Chapter Sixty-Four: The Sage Who Brings Down the Curtain

The scene shifted, the location changed as well. Before the door lay the depths of the "Locke Forest," while behind it was the entrance to those very depths.

“Have we come out? It doesn’t seem so… This is a fabricated version of the ‘depths of Locke Forest,’ not the same as the original place.”

The voice came from Zhao Nan’s left—the spot where Ximen Yu’s six-person team stood. He was quickly checking his character’s bracelet, frowning. “The guild channel is disabled, mail can’t be sent, and mind-speech doesn’t work. Only our individual team channels are still functioning.”

He looked up at Zhao Nan, shrugged easily, and said, “Looks like we’ll have to communicate the old-fashioned way. We’ll need to talk more.”

“I’ll go ahead,” Nanyang Sheng said, drawing the greatsword from his back and dragging it along the ground as he strode fearlessly into the pitch-black entrance. The four behind him followed with their heads bowed, irritation plain on their faces.

Ximen Yu only smiled faintly, taking no offense at their disregard. Narrowing his eyes, he regarded Zhao Nan. “Together or apart?”

Zhao Nan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Was it your guild that discovered this mutated instance?”

This was ‘Purgatory’s’ exclusive zone for farming Clarity Crystals—it was basically monopolized.

Ximen Yu replied helplessly, “Unfortunately, this secret couldn’t be kept…”

If it can’t be kept, then it isn’t a secret anymore. And when a secret ceases to be a secret, it’s probably because a trace of it leaked out the moment it was formed… ‘Purgatory’ was not, after all, a single, impenetrable fortress.

“I find myself a little envious of you… having so few people.” Ximen Yu’s tone was sincere.

It was not mockery, but recognition. At least, Zhao Nan could tell from his expression and eyes that he wasn’t mistaken. But he wasn’t in the mood to discuss team sizes and management with Ximen Yu now; they weren’t close enough. So he fixed Ximen Yu with his dead-fish eyes, his face expressionless. “Temporary cooperation,” he replied.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that. Pity it came a few minutes too late,” Ximen Yu chuckled, a slightly manic edge to his laughter.

Zhao Nan knew this was Ximen Yu’s way of expressing mild discontent over having to wait a few minutes earlier. He didn’t bother to counter it. If temporary cooperation was to begin, it was best to maintain a harmonious atmosphere. Besides, Ximen Yu knew when to stop.

Zhao Nan took the lead, stepping first into the pitch-black corridor.

“Brother Nan, why cooperate with ‘Purgatory’?” Jiang Lun asked in a hushed voice, wary of being overheard.

“Because the route is almost the same. Whether we go first or last, we’ll run into each other eventually.”

…

…

“Because there’s probably only one place the boss could be. No matter how we go, we’ll meet,” Ximen Yu was saying almost the same thing to someone at his side—an exceptionally delicate-looking boy who was actually a girl, Ximen Xiaowu.

“Brother, I feel like he and that Nanyang Sheng are actually the same kind,” Ximen Xiaowu wrinkled her nose, twirling a strand of hair over her fair ear. “How could ordinary players have that kind of power?”

Ximen Yu listened quietly.

“Brother, do you think he could be—”

“Xiaowu, there’s a lot to learn about pretending to be a boy,” Ximen Yu interrupted with a calm smile, straightening a stray lock of her hair with a touch of affection. “Keep your back straight, your steps steady and wide, your words brief, your manner silent and imposing.”

“Why not take on a whole guild by yourself while you’re at it?” Xiaowu glared, her eyes mostly whites, cheeks puffed as she mock-punched his shoulder. “You pervert!”

Ximen Yu chuckled; those following behind acted as if they heard nothing, their eyes fixed ahead, alert for any sudden movement.

That slightly manic laughter drifted forward, sending a chill down Gao Mingyang’s spine. He muttered, serious and uneasy, “What a sissy…”

But there was no time for such thoughts, for a massive wave of frenzied zombie rats was approaching.

Rumbles thundered through the ground. In the darkness, countless pairs of crimson, olive-like eyes glowed, and the high-pitched squeaking rang out in a chorus.

Level 12 Berserk Zombie Rats.

A level 12 monster was no issue for those present. Ten, not a problem. A hundred—just a warm-up. But a thousand, several thousand—that was no child’s play.

That was a major problem!

The members of the ‘World’s End’ guild had all applied a special liquid that should have driven the rats back by instinct, but now even that had lost its effect… The rats had lost all reason.

“Ximen Yu, get ready to break through!”

“Alright!”

