"Perhaps I can deal with those vines alone, but I have no confidence in bringing you through. Besides, this Maze Forest, which the old man values so much, must have more than just spiked vines to overcome. Plus, most of the paths inside are likely to be a maze, increasing the chance of death."
"One Blow, let's respawn back in the city," Wind Traceless nodded, agreeing with One Blow's assessment.
Xiao Hua contemplated while the trio finalized their plan to leave the dungeon. Here, logging out wasn't an option; only death would take them out. Wind Traceless attacked One Blow, who defended himself and killed Wind Traceless. Wind Traceless dropped some equipment and potions, which the Fire Mage picked up. Then, the Fire Mage mimicked the earlier action, allowing One Blow to kill him.
From a five-person party, only one remained within two hours. Seeing the lone Warrior standing before the vast dark green pine forest, even Xiao Hua felt a pang of sympathy. A total party wipe was indeed a tragic affair.
One Blow took a deep breath, gazing at the six green entrances of the Maze Forest. After a moment of reflection, he straightened his chest and walked into the middle entrance.
Now equipped with ordinary items, the valuable gear had already been returned to Wind Traceless. The current equipment was disposable, so death wouldn't mean losing valuable items. Wind Traceless had entered the dungeon for gear, and One Blow also enjoyed good loot, but he was more intrigued by the unknown. Since death was inevitable, he didn't mind losing 20% experience and decided to risk venturing into the Maze Forest. Alone, he might stand a chance against the vines, and if he succeeded, there might be a teleportation portal on the other side, satisfying his curiosity and earning back the lost experience.
Seeing One Blow re-enter the forest, Xiao Hua frowned and also moved his illusion inside. Having overheard their conversation and watching the two 'commit suicide' to leave, Xiao Hua thought the Warrior would return to commit suicide by the evil water dragon. Instead, he ventured into the Maze Forest. Considering his previous performance against the spiked vines, it was possible he might succeed!
Xiao Hua decided: he would make this Warrior die in the Maze Forest and then quickly obtain the Shadow Phantom Ring. Acquiring a sub-artifact would take time, and he didn't want to waste it on the Warrior!
One Blow gripped his weapon tightly, moving cautiously through the dark green channel, vigilantly observing the spiked vines.
Suddenly, through his illusion, Xiao Hua saw One Blow avoid contact with anything, yet a vine still lashed out from the side and wrapped around his waist!
Thinking the tragedy was about to unfold, Xiao Hua was surprised when the Warrior swiftly cut the vine with his sword!
"This guy isn't bad," Xiao Hua felt a bit frustrated. He felt the Warrior was wasting his time. Since death was inevitable, why resist?
However, the vines weren't easy to deal with. After severing one, several more attacked, overwhelming One Blow and causing him to lose HP continuously.
Seeing this, Xiao Hua moved his illusion closer, ready to ensure the Warrior's death and return to the city. He was eager to approach the lake and find the evil water dragon.
The vines proved more formidable than One Blow anticipated, endlessly surging forward as long as the target lived. Despite cutting ten vines, he still couldn't escape their relentless pursuit.
One Blow's HP plummeted rapidly. Even after using an instant recovery potion, the HP fell again. In a desperate situation, he unleashed an Anger Slash, severing the vines in its path!
With only a sliver of HP left, One Blow tried to retreat. Initially hoping to break through, he now knew it was impossible and that continuing would only waste experience points.
More vines emerged from the forest, pursuing One Blow. But he had retreated far enough that escaping seemed possible unless obstructed.
Shadow Assault!
Xiao Hua couldn't resist using Shadow Assault. One Blow, startled by the sudden attack from the illusion, was entangled and turned into a white light, disappearing. He died confused, not understanding how the supposedly dead player could reappear and deliver the fatal blow!
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"Finally, peace!" After One Blow's death, the vines retreated. Xiao Hua considered his options and decided to postpone exploring the Maze Forest and focus on obtaining the sub-artifact ring.
Xiao Hua's character was still fishing by the river. Distracted, he hadn't caught many gemfish, but he had accumulated a substantial amount previously, enough to satisfy the evil water dragon.
Contemplating the attributes of the Shadow Phantom Ring, Xiao Hua cheerfully packed up his fishing rod and returned to the Old Woodcutter.
"Old Woodcutter, does your silver ring have any special features?"
"There's a 'Moon' character engraved inside, done by my hand. There's no identical ring in the world," the Old Woodcutter revealed without hesitation.
"Is that all?"
"No more."
Relieved, Xiao Hua headed to the lake.
At the blue lake, a pebble broke the surface's tranquility, prompting the evil water dragon to emerge, snarling. But after receiving numerous high-quality gemfish, the dragon's demeanor changed, becoming jovial and willing to help.
