"Let me check Illusory Pool. There are a few treasure chests over there with decent stuff in them. I wonder if anyone has taken them yet," Nie Yan thought to himself. As he was lost in thought, the system prompt suddenly rang out.
System： Player Sparrow has added you as a friend.
"Nie Yan, it's me, Tang Yao." Tang Yao said urgently.
"What's wrong？" Nie Yan asked with a frown, sensing the anxiety in Tang Yao's voice.
"I'm trapped in Raine Hills." Tang Yao said gloomily. At times like this, the only person he could think of was Nie Yan.
"Who trapped you？"
"Members of Blazing Radiance, over twenty of them. All five of my teammates were killed. Only I escaped. If it weren't for Leizi covering me, I'd be dead too. Now they've blocked off both exits of Raine Hills," Tang Yao said. Leizi was a classmate of Nie Yan and Tang Yao from middle school; Nie Yan only had occasional contact with him.
Blazing Radiance, Nie Yan had heard of them. They were also a major guild. At level sixty, the main brain had a guild ranking, and Blazing Radiance ranked in the top sixty. Even later on, they never fell out of the top hundred.
"Stay hidden. I'll be there soon." Nie Yan said. If he was even a step late, Tang Yao might die. Dying would cost him a level, which was extremely frustrating.
Nie Yan entered the scroll shop and bought five town portal scrolls, five minor speed scrolls, and five minor strength scrolls. If he could just send Tang Yao a town portal scroll, Tang Yao would be able to return safely. As for the minor speed scrolls and minor strength scrolls, he kept them just in case.
A town portal scroll cost as much as thirty copper coins. The minor speed scrolls and minor strength scrolls were slightly cheaper at twenty copper coins. The minor speed scrolls could increase movement speed by 20%, and the minor strength scrolls could increase strength by 5 points, lasting thirty seconds.
Scrolls were the kind of item that only the very rich could afford to use. No one dared to buy so many at once like Nie Yan did.
Nie Yan also bought some low-grade instant recovery potions, just in case.
Nie Yan pocketed the scrolls and dashed toward the teleport point. With a full set of bronze equipment that added 5 agility and 2 speed, his movement speed was already far beyond that of ordinary players.
He reached the teleport point at an extremely fast pace, teleported to Link Town, and then headed north after leaving Link Town.
"How did you guys get into a fight with them？"
"We encountered a level 3 elite while grinding. We attacked it first, but then those guys tried to steal it just because they outnumbered us. In the end, a thief in our team managed to snatch a bronze piece of equipment. Those guys got mad, and then the fight started. Three of them have turned red-name." Tang Yao sounded a bit out of breath; he was still dodging their pursuit.
"How much longer can you hold out？"
"Luckily, the Rhein Hills are big enough. I've been leading them in circles. With so few of them, they won't catch me within an hour—unless they call for backup."
"An hour is enough. I'll have some fun with them." Nie Yan was itching for a fight. He had changed into a full set of bronze gear and learned so many new skills; he hadn't had a chance to test them out on anyone yet.
"What are you planning to do？"
"I'm going to get some payback for you, bro." Nie Yan said confidently.
"How many people do you have？" Tang Yao asked suspiciously. Did Nie Yan bring a lot of people？
"Just me."
"You're joking, right？" Tang Yao found it hard to believe.
"What do you think？" Nie Yan chuckled. At this stage, players were generally low-leveled—having been in the game for just over a week, they were all noobs. Even a major guild like Blazing Radiance couldn't find many who could match him, let alone these ordinary players. "I can't take them all out, but I can still kill a few."
Nie Yan had played as a Thief for a full ten years （previously edited）. He knew all classes' skills, PvP techniques, and battle tactics like the back of his hand. So what if they outnumbered him？
"Don't get yourself killed too. If it's too much, just forget it. Even if I die, it's just losing one level."
"Don't worry. Just stay hidden and watch."
The entrance to Raine Hills was a narrow canyon, barely wide enough for three or four people to pass, with steep rocky cliffs on both sides.
Three players were guarding the entrance: a level 3 Berserker, a level 3 Elemental Mage, and a level 2 Holy Word Priest.
The Elemental Mage had a red name.
