Although Serious Young Man spoke convincingly, the official information revealed only an aerial view map, which wasn’t taken too seriously.
It wasn’t until the official disclosure just before the event’s commencement that everyone holding the seven silver coins felt extremely surprised when they saw the event details posted on the official website.
In a tone filled with admiration, What Pen Carries Fragrance asked, “How did you know there would be a large-scale survival event? Do you have connections within the authorities?”
Serious Young Man replied, “No, I just guessed based on the collected intelligence.”
What Pen Carries Fragrance scratched his head, “Guessed? You can guess this!?”
“Yes,” nodded the upright young man. He took out a notebook from his backpack, opened it, and pointed out, “Although there were no specific event details, it was evident from the aerial map disclosed by the authorities that this is a completely isolated place. Although the structure of the area is singular, the size basically matches the combined size of the current five districts. As for the surrounding fog characteristics… I suppose I don’t need to explain considering the once immensely popular battle royale games, right?”
What Pen Carries Fragrance scratched his head, “But can’t we conclude it’ll be a survival mode from this?”
Serious Young Man glanced at him, “You must not have gathered any intel in the coastal cities these days.”
What Pen Carries Fragrance remained silent.
Indeed, he hadn’t.
Flipping through the notebook, Serious Young Man began recounting the specific information he had gathered over the past few days, “I’ve visited several coastal cities, including Ayavaran Fish Port, to pinpoint the entrance location for this underwater city event. However, after communicating with the locals, I found that almost every city along the coast has different legends or myths to varying degrees. Consolidating the specifics, it goes something like this—”
Pausing for a moment, he continued, “When enchanting songs echo along the coastline, the entrance to the sea will open, and the Sea Lord, Cyril, will select the true warriors. This is the only chance for the underwater city of Moniankichi to return to the surface.”
Jiang Shi, who had been listening, understood at this moment, “The term ‘select’ used here is quite subtle.”
“Combining it with hidden plots might make it more interesting,” Serious Young Man turned the notebook to the last recorded page, calmly looking at everyone. “Not only the locals, but there has also been an influx of unidentified outsiders in coastal cities these days. Although I couldn’t get close to them, I saw from a distance. They were all cloaked, but upon close observation, you could spot fins concealed underneath. Moreover, when many people brushed past them, I overheard words like ‘curse‘ and ‘sacrifice.'”
After finishing the explanation and retrieving the notebook, he slowly raised his eyes and concluded, “So, based on the activity patterns released by the official platform in the past and combining them with the pre-released intel, I speculate that after the initial phase of the large-scale survival, the ‘true warriors’ selected might face some very interesting situations.”
Gentleman Fan shook his iron fan, “This mix of curses and sacrifices smacks of feudal superstition, not good.”
Serious Young Man smiled faintly, “Anyway, my final speculation is that apart from the large-scale survival mode, there might be hidden bosses as well.”
Upon hearing this, Han Yuze became interested, “That does sound quite intriguing.”
“Interesting or not, will this instance open or not?”
Since the five-player instances were mostly completed, Jiang Shi had asked What Pen Carries Fragrance to initiate a 15-player experience instance today. However, following the official disclosure, the whole situation turned into a gossip fest, prompting him to reluctantly remind everyone.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone from the fully assembled 15-person team left due to waiting for too long.
What Pen Carries Fragrance: “Why isn’t it starting? Why is he running so fast… Wait a moment, I’ll call one more person, then we’ll start.”
Seeing What Pen Carries Fragrance running again to call someone in the guild, Han Yuze couldn’t help but laugh and said to Jiang Shi, “Don’t you feel like you’re becoming a capitalist exploiting labor power?”
Jiang Shi glanced at him, smiling, “It’s indeed tough lately dragging you to grind monsters for experience.”
Han Yuze replied, “It’s not really hard work; being ‘exploited’ by you is agreeable.”
The two were engrossed in conversation, seemingly unaware of the surroundings, except for the green controller standing not far away, frequently glancing in their direction.
While everyone else was discussing the new activity, this person seemed absent-minded, as if the expression on their face read clearly: Who am I, where am I, what’s happening…
Yes, this was the Green Fanatic’s instinctive reaction upon meeting Jiang Shi in the capacity of Han Yuze’s disciple for the first time.
Even now, two big question marks kept recurring in his mind.
So, this was his dear Master?
A man… as a Master!?
What Pen Carries Fragrance quickly filled the vacant spot in the team by calling someone, and after confirming the team’s readiness, they officially entered the 15-player instance.
Apart from the upright young man, there was another priest player in the team.
Although it was a 15-player high-level experience instance, players like Han Yuze, Gentleman Fan, and Deep Well Ice Player with high damage output took the lead. The entire process was almost a complete steamroll, making Jiang Shi’s assistance in increasing the HP limit unnecessary.
During this entire process, Jiang Shi had enough space to ponder, stimulated by the excitement of the new activity. According to the current official information, under the rules of the two-person signup team, apart from raising combat effectiveness by leveling up as much as possible, the previously overlooked issue of equipment seemed to need attention.
So, after mixing in the 15-player experience instance, Jiang Shi immediately pulled Han Yuze aside after it ended, saying, “Don’t log off yet, come with me to a private equipment store.”
Han Yuze naturally agreed, saying, “Sure.”
Perhaps due to the stimulation from the new activity, the normally bustling equipment market was exceptionally lively. It wasn’t that suddenly everyone was willing to splurge on upgrading equipment; it mainly stemmed from the rich rewards announced for the current activity. The mere phrase ‘Enjoy upon signup’ emphasized the importance of participation.
