Chapter 302 Chapter301-Ascending to the Top, Unexpected Revelry
Adam desperately dodged the oncoming sword illusions while attempting counterattacks.
However, every time he thought he had targeted the real John, he was met with merely a mirage, the actual John having already shifted his position.
John had honed the illusion technique to perfection.
The Divine Blade danced gracefully like a jade butterfly, each strike impeccably precise, as if he had foreseen Adam's every move.
Adam continuously retreated, feeling ensnared within John's web of blades.
"Damn you and your tricks!" Adam shouted in frustration.
John's assaults were swift and unpredictable, reminiscent of lightning flashes.
His swordplay was impeccable, every strike seemingly unblockable.
Adam's protective barrier began to quiver as John's onslaught gradually breached his defenses, all while John retained a calm smile.
Finally, the shadow of John's sword pierced through Adam's barrier, striking him down.
"No!" Adam roared as he fell to the ground.
John ceased his actions, standing over Adam and smiling gently, "The battle is over, Brother Adam..."
...
[System Alert: Congratulations player Galewind, for successfully defeating your opponent. You are now ranked 1st on the Arena Leaderboard. The top 10 players on the leaderboard are all eligible to challenge you. Please be prepared!]
Adam's figure dissipated in the virtual space.
Almost simultaneously, the system's cold notification echoed.
John stood with his hands behind his back, the energy sword formed by the Divine Blade having faded away.
He casually accessed the Arena Leaderboard.
As expected, his name was prominently displayed at the top.
The names that followed, those of the top ten, were all too familiar to him.
A composed smile graced John's face.
Now that he had reached the pinnacle, all that remained were the simple challenges of defending his position.
John didn't think that such battles would pose any challenge for him.
[System Alert: Arena Leaderboard rewards will be settled at the end of each month. Players are advised to maintain their rankings to avoid losing system rewards...]
John chuckled lightly.
...
While John maintained an extraordinary composure, the multitude of players watching from the airport hall had already erupted in excitement.
Many players were fervently discussing John's feat of ascending to the top of the Arena Leaderboard within a single day.
"Did you all see that? Galewind is insane! He took the top spot on the leaderboard in just a day!" a player exclaimed.
"Absolutely! This speed is just astonishing... It seems that there's no smoke without fire. Galewind truly lives up to his reputation," another player eagerly concurred.
"The other players on the Arena Leaderboard must be regretting now. They were all top-ranked champions, and to think Galewind surpassed them so swiftly."
"I really hope I get a chance to face Galewind someday," a young player said excitedly.
"Dream on! You'd never be worthy of facing such an elite in your lifetime!" A slew of players chimed in to mock the young enthusiast, causing him to retreat in embarrassment.
"Regardless, the fact that Galewind secured the top position proves his exceptional skill. I can't wait to witness his upcoming defenses. I'm truly looking forward to his performances."
"Well said, fellow! Great minds think alike!"
...
John was oblivious to the ongoing discussions about him.
Silently, he chose to leave the arena, avoiding the passionate debates of the audience and heading towards the entrance.
Ghostblade was there, patiently waiting for his arrival.
"Congratulations. You've ascended to the top of the Arena Leaderboard. I never imagined you'd claim the top in just a day. Your strength truly surpasses our wildest expectations," Ghostblade said, genuinely congratulating him.
John cast a slightly surprised glance at him, finding it hard to believe that this usually reticent fellow would offer such heartfelt words of praise.
Beside Ghostblade stood a figure that caught John by surprise – it was Adam, the very opponent he had just bested.
With a teasing smirk, John gazed at Adam, jesting, "What's the matter? Still smarting from our recent bout? Want a rematch?"
Adam waved his hands dismissively, "No, no, you're pulling my leg again, Galewind... I hardly think I can even the score against you. I just ran into Ghostblade here and heard you two were heading for drinks. Mind if I tag along?"
John cast a puzzled glance at Adam.
So, they knew each other from before...
On second thought, it didn't seem all that surprising.
After all, both were guild leaders of two of the top ten guilds globally; it was implausible to think they hadn't crossed paths.
