Chapter 157:

Players are not all the same. Just as there are all kinds of people in this world, everyone enjoys happiness in different ways, and even the definition of “happiness” can have subtle differences. The most striking example is that most little players in the game like to enjoy this wonderful “second life” without restraint, but there are also peculiar fellows who prefer living in strict discipline and united collectives. For example, Onboard Joy Stick, who has just finished today’s “troop deployment” fun. Ever since being brought into the game by Meow King, Joy Stick has been immersed in the art of commanding and the pleasure of team combat. He is rarely seen going out alone to do something, just like a qualified commander who always stays with his subordinates and soldiers. This guy and the nine brothers of Tiger Leopard Rider have almost become “conjoined people.” They always appear together at the appointed time and log off simultaneously, and they take pride in this. However, even if one enjoys the sense of security within a group, there are always some things that need to be completed individually, such as the hard requirements of the Black Iron Trial. When it comes to matters of personal power improvement, the involvement of others naturally doesn’t count. But Joy Stick has already gleaned some clues from the “little miracle” created by Sword Saint Ashina, which has given him a perfected plan in mind. “Brother Stick, is this okay?” Tiger Leopard Rider’s nine brothers are currently sprinkling fire oil around a carefully selected dead end in the sewer, following Joy Stick’s instructions. These burning oils are all high-priced purchases from Tris’s alchemy cottage. Processed with alchemy, they have no extra smell, and with the addition of incendiary gel, they burn fiercely and swiftly. They can basically be considered a fantasy version of “downgraded napalm.” The captain of Tiger Leopard Rider, “Lin,” a tall man from Shandong holding a crimson war spear, expressed some concern to Joy Stick, who was making preparations: “Doesn’t the quest say it must be completed alone and without any external assistance throughout? Won’t us helping you set up the scene cause the quest to fail? It would be a shame if you succeed in the challenge but it’s all for nothing.” “I used to worry about that too, but Sword Saint Ashina’s experience has confirmed that this is feasible.” Joy Stick wasn’t wearing his masterwork veteran set, but instead donned a set of special material standard armor. This armor is also an alchemical item bought from Lady Tris. It has no enhanced attributes and is quite heavy, not suitable for little players to wear long-term. Its only advantage is that it’s sturdy enough and can “ward off fire,” meaning it comes with 75% fire damage reduction. Brother Stick tightened his gauntlets and looked at the evenly sprinkled alchemical fire oil in front of him. He explained to the gathered Tiger Leopard Rider brothers: “Sword Saint Ashina believes this game is 100% realistic, so she thinks certain rules from reality can be replicated here. Facts have proven her guess correct, using precise assassination-style sniping to cripple elites, then going in for close combat to reap the rewards. It’s a great method, but unfortunately only suitable for ranged professions. Those of us who play melee have to find another way. But if Sword Saint Ashina can bring in reality, so can we! Look, this fire oil formation in front of us is the trap I’ve set for this Black Iron Trial! The rules only say no one else can help, they didn’t say no one else can help set up traps, right? To turn the impossible into possible, you have to grasp every loophole that can be grasped and make good use of it, like the terrain we’ve chosen. As long as the elite ghoul charges in, I block the exit and cut off its possibility of escape. Next is fire! I’ve looked up information and specifically asked the veterans in the camp. They confirmed that fire can suppress the ferocity of ghouls, putting them into a 【Cowed】 state, and once a ghoul’s putrid, stench-emitting body is ignited, it’s very difficult to extinguish. It’s equivalent to adding a burning DEBUFF to it. Of course, the most important thing is that individual strength and health value must reach a certain standard line, otherwise even if the trap is set up well, there’s no way to withstand the frenzied claw attacks of the elite ghoul, and the undead venom it carries, as well as the continuously effective fire damage around.” While explaining his train of thought, Joy Stick picked up his sword and shield. He is one of the rare players who has already switched to two professions. His main profession is of course Gunner, but unlike Sword Saint Ashina who masters ranged combat with a 【Suppressive Fire】 specialization. His secondary profession is Sword and Shield Warrior, a melee defensive profession that can be unlocked by visiting veterans in the survivor camp. All its stats and specialties are mediocre and not particularly outstanding. Joy Stick chose this profession because of its strong inclusivity. Theoretically, the more common such a profession is, the more advanced branches it can extend upward, and the more profession lines there are to choose from. The clan guardian war sword in his hand, decorated with bat patterns, is now wrapped in flickering, scorching spirit energy. This is a weapon enchanted at Lady Tris’s, capable of dealing more effective damage to ghouls and other sinister creatures living in damp darkness. And in order to prepare the trap before him, Joy Stick has almost spent all the savings of himself and his brothers. But