Chapter 29

Alpha, who was still completely unaware of everything, was speeding down the road:

In fact, with the enhancement of the Level 2 "Swift Shadow," Alpha's speed was no longer inferior to some of the slower mounts. Therefore, the journey that originally took over two hours on foot was completed in just one and a half hours. During this time, Alpha even took a detour and ran a bit more.

Just as Alpha was about to reach the Defias Outpost, "Swift Shadow" upgraded for the second time!!!

[Swift Shadow (Level 3): 1st Rank Light Step. Usage: Upgrade. Enhance inner strength to increase running speed and jumping height.

When activated, running speed is increased by (5 + Agility/5) x 120% meters per second, consuming 2 points of inner strength per second.

Each jump can increase the maximum height by (Strength/10) x 120% meters, consuming 2 points of inner strength per jump.

Activation Time: None.

Requirements: None.]

Level 3 "Swift Shadow" indeed increased the effect by 10%, but the inner strength consumption also became 2 points. While it became more powerful, it also required Alpha to have sufficient inner strength reserves. The most effective way to achieve this was to increase the level of "Solidifying Essence Technique." However, despite the journey, "Solidifying Essence Technique" remained at Level 1, and it was unclear how long it would take to advance.

Of course, the most important thing now was not just these two martial arts techniques, but also the reporting task at the Defias Outpost:

At this moment, Alpha was at the Defias Outpost, standing with a group of newbies who had just emerged from the Elwynn Forest, in front of the beautiful and tough woman named Jennifer, receiving re-education:

"My scouts have just reported that a hateful event has occurred in the Pale Caverns! Clearly, Andariel has begun to use other methods to deal with us.

Bloodbird, the former scout leader of the Defias Outpost, was corrupted and fell, becoming a pawn of Andariel. She leads the evil creatures in the Pale Caverns to attack our defenses, and now..."

As the current scout leader of the Defias Outpost and a popular character among otakus, Jennifer Lawrence had to repeat this speech to thousands of new recruits every day. In fact, even Jennifer herself found it tedious, but...

"...Who would want to play this boring game with a bunch of rookies all day long!!!"

This was Jennifer's inner voice, but unfortunately, she had to continue reciting the script...

"...She even began to use the evil powers granted by Andariel to resurrect the warriors who once died in battle, making these warriors who did not receive eternal rest turn their blades against their loved ones and friends!!!

We cannot tolerate such a filthy act!!!

Of course, from a tactical perspective, this is also necessary for the entire Northshire region.

Strategically, Bloodbird must die!!! Yes, strategically, Bloodbird must die!!!"

Jennifer had delivered this report countless times, speaking with righteous indignation and deep emotion, especially the last two sentences, which she said with clenched teeth—women only become hysterical when their personal interests are threatened, or when they are acting. It was unclear which category Jennifer belonged to...

In fact, the background of this task was that Bloodbird, who had made a deal with her soul to Andariel, had occupied a place called the Pale Caverns, turning it into a necropolis.

Unlike the Evil Cavern and the Scarlet Monastery, which were originally hellish strongholds under agreement, the Pale Caverns were a purely accidental creation.

The promising Rogue scout Bloodbird, for some unknown reason, had offered her soul to Andariel, allowing her to be resurrected by hellish powers even after being killed, becoming a being similar to the hellish projections of Corpsefire and other powerful entities, leading a group of similarly accidental undead creatures to occupy this area.

—The Pale Caverns were originally a graveyard near the Defias Outpost, filled with corpses and undead that had accumulated over countless years.

If Bloodbird were a devil like Corpsefire, the Just Gods would have the right to demand that hell relinquish this stronghold, which did not belong to them. However, Bloodbird was a Defias scout by origin, a native of Azeroth.

Therefore, hell stated that they could not intervene, and according to the agreement, they were only responsible for continuously resurrecting Bloodbird after obtaining her soul.

More incredibly, not only did Bloodbird keep resurrecting, but the undead and corpses in the Pale Caverns also continuously reformed as wraiths, zombies, and skeleton soldiers, creating security threats for the area around the Pale Caverns. Clearing the area repeatedly was futile, as they would immediately rise again to cause trouble once the people left.

In desperation, the Northshire defense department changed their strategy for the Pale Caverns to a controlled cleanup.

