Chapter 181:
This also happened to be the time when the sleep mode ended, and the game helmet forced players offline, another characteristic of the game helmet that players have figured out.
Apparently, this is to maintain players’ clear distinction between reality and the virtual world, so after every 8 hours of gameplay, the helmet will force a logout for 30 minutes before players can reconnect.
This is quite necessary.
Because players still need to get up, wash their faces, use the restroom, eat breakfast, and prepare for work or school, right?
Murphy just wants to acquire cute, reliable, and durable little players, but he doesn’t want to end up with a bunch of middle-aged internet addicts.
For test administrators, ensuring players’ physical and mental health is also an essential part of their job.
Back to this post itself.
As one of the two major factions currently openly allowing players to join in the game, information about the Avalon Church has always been a detail that storyline enthusiasts and scholars have been very interested in over the past period.Even the do-gooders led by Lumina have been searching for information about the Avalon Church in the game and compiling it in a dedicated post. However, due to the game’s current progress, information about the Avalon Church before the Ten-Year War is still scarce.
Nevertheless, from a gameplay perspective, the emergence of Witch Hunters and Oak Apprentices has indeed provided an alternative choice for players who don’t feel drawn to the vampire race and professions.
However, compared to the Blood Vulture Clan’s overwhelming presence in Transia, Witch Hunters have always been coming and going, causing players to worry that they might suddenly disappear, making it impossible to continue progressing their professions and power systems.
Now, Meow King’s timely post has put those players’ minds at ease.
To attract attention, Meow King even gave his post the title 《Behold the Glory of Avalon~Patchwork!》, which unsurprisingly received all kinds of mocking comments.
However, the post’s content still focused on discussing the Avalon Church’s job system that has been fully disclosed.
LuminaYanghen: 【Why do I see ‘Druid’? Isn’t this an elf-exclusive profession? Why do humans have it too!】
FatalOrchidHuahua: 【Alas, someone has inadvertently exposed their ignorance. The Druid religion is indeed an ancient belief of the Celtic people, and its association with elves is merely a folklore tale, similar to the Lady of the Lake from the Arthur legends.
This game clearly drew inspiration from ancient Celtic mythology when designing the old faith system and the currently game-background-only Isa Kingdom and Greenleaf Island.
If borrowing from their historical system, then the appearance of Druids in the old faith is perfectly normal.
And let me tell you, the Druids of the old faith are probably not the ‘Transformers’ you’re imagining. They’re more likely to be similar to shaman priests or nature spell casters, akin to characters like Merlin from British legends.】
TigerLeopardRider-Dou: 【Whoa! Like the Stormbreaker? That’s too cool!】
FeelYouPoor: 【But didn’t Merlin also have a book of beasts? So the Druids in this game can also transform into animals, right?】
BurstingBelly: 【Can the old nature faith communicate with animals? That ability would be very convenient.】
MeowKing: 【Yes! When I transitioned to an Oak Knight, I automatically gained the ‘Beast Tongue’ talent. I also saw Grandma Marianne, the Witch Hunter job trainer, selling ‘Beast Tongue’ skill manuals, so players from other factions should also be able to purchase them here using their reputation.
Oh, by the way!
The Adventurer’s Guild, reorganized from the White Oak Witch Hunter Battalion, also sells many attachments that can be used on Computation Beads. I took a look at Lady Natalie’s stall before logging off, and there are all kinds of bizarre functions.
Our beads have three attachment slots, and we can add three extra functions, but the prices are quite expensive, with each attachment costing 20 gold coins.】
SwordSaintAshina & FeelYouPoor: 【That’s cheap?】
SisterPomegranateUprootsTheWeepingWillows: 【Cheap for you! You two have been making enough gold coins everywhere! You’ve basically drained all the gold coins from the players’ hands, leave some money for the kids to learn skills!
I just found out that after the new version update, learning new skills from job trainers costs money! Even vampire players have to pay to learn flying.
These NPCs have gone bad! They didn’t charge before.】
OnboardJoyStick: 【@Sister Pomegranate Uproots The Weeping Willows, if you need money, private message me! I have a big job here that requires capable people, haha~ @Meow King, you come too, my team can’t handle this job alone, let’s work together!
You’ll each get a share then.】
MeowKing: 【Just one share? I, the esteemed preacher of the glorious Avalon, am deigning to help you crawl through the sewers, and you’re only giving me one share? Doesn’t your conscience hurt? Watch out, or I’ll summon the elders to divine punishment you!】
OnboardJoyStick: 【Take it or leave it! I can always borrow troops from NPCs, I’m only letting you in on this chance to make money because of our long friendship. Don’t be ungrateful.】
MeowKing: 【!!!Really? You’ve really found the legendary city gang’s treasury? What kind of dog luck is this!】
OnboardJoyStick: 【Heheh, private message, private message.】
NorthForestDog’sPaddle: 【Everyone come to sewer entrance 7 when you log in! Brother Mao is going to take the Black Iron Trial!】
FeelYouPoor: 【???Brother Mao and I entered the game together, but it’s only been a few days and he’s already level 10? I’m only level 6! And why is he gathering everyone for the Black Iron Trial? Others can’t help with that, are we just spectating?】
NorthForestDog’sPaddle: 【Heheh, it’s an event! Brother Mao made a bet with us that he can complete the elite challenge unscathed, and the four of us set up a betting pool.
