"It worked!"
"We entered the game!"
"I feel no difference…"
"I don't know. I'm a bit dizzy…"
The friends appeared in Greypine Town, checking their conditions. Liam quickly warned them:
"If you feel bad, don't hesitate to log off. You need to get used slowly. Don't overestimate yourselves! Your health is the most important!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was well known that entering the game while the body wasn't in a quiet environment could cause harm. The government even publicized guidelines. Some people had no choice; they already got used to a low level of chaos while gaming. But the friends didn't belong to this group.
"Hmm, I'm feeling fine. Guys, I'll find Riala to cook something! I'll reach the advanced rank soon!"
Serena was just about to scurry off when her brother's body appeared in front of her with a meaningful smile.
"Not so fast, young lady. You didn't think you could escape your lessons, did you?"
"What? But… Miss Marthy is over fifty years old! She can't enter the game!"
"That's right. But Miss Marthy's daughter kindly agreed to take care of your lessons for this period."
Serena froze. Suddenly put her hands to her head, swaying left and right.
"Ahh, Liam. I don't feel so well. I think the flight is too chaotic for me! I will log off for now."
Watching the young girl's dramatic acting, the others couldn't help but laugh. Liam chimed in as well. Unfortunately, he remained unconvinced.
"Come one, Serena. You know how important it is."
"Fine…"
Finally, Serena realized that she wouldn't be able to escape her lessons. Actually, she didn't have that much resistance. She knew there was much she had to learn. Usually, she would have lessons with a private teacher every morning. Only if there was something special going on in the game did Liam exempt her.
Soon, Miss Marthy's daughter came to fetch Serena. They retreated to a quiet part of the tower and had their lesson.
"Should we leave as well?"
"Yeah. What's the plan for today? Now that we know we can log in, should we join the guild war?"
"Too risky. I believe the others can do it. Trust them!"
Cyclone nodded solemnly. Today was a guild war but the friends decided not to join it. If they had to leave during an intense situation, it might cause chaos among the other guild members. Thus, the guild war this time would be commanded by Final Fend and Overbearing Zen, who asked Cyclone and Balm to give him a chance to prove his talent.
For the duration of the journey Liam and his friends decided not to take big risks.
"So we're sticking to the plan? Find the last few materials for Mirage to forge his legendary weapon?", asked Silent Acacia, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. And if possible, we will get a legendary weapon as well!", declared Cyclone.
"My friend, aren't you too confident? We don't even know where to go yet."
"Oh, right. Mirage, where are we going?"
"Well, I will only tell you that we've been there before."
Liam remained cryptic, smiling slyly. Everyone could only helplessly roll their eyes.
"This is definitely one of your more annoying personality traits!", said Balm with a huff. Liam turned his head to her, surprise on his face:
"What do you mean by 'one of'? Are there more?"
"Eh…"
Balm didn't know how to answer. She couldn't think of anything immediately. After an awkward moment everyone laughed. Liam dropped the topic and waved at his friends to finally set off.
Liam led his friends to the teleporter and finally revealed their destination. It was time to visit their new favourite city again. Icehaven.
The world changed in a flash. When the friends got off the teleportation platform, they arrived in a city made of rough stone, with artistic engravings everywhere, nestled in an abyssal crevice. Beastkin of all kinds wandered around. The guards standing close to the teleportation platform were confused for a moment before greeting the newcomers warmly.
"Hah, such a great place! The icy air smells so fresh."
"Am I imagining things or has it become even colder?", asked Quickstep.
"You think so?"
"Yes. Perhaps we should pack something to warm ourselves on the way. A few barrels of Sorov Brew will do."
"Haha, we just arrived and Quickstep can't think of anything else!"
Everyone was amused. But the group was rather leisurely at the moment. Thus, they agreed to Quickstep's suggestion. They entered the tavern together, drank some of the viscous, honey-like brew, and finally continued towards their target.
