Chapter 306: The Impostor
Not long after, posts about the new skill for the Wandering Gunslinger began flooding the Forum. Many players who had tested it claimed it was unbelievably satisfying to use. Vayne Sturwell, a famous female fan of Wayne, even uploaded a short combat video showing her outsmarting an Ice Elemental near West Lin Town.
After activating "Gun-Fu: Deadly Rhythm," her movements became increasingly smooth and seamless. With the 50% skill flair bonus from her fancy gun techniques, her fighting style looked stunningly stylish. As the Ice Elemental attacked, she made a heart gesture toward the screen, shouted "Yeah!" while gulping a potion, sidestepped to dodge its attacks, and even bashed the creature off-balance with her gun's butt before turning and firing a bullet straight into its face—cool beyond words.
In her review, she concluded: this skill is the core of the Wandering Gunslinger—it seamlessly links basic attacks and skills, significantly improving fluidity and visual appeal.
"Damn, I'm so jealous! Why don't Warriors have skills like that?"
"Mages don't either. All we can do is rub together Ice Arrows and Fireballs…"
"Why are they both cool and powerful, while I can only stab bit by bit, sneaking around like some shady creep — from a miserable Thief."
Seeing this, Underwater Star also posted a short video. The first half showed him using guild contribution points in the Starry Sky Guild to redeem Armament Haki. After learning it, a new skill appeared in his panel. Once he activated it, his attack damage jumped from 25–49 to 39–64, and he even gained an armor-piercing effect.
The battle visuals were spectacular. Armament Haki could coat his hands, weapons, and even bullets, creating a dark, metallic glow. In the second half of the video, he fought a level-30+ Life Elemental. First, he transformed into a jackal using his Devil Fruit, then activated Deadly Rhythm and Armament Haki, successfully slaying a monster seven levels above him—gracefully and brutally at once, like a wild wolf in the wind.
He ended the video with a single line:
"Not bad, I guess. Lost a bit of HP by accident."
That line instantly became the top humblebrag quote of the year in the gaming world.
Watching post after post filled with shameless flexing, countless players could only grit their teeth in envy.
Same game, same players—why were they so damn lucky?!
As for these kinds of bragging posts… Zhou Ning could only think: the more, the better.
Such posts not only drew in new players but also made Wandering Gunslingers feel more connected and proud of their class. As that sense of identity grew, it created nostalgia and loyalty—excellent for player retention. It also boosted the appeal of joining the Starry Sky Guild.
Once the guild reached Level 2, they'd gain 65 new member slots. Even after recruiting NPCs like Richie Burke, there'd still be around 40 spots left—now that was real profit. Selling dungeon runs and skills cost nothing and offered huge flexibility.
Later on, he could even recruit characters like Leandro and Chris. Those original "Children of the Plane" came with their own storyline arcs; if they joined the Starry Sky Guild, it would draw even more players in.
As Zhou Ning's mind wandered through these plans, he walked into the Adventurers' Association Hall by the Seton River, heading to the same counter where he had accepted his quest earlier. Knocking on the counter, he placed two ID tags and a quest tag before the clerk.
"Quest hand-in."
The staff member took the tag, checked the serial number against the records, and then looked up with admiration.
"As expected of the legendary gunslinger, Wayne Sturwell—finishing a B-rank quest this quickly. However, I still need to confirm the quest details on behalf of the client."
Zhou Ning was prepared for that. He truthfully described the discovery of the two corpses. As for the half-elf body, he also reported finding it inside a secret realm. Whether they could enter the Elven Royal Tomb to investigate further wasn't his concern.
After verifying the report, the staff nodded. "No problem."
He then pushed a stack of money toward Zhou Ning. "Here's your reward—600 Vecktas. The Church of the Goddess of Life may contact you in the coming days for more information. They'll handle any additional payments."
Then, a stream of notifications popped up on Zhou Ning's panel:
[You completed the B-rank guild quest: "Trail of the Lost Travelers." You gained 320,000 EXP and 600 Vecktas.]
[Your reputation with the Church of the Goddess of Life increased by 1,000 points.]
[Your guild, Starry Sky, earned 46 guild points and +5 fame.]
[Your guild has leveled up to Level 2. Capacity: 65 → 130 members.]
Finally! Zhou Ning smiled in satisfaction. He had taken this quest not just for the experience—it also offered valuable follow-up rewards after dealing with the Church, making it extremely cost-effective.
He distributed the quest rewards to the four players accompanying him—each received 60,000 EXP and 50 Vecktas. They might not have contributed much, but they still worked hard. Sooner or later, that money and experience would return to him in other forms anyway.
After collecting his pay, Zhou Ning browsed several counters and quickly found another quest titled "Collect Gargoyle Cores." He accepted it.
It was a special procurement quest—the buyer paid the handling fee, while the Adventurers' Association merely ensured fair trade. The quest poster was Beech Walker, a name he remembered clearly.
In his past life, Beech Walker had purchased large quantities of Gargoyle Cores at high prices, occasionally rewarding blueprints, potions, or rare trinkets. Zhou Ning was curious—if he provided the rarer Obsidian Gargoyle Core this time, what kind of reward would he get?
Leaving the Adventurers' Association, Zhou Ning adjusted his hat, rented a carriage, and headed straight for the Doyle Alchemy Shop in the Western Trade District, where Mr. Turing worked.
——
Meanwhile, Spark Lambert was riding a hired carriage toward his mansion on Levia Street, still shaken with lingering fear.
The past few days had been nothing short of a nightmare—so many familiar faces dying right before his eyes, and now he didn't even know how to face their families.
Just as he was lost in thought, a carriage passed by his own. The snowstorm lifted the curtain slightly, and Spark caught a glimpse inside. The sight froze him in place, a chill running through his entire body.
That was… Judy?
But she had died in the Life Tide! He'd seen it himself—she turned into a spider before his eyes! Could he have been mistaken?
No. Absolutely not.
The seventh rule of Occult Studies: Never doubt your own eyes. No matter how impossible it seems—if it exists, it's real.
Moreover, that carriage was clearly marked with the Foster family's crest.
Could someone be impersonating her, taking her place in Darkland? And if so—what about the others?
Spark's heart pounded with dread.
Out of caution, he got off the carriage well before reaching his house. On the way, however, he ran into someone unexpected—
A man with a stern expression, dressed like a typical adventurer: Argus Graven, the leader of the adventuring party Spark had hired earlier.
"Hello, Spark." Argus greeted him with a smile.
No… that wasn't right. Argus wasn't the smiling type. They'd spent a week together, and Spark had barely seen him smile once.
For some reason, a wave of sorrow suddenly rose in Spark's heart.