Chen Nian sent a private message.
"I'm a high-level mage looking for a dungeon party."
The other party replied immediately.
"What level? How much attack?"
Chen Nian thought about the average stats of the current top-tier players and replied.
"Level 50, 100 attack."
"I'll send you the location. Hurry over!"
Chen Nian received the invitation and immediately headed for the coordinates.
Dungeons were something you could only stumble upon, not seek out.
They were usually hidden somewhere, waiting for someone lucky to discover them. The rewards for clearing them were extremely generous, and everyone flocked to them.
Chen Nian was no exception. How great would it be to tag along in someone else's dungeon and gain a few levels without using too much power!
In short, he just had to coast along.
A party of six stood in a corner of the Gloomy Forest.
"Haha, a mage is coming."
"You're awesome, boss! You've hooked another big fish!"
"Boss, you're a damn genius for coming up with this! I'd call you the biggest-brained player!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The group laughed without restraint as they waited for the fish to come to them.
Qiu Ya was the first fish they had lured over.
Her talent was Spirit Envoy, which allowed her to use healing abilities. She had come after seeing someone recruiting members for a dungeon raid.
She hadn't expected to have underestimated just how treacherous the world was!
There really was a dungeon here, but these people weren't sincerely recruiting teammates. They were coercing people through force.
Anyone who came would become their "fish."
Now, an "Explosive Talisman" had already been placed on Qiu Ya's back, and she didn't dare make any rash moves.
"Bitch, you'd better keep your mouth shut later, or you'll be the first to die!" the bald man threatened viciously.
Qiu Ya: ...
These people were thugs who had spent years hanging around internet cafés. All they did every day was smoke, drink, and go online. Now that the game had merged with the world, it had given them a chance to make it big.
First exploit them, then kill them and take their belongings.
Was there any faster way to get rich? Taking ready-made equipment and materials off other people felt absolutely amazing!
"He's here. Get ready!"
Seeing a figure approaching, they immediately got ready and went forward to greet him with smiles all over their faces.
Yes, Chen Nian had arrived.
"Bro, you're that mage? We've finally got you here. Come on over!"
"Oh, I can tell just from your face that you're reliable, bro. You must be really strong!"
"The dungeon is right inside. Get ready, everyone. We'll clear it together in a bit, and we're sure to get some good stuff."
Chen Nian noticed that everyone was incredibly welcoming toward him.
Only one girl kept frantically signaling him with her eyes, blinking so much that they seemed to be twitching.
Qiu Ya didn't want him falling into their trap. She could no longer fight back herself, so all she could do was pin her hopes on the newcomer. That was why she kept frantically signaling him.
[There's something wrong with them. They're not good people!]
[Whatever you do, don't fall into their trap, or we're finished!]
[Please understand what I mean! Aaaaah!]
Her eyes were full of these messages.
Yet the response she got was:
"Is something wrong with this girl's eyes?"
Qiu Ya froze, nearly dying of anger on the spot!
How can this guy completely miss my hints? And he's saying there's something wrong with my eyes? There's something wrong with your whole family! I'm so mad! Fine, fine, fine, now we're all screwed together.
"Ahem!"
The bald man noticed something was going on and shot Qiu Ya a vicious glare.
Then he laughed loudly. "Bro, here's the dungeon! Look, the entrance."
Chen Nian looked. It really was a dungeon entrance, a space of swirling chaos.
"Bro, this dungeon should be pretty high-level. Let's buff ourselves before going in. My ability is Talisman Master."
"Talisman Master?"
Chen Nian raised an eyebrow.
That was a rare talent, and quite powerful, with a comprehensive range of functions. It could support teammates as well as deal damage.
"That's right. Come on, bro. Stand still."
"Sure."
Qiu Ya watched it happen, powerless to do anything but sigh.
The bald man pressed his palm against Chen Nian's back, channeled supernatural power into it, and traced out strokes.
"Okay, done!"
The bald man clapped his hands in satisfaction, and the others exchanged knowing smiles.
"Bro, I've inscribed an Explosive Talisman on your back. From now on, you have to obey my every command. Otherwise... hehe, all I have to do is snap my fingers, and you'll be blown to bits."
"Sorry, bro. We're doing this to get stronger and save the world, too. We'll just have to ask you to make a sacrifice."
For a moment, Chen Nian almost failed to keep a straight face.
An Explosive Talisman?
That thing would probably need ten times its power just to break through my defenses...
"Ah!"
Qiu Ya shook her head with a long sigh, knowing it was all over.
No matter how much we beg now, these people won't let us go. They're outlaws to begin with.
But she hadn't expected the newcomer to take it so well. He raised both hands and said helplessly:
"All right, what do you want me to do?"
"Come into the dungeon with us first. Move! You two go in first!"
Chen Nian was shoved to the front.
The girl who had been frantically signaling him was also pushed up front.
Looks like we're in the same boat.
"All right, all right, into the dungeon. You want us to pioneer the route, huh?" Without hesitation, Chen Nian stepped straight into the dungeon entrance.
"You too. Get in!"
Qiu Ya was also forced into the dungeon. She stumbled once after entering and rolled her eyes at Chen Nian.
She muttered, "Now we're finished..."
As soon as he entered, Chen Nian understood why he had been captured. This was a trap-based dungeon, and without someone scouting ahead, it was easy to fall victim.
And this girl and I have become the little lambs scouting the way.
Fine, I'll play along. Let's get to the boss first.
Holding a dungeon map, the bald man ordered:
"There's an arrow trap ahead. Step on one of those floor tiles, and that stone lion will shoot poisoned arrows from its mouth. You two, go find a safe route!"
Qiu Ya was still hesitating when she saw the man stride forward without the slightest hesitation.
Is he insane?
"Watch out for the arrows!" she shouted instinctively.
Chen Nian's agility stat was quite high. He dodged easily and kept walking, soon scouting out a safe path.
At the end of the traps was a treasure chest.
"Hahahaha, are you really a mage? How are you so agile? Let me see what's in the chest."
"Holy shit, high-level rare equipment! We hit the jackpot!"
"Good work. Keep going."
The bald man urged Chen Nian onward. He was clearly delighted, and the others were in good spirits too.
The dungeon was riddled with traps. Without someone scouting ahead to die in their place, how could they possibly get through without any pressure?
Chen Nian took the lead of his own accord the whole way.
All the different traps were like children's toys to him, and he dodged every one with ease.
Qiu Ya was dumbfounded.
I never expected him to be so good at dodging traps...
But what good does that do?
Once the dungeon is cleared, we still won't be able to escape!