Alone and Infinite

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

Alfred the sycophant is a fictional character in the film; this trial instance combines elements of the original story and the movie.

Chapter 38 Proof of Valor

The tasks for joining a faction are mostly similar. For example, joining the dwarf faction requires paying a certain amount of gold dust.

The Elf faction is a shining gem.

Neither the gold sand nor the gems are expensive; if you exchange them with points, it will cost around 100 points.

The Orc faction is a bit special, requiring the killing of an elf or dwarf, but since the Orc faction is essentially a merger of the Dire Wolf and Orc factions, it's normal for it to be a little different.

Finally, there's the human faction, namely Laketown.

Since the sycophant Alfred controlled the power to select people to join the guard, one could simply bribe him to join the ranks.

Choosing to refuse the bribe will trigger the second quest, which requires paying an expensive deposit to the mayor, or you can join a faction.

Li Xia was originally very obedient and had no intention of joining the human camp; he was quite interested in archery skills.

Until the Hall of Transcendence quietly gave a tiny hint.

Li Xia swore that the hint was really small, as if it would be discovered by the Hall of Light if it were too big.

There was just a huge exclamation mark above Bard's head on the minimap, just like the one I saw when I played the game.

You have triggered the hidden human faction quest: The True Laketown Guard.

[Mission Objective: Complete the Proof of Valor]

[Proof of Valor: Defeat the Giant Spider, Orc, War Wolf, or Swamp Crocodile; completing any one of these will suffice]

[Quest Reward: Join the Long Lake Town Archer Guard]

“Young man, if you want to join the Longlake Town Archer Guard, you need to prove your bravery. We reject cowards. After you complete the mission, bring your spoils to me.”

Bard nodded to Li Xia, a hint of worry on his stern face, and then prepared to leave.

“Wait a moment, Mr. Bard.”

Li Xia's expression was a little strange. He reached into his pocket with one hand, pretending to rummage around, but actually took out items from his spatial storage.

"Are these okay?"

He spread his hands, revealing several spider venom sacs and silk sacs.

“A silk sac from a giant spider?” Bard stopped, picked one up, examined it closely, and even sniffed it. “It’s about a day old, and it was just peeled off the corpse not long ago.”

"Yes, the spiders I encountered while traversing the dense forest road on my way to Lake Town, and in fact, I also ran into a small group of orks."

Bard's expression turned noticeably serious: "Ork? Are there any dire wolves?"

"Of course, we fought a fierce battle. The Oaks retreated, leaving behind their corpses. Unfortunately, I found them smelly and they didn't bring back any spoils, only these gold coins."

Li Xia spoke slowly and deliberately, while taking out several silver and gold coins and placing them in Bard's hand.

"That's right, it definitely has the stench of an orc and the pungent smell of a dire wolf."

Bard was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up and asked, "What weapon do you use?"

"gun or spear"

Bard took the spear from the guard next to him and threw it at him: "Prove to me that you have the ability to do the story you're telling me."

But he soon realized that his words were superfluous, because the young man's aura changed the moment he grasped the spear.

He just stood there, holding a gun in one hand, and there was a subtle sense of oppression that made people's hearts tremble.

"Tap—" A soft knocking sound rang in my ears.

Bard felt as if a flash of silver light had passed before his eyes, and the not-so-sharp spear had pierced through the thick wooden plank.

What a formidable spearman!

"What's your name?"

"summer"

"Go and get a bow. How can we manage if the archery guards of Longlake Town don't know how to use bows and arrows?"

Bard waved and turned to leave, just as the notification popped up.

[Mission: Proof of Valor Completed]

You have successfully joined the Long Lake Town Archer Guard.

You have chosen the human side.

Faction quests are now available.

[Next phase of main quest start time: 6 days 16 hours]

Your bravery has earned the approval of Bard, the captain of the Longlake Town Archer Guard.

You have obtained the standard longbow of the Longlake Town Archery Guard and acquired basic archery skills.

Li Xia was taken aback, not expecting these extra benefits. He nodded to Bard.

"Thank you. Should I call you captain now?"

A rare smile appeared on Bard's usually cold and serious face: "Just call me Bard. Practice hard, and if you get itchy, go find old Joel to do some work."

Just as he was about to leave, Alfred, the sycophant who had been watching silently, finally couldn't help but scream:

"Bard! Conscripting guards is the mayor's prerogative! You have no right to recruit guards!"

"Alfred, if I remember correctly, the mayor's power comes from the Longlake Town laws passed down through generations, and he is elected by the people."

So this person, who only has the right to be mayor by relying on the law, wants to deny the law?

Bud gave him a cold glance, waved his hand, and left alone.

In the past, he probably wouldn't have clashed with the mayor and Alfred.

But ever since the dwarves arrived, Bard had a growing sense of foreboding.

It seemed that a momentous event was about to occur, which was why he was desperately trying to strengthen the Changhu Town Guard.

