The Return of the Sword God
The Dark Market Challenge
As the Luxury Ornament Box slowly opened, a dazzling array of colorful light emerged from within.
Fortunately, Shi Feng was currently standing within a dark alley; no players were wandering around here. Otherwise, such a spectacle would trigger greed in their hearts and Shi Feng would be killed and robbed.
As the light faded, a simple silver necklace and purple-gold ring were seen lying within the Luxury Ornament Box. Engraved on the outside of the ring were words that resembled the ancient language of the Elves and inside stored an incredible magical power.
“Fortunately, it's still the Ring of Gravity.” Shi Feng sighed as he looked at the appearance of the ring. Carefully, he took the ring out of his box and examined it.
[Ring of Gravity] (Mysterious Iron Rank)
Equipment Level: 0
Strength +2, Agility +1, Durability +1
Additional Skill: 'Gravity Release'. Greatly reduces the gravity that befalls the user. Duration 30 seconds. 5 Minute cooling.
"Big! It's not just Bronze.” ratings After reading the introduction of the item, Shi Feng became extremely excited. The situation was much better than he expected.
The equipment in the God Region was categorized into Trash, Ordinary, Bronze, Mysterious Iron, Secret Silver, Pure Gold, Dark Gold, and Epic.
At the beginning of the game, players only receive Trash Equipment from the System. This equipment is completely worthless. However, at this stage of the game, none of the players possessed General Equipment. Although you could buy Common Equipment in big cities, it was expensive. As for Bronze rank, it was extremely rare and also equipped with additional attributes. However, the Mysterious-Iron Equipment was only dropped from the Boss and, of course, the equipment was even more valuable.
In Shi Fengs previous life, the Ring of Gravity that players obtained was only at Bronze rank. It only gave an additional 1 point to Strength. The ‘Gravity Liberation’ skill also only lasts for 15 seconds. It was a surprise to Shi Feng that completing a Quest at Level 0 would give him a Mysterious-Iron Gravity Ring.
As for the necklace, it was only a Grey Item. NPC merchants coveted these items and they were willing to buy them at high prices.
After wearing the Ring of Gravity, Shi Feng added 4 Free Ability Points that came from leveling up to Agility.
Shi Fengs Agility increased to 12 points, his Attack Speed to 5 points, and his Movement Speed to 6 points. He could almost rival a pure Agility Assassin of the same Level now.
“Agility I will reach 20 points after rising to Level 3. At that time, I can open the Hidden Basic Skill of the Agility.” System Shi Feng looked at his Attribute Panel in anticipation.
Shi Feng moved his body, feeling it become more lively than before. He wouldn't have been in a sorry state before if he had faced off against Mayor Cross, now. If his Agility reached twenty points, his body condition would become even better after activating the Basic Skill [Fast And Nimble]; he could even rival the Wulin Experts depicted in Wuxia novels.
Following which, Shi Feng added 15 Free Mastery Points into the One-handed Sword Mastery, saving the remaining 5 points for future use. With his One-handed Sword Mastery now at a total of 20 points, Shi Feng advanced from Apprentice to Basic Sword Swordsman and the additional damage rendered by using a one-handed sword increased to 10%. He was still 30 Mastery Points away from becoming an Intermediate Level Swordsman.
Ordinary attacks were only the basis for a Swordsman. If one wanted to become a swordsman, Skills were a must. The more, the better, as this would create more flexibility when fighting, thus allowing the Swordsman to expend greater Damage.
Shi Feng was a swordsman and a person who had reincarnated. Now that he had a special tool like the Ring of Gravity, he needed a large amount of Swordsman Skills to display the true potential of a Swordsman. He can then level up quickly. Otherwise, it would be impossible to increase the efficiency of killing monsters by relying on normal attacks.
“I remember there was a Dark Market Challenge in the Red Leaf Town Trade Area. Players who complete the challenge for the first time will be able to obtain the skill book for the Swordsman.” Most of the skill books were dropped from monsters around Level 3 to 5 and the rate of decline was extremely low. At this stage of the game, there is still no player who is able to destroy these monsters. It would be a waste of time if Shi Feng wanted to obtain another skill book for the Swordsman. He also has no time for that. Thus, the Dark Market Challenge was the only way for Shi Feng to obtain skill books quickly in Red Leaf town.
Red Leaf Town Trade Area
Shops filled both sides of the street. There were apothecaries, blacksmith workshops, bars, and more; it was highly developed, like a small market. However, the current trading area is not as crowded as it should be. Gods Domain had not been in operation for long, so most players were busy leveling up instead of enjoying what Gods Domain had to offer. As a result, only a small percentage of Lifestyle players survived here. They are here to learn Additional Jobs such as Enchanter, Forger, Pharmacist, Chef, Engineer, Alchemist, etc.
“Buying herbal medicine with high price, contact me directly if any.”
“Buying ore; fraud can be avoided.”
“By sincerely buying high-ranking fixtures. Price can be bargained. Willing to pay with Credit.”
Many logistics staff from the Workshop and Guild had set up a small kiosk by the roadside of the Trade Area. They were mainly here to purchase items and equipment.
Shi Feng quickly headed towards the two-story building without stopping. The high-ranking Gnomes guard the building, and on top of the building it says 'Dark Market'. This place was the dark side of Red Leaf Town and was a place of entertainment built by greedy Gnomes.
