MMORPG: The Elementalist

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Windy Groan was not too foolish: he did not venture further when he stealthily returned to the blackthorn bushes. Even if all it took for him would be several seconds and a less-than-ten-meter distance to recover his dropped items, the Bandit still studied his surroundings for some time since the rampage had left quite the impression and doubt in his mind.

There were many things he was unsure about the unfamiliar Underworld…

Therefore, he did not dare to summon Firewing Panther this time, and it was after checking around him for the Skeleton Demon that could see through his movement that he simply downed a small potion down his throat, lurking and approaching the nearby equipment.

To him, losing one item in the Underworld was equal to losing half his life, and not even the potion on his body could replenish that.

Even at the risk of death, he must recover his item.

It was a pity that something unusual happened just when he approached the items…

Just when he was touching his dropped items, Windy Groan somehow felt a formless war, his Stealth dispelled.

The distinct sensation of touch and an overwhelmingly deadly bellow arose! Before the Tier 5 Bandit could react, a bone sword that embodied death slashed through his leather armor, with the fearsome eye sockets of a Phantom Skeleton and its silhouette appearing at once before him!

Damn it!

Why would there be a Phantom Skeleton appearing here out of all the places it could be?!

A chill cooled most of Windy Groan's heart at once, a frostiness that cut into the bone instantly controlling his entire body in the split second he was struck.

His head went black…

Watching as streaks of shrill sonic boom shot towards him, vague shadows began to appear before him, one after another.

Windy Groan's face went pale-white!

Trap!

Even if he was slow, he still realized how unusual it was for a flock of Phantom Skeletons to appear near his dropped items…

***

As Windy Groan stepped out of the Resurrection Portal once again, he saw Captain Edgar walk towards him with a rather concerned gaze and clapped him on his shoulder.

"Warrior, do not fall so easily!"

"…"

Windy Groan's face was filled with bitterness. As he glanced at his naked thighs and empty palms while sitting down beside Camp Edgar, he shook his head pathetically and laughed painfully.

Another item dropped.

"Captain Edgar. Has there been anyone else staying in this camp apart from myself?" Windy Groan suddenly asked Edgar as he sat beside him as well.

Edgar nodded as if in understanding and nodded at Yaegar's tent. "He is far more adapted to this place than any warrior I've seen…"

As he had thought!

Windy Groan's heart sunk rapidly.

"Is he an Aquamancer?"

"You've met him?"

Edgar's surprised reply further cemented the Bandit's theory, and he sighed bitterly.

"Of course."

Remembering that sensation of being homed before, he was now sure that the stampede of Skeleton Warriors near the dark thorn bushes along with the Phantom Skeletons lurking around his dropped items were all Qin Ruo's doing.

"Edgar, can you PK in camp?"

Windy Groan's abrupt question prompted a thoughtful glance from Edgar which lingered on his arms and thighs, before he stopped and shook his head.

"For the safety of the camp, Edgar, Raleigh and myself would never let that happen…"

"Those who die in camp would be revived on the spot without losing any level, experience or drop any items. As for those who hurt others out of malice, they would be denounced…"

At those words, Edgar's grip over his bow and arrow tightened, warning the Bandit beside him pointedly.

"Relax." Windy Groan murmured bitterly, sprawling over. "I won't make a move against him since I might not kill him with my abilities…"

"You're right about that."

Edgar nodded, causing a certain dejected person to roll his eyes.

"Is the difference so obvious?"

"Of course," Eager swung the blow earnestly. "In the last six days, you've traded eleven Skeleton Warrior Mana Cores for a combined value of 5500 energy points…"

At those words, Windy Groan was at once alert, his ears prickling—as expected, Edgar was about to report Qin Ruo's accomplishments…

"He had now rested more than three days in camp, trading Mana Cores worth hundred thousands of energy points, even helping Yaegar complete two quests."

"Is that obvious enough?"

"Yes…"

Windy Groan mumbled in pain as he held his head and rolled to a side.

Goodness. If he had known that he would be attacked by the NPC like that, he would not have asked.

It was such a massive blow!

However…

There was no wonder how that bastard leveled up so quickly.

And here he was thinking that Qin Ruo had already found the portal to leave the Underworld, never could he imagine…

Right. Edgar did say that the bastard had rested more than three days in camp, no wonder he had not shown up in the last few days.

Damn it.

What a racket caused right after they bumped into each other, and he did not even show his face.

Rolling around, Windy Groan pondered for most of the day in Edgar's tent, unable to come up with any solution. Even if he would unleash his Firewing Panther upon the Underworld and slow slay monsters for a day, Qin Ruo would never allow him an ease of mind.

Windy Groan could only ask for help from his clan…

"Clan Leader."

"Oh, Groan. Everything alright over there?

