A Revelation at the City Gates

Having devised a solution, Ye Jue immediately spoke in the party channel:

“Do you see the city gate guards? We’ve returned with their quest objective, so they’re sure to help us out.”

Lin Shenyue inquired, “What should we do?”

“Tell Chris that we’ve arrived,” Ye Jue instructed. “When he sees the guards, he’ll definitely call for help. That way, we’ll both be temporarily safe.”

Observing the ‘exchanging glances’ between the two, the leader of the opposing group, who was not unintelligent, instantly questioned, “What are you two whispering about?”

Ye Jue quickly commanded in the party, “Act fast.” Without another word, he charged directly towards the opponents, his voice cold as he declared, “We’re discussing how to kill you.”

However, just before making contact, he abruptly halted his charge, stopping mere inches from the leader.

The leader’s face darkened, and he roared in fury, “How dare they strike first! Brothers, get them!”

Most of their dozen-plus members were Warriors and Mages, with very few other classes. This was largely due to these two professions being easier to level up in the early game and having a greater demand for party roles. Scarce and difficult-to-level classes like Priests and Assassins were entirely absent from their small group.

It was precisely because they lacked an Assassin that Lin Shenyue was safe for the moment; otherwise, she would have been constantly wary of an Assassin appearing to attack her at any time.

Seeing that Ye Jue had drawn all the aggro, Lin Shenyue swiftly cast a Holy Light Protection on him. Simultaneously, she spoke to Chris, “The city gate is just ahead, but we’re being targeted by some enemies. See if you can find anyone familiar to help us.”

Chris hesitated. NPCs typically did not interfere in conflicts between players. However, perhaps due to his high affinity for Lin Shenyue and the fact that they were attacked while escorting him, he ultimately did not refuse and gazed towards the city gate.

“Uncle Hans, quickly, come help us!” The moment Chris spotted the squad leader, he recognized him and urgently shouted.

The city gate guard’s squad leader was startled upon hearing the cry. He then looked towards Lin Shenyue’s group and, seeing Chris (and the two others) under siege, flew into a rage.

“Damned fanatics! How dare you attack us! You two, stay here and guard the gate. I’ll deal with them!”

The city gate guards were level 40, and Hans, their squad leader, was an astonishing level 50. In the early stages of the game, this represented an insurmountable force for players.

Upon realizing their party had provoked an NPC, the several players instantly panicked. They scattered and fled in haste, but Hans pursued them, cutting each one down with a single strike and sending them all back to the resurrection point.

Furthermore, because they had actively attacked an NPC, they would be arrested by the city guards and thrown into a jail cell for several days after resurrecting. In the crucial early game, this was tantamount to being crippled.

Since Ye Jue had stopped his attack at the last moment, he was considered the party that was attacked first. Consequently, he did not turn ‘yellow-named’. After turning yellow, NPCs would not actively attack players, but they would be wary of them, and quests would temporarily be unobtainable. (Players’ names are normally white. If they actively attack others, their names turn yellow. If they kill someone after actively attacking them, their names turn red, which is known as ‘red-named’.)

Hans first nodded to Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue, then frowned, asking, “Chris, why are you here? Where is your father?” As Hans finished speaking, he noticed Chris fall silent, and his expression subtly changed.

“What happened? Could it be that our fears have come true?!”

Chris’s eyes welled up, and he choked out, “Father, Village Chief Grandpa, and all the uncles and aunties… they’re all dead…”

Hans felt a sudden ‘buzz’ in his mind, and the world seemed to spin. His eyes widened, and he stammered, “Are you saying… our village… is gone?!”

Chris silently nodded. After confirming this devastating news, even a hardened man like Hans instantly broke down in tears. He roared in fury, “Who? Who did it? Was it them…?” He cast his gaze towards the skeleton soldiers outside the city.

Chris could only nod silently. For her, the time for profound grief had passed long ago, so revisiting it merely brought a fleeting sadness. However, for Hans, who was hearing the news for the first time, it was nothing short of a thunderbolt.

Hans angrily glared outside the city walls, yet felt utterly powerless.

Seeing Hans’s distress, Lin Shenyue offered comfort, “We will help you avenge them. Although we don’t know the exact culprits, that won’t stop us from slowly searching for them.”

Hans paused, then his face lit up with joy. “Thank you both. Due to my duties, I cannot leave the city gate for long. I hope you can help us.”

“Ding! Congratulations on completing the quest ‘Investigate the Village’. You have gained 130,000 (110,000) experience, 10 gold coins, and 1 skill point.”

“Do you accept the main quest branch: ‘The Demon Race’s Intentions’?” Lin Shenyue and Ye Jue, after a moment of surprise, both clicked ‘Yes’. This was the greatest distinction of Divine Realm.

Even if one person accepted a main quest, the main quest would have numerous branches, offering generous rewards to other players and preventing any single guild from dominating the game.

Hans nodded and looked at Chris, asking, “Chris, what do you plan to do? Will you stay with us?”

Chris hesitated, then firmly declared, “I want to follow this older sister and personally avenge my father.”

Hans looked at the resolute Chris and sighed. “Alright then, Chris, I’ll entrust her to you.”

Lin Shenyue nodded in response. “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her.”

Hans then returned to his post. He still needed to organize this news before informing his fellow villagers who were also his comrades in arms.

Lin Shenyue looked at Chris hesitantly and asked, “Are you sure you want to follow me?”

Chris paused, then leaned close to Lin Shenyue’s ear and whispered, “Actually, I’m a girl. It wouldn’t be convenient to stay with Uncle Hans and the others.”

Lin Shenyue stared at Chris in shock. Seeing Chris motion for her not to reveal it, she silently swallowed her words.

Ye Jue, standing nearby, watched the stunned Lin Shenyue with curiosity. Since Chris had whispered directly into Lin Shenyue’s ear, he hadn’t heard what was said, but judging by Lin Shenyue’s shocked expression, it must have been a significant revelation.

Chris finally smiled. “My name is Chris. Please guide me.”