Bang!!

The sound of a furious fist of the Guild Leader slamming down on the table echoed through the room, causing everyone to flinch. The sturdy hardwood table, nearly three inches thick, cracked along its length, almost splitting in two.

"What the hell happened here? Someone explains this to me now!"

Aswa's voice was eerily calm, a stark contrast to his previous outburst, but it only heightened the tension, everyone seemed more tense than when he was expressing his anger. He scanned the room, waiting for someone to speak up.

"Uh... All those who knew the full story are dead, boss. We'll have to wait until their confinement status after death ends to get the whole picture,"

one brave soul answered.

"Three hours. We have to wait three hours to find out? Didn't anyone manage their subordinates? How could you let them be defeated by a bunch of no-name players!"

Aswa raised his voice, plunging the room into a deathly silence.

"We only got a report that a group of players complained about damages from some game of tag by another group. So, we sent Ma, the head of the first squad, with 20 others to investigate. After that, we heard nothing,"

the lone woman in the meeting reported.

"And what were the rest of you doing while squad two and nearly 200 guild members got involved? From what I read on the public communication channel, everyone agreed the battle was fierce and lasted almost an hour. Didn't any of you hear the sounds of battle!"

Aswa's voice grew louder, barely containing his anger. Had the guild's generous benefits made these people so complacent?

The woman quickly hid her hands under the table, fearing Aswa would see her freshly manicured nails from the in-game salon, as that was where she had been during the commotion. The others remained silent, too engrossed in their in-game luxuries to care about the brutal fight.

"In three hours, gather everyone involved for a meeting. None of you are to leave the guild premises until then!"

Aswa ordered sharply. He stormed out of the room without looking anyone in the face, thinking that perhaps this incident would serve as a wake-up call for his complacent members. If they did not change their ways, the Dark Horse Guild might soon be nothing but a memory.

Meanwhile, Chang Long's group stopped to catch their breath at the base of Longshan Mountains, several kilometers from the city gate. They decided to wait for Jane, Hero, and Kimhant to catch up before ascending the winding, maze-like paths that required an experienced guide to navigate.

"That was awesome. I've never fought so many players at once in this game before!"

Draco laughed, with Firetail chiming in agreement enthusiastically.

"But I hated it! Look at my hair, it's all messed up,"

Peach Blossom pouted, glaring at her tangled, slightly split locks.

"By the way, Chang turned into... Wait, when did you become a kid?"

Valentine was about to ask her friend, who had briefly returned to her adult form during the fight, but now Chang Long had reverted to a child again.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you when I change back to normal,"

Chang Long replied. While everyone was chatting excitedly about the recent events, Hero and Jane came in, carrying a trembling Kimhant between them.

"Hehe, I remember seeing you as an adult back in the city,"

Hero said, sitting down next to Oliang and Lidded Wet Trash Can. He had seen Chang Long's adult form through the scope of his gun—a face that could be described as either beautiful or handsome. Even Jane had been momentarily stunned when she saw it.

"It's a shame we don't get experience points for killing other players. Otherwise, we'd have leveled up for sure!"

Jane shook her head in disappointment. She let go of Kimhant, who collapsed onto the ground, before sitting next to Chang Long.

"Hehe, you're still a rookie, Jane. All of us have already gained a lot of levels just by following Chang Long around!"

Wet Trash Can said with a grin.

"Really!"

Hero and Jane exclaimed in unison, half-believing and half-doubting.

"Of course. Not only have our levels skyrocketed, but we've also gotten plenty of good loot. I got Firetail by following Chang Long on a quest!"

Draco said, patting his beloved pet.

"Amazing. You're not joking right!"

Jane asked, astonished.

"Absolutely. We got Peach Blossom's outfit, my sword, Can's claws, Aden's dryad, and Siegfried's ring all from quests we did with Chang Long,"

Oliang explained, pointing to the various items they possessed. They had all been acquired from helping Chang Long with her Guardian Spirit quest.

"What kind of quest gives you a dryad! Chang Long, take me on one of those quests for dryad!"