The rest had gone into the valley to chase Tang Yao, leaving these three to guard the exit.
Poor Tang Yao was caught like a turtle in a jar.
"Damn, that guy is slippery as an eel. We still haven't caught him. I don't know when my red name is going to fade. I can't even go back to town until it's gone." The Elemental Mage glanced at the party chat and cursed.
“Leader Diancang, don’t get mad. As long as you don’t get PK’d before the red name clears, you’ll be fine. Besides, we made a lot—killed five of them and got five pieces of gear.” The Berserker comforted.
“Those five pieces of trash gear aren’t worth shit. If those brats hadn’t dared to snatch our loot and pissed me off, I wouldn’t even bother fighting them.” The Elementalist named Diancang said disdainfully.
“Leader Diancang is absolutely unstoppable—you blew up three of them all by yourself. That Scorching Flame Burst earlier was executed with such finesse.” The Holy Word Priest flattered from the side.
“Those three punks aren’t skilled at all. One Scorching Flame Burst took out most of their HP. With magic resistance that weak, they shouldn’t even be out in the field.” Diancang said with slight smugness.
The Berserker and Holy Word Priest beside him were submissive to that hot-tempered Elementalist, and it seemed his status in the Radiant Sacred Flame guild wasn’t low.
The three chatted idly, exchanging a few words here and there.
“Red name, huh. Good meal today.” Nie Yan, hiding in the distance, gave a sinister smile. If a big red name like that Elementalist got killed, every piece of gear on him would drop—cleaned out completely.
Moreover, the gear on that red-named Elementalist didn’t look bad—a fiery red robe flowing like liquid flame, holding a dark red nanmu staff with flames swirling around it. It seemed like the Flamechaser Set, though Nie Yan wasn’t entirely sure.
This Elementalist was specced for high fire damage output, and the high magic damage of fire spells was indeed troublesome. The Berserker beside him would also be tricky to deal with. As for the Holy Word Priest, he could basically be ignored. Early-game Holy Word Priests hadn’t even learned healing yet; they basically just followed the team to leech experience.
Scanning the surrounding environment, the color scheme of the nearby mountain slopes was a bit complex, but Nie Yan had learned the passive skill Stealth Enhancement, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Nie Yan entered stealth state and crept up on the three players.
His right-hand dagger was already reversed in grip, and as he drew closer to the three players—roughly five yards away—he could clearly see every expression on their faces.
Elemental Mage Diancang sensed something off and warily scanned the surroundings. Nie Yan quickly halted, suppressing his presence—that Elemental Mage seemed to have high perception.
“Boss Diancang, what’s wrong？” the Berserker asked in confusion, looking around at the empty space.
Diancang concentrated his gaze and swept the area, but found nothing. He shook his head and said, “Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me.”
Nie Yan frowned slightly. This Diancang was clearly an old hand at PKing, having sensed his approach from such a distance.
The stronger a player's perception, the easier it is to spot a Thief in stealth.
“I can’t be too careless.” Nie Yan silently warned himself. Countless painful past experiences told him that carelessness was often the beginning of failure.
Nie Yan lightened his steps, shifting his pace. As his mind calmed, he gradually entered that state of a Thief in stealth, completely blending into the background.
“Boss Diancang, that Arcane Mage ducked into the hills and we don’t know where he’s hiding anymore. Whitey and the others lost the target,” the Berserker said, glancing at Diancang’s expression.
“Oh,” Diancang replied nonchalantly.
“That guy’s pretty sharp—almost killed Dongzi just now,” the Holy Word Priest said, looking at the party chat.
“Mm, Dongzi’s defense is too low,” Diancang responded, appearing somewhat distracted.
The Berserker and Holy Word Priest were both puzzled—what was up with Boss Diancang, being so absent-minded?
Nie Yan was behind Diancang and couldn’t see what expression Diancang had.
He was only two yards away from Diancang, staring at the opponent's back, calculating. The berserker and Holy Word Priest were both about three yards away. It was about right. Like a cheetah that had been waiting to pounce, he suddenly burst into motion, lunging at Diancang.
"Kid, I've been waiting for you for a long time." Diancang said with a sinister smile, stepping back, and swung his scepter. Blazing Ring！
He had already spotted Nie Yan！ A perception stat as high as 8 points isn't just for show.