Welcome everyone to come bet and watch the match, one gold coin per bet, the odds are very good now.
If Brother Mao loses even a drop of blood, he loses the bet~】
InvincibleTyrannosaurusCheche: 【Damn, playing for such high stakes? Brother Mao has lost his mind, yeah the Ghouls aren’t known for agility, but that guy isn’t just any ordinary human who can beat them unscathed with a sword, let alone with the attribute disadvantage. Sigh, we have classes this morning so can’t make it.
Someone remember to record the screen!
@Precipitation Niuniu Is Not Afraid of Difficulties, you go and bet for me, put three gold coins on Brother Mao losing!】
SpicyGuguChicken: 【Me too me too, bet for all of us in the dorm, five gold coins each on Brother Mao losing, let’s make this tough guy squad bleed dry this time! Hahahahaha.】
LadyAqua: 【Little brothers, sister advises you not to gamble so big, this is clearly a ‘pig slaughtering board’, the ones brave enough to set up a betting pool must be sure they won’t lose, the house never loses.】
LeadingPigeon: 【Oh oh oh! Another big sister? Are there really so many female players in this game?】
SwordSaintAshina: 【Not that many, including Lady Aqua it’s only five so far. Lady Aqua don’t worry, your helmet may arrive in a few days, don’t chat too much with the men in the game, or I’m afraid your husband will come knocking on my door if these bad guys lure you away.】
LadyAqua: 【I won’t get lured away, the passionate lively kids are the most fun, giggle~ I’m going to make breakfast for my husband and our two fur babies now, will chat more when I’m free.】
FeelYouPoor: 【@Bursting Belly, check private messages.】
BurstingBelly: 【Ok, got it boss.】
SisterPomegranateUprootsTheWeepingWillows: 【???Little Zhang what’s going on? Playing boss again? Didn’t you say last time you’re not cut out for this?And is this Bursting Belly guy someone you invited?】
FeelYouPoor: 【It’s different from what you’re thinking, don’t worry. Want to go out for breakfast together? I’ll pick you up in a bit.】
SisterPomegranateUprootsTheWeepingWillows: 【Never mind, your car is too eye-catching, I’ll just grab something simple downstairs, see you in the game later.】
The forced offline time of the game helmets ended quickly, and players gradually logged back in, some heading straight to the Adventurer’s Guild’s turf, but more little players were making their way in small groups to sewer entrance 7.
The safe sewer entrances in the outer city area were all marked with numbers by the Kadman People’s Army, with dedicated patrols guarding them. More and more Ghouls and Wraiths have been appearing in the sewer areas recently. Although there haven’t been any casualties yet, it’s only a matter of time if their numbers keep growing.
One of the reasons the outer city area hasn’t started reconstruction is this factor, Murphy won’t let the workers start until the number of Ghouls in the sewers is reduced to a certain level.
At this moment, at sewer entrance 7, Like A Tiger Can Edge Wood, who had logged out in a meditative yoga pose in the corner, opened his eyes.
He had just finished a hearty breakfast for himself, ate his fill, cleared out his inventory, and was now energized to enter the game and begin his challenge.
He and Feel You Poor entered the game together. Feel You Poor is only level 6 now, and about ten of the group from their batch are around this level too. But Brother Mao had already reached level 10 last night.
Apart from participating in Niuniu’s Hidden Quest and fighting to the death with the Spirit Hunters of Circle Tower in the mist, Brother Mao has basically been fighting Ghouls in the sewers for the past few days in the game.
He’s a man with clear goals.
After confirming that he wanted to take on an elite Ghoul as his Black Iron Trial challenge, he began observing and collecting information on the weaknesses of these monsters.
Now he is an expert on all the abilities and combat tactics of the Ghouls.
“Here, Brother Mao.”
Seeing Brother Mao log in, the four brothers immediately scrambled to bring out the consumables they had purchased for their leader, alchemical sword oils specifically made to combat undead creatures, temporary attribute-enhancing scrolls and potions, and East River Lion’s Roar was cradling the Spirit Venom Blade “Ambition and Dream” that originally belonged to Maxim.
This sword had just been enchanted with a Flame Strike by Lady Tris herself, adding a searing aura to its original eerie green glow.
Brother Mao had boasted that he could complete the elite Black Iron Trial unscathed, but he wasn’t reckless or foolish, he had made all the necessary preparations.
After completing the Hidden Quest previously, he obtained components of the Clan Guardian set, instantly upgrading his equipment to a solid T1 rank overnight. He also got two Warrior Chest Keys from the quest reward.
His luck wasn’t great, but not bad either, he didn’t get a mount but did obtain a ring with a Spirit Shield and a Midnight Hunter’s Ornament that can cast illusions from the Blood Vulture secret trove.
