Chapter 280: Fragmentation
Kokoni roughly explained to her the origin of the existence of the lords.
Before becoming lords, they were leaders in remote areas or somewhat renowned experts.
However, under the transformation of a king from the Dark Faction, they suddenly turned into lords.
The number of such transformations is exceedingly high. To what extent? In every city of the Dark Faction, at least three or two can be seen.
Moreover, their interactions are not harmonious.
After obtaining the core of other lords, one can pray to that king for higher-level power.
“This is like raising silkworms, right…?” Starry couldn’t help but say.
“Exactly, it’s like raising silkworms,” Kokoni nodded. “What’s certain is that the unknown king wants to cultivate the strongest or perhaps the most vicious lord.”
“I must remind you of one thing.”
“What?”
“The more cores you possess, the more likely you are to be selected by a lord. Even if you are an adventurer from the Otherworld, unforeseen consequences may still arise.” Kokoni’s tone turned heavy, losing its lazy demeanor.
“…Understood.”
Half an hour later, Starry walked out of the guidance center.
After reporting on Moonshadow City’s situation to Kokoni, she didn’t seem surprised at all, as if she had already known about it.
“If possible, please make contact with the Endless Sea and try to extract information as much as possible.” That’s what she said.
But actually achieving that is another matter entirely.
“Sigh… even a lord of contamination requires all the fighting power from the Crimson Plain. If even more come… can this game still be played?”
For now, setting aside these troubling thoughts.
Next, let’s continue leveling up Ziyu and casually farm some equipment. She currently has a high level but is completely equipped with white gear.
Thinking this, Starry sent out a party invitation.
The invitation was quickly accepted.
“Ziyu, can you finish learning? I’ll take you to level up this afternoon.”
“Um, I just finished. That strange mentor said I’m progressing quickly and can make an exception to learn skills for level 35!”
“This is allowed? Show me the skills!”
Sure, that reminds me, in addition to these, there’s also the golden fire hammer I got this morning.”
Ziyu said, and sent over all the skill and equipment information.
Blacksmithing: When using a normal attack on target armor or weapon, restore 1% durability; when using furnace techniques, the effect is doubled.
Melted Iron Hammer: After charging for 2 seconds, deal 150% damage to the target and reduce both defenses by 20%, lasting 20 seconds, with a cooldown of 1 minute.
Thousand Pound Drop: Jump from a height and fall, dealing 300% damage to all enemies within a 10-yard locked range; cooldown time is 5 minutes.
Mastery: The blacksmith possesses a persistent dedication; each time a weapon is used, reduce the cooldown time of Refined by 1 second and increase the maximum stacking number of Refined to 50.
Golden Fire Hammer:
Rarity: Platinum Equipment
Required Level: 30
Physical Attack Power: 500-632
Stamina: 205
Strength: 211
Traits: With practice, each use of crafting techniques increases attack speed by 1% for 30 seconds; can stack up to 25%.
Trait: Solid Body, increases user’s health by 5000 points.
Special Skill: Heavenly Punishment, invokes thunder to deal 500% damage to one hostile target, with a strong paralysis effect lasting 5 seconds.
Description: A tool of ancient blacksmiths, weathered over time, the golden fire has burnt away its original might.
Blacksmithing goes without saying; it’s a sustaining godly skill; bringing along Fanyu means there’s no need to return to town for repairs.
The Melted Iron Hammer is an armor-breaking skill with a fixed reduction of 20%, not bad, but regrettably, it can’t cover the entire duration.
The Thousand Pound Drop is one of the few output skills and it’s area damage.
However… looking at the skill description, it seems it might be hard to hit targets.
Moreover, what’s more concerning is that Mastery skill, which increases the stacking count of Refined, meaning… it can add up to 50% to the base attack of Qiu Yue Sword!
This way, once fully stacked, Starry’s output can reach new heights.
The Golden Fire Hammer is a level 30 platinum item, only slightly inferior to Qiu Yue Sword in attributes. With this, Fanyu’s survival ability will greatly increase.
“Fanyu, what’s your current health?”
“Let me check… 15280.”
“…”
“Is that too low?”
“No, it’s way too high.”
……
With no good places to go for now, Starry took Ziyu to the guild hall.
Coincidentally, the adventure group had already reached level 2, increasing the member limit to 14.
She pulled Ziyu in, and amidst a warm welcome, they were interrupted by Endless Sea’s harassment.
“Block him,” Starry decisively said.
“Ah? Oh okay.” Ziyu nodded.
“Don’t, please don’t, beautiful girl!!” Amid Endless Sea’s wails, Ziyu blocked him.
Next… it was time to take on some quests.
Pass on anything below S grade.
Speaking of which, aside from them, there were other players in the guild hall.
After two or three days, the adventure group was no longer something unique to them.
This also means that high-rated missions are not so easy to obtain.
Looking around, she couldn’t even find an S grade quest.
It was at least seven or eight last time she checked.
It shouldn’t be like this… Even if a few more adventure groups have formed, it’s unlikely every one of them has the strength to complete S grade tasks, right?
Keep in mind that adventure group quests are different from regular quests; failure causes a decrease in reputation points.
The reputation here is separate from player reputation; it belongs to the adventure group.
Establishing an adventure group for the first time grants 100 initial reputation, while the first player to establish an adventure group receives an additional bonus of 200 points.
The task ratings are c, b, a, s, ss, sss, and legendary.
Since it’s an organizational task, the minimum is c; there won’t be collection tasks like d or e, which are usually released as ordinary missions.
Based on these levels, the increase in reputation corresponds to 1, 3, 10, 50, 200, 1000, and 10000.
If failed, one-third of the reward reputation is deducted.
By the way, when the reputation becomes negative, the adventure group will automatically disband, and the promoter will be criticized, making it difficult to create another adventure group.
Nangong and the others have already increased their reputation to 345 in just a few days, which is quite fast.
So, Zichen didn’t quite believe anyone could easily finish S grade tasks.
At that moment, a few downcast players entered through the door.
“Boss… let’s give up that task and do something simple to raise our reputation; otherwise, if we fail again…” A familiar female voice said.
Turning around, it turned out to be Lian Lian; did Mingxiao also establish an adventure group?
“…” Mingxiao was listless and didn’t respond.
Seeing them, Shamin, who was sitting behind the counter, said, “Members of Mingxiao’s adventure group… you have already failed one ss grade commission and one s grade commission. Accepting high-level commissions without considering your own strength affects not only the guild’s reputation but also your recommender.”
“I… it’s all my fault.” Mingxiao said self-reproachfully.
“I don’t care how your internal matters are. Please carefully consider before accepting commissions. Thank you for your cooperation,” Shamin said blandly.
“…”
That’s strange; with Mingxiao’s strength, she shouldn’t have failed the s grade commission, let alone the ss commission. Surely the people in the guild could help out.
“What happened?” Starry stepped forward to ask; Mingxiao had a little rapport with Zichen, and it wouldn’t be right to stand by.
“Starry!?” Mingxiao’s face brightened for a moment but quickly dimmed again. “Nothing.”
“…”
“If the boss doesn’t say, I’ll say it. After all, this matter can’t be hidden for long,” Lian Lian said, gritting her teeth. “There’s been a traitor in Mingxiao; it’s now in a state of fragmentation.”
No way!? You were all fine last night!
