Chapter 173: Setting Sail (Extra Chapter for 950 Monthly Votes)
Translator: 549690339
The cheerful voice of Boundless Horizon came over, “Bro, you really know how to play the game, you’ve got me spinning.”
“Under the circumstances, please forgive me,” Li Yao laughed and replied.
“Understandable,” Boundless Horizon continued: “Bro, you’ve really hit the jackpot this time. A new model mech, wow, that’s something that money can’t buy.”
“That was really a stroke of luck. I’m also surprised,” Li Yao said with a wry smile, “Anyway, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“About the mine? I’ve already had someone prepare a detailed invoice. I’ll send it to you later,” Boundless Horizon replied.
“No, you’ve misunderstood. If I didn’t trust you, why would I collaborate with you?”
“So, you’ve got some good equipment again?”
“No, it’s not that. I was wondering if your guild is participating in the dungeon competition?” Li Yao was afraid he would continue guessing and quickly clarified.
“Yes, our main team just entered the dungeon.”
“Mmm, I contacted you because I noticed you weren’t in the dungeon. I was curious as to why you’re not directing?”
“Because I invited a better commander who is an expert in devising raid strategies,” the Boundless Horizon explained, “You don’t know about this, but each major guild is giving their all in this competition. Have you noticed fewer professional players and guild members in the individual competition?”
“That’s correct. All the guilds, including ours, are focusing their energy on raiding dungeons. This is the time when the strength of a guild is showcased, not in an individual competition.” Boundless Horizon explained, “Every time I talk about this with you, I get carried away.”
“Ha-ha, this just proves that you consider me as one of your own. Hence, whenever something good happens, I always think of you first,” Li Yao said.
“What’s this good thing, spill.” Boundless Horizon got interested.
“You see, I put together a small team intending to raid this dungeon. We’re still short two players. I wonder if you’re interested,” Li Yao asked, gathering his nerves.
“Bro, you’re clearly asking to borrow my players. So why does it feel like I’m being favored?” Boundless Horizon expressed, half laughing and half crying.
“But I’m also a raid enthusiast. I want us to claim the first kill in the Evil Cave. Since I don’t have a guild right now, we’re practically a pickup group. If you send your players and we get the first kill, wouldn’t your guild benefit?” Li Yao asked.
“Of course I would benefit if we get the first kill. However, you need to understand that the main quest dungeon was opened today and not just the strong teams of Huaxia are participating in the raid. Other administrative regions are also raiding at the same time. All guilds have gathered their strongest members. How can I believe your team can get the first kill?”
Boundless Horizon spoke earnestly: “Bro, I know you’re skilled, but there’s a difference between an individual’s skill and the combination of a team under a commander’s directives.”
“Of course I understand. I’m not promising anything. It’s just a suggestion. If you don’t want to join, it’s okay. I can ask others.” Li Yao knew that Boundless Horizon meant well, but many things couldn’t be explained clearly.
Boundless Horizon interjected, “Wait, don’t jump to conclusions. I’m just telling you about the present dangerous situation. I didn’t say that I wouldn’t participate. So, what positions do you lack? Can I fill in any role?”
“We currently lack a melee DPS and an off-tank,” Li Yao explained.
“Alright, I will bring a tank to the dungeon’s teleportation area immediately,” Boundless Horizon reassured, “I’m not really after the first kill, I’m just doing it to be friends with you.”
He knew very well that no matter how good an individual’s skills are, their role in the dungeon is only a fraction of the team’s. Raiding is not as simple as he thought. He was really trying to befriend Li Yao and that’s why he decided to join in.
“Good. See you at the same Mirror Image location,” Li Yao did not explain further. Even if you guarantee the first kill, you have to earn the trust of others.
Li Yao came back to his storage area to tidy up and gather some necessary potions. He then went to the Mirror Image teleportation area in Undercity.
He communicated with everyone and then teleported to the same Mirror Image. Once there, he assembled the team.
The loot distribution was set to leader distribution.
“I set the distribution role to the leader, any objections?” Li Yao asked, scanning over everyone.
“No objections,” Qin Fengyi and the others didn’t object, naturally.
Big Stone, the off-tank that Boundless Horizon brought with him, grumbled, “Aren’t pickup groups always group distribution? Need-based roll? Aren’t leader distributions just for formal teams?”
“Ahem, can you please keep it down,” Boundless Horizon gave Big Stone a warning look.
Li Yao laughed and said, “Even though we are a pickup group, we should still adhere to the rules of formal teams. Also, Xiayao will be live streaming our raid. Just a heads up, be civilized in the chat. If anyone has any objections, voice them now. Once we’re in the dungeon, you’ll have to follow my command.”
Big Stone once again raised his hand and asked, “Boundless Horizon is a famous commander. Why are you commanding?”
Big Stone was actually quite annoyed. He was supposed to raid the Evil Cave with his secondary team, but Boundless Horizon urgently called him over. He thought it was for something important, but he was unexpectedly asked to join a pickup group. He was the main tank of the elite secondary team of the Brilliant guild.
Here he was in a pickup group, not even as the main tank, only assisting. This baffled and annoyed him. If it weren’t for Boundless Horizon asking for him, he would have left already.
“Because this is my team. What I say, goes. Any other issues?” Li Yao replied nonchalantly.
“Erm, Stone, I already told you the conditions when I asked you to come. If you aren’t willing to come, I’ll ask Strong Son to replace you,” Boundless Horizon was also feeling helpless. He thought Big Stone was a reliable person which was why he asked him. He didn’t expect a usually quiet person to have a temper too.
“No, no, I have no objections.” Big Stone quickly replied.
“Good, now everyone report your main attributes and HP,” Li Yao nodded satisfied.
Starting from Dazed Tongue, everyone reported their attributes and Big Stone’s astonishment grew with each report. Each player had monstrous attributes. And they all seemed to be taking the event seriously now, especially when he heard the attributes of Fruit Knight, which made him realize the Knight’s equipment was even better than his.
“Tongue, your attributes aren’t bad, but they are too mixed. Change to intelligence-based Mage equipment and discard the agility. You’re not doing melee DPS anyway.”
“Guardian Angel, are you joking? You’re a dedicated healer but you’ve sacrificed all your spirit stats for intelligence. Your mana regeneration definitely won’t keep up in a boss fight. You too change your gear and get a stack of spirit potions from the auction house. Otherwise, I’ll have to get a new healer.”
“And Horizon, I know your purple greatsword looks cool, but it’s only level three and you’re already level 10. A level 10 green equip would have better attributes, so go change it.”
“Ahem, do you think everyone can have a purple level-10 weapon like you?” Boundless Horizon chuckled awkwardly and changed his ostentatiously flashy purple greatsword…