"Holy crap!!!"
The effects! The colors! The visuals!
It was a full-on visual assault!
No wonder the ghost had said it was her most precious treasure!
Huh?! What kind of hobby had this ghost had when she was alive?
The two female necromancers were all right. When they stood together, chanting and casting spells, he could at least admire their graceful figures through the glasses. But the pirate girl was something else!
She was a melee class, with Agility as her primary attribute. He watched as she brought along her parrot pet, raised her cutlass, and charged in.
Leader Sun really had picked his teammates well! She darted this way and that, punched and kicked, leaped about, climbed, and soared through the air.
Her attacks were especially broad and forceful! There were vertical splits, horizontal splits, side kicks, and even a flurry of flying kicks!
"Holy crap!"
Sun Busong couldn't think of a better way to describe how he felt right now!
Still, as satisfying as it was to watch, the girls' safety came first. These Undead monsters weren't much of a threat in broad daylight, but he couldn't let those filthy creatures hurt the girls.
After watching the spectacular, uncensored fight for a while, Sun Busong put away the treasure and joined the battle. With him there, the monsters were quickly reduced to piles of bones!
"Nicely done! Your movements were sharp and precise, and your form was excellent. You've clearly been training hard lately. Well done. Once the mission is over, come to my room. I'll personally reward you!"
The three girls were overjoyed, hopping excitedly around like little bunnies.
"If I'd known you'd be hopping around so happily, I wouldn't have put the treasure away so soon! What a waste of those lovely pairs of bunnies!" Sun Busong regretted it so much he could only rub his hands together.
It took Sun Busong and the others just two hours to complete the task the Night Watchers had given them.
After returning to Night Town, Sun Busong met up with Heavy Fist and Usop.
"Sir! The mission is complete."
"Good! Then let's go report the situation to the commander!"
"Understood!"
Inside Commander Althea Eberlock's office.
"Excellent! Sun Busong, I must commend you for everything you've done for Night Town!"
"You completed such a difficult mission in such a short time. I have to say, your Imperial Guard organization has tremendous potential. I'm very impressed with you, and I'm sure our cooperation will only grow more pleasant, with even more opportunities ahead!"
Sun Busong smiled and saluted the commander. "For the prosperity and stability of Night Town, and so the villagers can live happily, the Imperial Guard will gladly do its part and spare no effort!"
A look of approval crossed the commander's face. She patted Sun Busong on the shoulder and said, "From now on, Night Town is your second home. We're all family here. If you need anything, you can come straight to me or the mayor!"
Sun Busong replied with a guilty look, "We've done so little, yet you've shown us such favor, Commander. We feel almost undeserving. It's still early, and we've had plenty of rest. So please, give us our next orders. Assign us the follow-up missions, too. You can trust us to handle them!"
"Hahahaha!"
The commander looked at the three of them and laughed heartily. Her eyes were full of admiration and trust. Then she said, "You're all excellent! Truly excellent. I'll remember your names, Sun Busong, Mr. Tauren Punch Master, and Usop!"
She called each of them by name, studying their faces so she could remember them well.
"You Imperial Guards are all exemplary. I hereby declare that the Imperial Guard and the Night Watchers are allies from this day forward! We'll help one another, cherish one another, develop together, and fight our enemies together!"
After earning the Night Watcher commander's approval, the three of them left her office.
"Boss, we've successfully blended in and infiltrated their ranks. Hahaha!"
"Get lost!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Usop kicked the Tauren in the hoof.
"You should say that we proved ourselves through our actions, earned their acceptance, and showed them we're willing to live and die together! Am I right, sir?"
Sun Busong smiled and nodded. "You're a quick learner!"
"Boss, who's this quick learner?"
"Uh, it means a sensible human."
"What about us Tauren?"
"A sensible Tauren?"
Commander Althea Eberlock had assigned the Imperial Guard four more missions.
1. Find Sven. Go to his farm and look for him. He might have a clue about the necromancer!
2. The situation at Raven Hill remains dire, but we don't have enough people to protect Night Town, let alone deal with Raven Hill. You must hurry to Raven Hill and kill 20 Plague Ghouls in the eastern tomb.