Hero's eyes were dreamy as he gazed at Livia, the dryad. He had always wondered where she came from. So, she was a reward that hatched from a quest egg. He turned to Chang Long, shouting his request and pointing at Livia, showing his intense desire.

"You pervert, don't help him, Chang Long! If he gets a dryad, he won't do anything. He'll spend all day laying on her lap, doing this and that!"

Jane smacked Hero on the head, making a loud thud, and then turned to Chang Long, warning her not to help Hero get a dryad.

"This and that. What do you mean by this and that? Oucch, that hurt!"

Hero yelled, rubbing the bump on his head. The others burst into laughter, and even Tai Yang and Firetail joined in with their own amused noises.

"Even if we go on the quest, there's no guarantee we'll get it. The quest rewards are random, and the quest could only be completed once every hundred years!"

Kitsune replied, still chuckling.

"Let's go. It'll be harder to travel once it gets dark,"

Chang Long urged. After letting everyone chat for a bit longer, they all got up to prepare for the journey. Siegfried, quick as ever, scooped up Chang Long before anyone else could.

"Hey, Siegfried, we were the ones who found the human ginseng first. We should get to carry Chang Long!"

Hero playfully protested.

"But Tai Yang and I were the ones who captured them!"

Kitsune countered, with Tai Yang roaring in agreement.

"All 4 of you have carried Lord Chang before. Let me carry her this time!"

Peach Blossom quickly volunteered, stepping forward to take Chang Long from Siegfried.

"Wrong. Out of the 4 of us, the only one who hasn't carried Chang Long is Tai Yang. So, this is how it should be!"

Jane said, scooping Chang Long up and placing her on Tai Yang's back. Peach Blossom stood there with her mouth open, her arms ready to receive Chang Long now awkwardly hugging the air. She pouted and returned to stand beside Valentine. Tai Yang roared and led the group up Mount Longshan once more.

Rafael sat watching the news in the public communication channel, smiling slightly as he realized who the group being talked about was. In this game, no one else had a Fire Dragon except Draco, his dear friend, and no other player could breathe fire like Kitsune, Chang Long's pet. Rafael quickly instructed the members of the Pendragon Guild not to reveal this information, as it could put their small guild in a precarious situation.

"Incredible, isn't it, Deputy? Just a handful of people managed to take down over two hundred members of the Dark Horse Guild. It's just as expected of Guild Leader Siegfried and Deputy Leader Draco!"

Rafael's loyal subordinate spoke with pride.

"They wouldn't have managed this alone. If it were just the two of them, they'd have had to run for their lives long ago,"

Rafael laughed, thinking their teamwork must have greatly improved from traveling together. He regretted not being able to join their adventure at this time.

"Oh, why do you talk like that, Deputy? It sounds like you're belittling our guild leader,"

the same subordinate said, looking slightly disappointed. He took great pride in Siegfried and Draco.

"I'm not belittling them. I'm just being realistic. Think about it—if you were standing against hundreds of people, no matter how high your level, you wouldn't survive on your own, would you?"

Rafael explained logically.

"That's true, but the Guild Leader wasn't alone. There was also Peach Blossom, Deputy Leader Draco, Oliang, Can, and Chang Long. Plus, Aden joined them later!"

"True, but consider this: there was also a huge tiger that we don't know who it belongs to, mysterious abilities that killed Dark Horse Guild members without explanation, and two men who appeared and disappeared like ghosts. Most importantly, there was the giant skeletal reaper in tattered robes that ended the fight!"

Rafael elaborated.

"That's right!"

The loyal subordinate nodded in agreement.

"I'll call Draco and get more details. Make sure every member of our guild knows not to reveal that those people are part of our guild. Even though we have many skilled members and are known for our virtues and unity, we're still just a small guild. We can't afford to go up against the big guilds with thousands of members,"

Rafael emphasized firmly.

"Got it. But the Dark Horse Guild doesn't seem bothered at all, even though this incident has tarnished their reputation so badly,"

the subordinate noted.

