The sword light flashed.
The pitch black greatsword roared down, heavily striking the body of a giant beetle. The beetle that was hit imdiately turned into data fragnts and disappeared in the air, followed by the notifications of battle victory and gained experience points.
"With this, we’ve reached level 15."
Fang Zheng swung the greatsword in his hand and looked at the two people beside him.
"How are you both doing?"
"Everything’s going smoothly, no issues."
In response to Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Ester nodded gently, and Restia responded with a slight smile.
"For a Sword Sprite, this is a piece of cake, Master."
"That’s good, let’s continue."
Fang Zheng looked up at the pitch black night sky. Currently, the three of them were in the northeastern forest of the first floor of Aincrad. Fang Zheng’s current goal was to break through this forest and then head to the castle located deep within. Although he wasn’t sure what was there, generally speaking, man-made structures in the depths of a forest would bring plenty of good loot, and if things weren’t mistaken, it should be the core zone of this world.
Of course, there are quite a few dangers, too.
Do not assu that Fang Zheng and the others have been putting all their efforts into studying the ga these past few days; they haven’t given up on leveling up either. In fact, up to now, Fang Zheng, Ester, and Restia have reached level 15, making them well-established mbers of the first division. If Argo’s information is correct, then the three of them might be the highest-ranked in the ga — well, with a possible addition of ’among’ to those words.
The reason for this outco is very simple — no matter how magnificent this world may sound, its essence remains a multiplayer online ga, and the characters within are still just characters. This ans that as long as Fang Zheng and the others don’t feel ntally exhausted, they can spend twenty-four hours a day grinding the map.
In fact, that’s exactly what they do.
To ordinary people, after a day of high-intensity battles, even if they aren’t physically worn out or injured, their spirits would be utterly exhausted, requiring rest. But Fang Zheng and the others are different. Whether it’s Fang Zheng as a Ti Dragon or Ester and Restia as Sword Sprites, their spirit attributes completely crush those of humans.
This leads to the situation where while other players are grinding the map, Fang Zheng and company are leveling up and simultaneously researching systems. And when the players go back to rest and relax, they continue leveling up and grinding maps...
If they couldn’t surpass those ordinary players, it really wouldn’t make sense. If Fang Zheng had not deliberately slowed down their leveling speed to avoid attracting too much attention, they could level up even faster.
If they ever find themselves feeling a bit fatigued, Fang Zheng would choose to rest in a secure spot nearby — sothing many players wouldn’t dare do. Because once you leave the Town of Origin, you enter regions open to attacks, aning if soone gets killed during sleep by other players or creatures, it wouldn’t be worth it.
However, this isn’t a concern for Fang Zheng and company.
It is a different story for the others.
In fact, when Argo first discovered the leveling speed of Fang Zheng and his group, she was extrely amazed, assertively thickened her face to ask for guidance, only to cry out and withdraw quickly after just one day with Fang Zheng — according to Argo, if she continued in that vein, she might not die at the hands of creatures but instead from overwork one day...
"Jingle—!"
Just as Fang Zheng was thinking of this, the system notification sounded, and he looked up to see that, sure enough, it was a ssage from Argo. He reached out and opened it directly.
"What’s up, Argo?"
"Ah, hello, Mr. Fang Zheng, still leveling up?"
"More or less, anything going on?"
"Yes, indeed."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, this sly information trader nodded with a smile.
"Didn’t you ask to find teammates for you? Well, I actually found three! Do you want to co and see if they’re suitable?"
"Three?"
Upon hearing Argo’s reply, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but be surprised.
"You’re pretty fast."
"Because this ti, I didn’t tell them your secret identity... I only ntioned that there’s a promising and strong team needing more mbers, and that’s how I managed to bring three people in. If your ’F’ identity were disclosed, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have pulled in even one."
Fang Zheng certainly wasn’t foolish enough to write his ID directly in the survival strategy guide. In fact, he only included the initial letter "F" of his ID in the published survival guide. Although on the first day, he t a lot of players face-to-face in the square, it was just a fleeting encounter, and most players have likely forgotten his look.
