Chapter 5: Gnomes

System: Unique Quest "Sherlock's Request" completed. Rewarding 2000 EXP, 20 Free Mastery Points, 1 [Luxurious Ornament Box].

[Due to Supreme's Blessings the reward will be amplified:

Rewarding 20000 EXP

200 Free Mastery Points

1 [Extravagant Ornament Box]

]

Reading this Shi Feng was dumbfounded.

"So this it what it means when it said that everything I get will be 10x better."

He felt happy somehow nervous what kind of rewards will he get from the ornament box. This is the first time he saw that kind of box. He told zero to accept the Extravagant Ornament Box. It materialized in Shi Feng's hand, when he opened it the box bathed in golden light.

When the light faded he saw a ring with several inscriptions. He was glad it was still the Ring of Gravity, even though he don't need it anymore to go to a place he wants to. He planned to give to Blackie to bring him to a place where he can help him level up much faster.

[Ring of Gravity] (Fine-Gold Rank)

Equipment Level: 0

All Stats +20

Additional Skill: 'Gravity Liberation'. Greatly reduces the gravity acting upon the user. Duration 1 minute. Cooldown 3 minutes.

"Great! It's not just Bronze rank." After reading the item's introduction, Shi Feng became extremely excited. The situation was far better than he had expected.

The Equipment in God's Domain was categorized into Trash, Common, Bronze, Mysterious-Iron, Secret-Silver, Fine-Gold, Dark-Gold, and Epic.

At the start of the game, players only received Trash Equipment from the System. This equipment was utterly worthless. At this stage of the game, however, there were no players who possessed Common Equipment. While you could buy Common Equipment in large cities, the prices were costly. As for Bronze ranked, those were extremely rare and they also came with additional attributes. Mysterious-Iron Equipment, however, only dropped from Bosses and, needless to say, they were even more precious.

In Shi Feng's previous life, the Ring of Gravity obtained by the player was only Bronze ranked. It gave only an additional 1 point to Strength. The skill 'Gravity Liberation,' as well, only lasted for 15 seconds. It was a surprise to Shi Feng that completing the Quest at Level 0 would earn him a Fine-Gold Ring of Gravity.

The second and last item he saw was the one he felt that is more precious than the ring. It was a skill book for a swordsman.

[Void Strike] (Action-type)

Requires: Sword

Sucks all enemies towards you. Damage 230%. Every enemy sucked towards you will amplify your damage by 5% for 20 seconds

Cooldown: 30 seconds

When Shi Feng saw this he was so happy that he wanted to scream his lungs off. This skill will be perfect for war to top it off it has a low cooldown time meaning enemies will have no escape from him. Calming down, Shi Feng decides to go to the to the Trade Area. He remembers there is a sword skill prize and he wanted to get it.

Walking along the Trade Area he saw many players either buying or selling things.

"Buying herbs at a high price, contact me directly if you have any."

"Buying ores; rip-offs can stay away."

"Sincerely buying high ranking equipment. Price is negotiable. Willing to pay with Credits."

Many logistics staffers of Workshops and Guilds had set up a small stall by the roadside of the Trade Area. They were mainly here to buy items and equipment.

Shi Feng quickly headed towards a two-storied building without halting. High-ranking Gnomes guarded the building, and above the building read 'Black Market'. This place was the dark side of Red Leaf Town and it was a place of entertainment built by the greedy Gnomes.

The Gnome's Auction House could be seen just after entering the Black Market. Going down along the basement staircase led to two empty fields; one was the Battle Arena, while the other was the field for the Challenge Race.

At the moment, several players were standing in front of the field. They were receiving the Gnomes' challenge.

"Good luck! You have to succeed this time!"

"Good luck! Stomp those Gnomes!"

A few players were currently cheering with all their might for an Assassin player that stood on the field. Their reddened eyes made them look no different than crazed gamblers.

The Challenge Race could be considered a testing grounds for a player's capabilities. Once a player entered the trial grounds, all their Attributes would be fixed at 10 points, their skills disabled, and their equipment rendered useless. Within the 30-yards-long and 10-yards-wide field, players were only allowed to block or dodge the incoming shots from the Gnome's muskets. A victory would ensue once players arrived at the finishing point.

