13 Joining a Party
Inside a certain forum for High Fantasy Online players, there were multiple open discussions about the first Magic-grade item being found by a player.
[Did you hear? Someone found a Magic-grade item!]
[What is so special about that? There are already plenty of people with a Magic-grade item. Hell, some of them even have a whole set!]
[It's how they obtained it that matters! Everyone with a Magic-grade item right now are rich people who spent a fortune buying currency from other players to buy them from auction houses. This is the first time a Magic-grade item has been found in the wild!]
[Still, I don't see how that is so special.]
[I'm more interested in where this player found the item. If he sold it, how much do you guys think he could get?]
[I know someone who had to spend a hundred thousand to get their Magic-grade item, and it's a single piece of equipment.]
[It really depends on its effects, stats, and what kind of item. The higher the stats the more expensive it will be. Also, weapons tend to be more expensive than armors.]
[I have a question. What's stopping these rich people from buying equipment above Magic-grade?]
[Some of them already have, but they cannot wield them until they reach a certain level. Only Magic-grade and below can be wielded at any level. For the next rarity, Epic-grade, they must be at least level 30.]
While most topics were discussing the subject, there were a few people that were trying to purchase the item.
[Send me a private message! I will buy your item for 100,000 dollars! 200,000 dollars if it's a weapon! 300,000 dollars if it's a sword!]
[If you want to sell your item, please call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx. I will guarantee the best offer.]
Unfortunately for them, the player with the item was too busy grinding monsters inside the game.
After leaving the city, Bai Tian walked until the monsters in his area were around level 15.
[Scaled Black Snake] [Level: 15]
These snakes were fully black with green eyes, and they were about 2 meters in length.
When Bai Tian approached one, it immediately leaped at him from a distance, but he quickly sidestepped, dodging its poisonous fangs.
Of course, he didn't let the snake attack him for free and sliced at its body as he sidestepped.
[512]
<Scaled Black Snake defeated>
<You have gained Experience>
<Snake Skin was dropped by Scaled Black Snake>
[Snake Skin]
[Grade: Common]
[Description: Great for making leather]
"One hit, huh."
After pondering for a bit, Bai Tian decided to look for even stronger monsters– one that required at least several hits to defeat for the most optimal experience.
About two hours later, after walking even further than the Red Grizzly Bear's cave, Bai Tian ended up in an area with monsters between level 25 to 30.
[Giant Brown Bear] [Level: 27]
This Giant Brown Bear looked like a normal bear except for its size. Standing at nearly 7 meters tall, it had a threatening presence.
However, despite its massive size, it still died in four hits.
Bai Tian raised an eyebrow after killing it so fast.
"The Red Grizzly Bear had far more health despite being at a lower level. It must have been a special monster."
Once again, Bai Tian decided to look for even stronger monsters, stopping once the monsters reached level 35.
[Silver Gorilla] [Level: 34]
The gorilla pounded its chest before rushing at Bai Tian.
When it swung its thick arms at him, Bai Tian gracefully dodged the strike before hitting back.
Whoosh!
[451]
The Silver Gorilla jumped back to distance itself for a moment before jumping at Bai Tian for a second time, but it did not result in a different outcome.
[482]
[468]
[481]
[512]
[499]
[473]
In the blink of an eye, Bai Tian struck the Silver Gorilla seven times in a roll.
<Silver Gorilla defeated>
<You have gained Experience>
<Silver Fur was dropped by Silver Gorilla>
[Silver Fur]
[Grade: Uncommon]
[Description: Silky smooth. Great for winter coats.]
Although Bai Tian could look for even stronger monsters, he didn't want to bite more than he could chew at such a low level.
'Let's grind out a few levels here before going deeper.' He thought to himself.
After defeating two more Silver Gorillas, he leveled up to 13.
Nine more Silver Gorillas later, he reached level 14.
Half an hour later, he reached level 18.
<Leveled up>
<You are now Level 18>
<You have gained 5 SP>
Shortly after reaching level 18, Bai Tian noticed other presences nearby.
And sure enough, a few seconds later, he could see two people walking towards his direction.
They were both male. A young man and a middle-aged man. The young one wielded a two-handed broadsword while the older one wielded a metal square shield in his right hand and a one-handed mace in the other.
When they noticed Bai Tian, the older one waved at him with a smile.
"Hello! Are you hunting these monsters alone? If so, want to party up with us? We will be here for several hours."
Since he would gain more experience by joining a party, and they didn't seem to have any ulterior intention, there wasn't any reason for him to refuse their offer, so he nodded, "Sure, I will join your party."
"Great. Let me send you an invite right now." The middle-aged man said before tinkering with his system.
A few seconds later.
Ding!
<You have received a group invitation from 'Forgot My Shield'>
[Accept] [Decline]
Bai Tian accepted the invite.
Another notification appeared.
<Do you wish to remain anonymous?>
[By remaining anonymous, your name will be hidden from your group.]
'This is very neat.' Bai Tian liked how this game valued the players' privacy.
Of course, he remained anonymous.
<Anonymous has joined your group!>
<Party Experience Bonus has increased to 15%>
When his teammates saw the notification, they raised their eyebrows.
Wanting to remain anonymous normally wouldn't cause any eyebrows to raise, but because only Bai Tian's name was hidden, his level could be seen by them.
[Lv.18] [Anonymous] [Martial Artist]
"You're only level 18?" The young man named Unlucky Warrior uttered in a dumbfounded voice.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Bai Tian remained calm.
"You are aware that the monsters here are all above level 30, right?" Forgot My Shield wanted to confirm this with him.
"Of course. Don't worry, I won't hold you guys back. You can kick me out if I do." Bai Tian knew they were worried that he might be a leecher, someone who is only good at profiting off others' hard work while bringing nothing to the table, so he reassured them that he wasn't a leecher.
Unlucky Warrior and Forgot My Shield exchanged glances with each other before nodding their heads.
"Alright. We'll give you a chance." Forgot My Shield said.
"Thanks."
With three people in their group, everyone received a nice experience bonus of 15 percent. As for Bai Tian, he received an additional 20 percent due to his title 'Progenitor'.
Once they were prepared, they started wandering the area until they found a Silver Gorilla.
"Allow me." Bai Tian said to his teammates as he walked in front of them and towards the monster.
His teammates didn't say anything to stop him, as this was his chance to prove himself.
When the Silver Gorilla noticed Bai Tian, it immediately ran towards him.
It suddenly leaped into the air with both of its hands clasped together.
Seeing this, Bai Tian gracefully jumped backwards, his body gliding through the air as though it wasn't affected by gravity.
When the Silver Gorilla slammed into the ground, Bai Tian stepped forward while activating Dragon Rush.
Sha!
A powerful slash descended upon the Silver Gorilla, aiming right for its neck.
<You have dealt a Fatal Blow>
<Silver Gorilla defeated>
<You have gained experience>
<Silver Fur was dropped by Silver Gorilla>
Normally, his ordinary attacks wouldn't be able to cut through the Silver Gorilla's sturdy muscles, but with Dragon Rush, it was possible.
Unlucky Warrior and Forgot My Shield's jaws were on the ground after witnessing Bai Tian, who was only level 18, defeat a level 36 Silver Gorilla with a single strike.
In fact, they had to double check his level to make sure they didn't see wrong, and sure enough, he was level 18.
