Chapter 84: Luring Monsters

Seeing Nie Yan’s silence, Daibing Dage Qizi seemed to realize something. Nie Yan wouldn’t have ventured deep into the heart of the Sogot Ancient City without reason; perhaps he had some mission to accomplish.

“I suppose you have your reasons for coming here. Is there anything we can assist you with?” Daibing Dage Qizi asked.

“Even with so many undead creatures around, I can’t be sure I can accomplish it myself. Are you sure you still want to help me?” Nie Yan narrowed his eyes, observing the expressions of Daibing Dage Qizi, Wangyi, and others.

Daibing Dage Qizi and the others felt a momentary hesitation. Nie Yan’s words were quite direct. If even Nie Yan, who had a Dark Gladiator, couldn’t complete the task, could they possibly be of any help?

“We encountered each other here, which must be some kind of fate. At least we’re not enemies. If we can help, we’ll try our best. If not, we can still become friends, right?” Daibing Dage Qizi compromised.

Nie Yan felt a bit touched. In his previous life, he had little interaction with Daibing Dage Qizi, Wangyi, and others. Now, it seemed these people had good temperaments and might actually become friends.

After a moment of silence, Nie Yan considered something. The Skeleton Executioners always moved in groups. If Daibing Dage Qizi and the others could distract those Skeleton Executioners, he might have a chance to enter the pyramid. Inside the pyramid, there would certainly be other monsters, and then he could deploy the Dark Gladiator to handle them. Perhaps he could actually reach the location of the Sogot Shadow.

Seeing Nie Yan deep in thought, Wangyi and Daibing Dage Qizi exchanged glances. They couldn’t figure out what Nie Yan was thinking. The person in front of them was a dangerous individual capable of wiping them all out. If Nie Yan still refused their help, they would have no choice but to try to avoid him.

“If we can’t help, we should leave first,” Wangyi reminded Daibing Dage Qizi.

Hearing Wangyi’s reminder, Daibing Dage Qizi’s heart quickened. Nie Yan must have had a purpose for coming here, possibly some secret mission. Their presence might have interfered with Nie Yan, which could only make things awkward between them.

Nie Yan remained silent for a long time.

They should leave first, Daibing Dage Qizi decided inwardly. He turned to Wangyi and said, “Since we can’t help, let’s just forget about it and go back.” His voice was just loud enough for Nie Yan to hear, intending to alleviate Nie Yan’s concerns and let him know they would leave.

“It’s not that you can’t help. How about we make a deal?” Nie Yan suddenly spoke.

“What kind of deal?” Daibing Dage Qizi responded.

“You help me with something. It’s very dangerous. If you succeed, I’ll give you a piece of epic gear,” Nie Yan said. In his backpack, he still had a warrior’s shoulder guard, a decent piece of epic gear. However, compared to the Sogot Shadow, it was insignificant.

If Daibing Dage Qizi and the others could genuinely help him, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it to them.

An epic-level piece of equipment was extremely rare at the current stage.

Daibing Dage Qizi and Wangyi exchanged glances privately. They knew that so far, they had only managed to obtain two epic items, both acquired at the risk of their lives. Nie Yan, a solo player, actually had an epic item, which showed his strength. They secretly decided they must establish a good relationship with Nie Yan.

“Since you’re willing to ask us, we’ll naturally give our best effort. As for compensation, let’s forget about it,” Daibing Dage Qizi declared loudly. Compared to an epic item, he preferred to establish a good relationship with Nie Yan. At the very least, they could still count on the favor Nie Yan owed them if they helped him without accepting compensation.

“You don’t need to reciprocate, but I won’t go back on my word if you help me,” Nie Yan replied. He was simply unwilling to owe anyone anything.

“Alright then, what do you need us to do?” Daibing Dage Qizi stopped insisting and asked.

“Let’s introduce ourselves first. My name is Nie Yan.”

“My name is Daibing Dage Qizi, but you can just call me Qizi.”

“My name is Wangyi.”

Everyone introduced themselves. Although these people weren’t as skilled as Nie Yan at the moment, they were all talented players and not too bad.

“We don’t have much time. Follow me,” Nie Yan said, heading deeper into the maze.

Daibing Dage Qizi and the others followed.

At the end of the maze, due to the ravages of numerous Skeleton Executioners, it had become a wasteland, with most of the walls collapsed.

Nie Yan’s group appeared behind the collapsed wall, looking toward the square. Everywhere they looked, Skeleton Executioners roamed—more than thirty of them. These Skeleton Executioners were all level thirteen sub-elite creatures.

Nie Yan wouldn’t possibly want them to fight against these Skeleton Executioners, would he? Daibing Dage Qizi and the others couldn’t help but think, feeling their scalps tingle. However, they didn’t say anything, unwilling to appear weak in front of Nie Yan. Their group might be able to handle one Skeleton Executioner, but facing such a large number was beyond their capabilities.

“I counted them. There are thirty-three Skeleton Executioners over there. They always move together, so attacking one will draw the attention of the others. I need you to distract them,” Nie Yan explained. If Daibing Dage Qizi and the others could distract the Skeleton Executioners, he could bypass the square and enter the pyramid behind it.

“Just distract them?” Daibing Dage Qizi asked, secretly relieved. At least it was only about distracting the monsters. Although still dangerous, it was much simpler than fighting these Skeleton Executioners directly.

“Just distract them. It won’t take long—about half a minute,” Nie Yan said. Half a minute would be enough for him to cross the square and reach the pyramid behind it.

“That’s manageable.”

“You’ll distract them from this position. I’ll go to another spot first. When I get there, I’ll let you know. First, disband your team—I’ll invite you into mine,” Nie Yan instructed. With their help, entering the pyramid would be much easier.

“Okay.”

Daibing Dage Qizi disbanded his team, and Nie Yan invited everyone into his group.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you then,” Nie Yan said, his tone now less formal.

“Don’t worry,” Daibing Dage Qizi nodded. Nie Yan’s increased politeness marked a good beginning for their relationship.

Nie Yan, along with the Dark Gladiator, walked toward another direction.

Nie Yan’s figure grew more distant.

“Just now, I noticed that the skeleton beside Nie Yan is indeed a sub-elite,” Wangyi said with slight awe. “Such a capable person can even control a sub-elite skeleton. I wonder how long it can last—whether it’s permanent or not.”

“It’s probably not permanent. I saw the duration bar. The skeleton will disintegrate in more than twenty minutes,” Daibing Dage Qizi replied. Even so, Nie Yan was still incredibly impressive.

“No wonder he’s in such a hurry. What do you think he wants to do inside that pyramid?”

“Probably some hidden quest.”

“He dares to come here at his level to complete a quest. He’s really fearless.”

“Who knows?”

“He’s arrived. I’ll go distract the monsters,” Wangyi glanced at the team chat and said.

“Be careful. There are more than thirty sub-elites over there,” Daibing Dage Qizi reminded, still worried.

“Yeah, you know I can handle it,” Wangyi replied, placing his dagger at his waist and picking up a small crossbow as he walked toward the square.

Daibing Dage Qizi and others were at the northeast corner of the square, while Nie Yan stood at the northwest corner, where he could clearly see the situation. After sending a message to Daibing Dage Qizi and the others, Wangyi emerged from a pile of rubble, crossbow in hand, slowly approaching the Skeleton Executioners at the edge of the square while using cover for concealment.

Finding a suitable position, the nearest Skeleton Executioner had already entered Wangyi’s shooting range. He raised his crossbow, aimed carefully, and with a “swoosh,” an arrow shot forth.