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"Damn…" Liu Ye cursed under his breath. They only killed ten Masked bandits together, forcing him to kill the rest on his own.

It wasn't the end of the world but it was a significant inconvenience. He couldn't help but wonder if the game's AI realized it would be too easy for him, so it increased the difficulty. They were proceeding too fast for the amount of promised rewards.

Just as Liu Ye began thinking about his options, he heard footsteps and chatter coming from inside of the cave. He reacted immediately, drinking both Health and Mana Potions before preparing a bunch of Ice Projectiles at the same time. With his tactic, it wasn't hard to burst someone from 100 to 0.

"Hey, are you all there?!" A manly voice came from the inside and two masked men finally showed up.

[Berserker - Lvl. 9]

[HP: 500/500]

[MP: 150/150]

Liu Ye raised his eyebrows when it turned out to be one of the Berserkers but that didn't stop him. He unleashed his prepared arsenal, shooting out Ice Projectiles at the Berserker's side.

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"Fuck!" the Berserker cursed as he instinctively blocked the ice shards with his arms but the damage was still applied.

[Ding! You killed the Berserker. You received 500 Experience and 50 silver.]

Surprise attacks were just too satisfying not to take advantage of it. The other Masked Bandit had more time to react, so he swiftly retreated, launching himself in the sky with the air bursting out from his feet.

"Who are you?!" he questioned in panic but Liu Ye only formed three whips as he chased after him, striking right after the man landed.

Ah!!

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The man screamed as Liu Ye bombarded him with attacks and it was the first time his enemy began running without retaliation. Instead of fighting to the death, he pushed himself away with bursts of air even though his death was unavoidable.

[Ding! You killed the Masked Bandit. You received 200 Experience and 5 silver.]

"Weird…" Liu Ye muttered as he stared at the fresh corpse. Usually, all mobs would fight brainlessly but this game showed something unique, equipping every NPC with their own thoughts and personality.

Liu Ye was no longer scared of Masked Bandits since all of them were limited to only 3 abilities but if they came to group up, that would be a bigger problem. It was practically impossible to win against multiple enemies that constantly bombarded you with abilities.

'Need a way to lure them over…' Liu Ye thought deeply as he peeked inside the cave. Knowing the NPC's intelligence, he couldn't stall for long, or else more bandits would come out in a group.

It was time to prepare for the worst.

[Ding! You ate a blessed cookie. You gained 100 max Mana for an hour.]

[MP: 180/180]

Even though the duration was short, it was still one hundred extra mana he could use in case of emergency. Liu Ye didn't hesitate and proceeded to carefully explore the mine.

To his surprise, it turned out to be a straight, single tunnel, looking as if it was dug not too long ago. It extended for a few tens of meters until it reached a gigantic cavern inside a mountain. The inside was fully lit with tens of torches stuck in the walls.

Liu Ye couldn't help but frown seeing more than thirty Masked Bandits inside. Some of them were digging through the side walls while others gathered around the poor Vice-leader Marco who was frozen into a wall.

"I will give you one last chance to admit it. What did you do? How come the guards didn't come down with you? If I learn you killed them, your death will be nothing but quick."

A buff man in spiky metal armor was questioning him sternly with a fireball in his palm. His name was dark red with a gold star next to his name, signaling the presence of a boss.

[★ Bandit Leader - Lvl. 15]

[HP: 5000/5000]

[MP: 1250/1250]

Even the Ice Queen didn't have one which showed the difference in power. Liu Ye got a headache when he glanced at the Bandit Leader's health but he quickly calmed down, sneaking out of the tunnel. He hid behind a thick rock and observed from a distance.

"I told you already that I came here with an expert who wants to sell a Water Stone to you. It took me a while to convince him to come so we can rob him together and now you lock me down like this? Fuck you," Vice-leader Marco replied savagely, showing no respect to the leader.

"You expect me to believe you found an idiot who would willingly come to his death? Why didn't you stay with him and order one of the guards to inform me instead?" The Bandit Leader asked annoyed. "You asking me to come out alone with you sounds too suspicious. I'm only taking necessary precautions."

"If I stayed behind, how can I convey my plan to you without the expert getting suspicious? If he found anything amiss, that motherfucker would fly away!" Vice-leader argued. "That's why I wanted to get him inside the cavern with your help so he can't escape! He wouldn't trust us if we brought all the forces outside."

"Fly…?" The Bandit Leader repeated in surprise. "Who the fuck did you bring to us?!"

"Did you think some kind of random person would possess a Water Stone? Of course, he is an expert," Vice-leader Marco replied with a sneer. "Now that you sent people to check, I'm sure he either ran away or killed them."

The Bandit Leader glanced at the tunnel, finally exposing his face to Liu Ye. He was younger than he expected but one could see his maturity by two burn marks on his forehead. The man was frowning deeper with each minute that passed.

Liu Ye wouldn't find a better opportunity than this and finally exposed himself, peeking higher from the boulder in hopes Vice-leader Marco sees him. No one was looking in his direction so he waved right when Marco's eyesight passed his hiding spot.

His eyes immediately brightened at Liu Ye's sight but he swiftly hid it before anyone noticed.

"When are you going to release me and realize you made a mistake? If I killed any of our members, wouldn't those two report on it already?" Vice-leader Marco pressured in annoyance. "If you don't see it then let me enlighten you. Those two are probably dead by now and the deal is already over. If we don't do anything, all of us will die here."

"What do you mean?"

"If you were him, would you let us go for trying to screw him over? I wouldn't," Vice-leader Marco explained. "He has the upper position allowing him to escape and attack at any moment. If we go out now, he will immediately attack us and I don't plan to fight him without an element of surprise."

He paused and added, "On the other hand, if we don't do anything, he can call for help from the Village Lord and bury us all alive. We have to do something now."

"What do you propose then?" the Bandit Leader wondered but Marco only laughed.

"Me? I'm currently held like a prisoner. I have an idea but I won't talk until you free me."

The Bandit Leader gave him a glance and ignored his request as he gathered everyone.

"Listen up! There is an enemy on the outside and there is only one exit! We have to group up together and fight our way out! Making a new tunnel would take too much time so we have to fight. Who is with me?!"

Aye!

The Masked Bandits concurred with a cry. They looked like they were too bored with this expedition to the mines and a fight was everything they needed.

Bandit Leader snapped at the two Berserkers and ordered, "You two take the lead. I will stay behind to look after Marco. Inform me right away If you find anyone outside."

"Yes, Leader!" Berserker called out and led a group of 30+ men into the tunnels. When they disappeared, Liu Ye finally moved, launching himself at the Bandit Leader.

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