Free Web NovelChapter 94: Missing 13
’Seeing how OneManMedia was willing to waste 20 copper coins for this screenshot, I suppose he’s an ambitious person.’
For an ambitious person to not make a name for themselves usually involves two reasons. One, he was unsuccessful and failed miserably, or two, he succeeded but eventually got buried by the top and forgotten.
Tapping his finger silently on the table, Kashif decided to put this player’s name in his mind. Whether the player was a clever person or just a reckless fool, Kashif could determine after some tests.
Clicking on the forum, Kashif proceeded to read the comments left by other players in the region.
Herald Fist: Where is that player currently? I wished to meet with them for a possible collaboration.
Gentle Wind: I have sent a private message to you, OneManMedia.
Crimson Rose: Are you positive it’s a player and not just an NPC dressed like a player? It’s quite difficult to tell from the angle of the screenshot.
Lotus Lime: Why are you all commenting here? The poster literally said it was in the Town Hall. Just move your fat body there and wait in the lobby!
Herald Fist: ??? Do you think I don’t want to wait in the lobby? I’m a busy person and have to do quests to level up for the first-clear achievement in the dungeon.
Lotus Lime: Yet you have the time to be in the game forum. Sheesh, I didn’t know you were a ninja that could clone yourself. Forgive me, Ninja Fist~
Reading the comment from Lotus Lime, Kashif nearly laughed a bit. At least there was one sensible person who could actually read and connect the clues, as well as crack hilarious jokes.
"Herald Fist, Gentle Wind, and Crimson Rose... you three are definitely some pretentious folks." He gave his verdict and fixed his glasses, a somewhat sinister grin appeared on his face.
Going through the game forum, Kashif changed his status to an anonymous user. Unlike these players who are casually using their usernames in public, Kashif preferred to remain anonymous.
Although he wasn’t afraid of revealing his name to others, he didn’t wish to be exposed so early on in the game.
Only a fool would want to reveal their achievements openly without having any background or sufficient power to deflect against others.
’Hmm, how should I make my entrance?’ Kashif knitted his brows, pondering over what to type. It needed to have an aura of mystery, but also not too mysterious that would raise suspicions.
After thinking for a while, Kashif gave up and decided to be straightforward, typing on the forum post.
Anonymous User: Seeing how active you all are, do you think that mysterious player would be willing to come down and be caught by you?
Lotus Lime: Hmm, good point. If I’m the mysterious player, then I’d probably go into hiding as well.
Herald Fist: Hmph, we’ll just camp for him till he comes down. I doubt he would be willing to stay upstairs for his entire life.
Crimson Rose: If you really do that, then you’ll just leave yourself a bad impression. Also, do you even have the time to camp in the lobby?
Herald Fist: Hah, I can easily send one of my subordinates to wait!
As Kashif was calmly reading their responses and reactions, he suddenly received a notification.
Opening the notification, it was actually a private message from Gentle Wind.
Gentle Wind: I suppose you are the mysterious player, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone anonymous and joined in on the chat. Can we talk more in-depth, especially in regards to how you are granted entry to the upper level in the Town Hall?
Astonished, Kashif didn’t expect the player to catch on to his intention to be Gentle Wind. ’What a surprise. I thought it would be Lotus Lime private messaging me.’
Just when he was thinking of that, another notification sounded to him, and Kashif chuckled softly at the message sender.
Lotus Lime: Hey, anonymous user, or should I call you the mysterious player from the screenshot? Other players are just lurking around to check on the situation, but only you managed to decipher the intention of the supposed mysterious player in the talking. So I’m quite positive you are feeling the pressure right now and wanted to test the water.
"Reeling in two big fishes. Not a bad harvest." Kashif smiled, wondering how capable these two players could be.
Could their wealth be in the millions or hundreds of millions?
Just thinking about their wealth changing owner to him caused Kashif to be excited. Nevertheless, he didn’t become blinded by greed as he calmly pondered who to respond first.
Lotus Lime’s message was ambiguous, having expressed zero intention of her objective. In fact, she even attempted to test him in return by asking if he was feeling the pressure from the attention he was getting.
Maybe this kind of baiting tactic might work on someone, but definitely not him. To him, this kind of pressure was akin to child’s play.
Meanwhile, Gentle Wind was more straightforward and asked if they could talk more in-depth. Most likely, she wanted to gain some information from him, such as the privileges he was currently receiving.
"What a shame, Lotus Lime. I had expectations for you, but you disappointed me with the private message." Kashif shook his head, choosing to reply to Gentle Wind.
With the private chat window opened, Kashif began teasing Gentle Wind.
Anonymous User: Oho? In-depth talk about my methods in gaining permission to ascend to the upper level huh. How positive are you that I’m the mysterious player in the screenshot and not just some poser?
Gentle Wind: Had you been a poser, then you wouldn’t have brought up such a topic. Also, what harm could there be in gambling? If I guessed wrong, then it’s whatever, but if I guessed right, then I can gain more in return.
Reading her message response, Kashif was amused. His initial assessment seemed to have been proven wrong. At first, he thought Gentle Wind was a poser, trying to act all high and mighty, but who would have thought the poser turned out to be him.
"Alright, it seems like a misjudgment from me and I have wronged this Gentle Wind." Rubbing his chin, Kashif decided to stop stalling her.
Anonymous User: Are you possibly trying to get the first-clear achievement from the dungeon, Scorched Caverns?
As soon as Kashif sent out this message, the other party seemed to have gone silent, having not responded for a few minutes. Despite this, Kashif was more relaxed than ever, given that it meant Gentle Wind was now in deep thought.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Forest outside of Riverwood Town, amidst the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense foliage, a woman stood in a small clearing.
She exuded an air of elegance and gracefulness, her posture straight and confident. Her chestnut brown hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, framing a face with delicate features and piercing emerald green eyes.
"Radhika, why are you standing there in a daze?" A female voice echoed from behind.
Surprised, Gentle Wind turned around and noticed it was her friend.
"Autumn Breeze, how many times must I remind you to call me by my username. If others learned of my identity because of you saying my name, then what’s the point of creating a username?" Radhika Rajput, otherwise known as Gentle Wind in Divine World, lightly chided her friend.
"My bad, Gentle Wind. I was just concerned about you earlier and spoke wrongly." Autumn Breeze stuck her tongue out and apologized.
"Anyway, what’s been occupying your mind?" she asked, smoothly shifting the conversation to avoid any further reprimand.
Gentle Wind breathed out a soft sigh, her expression turning solemn. "It seems like we might have to beware of a certain player."
Gentle Wind was truly astonished at the beginning when the player she had privately messaged asked such a direct question. For some reason, she could feel the confidence and domineering demeanor from the message sent.
The way that the player asked her seemed as if they could obtain the first-clear achievement.
’Could this player really have some information that others don’t know? Is it a beta user? But is that even possible?’ Gentle Wind knitted her brows.
Beta users are often used to describe people who had the chance to play the game first before it was released in public. They are people who would have an advantage over others once the game is officially released, even if some of the elements within the game are changed. freewēbnoveℓ.com
However, the concerning point about this was that the Divine World’s developer was a mystery. Although one was a renowned scientist, the main developer was an alien.
Additionally, rumors of people being beta users of the Divine World before its release were practically non-existent.
Or maybe it was confidential information that was well-kept hidden from the public.
"Seriously, Gentle Wind. Can you stop being in a daze after saying such things? At least explain it to me first!"
