Pillar of Yita

The adventure group named ’Shield of Lufu’ was pursuing the giant troll Mountain Kou Ke.

This was quite normal. Adventurers sometimes resemble hyenas; as long as they catch a whiff of an opportunity to make money, they often swarm in. Among them, some achieve fame and fortune, while others end up as corpses in the wilderness. Most people retire before their starlight is exhausted, only occasionally reminiscing about their glorious past by the fireplace...

The Invokers might have a more realistic perspective. Earthlings, after all, come from a more pragmatic society where fame, wealth, and power convert into each other at an astonishing speed, captivating more people into this path of indulgence. Those early simplicities no longer exist.

This group came from such a realistic team, not quite like-minded unless making money together counts as like-mindedness, but over time, there is still some camaraderie within the team. People acknowledge each other, thus forming a fixed team.

The five of them, together with the adventure group, set off from the warm Southern Region to the cold Northern Lands, mainly for this infamous giant troll. They tracked the troll from the north of the Tibial Bone Forest for seven days and nights, all the way into the Blood Thistle Woods, finally meeting it face-to-face.

The traces of battle outside Aimumu Fortress were left by them. They lost quite a few members at that time but managed to injure Mountain Kou Ke. The team pursued the wounded giant troll all the way into Aimumu Fortress until they encountered the Undead Wizard who was with Mountain Kou Ke—

”...The real threat is that Undead Wizard...”

”That Mountain Kou Ke is just a Level 20 troll, but that Undead Wizard is at least Level 25. It fooled us all; it’s the real BOSS...”

Little Fatty, still shocked, looked at the scattered bones on the ground: ”Even the things it summoned, we can’t handle...”

”Alright, let’s not dwell on this.” The Archer put away his bow, slinging it over his back, turned, and said, ”Sir, our captain is still outside distracting it. It has trapped us in here, and we must find another way out.”

He spoke while looking at the secret passage behind Fang Hong.

”There’s no path below.” Fang Hong lied.

Because even if they could navigate the maze-like underground corridors, without the inheritance rights of the Rogsel Family, they couldn’t pass through that stone wall; below, for them, was a dead end.

And he couldn’t lead them back to face those dangerous shadow monsters again.

Besides, there was still a sorcerer-ghoul below.

”We have no choice but to check it out.” The Archer’s gaze was calm, clearly not believing him.

Fang Hong nodded, seemingly in agreement: ”What levels are you all?”

”Sir, you’re asking...”

At his words, Miss Priestess, who was whispering with the Imperial Guard Swordsman, looked up surprised.

”I mean, rather than waiting to die, why don’t you join me to take down that Undead Wizard.”

”That thing even our captain can’t handle...” Little Fatty gaped at him.

”That doesn’t mean I can’t handle it—” Fang Hong, acting all mysterious, gave them some confidence.

They mistook Fang Hong for an Adventurers’ Guild specialist. The guild had been focusing on this giant troll for years, with the bounty ever increasing. Fang Hong didn’t deny it; he had a plan, but if they knew his real level, they’d likely take his words as a joke.

He thought of the capabilities a Level 25 Undead Wizard should possess...

That one was still a BOSS, and being called a BOSS usually meant it had unique traits.

”I’m Level 12...” The Archer hesitated but answered out of respect for the Veteran Adventurer.

”Me too.” Said the Little Fatty warrior.

Two swordsmen, one Level 11, one Level 10.

Miss Priestess was also Level 10.

Their captain was higher level, at Level 15, one level higher than Fang Hong; and there was another lady called Rose, the vice-captain, at Level 14, same as Fang Hong’s level.

Such a team facing a Level 25 BOSS ambush seemed indeed helpless. But sometimes, levels aren’t everything; they merely sum up experience and knowledge, representing the knowledge and abilities possessed by the character.

If not utilized properly, the benefits levels bring are often greatly diminished.

”Can you reach anyone else?” Fang Hong asked.

Miss Priestess nodded.

But after a moment, she looked up, pale, with anxiety in her voice: ”I, I can’t contact Sister Rose...”

The others gasped in surprise: ”How is this possible!? Are they in trouble?”

”But it’s been less than a quarter of an hour...”

Fang Hong walked over to Miss Priestess, extending his hand: ”Give me the Communication Crystal.”

She hesitated, but it was more out of surprise that Fang Hong made such a request than reluctance. She looked at the Archer, who shrugged, and then carefully handed over the Communication Crystal.

She thought Fang Hong would check the information inside. But he didn’t, just glanced at it in his hand, then returned it to her.

They were puzzled, not understanding the meaning of his action.

Fang Hong was merely checking if the Communication Crystal was being interfered with by magic. But he discovered it wasn’t, and taking out his own Communication Crystal, he found that, in this place, his Communication Crystal had returned to normal.