MMORPG: The Elementalist

Note to readers: Two chapters in one.

Seeing Qin Ruo’s dumbfounded gaze, Black Rock shrugged then joked, “Don’t look at me like that, we have already discussed this… Other Clans don’t really mean anything so we wouldn’t want to take up their offer. But if the founder of the Clan is you, then we might actually consider it… After all, all of us are solo players. We know what each other needs, what each other hates, you just take care of it. Whether we join a Clan or not isn’t a big deal.”

From the way he spoke, it confirmed what Homme Fatale had explained. As long as he established one, they would join.

“Punk, you’re looking down on me aren’t ya,” Subjugator, who was sitting next to Black Rock angrily gave him a glare, then turned away from Black Rock’s shameless giggles to face Qin Ruo. “Qin Ruo, my Clan is pretty hopeless already, I’m the only Tier 5 there. If you really establish a Clan… Count me in.”

After getting their confirmation, Qin Ruo finally felt that this was not something Homme Fatale was taking lightly with him. He hesitated for a while, then silently stared at the three people behind him.

Judge, who was always like a steel can had shown his true colors in front of them for the first time. Although his tone had not changed, he spoke clearly, “I’m in.”

Following immediately after him, Fateless raised his head and looked at him. “You go ahead and establish a Clan, I’ll help you grind Honor Points.”

Fateless’ practical comment had everyone around hold their breaths. Although this Bandit in front of them was no longer the Mythical Battlefield’Bandit with the highest Honor Points, his words however… weighed a lot! For a man who could simply gather thousands of Honor Points on the Mythical Battlefield by himself, he would not even be any inferior to an official elite team if he had gotten serious.

In the past, many renowned Clans were unable to move this guy to join them. But he actually initiated to join a yet to be established Clan… If this news gets out, it could become another explosive news!

This was the gap.

No wonder Homme Fatale and Violet Orchid had emphasized on Qin Ruo to set up a Clan…

For the Winter Demon whose abilities neared a Tier 5 pro to take the lead with Black Rock as support, along with their Angelic Wings, just the sound of all these could already qualify them as a directly affiliated League Clan.

Aside from Subjugator who excels in penetrative attacks and Judge who enjoys the offensive despite being a defensive class player, Fateless was another powerhouse who could face everything alone!

Two Warriors, two Elementalists, and one Bandit, they could really form a great high-level core team!

Not forgetting Snowleaf…

Among the six, the player with the weakest overall ability was her, but things could be different after advancing to Tier 5. Tier 5 Summoners were scarce in the game after all. Also, as a pretty Summoner, the attention she would be receiving would not lose out to Fateless.

“I like being in the same team as you guys.” This was Snowleaf’s reason for joining Qin Ruo’s yet to be established Clan.

After the five had expressed their views, Qin Ruo took a deep breath. He tried to calm the surging emotions within him. At this moment, he finally understood why Dinosaucerer mentioned that he had been reserved. That was why he did not invite him to join the party.

He must have been informed by Violet Orchid about Bauhinia League’s big ambitious plan…

Qin Ruo silently thought, ‘With Dinosaucerer’s current overall ability, establishing a large Clan would not be a problem when he reaches advanced Tier 5 onward, especially since he now has Sharp Blade’s three Tier 5 Champions as support.’

As for Qin Ruo himself, it was as Homme Fatale had said. This Winter Demon reputation was no longer inferior to a Clan Leader that’s part of a League since Moonrise City’s battle. He just needed to set up the Clan… Without even having to try, it would still attract a whole batch of Angel Faction’s elite players to join.

Just like that.

Adding on to Violet Orchid’s future established Bauhinia Clan, the three big clans that would combine as a League would be established…

As his thoughts reached that point, Qin Ruo was finally slightly moved.

To build up a whole new Bauhinia League with Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart, and Dinosaucerer… Becoming Angel Faction’s best League, was unquestionable. This plan was irresistible to every player. But for his time online…

“It’s okay if your time online is little. I’ll let you choose a few slots where you’ll spend more time online. The ladies usually love taking care of the little bros. Leave the big and small matters of the clan to them. They will ensure that your clan will be full of life every day and there wouldn’t be a problem.”

