Wu You chuckled. "How did a level 17 Swordsman like you end up here?"
"I came out to hunt Goblins—didn't expect to run into you all."
Li Wei laughed. "Little brother, you're quite bold, hunting Goblins all by yourself. It's extremely dangerous in this forest. You should really go back and form a team!"
In their view, for a D-grade Class Swordsman—a garbage class—to venture out this far without being killed by Goblins was a stroke of extraordinary luck.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Thank you for the warning, everyone. I'll leave right away."
Time to beat a hasty retreat.
These people are not to be trifled with!
Damn it, to think I'd run into three powerhouses, all First-stage Experts.
Watching Jiang Chen leave, Wu You smiled. "Just a false alarm, only a little Swordsman. But he really is bold, daring to come in here alone."
Shangguan Ming gazed thoughtfully at Jiang Chen's retreating figure. "This person is not simple."
"Brother Ming, why do you say that?"
"Didn't you notice the equipment he's wearing?"
Li Wei nodded. "The color seemed consistent."
"That's right. The consistent color means he's wearing a Set."
Wu You was unconcerned. "So what?"
"What was his level just now?"
"17."
"A level 17 Set. For a young man to be wearing a level 17 Set is very unusual."
"That doesn't necessarily prove anything, does it?"
Li Wei shook her head. "First, he's alone. A level 17 Swordsman wearing a Set. If he were someone with a notable background, he would definitely have joined a guild. But he doesn't appear to be in any guild. As far as I know, the Swordsman is considered a D-grade Class—a garbage class. Wearing such high-level equipment under these circumstances is also problematic."
Wu You agreed. "Your analysis is sound. However, it's also possible this lad has a background but simply hasn't joined a guild yet."
"That's also possible," Shangguan Ming interjected. "But you have to understand, without guild protection, it's very dangerous to encounter others in the wild. Especially since he's only level 17 and wearing a Set, he could easily become a target and be killed."
Wu You nodded; that was indeed true.
Shangguan Ming continued his analysis. "That young man just said he stumbled in here by accident, which is unlikely. Wouldn't he check a guide before exploring a new map? It's highly probable his objective is the same as ours: finding the Goblin Tribe to level up."
Wu You was astounded. "No way! The kid's only level 17, and a garbage-tier Swordsman at that."
Shangguan Ming smiled. "Don't underestimate Swordsmen. He might possess excellent movement techniques. Besides, didn't you notice? The lad is very young. He's likely a new graduate, just like Xue'er."
The other two were shocked.
A new graduate?
How is that possible?
Level 17 as a new graduate?
They looked at Shangguan Yunxue. She was only level 14, despite having the three of them escorting her to level up, not to mention the buffs from a Light series priest's The state of Blessing.
How could anyone reach level 17 solo?
Unless they have a Super Divine-level Class. But is Swordsman a Super Divine-level Class? No, Swordsman is just a garbage class.
Shangguan Yunxue asked, "Uncle, did you just say he was a new graduate?"
Shangguan Ming nodded. "It's just a guess. If it's true, then you've met your rival. This person is far more formidable than he appears."
"But he's a D-grade Class?"
"Don't underestimate any Class. The Class is just a foundation. Some people can shine even with a D-grade Class. If he is a new graduate, you'll definitely meet him, as all new graduates in Xihai City must undergo the assessment."
Shangguan Yunxue pondered. "What's his name?"
"Jiang Chen."
「···」
ACHOO...
Jiang Chen rubbed his nose, a pang of envy in his heart. Those three have already completed their First-stage Transition. They're truly impressive! I wonder when I'll complete my First-stage Transition.
Jiang Chen recalled the girl standing in the center, an aura of frost forming around her, freezing monsters, slowing them, and causing them to continuously lose health.
An AoE Skill! Magicians are truly amazing. Her leveling speed isn't any slower than mine.
Jiang Chen smiled. It seems I've underestimated others. I need to keep leveling up; the assessment is fast approaching. There are only three days left. I hope I can reach level 20.
By the end of the day, Jiang Chen reached level 18 and returned to Tattens Hills Village.
「In the tavern.」
After hunting monsters, Jiang Chen liked to unwind with a drink at the tavern. A Bloody Mary was perfect for soothing his day's fatigue. Jiang Chen also enjoyed the tavern's atmosphere. To him, it was like an alternative 'jianghu'—a world of martial heroes. His dream was to live in such a jianghu, sipping cheap liquor, watching dancers, and listening to heroic tales.
Murong Yi approached Jiang Chen. "Have you heard? The Underworld Altar has been discovered. It's Nightmare-level, and players below level 20 can team up to enter."
Jiang Chen already knew. He had been the one to enter it alone and slay the Underworld King.
Murong Yi continued, "Do you know how it was found?"
Jiang Chen shook his head.
"It was a Hero, fleeing from a Demon Wolf, who stumbled into the Demonic Giant Rat Cave. No one ever imagined the Underworld Dungeon would be hidden inside a Giant Rat's lair."
Murong Yi then asked, "So, who do you think was the first to clear the Underworld Dungeon?"
"How should I know?"
"Logically, it should have been found much earlier, yet it was only discovered now. And there are still no guides for the Underworld Altar."
Jiang Chen smiled. "The first clearers would naturally keep it a secret."
Murong Yi looked at Jiang Chen. "Your clothes are quite nice."
"Bought them."
"Your family must be well-off."
"It's alright."
Murong Yi leaned close to Jiang Chen's ear. He felt a tickle and caught a faint, pleasant scent.
She whispered, "Little student, was it you who cleared the Underworld Dungeon?"
Jiang Chen gave a wry smile. "Don't tease me. How could it possibly be me?"
"You're right... That's a Nightmare-level Underworld Dungeon. So many people are queuing up to get in and kill the Underworld King now. Some teams went in to challenge the Nightmare-level Underworld King, but many of them died. That dungeon isn't easy to clear."
Jiang Chen smiled. That dungeon truly isn't easy to clear unless one finds all six keys. But a guide will eventually surface. Especially since it's restricted to level 20 and below. You can't even enter if you're above level 20. And it needs to be cleared three times before it opens to the public, allowing others a chance to farm equipment. The Underworld Set, in particular, will attract a lot of people once it's farmable.
Jiang Chen had been lucky. On his first entry, he had obtained an entire Set tailored for him. This was part of the instance's rules and also a reward.
As for others who enter, who knows if they'll be able to get equipment drops. Moreover, after the first three clears, five difficulty levels will become available: Normal, Hard, Perilous, Nightmare, and Hell... The higher the difficulty, the greater the chance of good equipment drops, and the better the rewards.
Jiang Chen asked, "Sister Murong, you've already completed your First-stage Transition, so why come here? This is a leveling zone for those around level 20; you won't get any experience."
"There's a dungeon in the Naga world that drops First-stage equipment. Big sister is collecting a Set!"