Mantis and Oriole

"These new Swift Speed Boots are awesome! Even though they only increase my movement speed by 5%, I feel like a chain binding me has been undone!"

Zamir exclaimed as he weaved through another pack of dogs with agile movements. He stabbed them in the neck or eye, reaping their health points like he was cutting grass. 

"Old Man, stop bragging or I will show you the power of my Cape's +5% Magic Damage!"

HardBro muttered with annoyance as he executed another Icy Wind on the surrounding Wild Dogs and took away the last sliver of their health. 

"What is there to brag about Ash-Gray grade equipment? Why can't you guys be more humble like me? Sister Stivi also bought me new White-Wood grade robes. Do you see me bragging?"

Even as Mamamia reproached Hardbro and Zamir, she was straightening the creases on her new Pristine Robes with adoration in her eyes. It was a rare White-Wood grade cloth armor that recovered an extra 10 points of Health for the target after each cast of healing spell. 

We had paid a whopping price of 20 White Fangs and 1000 Bezos to get this cloth armor from another Player who could not use it. Naturally, Mamamia cherished the cloth armor very much.

While the three of them were squabbling, Stivi and I shook our heads at them. 

"Noobs," We muttered at the same time and shared a smile. Then we began to narcissistically look at our latest equipment.

Stivi had brought Ash-Gray grade Warrior's Outfit. It consisted of three pieces - Pants, Shirt and Gloves. It provided a total of 5 points in defense and cost us 18 White Fangs but it was worth it. 

However, none of the others had gotten more value for money than me.

-

Cape of Concealed Death 

Grade: White-Wood

Equip Requirements: None

Hides the user from the perception of the enemy. 

*Effect wears off after attacking or getting attacked

** Effective only on targets lower than (User level +2)

-

It was a pity it did not have any other attributes but just the stealth effect was enough to make it the best White-Wood Grade Equipment in our team. 

Moreover, I had paid just 15 White Fangs for this Cloak whose effects would keep up with my increasing level. 

Just as I closed the data window of the equipment, I noticed movement in the grass not far from where we were resting. I caught sight of the Fortune Guild's symbol on one of the Player's chest and immediately realized that our wealth had attracted the greed of others. 

In the past two days, many more players had arrived in the Golden Slopes. They had seen us fight and quite a few had also uploaded our team's videos on the forums.

The forums were in an uproar after seeing our battle prowess. The fanbase of Red Queen had almost doubled after these videos and the Main Party of the Grandeur Guild had become a hot topic. 

However, this new found fame had also exposed our superior equipment. 

Any player with a discerning eye could tell that each member in our party was wearing at least one White-Wood grade piece of equipment. It was obvious that these many White-Wood grade pieces of equipment could not have come solely from the shops in the settlement. 

Thus the players reached a conclusion- We had found Treasure Chests. 

The temptation of the goods within the Treasure Chest was so huge that some of the players were even thinking of PKing us - like this team from the Fortune Guild. 

I paid close attention to their movements and realized it was not one team but six. They had around a total of 30 people and each of the members was at least Lv5 while some were even Lv7. This was not a team we could fight head on if we wanted to avoid casualties.

Thus, I decided to avoid entangling them for the time being. If they were wise and left on their own, they would be spared but if not... I needed a few baits anyways. 

A quarter of an hour later, I led Stivi and others through the Den of the Wild Dogs to the tunnel leading to the Boss's Cavern. On my way, I noticed a few suspicious shadows lingering near the entrance to the den. 

Seeing them, I smiled. 

"Hahaha! As long as we open this Iron Treasure Chest, we might possess the very first Blackstone Grade equipment in the game!"

I loudly chortled, letting my voice reverberate in the tunnel and reach the entrance of the den. Then I led the way to the cavern without turning back. Stivi and her team followed behind while looking strangely at me. 

"Samar, did you bump your head on a wall or something? Do you need to see a doctor?"

Stivi even asked sarcastically as this sort of behavior was abnormal for me. I simply threw her a glance and then proceeded to go inside.

—- 

Outside the entrance of the Den of Dogs, the Fortune Guild's Elite members had gathered together. There were a total of six teams with each having 5 players on an average. 

A silhouette emerged from the tunnel leading to the cavern and reported back to the man wielding a Giant Ax. 

"Boss Pangu, Red Queen and her team has really discovered Treasure Chests. There are even two of them inside - One is wooden and another is iron. Should we head in?"

The man wielding the giant ax stood up slowly and unfurled the leopard skin cape on his shoulder. He smiled showing his yellowing teeth and said, "The Grandeur Guild has prepared such a grand gift for us. Why should we not take it? Everyone, charge inside!"

The 30 elites of the Fortune Guild rushed into the tunnel with steady steps. However, when they saw Zamir crouching near the Iron Chest, they lost their minds and stormed into the cavern without paying any heed to the surroundings.

When they saw the two Treasure chests sitting side by side, the eyes of the elites of Fortune Guild turned red with Greed. Pangu stepped forward and immediately shouted, "Step away from that Chest right now!"

His voice echoed in the silent chamber and Zamir stood up with a panicked expression on his face. I had to give props to that old man - He really could act.

Zamir stood up with his hands in the air and slowly turned around to face the 30 players who were surrounding him. His face was still showing a panicked expression and it pleased Pangu very much. 

Pangu lowered his ax pointed at Zamir and saw that the chests were still locked. This caused him to relax a bit. 

"Mantis stalks cicadas unaware of the oriole behind… You did not expect your gains would end up in the hands of Fortune Guild did you?"

Pangu commented leisurely as he noticed a pale faced Red Queen and other members of our team cowering in a corner. The other Fortune guild members also had sneers on their faces. 

They already regarded this operation to be a success when they noticed that only I was at Lv7 in the Grandeur Guild's party. 

At this time an eerie smile formed on my lips. I stared at something behind the 30 Players and asked, "I wonder who is the mantis and who is the oriole?"

Pangu was taken aback by this comment. He was not worried about other members of Grandeur Guild arriving to ruin his good deed because there were none in Village #89. 

That's right. Other than Stivi and her Party, there were no other Grandeur Guild members in the Village #89. Stivi was so engrossed in leveling up that she had not even started recruiting talents in the Village yet! 

It was no wonder Pangu looked at me strangely and tried to make sense of my comment. Before he could ask what I meant, he heard one of his subordinates shout from behind him. 

"Boss! There is a…. Boss Monster."