3. Go speak with Shila Warningdy in Night Town. He needs your help.
4. You may have noticed some larger-than-usual werewolves roaming the woods alongside the Night Shadow Weaver Werewolves. As far as we know, most werewolves belong to this group of Night Dark Werewolves.
My people have also spotted them all over the Rotten Orchard southwest of town. These werewolves are tougher than the ones you've encountered before. Go wipe them out.
"Usop, go speak with Shila Warningdy. He's in town. Then head to Sven's farm and find out what's going on. We'll meet up at the inn tonight."
"Yes, sir. I'll get going." Usop didn't bring anyone with him this time. The horse he summoned was much faster than Sun Busong and Heavy Fist's mounts, so he'd take care of the errands.
Next was Mr. Tauren Punch Master.
"Heavy Fist, go kill the Plague Ghouls and werewolves. Take the rest of the Imperial Guard with you. And make sure none of the girls get hurt!"
"Don't worry, boss. I'll be at the front!"
Heavy Fist had no class tradition, but he had high Strength and Stamina, and his equipment was second only to Sun Busong's in the Imperial Guard. High Defense, High Health, high damage!
"I'm counting on you to look after the girls. Go!"
"Yes, sir!"
Now Sun Busong had to go meet that old Hermit.
"Boss, is the Hermit's wine ready?" When he arrived at the inn, Sun Busong went straight to the innkeeper to pick it up.
The innkeeper greeted Sun Busong warmly. He'd heard that this man had led a group called the Imperial Guard and helped many of Night Town's villagers. They'd even formed an alliance with the Night Watchers and would help protect Night Town from now on.
"We're truly grateful to you!"
"I'll make sure to tell Oser of the Night Watchers how many skeletons you killed. The Night Watchers are responsible for protecting the people of Night Town. They'll be glad to hear that you've helped them fight the evil forces in Duskwood!"
"Hahaha, it's only what we should do. But I hope you'll spread the word about us, too. Everyone should know that the Imperial Guard is a steadfast ally of Night Town."
"Hahaha, you can count on it." The innkeeper would've loved to have all the Imperial Guard members move into Night Town—preferably into his inn. That way, he'd be safe.
"From now on, anyone from the Imperial Guard can stay at my inn for free. I won't charge a thing. Hahaha, how could I take money from warriors who fight to protect us?"
"Sir Sun Busong, this is the Zombie Wine I prepared for the Hermit. I'll leave it to you now."
"Hahaha, thank you. I'll be off, then. By the way, I might be back late tonight. Please save me some food and wine for six. Here's the money for the wine in advance."
"I can't take it, I can't! It's just food and wine. I don't need you to pay!" The innkeeper immediately refused when he saw the officer offering money.
"Come on, innkeeper. We're not those Vampire Nobles in Stormwind. If you won't take our money, the Imperial Guard will sleep in the town square tonight!"
The innkeeper took Sun Busong's money and watched him leave, his eyes growing moist. "What a good man! I'll spread their story throughout the surrounding lands. Everyone should know that the Imperial Guard exists so ordinary people like us won't have to suffer, starve, or be enslaved anymore!"
A tiny spark could start a prairie fire. To accomplish great things, you had to build up slowly by starting with the little ones. As Sun Busong rode his not-so-fast mount, he pondered.
"Once the Imperial Guard has made a name for itself, we'll need to recruit more trustworthy teammates. We're seriously short on people. We need to get on that!"
An hour later.
"Hello there, Dwarf warrior. Did you bring the Zombie Wine I asked for?"
As soon as Sun Busong stepped into the cabin, the Hermit warmly greeted him.
"Of course!" Sun Busong was very polite to the old man now. He handed over the wine with both hands.
The old man happily took the wine and immediately gulped down a mouthful. Sun Busong thought the old fellow must've been a Dwarf who had infiltrated human society.
After taking a sip, the old man was overjoyed.
"Hahaha, thank you so much, Sun Busong. Your foolishness—uh, I mean, your kindness—has warmed an old man's heart."
