https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-71-The-Mysterious-Invitation-Letter/13676208/
Chapter 72: The Noble Non-Player Character
With ten gold coins scraped together from every corner, the four adventurers made their way to the Tiefling Exchange and finally secured the [Mysterious Invitation].
As Singo handed over the gleaming gold coins to the Tiefling merchant, Stuffed Bun’s expression twisted in agony. How many Gear sets could this have bought? You reckless wastrel!
The invitation in his hand felt heavy—both in weight and significance.
Back at their rented cottage, they gathered with bated breath and tore open the envelope.
Inside was a thin sheet of paper, faintly veined with golden-yellow patterns—otherwise unremarkable in appearance. Yet, the words were written in flickering, burning Fire, dancing and pulsing like living embers.
Only one sentence was inscribed:
> "You shall meet the most noble among us here."
"Whoa... this is serious?"
"Looks like we didn’t gamble wrong—this is worth every coin."
Stuffed Bun stared at the tiny, shimmering script, eyes alight with anticipation.
Singo, however, remained calm. "I told you. A Quest Item this expensive? The payoff’s gotta be massive."
Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang grinned. "Alright, everyone line up—here we go!"
"Got it."
[Confirm use of [Mysterious Invitation]!]
Before them, space rippled like water. Then, it warped, cracked open—forming a jagged, door-like rift in reality. Flames roared around its edges, as if the very frame of this Dimensional Gate were forged in fire.
"Whoa... a Portal? Seriously? This is next-level!" Stuffed Bun blurted.
Up to this point in the game, no spellcaster had unlocked teleportation abilities. Even the so-called "true mage" Sorcerers hadn’t mastered such flashy magic—let alone Mages who still couldn’t learn scrolls without a guide.
Xia Ye Qiu Yu and Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang were thrilled, their eyes wide with wonder. Even the perpetually stoic Singo couldn’t hide a flicker of excitement.
Still, he cautioned, "The item’s description warned: the other side could be danger—or reward. We need to be ready for anything."
"True," Stuffed Bun nodded. "Wouldn’t want to die after all this effort."
"Blessing Spell!" Xia Ye Qiu Yu raised her wooden staff, and radiant light cascaded down upon them, bathing their bodies in a gentle glow.
This Divine Spell granted advantage on attack rolls and saving throws—truly the go-to utility for early-game Priests.
"Healing Potion, Toxin Resistance Potion, Dragon Venom, Slippery Oil, Precision Oil."
Singo pulled item after item from his pack, laying them out with the precision of a seasoned commander. Soon, the ground was piled high with supplies.
"Where the hell did you even get all this?" Stuffed Bun asked, stunned.
In this early, resource-scarce stage, many new Players couldn’t even afford basic Gear, let alone beat a Tiefling housewife’s pet goose. And yet, Singo had amassed such a fortune.
"More watching. More training. More grinding," Singo replied, nonchalant.
Stuffed Bun finally understood the true gap between top-tier Players and the rest—especially when it came to showing off. He had no choice but to admit defeat… in the art of bragging.
With weapons and armor coated in oil, packs stocked with every contingency potion, and preparations complete, Singo stood ready—though he looked more like a walking fortress than a warrior. A true strength-focused build, but a nightmare for anyone who valued looks.
"Let’s go."
"Alright."
The four stepped through the blazing Flame Portal.
A scorching wave hit them instantly—so hot it felt like it could leave a mark on their skin.
"Whoa... why is it so dark?"
"Where the hell are we?"
"Feels like a sauna..."
"Qiu Yu, cast a Light Spell—we can’t see a thing."
"Got it."
Xia Ye Qiu Yu raised her staff, chanting softly.
"Light Spell!"
A soft glow emanated from the tip of her staff—faint, but enough to reveal their surroundings.
They stood in a narrow, dark Rock Tunnel, the air thick and stifling. The walls were sheer stone, unbroken by windows, doors, or anything else. The passage stretched ahead into an endless, devouring Darkness.
"Should we keep going?" Stuffed Bun asked, unease creeping in. Even with the Light Spell, the tunnel felt suffocating.
Singo clenched his jaw. "We came this far. No backing out now—let’s go all in!"
They advanced slowly, step by cautious step.
Then—finally—they emerged.
The tunnel opened into a vast, cavernous chamber. The space was immense, echoing with silence.
"Must be here," Singo said. "Stay alert. Report anything unusual."
But the Light Spell barely reached the walls. The darkness was absolute. In the shadows, faint echoes and distant whispers crept through the air—each sound sending chills down their spines.
Then—light.
A single flicker. Then another. And another.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With a series of crackling Fire bursts, over a hundred Exquisitely Crafted Dragon-Head Lamps along the walls ignited one after another, casting a golden glow across the chamber.
The darkness shattered.
Heat surged forward—like standing before a forge.
Before them stretched a Wide Path, flanked by roaring Raging Flames. At the far end stood a man.
He had raven-black hair, golden eyes—his pupils deep, almost molten, glowing with ferociously burning flame. His face was sharp, noble, radiating an ancient pride that ran through his very Bloodline. On either side of his temples, faint crimson Scales shimmered like embers. A long, bone-white Dragon Horn arced from his forehead, elegant yet deadly.
His figure was tall and imposing, draped in a dark crimson robe embroidered with golden thread—rich, regal, exuding an aura of authority that demanded obedience.
Xia Ye Qiu Yu blushed faintly. "Wow… the official model design is too beautiful."
Stuffed Bun scoffed. "Seriously? This Non-Player Character is this hot? Almost as handsome as me!"
Xia Ye Qiu Yu rolled her eyes.
Singo nudged him. "Stuffed Bun—cast a Detect. We’ve definitely hit a major NPC."
"Right!" Stuffed Bun replied instinctively, pulling up his Character Sheet.
> [Mysterious Dragonblood Sorcerer – Kai Xiusu]
> Affiliation: [Ashen Nest]
> Core Abilities: ???
> Challenge Rating: ??? (Extremely Dangerous!)
> Favor Level: -5 (Slight Disfavor)
Stuffed Bun’s face fell. "What the—? Damn it, you bastard! My Favor Level dropped again!"
Singo, unfazed by his nickname, merely stared ahead. "Everyone will remember your sacrifice, Stuffed Bun. What did you see?"
Stuffed Bun shook his head. "Nothing. All the data’s blank."
Singo clenched his fists, excitement flaring. "Perfect! We did find it!"
"Based on my observations, Bathor City only has one other NPC with an invisible Challenge Rating—the Sword of the Oathbreaker – Meizhuolashi. Everyone else, even the Captain of the Guard, Damakos, has a visible rating. So finding this second major Non-Player Character—this is—"
Suddenly, a deep, calm male voice cut through the air from afar.
"Guests invited here… to begin your visit with a Detect? That seems rather impolite, wouldn’t you say?"
(End of Chapter)
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