Chapter 112 : Chapter 112: Settling for Second Best
Chapter 112: Settling for Second Best
After skimming through the forum to get a sense of the exact changes in the new version, Cecilia put down her phone and logged into the game together with Gu Yanxi.
At 12:30 p.m., just as many people had chosen to log off for dinner, a burst of white light suddenly appeared in the central plaza of the national server's Main City. Two striking figures flashed into existence shortly after.
The girl on the left was tall, with waterfall-like black hair, an exquisite and fair face, brimming with youthful energy.
The girl on the right was a head shorter, but possessed beautiful, slightly wavy silver-white hair. Even when neatly tied into twin-tails, it still cascaded down to her waist. Her appearance was stunningly beautiful—delicate brows, thin lips, slightly upturned lashes, and sapphire-blue eyes as clear as the sea, radiating a nobility that fascinated everyone.
Among online game players, girls were already a rarity, and those with good looks even more so. To have two such beauties appear simultaneously left little surprise—the duo of Cecilia and Gu Yanxi attracted the scrutiny of most players in the plaza within just a few seconds.
Reportedly, the developers had revealed that 87% of Legend of Kaloran's registered users were under twenty-five, and the vast majority were male players. After all, it was summer vacation, the sun was blazing, average temperatures reached 38°C, and schools were on break. With nowhere to go, young people could only stay home, play online games, and team up with friends.
It was precisely because everyone was so young that when Cecilia and Gu Yanxi appeared here, they inevitably attracted lots of attention.
Essentially, humans are social creatures. Especially in a place packed with young men, the sudden presence of outstanding young women naturally became the center of attention.
After all, this is an era where looks matter—both men and women like pretty members of the opposite sex. That's something that never changes.
Although this wasn't Cecilia's first time experiencing such treatment, she still couldn't remain as calm as Gu Yanxi, who was unfazed by the various glances cast their way.
Those looks, whether passionate or wanton, felt like countless sharp steel needles stabbing every corner of her body, making her blood race and heart pound. She felt a mixture of embarrassment and anger, even the urge to slaughter all the onlookers around her.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see the sea."
Taking a deep breath, Cecilia suppressed the sudden urge in her heart, took Gu Yanxi's hand, and the two of them walked east together.
Passing through the city's massive gate, the view—oppressed for so long by the various buildings within—immediately opened up and became bright.
All around them were dense, low bushes, and beneath their feet, a flat surface paved with soil stretched out. Verdant mountains surrounded both sides, and a crystal-clear stream gurgled not far away.
Countless players—some carrying giant swords, others holding staffs, and all dressed in various outlandish outfits—either traveled in groups or walked alone, heading down this road to the wilds to fight monsters. Walking through this scene, if it weren't for the glowing, futuristic buttons at the bottom of their view, it would be easy to mistake this for another world.
Along the way, gu Yanxi glanced around with curiosity befitting her age, occasionally picking leaves, waving her long staff, and chasing after a few virtual butterflies. She looked exactly like someone on a leisurely outing, showing no nerves about facing a D-rank world boss.
Cecilia walked slowly down the main road, organizing her plans for the afternoon in her mind.
First, since the D-rank world boss Harpy blocked the only way forward, if she really wanted to head out to sea, she'd have to take it down first.
However, this morning, because she'd rashly fired two shots, it was alerted early and escaped. She didn't know if, after half a day had passed, the boss would appear again when she went back.
If the Harpy showed itself like it did the first time, Cecilia certainly wouldn't mind killing it in passing. Whether for the huge experience reward for defeating the Boss or the guaranteed epic set drop, both were things she urgently needed.
If she could get an extra set of epic purple gear this afternoon, there would be another showstopper item for Little Persimmon Puppy's auction tonight.
With that in mind, Cecilia made her decision. She opened her direct messages and sent notes to Little Persimmon Puppy, Dawn's Light, and Yuewu.
[Cecilia: I've found a new D-rank boss—I'm about to go fight it. Do you want to come?]
This message was no less than dropping a live bombshell. Within seconds, little Persimmon Puppy, Dawn's Light, and Yuewu all abandoned what they were doing and hurried to the location Cecilia specified.
Waiting in place with Gu Yanxi for about ten minutes—long enough that Cecilia was growing impatient—three small figures finally jogged over to them.
Among the three, little Persimmon Puppy had the lowest level. Like Gu Yanxi, na's class was priest, so na's Stamina was also the worst. Every hundred or so steps, na needed to stand in place for over ten seconds to catch na's breath and wait for na's Stamina bar to recover.
On the surface, it seemed the three of them had just run into each other on the way. Cecilia didn't press the issue. As soon as everyone had caught their breath, the ever-impatient Yuewu was the first to speak: "Sister Ce, you found a new boss again?"
"Yeah, the details are a bit complicated—I'll explain on the way."
Nodding lightly, Cecilia initiated a team invitation, pulling all four others into the team, then led everyone into the Hillside Prairie, heading directly east.
After all, this was the new version's first world-class boss, still D-ranked, and getting the first-kill on day one was an opportunity of obvious importance. As they traveled, everyone listened earnestly to Cecilia recounting her findings from the morning.
She also shared her own desire to travel to the Japanese server's territory, and before anyone else could react, Cecilia turned to Yuewu and asked seriously:
"This time, the boss is tough. Judging from its appearance, it can not only fly but might even be able to swim. So, I want to ask if you can freeze the boss for even a few seconds?"
Worried her request might be too much, Cecilia quickly added, "It doesn't have to be long—even one or two seconds is enough."
Yuewu thought for a moment, then shook her head slowly. "If it's a monster lower level than me, I could use all my skills and hold it for over five seconds. But this boss's level is too high. I'm not sure my skills will even hit it. Even if I do land something, I can't guarantee it'll be held for long."
"I see..."
Cecilia paused for a moment, then suddenly had a bold idea. "All your skills are ice-based, right?"
"Mhm, why?"
Yuewu tilted her head, not understanding why Cecilia had asked the obvious.
"I can't swim, and I can't fly. If you use all your skills on the sea surface, can you freeze the water for a few seconds?"
***
New Names, locations, skills, and Techniques