Facing thousands of zombie rats, there was no time for further thought.

Ximen Yu strode forward and, without a word, drew a pitch-black staff from his backpack. He unleashed a massive electric net from midair upon the oncoming rats.

Sparks crackled as golden lines spread across the front ranks of the horde. Each rat caught in the net convulsed with electricity, their shrieks loud as their health bars instantly dropped by two-thirds and their speed slowed.

Zhao Nan raised his brow and sighed, tapping his own staff. Meteoric Fire rained down, exploding among the rats and reducing them to pulp.

Against such overwhelming numbers, it was no longer about skill but about firepower—a relentless barrage was needed to withstand the endless, wave-like onslaught.

Ximen Yu’s class was Thunder Warlock, a unique hidden class that wielded the power of lightning. His black staff shimmered with a faint purple light, and two glowing rings flickered where he gripped it—the sign of dual enchantments.

From this first attack, it was clear Ximen Yu’s electric net surpassed Meteoric Fire, a standard level 20 area spell. Thunder Warlock’s exclusive skills were formidable indeed.

The two spellcasters’ opening salvo was astonishingly effective. The rest of the group, regaining their composure, surged forward. The melee fighters became a sharp blade, plunging into the horde.

Phinina’s Star Strike erupted in dazzling silver, splattering flesh everywhere. Behind her, a flash of light signaled Xu Yang’s Amplification spell.

One after another, Amplifications were cast on the front-line fighters, while Xu Yang, a Sage, gritted her teeth and kept up with the two powerful mages.

Behind her were Jiang Lun, Gao Xiang, and the others from ‘Purgatory,’ holding off the rats attacking from the sides and rear.

The berserk zombie rats were as large as housecats, filling every gap as they leapt and swarmed.

Ximen Yu’s electric net was not a simple spell and its cooldown was far from short. Most Thunder Warlock skills were area attacks and all carried paralysis effects.

With Ximen Yu’s skills as the primary suppressive force, Zhao Nan could unleash his full arsenal without restraint.

He possessed the ability to cast spells from all five elements, and as his level increased, his skills grew ever more powerful. Even with long cooldowns, halving the CD and chain-casting across the five elements meant he never stopped attacking.

“I finally understand how you cleared the level 10 dungeon boss so quickly. It’s almost like you’re cheating,” Ximen Yu remarked.

“But you’re just as troublesome, aren’t you?”

Every one of Ximen Yu’s skills came with paralysis and wide coverage—one misstep and you’d be caught. Of all the magical elements, thunder was the strongest in raw power.

“But I’d rather not face a walking cannon like you,” Ximen Yu said sincerely.

“Keep an eye to your left.”

“Mm… all good now.”

If the goal wasn’t total annihilation but just breaking through the rat horde, it wasn’t too difficult so long as they were careful.

The people Ximen Yu brought were all skilled, with classes well suited for mass combat. They had their own healer, whose level was close to Xu Fei’s. In single-target and group healing, each had their strengths.

The zombie rats grew wilder, seemingly endless. Zhao Nan kept his patience, casting spell after spell, biting down on a mana potion and taking a swig now and then.

Amidst the deafening squeaks, Ximen Yu’s thunder attacks occasionally resounded in silent flashes.

Phinina led the charge, the spearhead guiding them forward.

“Zhao Nan… I’m ready,” Xu Yang called out, teeth gritted, her voice barely reaching him.

“Alright!” Zhao Nan replied, excitement flashing in his eyes.

The Sage class was mostly support—buffs and boons of all kinds, but weak in direct attack and lacking strong defense. Yet from the start, Xu Yang had done nothing but apply Amplification spells.

It wasn’t out of fear, but because she’d been preparing a crucial skill—a Sage’s most important ability.

Radiant Glory.

For three seconds, all allies’ skill effects, power, and area of effect were doubled.

Who said Sages weren’t powerful!

^^^^^^^^^^^^

PS: Unofficial book recommendation—“Supermarket Tycoon in the Apocalypse.”

A global virus turns over ninety percent of humanity into the walking dead. Survivors struggle, but their numbers dwindle with each desperate battle.

After five years of hardship and a bitter death, Shen Lei is reborn three days before the disaster. He gains a miraculous supermarket space and incredible exchange abilities.

Seeds for monstrous vines, mad scientist serums, gamma bullets for transformations into the Hulk…

Rebuilding civilization, saving humanity… Sorry, that’s not my concern.

In this life, I just want to live well.

To live and die with my brothers!

To seize wealth and life in one bold gamble!

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