Jiang Shi was one of those who impulsively went shopping. Obviously, he didn’t expect so many people to be there. Besides, with Han Yuze beside him, he was considering leaving before being noticed and surrounded by onlookers. But before he could act, he felt a tug on his hand as Han Yuze led him in another direction down the street.
Han Yuze said, “I’ll take you to the old shop I often visit.”
Initially, Jiang Shi subconsciously wanted to withdraw his hand but upon hearing this, he stopped: “Alright.”
Five minutes later, Jiang Shi discovered that the shop Han Yuze frequently visited was actually the designated cooperative store of the Crusaders’ guild.
While professional players’ equipment was custom-made by specific departments, the guild’s slightly lower-tier high-level players usually went for customizations here.
The shopkeeper’s game ID was [Big Hammer Hammer Hammer]. He had obviously heard about the recent commotion involving the Crusaders. Seeing Han Yuze approach, he had a subtle expression, “Thank you for God Yu’s patronage to my business.”
“You’re welcome.” In the private reception room on the second floor, Han Yuze sat on the sofa and smiled, “I want to prepare for the upcoming major event, you know.”
“I understand, I understand.”
As a businessman, the shopkeeper wouldn’t meddle in guild affairs. He spoke frankly, “But it’s a bit late for this time. Let’s talk about our store; all the rush orders are booked by the Crusaders. It’s not just us; even the well-known craftsmen probably won’t have time for private orders now. Time is limited… How about I show you some ready-made equipment? Although they aren’t customized, God Yu, you should understand. All the attributes and effects are top-notch in the industry. Otherwise, the Crusaders wouldn’t collaborate with us, right?”
Han Yuze gestured subtly towards Jiang Shi, “Let’s first show this person the equipment for the Light Elves.”
The shopkeeper smiled, “Sure thing.”
Whether it was Jiang Shi’s perception or not, once the shopkeeper associated ‘Yu Weize’ with Han Yuze, just by the tone of the last sentence, it felt like a wealthy boyfriend taking his partner shopping for clothes.
As Jiang Shi was lost in thought, he noticed that the shopkeeper had already displayed a large pile of equipment.
The shopkeeper said, “We don’t have much in terms of Light Elves’ equipment, but each piece here is top-notch. Feel free to see if there’s anything you like.”
Jiang Shi quickly scanned through the items.
As the shopkeeper said, each piece of equipment indeed had excellent attributes. Unfortunately, most of the effects were primarily beneficial for sacrificial professions, occasionally having one or two items suitable for Rune Masters, but not quite what he was hoping for.
Considering for a moment, Jiang Shi took out the two sets of bottom-of-the-box equipment from his bag and asked straightforwardly, “Do you have any equipment with these kinds of enhancements?”
The boss took it and looked at it up and down. His eyes suddenly lit up. “Holy sh*t, this is a golden item made by Master Pants? This is a rare antique equipment, right? Too bad, if this equipment had new attributes, it would be auctioned off at a sky-high price in the trading house.”
Jiang Shi asked, “So, do you have equipment with these kinds of effects?”
“Actually, we don’t…”
One sentence brought the boss back to the cruel reality “… However, everyone has been studying Master Pants’s works in recent years, but his enhancement effects are really not that easy to understand.”
Jiang Shi is a craftsman himself, although he is not in the same system as equipment forging, but he is also very clear about the principle that even a slight difference in top-quality equipment can lead to a thousand miles of difference.
He nodded and looked at Han Yuze, “There shouldn’t be anything I need here. What about you, do you want to see?”
Han Yuze stood up directly from his seat, “Then I won’t look either.”
After they left the store and stood silently at the intersection, Han Yuze noticed Jiang Shi standing still and asked, “If they don’t have what you’re looking for here, should we try another shop?”
“No need. If we can’t find custom equipment, it’s pointless,” Jiang Shi replied, glancing again at the equipment in his backpack and sighed inwardly.
Still the same saying, although the attributes of the equipment in the first season are indeed a bit worse, but sometimes the effectiveness of the enhancement effects is far more important than the panel numbers that can be compensated by operation.
It is not difficult to see from the boss’s reaction just now that, although he is no longer in the world, the legend of Master Pants is still full in the world.
Sure enough, the sense of presence is still full.
Only to say that pants are pants.
Jiang Shi was slightly moved, and just put the equipment back in the backpack, his movements were completely stopped by the system message that suddenly popped up.
[System: Congratulations! Your successfully recalled friend has been bound. Please enjoy the rebate experience in the future! (Binding progress 3/3)]
Couldn’t be, could it? Could this person really be brought back by his chanting?
Jiang Shi opened his friend list and immediately saw the newly lit game avatar.
A genuine smile gradually appeared on his face. He said to Han Yuze, “Looks like our equipment is online.”
He then sent a friend message directly.
[Material Main Account: Pants! Welcome back!]
[Muchuan Pants: PoisonedMilk ?]
[Material Main Account: Yes, it’s me.]
[Muchuan Pants: What kind of weird name did you change it to?]
[Material Main Account: That’s not important.]
[Material Main Account: There’s a big event starting soon, are you free to farm equipment these two days?]
[Muchuan Pants: ?]
everytime JS is stuck or hopeless situation, his friends come back 🥺
i thought the legendary figures have completed already turns out there’s still more. making it more interesting.
for a sec i thought the mister pants here was JS lol.
soo the list has been completed:
-a top black market assassin: gentleman fan
-a war-loving madman: deep ice
-a surly master craftsman: muchuan pants (?)
-a scavenger: that dwarfs woman i believe or maybe there’s more
interesting 🤔