Incidentally, Netherclaw had been conferring with Snowmelt about how their plans against Fallen Angels and Violent Army Clan, and quickly linked him into a temporary clan channel at the sound of his voice.

"…"

Windy Groan had wanted to spill the beans on all that he encountered. Be that as it may, his heart sunk at once upon catching Netherclaw's "concerned" tone that had not changed much lately—his words, already at the tip of his tongue, was withdrawn…

"I just wanted to ask: how long would it be before the clan sends more people into the Underworld?"

Netherclaw sighed.

"Oh, Groan. I know… Underworld hasn't been nice for the rest of you, but now's just not the time to enter that place… We need men for the Buried City and the Liches."

"Clan leader, give me an actual timeframe. I can't handle this alone."

"Groan. Something happened over there?"

"It's nothing," Windy Groan said, doing his best to keep his voice level. "Two items dropped and no more potions…"

"…"

Netherclaw and Snowmelt were at once silent: both men knew what two dropped items meant for a Bandit, and Windy Groan would be utterly ineffective if he kept waiting day after day in the Underworld without reinforcements…

Even so, even if Netherspirit Claw had almost three hundred Tier 5 warriors, Netherclaw would not dare to direct them into the Underworld.

He could not bet the fate of the entire clan even if he could save his comrade in the Underworld! Surviving there was one thing, while returning was another…

Until now, none could successfully return from that place through the portals connected to the Buried City or the Mythical Continent.

Under such circumstances, none would dare to allocate their clan members into the Underworld.

"Just hold on a few days, let's wait until we have more Tier 5 classes…"

Before he could finish, Netherclaw was cut short by Windy Groan's desolation.

"My situation would slowly improve when there are more Tier 5 Classes? Fine. There are indeed more Tier 5 players now, but things are getting worse for me here…"

"I know what you guys are scared of… I know now: us dozen here are abandoned."

With those words that held resolve, Windy Groan left the voice channel.

In the very next moment…

Netherclaw received a system notification that Netherspirt Claw member Windy Groan had left the clan.

"He's gone."

Netherclaw's voice was calm, as if everything was within expectations.

"Understandable. He was one of the better players when he reached Tier 5, but he would deteriorate down to a normal intermediate player if he stayed in the Underworld any longer… I would feel a little temper too if it had been me."

"What do you think he would do now? Delete his account?"

Snowmelt froze, hearing the meaning behind Netherclaw's words.

"I think he met Qin Ruo…"

"How's that?"

"Simple. He could still hold on a few days ago, just as he could understand our stance… Today, his tone changed drastically. I guess it's very likely he came across him."

"…"

Snowmelt was quiet for what felt like half a day.

"If that's true… I pity him."

***

Camp Edgar, the Underworld.

A barrier with Stealth effect rippled slightly as if something had broken into it.

Edgar simply glanced with a faint smile at the Bandit beside him, and stepped aside humanely.

When he returned to camp, Qin Ruo rather alarmedly noticed at once as Windy Groan approached him. He laughed inwardly—the kid was not stupid as he imagined, having become aware of his presence after falling into his trap once.

But it was too late now: losing two items meant that he would have an even more difficult time in the Underworld.

Landing beside Edgar, Qin Ruo unconcernedly dispelled Aquamorph and appeared before the other's sight. He was convinced that it was him who had leaked the news that he was inside the Underworld, and after having died twice, he could guess that he was the one discreetly making trouble for him.

There was no need to hide.

"Boss Qin?"

In the very moment that Qin Ruo appeared, the Bandit spoke out from behind on his own.

"I've leaked information that you are in the Underworld, while you've killed me twice. It's an eye for an eye and I admit to the fact, and I've left the Netherspirit Claw clan… I hope for no trouble from you in the future."

"Eh?"

Qin Ruo paused, only realizing then that Netherclaw—the clan's insignia that the other man had been wearing had vanished without a trace. He turned, and found a pair of eyes filled with seriousness and pleading.

"I'm no longer one of the Netherspirit's Claw, nor would I work for Netherclaw any longer… I hope to simply stay in peace here in the Underworld until I could leave this place."

Qin Ruo studied the Bandit before him, hesitated for seconds before replying ambiguously.

"Is that so?"

With that, he made toward Yaegar's camp without a glance behind. He would not so easily believe him just because he had left Netherspirit's Claw for the moment…

"Netherclaw intends to act against the Fallen Angels with you being caught here in the Underworld…"

Windy Groan's voice hastily caught up from the rear—he did not wish to miss the chance to appease Qin Ruo since he simply could not stay in the Underworld with peace of mind without the guarantee that was Qin Ruo. "I know a portal we could return from. However, it's guarded by Liches, and I believe you would need my help."

Qin Ruo's feet paused, and he stopped.