Chapter 303 Chapter302-Auron Eastwind's Provocation
Upon hearing Adam's question, Auron Eastwind sneered without turning his head, "Adam, the guild leader. You've been a regular at my Silver Manor. How is it I've never noticed before that you know the illustrious Galewind?"
Confusion flashed across Adam's face.
He glanced at John and then back to Auron Eastwind. He knew of John's reputation among players, but how could Auron Eastwind, a mere NPC, recognize John?
Moreover, from his tone, it seemed John was also a famed figure among NPCs.
This puzzlement deepened Adam's bewilderment.
"Seventh Prince, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at," Adam replied cautiously.
Auron Eastwind waved him off dismissively, "You aren't worthy of an explanation. I came solely for Galewind. The rest of you are of no concern to me. All unrelated parties, leave at once!"
Several hostesses, dressed as bunny girls, scurried out of the room posthaste, leaving only the three men, each appearing nonchalant.
Regardless of Auron Eastwind's standing in the Northern Myst Empire, they truly had no need to concern themselves with him.
After all, Auron Eastwind was just an NPC, existing in a world entirely separate from players.
John gently caressed his glass, remarking with a nonchalance, "You mentioned Duke Dinan earlier. Did he send you to find me?"
Auron Eastwind huffed arrogantly, "I've heard of your recent grand achievements for the empire and your duel with the legendary Devil. Your name has been unmatched for a while now. The Prime Minister has been singing your praises at the imperial meetings, but I remain unconvinced. I've heard you hail from unknown lands, and your kind are low-level newcomers. How impressive can you be?"
"I'm here today to see for myself what makes you so special!" Auron Eastwind's aura shimmered with a faint azure glow, indicating he was on the brink of action.
John's brow subtly furrowed.
He had discerned that this so-called Seventh Prince of the Northern Myst Empire had come specifically to pick a fight.
Just as John was poised to act, Ghostblade, sitting beside him, suddenly reached out, halting John's movement.
"Allow me to test him first. I hadn't expected the NPCs in this game to be so lifelike, even actively challenging players," Ghostblade remarked as he abruptly rose, unsheathing his longsword.
Innately passionate about combat, he couldn't let go of such a confrontational NPC.
Auron Eastwind cast a disdainful glance at Ghostblade, scoffing, "Someone of your level is hardly a match for me. Best to know your place and scuttle away."
Ghostblade, seething with rage yet laughing, rasped, "Whether I'm a match or not, we'll only know once we've fought."
His form shifted, his sword thrusting straight towards Auron Eastwind.
Perhaps it was the NPC's proactive aggression that prompted it, but the system designated the room as a combat zone.
Ghostblade's attack didn't violate any no-combat regulations.
In an instant, a long blade materialized in Auron Eastwind's right hand.
With a swift swing, he parried Ghostblade's thrust, and in one fluid motion, unleashed a powerful strike.
The blade, charged with fierce intent, aimed straight for Ghostblade's throat.
A rush of alarm surged through Ghostblade, prompting him to nimbly evade.
Brandishing his rapier, imbued with magic energy, he met Auron Eastwind's assault head-on.
The two launched into an intense duel right within the confines of the room, with sword shadows dancing and blade glints flashing.
In their clash, Ghostblade soon realized that Auron Eastwind's prowess far surpassed his expectations.
Each move was infused with the majesty and dominance of a king.
Ghostblade's Magic Rapier danced with impressive swiftness, and his relentless attacks seemed formidable.
However, Auron Eastwind remained unruffled, effortlessly deflecting every thrust and swing.
It was then that Adam, inebriated, staggered to his feet.
Watching the fierce combat unfold, he let out a hearty laugh, exclaiming, "Haha! Now this is what I call exhilarating!"
Accompanying his laughter was a powerful surge of Holy Light energy emanating from him.
Without a second thought, he leaped into the fray, exhibiting extraordinary speed and strength, joining Ghostblade in confronting Auron Eastwind.
Adam wasn't just anybody; he was the guild leader of Genesis Guild, one of the top ten elite guilds worldwide.
Though he had shown some initial deference to Auron Eastwind, it was merely a habitual gesture in-game.
Now being provoked by an NPC, Adam's patience had worn thin!
The battle intensified; tables and chairs within the room were swiftly reduced to splinters.
The trio's movements were as fast as lightning, the clash of their weapons ringing out sharply.
Facing the combined might of Adam and Ghostblade, Auron Eastwind began to show signs of fatigue after numerous heated exchanges.
A hint of caution flashed in his eyes.