"Hey kid, what do you need? I'll assist if I can!"
"An elder of mine lost a silver ring with a 'Moon' engraving in this lake years ago. Can you help me find it?"
"A silver ring? Is this it?" The dragon's tongue extended, revealing a shimmering silver ring.
"System, you're shameless!" Xiao Hua cursed upon recognizing the ring's attributes—it was clearly the sub-artifact Shadow Phantom Ring, just recolored.
"Actually, it's not the one I'm looking for. It has 'Moon' engraved inside."
"Ah, then it must be this one." The dragon produced the correct ring.
Xiao Hua accepted the silver ring, completing the Old Woodcutter's task. Now, he needed to figure out how to obtain the sub-artifact from the dragon.
"Dragon, could you give me that other ring? I really like it."
"No way!"
"Really not possible?"
"No!"
"Even if I offer you these?" Xiao Hua revealed two perfect gemfish kings.
"Give them to me!" The dragon drooled.
Xiao Hua quickly hid the fish.
"Alright, since you've brought out my favorite food, let's talk."
"First step: catch 100 gemfish kings. These two count, so you need 98 more."
"Quest Chain: Improbable Sub-Artifact Ring accepted!"
"Improbable Sub-Artifact Ring: S-class World Dungeon Quest Chain. Upon completion, receive the sub-artifact Shadow Phantom Ring and massive experience. Current step: Favorite Food."
"Favorite Food: Collect 100 perfect gemfish kings for the gluttonous dragon. Current count: 2/100."
A quest chain! Xiao Hua was elated, having waited over a year for another one.
Sub-artifact! Massive experience! I'm coming!
Xiao Hua's eyes glowed with unprecedented fervor.
"Do well! I believe in you! Bring me those fish!"
After assigning the task, the dragon dove back into the lake.
To catch 100 gemfish kings, following the pattern of two every half hour, Xiao Hua needed to fish for a full day to catch the remaining 98.
But Xiao Hua felt no resentment. For the Shadow Phantom Ring, he'd fish for ten days if necessary!
The dragon disappeared, and Xiao Hua's excitement subsided, though he remained cheerful. He returned to the Old Woodcutter to complete the task.
"Good job! Thank you, young man! Here's my gratitude!"
"Quest: Ring in the Lake completed!"
"You received 10,000 gold!"
"You received the Blessed Bamboo Fishing Rod!"
"Blessed Bamboo Fishing Rod: Rare fishing rod blessed by a high-level Light Priest, increases the chance of catching high-grade fish and has a 1% chance to catch fish one level higher than your current Fishing Skill."
Though the reward was average, the fishing rod was interesting. If a player with Master Fishing Skill took this quest, they might try their luck with the 1% chance!
Initially indifferent about the reward, Xiao Hua was pleased with the fishing rod, which would shorten his fishing time.
The Old Woodcutter provided a bag of bait, and Xiao Hua headed to the river with the bamboo rod.
He summoned an illusion, recalling that it could also help with fishing. Thus, catching 98 gemfish kings wouldn't be too difficult.
Fishing alongside his illusion, Xiao Hua found himself very busy, frequently switching between his character and the illusion to improve the chances of success.
An hour passed, and he had caught 10 gemfish kings. At this rate, he could finish the first step in ten hours!
Two hours later, he had 19 gemfish kings.
Three hours later, 28 gemfish kings.
Three and a half hours later... still 28 gemfish kings!
In the last half-hour, neither he nor the illusion caught a single gemfish king!
Something was wrong. The frequent catches had stopped suddenly, which was unusual!
Had he fished all the gemfish kings away?
Xiao Hua frowned, considering this possibility. He moved to a distant part of the river to continue fishing.
Half an hour later, he and his illusion still had nothing, although they caught plenty of other gemfish.
The quest was indeed not simple. Even the first step required more than just Master Fishing Skill.
Xiao Hua decided to consult the dragon again.
He threw a pebble into the lake, and the dragon emerged quickly, drooling.
Xiao Hua gave the dragon all the gemfish, including the 28 gemfish kings, and explained his dilemma.
The dragon, after feasting, belched and casually replied, "I don't know. I live in this lake and can't leave. Ask someone else. Thanks for the meal. I need rest. Bye!"
Xiao Hua gave the lake a rude gesture and went to the Old Woodcutter.
"The gemfish kings come from a deep pool at the river's end. To catch them, go there. But beware of a giant frog that lives there. It's dangerous and will attack anyone nearby. Stay away, or you'll die. Especially don't try to fish for gemfish kings in the pool; the frog considers them its property and will attack anyone taking them."
So, the real challenge wasn't Master Fishing Skill but dealing with the giant frog!