Chapter 467: Ambush

The wide square outside Gold City is a place where monsters don’t spawn, but it’s not a safe zone either, so player killing (PK) often occurs. Battles involving hundreds or even thousands of players frequently erupt here, usually starting from small conflicts that escalate as friends are called in, eventually turning into large-scale fights.

Today was relatively peaceful, with everyone focused on forming teams for dungeon raids.

On a forest trail west of Gold City, a group of more than twenty players was making its way toward the square. Their levels ranged around sixty, with the highest at sixty-three and the lowest at exactly sixty. They were members of the Niuren Tribe.

Leading the group was a paladin named Dunken Simemei. Though not among the top-tier players in the Niuren Tribe, he ranked within the top hundred. With decent skills and strong leadership, he had been appointed as the squad leader by Guo Huai.

“Kengnan, Boss Guo said we should bring two bottles of high-grade fire resistance potions; he’ll send someone to deliver them right away,” said a rogue named Kuaile Yinshi, the deputy leader of the group, who was usually responsible for gathering information.

“Kengnan” was a nickname given to Dunken Simemei by the group. After all, it was his own fault for choosing such a ridiculous name.

“High-grade fire resistance potions? What for?” Dunken Simemei asked in surprise. He had checked the official website’s information and believed that these potions wouldn’t be needed for this dungeon.

“Boss Guo said that although the final boss of the underground mine, the Blacksmith of the Forge, uses a skill categorized as dark corruption, its attack contains fire-elemental damage. Carrying two fire resistance potions can reduce damage taken by about 30%,” Kuaile Yinshi explained. Initially puzzled by Guo Huai’s instructions, he had quickly understood after hearing the explanation.

“Does Boss Guo even know about such details?” Dunken Simemei was taken aback. Considering that Gold City had just opened recently, their team was among the second batch of Niuren Tribe players to attempt this dungeon. Usually, such details required countless trials and errors by players before being discovered.

“Perhaps it was figured out by Daguang Dao and Shuse Laotou,” a beautiful priestess in white robes chimed in. Her name was Wuyue Xianzi, a level 62 priest ranked eighth among all priests in the Niuren Tribe.

“Maybe so.” When the group mentioned Daguang Dao and Shuse Yan Tou, their expressions turned reverent. These individuals were legends within the Niuren Tribe, second only to Nieyan in status. Nieyan was usually a mysterious figure, rarely seen, while Daguang Dao and Shuse Yan Tou frequently led teams, guiding other players through dungeons and cultivating many skilled players along the way. They were highly respected figures. The group sighed, knowing only someone like Daguang Dao or Shuse Yan Tou could notice such a minute detail. Ordinary players wouldn’t even think of it. They had no idea that this detail didn’t actually come from Daguang Dao’s exploration, but was instead information passed from Nieyan to Guo Huai, who then relayed it to the various teams. Two bottles of high-grade fire resistance potions could significantly increase a team’s success rate in the underground mine dungeon.

The group entered the square outside Gold City and headed toward the city, where three teams soon appeared in their line of sight.

Dunken Simemei’s expression changed as he said gravely, “It’s the Mage Alliance.” He recognized several faces.

As players became increasingly wealthy, the one-gold teleportation fee was no longer a concern for many high-level players. Teams from various guilds began heading to dungeons in major cities, just like Dunken Simemei’s group. The Mage Alliance also had several teams attempting the underground mine dungeon of Gold City.

The Niuren Tribe and the Mage Alliance were rival guilds, harboring deep hatred for each other, so conflicts in the wild were common.

“Everyone, wait a moment,” Kuaile Yinshi said. The opposing side had three teams, nearly sixty players in total, while they only had twenty. Clearly at a disadvantage, being surrounded would be dangerous.

The Niuren Tribe players halted their advance.

The Mage Alliance group was gathered around the teleportation stone at Gold City’s entrance. Once they activated the stone, they could enter the underground mine dungeon.

A tall warrior clad in golden armor was leading the team, organizing everyone into three groups and explaining the target locations, preparing to enter the dungeon. Beside him, a short, thin rogue whispered in his ear, “Boss Shuoluo, a team from the Niuren Tribe is approaching outside.”

Shuoluo’s expression hardened as he asked, “Where?” Following the rogue’s indication, he looked toward Dunken Simemei’s team. His eyes narrowed sharply when he noticed that the opposing Niuren Tribe had only twenty members, giving them a clear advantage. Should he attack?

Unsure of how to proceed, Shuoluo reported the situation to an executive vice-president of the Mage Alliance. Soon, he received a reply: kill them all!

Upon receiving the message, Shuoluo immediately halted the dungeon activation.