...
Silver Manor.
The familiar No. 8 room with its recognizable decor welcomed them.
Under Adam's confident guidance, John and Ghostblade stepped into the room, with an array of drinks already set on the table.
With an exuberant expression, Adam declared, "Tonight, we drink till we drop!"
John and Ghostblade exchanged a look, both discerning a hint of exasperation in each other's eyes.
Clearly, Adam's true nature was starting to show.
The two settled into their seats, indulging in the beverages before them.
They exchanged tales of in-game battles, jesting about personal anecdotes and insights.
Beside them, a server dressed as a bunny girl diligently refilled their drinks and merrily listened to their stories.
Yet, the trio seemed disinterested in the captivating Enchantress-class attendant nearby.
They were wholly engrossed in a world that seemed exclusively male.
"Today's battle was truly exhilarating. I feel like my grasp over the Holy Light has reached a new pinnacle after our skirmish!" Adam said, downing a large pint of beer, his face beaming with excitement.
Out of the blue, Ghostblade chimed in, "Even if you advanced ten more steps, wouldn't you still be no match for Galewind?"
Adam's excited face instantly froze.
With a frustrated look, he stared at Ghostblade, retorting, "For someone as taciturn as you, can't you let me bask in joy for a moment? After all these years of friendship, why do your words always have to sting?"
Ghostblade simply shrugged, replying indifferently, "I'm just speaking the truth. It's not my fault you don't like hearing it."
Adam was momentarily at a loss for words.
John chuckled softly, "Here's a piece of advice: strive at all costs to level up and boost your prowess, even if it demands certain sacrifices."
Both Adam and Ghostblade paused, their gazes shifting towards John, puzzled by his sudden remark.
Seeing the seriousness on John's face, they instinctively stored his advice in their hearts.
Ghostblade and John were old friends, having known each other even before John met Blue Sea.
Understanding John's nature profoundly, Ghostblade knew that John never spoke without reason.
If he mentioned this, he must have stumbled upon some undisclosed secrets.
Otherwise, with John's calm demeanor, he would never intervene in others' affairs.
As for Adam, though his acquaintance with John was relatively brief, they had teamed up for numerous quests.
He had absolute trust in John's character and skills, taking John's words to heart without hesitation.
John suddenly chuckled, raising his glass, "It's just a suggestion after all. Don't overthink it... Cheers!"
Amidst the lively atmosphere, the room door abruptly swung open.
A tall, imposing young man stepped in.
Clad in a lavish white robe, he possessed handsome features with eyes radiating an inscrutable sharpness.
"Hey, you guys are drinking here and didn't invite me?"
He remarked, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
Everyone's eyes turned to the newcomer. John immediately noticed the emblem on his robe – the royal insignia of the Northern Myst Empire.
The young man's gaze swept the room, eventually settling on John with a playful glint, "So you're the Galewind that Duke Dinan spoke of? You don't look all that impressive."
A slight frown formed on John's brow.
This young man was clearly an NPC.
Shouldn't the game system prevent such characters from directly interfering with players' actions?
He shot Adam a glance, noticing his look of astonishment.
But the hint of resignation in Adam's eyes suggested he recognized this young individual.
Quietly, John activated the Eye of Artemis:
[Auron Eastwind: Member of the Northern Myst Empire's royal family, seventh in line to the throne. Trained with the empire's elites since childhood, his prodigious talent quickly positioned him as the strongest professional among the younger generation of the Northern Myst royalty. His base class is a warrior, and he has since advanced to the hidden class of Storm Warrior. Characterized by his unruly nature and excessive pride...]
[Level: 235]
[Attributes: ...]
John's eyebrows arched slightly.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly arrogant figure was a member of the Northern Myst Empire's royal lineage, and quite high in the line of succession at that.
Auron Eastwind... The name was quite a mouthful. John wondered what could bring him here.
At that moment, Adam rose, his face alight with a cheerful smile, "Ah, the Seventh Prince himself. We hope our presence in your Silver Manor hasn't inconvenienced you in any way."
It then dawned on John.
So this man was the true owner behind Silver Manor!
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