Adventure World Online (AWO) Chapter 263 263: Advanced Basic Skills

Chang Long successfully rented a ship from Captain Columbus, with the arrangents managed entirely by Deputy Captain Sea Breeze. She scheduled a eting with the ship, Bloodied Angel, at the docks of Longshan City. Since the ship would take several hours to arrive, Chang Long decided to explore Mount Longshan while waiting. To her surprise, and that of her spirits, Ackeran, the spirit accompanying her, did not leave. He continued to follow her closely, even though she had told him that he no longer needed to help. Ackeran, however, seed intent on remaining by her side.

"Ackeran, can I ask you sothing?"

Chang Long inquired as they walked aimlessly up the mountain, direction being one of her weak points. Ackeran nodded, prompting her to continue.

"Who were you before you died?"

This question imdiately perked up all three of her spirits—except for Fluffy Head-chan.

"I was a powerful sorcerer. Or so I thought, until I was killed by an even stronger one..."

Ackeran replied in a calm tone.

"Oh!"

Chang Long exclaid.

"Wait, are you that Ackeran? The Sorcerer of Destruction!"

Alice-chan burst out excitedly.

"The Vile Sorcerer."

Devi-chan added.

"The Heartless Sorcerer."

Hisa-chan chid in, her expression indicating recognition.

"Wait, you all know who Ackeran is?"

Chang Long turned to her spirits, astonished.

"Not , Master. I've never heard of this guy,"

Fluffy Head-chan quickly spoke up, fearing he would be forgotten.

"A lion who spends its days grazing in the fields wouldn't know a great sorcerer, would it!"

Devi-chan mocked, causing Fluffy Head-chan's whiskers to twitch as he snapped back.

"I'm a mighty lion who eats at, not grass. And I'll have you know, the prey I hunt could never be caught by so King of Fishing like you!"

Chang Long and Hisa-chan both pressed their palms to their temples, exasperated. Fluffy Head-chan's old nesis, Hulu, was still sealed in a bracelet, but it seed he had found a new rival in Devi-chan.

"King of Fishing? This little kitten!"

Devi-chan growled, startling everyone.

"Enough, Devi-chan. Let Fluffy Head-chan argue with Hulu alone; that's plenty,"

Chang Long intervened. Devi-chan huffed but stopped arguing, as did Fluffy Head-chan, who grumbled softly but refrained from further retorts.

Turning her attention back to Ackeran, Chang Long was intrigued by the many titles attributed to him. In this ga, titles were earned through quests, and players could choose only one title to display. But Ackeran seed to have multiple titles simultaneously. Was it because he was an AI? Or was there another system at play?

When Chang Long asked about this, Ackeran responded with a cryptic smile, piquing her curiosity even more. However, she decided not to push further, suspecting it involved another set of hidden conditions. As Chang Long continued along the sloping, less-traveled path, she encountered scattered beasts ranging from levels 30 to 40. She used these opportunities to test her combat skills, seeking to understand her capabilities. No matter how many battles she fought, her ability consistently outperford other players of the sa level. This was not a fluke, a miracle, or a system error—there had to be sothing she had done that enhanced her mastery of basic skills significantly.

The system announced her progression to Level 15 as she stuffed various crystals into her mouth, Chang Long noticed a gathering of players ahead. The group resembled a small battalion, their serious expressions hinting at so secretive endeavor. Just as she was about to pass by, one of the players noticed her and swiftly stepped forward to block her path. His stern face conveyed that he would not hesitate to kill if she gave any sign of suspicion.

"Hey, player. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The man's tone was sharp. Chang Long observed that he, too, was a player, though his deanor suggested they were engaged in sothing confidential.

"I'm just passing through. I didn't an to disturb you,"

she replied. The man scanned her closely, noting that she was accompanied only by a small lion cub and wore no guild insignia. Despite this, he remained wary and stared her down, probing further.

"Do you belong to any guild?"

Chang Long shook her head.

"No. Siegfried invited to join Pendragon before, but I declined because I didn't like the idea."

Her answer left the man stunned. anwhile, other players began to gather around her, taking note of her presence.