Violet Orchid and Slayer’s Heart fully knew Qin Ruo’s online schedule, when he worked, and when he rested. Just looking Qin Ruo’s expression, they could tell that he was slowly opening up. They continued to explain, “They are more experienced than you in terms of managing a clan. They will also delegate tasks to the right people, so you just have to carry out your usual routine.”

Qin Ruo unwittingly furrowed his brow, with his face showing a quirky, unnatural smile. “So, I’m just going to be an image?”

“There are many who are images in their clans in H&G, not just you. In fact, they are powerful. There are also many symbols who have prestigious backgrounds… While using your high-profile, you’ll just have to continue maintaining the mysteriousness which the clan members perceive and their unity. You can do it like how Sinistress and Netherclaw did it. Once the operations for the clan are all sorted out, you don’t have to worry about those trivial matters, all you need to do is give instructions…” Homme Fatale assured the last bit of Qin Ruo’s doubts.

However, Qin Ruo still had not immediately accepted the thought of establishing a Clan…

“What about the last two league member slots? Would they be handled by Brother Homme and Slayer?”

“Me?” Homme Fatale blinked and shook his head.

“Forget it… I know my own temper well. I offend others very easily and I’m usually lazy to move. I’m not suitable to become a clan leader. Moreover, Dinosaucerer’s current abilities are still kind of weak. My big sis has planned for me to join Violent Army to support Dino at the front for a while.

“As for your Brother Slayer… Just forget it, this withered man is worse than I am. He’s already senile. I’m afraid he can’t even catch up to Dinosaucerer in the future. Becoming my sister’s lackey is better.” Watching Homme Fatale casually carrying that tone, he obviously was very close to Slayer’s Heart. He did not have any qualms when cracking a joke like that.

Slayer’s Heart did not mind at all. He casually shrugged. It was not certain whether he had admitted to becoming Violet Orchid’s subordinate, or that he had really entered his declining years early.

“We still do not have any suitable choices for the last two slots,” Violet Orchid cut in.

“In my mind, my best choices would be Black God and Majestic Hero. The former might accept, the latter is likely not to. Qin Ruo, your relationship with them is quite good, no? If you have time, you could test Black God’s receptiveness… Back then, Black God was walking the elite path. But after this incident, he might realize the importance of a league.”

Qin Ruo silently nodded. Violet Orchid directly explained all her speculations and plans to him.

Black God and Majestic Hero were friends worth making. If they could become a team and build up a league together, it would be a lucky thing…

The only regret left with was Scarlet Bauhinia.

Violet Orchid’s list did not mention Scarlet Bauhinia.

That man used to be one of the most powerful players of the Angel Faction. Although it was no longer possible becoming an Associate Clan of Bauhinia League, as Bauhinia League’s former leader, losing Violet Orchid, Homme Fatale, Slayer’s Heart and a whole bunch of elites all at the same time, he must be having mixed thoughts. Qin Ruo did not wish for the Angel Faction to be divided in the future.

The Angel Faction…could no longer take on another blow.

In the next ten minutes or so, Qin Ruo gained a clear understanding of the basics of the core groups in the three clans.

Violet Orchid was the leader of Bauhinia Clan. Slayer’s Heart and Steel Dude were temporarily assigned as Field Commanders. Meanwhile the four girls, Burning Rose, Little Apple, iLittle Arrow, Gold Digger Babe were in; along with the two Tier 5 Champions included among the original elite members of Bauhinia Clan.

Dinosaucerer was the leader of Violent Army Clan. Homme Fatale and Sharp Blade’s three Tier 5 guys had taken up the position as Field Commanders. At the same time, there was Brother Da and a bunch of colleagues who were following him.

On Qin Ruo’s side, it was obvious that Qin Ruo would be the Clan Leader. Judge and the rest would be the future Field Commanders. Aside from that, the core team members had Xiaoxiao and Violet Orchid’s star pupil—the Radiant Priest Violetmoon Devilite.

Violet Orchid let Qin Ruo select three of her highly capable girlfriends. “Level 48 Shadow Priest Ace of Spades, specializes in managing the clan’s group activities. She’s attentive, bold, and is loved by former Bauhinia Clan members.

