Chapter 13: Fourth-Tier Powerhouses, Beyond Comprehension

Hearing this, I finally understood! Within the same game, over the same span of one month, why is it that some people can only reach the second rank, while others surge ahead of billions, becoming exalted fourth-rank powerhouses? The difference likely lies within those thirty nights…

At that moment, White Day looked straight at me and asked, “Xiaolin, do you know who holds the highest level in ‘Age of Magic’ now? And what level?”

I shook my head. I’d heard about the fourth rank, of course, but I had never paid attention to who those fourth-rank players actually were. Besides, the last time Xuefeng told me about the fourth-rank warriors was two days ago—back then, the second fourth-rank powerhouse had just emerged! As for whether those people had improved since, or by how much, I had no idea.

White Day seemed to expect this answer and explained, “Right now, the highest level is 42, held by an Undead Mage from the Undead Empire. There’s also a Fire Mage from the Arcane Dynasty! Rumor has it, one of them can summon a ‘Hellfire Demon,’ and the other can call forth a ‘Twin-winged Bone Dragon’ in battle—so strong it’s almost unimaginable! If only I could reach the fourth rank one day… Tsk, tsk.”

White Day sighed in admiration, his face filled with obsession and yearning.

I only looked back at him in bewilderment. Hellfire Demon, Twin-winged Bone Dragon… What on earth are those?

I had no concept at all.

At this moment, Black Tea chimed in, “Enough about other countries—our Eastern Dragon Empire isn’t bad either. Right now, we’re the only nation with two fourth-rank powerhouses. They’re definitely on par with those Undead and Fire Mages.”

“That’s right!” White Day’s eyes lit up, as if the fourth-rank experts Black Tea mentioned were himself.

But I frowned subtly—her words reminded me of someone…

White Day and Black Tea, oblivious to my expression, kept the conversation going: “I heard that ‘Hunter of Chaos’ and ‘Supreme Overlord’ are the leaders of ‘Mercenaries of Chaos’ and the ‘Supreme Mercenary Guild!’ Xiaobai, why don’t we have such badass leaders?”

“Oh, please. With our levels, they wouldn’t even look our way… By the way, are you complaining that ‘Little Wolf’ is too low-level? Hah, I’ll report you to him next time he logs in.”

“Damn you, Xiaobai! Dare betray me and you’ll be sleeping in the guest room tonight!”

Black Tea jabbed her chin in his direction, playing her trump card. White Day immediately surrendered, “Wife… I was wrong…”

Chill!

I was jolted out of my memories.

I glanced at White Day, who was busy flattering Black Tea, then at Black Tea herself, whose cheeks had grown slightly flushed upon realizing others were present.

No wonder these two were so in sync—they were husband and wife.

I rolled my eyes, feeling a little dizzy.

Having understood their relationship, I decided to address Black Tea as “sister-in-law” from then on.

“By the way, it’s getting dark. Why don’t you and Sister-in-law look for a party to level up? It’d be a waste to lose an entire night.”

Truth was, I was anxious too, afraid to miss out on precious leveling time.

White Day and Black Tea exchanged knowing smiles and looked at me. “Already found one,” they said.

I was surprised, then delighted. “So quickly? That’s great! I’ll go repair my dagger and meet you at Kodo Beast Valley. You said the monsters there aren’t too strong, so it shouldn’t be dangerous, right?” As I spoke, I suddenly noticed the strange, mysterious smiles on both their faces.

Subconsciously, I stopped in my tracks, unable to utter the words “see you soon.”

“White Day, why aren’t you two leaving yet?”

White Day grinned. “What, trying to kick your brother and sister-in-law out already?” He hadn’t finished joking before Black Tea pinched him in an unarmored spot, eliciting a yelp, “Ouch! I’m sorry, wife! I was just teasing Xiaolin.”

Of course, I knew he was joking. I smiled at them, though inwardly I was growing restless. The sun had set completely, and by their account, monsters would soon be swarming outside. Getting to Kodo Beast Valley would be much harder then.

Thankfully, Black Tea was more levelheaded. She glanced at the sky, shot her husband a glare, and said to me, “Go repair your weapon first, Xiaolin. When you’re done, we’ll head to Kodo Beast Valley together. Don’t ask—there’s plenty of time to talk on the road.”

I hesitated, glanced at White Day rubbing his waist, then nodded and headed into the civilian gear shop. I didn’t notice that as I turned, White Day and Black Tea approached the player selling Snow Wolf Leather Armor, and White Day declared firmly, “Three gold coins. I’ll take it. Don’t argue—this is your one chance. Deal or not?”

Having repaired my dagger, I glanced back at the signboard by the gear shop reading “Honest Goods for All,” and grumbled in annoyance, “What a rip-off!”

The repair alone cost me seventeen silver coins; a 3-5 attack axe went for two hundred and fifty silver coins…

Utterly shameless!

Cursing, I counted the forty-four silver coins left in my bag. White Day and Black Tea, with an all-knowing “let’s go,” led me out of the city.

By the time I’d recovered from my sorrow, we’d already left the city gates far behind.

Only then did I remember to ask why they were coming with me to Kodo Beast Valley.

Upon hearing my question, White Day and Black Tea shot me matching exasperated looks. “Idiot, of course we’re protecting you.”

“Without our help, how could a level three noob like you hope to survive out here?”

“Uh…”

“Uh what? Tell me, do you even have a magic fire candle?”

“…I don’t think so.”

Only then did I realize how serious the problem was.

Black Tea laughed, “Then let me ask you, can you scrape together a gold coin? Can you even afford a magic fire candle?”

“What? A gold coin? Magic fire candles are that expensive?!”

I stared at them in disbelief—forty-four silver coins weren’t enough for even half a candle.

Black Tea laughed again, “If you can’t buy a magic fire candle, you could settle for the regular kind—ten silver coins each. But… they blow out easily, and someone has to hold it the whole time. You plan to fight holding a candle?”

Her words gave me hope at first, but by the end I could only roll my eyes in utter despair.

This game really is out to ruin us…