NOVEL NEXT Ch. 15
Chapter 15. Heading to the Imperial City
Fortunately, the Guard Captain had not forgotten the promise he made before, and very straightforwardly produced his family heirloom.
"System notification: You have completed the quest [Defend the Town] (III). Reward obtained: Guard Captain's family heirloom – Wing Mountain Lingmeng Treasure."
In a flash of light, a rusty metal fragment suddenly appeared in the hand of the silver-haired girl.
???
Staring at the iron piece in her hand, Chen Zixuan was full of question marks.
Isn't this the [Crude Iron Fragment]?
She had just gotten a whole pile of these when fighting the Goblin Boss earlier; it was the lowest grade material.
Could it be that the Captain didn't have any treasure to give, so he was fobbing her off with this?
However, the Captain's face was filled with sincerity as he said, "Adventurer, you have done so much for our little town. This is the heirloom of our Leib family. Although it looks quite shabby, it is said that a legendary weapon's whereabouts are hidden inside. I hope you can find that weapon in your future adventures!"
"System notification: You have obtained [Mysterious Metal Fragment]. Don't be deceived by its worn appearance. Collect all 7 fragments, and you can uncover the treasure of the ancient Falorin Kingdom," the system lady's voice rang out.
Looking at the new metal fragment in her backpack, Chen Zixuan decided to believe the Captain's words, and bowed to him in thanks.
The Captain shook his head, "There's really no need for these formalities. Go now, just follow the main road north out of the town. Bring along the letter of recommendation I wrote, and head to the Imperial Capital to try your luck! Make sure you work hard and don't waste your talent. You are this entire town's hope."
Chen Zixuan nodded and said seriously, "Don't worry, Captain. I will definitely become a good security gua... No! A good adventurer!"
The Captain showed a gratified smile.
"Wait for me here."
After finishing, he turned and entered a room by the city wall. Moments later, he emerged holding a black cloak.
"Adventurers have it tough when traveling. Take this piece of equipment as well, as a token of thanks from our entire town."
"System notification: Your affinity with the Guard Captain has increased to 200. You have received the equipment [Nightcloak]."
[Nightcloak], white-grade standard armor, defense +1.
Item Description: A sturdy cloak with a hood that can conceal the wearer's appearance – an essential for robbery and murder.
Chen Zixuan was touched.
Even though she and the Captain had just met by chance and didn't even know each other's names, they had fought side by side through life and death.
To say there were no feelings at all would be impossible.
Thanking the Captain again, Chen Zixuan equipped the Nightcloak, pulled up the hood, and her petite figure was instantly well concealed, with only a pair of small, fair, delicate feet visible, stirring the imagination.
Although this piece of equipment was quite ordinary, at this moment, it fit Chen Zixuan's needs perfectly.
After all, her character's appearance... was a bit too distinctive.
Not only was her hair a dazzling silver-white, even her facial features were more mixed-race than that of an ordinary Xijiang City citizen.
Leaving the newbie village, if she didn't hide her appearance and walked the streets openly like this, she would definitely attract a lot of trouble, and she might even get harassed by those male players with... certain questionable interests. That would...
That would be pretty disgusting...
At the thought of being confessed to and harassed by a group of male players, Chen Zixuan couldn't help a shudder of disgust.
Glancing at the sun, which was gradually sinking westward, the Captain urged, "It's getting late, best get on your way. The Imperial City is far from the town, and the monsters at night are no joke."
"Take care, Captain!"
Chen Zixuan turned and walked towards the other end of the little town, waving without looking back.
"You take care too! You must stand out in the Imperial City!"
Her pace was slow, as if reluctant to leave, because she knew that after this, it might be a final farewell in this lifetime...
After all, Crown Town was just a tiny newbie village—only by venturing beyond could one truly experience the grandeur of the world of Kaloran.
The sky is high for the birds to fly; the sea is wide for the fish to leap!
Once she left little town, sure enough, as the Captain said, there was a broad, winding road that stretched off into the distance as far as the eye could see.
Right at the village gate were horse-drawn carriages available for players to take, but the fare was quite expensive—eight copper coins to the Imperial City.
Chen Zixuan thought about it, and ultimately decided not to take the carriage.
At the start of the server, money in the game was still very valuable, and her initial stamina was high—there was no need to waste it on something unnecessary.
However, after she walked for over an hour under the blazing sun, she realized there was a serious problem.
The distance between Crown Town and the Imperial City... seemed to be a bit much!
It was only now that Chen Zixuan began to feel real regret.
After all, her backpack right now was carrying an entire set of valuable epic equipment.
If she encountered any high-level monsters on the way and lost her equipment due to dying, she'd probably feel like hanging herself.
But there was no other way. Crying, the silver-haired girl trudged along the deserted road, step by difficult step.
One hour later...
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【Nightshade Forest】
This was a leveling area near the Imperial City, brimming with giant trees tens of meters high, their canopies so thick they connected with one another and almost blocked out the entire sky.
Because it was far from the main city, there were almost no players leveling here; most newbies were still out fighting slimes on the plains outside the city.
No one dared to act recklessly and enter an unfamiliar area on a whim.
If they ran into high-level monsters, they wouldn't even know how they died.
But now, in this forest that no one had dared to step into since the server launch, a player clad in a jet-black cloak was striding out.
A female player.
Moving slowly through the dense forest, Chen Zixuan finally let out a slight sigh of relief as she saw the thinning trees.
According to the Captain's instructions, she should be getting close to the Imperial Capital by now.
If she kept going further, she ought to be able to get out of the forest soon.
If she was lucky, she might also encounter other players who were grinding levels.
Raising her head a little, the lower half of her graceful chin peeking out from under the hood, Chen Zixuan glanced at the dim sky and frowned slightly.
It was about 6 p.m. now, and dusk was about to give way to night. She needed to hurry and reach the Imperial City.
Otherwise, she wouldn't even find a place to log off tonight.
At that thought, Chen Zixuan unconsciously quickened her pace.
However, after walking another few dozen meters, she abruptly came to a stop.
A short distance ahead, faint voices seemed to carry through the woods.
"There are actually players?"
Hearing the conversation, Chen Zixuan was slightly taken aback, and a hint of delight appeared on her small face.
The server had been open for half a day, yet she hadn't encountered another player; her only companion in battle had actually been a newbie village NPC.
It made her feel as if she was playing a single-player game rather than an online one.
With that in mind, Chen Zixuan sped up and walked toward the source of the voices.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】