Chapter 67: A Rabble

As I made my way through the passage opened by the crowd and arrived at the entrance of the mine, I was momentarily taken aback by the two people waiting there.

"It's you!"

The one who spoke was a familiar face I’d encountered in the mine before—a bear-man of second-tier strength.

He stared at me, his eyes wide like bronze bells, shocked to see that the person approaching was none other than the expert “Scavenging Qilin” he'd met previously in the mine.

This world is truly small.

As this thought crossed my mind, I nodded politely to the two, wasting no words, and stepped directly into the mine...

Inside, I heard a strange voice echo faintly from the entrance: “That kid doesn’t know you?”

That kid? Surely he’s talking about me? Why should I know him... I rolled my eyes, drew out my Silver Beast Magic Dagger, and swiftly caught up with the group ahead.

...

The passage of Cloudwhite Mine now lacked its usual bustle; there were no people, no dense cacophony of digging. Already somewhat dank and sinister, the tunnel’s oil lamps flickered along the mountain walls, casting an eerie loneliness. Until a solitary figure darted in from outside, its shadow stretching long under the lamp’s glow, deepening the gloom.

When I caught up with those ahead, I found myself in the large cavern where I’d once trained, and was utterly stunned by the scene!

The spacious cave was littered with over a hundred pieces of equipment and ores gleaming with metallic luster! Each item could represent one or several players.

But the number of items scattered about was no less than two hundred, showing just how many players had fallen to the hands of the Chief of the Goblins...

Astonished, I watched as more than forty second-tier players—prepared to act as the mine’s suicide squad—went wild, stuffing low-level gear and ores into their bags! Even the three players currently under attack by Goblin Warriors were completely absorbed in the frenzy of looting, seemingly oblivious to the warriors' assault, constantly bending down to pick up loot and moving quickly to the next spot.

I frowned quietly:

A motley crew, enchanted by mere trash gear from low-level players; if they truly encountered the Goblin Chief, it would be a miracle if they survived!

Tensing, I ignored the scattered equipment, swept a glance at the opposite tunnel entrance to confirm the chief wouldn’t appear for now, and then swiftly charged at the Goblin Warriors!

Regardless of whether they could handle the chief or not, it had nothing to do with me... My main purpose here was simply to earn the required 1,300 experience points.

Whether these rabble lived or died after encountering the chief meant nothing to me!

...

When Big Bear and his group caught up, the three Goblin Warriors were already dispatched!

At that moment, the players who had been bending over to 'clean' the chaotic loot finally noticed me—the odd one out—as the items on the ground had mostly been swept away.

Most of their gazes lingered on my Silver Beast Magic Dagger, curious how a first-tier rookie, barely able to equip himself, could possibly possess a silver weapon.

But soon, their attention shifted to the opposite tunnel—where plenty more loot from fallen players lay scattered, blanketing the ground...

In an instant, nearly all the players in the cavern rushed out, leaving only me and the bear-man, whose face was solemn.

“You’re not going over?” The bear-man approached me, engaging in real conversation for the first time.

I looked at him, shrugged: “I don’t want to.”

Pausing here, I glanced at the now-empty tunnel, adding, “Let me give you some advice—don’t go in just to die…”

He was startled, then understood, but could only smile wryly: “Can I really not go in? I was the one who called them in—do you think I can turn back at a time like this?” His tone shifted: “Besides, are you so sure we’re all just marching to our deaths?”

I glanced at him coolly, then looked away, saying nothing more.

He seemed to sense my resolve and didn’t press further, turning to say, “My name is Black-faced Tiger.” With that, he headed into the tunnel.

As his figure vanished, a Goblin Warrior suddenly respawned at my side!

Swift step!

The Silver Beast Magic Dagger met the enemy!

After the Goblin Warriors fell one by one, I quickly sat down to check my experience—still 690 points short...

The Goblin Warriors respawn every two minutes!

Each round yields 348 experience points.

Two more rounds and I’ll be set!

Thinking that in four minutes I could equip my Level 15 silver gear, I relaxed. As for the Goblin Chief, with over forty second-tier players blocking the way, even if things went badly, they could surely hold out for several minutes.

However...

This time I was wrong—terribly wrong! I had overestimated the resolve and fighting spirit of these miners...

Just as I waited for the last round of Goblin Warriors to respawn, frantic screams suddenly echoed from the nearby tunnel. Soon, several players staggered out, panic-stricken and disheveled.

Ten... twenty... thirty... forty...

Except for the bear-man and his companion, everyone else seemed present!

But as the last dozen players squeezed out of the tunnel, a pool of black mire suddenly appeared beneath their feet; unsteady, they were instantly trapped.

The trapped players screamed in terror, hoping for rescue from their ‘brothers’ ahead, but those who looked back only ran faster!

My heart sank. Forgetting to ponder the bear-man’s fate, I quickly retreated thirty meters to the mountain wall, avoiding calamity.

At that moment, two gnome mages wreathed in green flames emerged, clutching their staffs and striding quickly from the tunnel. Hot on their heels was a ‘Giant Goblin Chief’ with green skin.

In his left and right hands he carried a dark green greatsword and a metal shield. The moment he stepped out, he straightened up, accelerating dramatically! With astonishing speed and overwhelming presence, he charged after the fleeing second-tier players...

My heart skipped a beat: So fast!