"Not at all. I bet Aswa, the Guild Leader, is fuming right now. But with the pride of a major guild on the line, he has to stay calm. Besides, losing just over two hundred members isn't enough to shake a guild of that size,"

Rafael analyzed confidently, gazing out the window of the guild's office building. He observed a group of Dark Horse Guild players who had been hanging around since last week.

"What should we do about those guys outside?"

"Do nothing. Just act normal and remind everyone to keep their mouths shut about this. Come on, we've got some free time; let's go shopping,"

Rafael laughed heartily and walked out of the small meeting room, looking quite pleased.

"Hey, wait for me, Deputy Leader. I want to go shopping too!"

the loyal subordinate called out, quickly running after Rafael.

Chang Long's group chatted casually as they made their way up Mount Longshan. It was late afternoon, and everyone was beginning to feel famished. They had expended a lot of energy during their prolonged battle with the Dark Horse Guild players. Meanwhile, Chang Long had fallen sound asleep on Tai Yang's soft back, exhausted beyond what her child's body could handle. Peach Blossom attempted to carry the sleeping Chang Long, claiming she was worried the girl might fall off Tai Yang while asleep. However, Tai Yang would not allow it, arguing with Peach Blossom in animal language and dodging her hands every time.

"So possessive!"

Peach Blossom grumbled, frustrated that no matter how hard she tried, Tai Yang would not let her get within a meter of him.

"Looks like Tai Yang has fallen for the cuteness of our master,"

Kimhant laughed heartily at Peach Blossom's irritation.

"What did you say, Kimhant!"

Peach Blossom turned and shouted at him.

"We're here!"

Draco pointed to the small hut ahead. Everyone cheered and rushed toward the modest home of the Miracle Doctor.

Miracle Doctor Zhang Yijie welcomed everyone warmly, though he was a bit surprised at the increase in numbers. He offered to prepare another meal using herbal ingredients. Everyone praised the deliciousness of the food, marveling at how a meal made entirely of vegetables and herbs could lack any bitterness or unpleasant herbal smell.

"Here you go, your two human ginsengs,"

Kitsune handed the sack to Zhang Yijie. Inside, something was wriggling around.

"Excellent! Thank you very much. I will remove Chang Long's curse as promised. But it looks like she won't wake up tonight. Why don't you let her rest, and I'll take care of it tomorrow,"

Zhang Yijie replied, glancing amusedly at Chang Long, who was eating her meal with a sleepy expression.

"But there aren't enough rooms. What will the newcomers do?"

Kitsune asked.

"We can pitch tents outside. With such beautiful scenery, we'll surely have pleasant dreams!"

Draco suggested, looking out at the clear stream and the herb garden behind the hut.

"That's a great idea. Let's set up our tents by the stream. The water is crystal clear, and we can enjoy the fragrance of the flowers and herbs around,"

Valentine agreed.

"Is that okay?"

Zhang Yijie asked, sounding a bit uneasy. His house was indeed too small to accommodate so many guests.

"Yes, it is. We want to enjoy the beautiful view,"

Oliang said with a cheerful smile.

"In that case, be careful not to catch a cold. The mountain dew is quite heavy,"

Zhang Yijie warned with concern.

"Don't worry. We're tough!"

Lidded Wet Trash Can said, tapping his head to show off.

"The girls can sleep inside. Jane and I can set up tents outside,"

Hero offered, feeling like a change of pace himself.

"Then I'll sleep inside with Chang Long."

"Chang Long? I saw Siegfried carrying her off a while ago while you were talking!"

Zhang Yijie replied.

"Agh! No! I'm sleeping with Master Chang. Goodnight!"

Peach Blossom shouted and ran to the guest quarters immediately.

Before long, Siegfried had to leave the room, as his beloved sister insisted that it was improper for a man to sleep in the same room as a woman. She decided she would sleep with Chang Long instead. The young man shook his head with amusement and joined his friends for a campfire gathering before turning in at midnight.

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