The Gnomes gave out three ranks of challenges: Copper Prize, Silver Prize, and Gold Prize. After a challenge was completed, there would be a three-day cooldown. There was a fee of 5 Coppers for the Copper Prize, 5 Silvers for the Silver Prize, and 5 Gold for the Gold Prize. Naturally, the higher ranked the challenge, the greater the prize. There was even the chance of obtaining a Dark-Gold Equipment.

However, if a player obtained the First Clear for the challenge in Red Leaf Town, the reward of Copper Prize may be comparable even to the Silver Prize.

After a short while, the Assassin on the field was struck. His body lay at the 20-yards mark, still ten yards away from the final point.

"Despicable. Just a little bit more. Do you guys still have money? I'll definitely clear it the next time." The male Assassin said after reviving from the field.

A male Cleric shook his head saying, "Boss Stabbing Heart, the five of us have already given you all our money. We don't have anymore."

The Assassin named Stabbing Heart shifted his gaze onto Shi Feng. After sizing Shi Feng up, his eyes revealed a gaze as if they had just found prey. With a smile, he walked up to Shi Feng and said, "Nice to meet you, friend. I'm Stabbing Heart, Assassin Squad Leader of the [Assassin's Alliance]. Lend 5 Coppers to me and I'll return 20 Coppers to you tomorrow. How about it?"

Stabbing Heart was just ten yards away from the final point this time, so he was unwilling to accept defeat. He had already figured out some of the challenge's patterns; he would be able to clear it if given another chance. Hence, he thought of using his Guild's name to shock and awe Shi Feng into lending him 5 Coppers.

"5 Coppers is it?" After some thinking, Shi Feng answered: "I can lend you the 5 Coppers, but you have to pay back 50 Coppers tomorrow."

Stabbing Heart was surprised. He was Stabbing Heart, the Assassin's Alliance's famous Assassin Squad Leader. However, Shi Feng's uncourteous reaction was completely different than what he had imagined it would be. Could Shi Feng be a rookie gamer?

Seeing Stabbing Heart staying silent, Shi Feng asked, "Still borrowing?"

"I'll borrow." Stabbing Heart wanted to weep. Other players would be going 'Expert, expert!' when they met him, yet Shi Feng showed no such reaction. However, when he thought about the bountiful reward awaiting him, even 50 Coppers was worth it.

"Here's 5 Coppers. Let's add each other as friends. Don't forget to return 50 Coppers to me tomorrow." Shi Feng took 5 Coppers

Shi Feng then watched Stabbing Heart to challenge the race again only to fail at the same position where he failed last time.

Stabbing Heart said dejectedly.

"Boss Stabbing Heart it's okay, why don't we come back next time I'm sure no one can defeat that challenge in the meantime." the male Cleric said

While they were comforting the Assassin, Shi Feng walked to the counter and gave the copper coins to attempt the challenge.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new challenger on the field. Please let us welcome this brave Swordsman." The gnome loudly announced.

"Boss Stabbing Heart, the kid that lent you money is participating in the Challenge Race," the male Cleric pointed out.

"That kid's just a rookie. Does he think the Challenge Race is so easy? Even though the distance is only 30 yards, the Gnomes' attack pattern will change after you get past 15 yards and their attack rates greatly increase. Not to mention, even I have difficulty facing them." Stabbing Heart said

"That's for sure! Even an expert such as Boss Stabbing Heart could only reach 20 yards. I'm guessing that kid will, at most, reach five yards before being done in." The male Cleric nodded with a smile.

Shi Feng heard the comments of Stabbing Heart and his companions but he dismissed them. He will show them who the true expert is between them.

Inside the field, the three Gnomes standing at the finishing line readied their muskets, aiming them towards Shi Feng.

Above the challenge field, the timer started counting down.

3...

2...

1...

Challenge Start!

Once the challenge start, Shi Feng sped like a bullet and a few moments later he was already halfway. The spectators were shocked by his speed and continued to watch him as he maneuvered towards the gnomes. When he was just 5 yards away the Gnomes changed their guns to laser rifles seeing this, Shi Feng couldn't help but jeer, he knew this would happen so he jumped up, did a flip, and landed at the side of the Gnomes and tapped their shoulder.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, a round of applause! This Swordsman has passed the challenge!" The Gnome administrator announced loudly.

System: Player was the First to pass the Copper Challenge and break the record. Rewarding player with 1 Silver Coin and Swordsman Skill [Thundering Flash].