1. Teammates for three years, turned out to be just beasts of burden

Late at night.

The towering World Tree stood in the center of White Dove City, emitting a magic glow like fireflies, mysterious and magnificent.

The World Tree was also known as the Golden Tree, and its existence attracted countless adventurers like moths to a flame.

In a luxury villa on the second floor, the lights in the room were as bright as daylight.

The floor was a mess, scattered with papers filled with strategies for battling Magical Creatures.

Lin Da sat at the desk, rubbing his temples, feeling exhaustion coursing through his bones.

"A month has passed, and the Ice Flower adventure team has reached the eleventh level, yet we are still stuck on the eighth. The gap is only widening!"

A white palm slapped down on the table.

The displeased voice of a young girl made Lin Da's head ache even more.

The girl who burst into Lin Da's room was quite beautiful, with a slender and curvy figure, fiery red hair like flames, and long slender legs encased in black over-the-knee socks.

Like a rose with thorns, she was always the center of attention wherever she went.

She was Lia, the captain of the Snow Goose adventure team.

When Lin Da had first arrived in this world, he felt fortunate to have met Lia.

Lin Da possessed knowledge about this "game", and Lia was a naturally talented Swordsman; together, they could have decimated various Magical Creatures in the World Tree Secret Realm and made a name for themselves.

But now, as he looked at the girl standing with her arms crossed and an arrogant posture, all he saw in his eyes was disappointment.

"There's no rush to reach the ninth level right now; we should secure our strategy first," Lin Da said, setting down his quill pen with a sigh of helplessness.

"Strategy, strategy, you've been repeating that word for a month now. I've heard other teams don't take nearly as long to devise their strategy, right?"

Lia frowned, her expression fraught with skepticism as she looked at him.

"The ninth level isn't as simple as you think. The more thorough our strategy, the better."

Lin Da sighed.

The game "Mystic Continent" was known for its high difficulty.

There were fifty levels in the Mystic Realm, and the Magical Creatures on each level were much stronger than those on the previous one, so entering unprepared was akin to suicide.

Lin Da cautiously chose a more gentle approach, "Perhaps, our team's strength isn't quite up to par with that of the Ice Flower adventure team? Moreover, there's a good chance that a Lava Giant guardian could appear on the ninth level, which doesn't bode well for our team's compatibility."

"Are you saying we're inferior to the Ice Flower adventure team?"

Lia's complexion changed, and she did not take in a word of what followed, fixating only on his previous comment.

"I think you're just scared," she declared, slamming her hands down on the table, the front of her silk nightgown unremarkable despite her leaning forward, lacking any hint of curvature.

"Everyone else in the team has reached level 20, only you, the Healer, are still at level 15. Is it because your healing capabilities aren't up to the requirements of the ninth level, so you keep making excuses to delay us?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Da raised his head, looking at Lia in surprise.

It was true that he was only at level 15, and his healing output as a Healer wasn't very high.

But the reason for his lagging level was something that Lia, as the team captain, should have been well aware of.

Devising strategies was no simple task; it required an enormous amount of time and energy.

And preparing strategic materials, taking responsibility for the team's meals—all of it was on him.

While Lia and a few other young ladies were out shopping, enjoying leisure and pleasure, Lin Da was working overnight.

There could be dozens of reasons, but faced with the fierce Lia, Lin Da found himself at a loss for words. With her temperament, it seemed that whatever he said would be snappily retorted.

He attempted to speak, "My level is low because I don't have time to train."

As expected, Lia's eyebrows rose, hands on her hips, she said arrogantly, "So, others have the time? If you tried harder, couldn't you at least be level 16 or 17? In a few years, when we are all level 30 and become Star-ranked adventurers, do you still want to be stuck at level 15? Don't you have any ambition?"

It was always the same, either he wasn't trying hard enough or he wasn't serious enough.

This young lady always felt that the team's shortcomings were his fault.

Lin Da couldn't help but want to ask Lia, isn't it possible that the biggest problem lies with you?

The relationships among members of the Snow Goose Adventure Team were not harmonious, and their coordination in battle was very poor.

Even though each member's talent was outstanding and their levels were high, their performance in battle was a complete mess.

Without a precise strategy to guide them, they were completely disorganized.

Under the sharp gaze of the young woman, Lin Da only felt a deep sense of weariness.

He didn't retort anymore, nor did he bother to pick up the scattered strategy papers on the floor. Instead, he picked up a cup of hot water from the table and sipped it lost in thought.

"I'm talking to you," Lia's hand slammed on the table again.

"I'm tired, you go back first. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Lia frowned and stared at him for a while, then slowly said, "Would it matter to you if you got replaced?"

"What?"

Lin Da was a bit confused by Lia's implication.

After a brief silence, Lia pulled out a resume from her pocket and handed it to him.

On it was a young man with dyed blond hair, barely handsome, with the prominent title of 'Healer' written in his occupation column.

Lin Da's heart sank.

It was like working hard in a job, earning only 1800 a month, and still being criticized for not being diligent enough, ending up sacked.

"This is Phyllis, a level 20 Healer, a top graduate from the Noble Academy in White Dove City. He came by this morning."

Lia paused, then said, "I sent him away. You understand what I mean, right?"

"Lin Da, there's more than one person in the team who is dissatisfied with you. You are only level 15 and come from a poor background. It's Miss here who has been protecting you, persuading them to keep you. Can't you show some spirit?"

Lia stomped her foot in frustration, "We're heading to the ninth floor tomorrow. Show us what you're worth then! Always being useless to the team, how can Miss keep you?"

Useless?

Lin Da stared blankly at the papers crushed under Lia's foot, those that detailed various strategies for handling Magical Creatures.

So in her eyes, they were as good as useless?

Initially, it was Lia who had begged him to lead everyone, not a single one to be left behind, through the World Tree.

Wishing for no fatalities yet demanding fast progress was typical of a troublesome client, raising ridiculous demands.

Lin Da, filled with pent-up resentment, finally exploded today.

"What if I still disagree about the team advancing to the ninth floor tomorrow?"

Lia was momentarily taken aback, but soon spoke angrily, "Are you deliberately opposing me? Do you know how many better Healers than you want to join our team? I sent them all away! If you are still unwilling tomorrow..."

"Unwilling then?" Lin Da's smile grew increasingly sarcastic.