These two, merely at the hundredth-level mark, seemed to wield advanced attack skills that had brought him to a deadlock.
Gathering his energy once more, Auron Eastwind launched a ferocious assault.
However, the synergy between Ghostblade and Adam was tighter than he had imagined, rendering his strikes futile.
Eventually, he realized that his regular offensive tactics weren't going to swiftly subdue these two.
Yet, the one he genuinely wished to challenge, Galewind, whom Duke Dinan had praised as a "mighty force the empire must court," was still observing intently from the sidelines.
Therefore, Auron Eastwind decided to hold nothing back.
Resolved to swiftly wrap up this fight, he aimed to take down these two, whom he'd earlier dismissed as "worthless."
Swiftly stepping back, Auron Eastwind's long blade emitted an entrancing cyan glow, as he whispered an incantation under his breath.
In an instant, a massive ray of light burst forth from his blade, radiating overwhelming power.
Sensing impending peril, Ghostblade and Adam hastily formed a defensive stance.
Yet, the terrifying might of Auron Eastwind tore through their defenses, striking them squarely.
Both were hurled backward, crashing heavily against the wall.
With a disdainful smirk, Auron Eastwind taunted, "Did you two fools really think you could defeat me? Adam, guild leader, today you've made quite the foolish move!"
His face bore a confident grin, as if victory was already in his grasp.
However, just as he was about to continue his mocking tirade, the icy voice of Adam cut through, "Damn you! Hiding behind your NPC status to bully the weaker? Truly despicable!"
Supporting each other, Adam and Ghostblade rose to their feet, each downing a large potion to restore their vitality.
Their once-drained spirits rejuvenated.
"Auron Eastwind, did you really think you could defeat us so easily?" Ghostblade's voice echoed as if from another realm, carrying with it an aura of eeriness and chill.
Auron Eastwind's brow furrowed.
He hadn't expected these two to rally back to their feet. Such defiance dealt a deep blow to his pride.
Tightly gripping his blade, its radiant energy surging, he roared and charged at them.
Both Ghostblade and Adam raised their weapons in unison.
The Magic Rapier and the gleaming greatsword intersected, barely managing to parry Auron Eastwind's ferocious slash.
With his divine armor already donned, Adam unleashed a roar, and the aura of Holy Light spread rapidly, forming a protective shield around him.
"I'll fend off his strikes; you finish him!"
Hearing Adam's call, Ghostblade swiftly unsheathed his sword, his aura fierce and sharp, lunging at Auron Eastwind from the flank.
With a sharp rebuke, Auron Eastwind unleashed a potent surge of energy, instantly materializing a massive shield that parried Ghostblade's assault.
He retaliated with a swift motion, sending a massive blade of energy slicing towards Ghostblade.
Despite Ghostblade's best efforts to evade, the blade grazed him, painting his robe with a fresh gush of crimson.
In a fluid motion, Auron Eastwind cleaved through Adam's Holy Light barrier, moving with lightning speed to appear behind him, sending him sprawling with a forceful kick.
"You're still too weak," Auron Eastwind stated icily. "Facing me, victory is an illusion."
Ghostblade and Adam gritted their teeth, withholding any retort.
They recognized the gravity of their situation: they needed to give their all, or there would be no chance of triumph.
Re-centering themselves, energy circulated within, and they consumed restorative elixirs as if they were water.
Sensing their renewed vigor, a look of solemnity replaced the earlier smirk on Auron Eastwind's face.
He discerned something unnerving about the duo: their tenacity.
Despite knowing the odds, they persisted.
"Could all players from unknown lands be this foolhardy?" he pondered internally.
"Though I wonder why you've sought this confrontation," came a sigh from the sidelines, breaking the tense silence, "I assume you'll be forthcoming once you're subdued?"
It was John.
In a blur, he stood directly before Auron Eastwind.
Auron Eastwind was taken aback, retreating several steps, a rare expression of trepidation marking his visage.
"This Galewind... his speed is incomprehensible," he thought, reeling from the surprise.
John gestured dismissively towards the background, "This guy is a level 200-plus warrior with a concealed class. It's only natural you two couldn't best him. Don't obsess over the outcome... I'll handle this now."
Adam and Ghostblade nodded in acknowledgment, stepping aside.
John lifted his gaze, his eyes deep and impassive as they met Auron Eastwind's.
"If Duke Dinan spoke of me, did he not inform you of the true extent of my capabilities?"
Before Auron Eastwind could muster a response, John took a swift stride, vanishing, only to appear before him in the blink of an eye.
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