MMORPG: The Elementalist

The Stone Golem had more than half of its HP shredded even before the battle lasted five minutes. However, Qin Ruo was frowning, having heard the waves of noises from near and afar amidst the Monster Mountains, compounded with a chase and erratic footsteps.

If it was any other time, Qin Ruo naturally would not mine anyone moving nearby his own battleground since nobody would lack so much tact that they would disturb the business of a Tier 5 Champion with fused Divinity.

But now…

It was a special situation!

Qin Ruo could not afford a single distraction. He cannot be interrupted halfway through his ritual by other players’ behavior, affecting the judgment of the Ring of Honor.

Still, the noise of the chase kept getting ever closer and faster that Qin Ruo had to turn towards it!

“Stay here, you.”

With a flap of his wings and streaking high above, Qin Ruo escaped the vision of the Stone Golem before diving towards the noises within the Monster Mountains—the Elementalist was prepared to teach s lesson those fellows who were disturbing his mission.

But soon, a familiar figure entered his gaze!

‘Eh?

‘Emma?’

Why was the Caucasian lady he encountered at the Graveyard of the Gods here?

Just as Qin Ruo himself noticed Emma’s trio, Emma, Poison Dragon, and their Berserker companion also found Qin Ruo, who was spreading his Angelic Wings dazzlingly just like a savior descending from above.

In that instant, the trio was distracted, startled by the Tier 5 Supreme Champion who suddenly arrived on the scene…

Their expected best-case scenario was to run into an Angel Faction Raid Party, like now!

“We’re saved!”

The trio—including Emma—did recognize Qin Ruo at all. They simply slowed down absent-mindedly, the sudden sense of security that arose after extended fleeing seemingly the same as pouring lead into their feet.

Qin Ruo grinned. Emma actually could not tell it was him…

But that was fine—when he was still in the Great Tree Forest, his set of equipment was still mere Gold, without a single Dark Gold piece. Now, however, all his equipment apart from his staff and cape were Legendary, and he possessed even the Divinity that Tier 5 champions dreamt off! It would be unusual if she could recognize him.

Laughing in spite of himself, Qin Ruo lifted his eyes slightly and glanced swiftly at the dozens of Demon Faction players behind them, his gaze showing a hint of coldness…

So those were the ones disturbing him—members of the ‘Satan’s Salvation’ League?

“Hmph! Very well! The great stage is set!”

With a cold laugh, Qin Ruo did not even think. As Emma’s group stared in shock, he zoomed directly over their heads, lunging toward the astonished Demon Faction players.

“Shit!”

“Tier 5! Run!”

Tier 5 Supreme Champions were essentially a nightmarish existence for Tier 4 players of the opposing Faction, not to mention that the person charging towards them possessed Divinity! As soon as they saw Qin Ruo’s near complete set of Legendary equipment and wings, those at the front vanished entirely along with their warmongering demeanor.

It was a pity that it was impossible the Bandits hot on Emma’s heels could not escape—there was no place for them to hide from Elemental Perception!

Lycan Barrages bellowed as they passed through the bodies of three of the bandits, leaving three corpses that grew ever colder without much drama.

In a flash of golden radiance, another two Bandits could not run either, and was blasted away by Poochie.

“Winter Demon!”

“It’s him! It’s the Winter Demon!”

Panicked screams echoed around the thickets of the Monster Mountains. A dozen of the Demon Faction players who had turned around at once to run shuddered inwardly, just as the Swordmaster Captain who was hanging behind was left dumbfounded…

Why would that unlucky star appear her now?

Misfortune!

Even as he cursed inside, the Swordmaster still could not resolve himself to fight.

“Retreat!”

Helplessly shouting the order, the dozens of Satan’s Salvation members experiencedly transfigured into birds and disperse, escaping toward several different directions across the Monster Mountains. They were perfectly aware of an individual’s abilities when they possessed a near-complete set of Legendary equipment and Angelic Wings: Tier 4 Elementalists were utterly useless, and warriors would be unable to threaten Qin Ruo when he was airborne.

The man spreading his Angelic Wings before them was invincible!

Nonetheless, the Swordmaster’s order arrived with fine timing. Qin Ruo and Poochie could only catch up to several warriors, while the dozens of Demon Faction players left had fled, nowhere to be seen.

Still, it was fine—he received nine Honor Points after killing ten of those people.

“League elites certainly are more loaded…” Qin Ruo muttered as he picked up several warrior items, telling himself inwardly that it was not a wasted effort. Then, spreading his wings, he turned and returned to Emma and the others who had not moved.

“Thanks for your aid, bro!”

The trio hurriedly offered their thanks as they approached. Of the two players with Emma, Qin Ruo could only obtain data of the Level 45 Zephyr Swordmaster named Poison Dragon, while the level of the other player, a Berserk, was not within the range of his probing.

Qin Ruo smiled, his eyes lingering on Emma’s uncertain and doubtful gaze.