“Everyone, follow me,” Shuoluo said, leading the group toward the Niuren Tribe team with an aggressive stance.

“They’re coming. Prepare for battle,” Dunken Simemei saw the Mage Alliance leader approaching and felt his heart sink. “It’s Shuoluo!”

Shuoluo was quite well-known, having clashed with the Niuren Tribe players several times. The number of Niuren Tribe members killed by Shuoluo was certainly no fewer than twenty.

While Shuoluo might not be much in the eyes of Daguang Dao and Shuse Yan Tou, he was considered a formidable opponent by this group.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Under Dunken Simemei’s command, the Niuren Tribe team quickly adjusted their formation, with warriors moving to the outer perimeter while mages occupied advantageous positions to prepare for battle.

Dunken Simemei scanned the Mage Alliance players and noticed six or seven rogues entering stealth, disappearing from their line of sight. He immediately warned, “Mages and priests, be careful!”

The air felt unusually heavy. Nearby players, sensing the tension, quickly retreated to a safe distance to observe.

“What should we do? They outnumber us too much,” Kuaile Yinshi frowned.

“I’ve already sent a message to Boss Guo. Reinforcements from nearby will arrive in a few minutes!” Dunken Simemei said. An inevitable battle lay ahead, and they could only do their best.

Wuyue Xianzi smiled and said, “Brother Yinshi, Brother Kengnan, some friends from the Jialan Temple are nearby, finishing the underground mine dungeon. They’ll be out soon.”

“Jialan Temple players are here? That makes things easier. By the way, could you please stop calling me Kengnan?” Dunken Simemei wore an expression of innocence and helplessness.

Wuyue Xianzi smiled playfully.

Shuoluo scanned Dunken Simemei, Kuaile Yinshi, Wuyue Xianzi, and others before finally settling on Kuaile Yinshi.

“Long time no see,” Shuoluo said with a faint, indifferent smile.

Seeing Shuoluo greet Kuaile Yinshi, Dunken Simemei looked at Kuaile Yinshi in surprise and asked, “Do you know him?”

“We were in the same group in another game, comrades back then. But that was a long time ago; we’re not anymore,” Kuaile Yinshi explained. He seemed to have some unspoken difficulties, but it no longer mattered.

Those who come with ill intent rarely have good intentions. Since Shuoluo had brought people over, his intentions were clearly hostile.

The players from both sides glared at each other, ready to erupt into conflict at any moment.

The Mage Alliance, with their numerical advantage, formed a semi-circle around the Niuren Tribe players.

The Niuren Tribe couldn’t run; doing so would break their formation, leaving them vulnerable to pursuit and causing greater losses. They chose to fight instead.

“You Niuren Tribe trash won’t escape today,” a rogue from the Mage Alliance shouted.

“Who’s trash remains to be seen. In the battle of Keli’pus Fortress, the Mage Alliance sent so many elites, yet they still fled with their tails between their legs,” Dunken Simemei chuckled, his words dripping with mockery.

“Damn, don’t get too cocky. That was just your good luck.”

The players from both sides were furious, exchanging verbal abuse and hurling insults.

Shuoluo looked at the Mage Alliance players. The encirclement was complete, and the rogues had already cut off the Niuren Tribe’s retreat. Time was pressing, and to prevent the Niuren Tribe from summoning reinforcements, he didn’t waste more words. In the team chat, he coldly ordered, “Attack! Eliminate them!”

As soon as Shuoluo spoke, over a dozen warriors from the Mage Alliance activated charges, rushing toward the Niuren Tribe. Mages raised their hands, unleashing dazzling spells one after another, instantly turning the scene chaotic.

“Warriors, hold the line! Priests and paladins, focus on healing!” After giving orders, Dunken Simemei looked at Kuaile Yinshi beside him.

Kuaile Yinshi nodded, “Got it.” He then entered stealth mode. Having worked together for so long, he and Dunken Simemei had developed great synergy. Without needing further explanation, he already understood his companion’s intentions.

“Brothers, reinforcements are nearby and will arrive soon. Dammit, fight with everything we’ve got! Those who die should run back as ghosts!” Dunken Simemei issued the order, effectively deciding to engage in a life-or-death battle with the Mage Alliance, seeing who could last longer.

Spells roared down, exploding on a Niuren Tribe warrior, instantly sending him flying and collapsing to the ground.

Kuaile Yinshi sneaked behind the Mage Alliance ranks and struck a priest from behind with a stun attack. A few quick strikes later, the priest was cut down.

A barrage of spells exploded on Kuaile Yinshi. Seeing his health drop dangerously low, he quickly gulped down a mid-grade instant healing potion and vanished from sight using Swift Wind Step.