With these assists, Brother Mao gained 100% confidence in completing today’s trial unscathed.
After all, this isn’t the real world.
In games, equipment is also an important part of one’s strength. Though Brother Mao pursues martial skill, he isn’t rigid about it.
“How’s the betting pool going?”
Brother Mao applied the sword oil to another backup weapon at his waist while quietly asking, and West Valley Wolf’s Prowl, in charge of finances for the Expeditionary Squad of Four, took out a small notebook and checked, saying:
“The total bets have exceeded 300 already, just the six dorm brothers bet 30, and it’ll probably reach 500 by the start! I saw many NPCs also running over to join the fun and place bets. I’ll go ask around in a bit. Hey, if we win this round, our little team will have startup funds for purchasing all kinds of supplies.”
“Sigh, we should do less of this fight-selling betting business in the future,” said Brother Mao with a sigh.
“I keep feeling it’s a bit off, I never intended to make such a public fuss.”
“There’s nothing wrong with keeping a low profile in reality, but this is a game, Brother Mao! Isn’t gaming all about having fun? Being cool? Getting that thrill?” North Forest Dog’s Paddle laughed.
“We brothers are different from you guys born without worries about making a living. In reality, we’re just average, not too high, not too low, probably can’t defy the heavens and change our fates. But why not lower our standards and make something of ourselves in this game instead?
By the way Brother Mao, did you offend Sister Pomegranate somewhere?”
“Huh?” Brother Mao looked puzzled as he tore open a scroll to buff himself. “I don’t think so, we haven’t really said much to each other.”
“But Sister Pomegranate just bet 150 gold coins that you’ll lose,” West Valley Wolf’s Prowl said quietly while blinking.
“You must have offended her somehow, you just don’t know it.”
“Ah whatever, these are all small matters!” East River Lion’s Roar waved his hand dismissively.
“Brother Mao should focus on passing the trial first. Once you’re done, us brothers will hurry and get our trials over with too. Joy Stick wants to form a big team to take down that underground treasury occupied by Ghoul bandits. He’s putting out the word that as long as you’re a Black Iron rank player, you can join and we’ll get a share too.”
“Got it.” The other brothers nodded.
Although nominally following Joy Stick, ever since Brother Mao entered the game, these five had formed an independent small team.
Joy Stick didn’t make too much fuss about it, he just didn’t want to owe Joy Stick any favors now, so they had to rely on themselves for everything.
Soon, under the watchful eyes of dozens of players and even a bunch of NPCs attracted by the betting odds, the fully armed Brother Mao appeared before them.
In this large space near sewer entrance 7, Tiger Leopard Rider’s brother had intentionally lured an elite Ghoul leader over and trapped it in that area with fire.
These preparations made the place look like an improvised arena, with the Expeditionary Squad of Five hanging gas lamps around, making it as bright as day.
“Everyone take a good look at the current odds and check your bet amounts, no issues then we’ll close the bets now!” West Valley Wolf’s Prowl shouted while waving his notebook.
The next second, a hooded vampire stepped forward and tossed a small bag to him. When he opened it, he was startled, damn, it was filled with four heavy gold ingots! Each bearing the Blood Vulture Clan’s imprint.
Three ingots were bets on Meow King losing, only one on him winning.
“Big stakes!” West Valley Wolf’s Prowl inwardly marveled.
But by then Meow King had already jumped into the blazing arena amidst cheers, too late for second thoughts now.
“Perhaps we can reserve this area as an underground fight club,” Murphy, disguised among the crowd, said to the two beside him.
“My warriors enjoy such battles, relishing the applause while earning rewards through their own strength. You two if your hands are itching, feel free to go a few rounds down there.
Just maintain your disguises.
Or don’t even bother disguising, ‘sharing joys with the people’ is also a way to enjoy life.”
“Allow me to manage it, my lord,” said the hooded Maxim.
“We can give it a nice name, like ‘Blood Fang Arena’.”
“How about ‘Fight Club’?” Murphy smiled, giving a strange but succinct name. On the other side, Count Andrei did not respond, only eager to see how the warrior who dared make the “unscathed challenge” vow would fulfill his boast.
But behind Murphy, Lady Adele felt utterly repulsed by this scene, a rare display of such overt emotional upheaval from the usually reserved E-Sister.
This immediately caught Murphy’s attention, and under the elder’s gaze, Adele said in a muted voice:
“The slave-masters of the shadow elves in the Eternal Rift revel in such bloody spectacles. Every family has its own slave fighting pits, delighting in forcing the unfortunates who stray into the rift and various dark, ferocious beasts to fight for their amusement.
It is a cruel and inhumane practice.”
Murphy glanced at Adele and asked softly, “So, your mother?”
“She was once a traveler, and I was born in the fighting pits of the Mejeva family. I hate her naivety.”
Adele sighed, her expression complicated as she watched the crowd’s atmosphere grow increasingly heated. She shook her head.
“I dislike this place, master. Please allow me to take my leave for now.”