Chapter 256: The Allsop Marsh
"Crossing over really does toughen a man up. It's actually forced someone like me, an honest man, into becoming a profiteer." Zhou Ning chuckled and shook his head.
He stayed in the Novice Village of South Westshire until noon. Players kept lining up to hand him money and experience points. By Zhou Ning's estimate, around six hundred people had already transferred into the Wandering Gunslinger class here, and the profits were considerable.
He even sold off a Devil Fruit. The buyer was a pro player with the ID Moonlight Stardust—yes, the very same pro god of the guild Star Moon, on par with Yanran Weile. But this guy didn't eat it right away; he chose to keep it secret, probably planning to unveil it during the pro league for a dramatic effect.
Moonlight Stardust could have been an excellent backup candidate, but unfortunately the guild roster was already full, so he'd have to wait for later.
Aside from that, the last three missions of [Undead's Trail] were also bought up by pro players in the guild. Just like with team missions, once they completed them, Zhou Ning would automatically see the details and confirm them remotely.
Compared to slogging through quests himself, outsourcing them to pro players and reaping the fisherman's benefit was far simpler and easier.
Zhou Ning pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. The hand pointed to 1 p.m.—just about time to set off.
After drafting a group mission for the few players following him, he led them toward the southeastern corner of Westshire.
Westshire was bursting with the energy of life, lush with greenery everywhere. Outside the southeastern gate lay an endless stretch of forest.
Because this region frequently experienced extreme elemental life-force fluctuations, the forest housed many powerful beasts and nature elementals. For that reason, guards were always stationed at the southeastern gate to prevent unaware townsfolk from wandering in.
Of course, this also blocked most of the hopefuls waiting for a miracle—entry required paying gold.
When Zhou Ning and his group approached, they were stopped by a guard, who said sternly, "The outside is very dangerous. If it's not necessary, don't go out… wait a minute, you're Wayne Sturwell?"
"That's me." Zhou Ning hadn't expected his fame to spike so sharply once his Legend rating reached 3. He nodded in confirmation.
"Ahem, since it's you, then there's no problem. Westshire welcomes you."
That was the effect of Legend rating—extra bonuses when dealing with most NPCs. From the guard's face Zhou Ning could read admiration, his attitude suddenly turning warm as he quickly opened the gate for him.
"Thanks," Zhou Ning replied politely, leading the players out.
On the other side, the players had watched the entire exchange. They had clearly seen the guard's shift from stern to deferential, and their understanding of Zhou Ning's status deepened further—Wayne Sturwell was the real deal.
Beyond the gate lay a sprawling forest of about 3,000 hectares. Beyond the forest lay their destination—Allsop Marsh.
In Zhou Ning's past life, this forest was a hot spot in the later stages of the game. That was because Apocalypse featured a quirky milestone: [Show Love to the Small Animals of the Apocalypse World].
The milestone rewarded a specialty that granted +500 HP and +15% maximum HP. Even Zhou Ning had found it tempting. But the requirement was bizarre—you had to make a heart gesture toward more than 200 listed animals.
This included squirrels, rabbits, spiders, pythons, and even predators like wolves and tigers. Many of these animals could only be found together in the life-rich South Westshire forest.
So as soon as they entered, the other players went wild, running everywhere to flash heart signs at every animal they saw. Zhou Ning didn't stop them. As long as they didn't hold him up, they could do whatever they wanted.
Thinking it over, he released the little Deathwing to follow and share the experience.
He'd been raising the tiny black dragon for nearly half a month now, and it had only just reached level 7. Its attack power was already 104–175, comparable to two average players' output. The only problem was its miniature size—who knew how long before it was big enough to ride?
The little Deathwing immediately drew the others' attention. Waterborne Stardust abandoned heart-signing at animals to rush over and try to play with it. But Deathwing's pride was fierce—it wasn't having it. With an "Awoo," it spat a puff of flame right in his face, leaving him sooty and bedraggled.
Zhou Ning was just about to speak when his brows furrowed. He'd heard something—something large moving fast nearby. He raised his hand, and the ebony pistol appeared, barrel swinging toward a bush as he pulled the trigger.
A hideous lion burst out, jaws wide as it lunged straight for XB, who was busy offering love to a skunk. The ambush was sudden.
It was a level 54 Manticore, a transcendent beast. Its stinger alone was top-tier forging material! But normally, these creatures only appeared deep in the forest or in Allsop Marsh—why was one here?
Before anyone else could react, Zhou Ning's special bullet struck it mid-pounce, freezing it in the air. In the next instant, two more bullets pierced its skull, spraying XB with blood.
"Look out!" roared Wrath of Thunder-Chasing Winds, who had been following just behind, eyes wide.
Boom—
The ground shook again. A lynx the size of a leopard leapt from the shadows, pouncing for XB once more. This beast was like the honey badger of giant cats—ferocious, vengeful, and notoriously troublesome. Most adventurers wouldn't dare provoke one.
Zhou Ning half-turned, and a gorgeous single-handed sword appeared in his grasp. He triggered Rapid Pursuit along with several burst skills. His clothes whipped about as green light flared.
Two Sleeves of Green Serpents! The defense-piercing slashes struck clean through the lynx's body.
The beast—one that would normally take adventurers ten seconds to kill—collapsed instantly with a single blow.
Zhou Ning sheathed the blade and swept a calm glance over the dumbfounded group. "Stay alert. The monsters here are strong."
His eyes shifted to the dead Manticore. He had already noticed its HP was only around two-thirds, and now he saw sword and flintlock marks on its body. That confirmed it—there was another party ahead of them, and a strong one at that.
They had driven beasts from the deeper forest outward, sending them crashing right into his path.
He then noticed the trampled branches and footprints on the ground, all leading southeast—toward Allsop Marsh. Their goal might just be the same as his.