“What,” he said, “you’ve forgotten me so quickly?”

Her eyes twinkled at once when he spoke, and she studied him in delight.

“Brother Qin! It really is you!”

“Heavens! How did you become so powerful?”

“Is that Poochie? Why is its fur golden now? And your wings, you managed to farm Divinity?!”

Question after question shot out from Emma as if she was a Gatling gun, leaving both Qin Ruo and her own two companions dumbfounded. Surprised, the latter even tugging at Emma’s sleeves.

“Little Emma, since when were you acquainted with someone so powerful? I’ve never heard you mention it before…”

“Isn’t it? If I’d known you have Tier 5 friends, we would have joined you instead… there’s no need to go through the trouble of running here every day for Honor Points quests.”

“Why should I tell you guys?” Emma rolled her eyes at the both of them, before turning back to Qin Ruo. “Oh, right—why are you here, Brother Qin?” She suddenly asked interestedly.

“…”

Even before he finished, Emma’s eyes sparkled.

“Need our help?”

“Um-hmm! We’ll help you, Brother Qin. I’m Ruffian Wolf… Strength in numbers, right?”

Both Poison Dragon and the self-introducing Berserker quickly joined in.

“Uh…” Qin Ruo mumbled, before shaking his head awkwardly. “You guys might not be able to help. It’s a solo item quest that must be completed alone, and I can’t use anything from Pet, Magic Scroll to Sealed Mana Core… your presence might prevent me from completing my mission.”

“There’s such quests?”

“…Is that so.”

There was an indescribable dejection on the faces of Emma’s group, but she quickly asked, “We can watch from a corner, right?”

Qin Ruo considered it—and did not decline.

“…That’s fine, but… you guys can’t come too close to the battlefield.”

***

Dozens of seconds later, Emma’s group profoundly felt how naïve their own suggestions had been.

Help Qin Ruo?

Strength in numbers?

What a joke! The target of Qin Ruo’s solo quest was actually a Tier 5 Mega Boss! With that attributes, the trio would not be able to last one whirl of that wolf fang club even if they were tied together and thrown into the fray, much less join the battle!

Awkward…

Still, as they looked again, Qin Ruo’s figure as he stood amidst the Tier 5 Mega Boss’s raging howls appeared even more valiant and robust.

“No wonder he became so famous so quickly. Wouldn’t he probably be more powerful than Dark Dragon in ability alone?”

“Um-hmm.”

Both Poison Dragon and Ruffian Wolf stood far away from the outer perimeter of the battlefield as they quietly discussed away.

“What do you think? If he’s that strong, why won’t he pick a League to join?”

“Nonsense. Do you understand the pride of Champions? Your thick head probably won’t get it, so I’ll put it simply for you: if you have ten million bucks, would you still work for someone poorer than you?”

“…No way.”

“Doesn’t that settle it?”

“I dare bet that Brother Qin must be thinking about building his own Clan and then develop a League! Tsk tsk…” Ruffian Wolf said, clapping Emma’s shoulder as if they were very close. “Little Emma, I’m your big brother for better or worse… Help us and get in a good word when the time comes so that we can join Brother Qin’s Clan. How about that?”

Emma felt about the duo’s conjectures. “Why don’t you two just ask him?”

“Little Emma…”

“Uh… would you not help us in our moment of need? Little Emma…”

“Go away. The two of you look disgusting.”

Emma glared at them, dumbfounded.

“Compared to that, don’t you two find it unusual that Satan’s Salvation would send over a hundred elites to capture us few?”

“What’s weird about that?” Poison Dragon said, spreading his hands nonchalantly. “We are the enemy faction in the first place, is there something not right with killing each other?”

On the other hand, Ruffian Wolf muttered to himself half-heartedly for a while after Emma reminded them about what happened. He then contacted some comrades who were remaining in Moonrise City, and his expression promptly changed after a few exchanges.

“This is huge!” He exclaimed.

“Hmm?” Both Poison Dragon and Emma were at once taken aback even as Ruffian Wolf hurriedly broke the stunning news.

“It’s a siege! The Demon Faction has surrounded Moonrise City!”

“What!?” Poison Dragon’s eyes bulged. He stared at Ruffian Wolf’s expression that was clearly not one being jovial, his voice cracking as he spoke. “When did that happen?”

“Just now! Even Siege Ladders is arriving… I now know why that bunch was here, damn it! A purge! They are here for a purging! I say…”

Ruffian Wolf and Emma’s faces turned white. If the Demon Faction were to take Moonrise City, all those from the Angel Faction would be reduced to solo players. Everything from Battle Points, Party, Honor Points, Clan to League are going be rebooted, while the Demon Faction would occupy a strategic position in the Mythical Battlefield for a very long time!

“What should we do?”

The three were at loss for moment, before promptly turning their eyes to the man in the skies above the battlefield who had the Angelic Wings…

Qin Ruo’s fight against the Stone Golem was nearing its end.