For a thief's Stealth, achieving a completely flawless approach in front of a master is very difficult.
He wanted to lure Nie Yan close, and then have the berserker and Holy Word Priest kill him in one fell swoop！
"Got your eye on my gear? Think you can take it?" Diancang sneered. He assumed Nie Yan was just some passing thief who had taken a liking to his equipment, and since he was currently red-named, which invited greed, he never connected Nie Yan with Tang Yao.
Diancang's spell was complete, a ring-shaped wave of fire spreading outward.
After casting Blazing Ring, he quickly retreated.
The flames rushed straight toward him！
Nie Yan's heart skipped a beat. This Diancang guy reacted so fast.
"It's a thief！" The berserker and Holy Word Priest beside him caught on and immediately took action.
Turning tail and running at this moment would be very dangerous. With the berserker charging in and the two casters—Elementalist Diancang and the Holy Word Priest—providing firepower from behind, Nie Yan would be dead for sure！
"Kill him！" Diancang wanted to use Blazing Ring to force Nie Yan back, giving the berserker the chance to hold him down. Then he could create distance and leisurely cast his spells.
How could Nie Yan not see Diancang's intention? If he retreated now, he would be putting himself right in Diancang's line of fire.
Nie Yan's left finger moved, and a Speed Scroll appeared in his hand. Though slightly pained, he unhesitatingly crushed it.
Movement Speed +20%！
Nie Yan's movement speed was already high, and with the 20% boost, he became terrifyingly fast, charging straight into the sweeping flames.
With a bang, the Blazing Ring struck Nie Yan, taking 35 HP from him.
System： Diancang's team attacked you first. You may exercise Justified Defense against them for half an hour.
In squad battles, Justified Defense lasts half an hour. In large teams or guild battles, the duration is longer.
Diancang's magic damage was so high—if Nie Yan hadn't just changed into a set of Bronze gear, that Blazing Ring would have taken at least half his HP！
Sparks flew as Nie Yan broke through the flames of the Blazing Ring, rapidly closing in on Diancang, stabbing straight for his chest with the dagger.
Diancang had hoped the Blazing Ring would force Nie Yan back, but instead, Nie Yan's attack was so decisive that he moved forward instead of retreating, even faster than before. The low damage of the Blazing Ring also caught Diancang off guard. In theory, his magic damage should have inflicted at least around fifty points of damage.
Diancang quickly retreated and cast a small fireball.
"Assassinate！"
With a splat, blood sprayed as Nie Yan, enduring the small fireball, stabbed Diancang in the chest.
In close combat, the dagger's cold gleam flashed.
Diancang had faced thieves in melee before, but this was the first time he felt immense pressure—Nie Yan's attack was high, and his movements were incredibly fast.
"He used a scroll！"
Diancang quickly retreated, pulling out a magic pattern, and stepped back, preparing to chant Scorching Explosion.
The casting essentials for Scorching Fireburst: five syllables, two gestures, and one magic spellwork diagram, none can be missing. Fortunately, spellwork diagrams are sold in shops and aren't expensive.
The Berserker flanked around from the side, leaped up, and slashed down with a Flame Slash, covering Dian Cang as he cast Scorching Fireburst.
The two cooperated seamlessly, their timing perfectly aligned.
Red fire elements gathered rapidly. Scorching Fireburst was Dian Cang’s flame spell with the highest magic damage. If the opponent’s magic defense was low, it could even one-shot them.
A Thief’s magic defense was only average; their magic defense equaled their defense multiplied by a 0.6 modifier.
Scorching Fireburst had a casting time of five seconds.
Seeing the Berserker charging from the flank with his sharp blade right in front of him, Nie Yan’s dagger was swift as a startled swan as he blocked in front of himself.
The roughly three-inch dagger clashed against the Berserker’s greatsword with a crisp *ding*. Both fighters shuddered, and the Berserker’s blade could advance no further.
As Dian Cang backed away, he spat out obscure syllables one after another, his voice full of low, explosive force.
That was the sound of summoning elemental magic.
Bam! A beam of holy light exploded on Nie Yan, knocking off 13 HP. The Holy Mage’s attack was quite limited, but he kept chipping away at Nie Yan.
