The four of them headed into the forest together.
The mountains were green, the streams babbled, and the paths were rugged.
An hour later.
Shen Ye was almost starting to gasp for breath, but his three companions still strode along as swiftly as if they were walking on level ground.
He couldn't even hear them breathing!
Shen Ye had no choice but to put that one Attribute Point into Agility to ease the embarrassment of his failing stamina.
Another half hour passed.
Just as Shen Ye felt he was about to give himself away, at last-
A sentry post appeared ahead.
Everyone stopped.
As Shen Ye quietly steadied his breathing, he almost wanted to kneel and thank the heavens.
"Listen, you need the village chief's permission to enter the village. There's no risk at this stage. You just need to show him your medal."
The "elf" leading the group spoke.
"Then what is risky?" Shen Ye asked.
"The assassination tonight, of course. According to the plan, the three of us will cover you outside. You'll carry out the killing," the other replied.
"Kill that chief? Me?" Shen Ye asked again.
"Yes. There'll be a welcome dance tonight. We'll get the chief drunk, and then it's up to you."
All three companions stared at him.
Shen Ye puffed out his chest and sneered.
"My blade is already thirsting for blood. Leave this mission to me."
The three nodded in satisfaction.
After walking a little farther, the four arrived at the sentry post.
Two long-eared elves in dark green leather armor stood atop it, holding spears, hunting bows at their waists and mountain eagles perched on their shoulders.
The "elf" at the front stepped forward and pointed at Shen Ye.
"Our companion has arrived. Please let him into the village."
Both elves on the sentry post looked at Shen Ye.
Shen Ye held his head high and showed them the silver medal.
"So, a brave soldier from the front."
"But like the others, you'll need to see the chief before you can stay."
"Of course, of course."
One sentry jumped down and led the four into the village.
At first, Shen Ye had thought the elves all lived in tree houses as crude as the sentry post. Once he entered the village, however, he discovered how wrong he had been.
The elves' houses looked a little like the ancient temple complexes on Blue Star in his previous life.
Carved beams, painted rafters, red walls, and green roof tiles were everywhere, with all sorts of small guardian beasts standing on the rooftops.
A fountain stood in the middle of the village.
Four glowing statues of ancient trees towered over the water, radiating powerful fluctuations of energy.
On closer inspection, the village's buildings were magnificent, but there weren't many of them.
The Elven race's greatest weakness was its small population, which forced it to form alliances and unite with other races.
The three elves stopped in front of a building displaying pictures of fruit and wine cups.
Shen Ye looked up and saw a line in the Elves language on the building.
He couldn't read it, but through the windows he could see many elves resting and eating inside, with some even drinking and dancing.
It was probably a dining hall.
Or perhaps a bar.
"Go see the chief, brother. We'll rest here and wait for you," said the leading "elf."
"All right," Shen Ye said.
He followed the sentry to the largest building in the village.
"Please come in. The chief knows you've arrived. He's waiting for you."
The sentry bowed and spoke respectfully.
"Thank you," Shen Ye said.
The sentry withdrew.
Shen Ye was left alone.
He took a deep breath and slowly entered the temple-like hall.
There was no one else in the hall, only a male elf with long golden hair standing in the center, holding a book and studying its pages intently.
He wore a magnificent purple robe inlaid with multicolored gems and beads, with a mirror-like dagger hanging at his waist.
-Was this the person I'm supposed to assassinate?
Shen Ye wondered.
He was just about to speak when a line of small, glowing text appeared in the air:
"Your 'Gate' comes with an epithet appraisal ability, so you can see the epithets possessed by other beings."
Epithets?
Shen Ye suddenly noticed a line of epithets appearing above the elf chief's head:
"Spirit of Ten Thousand Forests, heir to the Ancient Tree Throne, Nature Law Master who could face ten thousand alone, Grand Arcane Master, guardian of the Nightmare Magic Realm, Fifth of the World's Heads."
Seemingly noticing Shen Ye's gaze, the elf chief closed his book and smiled gently at him.
"Welcome, soldier from the front."
Shen Ye's expression went blank.
-Holy jumping hell, that scared the crap out of me.
What epithet did I have again?
Right, I'm a Polite Person.
"Polite Person" was going to assassinate "Spirit of Ten Thousand Forests, heir to the Ancient Tree Throne, Nature Law Master who could face ten thousand alone, Grand Arcane Master, guardian of the Nightmare Magic Realm, Fifth of the World's Heads" tonight.
Beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful!
This was just like-
Starting elementary school and being tested on relativity in the first lesson.
A new recruit going to war, only for the enemy to drop a nuclear bomb.
Entering a game's beginner village and running into the final boss around the corner.
That summed up Shen Ye's thoughts on tonight's assassination.
-Was this reasonable?
No, it wasn't.
But could I escape?
I could surrender.
But there are still three "companions" outside watching me at all times.
If I surrender, what will they do to me?
Maybe I'll end up the same way.
"Young and valiant soldier, please enjoy a good rest in our village."
With a wave of the elf chief's hand, a soft white light enveloped and supported Shen Ye.
His thoughts in turmoil, Shen Ye was about to speak.
-But it was too late.
He found himself transported to the dining hall, already seated beside a broad oak table.
The table was piled with fruit, pastries, and clear glasses filled with fine wine.
His three accomplices sat around the table.
"Eat. It's still early. We can rest a while," the leader told Shen Ye, holding a wineglass.
Shen Ye fell silent for a moment, then picked up a banana and peeled it while surveying his surroundings out of the corner of his eye.
Rain began falling outside.
In elven culture, rain was a blessing bestowed upon living beings by nature.
The elves cheered happily, drinking, singing, and dancing.
A cheerful atmosphere filled the dining hall.
Shen Ye took a bite of banana and stole a glance at his three accomplices.
One was drinking, one was pretending to sleep, and the other was intently reading a book.
-They might as well have written "Do not disturb" on their faces.
Shen Ye looked at the other elves.
The elves sang happily, occasionally inviting those beside them to share a drink or taking their hands to dance.
...Elves were a race that deeply respected privacy and valued personal space.
His three accomplices looked so unapproachable that naturally no one dared bother them.
But why isn't anyone inviting me?
Shen Ye's gaze roamed.
Suddenly, his eyes met those of an elven girl.
She was the most beautiful female elf there. Noticing his gaze, she turned to glance at him, smiled faintly, and deftly looked away.
But Shen Ye persisted in staring at her.
A while later.
The elven girl seemed to come to some understanding. She approached gracefully, stood beside Shen Ye, and held out her hand, her face full of shyness.
"Uncle, may I have this dance?"
Uncle...
Do I look that old?
But according to elven rules, only adults could go to war.
Seen that way, he did seem a little older than her.
"Of course, but I'm not very good at dancing," Shen Ye said.
"It's fine. I can lead you." The elven girl playfully stuck out her tongue.
Shen Ye stood up and glanced at his three companions.
They were still drinking, pretending to sleep, and reading.
-Will the three of them still be acting like this when I'm assassinating the elf chief?
Shen Ye took the elven girl's small hand, slowly rose, and followed her past the round tables.
"What dances do you know?" Shen Ye asked as they walked.
"All of them. If you don't know how, I can teach you," the girl said confidently.
She's already worrying that I can't dance.
Tsk.
Shen Ye smiled. "Thank you."
Just then, he walked behind the drunken "elf." As he spoke, he put his only Attribute Point into Agility-
He almost drew the pistol from his clothes, aimed at the back of his accomplice's head, and pulled the trigger without a second's hesitation.
He held himself back.
After all, he had never practiced shooting, and his target was an undead.
Big Skeleton had killed that assassin without taking a scratch, and that assassin had known how to use a gun.
So a gun might be useless.
What about a shortsword?
I don't know swordsmanship.
What should I do?
"Why aren't you speaking? Your brothers are like that too. Was the fighting on the front so terrible that it hurt your mind?"
The elven girl asked softly.
She led Shen Ye toward the dance floor ahead.
The surrounding elves amiably cleared a path.
Looking at her exquisitely beautiful face, Shen Ye thought it was a shame he was about to go to his death. If not for all this bullshit, how wonderful it would be to sing and dance to his heart's content.
Damn it!
I want to dance with an elven girl!
He abruptly made up his mind.
"What's your name?" Shen Ye asked.
"Lanny."
"Lanny, listen. I know a magic trick."
"Hahaha, really? That sounds so fun. Hurry, show me."
"Not without a reward."
"Here, this is my bracelet-but let me make this clear: if your trick isn't good, I'm taking it back."
"No problem. Watch closely," Shen Ye said.
He accepted her bracelet and noticed that the surrounding elves had all turned to look.
-Everyone had heard his conversation with Lanny.
This soldier from the front knew magic tricks?
They would have to see for themselves.