“Level 49 Ignis Swordsmaster Helga, is one of the Hunter party’s leaders. Her personality is decent. Her battle abilities are not inferior to a Tier 4 Field Commander. She was Bauhinia Clan’s most popular Hunter party leader. She has her own principles in terms of a clan’s rules.

“Level 45 Bandit, Little Rice is in logistics. She specializes in delegating and team activities, which are usually managed by Little Spade her. She also handles the trading of some of the equipment. Once you’re done, go to Moonrise City to register your party. The few of you better secure your Clans today lest we clash with our time entering the Buried City tomorrow.”

After her urgings, Violet Orchid became solemn. “The Demon Faction members are probably hoping that we would rely on the Mythical Battlefield for our clan points and Honor Points and switch their focus to the Buried City… We will definitely not let them get away with this!”

“Yes!”

After Qin Ruo got up, Judge, Fateless, Subjugator, Black Rock, Snowleaf, and Xiaoxiao all stood up from their seats. Apocalypse also followed suit and said, “Qin Ruo, you go register the party’s details. How about the few of us head straight to the Mythical Battlefield to grind for Battle Points?”

“Forget about Battle Points. It’ll be too slow if you guys walked. If you guys fly, it’ll stand out. It’ll be faster if I went alone. Your group head to the Mythical Battlefield to grind for Honor Points. Xiaoxiao, you don’t have to go. Just level up your last level and strive to not delay the advancement till tomorrow.”

They all agreed and Violet Orchid’s side ended the discussion to continue their advancement to Tier 5. The Battle Points and Honor Points were left to the Tier 5 players to handle. (200 Battle Points and 1,000 Honor Points were not difficult for a few Tier 5 players.)

The entire group walked out of Champion’s Restaurant. Slayer’s Heart, Violet Orchid, and Homme Fatale who were walking in front suddenly stopped. They all looked toward the warp portal that had an eye-catching yet lonely appearance of a silhouette.

Qin Ruo suddenly had a headache.

As he walked out of the restaurant just now, he had thought of how awkward it would be if they bumped into Scarlet Bauhinia in the future. He did not expect it to be so quick, and so sudden too!

Fine, for something like this, no one could have intervened.

Qin Ruo, Judge, and the rest stepped backward. The street was left to the four of them, Scarlet Bauhinia, Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart, and Homme Fatale…

*********************

Chapter 448 How Could They Not Handle A Small Extremity Like This?

Scarlet Bauhinia, suddenly appeared at the desolate street of Savis Town where its background seemed a bit bleak. His dazzling Legendary armor set faintly created an artistic vibe amidst the current destroyed appearance of the town.

Scarlet Bauhinia’s gaze slowly landed on the faces of Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart and Homme Fatale. He would pause shortly when gazing upon each of them. Qin Ruo and the rest beside them could not see Scarlet Bauhinia’s facial expression as he had activated a Shadow effect for his cloak. Therefore, they were not sure whether Scarlet Bauhinia was angry or feeling something else at this moment…

Qin Ruo could only clench his fist and pray silently. He hoped that Scarlet Bauhinia would stick to his reasoning and not one-sidedly feel betrayed by Violet Orchid and the rest; or mention the word Bauhinia…

‘Please absolutely do not turn against each other!’

What followed was something Qin Ruo and the players there had expected…

Qin Ruo felt that Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart, Homme Fatale’s expressions had started to change. From their previous indifference, their gazes started to have something else. Looking at Scarlet Bauhinia, Slayer’s Heart’s eyes were turning red. Within his eyes were something evoking which Qin Ruo had witnessed before. He glared Scarlet Bauhinia then spread his arms and closed them right after, as if he was stopped by something. That was why he did not take a step forward toward Scarlet Bauhinia.

The mood of the onlookers gradually became heavier…

Qin Ruo scowled as he thought silently to himself, ‘In a situation like this, it doesn’t look like a peaceful one no matter how you look at it.’

“They wouldn’t start fighting each other, would they?”

Subjugator who was behind Qin Ruo, tapped his nose and threw in this question to their small circle in a lowered voice.