"Hey, you lot. We're in the middle of an important eting here. Why are you breaking formation!"

A stern voice cut through the group, causing the players surrounding Chang Long, and Chang Long herself to turn toward the voice.

"Who's she?"

The man asked as he reached the center of the circle where she stood.

"Chang Long,"

she replied.

"Oh? And who are you with?"

The man pressed.

"No one. I just happened to pass by."

After her response, silence fell over the group. The man scrutinized her closely, while Chang Long exhaled wearily.

"Crown. Where are you? It's almost ti to attack the fort, and you're still missing!"

A shout from another player drew everyone's attention. The crowd parted, allowing the new arrival to approach. Chang Long turned toward the voice, finding it oddly familiar. When the two locked eyes, the newcor's face lit up with a broad grin.

"Chang Long!"

"Duncan?"

"Didn't expect to see you here. I heard Siegfried secured a special territory. Did you help out with that?"

Duncan greeted her warmly, surprising Crown. Seeing that Chang Long was an acquaintance of one of their leaders, the surrounding players began to disperse.

"You know her?"

Crown asked Duncan.

"Yeah. She's the one who helped get the magical map-reading skill, which eventually led to you becoming the Pirate King's heir."

Duncan's answer, and suddenly, another figure appeared beside Crown, dressed identically. The newcor stared at Chang Long and muttered in a voice just above a whisper:

"The heir of Devi Jones."

"Azlam."

Devi-chan materialized beside Chang Long and greeted the shadowy figure, startling Duncan and the others. They were not quite used to ghosts suddenly appearing out of thin air.

"Whoa, you're also a Pirate King heir?"

Crown exclaid, surprised to encounter another heir of Pirate King.

"Uh-huh. But what are you all doing here? With so many people gathered, don't tell you're planning to capture a special territory?"

Chang Long asked casually. Crown and Duncan exchanged a wary glance before deciding to be honest with her.

"Yeah, we're planning to capture a special territory. Want to join in? It'll be a fun way to kill ti," Crown said with a broad smile, intrigued to see what another Pirate King heir could do.

"Sounds interesting. Where is this special territory, though? Don't tell there's one on Longshan Mountain?"

Chang Long asked curiously. Duncan gave a sly smile and gestured for her to follow him. What used to be a peak on Longshan Mountain now featured a fortress, almost invisible due to the dense foliage surrounding it. The area was several kiloters from their current location. Crown explained that they had gathered and planned the attack here, many kiloters from the fortress for safety reasons. Given their limited numbers, they opted for guerrilla tactics, as a direct assault was out of the question.

Duncan introduced Chang Long to the group and began explaining the attack plan for the fortress. While they listened, many players appeared skeptical of her. Even after learning that she was a Pirate King heir like their friend, Crown, her current basic level was a glaring concern, entering the fray seed like a death sentence.

"Duncan, Crown, are you sure about letting Chang Long join? She's only Level 15—she'd be walking straight into death."

One of the female players voiced her concerns when everyone dispersed to prepare for the assault.

"I feel the sa, Crown. I don't know what happened to Chang Long to bring her down to this level. The last ti I saw her, she was in the sixties."

Duncan said with a worried expression.

"She's not worried about it, so why should you be? Besides, Chang Long is a Pirate King heir. She won't die before she's even had a chance to fight,"

Crown replied cheerfully, showing no concern about her low level.

"Still, I think the mbers of Pan's guild might not take this well. It's not a good look. At the very least, Chang Long shouldn't be on the front lines. Wouldn't it be better to have her as support?"

The female player suggested. Judging from the murmurs, many players in the group were gossiping about Chang Long's level, and hardly anyone seed to trust her abilities.

"Chang Long's just here to have fun; she's not a key player in this assault. Why are you all so worked up? Besides, I'm confident Chang Long can handle herself. Don't you think so, Duncan?"

Crown smiled at his companion, but Duncan was at a loss for words. Chang Long had agreed to join this mission herself, and from what he knew, going against her wishes was never a good idea. Reluctantly, Duncan decided to place his trust in her, just as Crown had.

Boom!

