Chapter Twenty-Three: One Hundred Thousand Credits for a Spot

When he opened the level rankings, the list by default displayed data for the top ten thousand players. Astonishingly, every single one of them was level 10—there wasn’t a single level 11, nor a single level 9.

“Incredible,” Huang Yunshuo couldn’t help but feel a great sense of awe. Even with all his encounters and relentless grinding, he hadn’t reached level 9, yet at least ten thousand people had already hit level 10, with countless more at level 9—hundreds of thousands at least. There truly was always someone stronger out there.

He switched to the combat power rankings. Huang Yunshuo’s eyes lit up—he’d made the list.

Rank 5,021, username: Simpleton, score: 8,921 (first place: 10,000 points).

Level, combat power, and equipment rankings—without exception, all were topped by a demon player named Dimensional Reaper.

“There’s no way to get on the equipment ranking, how depressing.”

A glance at the equipment board left Huang Yunshuo wounded. The ten thousand ranked players all boasted a dazzling array of gear, each with their own fortuitous encounters.

The Bloodshed Ranking, essentially the PK board, was divided into the White List and the Black List. As their names suggested, the White List tracked kills made without incurring a red name—such as killing yellow-named or red-named players or counterattacks—while the Black List tracked kills that resulted in a red name.

Sinister Hisoka: White List kills 0, Black List kills 203.

Peerless Radiance: White List kills 0, Black List kills 129.

Nightly Luster, Pure as the Moon: White List kills 37, Black List kills 50.

…

“Damn, these are all ruthless players!” Huang Yunshuo exclaimed. At this stage, killing required both sides to be at least level 5.

To rack up so many kills—leaving aside questions of morality—their starter village must be exceptionally strong; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many eligible targets.

“This Nightly Luster, Pure as the Moon, with 37 White List kills, probably triggered a wave of retaliation for the Black List kills. I bet some foolish guild messed with a powerhouse. Well, enjoy your game in advance!”

Closing the leaderboard, Huang Yunshuo checked the PvE dungeons.

Redemption of the Starter Village (Dungeon): Level 1

Players: 3

Attempts: 0/3 (per entry ticket)

Available Difficulties: Easy/Normal/Pressure/Advanced/Calamity

Objective: Defeat the Rooster Projection, Cock-a-doodle-Ro

Rewards: Experience, copper coins, Beginner’s Wooden Club, Proof of Truth (rare), etc.

Description:

Even as a chick, Cock-a-doodle-Ro was suspected of coming from the savage Turbid Lands. Upon reaching adulthood, it displayed a wildness and combat prowess far beyond the villagers’ imagination, prompting its collective banishment from the village.

Infuriated, Cock-a-doodle-Ro bestowed part of its power upon the village chicks, greatly increasing their strength and leaving the villagers in deep distress.

PvP Event—Great Arena: Flag Capture: Level 1

Participants: 1000

Rules: When all players enter the arena (diameter 100), a 30-second countdown begins, after which black and white flags randomly drop. Flag holders are marked; upon death, the flag is guaranteed to drop. Players respawn at random locations after a 5-second cooldown, with no death penalty.

When the 5-minute countdown ends, the black flag holder receives 10x PvP points and 3 White Equipment Essences, which can be exchanged for gear in the PvP shop; the white flag holder receives 10x PvP points and 3 random white-quality materials.

“So I’d be an unmovable force in the Great Arena?” Huang Yunshuo was instantly tempted, eager to join the flag capture event.

“Patience—let’s check out the dungeon first and clear all difficulties.”

The dungeon entrance was at the village square, which was packed with people. Aside from those already inside, most were shouting for party members or seeking a carry.

With his gear and an impressive level 8, Huang Yunshuo was already famous in ekT92034 Starter Village, though he was unaware of his own reputation.

“Boss, take me with you! I’m level 2 and have a Beginner’s Wooden Club, and I can do more than just cheer you on!”

One player squatted down and clung to Huang Yunshuo’s leg, refusing to let go.

“Simpleton, please carry me! I don’t even ask for much, just help me clear Normal difficulty!”

“Handsome boss, carry me through the dungeon and I’ll send you a private video reward!”

Instantly, Huang Yunshuo was swarmed by the crowd, causing him a headache.

If he refused to take anyone, he’d never reach the dungeon NPC; if he agreed, it would be even more trouble.

“One spot for one hundred thousand credit points. I’ll carry you for the first clear—you pay for each difficulty I run with you.”

Without hesitation, Huang Yunshuo dropped a bombshell.

“What the hell!”

“Damn, that’s a rip-off!”

Many players cursed him out. A hundred thousand credits was a steep price.

“Boss, I’ll pay right now! Please take me!” cried the level 2 player still clinging to his leg.

The petite girl who’d offered a video reward also promptly agreed to pay.

“Join the party,” Huang Yunshuo replied, delighted, and sent team invites to both.

The exorbitant fee was just a pretext; he hadn’t really intended to take anyone. But since they were truly willing to pay, Huang Yunshuo was happy to oblige.

“Lv2 Verdant Azure joins the party.”

“Lv2 Han City Young Master joins the party.”

Huang Yunshuo noted that both players were level 2 and already had a Beginner’s Wooden Club and a Chickling Cap—quite good for new players and satisfactory to him. Carrying decent players was always preferable to dragging total novices.

Seeing two players actually pay for a spot, the others had no choice but to step aside, green with envy.

Huang Yunshuo selected the easy mode dungeon. In a flash, the three appeared in a beautiful valley.

“This dungeon is stunning!”

A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and flowers, even more pleasant than the starter village. Huang Yunshuo was surprised.

“It’s gorgeous—let’s get going, boss!” Verdant Azure said excitedly.

She was a lively beauty, only about 1.6 meters tall but with a shapely figure, bold speech, and an excitable manner—she couldn’t seem to stand still.

Han City Young Master looked no older than eighteen, short and fair-skinned, moving quietly as he walked.

Huang Yunshuo had a sense this one was an assassin type, probably addicted to ambushes.

The valley, though beautiful, was small. On the broad grassy field, four chicks roamed idly, conveniently blocking the way forward. At the end of the valley lay an ordinary-sized young rooster, lounging comfortably in the sun.

Without hesitation, Huang Yunshuo charged and struck with his club.

-20!

A chick let out a pitiful peep and collapsed, dropping 6 copper coins. Each player received 20 experience points.

“That little health?” Huang Yunshuo was momentarily stunned.

“That much attack?” Verdant Azure and Han City Young Master were equally shocked.

“Han City, go poke one and see how much health it has.”

Huang Yunshuo picked up the loot and instructed Han City Young Master.

Han City Young Master ran over and whacked another chick.

-6!

Its health dropped by more than half. It turned and pecked him, dealing -17.

The three quickly realized: in easy mode, the chicks had only 10 health, though their attack and other stats remained unchanged. This made them much easier to defeat.