Qin Ruo took a deep breath. Before he could say anything, he sensed that Black Rock who was beside him started shaking his head. He too used a lowered voice to reply, “It’s hard to say… Looking at Slayer’s Heart’s expression, Scarlet Bauhinia must have said something to anger him. “Sigh, this isn’t something with a good outcome. If they start fighting, who are we gonna support? Moonrise City was just destroyed, now we’re having an internal fight?”

“Your words are interesting, but there is a flipside to this.”

Judge usually did not like to talk… Before he left Champion’s Restaurant, he had already reequipped his helmet. But what puzzled Qin Ruo and the rest was, this fella actually knew how to make small talk? How rare! But what Judge had said had left Qin Ruo and his friends astonished…

A flip side?

A good side?

Just when Qin Ruo and the rest were blindly guessing… A burst of hearty laughter startled everyone and also snapped away everybody’s guesses. They all gathered their focus toward this peculiar being who interrupted this heavy atmosphere—Scarlet Bauhinia.

…

Amidst the gaze of the confused crowd, Scarlet Bauhinia slowly walked toward Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart and, Homme Fatale. The first sentence that came out of Scarlet Bauhinia’s mouth in front of everyone was also his last sentence to Violet Orchid and the rest. “We’re friends. Shaking hands before we part ways shouldn’t be asking for much, right?”

Violet Orchid silently nodded. She held out her hand to shake his, followed by Homme Fatale…

When it was Slayer’s Heart’s turn, those two big guys felt like they had thousands of things to say to each other. They stared at each other for a while, under the dumbfounded gaze of many hundred pairs of eyes, they tacitly bumped their shoulders together!

“All the best.”

“You too!” Once all was said, Scarlet Bauhinia’s silhouette became a white fog… Disappearing from Savis Town’s warp portal, leaving behind a bunch of players who looked equally confused as Qin Ruo. Each of them curiously dazed at the trio as they headed to the warp portal.

“Umm.”

Black Rock turned around with his face full of questions. “It’s over?”

“Duh!”

“Smelly rock, you didn’t actually hope that they would start fighting each other right here did you?”

Subjugator and Fateless both stared down at him.

The latter gaped and pointed at the warp portal. “But… Just how was this settled? Are they on good terms or not? Just what is going on? Don’t they know that it’s rude to leave us hanging?”

“I personally think that with your level of intelligence, even if we explain, you still wouldn’t understand. Qin Ruo, are you going to give us specific tasks to do?”

Subjugator carelessly threw out this question and switched the topic. After all, onlookers could already tell that Scarlet Bauhinia must have officially split from Violet Orchid’s group.

The good thing was, the four would not walk down their next paths as enemies…

For them to be able to interact peacefully was already a blessing among the many recent misfortunes and there would not be additional challenges for the future Angel Faction. Just like that was enough. As for Scarlet Bauhinia’s split from Violet Orchid, Slayer’s Heart, and Homme Fatale, it had nothing to do with Subjugator and the rest, so they did not want to pry further.

The foremost important matter was to establish their clan…

“That’s right! What will we name our party?” Subjugator’s voice woke Qin Ruo.

Qin Ruo was startled.

He just only came to realize that all this time they were talking about going to Moonrise City’s Mercenary Guild, but till now they had never thought of what name to use for their future clan.

“What do you guys suggest?”

“You’re the Clan Leader, of course you’ll decide,” Subjugator nonchalantly threw back this difficult task to Qin Ruo.

The others were also unwilling to crack their heads to think of the name. Instead, an outsider in this situation, Apocalypse quietly suggested, “Since you are going to become a League Clan, it has to be a name that is big and impressive. It’s best to have a name that has certain connotations and pertinent meaning to it…”

“Pertinent?”

After Apocalypse’s suggestion, Qin Ruo thought of the headache incident that happened at the Mythical Continent today and his heart started to thump. He quietly spoke, “Since Demon Faction has Death Cult and Savior and stuff like that… Let’s call it Fallen Angels then.”

“Fallen Angels?”

The eyes of Judge and the rest lit up at the same time. They repeated these words and smiles slowly formed at the corner of their mouths…

“Eh? This name is good!”

“Heh, not bad, it’s cool!”

