Chapter 13: Failed Team-Up, Leading Monsters to Harm Others

“Hey friend, want to join our team? Killing monsters together would be faster.”

Ye Rong saw someone approaching him. He turned and stepped back two paces, putting distance between himself and the Corrupt Treant while also keeping space from these people moving closer.

“Friend, there are four of us. When you fight monsters alone, you can’t cover everything. With us, it’s different.”

The gloomy man was already a bit annoyed by Ye Rong’s ignoring attitude, so he spoke with a sharper tone.

“Heh, no thanks. I’m used to leveling up alone.”

While continuously hitting the Corrupt Treant with Fireballs, Ye Rong glanced at the four from the corner of his eye. He had watched their monster-killing process earlier. With their level of skill, they actually thought of teaming up with him? That was extremely arrogant.

He wasn’t a newbie at games. Joining this four-person team wouldn’t speed up his leveling—at the very least, it would cut his monster-killing efficiency in half. Only if all four had continuous long-range attacks would Ye Rong consider joining to form a decent long-range damage team.

This obvious attempt to take advantage of him? Ye Rong wasn’t stupid; there was no way he’d agree.

“Kid, our boss is giving you face! Just because you’ve got a Magic Treasure in your pocket, you think you’re hot stuff?”

Carrot Riding a Rabbit snapped fiercely, brandishing his Steel Sword toward Ye Rong.

The only female player among the four, Rabbit Eating Carrots, was his girlfriend. She was tall, but her eyes and brows looked sharp.

Most men liked to show off in front of women, especially their girlfriends. Carrot Riding a Rabbit was already jealous of Ye Rong’s easy, fast leveling style. These feelings mixed together, making him shout stubbornly at Ye Rong.

“How about the four of us kill you right now? Let you experience losing Lifespan and dropping equipment?”

The gloomy youth frowned. He had intended to talk properly with Ye Rong—after all, with him joining, their leveling efficiency could easily double. But this Carrot guy spoke so aggressively right away, surely driving him away. What a brainless fool.

Still, in front of an outsider, the gloomy youth had to save face for his teammate, so he wouldn’t scold Carrot Riding a Rabbit.

“Friend, Carrot speaks a bit bluntly, but it’s the truth. We don’t have to kill you; the four of us can just surround you and stop you from leveling elsewhere. What can you do about it?”

The gloomy youth also coveted Ye Rong’s Magic Treasure, but killing him once might not make it drop. Plus, since the four were in a team, attacking first would make them all lose Karma Points.

Carrot Riding a Rabbit, Rabbit Eating Carrots, Pig Flying at Low Altitude, and Murong Dashan—none of them hid their IDs. Ye Rong glanced and memorized them.

Boom!

Ye Rong had been using the Corrupt Treant as a shield between himself and the four. This Fireball took the last of the Corrupt Treant’s life. As it turned to ash, it left behind a cloth robe with a faint white glow.

Ye Rong moved quickly, snatched the robe, and hurried back several steps to avoid being surrounded.

“What, showing your true colors after just a few words?”

Ye Rong sneered, swiftly examining the robe in his hand—

Kapok Robe, cotton-like gauze, earth-yellow color, required Level 5, Defense 50.

It was an outer robe among clothing equipment. Ye Rong’s previous robe was from the beginner quest and had no stats, so he replaced it with the Kapok Robe right away.

“Dammit!”

Murong Dashan, the gloomy youth, cursed angrily. If he’d known this Corrupt Treant would drop equipment, why bother talking with Ye Rong? He’d have just killed him directly. Even he still wore mostly decorative clothing items.

“Lead monsters over! Let the Corrupt Treants kill him!”

“Boss, brilliant! This way we get the equipment without losing Karma Points!”

Pig Flying at Low Altitude immediately flattered, kissing up to Murong Dashan.

Ye Rong saw these four were up to no good but didn’t leave immediately. He stayed alert, watching what they’d do. Corrupt Treants only appeared in this area; outside a few hundred square meters, there were none. Ye Rong didn’t want to give up such a good leveling spot.

Besides, being forced away by these four losers would be too shameful.

“If they dare attack me first, I’ll use the Water Lord Talisman right at Murong Dashan. With six more Water Talismans and maybe two Fireballs, I can definitely kill him instantly!”

Ye Rong noticed Murong Dashan’s weapon was different. Even without knowing its exact stats, he guessed it was better than the Steel Sword; otherwise, why use it instead? Plus, as the team’s leader, killing him would crush their morale.

“What are they doing?”

Each of the four had two or three Corrupt Treants following them, approaching Ye Rong from different directions. They meant to kill him by leading monsters.

But Corrupt Treants weren’t good for leading—their movement was so slow that halfway, their aggro often shifted away, ignoring you. You had to stop, adjust distance, or attack again.

The chubby Pig Flying at Low Altitude clearly lacked skill in leading monsters. With one Corrupt Treant, he got hit twice. The three behind him attacked once, taking most of his Health Points. Terrified, he ran off, then found the Corrupt Treants hadn’t followed. He had to turn back, take a Blood Restoration Pill, risk getting hit, and regain their aggro.

After several mistakes, Pig Flying at Low Altitude fell out of sync with his three teammates, creating a gap in their once-perfect encirclement.

Ye Rong looked around and spotted the gap immediately. He dashed at top speed toward Pig Flying at Low Altitude.

If they adjusted, over ten Corrupt Treants surrounding him would be devastating. Even with good gear, Ye Rong probably couldn’t survive—instant death.

Ye Rong charged at Pig Flying at Low Altitude, glaring hard into his eyes, his Peach Wood Sword raised as if to strike.

Pig Flying at Low Altitude was already struggling to lead the Corrupt Treants forward. Seeing Ye Rong’s fierce charge, he instinctively raised his Steel Sword to block, trying to stop his escape.

“Don’t attack!”

Murong Dashan suddenly shouted, as if realizing something crucial, his face turning anxious.