MMORPG: The Elementalist

The second batch of players that had entered Aricus Underground Ruins after Qin Ruo and company was no other than Netherspirit’s Claw League’s party led by Crackpot. In the dark, in response to the vengeful Radiant Priest’s suggestion to ambush Qin Ruo, two Netherspirit’s Claw member in the party immediately protested. “Are you nuts? Both Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid are in the group. You are having a death wish. Please don’t involve us in your personal dispute.”

“That’s right!”

“No wonder you suddenly suggested to make a trip here. You f*cking knew Qin Ruo and Slayer’s Heart are going to be around this secret dungeon, didn’t you? You are dragging us into your personal affair. Damn you! You are not going to get what you want.”

Crackpot snorted coldly at their chiding. He did not care and did not bother to deny either.

“Yes, I am here for Qin Ruo. But…” Crackpot gritted his teeth and spoke each word deliberately, “It will be his demise, not mine.” After he survived the Mythical Battlefield with various large and small parties for more than ten days, Crackpot was no longer the same Radiant Priest that was looked down upon in the league.

He turned his head around and explained to his party members that had mixed expressions, “What’s the big deal? Even if Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid are with him, please don’t forget Dark Dragon was the one who had personally issued the kill order… Although Qin Ruo was not taken care of in the Graveyard of the Gods, it does not mean that Dark Dragon is going to let this go. Do you guys really think that they will fight us, Netherspirit’s Claw, for someone who does not belong to Bauhinia Clan? We all know how indecisive Scarlet Bauhinia is when it comes to clan disputes.”

The Warrior who chided Crackpot earlier looked at him in disdain. “You think this is convincing enough for us to bear the risk of offending Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid just help you to get your revenge—to vent your frustrations?”

“Do you think we are that stupid?”

“Besides, even if we do manage to assassinate Qin Ruo, do you really think we can still wander around Savis Town freely without fear in future?” Another member raised a new doubt.

Killing Qin Ruo would not only enrage Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid. They would actually be offending the terrifying frost demon himself—A mysterious Aquamancer who was as powerful as a Field Commander that had a formidable Pet as well as Stealth. Dark Dragon was not going to hang around Savis Town every day just because of Qin Ruo, while Crackpot’s members did since this was their base. So naturally, they did not dare take the risk to provoke Qin Ruo, who was generally recognized as the next Champion that would advance to Tier 5 soon.

No matter from which perspective, taking on Qin Ruo would only welcome trouble and bring no benefit.

“Alright then.” Seeing that his members were insistent, Crackpot gave up on persuading and suddenly spoke with a grim tone, “I will keep this short. Those who are willing to do this, follow me. I have just went Dark Dragon a voice message and he supported my decision. You all better think this through if you still wish to remain in Netherspirit’s Claw.”

It was rather easy for a Tier 5 Supreme Champion to use his authority and instruct the other four Field Commanders to expel a few low-tier members.

But it would not be as easy for the league member that had lost his or her league status. They would lose their prestige over other players and might even get attacked by players that they had mercilessly offended before. Immediately, everyone in the party exploded and cursed at Crackpot.

“Bastard!”

“Damn you, filthy scum. Lead the way. Don’t expect me to be cannon fodder.”

Hearing that they had changed their minds succumbing to the fear toward Dark Dragon, Crackpot was satisfied and sneered coldly. “Great! Let’s get closer to them. We will do this on my command. I want it to be done as quickly as possible. Do not lay your fingers on those three from Bauhinia Clan…” Honestly, Crackpot himself was also nervous and a little unsure about this ambush. This was because he had received worrying info from Dark Dragon.

The Radiant Priest Violet Orchid whom he had not paid much attention to all this while, was not only a simple Priest in Scarlet Bauhinia’s group. Her brother was actually the Tier 5 Supreme Champion who had defeated Death Jesus with a single strike in the Graveyard of the Gods—Homme Fatale.

He also knew of Slayer’s Heart identity—an ex-Field Commander of Bauhinia Clan.

They definitely had to avoid hurting these two dangerous targets. The other Bauhinia League member was certainly out of question too. Dark Dragon would not and could not protect him if he touches any one of the three Bauhinia League members.

This is because, in terms of strength, Homme Fatale was a tad stronger than Dark Dragon.

***

In the battle zone inside the long corridor, Qin Ruo, Xiaoxiao, Amethyst Orc, and Poochie had completely dominated the fight. Continuous Compressed Frost Bullet and Frostrampart attacks, coupled with the Amethyst Orc’s Successive Strikes and Poochie opportunistic tackle had successively immobilized the Spider Lord through interchanging the Frozen and Stun effect. They did not allow the Overlord to flip back on its leg or return to the ceiling.

The Boss’s struggle lasted for more than two minutes.

Suddenly, Slayer’s Heart noticed that Ironpot behaved strangely.

Its disc-shaped body turned around 180° unnoticeably and its eyes under the disc scanned the rear side of the long corridor vigilantly.