he felt it was worth it. “We’ve been trying to crack the local gang’s underground base, and we’ve already killed a batch of ordinary ghouls. It’s a perfect opportunity to take out those elite bosses that have been blocking our way!” Onboard Joy Stick waved his sword and said to his brothers: “If all goes well, we can push deeper into the sewers tomorrow, just dig along this line of the city’s gang strongholds. Although there’s no official quest or dungeon note, I’m sure! As long as we find those guys’ underground warehouses, we’ll have made our first bucket of gold! Then we’ll find some rich brothers to sell the resources, and in reality, we can also subsidize the fellows’ household expenses. The depth of this game is simply bottomless, if you want to play it well, you have to invest a lot of time and energy. Speaking of which, I’ve been considering whether to formally employ you guys recently. Let’s learn from Meow King and set up a studio. I mean, treat this as a real job!” Upon hearing this, Lin and Bing from Tiger Leopard Rider immediately agreed. “Closer! A bit closer!” He widened his eyes, and the moment the latter rose to pounce from 5 steps away, he did a ground roll to swap positions, then without hesitation smashed the gas lamp on the ground. “Boom” The alchemical fire oil meticulously concocted by Mama Tris ignited the instant it touched the open flame. In a flash, the raging fire illuminated the entire passage. The fierce flames licked and burned along the oil spilled in various places by the other brothers, turning the area into a sea of fire in the blink of an eye. When the elite ghoul boss was engulfed by the flames, it fell into extreme rage and panic. The monster shaped by death was unusually averse to light, and the fire could disperse the death spirit energy within its body, sending it back to death once more. This was clearly unacceptable to it. In the roaring flames, Onboard Joy Stick, wearing fire-warding battle armor, endured the scorching heat rushing at his face. He reached out to pull down his visor, then took the sword and shield from his back and assumed a defensive stance. Standing amidst the raging fire, he firmly guarded the exit of this dead end, making the elite ghoul, howling as it burned in the fierce flames, also realize a cruel reality. Before defeating Onboard Joy Stick, it had no hope of escaping this hell woven of raging fire! It had stepped into the battle cage prepared for it by the weak living beings. After experiencing death, it had once again come to the desperate situation where it would die again if it didn’t fight. “Ha!” Brother Stick, watching the huge ghoul boss curl up its body in the fire, shouted fiercely: “You’re scared, I can feel that I’m f**king winning for sure, you bastard!” Further away, the Tiger Leopard Rider brothers hiding in the shadows exclaimed “Badass!” Onboard Joy Stick’s “terrain kill” move had obviously been proven an effective method. This meant they could also use the same method to complete the elite challenge of the Black Iron Trial. What? You say there’s a safer way to pass the Black Iron Trial by slowly unlocking potential through attacking ordinary Black Iron creatures? What nonsense are you talking about! When there’s clearly a more powerful and badass way, why would I choose that unremarkable weakling method? And open your eyes wide and take a good look at Onboard Joy Stick battling the ghoul in the raging fire. How fucking cool is that! This is the way players with ambition and real men would choose! — “Hmm?” Murphy, who had just returned to the Blood Vulture Halls, had just finished discussing the mysterious “Midnight Spirit” with Tris. Tris also believed it was a threat, but since it involved the sub-space, they must be cautious. She said she would investigate and told Murphy not to interfere anymore. She was clearly afraid that Murphy would get involved in more dangerous situations. The vampire lord felt Tris’s concern. As he walked out of the grand duchess’s office with mixed emotions, he sensed something and looked down at the note delivered by the core bead. “The second one to pass the trial is actually that cunning fellow Onboard Joy Stick?” Murphy clicked his tongue in wonder and said: “I thought that commander-type guy would choose a safer method. It seems little Sword Saint’s victory has put quite heavy psychological pressure on the men. Tch, men’s pitiful self-esteem can be really scary when it erupts. But since he did indeed go through the elite challenge, the deserved rewards should still be given. Let me think about how to arrange a reasonable job transfer for him. Speaking of which, this guy is preparing to become a vampire, right? Hmm, the heavy shield defender in the Tomb Guard would be very suitable for him.” Thinking thus, the Count of Kadman opened the door to his office. The weakened vampire Lord Vesta, sitting in the chair inside, immediately stood up, his face full of concern for his master. “Listen to what I say!” Murphy waved his hand, giving no chance for the loyal member of the Thorn Clan to speak. He said: “Your master is a count with status, and I am also a count, so I will give him the treatment he deserves. But you must set off immediately now and deliver the news of Count Andrei’s capture back to your clan. Then find someone to rescue him. I have only one requirement for this. The higher the status of the person who comes, the better! I’m only giving you 3 days! Loyal one, I believe you also don’t want to see your noble master fall into an undignified situation due to your slow actions, right? So, I won’t keep you for a midnight snack. You should set off now.”