—Whenever Bloodbird and her demonic army grew in strength, new recruits would be sent to clear the area. This served both defensive needs and the training of new recruits.

In fact, such seemingly uncontrolled strongholds, which were actually the result of hell exploiting loopholes in the agreement, were not uncommon in Northshire and had long been a headache for the Just Gods' camp.

Of course, these issues were not directly related to the Bloodbird task for now. Alpha was only concerned with dealing with Bloodbird.

As a former promising Defias scout, Bloodbird and Jennifer naturally had some connection. Bloodbird had previously held the position that Jennifer now occupied. The exact reason for Bloodbird's corruption still needed to be investigated, but it might have been a struggle between two strong women.

However, with the substantial experience and money rewards, Alpha did not care about the past between these two women.

In fact, even if he wanted to seek justice for Bloodbird, he clearly lacked the power to bring her back for trial with Jennifer, unless it was a revenge mission for Bloodbird—unlikely.

"Try your best. If you can't complete the task, find someone to help you."

Jennifer called Alpha aside and seemed to "kindly" remind him. Alpha was speechless, feeling that his status as a "waste" was firmly established, even NPCs were specifically reminding him. How could they still remember this after a month?

"Nice girl, but she's an NPC."

A barbarian warrior with an axe winked at Alpha. The 1.9-meter-tall man was named Huang Basan, who had recently completed the trial of killing Corpsefire.

With full Strength points and a 4-point racial bonus for barbarians, he had a Strength of 24, making him a formidable monster.

"Looking is better than touching."

Alpha's response was brief. Looking was fine, but touching could be dangerous.

Jennifer was a 68-level Heroic Realm expert—60-level Ranger/8-level Warrior. Huang Basan scratched his head and glanced at Jennifer.

"Who knows, a 30+ Strength archer, wow, her butt must be all muscle, hehe."

Huang Basan laughed at his own joke and extended his hand to Alpha.

"I recognize you—Drunkard Klein often mentions... bro, what's your name?"

The big guy seemed to remember the nickname the drunk mage mentor Klein Luther used for Alpha, scratched his head, and asked Alpha's name. Alpha indicated it was no problem and politely shook hands with Huang Basan.

"Alpha—seems I'm quite famous."

"I'm Huang Basan—actually, the game is played by people. How you play is how you play; there's no such thing as a waste. Let's team up. You're a mage, find a priest, and killing Bloodbird will be enough."

Huang Basan sent a team invitation. Alpha hesitated, considering that a team of a barbarian, a mage, and a priest was good, but he was not a proper mage, and he wasn't sure if Huang Basan had thought this through.

"No worries, Bloodbird is easy to kill, don't worry."

Huang Basan, though simple-looking, was actually quite perceptive. He guessed Alpha's thoughts and assured him not to worry, just team up confidently.

Moved by his enthusiasm, Alpha accepted the invitation and felt more fondness for Huang Basan.

However, Alpha's original intention was to try soloing Bloodbird, like he did with Corpsefire. As a hidden class, his combat style should be significantly different from traditional mages.

Lancelot said to keep the hidden class a secret. The Mageblade's hidden class being revealed caused him considerable trouble.

—Not only was he constantly harassed, but he was also threatened and lured by various guilds, both online and in real life, almost to the point of deleting his account.

Alpha did not want to deal with such issues, especially since he was known as a "waste" among the newbies. He didn't expect anyone to team up with him, but Huang Basan was different, clearly willing to help him. Barbarians were popular for leveling and killing monsters.

"Your name is quite unique."

After forming the team, Alpha said curiously. Huang Basan laughed heartily.

"Ha, three landlords, each taking a character. If I can eat, drink, and tease the tenants' wives every day, I'll be content."

This made Alpha laugh as well.

Huang Basan continued to form the team, but it was not easy. Several priests and druids, who were healing classes, immediately left the team upon seeing Alpha's name, and some even cursed him for being unlucky to team with a "waste."

Alpha could only smile awkwardly at Huang Basan, who was not bothered and continued to form the team, saying it was no big deal.

After a few attempts, the team was finally formed, with a priest of the Just God Tyr joining...

...

...

Note:

Jennifer Lawrence—The actress who played the lead role in "The Hunger Games."

Huang Basan—Huang Shiren (White-Haired Girl), Nan Batian (Red Detachment of Women), Hu Hansan (The Shining Star), the three most famous landlords in revolutionary films.