Originally, Fang Zheng intended to rely on reputation to make a stylish call to action with wide support. However, the troubleso ethnic traits of the Japanese caused Fang Zheng’s showoff attempt to fall flat, forcing him into covert operations instead... Well, as long as these three can be lured into the team, once aboard the pirate ship, there’s no turning back!
"What levels?"
"One Level Ten, one Level 13, and another Level 15."
"Oh?"
Hearing Argo’s response, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but be a little surprised. Level Ten is considered a common player level at the mont, as players initially take on small creatures around the Starting Town and do so daily NPC tasks. Once they finish off most of the wild boars and wolves on the plains, they generally reach Level Ten.
But reaching Level 13 and Level 15 isn’t that easy. You need to know that it’s been only about five or six days in this ga world, and this ga is quite different from regular online gas. To level up beyond Level Ten in just five or six days basically ans the player is a hardcore grinder, especially if there’s soone with a level close to Fang Zheng’s—it ans they must be completely devoted.
"In short, there are just these three who are willing to join right now. Do you want to co over and take a look?"
"Of course, I’ll et you at the usual spot right now."
Fang Zheng quickly ended the call, then gestured to Restia and Ester.
"Argo found new mbers. Let’s head back to town."
Through the teleportation point, Fang Zheng and the others quickly returned to the Starting Town. It didn’t take long before Fang Zheng saw Argo waiting for him on the platform outside the tavern, along with three newcors.
"Ah, Mr. Fang Zheng, over here!"
Seeing Fang Zheng, Argo hurriedly waved her hand and shouted. Hearing her call, Fang Zheng, with Restia and Ester, walked over. Then he carefully studied the three newcors standing next to Argo.
The one closest to Argo was a female completely wrapped in a cloak. Because the cloak covered her, Fang Zheng couldn’t see her face, but he wasn’t surprised by her outfit. After all, on the first day of operation, that damn Kayaba Akihiko sohow removed the custom avatars created by players, reverting to their real-life appearances.
This instantly turned the ga world filled with handso guys and beautiful girls into a paradise of oddballs, and naturally, those born with good looks would stand out. In fact, Ester and Restia beside Fang Zheng were dressed like this for the sa reason—when you’re popular, you attract controversy...it’s understandable.
The girl next to the cloaked female looked quite pretty, with a tear mole at the corner of her eye, fair skin, and long, straight black hair that matched quite well. At the mont, this black-haired girl was curiously observing Fang Zheng and the two behind him, silent, and who knows what she was thinking.
Next to the black-haired girl was a girl even shorter than her with twin pigtails. She had simple pigtails and vibrant purple hair, appearing like an elentary or junior high school student...Wait, are there elentary school students in this ga?!
"Alright, let’s do a self-introduction first."
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Fang Zheng smiled at the three and began to speak.
"I suppose you might already know from Argo. I’m Fang Zheng, the leader of this team. These are Ester and Restia; they are my companions."
As Fang Zheng spoke, he gestured, and Ester and Restia nodded their heads and greeted the three.
The shortest girl then stepped forward.
"I’m Aoba Suzukaze...currently a senior in high school...uh...just call Aoba..."
"Wait, you...a senior in high school?"
Hearing the introduction from the girl nad Aoba Suzukaze, Fang Zheng wasn’t the only one showing a surprised expression; even Argo and the other two beside him looked at her in disbelief. It’s understandable, given she appeared to be the youngest there.
Realizing the gazes from everyone, Aoba blushed and retreated. Next, the black-haired girl stepped forward. She reached out and placed her hand on her chest, raising her head proudly.
"I am the Fallen Angel of Chiba—Black Cat! My servants, bask in the glory of my dazzling presence!"
"......"
This is so over-the-top, it could only co from a middle school ntality...but then again, she does seem like she’s around that age...
Everyone silently looked at "Black Cat," but she seed completely unfazed, arrogantly stepping back. Next, it was the third person’s turn, and her self-introduction was even simpler.
"Asuna, that’s my na."
She just said that, and then fell silent.
"...Haah."
Looking at the distinctly varied trio, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly.
He had a feeling the road ahead would be bumpy...
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