The instant Nie Yan blocked the Berserker, he lunged at Dian Cang with the utmost speed.
Facing such a ferocious assault, Nie Yan still charged forward without hesitation, intimidating Dian Cang. What a fierce Thief！
Nie Yan understood he had no time to hesitate; the slightest delay could cost him his life. The only option was to risk his life to fight for his life.
When enemies meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins.
Countless PK experiences from his past life gave Nie Yan an extremely keen instinct for battle; he wouldn't lose！
Three seconds, four seconds, blazing flames rapidly coalesced into a ball at the tip of Dian Cang's staff, as the scorching fire elements were about to transform into a violent killing force.
Nie Yan pounced in front of Dian Cang at his fastest speed.
"Stun！"
Dian Cang was ultimately a step too slow; Nie Yan's dagger plunged into Dian Cang's head. The light of the Blazing Flame Explosion rapidly dissipated and disintegrated in midair.
Stun had the effect of interrupting attacks. Nie Yan struck Dian Cang, and Dian Cang's Blazing Flame Explosion was interrupted.
The tightly strung chord in Nie Yan's heart loosened slightly. It was only by a hair's breadth—if Dian Cang had unleashed the Blazing Flame Explosion, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
The Berserker's Flame Slash was blocked. Before his eyes could adjust, Nie Yan had already escaped his attack range and controlled Dian Cang.
So fast, the Berserker's heart tightened. Nie Yan's speed was far greater than any thief he had ever seen, but he didn't have much time to gawk. He raised his greatsword and charged forward like a tank, barreling toward Nie Yan.
"Vital Strike！" Nie Yan completely ignored the Berserker. Taking advantage of Dian Cang's stunned state, he drove his dagger into Dian Cang's heart with a fatal vital strike.
System： Vital Strike completed, attack position offset by 5%, causing additional attack check damage bonus.
Dian Cang's remaining sixty-plus health points dropped instantly to zero. He fell to the ground with a thud. From head ornaments and robe to gloves, from leggings to boots—not a single piece of equipment was spared; everything dropped and scattered across the floor.
System： You killed a red-name player and gained 1 prestige point.
In the game, when a player kills a red-name player once, they earn 1 prestige point. Killing the same red-name player more than three times yields no further prestige. Prestige can be earned by killing red-name players or completing quests. The higher a player's prestige, the easier it is to receive quests, and there are even some perks in the city.
Nie Yan killed Dian Cang. The Berserker charged forward, swinging his greatsword down. Nie Yan sidestepped to dodge the Berserker’s charge, brushing past him.
The Berserker thought he was about to hit Nie Yan, but Nie Yan suddenly dodged, making him miss and charge far ahead.
“Boss Dian Cang’s whole set of equipment dropped! Grab it back now!” the Berserker said urgently. Dian Cang was a key figure in the Radiant Holy Flame guild, often joining guild dungeon runs. His gear was absurdly good, ranking among the best in the entire guild—worth at least ten silver coins!
But he was already far from the equipment on the ground. When he turned back, Nie Yan had already started picking them up.
The Holy Word Priest rushed toward where Dian Cang had died. Earlier, to avoid Nie Yan, he had been casting attack magic from a distance—how could he possibly grab the equipment in time！
Nie Yan bent down, scooped up two pieces of equipment, and tossed them into his bag. A holy light landed on Nie Yan.
−17, a damage number floated above Nie Yan’s head.
One-Character Slash！
The Berserker pounced, slashing at Nie Yan.
Nie Yan ignored the Berserker’s slash and kept stuffing equipment into his bag.
“Done,” Nie Yan thought to himself. Picking up equipment was such a pleasant thing. When he looked up, the Berserker was right in front of him.
Bang! The Berserker’s blade energy struck Nie Yan, reducing his HP by 22 points.
HP is down to 23 points, yet Nie Yan remains as calm as ever, quickly retreating while downing a bottle of basic instant recovery potion.
"You little shit, I'm gonna slice you to death！" Diancang had fallen, and if he didn't take Nie Yan down, it would be hard to answer to Diancang's boss. The Berserker, eyes bloodshot, chased Nie Yan like a madman.