Chapter 114: Gale Set

Just as I was entering the city, a voice transmission from Whispering reached me:

"Little Lin, the equipment has been transferred to you... By the way, I just returned to the city and heard people saying you provoked the Supreme faction. Is that true?"

"Uh! How did you know? ...Heh, that was a stupid question. With the Supreme Mercenary Corps losing face so publicly, of course you'd know." Under Dr. Ye’s inquisitive gaze, I wiped my nose in embarrassment and swallowed my foolish inquiry.

"Hehe... I was wondering why you wouldn't stay at the Forgotten Ancient Castle, such a great leveling spot. So it turns out you were running away because you stirred up trouble..." Whispering chuckled, exposing my lie from last night. I felt a wave of awkwardness and scrambled to remedy it:

"Running away is true, but I really did find a better leveling spot than the Forgotten Ancient Castle... If you don't believe me, wait a few days until I reach the third rank, and you'll see."

"Hehe, I never said you were lying to me... I just wanted to ask what happened. Actually, I can still get a word in with Supreme; if it’s not a major issue, I can mediate for you. He’ll give me that much face."

Whispering’s offer to help touched me, and I was certainly tempted... After all, avoiding a feud with a top-tier mercenary corps means one less powerful enemy, making life in the game much easier. But unfortunately... letting a woman plead on my behalf? That was something I couldn't do! Especially since the name "Supreme" sounded like a lecherous, philandering sort. If he were one of the beautiful Whispering’s suitors, wouldn't I be creating an opportunity for him and landing her in a mess?

I immediately and politely declined her offer: "Thank you, Sister Whispering, but I’d rather handle this myself... Although my conflict with the Supreme Mercenary Corps is truly a misunderstanding, given their way of doing things, we’d likely end up at odds eventually. If that happens, it would only put you in an awkward position!"

"..." There was a moment of silence on her end, then she agreed: "Alright, if you say so. Be careful in the future and try not to come to Xuanshuang City... If you run into anyone from the Supreme Mercenary Corps elsewhere, try to avoid them. At least, until you reach level 35, try not to cross paths with them... Unless, of course, you join a mercenary corps yourself."

Perhaps out of consideration for my feelings, Whispering’s words were very subtle. I agreed with a touch of emotion and laughed: "Heh, don't worry, haven't I already run away? I know what to do. I won't return to Xuanshuang City until I feel I have the strength to challenge Supreme himself, or at least no longer fear his mercenary corps..." I paused, then added, "And that day... won't be too far off!"

Whispering fell silent again for a long while before replying, "I hope so." Perhaps it was the status of the Supreme Mercenary Corps that made her lose confidence in me, or perhaps... she just thought this was the arrogance of a newcomer who had leveled up quickly with her help. Her tone sounded very flat.

I didn't mind, though. The Supreme Mercenary Corps was, after all, one of the top mercenary groups in *Magic Era*, and Supreme himself was ranked among the top few of over a billion players. For a newcomer to say such things, it was indeed laughable. Even I felt it was ridiculous after saying it... I didn't know why I had told her all that.

Shaking my head, I silently closed the transmission.

"What's wrong with you?" Dr. Ye asked cautiously, eyeing me with a strange expression.

"Heh, nothing. Anyway, go wait for me at the shop; I'm going to the bank..." Without waiting, I turned and walked away, cutting off Dr. Ye’s persistent curiosity.

***

At the Green Fields Town Bank, I quickly equipped the second-rank silver gear that Purple Thunder had selected for me. It was still focused on high agility, but the attribute strengths were significantly better than the level 15 vine gear!

Gale Battle Boots (Silver Equipment): Defense 21; Magic Resistance 2; Agility +6; Movement Speed +10%; Strength requirement 20; Agility requirement 45; Durability 100%; Level requirement 20. Class requirement: Archer type.

Gale Bracers (Silver Equipment): Defense 21; Magic Resistance 2; Agility +6; Attack Speed +10%; Strength requirement 20; Agility requirement 45; Durability 100%; Level requirement 20. Class requirement: Archer type.

Gale Leggings (Silver Equipment): Defense 20-24; Magic Resistance 3; Strength +6; Agility +6; Stamina +6.

Gale Magic Armor (Silver Equipment): Defense 21-25; Magic Resistance 4; Agility +6; Stamina +6; Strength +6; Strength requirement 24; Agility requirement 48; Durability 100%; Level requirement 20. Class requirement: Archer type.

Gale Helmet (Silver Equipment): Defense 12-15; Magic Resistance 3; Intelligence +6; Agility +6; Stamina +6...

(PS: Basic attribute increases for silver gear are a maximum of 6 per stat; speed increases are a maximum of 10%; magic resistance is a maximum of 6.)

Black Feather (Silver Equipment): Attack 27-31, with a corrosion attribute (10% trigger rate), Agility +6; Strength requirement 24, Agility requirement 50, Durability 100%, Level requirement 20!

With the full set of equipment, I quickly stripped off my vine gear and the Hidden Snow Bow, packed them to transfer to Purple Thunder, and donned the Gale gear.

Once equipped, my physique was suddenly accentuated by the tight black armor, making me feel like a completely different person! I looked even more upright than when I wore the vine gear, and the equipment fit snugly. The entire set blended perfectly, as if it were a single piece.

As I walked, I could even feel a light breeze brushing past my sides without encountering any resistance—as if the air were parting for me!

"This is amazing!" Feeling the lightness granted by the Gale gear, I rushed out of the bank like a gust of wind. At that moment, I could already imagine Dr. Ye’s stunned expression.