Chapter 101: Fierce Battle with the Mermaid

Damn it! Could it be that I’m mistaken—that these two are just NPCs? Otherwise, how could their damage be so high?

But there was no time to dwell on that now. Lu Kuan immediately activated Arcane Shot. Before using up all 100 energy points, three players had already fallen to the ground.

The entire process took only seven seconds. Lu Kuan fired eight feathered arrows, while only one of the opposing players—a monk—reacted quickly enough to dodge the first arrow. Sensing the danger, he turned and fled, barely saving his life.

The players watching from a distance felt a chill run down their spines and instinctively kept their distance from Lu Kuan.

“I never realized before, but you’ve got quite the temper,” Old Blind Eye remarked calmly, standing nearby as he witnessed Lu Kuan swiftly dispatch several players. He clicked his tongue in approval.

Lu Kuan smiled faintly but said nothing. These people clearly meant trouble. Were they just waiting for him to make the first move? The best strategy was to wait until they got close, then strike with a deadly blow.

With that thought, Lu Kuan glanced down at his gloves, a look of satisfaction crossing his face.

The effects of the Orc Vanguard Wraps were unmistakable. Now, when facing players with average gear, as long as luck was on his side, a one-shot kill was no longer a dream.

The only downside was that by killing three players, Lu Kuan had turned red-named—he could no longer enter the city.

“Forget it, finish the quest first,” he muttered, not paying it much mind. He and Old Blind Eye pressed onward. Soon enough, as expected, Old Blind Eye found a concealed spot along a lake bay to enter the water.

“Stay close to me once we’re in the water. Keep pace with me—both speed and depth,” Old Blind Eye instructed seriously.

Lu Kuan nodded in understanding. Old Blind Eye took a deep breath and dove into the water with a powerful stroke. Lu Kuan popped a bottle of underwater breathing potion and followed swiftly.

At noon, the temperature of the lake was just right—above the rippling waves, below an unfathomable depth. Diving through such an environment was exhilarating and unique.

But Lu Kuan didn’t get distracted by the scenery. He knew the lake’s calm surface hid lurking dangers.

Old Blind Eye’s route was deliberate—sometimes surfacing to swim, other times diving down ten meters or more below. Shadows of unknown creatures occasionally drifted through the water, but one man and one fish always seemed “lucky” enough to avoid them.

As Lu Kuan swam, he carefully observed the map and recorded their course in his player log.

This was invaluable information. The creatures in this water were high-level, and many treasures were hidden here. If a safe path could be developed, its value would be immeasurable.

Twenty minutes later, Old Blind Eye was still leading ahead. It felt as though one man and one fish might keep swimming forever; the lake’s waters ahead seemed endless.

Lu Kuan’s stamina was nearly depleted. He had already taken out a basic stamina potion, holding it between his teeth, ready to gulp it down at any moment.

Just then, he noticed Old Blind Eye slowing his pace and waving to him, beginning to ascend. Moments later, two heads broke the surface, one behind the other.

“Pfft...” Lu Kuan wiped his face, treading water as he looked around. The shore was just about a hundred meters ahead, but thick white mist obscured the details.

“There may be guards from our tribe on the shore,” Old Blind Eye said gravely, staring into the dense fog. “The fish mint grows on the island in the center of the lake, but the mist there is even thicker and highly toxic. Only aquatic creatures can survive going in.”

Lu Kuan nodded in acknowledgment. They had already laid out a detailed plan in the appraisal office.

Old Blind Eye would gather the fish mint while Lu Kuan fended off any approaching fishmen. Once the task was done, they would escape as quickly as possible.

After reaffirming the details, they submerged again, silently approaching the lake’s central island.

Old Blind Eye had warned that the fishmen’s guards possessed keen senses. As soon as they stepped onto the island, they would be detected. So once out of the water, they would abandon stealth and sprint at full speed.

The real test was about to begin.

“Howl...”

“Wulala-gula!”

Lu Kuan soon heard strange, piercing cries from his weapon, echoing from all directions. Moments later, several small figures appeared suddenly in his sight!

“Watch out!” Lu Kuan shouted, warning Old Blind Eye as he unleashed feathered arrows held tightly in his hand, shooting them with lightning speed!

“Whoosh! Thud!”

“Gulala!”

The fishmen were short in stature. One arrow sent them tumbling, rolling into the mist, never to rise again.

“System notification: You have killed a fishman scout. Gained 2 experience points and 1 reputation point with Clearwater Village.”

Lu Kuan was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected fishmen to grant reputation with Clearwater Village.

But there was no time to ponder that. Running and shooting, his feathered arrows seemed to have eyes of their own—every time several fishmen jumped out, a few would fall the next second. The scene was intense.

Old Blind Eye was just as fierce. Wielding two short swords, he moved with deadly grace. Most fishmen guards were only half his height and no match for his blades.

“You fools! Cowards! Why do you serve Yuka?! Urawala!” Old Blind Eye seemed possessed by some emotion, his swords flashing wildly, turning many former comrades into ghosts beneath his blades.

With their combined efforts, they advanced swiftly. The island was small, and soon Lu Kuan saw the “central location” Old Blind Eye had mentioned.

It was striking. The mist ahead grew darker, finally turning into a large mass of deep red fog.

The red mist, like storm clouds in the sky, rolled and churned under some unknown force—mysterious and terrifying.

Around the red fog, towering stone walls and twisted vines could be faintly seen. But within the mist, both stone and plants were pitch black.

“Pfft!”

“-200!”

A feathered arrow pierced a fishman’s skull, instantly killing the grunts. Lu Kuan kicked the corpse aside and looked at Old Blind Eye.

“This is it,” Old Blind Eye said, staring at the surging red fog, unusually tense. He let out a breath. “Hold on as long as you can. Wait for me to come out!”

With that, the old fishman plunged headfirst into the mist and vanished instantly.

According to Old Blind Eye, the red fog was emitted by the fish mint. It was highly toxic to land creatures, but that poison could neutralize the toxin from the saber-toothed tiger lightning strike.

But this was only Old Blind Eye’s claim. Lu Kuan had been fooled by NPCs more than once in his past life.

Hesitating briefly, Lu Kuan removed his gloves and slowly extended his index finger into the red mist.