Once again the group entered the ratkins' underground tunnels. The vast maze left everyone dizzy. Even Liam wasn't entirely confident in navigating it. When they left through an exit, Liam scanned the surroundings, especially the nearby mountains.
"We're somewhat off, but close enough. Guess we need to fly for a bit."
The others didn't look exactly happy. There was a reason they didn't directly use their flying mounts. Right now, the weather in the eastern mountain was not great. Quickstep's earlier observation was not only an excuse. Heavy snowfall pushed the temperatures towards a negative record.
"Don't worry, guys. It'll be quick."
What could the others say? They could only grit their teeth, jump on their mounts and follow Liam as he shot into the air. At least the mounts produced an invisible barrier to shield the riders from the worst, but the chilling air still drove into their bones.
Fortunately, Liam didn't lie. The flight only took about three minutes. The group travelled along the mountain they were on, flew around its flank and reached a forest of towering trees. Long icicles dangled from the green branches permeated with red veins, giving the trees an extraordinary appearance. The trees were thick and healthy, taking nearly ten people to hug a single trunk.
"It looks out of place."
The others agreed with Watchful Eye's observation. Looking at the surrounding mountains, they didn't have this kind of outstanding, sturdy forest.
Liam had a knowing smile on his lips as he glided above the forest. Soon, he found what he was looking for. There was a large clearing towards the north of the forest. Drasky let out a cry and landed elegantly, his feet barely sinking into the snow.
The different characters of the mounts could be seen at that moment. Like Bloody Edge's Blood Stalker, which landed soundlessly, avoiding the slightest disturbance to the snow. In stark contrast was Silent Acacia's Guardian Dog, which immediately revealed a playful nature, rolling in the snow as soon as Silent Acacia got down from its back, or Quickstep's Kun Peng, whose large body was like a fish in water, gliding through the white blanket.
"Eh, there is something here?"
Suddenly Balm's shout received everyone's attention. The healer, standing on her disc-like flying mount, the Sun of Lumor, pointed towards the tree in front of her. Flying through the snow she had been the most comfortable as the artifact below her feet constantly emitted heat. Now, as she came close to the ground, it caused the snow below her to melt, revealing a silver spear tip.
Cyclone was not far from Balm. She couldn't help but marvel:
"Such a beautiful weapon. Just from the spear tip you can tell it's extraordinary. Look at the engraving! Balm, come, smelt more of the snow!"
Balm didn't hesitate. She slowly lowered her altitude, causing the snow to melt and reveal more of the spear. But suddenly both women jolted.
"Ew!"
"A skeleton!"
"Chaos faction?"
"No, it seems to be dead-dead!"
Everyone gathered around. Watchful Eye helped Balm in getting rid of the snow and more of the scene was revealed. What came to light was not just one skeleton but two. They sat next to each other, leaning against a tree. Both had extraordinary spears in their hands. The armour made from leather and metal protecting their bodies had long been broken and torn. But it wasn't due to the cold, but a result of a fight. Additionally, the first skeleton they found held a stone plate in its hands.
"Wow, feel this armour, so sturdy. How much power does it need to end up like this?"
"This spear is so beautiful!"
"Perhaps we found our legendary weapon!"
Liam listened to the discussion of his friends. As he glanced of the group he noticed Watchful Eye's pondering expression.
"What are you thinking?"
The taciturn man wrinkled his forehead, answering slowly:
"It seems… this armour. It has some similarities to the armour of Silver Blade."
"Now that you say it…", murmured Silver Blade, overhearing the conversation. A spark flashed through Liam's eyes but he didn't comment further.
At this moment the snow had finally melted enough to reveal the whole picture. Cyclone took a step forward, excitedly grabbing the spear. She pulled heavily.
"Ah! So heavy!"
Startled, Cyclone almost lost her balance as the spear tilted towards her. Luckily Radiant Shield reacted quickly, lending a hand. But even the strong tank could only stabilize the spear. To wield it with his own strength would be impossible.