“… it’s powerful, with some meaning.” The few unanimously approved Fallen Angels to become their party name, including the three ladies who were following them. They all nodded approvingly towards the deep implied meaning of the name.

“Let’s not delay this any longer, quickly go apply for it!”

After everyone’s urging, Qin Ruo headed toward Savis Town’s warp portal.

Compared to the excited crowd, Qin Ruo’s mood instantly returned back to normal. His head repeatedly replayed the scene where Slayer’s Heart said his farewell to Scarlet Bauhinia… Over and over again… At the same time, he also thought of Slayer’s Heart’s excitement at that time which he had never shown before.

Complete separation?

Was it really like that?

…

Moonrise City, Mercenary Guild’s grand hall. A busy, buzzing scene!

The strongest present were Tier 5 Champions, the weakest were ordinary Tier 4 players equipped with full body Violet Equipment. Groups of three to five were gathered in front of dozens of windows, all waiting in the queue.

These people were all here to receive the Party Formation Quest.

Although Angel Faction’s tens of thousands of groups had instantly fallen, it gave many players the idea of having more chances to stand out. While not everyone would succeed, there were however, indeed a large portion of players who experienced a huge leap in their character advancement due to the Pet system and became high-tier pros. Fifteen league clans’ disappearance, along with the disbandment of thousands of large clans had granted the chance to compete with the big shots at the same starting line.

In a situation like this, players who approached the Mercenary Guild to apply for party formation quests were never-ending…

Somehow, it seemed like Moonrise City’s invasion had given Angel Faction players no misfortunes, but a chance to be reborn! A chance for more players to display their aspirations!

As the crowd of players in the hall were contentedly devising their future plans and making calculations to pass time, a vague ruckus was going on at the Mercenary Guild’s entrance…

The next moment!

There was a strange silence at the entrance of the guild…

Like a virus, gasping noises rapidly spread into the guild from the entrance.

Many players in the guild had also felt the sudden subtle transformation of the atmosphere in the hall, and they all turned their heads over.

Amidst the crowd of players who automatically moved aside to make way, an Elementalist fully armored in Legendary and Dark Gold equipment was the first to step into the guild hall… Followed closely half a step behind him was a female Elementalist with a slim figure who wore a snowy robe, with her entire equipment covered in exquisite dark gold texture; like a gorgeous couple walking down the aisle.

Bam! Bam!

Behind the couple was a guy with an imposing aura, whose entire body was wrapped under a thick metal armor which clattered as he walked. Another player was a large Swordsman who donned a piece of equipment with flame patterns all over it—he walked behind them like a bodyguard. Behind the four of them, a Bandit fiddled with a colorful Legendary dagger, spinning it in his hand while casually following them.

The five had set their message settings to public so that all players could read them…

After the players in the Mercenary Guild received the message from the five people, all of them held their breaths. They somehow unconsciously stepped back after feeling all that overwhelming pressure.

Level 50 Aquamancer, Qin Ruo!

Level 49 Aquamancer, Xiaoxiao;

Level 50 Steel Berserker, Judge;

Level 50 Ignis Swordmaster, Subjugator;

Level 50 Bandit, Fateless!

The players in the guild hall looked at each other and move aside to make an opening in one of the windows. They started whispering in disbelief, “Winter Demon… Bandit Assassin…”

“They’re together?”

“They’ve prepared to form a party?”

…

While the players inside the Mercenary Guild were all startled, the street outside the guild entrance was in an uproar!

They saw that at the guild entrance, two Elementalists flamboyantly spread their Angelic Wings, one on the left and the other on the right. They flapped their wings and stayed at both sides of the entrance like NPCs assigned by the system, while they kept guard outside the Mercenary Guild’s door…

The two Tier 5 Champions who possessed Angelic Wings had instantly attracted the attention of countless players. They were curious about what kind of person had entered the guild that had created such a huge scene!

Coming from two perspectives, Apocalypse felt innumerable hot gazes staring at them and at the same time, he looked at the four girls across them who were cusping their mouths in their hands while watching the scene. His forehead started to drip with hot sweat. “Black Rock, this plan of yours, isn’t it too exaggerated?”

“C’mon, if they want to join Fallen Angels, how could they not handle something like this?”