Trade Area of Melburn Town

Just like every Trade Area. Shops filled both sides of the street. There were pharmacies, smithies, bars, and more; it was extremely flourishing, just like a small market. However, the current trade area wasn't as lively as it should be. It hasn't been long since Arnis started operating, so most players were busy leveling up instead of enjoying what Arnis had to offer. As a result, there were only a minority of lifestyle players staying here. They were here to learn Auxiliary Jobs such as Enchanter, Forger, Pharmacist, Chef, Engineer, Alchemist, etc.

"Buying herbs at a high price, contact me directly if you have any."

"Buying ores rip-offs can stay away."

"Sincerely buying high-ranking equipment. The price is negotiable. Willing to pay credits.”

Many of the Guild's logistic staffers and some of the workshops in the area had set up a small stall by the roadside of the Trade Area. They were mainly here to buy items and equipment.

...

After he finished buying some herbs, potions, and some equipment that can aid him on his quest, he was about to leave but then, a commotion occurred and it immediately piqued his interest, as he was curious about what caused the commotion. He immediately followed the players who were curious as well.

After that, he arrived at the place where the commotion was going on, and to his surprise, it was the Kraden Auction House. The Kraden Auction House upholds two entertainment areas: The Battle Arena and The Challenge Race. The Battle Arena as the name suggests allows players to battle each other. Typically speaking it's PvP, but it wasn't the Battle Arena that was the cause of the commotion instead, it was the Challenge Race. The challenge race could be considered a testing ground for a player's capabilities. Once a player entered the trial grounds all their Attributes would be fixed at 10 points, their skills disabled, and their equipment rendered useless.

The NPC gave out three ranks of challenges: Copper Prize, Silver Prize, and Gold Prize. After a challenge was completed, there would be a three-day cooldown. There was a fee of 3 coppers for the Copper Prize, 5 silvers for the Silver Prize, and 5 gold for the Gold Prize. Naturally, the higher ranked the challenge, the greater the prize. There was even the chance of obtaining an Uncommon (White) Equipment

At the moment several players were standing in front of the field. They were here for the NPCs challenge from the Kraden Auction House.

"Good luck! You have to succeed this time."

"Good luck! Stomp those NPCs."

A few players were currently cheering with all their might for an assassin player that stood on the field. Their reddened eyes made them look no different than crazed gamblers.

Within 30–yards–long and 10–yards–wide field players were only allowed to block or dodge the incoming shots from the NPCs' muskets. A victory would ensue once players arrived at the finishing point.

"Interesting, that player is an assassin class player like me also? I wonder how he would fare in this challenge." Lyn exclaimed while examining the assassin standing on the field.

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A bystander heard him and said. "Eh, you don't know that assassin?"

"How would I know? I don't even know who he is." Lyn replied honestly

"Ah, I see it's your first time in the gaming industry right?" The bystander asked.

Lyn nodded and said, "Yes, you're correct."

The bystander confirmed his suspicions and nodded and explained the assassin on the field.

"The assassin over there is a famous figure in a second-rate guild called Dark Crows. They are famous for their assassins being skilled to most guilds, even though they are a second-rate guild you mustn't underestimate them. After all a guild is a guild no ordinary players stood a chance against them.

"Oh, I see," Lyn said in realization. "Seems like that guy is strong."

The bystander: "..."

Lyn then realized that he didn't know the name of the assassin.

"What's the name of the assassin?" Lyn then added. "You forgot to mention it to me."

The bystander then realized that he forgot to mention the name of the assassin. "Ah, I'm sorry I was too excited that I forgot to mention it to you... The name of that assassin is Silent Kill."

Lyn nodded. While Lyn was still comprehending what he had heard, the challenge race was about to begin.

"Good luck. Go get them!"

"Stomp those NPCs."

"Wooooo... Good luck!"

The countdown started counting down officially in

3...

2...

1...

GO!

Silent Kill then started sprinting and at the same time the NPC also started shooting Silent Kill with his musket, but unfortunately, Silent Kill was able to dodge it with ease. Silent Kill has passed the 5-yard mark and is now marching toward the 10-yard mark.

"Go Silent Kill, you can do it!"

"Hang in there Silent Kill!"

Everyone was cheering for Silent Kill, especially the guild which belongs to The Crows. They even bought a slogan with them. The crazy fans of the assassin bought one as well.

Silent Kill has now passed the 10-yard mark, and the difficulty of the race has increased to hard mode. Silent Kill was now beginning to slow down his pace as the rate of bullets being fired was becoming faster and faster, he was having a hard time blocking and dodging the incoming shots.

By the time he reached the 16-yard mark he was shot in the head and some parts over his body and it was Game Over. Even though he didn't manage to get past the 15-yard mark, he wasn't far from it either, instead of whining over it he decided to train harder and work harder so that next time he will be able to do it.

"Whoa, even I would have a hard time on that, or rather I would immediately be eliminated before even going past the 15-yard mark immediately." Lyn was impressed by Silent Kill's performance and determination. Lyn then turned his attention to the challenge race field and thought. "But on second thought. Is it really that hard?? Or am I just ignorant? 🤔" He then shook off his head and got rid of the ridiculous thought he had. Like the saying goes: "Never judge a book by its cover." Lyn nodded to himself.

Lyn looked at the challenge race again and after a long while he finally decided to challenge it, but before he was able to challenge it, someone was able to get ahead of him.

"Damn, I was a tad bit slow... Oh well." Lyn said in disappointment but he really wasn't angry because he still had a lot of time to finish his quest.

He then glanced at the person who entered the challenge race. It was a beautiful black-haired girl wearing leather armor for swordsman class and a sword hanging on her waist. A girl? Is she also curious and wants to play it too? …Interesting. He then returned to the front field and watched the girl who was standing in the field with relish.