The mayor's guard was utterly useless. They were good at oppressing the people and collecting taxes, but they were useless at defending against enemies.

They'll run faster than the Shard's rabbits; the only hope is their own archer guard!

Alfred was speechless; he could only utter a few polite words before hastily leaving.

Bard nodded to Li Xia again before going to check the defenses of Long Lake Town.

The scene quieted down, and Li Xia was finally able to take a good look at her haul.

When I first saw the description of the equipment I received, I was overjoyed and almost cheered.

【Purple Robe Bow - Standard Version】

[Grade: Blue]

【Origin: The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth, Gondor】

[Durability: 45/45]

Damage Intensity: 2 (Tier 1)

[Requirement: 7 points of Strength]

Weight: 90 pounds

[Purple Robe: Increases shooting stability by 20%]

[Refined Bowstring: Increases damage dealt by an additional 15%]

[Introduction: Just as the allure of a cold weapon comes from the person wielding it, the allure of a bow and arrow lies in its arrow; only when the bow and arrow are combined is it a complete bow and arrow.]

[Note: Cannot be taken out of this world]

The joy he had just felt vanished instantly. Li Xia pouted, thinking he was going to get a piece of equipment for free.

The result is that the weapons issued do not belong to any individual.

However, the description of this bow is quite interesting. The bow itself is not very powerful, but it is different when paired with different arrows.

Therefore, the complete power of a bow and arrow should be calculated together, considering both the bow and the arrow.

Li Xia pondered for a while, put down the bow, and began to study the skills he had just acquired.

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

Chapter 39 The Blessing of the Palace

The Basic Archery Techniques looks like a small scroll.

The text below indicates that confirming use will grant the skill "Basic Archery".

This was actually the first time Li Xia had acquired a skill in the Hall of Light, and it was indeed different from the Hall of Transcendence.

You can learn it simply by using it; it's nothing like transcending the mundane, where you have to work hard to learn it yourself.

He clapped his hands together, and the small scroll transformed into a stream of light that shot into his mind. Li Xia felt a sudden dizziness.

It seemed that many things suddenly appeared in his mind, and when he came to his senses, new skills had appeared on the panel.

[Basic Archery] LV1 (Beginner 0%)

[Skill Type: Skill-based Passive Ability]

[Effect: Increases arrow accuracy by 10%, increases arrow stability by 10%, and increases firing speed by 10%]

Passive skills have no cost.

[Introduction: Basic Archery, as its name suggests, it is merely the basics]

It's pretty much as Robin Hood said. Basic archery is indeed very basic, and the bonus is just average. I heard that elven archery also adds to melee and dexterity, and the bonus is higher than that of basic archery.

It seems like a 10% improvement in accuracy, stability, and firing rate is pretty good, but it's actually a value calculated based on Li Xia's current performance.

Li Xia is a complete novice when it comes to archery, so what's the point of a 10% boost?

After packing his things away, Li Xia prepared to go to the guard's quarters, where faction missions and rewards were redeemed.

Laketown was exceptionally lively in the morning. It was originally a prosperous and powerful place that relied on the trade between dwarves, humans, and elves.

But after the last dragon, Smaug, conquered the dwarven kingdom of Lonely Mountain, the once-thriving tripartite trade gradually fell into disuse.

Longlake Town has gone from being a powerful place to one that now relies on delivering drinks to the elves and fishing with nets to make a living.

Li Xia walked slowly along the wooden planks beside the room. It seemed that there were no idle people in Changhu Town; both men and women were working with expressionless faces.

Only the child had a smile on his face, happily playing with the puppies.

Before long, Li Xia arrived at the guard's quarters, which was the tallest building in the entire town, or rather, it was a tower and a warehouse-like building.

Guards with bows and arrows stood on high ground to keep watch, while those not on duty lazily lay in their dormitories below, and many others chose to go to the tavern for a drink.

Old Joel was a rather elderly man with a limp, a unkempt white beard, and a gruff voice. He greeted us loudly as soon as we met.

"Ah, you must be the boss's new recruit? What's your name again?"

“Xia—” Li Xia nodded: “Captain Bud asked me to report here, and said that if I get itchy, Old Joel has plenty of work to do so I can relax.”

“Yes, that’s right! Xia! He’s a good lad.” Old Joel puffed on his pipe and nodded with satisfaction. “It’s been a long time since our team has had such an energetic young man.”

Before we go any further, let me talk to you about the compensation package.

Old Joel dragged his leg to a wooden table, sat down, tapped his pipe, and unrolled a roll of parchment.

"First, here's your meal ticket. Take it; it's your livelihood. If you lose it, you'll have to wait until next month to get a replacement."

Meals are served every morning and evening when the bells ring; if there's not enough, people buy their own.

He handed over a small, rough wooden plaque, which Li Xia took and put away.

"Next comes the supplies. The boss gave you a pretty good bow, quite good, almost the best one in the warehouse. Use it carefully, or you'll have to pay for it if you break it."