The purple mist in Misty Gorge was even denser than yesterday. As soon as Kiriya's consciousness connected to EAO, his vision still slightly blurred, he spotted that familiar figure standing by the gorge.
Lina's snow-white hair cascaded down to her waist, flowing like moonlight through the fog, perfectly contrasting with her sleek black-and-gray armor.
The armor highlighted her upright and resilient figure, the star-patterned iron plating on her pauldrons gleaming with a cold metallic luster.
Her fair face bore a pair of icy-blue eyes, calm and resolute, as if able to pierce through the mist. The shield at her side had crystals naturally forming fine ice shards.
"Ten minutes early," Lina said, her gaze falling on him, her voice clear yet gentle. It lingered on the shadow-weave cloak around his waist. "The corrosion protection on the new cloak is pretty good."
"Can't always have you standing in front of me, can I?" Kiriya replied with a smile. With a flick of his mind, two pale-blue spectral clones split from his side, nimbly scouting through the thick mist. "I'm waiting for someone today—a priest, just left the novice village."
Lina's eyebrows rose slightly. Her sword lightly tapped her shield, producing a crisp resonance. "Your friend?"
"She's my sister, Violet," Kiriya answered without teasing this time, locating the glowing avatar in his friend list, accompanied by a message tinged with exasperated amusement:
[I've arrived at the novice village teleport point. Where are you?]
He was about to reply when Lina's shield suddenly pulsed forward, sending ripples of icy-blue energy: "Watch out."
Three black shapes tore through the fog—level 18 Shadow Spiders. Kiriya's clones immediately engaged, bronze swords carving arcs of silver light.
Almost simultaneously, Lina's ice spikes froze the spiders' joints with pinpoint accuracy. Their coordination flowed like water, yet Violet's second message popped up, feigning calm with a teasing tone:
[The teleport crystal seems to dislike me. It lit up for a second and then stopped working. ]
Kiriya chuckled and said to Lina, "I'll go get her."
"No trouble necessary." Lina's reply was quick, and a clear map overlay was shared with Kiriya. Her fingertip tapped a transfer node. "Have her teleport to 'Frostleaf Forest.'
Coordinates are marked. I've cleared the minor mobs along the way." She paused, her tone considerate. "At this stage, health is fragile. Make sure she stays safe and avoids unknown energy residues."
Kiriya packaged the coordinates and instructions and sent them to Violet. When he turned back, he saw Lina effortlessly dispatching the three Shadow Spiders. She twirled her sword elegantly, composed and graceful.
About ten minutes later, the steady, exploratory sound of footsteps emerged from the fog. A female figure in a simple priest robe appeared, her light-purple hair curling slightly at the shoulders.
The small pair of gold-rimmed glasses on her nose added a touch of intelligence and composure.
It was Violet's chosen avatar. She held a novice Staff, her posture calm, exuding the composed confidence of an observer.
"Kiriya," Violet's voice was gentle and tinged with a smile as she approached. Her gaze immediately landed on Lina, eyes reflecting admiration and polite curiosity. "And this is?"
"Lina, my most important teammate," Kiriya introduced with unmistakable trust. He then turned to Lina: "Violet is my sister. She said she wanted to see what my world in the game is like."
Lina gave a slight nod, offering a light, friendly smile. "Welcome, Violet." Warmth touched her icy-blue eyes. "Are you comfortable with the skill interface? 'Light of Healing' and 'Purification' are key—best to set them as your primary conscious commands." She sent over a set of healing scroll templates. "These should make it more secure."
Violet received the data and nodded gracefully. "Thank you, Lina. You're very considerate."
She turned to Kiriya, her voice carrying the teasing tone only an older sister could wield. "So this is where you perform so reliably, with such excellent teammates. Looks like I've underestimated you."
Kiriya smiled and shrugged, summoning the dungeon entrance beacon. "Level 25 'Toxic Mist Nest.' Violet, want to give it a try?"
"Of course," Violet responded calmly, her staff steady in her hands. "I've read the materials. I'll monitor everyone's health closely."
Lina turned to face the dungeon entrance, raising her shield slightly. "Stay behind me. The toxic mist inside is highly corrosive. Watch the system alerts carefully."
The nest entrance churned with thick, green miasma. As Kiriya's clones stepped in, a warning flashed in his consciousness:
[Entering high-concentration toxic mist. Lose 5 HP per second.]
Lina's icy-blue shield instantly expanded, enveloping all three of them. "My shield will absorb most of the damage. Violet, prioritize monitoring my status."
Violet nodded calmly, locking her consciousness on her healing skills. The toxic mist spiders inside were massive, their poison sacs glowing green, spraying clouds of venom.
"Three on the left, I've got them," Lina's voice was steady and firm. Her kite shield slammed the ground, the ice ring impact reliably drawing aggro. Kiriya's clones attacked simultaneously, sword strikes aimed at the poison sacs.
-720! -360! -360!
At the moment the damage numbers appeared, Violet's healing white light landed precisely on Lina. She concentrated, about to adjust her position, unaware of a shadow quietly descending behind her.
"Watch behind!" Kiriya warned. A spider dropped from above, web latching toward Violet. The other two sprayed venom, aiming for Lina's side.
Lina quickly readjusted, her shield blocking most of the damage, though some venom splashed onto her armor. Her health bar dipped, a [Corrosion debuff] appearing.
"Step back," Kiriya commanded, clones intercepting. "Violet, Purify!"
Violet furrowed her brows; interference caused a slight deviation in her conscious command.
Her "Holy Light Orb" repelled the spiders but didn't cleanse the debuff in time. By the next attack, Lina's health line was precarious.
Just as Kiriya moved to act, an exceptionally bright, pure white light suddenly enveloped Lina.
[Light of Healing: Restores 350 HP, removes all negative effects]
Violet exhaled softly, her tone returning to its usual calm. "Looks like even a novice like me can hold steady in the crucial moments."
She swiftly corrected her commands. Continuous healing not only restored health fully but also removed all negative effects. Lina looked at her with slight surprise, then raised her shield confidently. "Thank you. Let's continue."
Kiriya observed Violet's focused profile, reminded of the same composure she displayed handling difficult projects in reality. Though new to this world, she quickly regained that reliable, calm aura, radiating a gentle yet strong presence.
"I'll leave the flank to you," Kiriya said, activating Phantom Resonance. His clones and main body struck in unison—
-520! -520! -520!
The spiders' health plummeted. Lina seized the moment, her longsword striking swiftly.
"Done!"
Violet's healing light landed again, this time carefully preempting with a protective shield. The last spider dissolved into particles, and a system notification appeared:
[Experience Gained: 1200]
[Acquired: 500 copper]
Lina sheathed her sword, offering Violet an approving smile. "Quick reaction, perfect timing."
Violet pushed up her glasses, returning a poised smile.