resolved, Lei Zhen made sure to preemptively add a spell around Candice and walked toward the group.

"Anyway, what are you going to do to these 4 people now?" Lei Zhen asked, pointing at the unconscious 4 people that were now tied up completely.

Since this is still in the Magnolia world, the enemies could easily wait for the timer of the system to forcefully log them out.

After all, they don't know the method that these people used to prevent the affected players from logging out. Otherwise, they wouldn't have so much trouble and headache regarding this incident.

Tang Qiaolian and the women pondered for a moment, clearly not thinking about this matter any further.

They didn't expect the enemies would truly attempt an ambush against them when they had this many people on their side.

While everyone was pondering, Candice suddenly shouted in joy when she finally got the entrance to crack open.

"Master, I've done it. The entrance is opening now." Candice said excitedly.

"Well done, Candice!" Lei Zhen gave her a thumbs up.

"Howard, Hilda, and Melissa, the three of you shall stay here and watch over the four detained players. Smither Gary is an eccentric person, to say the least, so it wouldn't be right to have all of us meet him." He then instructed.

Howard naturally didn't have a problem with the arrangement, but Hilda and Melissa were clearly disappointed to have to stay outside.

Unlike Howard, who didn't have an interest in meeting a famous blacksmith, they were players who would be eager to befriend a famous blacksmith and possibly get an upgrade of their equipment.

"Just listen to Lei Zhen's order and stay outside." Griselda intervened, prompting Hilda and Melissa to comply with the order despite their reluctance.

Lei Zhen didn't bother to say anything but made sure to give a slight nod, seemingly thanking her to follow his words.

He had truly not done any duty of his guild leader, so the fact that Griselda still complied with his orders was something he was grateful for.

And with that all said and done, Candice was the first to head downstairs, followed by Lei Zhen and the others.

A few minutes later, the same scenario occurred in which Lei Zhen would hear a hammer banging sound from afar.

Meanwhile, Candice suddenly halted her movement and turned around.

"Master, do we wait out here like we did previously?" She then asked innocently. The previous time they were here, she was ordered by Lei Zhen to wait patiently, so she thought that he would have ordered her to do the same thing as well this time.

Alas, time was ticking down this time and Lei Zhen didn't have the patience to act like Lu Bei from the three kingdoms.

"Not this time, Candice. We are in a rush and it's not like Smither Gary was unfamiliar with us. Just barge in and act on what you did previously." Lei Zhen said, suggesting she should just go commando mode.

Candice's mouth was visibly curved upward when she heard Lei Zhen giving her full permission to act commando.

"Say no more, Master." She smirked coldly and lifted her sleeves up.

Afterward, Candice directly barged open the door, not giving a single damn about Smither Gary's smithing.

"What the hell?" Smither Gary paused his smithing and turned around, only to realize it was Candice that had just interrupted his work rudely.

"Why are you screaming what the hell when you should have detected our presence already? Are you still trying to act like some old man being all wise and sage?" Candice swiftly countered his words and taunted him.

"..."

Smither Gary ignored Candice's words and merely glanced at her back, in which Lei Zhen was secretly chuckling.

"Is it that brat again that told you to act so rudely?" He asked in a displeased tone.

"Please don't drag me in when I'm innocent." Lei Zhen raised his hand and proclaimed his innocence.

Smither Gary narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly. He might not have had much social interaction in his recent years, but he wasn't stupid enough to believe an ounce of Lei Zhen's words.

Putting down his hammer, Smither Gary glared at Lei Zhen, "Have you brought enough Magnoroid Cores this time?"

"I'm not here today regarding my weapon," Lei Zhen shook his head and proceeded to explain about the artifact that Liu Lingxin had used.

"According to my friend's words, the artifact activated with the scream of a monster, and I have seen you hammering some monsters previously." He added.

Though it was a wrong choice of words because Smither Gary instantly hastened his movement and grabbed Lei Zhen by the collar, lifting him up from the ground.

"Little brat, you dared to spy on my work?" Smither Gary's eyes were filled with rage and his aura began exploding, causing the atmosphere to be quite suffocating.

His grip was getting tighter, causing Lei Zhen to have difficulty breathing.

And his action caused the other women to be alarmed as they hurriedly equipped their weapons, ready to attack Smither Gary.

However, Smither Gary anticipated their action and merely sent a threatening gaze, prompting them to receive a fear effect, immobilizing them successfully.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhen was gasping for air as much as he could. He tried to speak up, but couldn't when oxygen was leaving his body rapidly.

"Brat, I have been patient with you for a long time already. Yet you dared to spy on a blacksmith without permission! Don't you know that's a blacksmith's biggest taboo?" Smither Gary roared, his voice nearly causing Lei Zhen's eardrum to explode.

Ding!

[You have received a sonic boom attack]

[Your health point has decreased by 400]

Even the system notification appeared, relaying that Lei Zhen's health point had dropped by a margin.

Just when Lei Zhen thought he was going to lose consciousness from the lack of oxygen, Smither Gary suddenly felt his lower part aching in pain.

His facial expression twitched frighteningly as he finally released his grips, with both his hands clutching down his lower part.

"You are not allowed to harm my Master even if you have some connection with my clan." Candice's voice echoed from behind, lowering her legs.

"I merely didn't want to harm you, but you actually dare to attack a man's most important part?" Smither Gary was visibly in pain as he clamped his legs together, seemingly trying to suppress the pain.

"I didn't want to harm you either, but my Master's life was hanging on the thread. If it wasn't because my Master was truly in the wrong, then I wouldn't have stopped attacking you." Candice said, rushing to aid Lei Zhen.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhen used this time to take multiple breaths as his face was pale completely. He checked his status and saw an effect called strangulation under it.

If it wasn't for Candice's timely rescue, then he would have died of strangulation. Retrieving a bottle of health potion from his inventory, Lei Zhen quickly chugged it down while apologizing to Smither Gary for spying on him previously.

"I did not mean any offense when I spied on you previously, Smither Gary. If I was truly after your craftsmanship, then I wouldn't have revealed it in the first place." Lei Zhen explained, telling him that it was just a misunderstanding.

Unfortunately, Smither Gary didn't have the time to listen to his explanation as he was still writhing in pain, almost as if he was afraid of not being able to do what a man can do in the future.

And seeing his reaction, Lei Zhen realized what kind of attack Candice had done to rescue him.

"Did you kick him on his ballsack, Candice?" Lei Zhen asked nervously.

Candice shrugged her shoulders.

"He asked for it. Who told him to have high defense everywhere except that particular area?"