After speaking, he took out a letter and a piece of equipment. "This piece of equipment will suit you well. Consider it a reward. Also, please deliver this letter to Elro Eberlock, the mayor of Night Town. He and I are old friends... I'm sure he'll be as happy as I am when he reads the letter and learns what you've done for me! Hahahaha!"
Sun Busong took the letter and equipment.
Radiant Shield (Blue Gear): Item Level 41. Off-hand Shield 1680 Armor 24 Block Rating +17 Stamina Durability 100 / 100 Required Level 26 Equip: Increases your Block Rating by 15.
The item's stats were good, but Sun Busong had never planned to use a shield. Still, the shield could be used by the Tauren or Usop. Better to have it than not. Sun Busong had always thought the old fellow was all talk, but he'd ended up getting a decent piece of equipment from him.
"Thanks for the reward. I'll take my leave. If you need help again, look for someone with the same insignia as me. We're called the Imperial Guard!" The old man had a decent reputation, so Sun Busong made sure to get in an advertisement before leaving.
"I'll remember you, your insignia, and the Imperial Guard!"
By the time Sun Busong left the old man's cabin, it was getting late. He spurred his mount on, hoping to make it back to the inn before dinner.
By the time he reached the inn, it was just about dinnertime. Tauren Punch Master had already returned with a group of girls. (There were six girls: a pirate, necromancers, and an Arcane Mage. The two Fidia Black Guards were men!)
"Boss! We've completed the Undead-slaying mission, and some of us even leveled up. Hahaha!"
Heavy Fist was in a great mood. By the time Sun Busong arrived, he was already drinking at a table in the inn, surrounded by a bunch of girls who were busy serving him food and pouring him wine!
"That Tauren's asking for trouble! He actually went and did what I've always wanted to do but never dared!"
Sun Busong felt a little down. He was a man who had big things to accomplish, so he had to be strict with himself, set an example, and know when to hold back. That was why he was usually so serious and composed in formal settings.
As a result, the girls were rather distant with him. It wasn't that they were truly distant, just that they respected and admired him so much that they worried he'd look down on them if they acted too frivolously in front of their leader!
Good heavens! Sun Busong had really only wanted to show off. If showing off meant the girls would keep their distance, he'd rather not do it at all!
"Hmm, very good. You've all worked hard. The guard unit will cover everyone's expenses tonight. Don't be shy—have fun however you like!"
Sun Busong sat in the seat Heavy Fist had just occupied. The girls had moved a little farther away to show their respect for him.
"Sit, sit! Why are you being so formal with me? We're all on the same team. When we're on a mission, we need to be disciplined and serious, and I might be strict with you. But now it's time to rest, eat, and have fun. Relax and don't treat me like your leader. Think of me as a straight-laced big brother, a trusted friend, someone you can lean on!"
"Look at Mr. Heavy Fist. He's doing a great job. He'll get me a cup, pour me a drink, and—holy crap! Why are you drinking it yourself?"
"This is my cup! The other one broke by accident!" the Tauren explained.
"I... you... bakayaro!" Sun Busong was so furious he could barely speak. He stood up and kicked the Tauren, then snatched his wine cup.
The girls burst into laughter at their leader's antics with Mr. Heavy Fist. They laughed so hard their bodies shook, and their bunnies bounced up and down.
If Sun Busong hadn't worked so hard to suppress the lewd thoughts in his heart, he would've put on the treasure, Mary's Glasses, long ago.
Sun Busong's efforts paid off. The girls finally loosened up a little, especially the pirate who'd gone on the mission with him that day. Once she got drunk, her dancing had a special allure.
Sun Busong cried out inwardly that he couldn't take it, but he didn't look away for even a second!
The innkeeper was happy, too. There had been murders in Night Town for some time, and several areas outside town had already fallen under the control of Undead monsters.
It had been a long time since the inn had been so lively and cheerful.
Many thanks to the readers who stuck with me. Thanks again to [I Can't Believe I'm Reading the Original], [Ice Like Silk Around My Fingers], [I Never Pay for Books], [The Protagonist's Background Character], and the others for their recommendation tickets. And special thanks to the big shot [David 107] for 17 recommendation tickets!
My deepest thanks!
Before you continue