The Gnome Auction House can be seen after entering the Dark Market. Down the basement stairs leading to two empty squares; one was the Battle Arena, while the other was the field for the Challenge Race.
Currently, several players were standing in front of the field. They accept the challenges of the Gnomes.
"Good luck! You have to succeed this time!”
"Good luck! Stop those Gnomes!”
Several players were currently cheering with all their might for the Assassin players standing on the field. Their reddened eyes make them look no different from crazy gamblers.
The Gnomes provided three tiers of challenge: Copper Prize, Silver Prize, and Gold Prize. Once the challenge is completed, there will be a cooldown for three days. There was a fee of 5 Copper for the Copper Prize, 5 Silver for the Silver Prize, and 5 Gold for the Gold Prize. Of course, the higher the ranking of the challenge, the greater the reward. There was even a possibility of obtaining the Dark Gold Equipment.
However, if players obtained the First Settlement for the challenge in Red Leaf Town, the Copper Prize reward reward might be comparable to the Silver Prize.
In Shi Fengs previous life, this First Settlement was obtained by a Swordsman named Fierce Gale and the person had received a rare skill book for the Swordsman.
After a while, the Assassin on the ground was attacked. His body was lying at a distance of 20 yards, still ten yards from the end point.
"Percules. Another bit. Do you still have money? I will definitely remove it next time.” Said the male Assassin after getting up from the field.
A male Ulama shook his head as he said, “Bos Piercing Heart, the five of us have given all our money to you. We don't have any more.”
Beside him, Shi Feng turned his gaze towards the Assassin. He was shocked after hearing the two words 'Piercing Heart'.
The person's body was covered in black clothes. He was short and thin, just like a monkey. Shi Feng could hardly believe that the ‘monkey’ in front of him was Stabbing Heart, the Assassin ranked 10th on the Star-Moon Kingdom Assassin Ranking Board.
The assassin named Stabbing Heart turned his gaze to Shi Feng. After gauging Shi Feng, his eyes revealed gazes as if they had just found prey. Smiling, he walked up to Shi Feng and said, “It's nice to meet you, friend. I Pierced the Heart, Leader of the Assassination Squad of the [Killer Alliance]. Lend me 5 Copper and I will return 20 Copper to you tomorrow. How?”
Stabbing Heart was only ten yards away from the last point this time around, so he was unwilling to accept defeat. He already knew some of his challenge patterns; he would be able to solve them if given another chance. Hence, he had thought of using his Guild name to shock and amaze Shi Feng so much that it lent him 5 Copper.
The Assassin Alliance was a large Guild famous in the virtual gaming world. Any veteran gamer would know this name. A person capable of becoming the leader of an Assassin squad was definitely a great expert, a figure respected by many players. Rather than lending, the average player would definitely only give 5 Copper to get help.
“5 Copper right?” After thinking for some time, Shi Feng replied: “I can lend you 5 Copper, but you have to pay back 50 Copper tomorrow.”
Heart piercing surprised. He was Stabbing Heart, the famous Assassin Squad Leader of the Assassin Alliance. However, Shi Fengs disrespectful reaction was completely different from what he had imagined. Could Shi Feng be a novice player?
Seeing Stabbing Heart remain silent, Shi Feng asked, “Still borrow?”
“I'll borrow.” Heartbroken want to cry. Other players will say 'Expert, expert!' when they met him, yet Shi Feng showed no such reaction. However, when he thought about the bountiful rewards that awaited him, even 50 Copper alone was already worth it.
“This 5 Copper. Let's add each other as friends. Don't forget to return 50 Copper to me tomorrow.” Shi Feng took out 5 Copper out of the 60 he had obtained from selling the necklace, not forgetting to remind Stabbing Heart to return 50 Copper.
With tears streaming down his face, Stabbing Heart received 5 Copper and said, “Good. I will not forget.”
Not knowing what Stabbing Heart was thinking, Shi Feng left after the trade was over. He headed towards the green-skinned Gnome who was the Challenge Race administrator.
“Master, time is money. What business do you have?” The Gnome Administrator said it in a high tone.
“I want to follow the Copper Prize Challenge.” Shi Feng said as he handed over 5 Copper.
After flipping the Copper coin a few times, Gnome nodded in agreement. He opened the wooden door to the Challenge Race, letting Shi Feng in.
“Guests, we have a new challenger in the field. Please let us welcome this brave Swordsman.” The gnome announced loudly.
“Boss Stabbing Heart, the child who lent you money is participating in the Challenge Race,” the male Cleric showed.
Stabbing Heart who was resting while laughing said, “That child is just a beginner. Does he think the Challenge Race is easy? Even though the distance is only 30 yards, the attack pattern of the Gnome will change once you pass 15 yards and their attack rate increases tremendously. Not to mention, I also have trouble dealing with it.”
"That's for sure! Even an expert like Boss Stabbing Heart could only reach a distance of 20 yards. I guess the kid, at most, will reach five yards before being finished off.” The male cleric nodded with a smile.
Inside the field, the three Gnomes standing at the finish line prepared their rifles, aiming them towards Shi Feng.
On top of the challenge field, the timer starts counting down.
3......
2......
1......
Challenge Started!