The odd behavior of the Earth Enchanted Spider did not alert anyone on the battlefield, except its master, Slayer’s Heart.

Ironpot’s eyes were covered by the numerous spikes protruded around its body. Others would not be able to tell the difference between the front and back of the Earth Enchanted Spider easily.

But Slayer’s Heart was able to notice the movement and he dared not take the change of stance of his Pet lightly.

‘We’ve got company!’

Or else, the Earth Enchanted Spider would not behave in such a peculiar way when it was out of battle.

Using telepathy, Slayer’s Heart instructed Earth Enchanted Spider to slightly raise one of its legs. Without realizing, the Spider gently knocked the ground with one leg and released a series of tapping sounds. It was almost inaudible being masked by the loud battle noise.

This seemingly insignificant act of the Pet was actually an important ability of the Earth Enchanted Spider—Elemental Wave.

Through the vibrations transmitted across the ground, the monster could visualize the situation and movement within a fifty-meter radius.

Since Slayer’s Heart was mentally linked to Ironpot, he obviously could also read the image feedback portrayed in the Pet’s mind. Thus, even without turning his head around, he could still have a good view over the entire battlefield.

***

The battle with the Spider Lord had entered its final stage.

Crackpot’s party lurked near the corridor behind Slayer’s Heart and quickly plotted a detailed ambush and escape plan based on the Spider Lord’s HP as well as the battle status.

“Now!” When the Spider Lord HP just dropped below 30000, Crackpot licked his bottom lip and finally gave his command to the first ambush team.

He had run this through his head numerous times and was specific with the classes of the other members had he picked for this mission. He was confident that the success rate of the ambush would be as high as 99%.

Two Bandits, two Shadowmancers, and a Bowmaster were all he needed for his plan to succeed.

One was entrusted to break the shield, while the other would land the final blow. Once the two Bandits got the kill, the two Shadowmancers would immediately cast a Shadow Mist behind them to allow the two Bandits to flee immediately amidst the chaos.

Once Qin Ruo was killed, the Overlord would be freed. Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid would then be too occupied to pursue them. The Boss with only 30000 HP left would require a little effort from them to contain. Slayer’s Heart would certainly stay back to prevent his party from getting wiped out by the Spider Lord.

In that case, Crackpot could finish the mission while avoiding being targeted by Slayer’s Heart and Violet Orchid. According to his own words, this was an absolutely flawless plan.

But Crackpot did not know that their movements had long been detected by Slayer’s Heart when they were approaching from his back. Those who were not directly involved in the fight with the Spider Lord were also informed and had braced themselves for the ambush.

As soon as the two Bandits in Stealth Mode avoided iLittle Arrow’s gaze by going past her blind spot, two Spikeweeds erupted timely and precisely from the ground in between the two Bandits and Qin Ruo.

Poof!

The two Bandits groaned in pain as they were caught off guard and were stripped of Stealth.

Hiss!!

The Ice Python that slithered around Violetmoon Devilite quickly opened its mouth and released a ball of Snow Roar.

Just as the chilling effect reached them, a burning sensation soon followed.

The two pitiful Bandits were annihilated by Spikeweed, Snow Roar, and Fire Bullet combo before they could touch Qin Ruo’s Barrier.

The speed of how the kill was achieved stunned the Shadowmancers who rushed out and prepared to lay the Shadow Mist. They were baffled and watched on helplessly as the two Bandits’ bodies collapsed upon their death.

Their nightmare had only just begun…

Slayer’s Heart, Violet Orchid, and those who were out of battle turned toward the helpless Netherspirit’s Claw members and grinned.

“Ambushing my team, eh?”

“Wait, we are…” One of the Shadowmancers was utterly shocked. Before he could explain that their target was not Bauhinia League, Violet Orchid stared at him and interrupted, “I have already recorded the evidence that you all are trying to ambush us and take our monster. Be prepared when you all leave this place. Our league Hunters have been alerted and they are waiting for you guys.”

“…”

Those Netherspirit’s Claw members who were exposed by the Illuminating Crystal immediately paled listening to Violet Orchid’s words. Even Crackpot and the others who were still hidden in the dark were deeply startled by Violet Orchid’s threat.

After a moment of deadlock…

A surge of magic power suddenly erupted from inside the battle zone. The Twelve Frostramparts Formation instantly collapsed by the abrupt burst of power.

The Amethyst Orc and Poochie, too, were pushed away softly from the Spider Lord by an invisible force.

“Shit! Where is the Boss?” Being attracted by the sudden commotion, Brother Da turned his sight away from the Netherspirit’s Claw players and looked at the battlefield. His face suddenly turned grim. ‘Is this a System Bug? How could the Spider Lord vanish all of a sudden?’

Bam!

After a loud bang, the position where Spider Lord was previously at was replaced by a giant intricate magic circle.

Not long after, everyone inside the dungeon heard the same system notification.

The portal to the Buried City is now open. The magic circle will be present for only 30 seconds. Players please position yourself at the portal and use the dark gold key to activate teleportation. Magic circle countdown… 30 seconds!