Chapter 17: Torturing the Newbies
Su Lanlan had just arrived at the entrance of the login gate hall when she was stopped by Xiao Lu.
"Why won't you let me in?" Su Lanlan asked, puzzled, as she looked at Lu Jun.
Lu Jun's expression was grim, and he said in a low voice, "The emotions of these newbies are very unstable. It was indeed a smuggler attack, and those guys didn't just rob them—they tortured them."
"Tortured?" Su Lanlan narrowed her eyes slightly. "To what extent?"
Lu Jun sighed. "They hung them up to lure multiple beasts to maul them, but wouldn't let them die completely. This went on for several rounds... Some were left with torn, mutilated bodies, yet had to endure several more rounds of this cruelty."
Su Lanlan's wide eyes filled with rage as she clenched her fists. "How can they be so twisted? Using their higher levels to torment newbies like this."
"This will leave deep psychological scars on them."
Lu Jun nodded. "That's exactly their goal. If they don't break these newbies mentally, they might return to attempt the trials again, eventually making it to Huaxia City and strengthening its forces."
"This death will crush their spirit completely, leaving them with no will to fight anymore."
Grinding her teeth, Su Lanlan spat, "Despicable! Bullying newbies with superior levels and equipment—these scum."
Lu Jun let out another sigh. This wasn't the first time such things had happened. Unfortunately, Huaxia still hadn't produced a profession capable of countering these attackers.
"Lanlan, the commander asked me to take these newbies to the psychological counseling center. He should be in the research institute now. Leave this to me and go see what else you can help with."
Even though she wanted to check on the traumatized newbies, Su Lanlan knew the commander's matters took priority. She stomped her foot in frustration and headed toward the research institute.
Inside the institute, the large screen displayed the trial zone's map.
Approximately 200 light dots flickered on it, representing the current locations of the newbies.
Additionally, Professor Li had marked a red zone, identifying where the smugglers were likely active. Inside this zone, several light dots remained, each labeled with the name of a newbie.
By the time Su Lanlan arrived at the institute, several more dots had vanished from the red zone, leaving only two behind: Su Nuannuan and Jiang Kai.
Commander Wei Ying stood with his hands clasped behind his back, narrowing his eyes. "Professor Li, what's the highest level of the smugglers this time?"
"Based on the accounts of the eliminated participants, the highest is a Level 5 smuggler," Professor Li replied.
The trial zone was designed specifically for newbies. To prevent high-level players from carrying low-level ones through the trials, a level cap was enforced. Even smugglers couldn't exceed it by much.
"Level 5 against Level 1—it's a massacre." Wei Ying said through gritted teeth.
Although leveling up in Destiny's Calling was difficult, each level brought significant stat boosts. Crossing Level 2 was a turning point, unlocking class skills and resulting in a qualitative leap.
His gaze fell on the last two light dots in the red zone.
"Nuannuan's in there?" Wei Ying's frown deepened. The thought of Nuannuan being subjected to such inhuman torture made the hands behind his back clench tightly.
Yet, as a soldier, he maintained a composed exterior, showing no outward emotions.
"Nuannuan and this Jiang Kai are very close together."
Professor Li quickly added, "They've been teaming up since day one."
"Teaming up? And they're still alive?"
Professor Li nodded. "It's surprising, considering Nuannuan's profession is a Barefoot Doctor—not suited for combat. We suspect Jiang Kai's class might be strong."
"A Martial Disciple or a Soldier?"
"Uncertain. However, I estimate he's at least a Martial Disciple. Unfortunately, his watch model is outdated, so we can't intercept much information."
At this moment, Su Lanlan approached and shook her head. "Commander, I looked into Jiang Kai's background. His family can't possibly afford Martial Disciple materials—actually, I doubt he could afford any class-change materials at all."
"I can't imagine how they've survived this long."
Wei Ying nodded. While he was deeply concerned about Nuannuan's safety and suspicious of Jiang Kai, his duties required him to prioritize the broader situation.
"Those first dozen people—how many days before they reach Huaxia City?" Wei Ying pointed to the foremost group of light dots on the map.
"Among them, do we still have two Martial Disciple and four Soldiers?"
Professor Li replied, "Of the first-time trial participants, Martial Disciple Xia Shu and Soldiers Sun Lu and Zhu Ting have been eliminated. Although their professions are strong, this is their first trial after all."
"However, Huang Wei—the one who killed the Six-Clawed Golden Monkey—has been leading the group. He's now closest to Huaxia City."
Su Lanlan added, "I've met Huang Wei. He claimed the first spot in this trial would be his. Looks like he might have the strength to back it up."
"There are also two other Soldiers currently near the front."
Wei Ying nodded. Out of the two Martial Apprentices and four Soldiers among the newbies, half had been eliminated. That was within expected performance.
Professor Li continued, "This smuggling operation is unusually large. We've rarely seen so many smugglers from the Island Nation. Judging by their tactics, it's a thorough sweep. They clear one area and immediately pursue the main group."
"I suspect they've ramped up efforts because the War Temple in Huaxia has been establishing new territories, producing more high-level professions. Their goal isn't just to lower our pass rate but to destroy the newbies' psychological defenses."
Wei Ying let out a cold snort. "I'll make them pay for this."
"The fact that Huaxia hasn't produced professions capable of entering their trial zones means we're forced to watch our newbies being slaughtered—it's infuriating."
At this, everyone in the room fell silent.
The smugglers relied on their superior levels to torment Huaxia's lower-level players. With no way to counterattack, Huaxia could only endure.
Wei Ying stared at the screen, suppressing his fury. He pulled over a chair and sat in front of the large screen.
"Commander, you…" Su Lanlan looked at him with concern.
Wei Ying gritted his teeth. "I'll stay here for the next two days. All I can do now is accompany them through these most brutal days."
"You all stay too. Let's wait until the trial ends and remember every single atrocity they've committed against us."
Su Lanlan took a deep breath and joined the others in pulling up chairs, sitting beneath the large screen.
Everyone's gaze naturally focused on the two remaining light dots in the red zone.
Su Nuannuan and Jiang Kai would undoubtedly be the smugglers' next targets.
———
Meanwhile, Jiang Kai and his team were hiding in the forest. Not far from them, a Venomous Spike Boar wandered about.
To Yuan Zhu, the boar was much less intimidating than the Human Faced Beast or the Groumd Snake.
This time, he volunteered enthusiastically. "I'll draw its attention while you ambush it, Jiang Kai."
Jiang Kai shook his head. "Wait a moment. Let me see if I can take it down without any damage."
As the boar turned its back to their hiding spot, Jiang Kai suddenly dashed out of the woods and hurled the poison spike in his hand.
"What are you doing?" Su Nuannuan was about to cry out, her eyes fixed on the boar.
The Venomous Spike Boar was covered in bristling steel-like quills, making it hard to notice one extra spike. She couldn't even tell if it had been hit.
The boar let out a shrill squeal and bolted into the forest.
"See? You scared it off. We worked so hard to find this Venomous Spike Boar." Su Nuannuan said angrily.
Jiang Kai didn't seem to care and charged out of the bushes first. "I hit it—it won't get far. Follow me."
"You hit it?" Yuan Zhu looked bewildered, 'Does Kai have such sharp eyes to be so sure?'
As the two hesitated, they heard Jiang Kai shout back, laughing, "Haha! So it's you, the one who chased me off the cliff last time. Now it's my turn to chase you."
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