Chapter 99: Chapter99-Dragon Hunt! (Part 3)
"Seventeen ordinary-grade dragons so far. We're still at the top of the leaderboard, but the second-place team is close behind with fifteen dragons. They're only a step away from us."
Putting away her blood crossbow, Helena opened the event leaderboard.
Despite their top position, she wasn't as optimistic as she had expected.
"By the way, this S. character was also ranked pretty high in the last major event, wasn't he? Even though he's a thief class, a class meant for assassination, he's so proficient in hunting too?"
"Maybe he has a group of strong companions? Anyway, if we get the chance..."
Before Helena could finish, John cut in, "If we get the chance, I'll definitely kill that guy."
"You've said that before, John. What grudge do you have with him?"
"Nothing. I've never even met him."
"Then why... never mind, it's a secret. I didn't ask."
Helena shrugged and glanced at a nearby unfamiliar team battling an earth dragon.
On a whim, she drew her blood crossbow, aimed at the dragon's vital spot, and gently pulled the trigger.
Moments later, fifteen free attribute points were credited, marking their team's eighteenth dragon kill.
"No way! Did you really steal that kill? Big sis, you're really good at kill-stealing!"
"Shh, let's get out of here before they notice us!"
"But we're not afraid of them. Why should we run?"
"Uh... because we did something bad. People who do bad things need to flee the scene. That's how it always happens in movies and TV shows. Haven't you watched any?"
...
"Why won't you answer my questions? Who are you? Why did you bring me here? What about my companions? What happened to them?"
"Calm down. I just wanted to meet you, that's all. As for your companions, they're still in that world. Don't worry, they're safe."
The woman sighed deeply and slowly approached Lily.
Her breathtakingly beautiful face exuded immense pressure, causing Lily to instinctively step back.
Seeing this, the woman immediately stopped, softened her voice, and said gently, "Lily, believe me, I mean no harm."
"Who... who are you?"
"I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. But I believe one day, you'll find the answer. It's getting late, and I can't stay away for long. I'm really happy to have seen you in person."
"I... I need to send you back."
The woman reached out as if to touch Lily's cheek but stopped just before contact.
She silently withdrew her hand and sighed heavily.
"Until I can tell you the whole truth, John will protect you."
"Wait, you know Johnny? Who exactly are you..."
Before Lily could finish her sentence, she felt everything around her undergo a dramatic change.
The twinkling stars were replaced by a blood-red sun, the air filled with the salty stench of blood.
Claws, corpses, and chunks of dragon flesh were scattered everywhere.
Lily realized she had somehow been sent back to the event site.
But...
"How does she know John's name?"
Lily couldn't make sense of it and decided to set it aside for now. The most important thing was to reunite with John and the others.
Strangely, when Lily opened the map, it didn't show John's location or even a general direction.
...
"Wait! Look! Lily is back online!"
Exiled Immortal's shout drew everyone's attention.
Upon hearing this, Helena immediately checked the status list, seeing that the "offline" note next to Lily's name had disappeared!
"John! Lily is back, but we can't determine her location yet. At least we don't have to worry anymore."
"Good, she's back... Wait, I think I can find Lily's location. Do we have anything with her scent on it? Clothes, equipment, or even a strand of hair?"
"...Lily's handkerchief, will that work?"
Everyone exchanged glances as Exiled Immortal took a handkerchief from his bag and placed it in his palm.
Feeling that this might be misunderstood, Exiled Immortal quickly explained, "Lily gave me this handkerchief. Remember when I got injured and bled last time? I put it in my inventory and forgot about it."
Taking the handkerchief from Exiled Immortal, John waved his hand, and an alchemy workbench appeared out of thin air.
"Let me think... a device to track recorded scents. Hmm, this seems a bit complicated. Give me a moment."
Although Seraphina was still dormant, John had mastered most alchemical techniques through learning, except for some extremely difficult, overly complex, or prohibitively expensive ones.
In less than ten minutes, a small bird-like magical device was freshly made.
"It's done. With this device, we can find Lily. Hmm... Exiled Immortal, this task is up to you. Follow the bird to find Lily and bring her back. We'll wait here.
You're the fastest; no one else is more suitable."
"No problem, I'm on it."
"Hey! Did the sun rise from the west today? You didn't complain this time?"
"Did I? Of course not. Lily is our companion. What if she's in danger?"
"Don't worry. With Lily's strength, she could probably crush this entire mountain. No earth dragon can threaten her."
...
"Such... ugly dragons."
As Lily continued to explore and move forward, she inevitably encountered earth dragons.
She shared Exiled Immortal's sentiments, finding these giant lizards equally distasteful.
They lacked the nobility and mystery of Eastern dragons and the exaggerated wingspan of Western dragons.
They just looked rather pathetic.
"Alright, it's only a level 30 earth dragon. It shouldn't be too difficult to handle. Hmm... Starfall should be enough, so..."
[Astreos, God of the Stars, please unleash your wrath and punish my enemies! Star...]
[class skill: Sword Rain Fall!]
Just as she was finishing her chant, flying swords descended from the sky, piercing the earth dragon's head with ease!
At that moment, Exiled Immortal descended from the sky, landing steadily in front of Lily, holding the bird and striking a pose he thought was very cool.
"Lily, are you alright?"
"I'm... fine, Exiled Immortal. Why are you alone? Where are Johnny and the others?"
"John sent me to find you. What happened to you just now? We were all scared to death when you suddenly disappeared. Everyone was really worried about you, and... I was really worried about you too."
Lily shook her head and sighed softly.
"I don't know how to explain it. I went to a beautiful place and met a beautiful person, but I don't even know who she is, nor can I understand her strange words. Anyway, take me back first. Maybe Johnny has some ideas about this."
"No problem."
Exiled Immortal formed a sword with his fingers and pointed upwards, gathering a breeze that gently lifted Lily into the air.
"Lily, I've also had a strange dream recently, where I met some odd people. Maybe your situation is similar to mine?"
"Oh, Exiled Immortal, did you grow taller? You suddenly seem so much taller!"
"Sigh, I thought you wouldn't notice. How about now? Second sis, you have to look up at me, right? I'm two centimeters taller than John!"
"Yeah, our little Exiled Immortal has grown up in the blink of an eye. Soon, I'll have to stand on tiptoes to pat your head."
"Don't pat my head. I still want to surpass Qing in height!"