Boom, boom, boom...

The war drums thundered as the sun dipped below the horizon. The fortress on Longshan Mountain lit up with torches, and the sound of the drums rallied the AIs stationed there. Soldiers sward toward the main gate, their commander appearing atop the wall overlooking it. Several dozen players were already gathered outside, one furiously beating the war drum. At the front of the group stood two players whose eyes locked onto the commanding AI, then shifted to the golden dallion hanging from a chain around his neck.

"Just this lot? You fools think you can take this fortress with these numbers?"

The commanding AI's voice bood, dripping with disdain as his gaze swept over the players.

"Why don't we give it a try? Don't underestimate us. For all you know, even if you threw everything this fortress has at us, you still mightn't stand a chance!"

Chang Long's voice rang out in defiance. Her friends, standing in orderly ranks behind her, flinched. Even Crown, standing beside her, turned in surprise, though he could not hide his admiration for her boldness. He had not expected her to taunt the AI so openly to divert their attention.

"Hmph. Kid, don't be so cocky. My force only needs ten n to deal with you lot!"

The commanding AI sneered.

"Oh really? Then why not send them out? I'll take on all ten myself, no problem!"

Chang Long smiled confidently, her taunt causing the commander's eyebrow to twitch. He barked an order, and ten soldiers stepped forward from the fortress gate.

"Just you, kid!"

The commander's voice was sharp. Chang Long nodded and began to step forward, but Crown grabbed her arm in concern.

"Chang Long, what are you doing? You're only Level 15. How do you expect to survive after taunting them like that!"

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Besides, isn't it better if they focus all their attention on us?"

Chang Long grinned mischievously, walking forward. She now stood alone, facing ten AI soldiers who seed eager to tear her apart.

"That frail little body won't last five minutes before eting the Reaper,"

one of the AI soldiers sneered.

"Why do you think I'll fall so easily? And by the way, that Reaper you're talking about is standing right here in front of you,"

Chang Long retorted, her voice laced with mockery. The soldiers unsheathed their weapons, their gazes fixed on the seemingly overconfident girl before them. The commanding AI watched her closely, bemused by her audacity despite her flimsy figure. How unassuming.

"If you're so eager to die, we'll grant your wish!"

One of the AI soldiers barked as he charged at Chang Long, covering the twenty ters between them in an instant.

"Spirit Realm."

As Chang Long's voice rang out, the figures of Devi-chan, Hisa-chan, and Alice-chan appeared from the void. Their sudden manifestation stunned everyone present, including the Pirate King Azlam and the sorcerer, Ackeran. Both seed equally astonished to find themselves suddenly embodied with physical forms.

Devi-chan and Hisa-chan moved like the wind, adapting instantly to their newfound corporeal states. Without hesitation, they launched swift and devastating attacks. Before Alice-chan even had the chance to act, all ten AI soldiers who had stepped forward to challenge Chang Long were reduced to white light ascending to the sky. A brief but heavy silence settled over the area. Both the AI defenders and the players were left in stunned disbelief.

"What madness is this. You said you'd fight alone. This is outright cheating—calling others to fight on your behalf. You're utterly untrustworthy!"

The commanding AI bellowed, snapping out of his shock. Though his soldiers were visibly shaken, he tried to maintain authority, accusing Chang Long of dishonorable conduct for not battling solo as she had claid.

", not fighting? Were you not watching? I stood here alone the entire ti. Besides, you didn't forbid from using skills, did you?"

Chang Long replied with a faint smile. Crown and his companions kept their questions to themselves. What kind of skill could summon such powerful warriors to fight on one's behalf? Crown recognized one of the summoned fighters as none other than Devi Jones, a legendary Pirate King. When he glanced at his side, he was further shocked to see Azlam, who now had a tangible, almost lifelike form, as if he could be touched.

"What is going on here?"

Ackeran, standing beside Chang Long, exclaid in alarm. The sorcerer seed deeply shaken by his own physical restoration. He could feel the cool night air and the faint moisture of dew. Most astonishingly, he heard the rhythmic pounding of his heart—a heart that should have ceased beating for centuries...

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