Chapter 106: Small Fry ~ Small Fry ~

Putting his free attribute points into Charisma, Ji Ming made thorough mental preparations before mustering the courage to open his current panel.

【Name: Ji Ming】

【Level: 8 (0/170)】

【Race: Pure-blood Human】

【Talent: Wood Element Affinity·Excellent】

【Profession: Apothecary Apprentice】

【HP: 8】

【Agility: 6】

【Intelligence: 15】

【Charisma: 15】

She looked around, saw Ji Ming behind her, and asked in confusion.

Ji Ming looked around and found only excited faces.

"I don't need you; how would you know who's useful?"

That strange feeling instantly ignited her gossiping heart, and she tentatively asked.

"Your quality is poor; why are you so impatient that you're hitting people?"

"This person must be you!"

Though she could barely stand, the newly level‑2 Bai Yesheng immediately leapt forward, eager to try.

After walking a bit further, amid ruins that used to be an outpost, players were indeed gathering continuously.

Yet after only ten minutes, the expedition failed.

Just as he was about to find a reason to step back, he felt his collar being grabbed, and then…

But he suddenly realized that ever since the game launched, her demeanor had changed when she interacted with him.

Seeing she was truly upset, Ji Ming had to put out the fire.

Gale howled, thunder roared.

After a brief self‑deprecating rant, Ji Ming closed the panel.

Hardcore players who refused to be restrained gathered here; although their overall strength lagged behind Gunblade, they felt like a superhero‑comic team.

Besides that, there was actually another squad that could be considered half‑professional.

【Scrolls: Tranquil Charm Crafting·Excellent, Ward‑Evil Charm Crafting·Excellent, Breath‑Seal Charm Crafting·Excellent】

【Below is my sincerity】

So he set up a table behind the curtain and, with a sweeping stroke, began a hardcore grind.

Upon closer look, the sign listed the names of several squads, including Gunblade and the Justice Hero Corps.

Although other items still lacked materials, the extra Tranquil Charms and Ward‑Evil Charms could be arranged right away.

"Actually, I'm also socially anxious."

After careful contemplation, he suddenly understood.

【It's me, your dad!】

The rare freedom and casualness were captivating, as if life had been swapped.

【I hope you can remember what you just said!】

But during the closed beta, there were probably only two truly professional squads.

Ji Ming could only nod.

"Hello, is there something you need?"

Ji Ming laughed in exasperation halfway through reading.

"I don't want useless friends."

"I'm telling you not to be arrogant; I'll start a grind tomorrow and will cut you down from a horse within three days!"

Holding his bruised abdomen from a punch, Ji Ming kept stepping back.

He took a few steps closer and whispered.

Entertainment‑type squads are varied.

Chang Xi was so frightened she didn't dare utter a sound.

【Magic: Ignite Spell, Enchanting】

Ji Ming's heart tightened; he quickly asked for details and finally learned what kind of job these players wanted to pull off.

It was whether she was a bit…

"I'm his dad."

Although the girl looked beautiful, for some reason she always felt the boy on the other side was more eye‑catching.

The distance was less than half a meter, and now it was Ji Ming's turn to feel awkward.

The Lost One, while demonstrating martial stances to other players, turned at the sound and nodded toward the three of them.

"You!"

Before long, Aurora Dance's figure refreshed on a bench not far away.

【(Confused) Who are you?】

"Is liking quiet the same as being socially anxious?"

So during the day he posted a proposal in the group, meaning that since everyone was familiar, they should make the most of the day off and have some fun.

"I can't say; after all, the one who fled three thousand li in terror isn't me."

Team members: 【Dan Qiu Yi Si】, 【Da Pen Gu】, 【Ao Li Ge】, 【Shehui Ni Qiang Ge】…

Chang Xi is a member of the Justice Hero Squad, so he led them to arrive first at his own team's base.

Don't even say it's the online friends in the game; even relatives and friends in real life can't recognize who I am.

Come to think of it, after playing the game for so many days, it still feels like it's my first time interacting normally with players…

In the real world, hardly anyone uses this tactic; after all, not everyone is a Huo Qubing or Li Jing, with destiny and luck on their side, they can kill across two thousand li without taboo.

So, as the war drums were sounded by the howling, raucous Lynx classmate, the players' first official expedition began.

【Screenshot】?

【Unable to evaluate: Stitching Technique, Grave‑digging Technique, Farewell Technique】

"Brother Tu, I've brought people again."

This panel, not to mention in Yangyue World, even if placed in the Main God Space of the myriad heavens, would be quite explosive.

【Novice Village boss is talentless and unvirtuous, must be brutally slaughtered; can't unless we do it!】

Start surround sound.

"Can't be… can't be… can't be… could it be…"

"We are preparing a full‑scale assault on Sacred Tree Lake; may I ask if you are interested in joining us!"

"No, the current version doesn't have that; I'm just looking."

"Awesome, shouldn't we go help the arena?"

They took a hunting commission of similar difficulty to yesterday, and the two quickly arrived at the mission area on the map.

"Do you think everyone automatically gets full favor after meeting you, Miss Social Butterfly?"

Ji Ming blacklisted all the members inside and prepared a thoughtful special‑price list.

After writing and drawing for a while, the system suddenly sent a notification.

Ji Ming broke into a grin.

The round‑faced girl looked a bit clueless, which didn't match her ID 'Miss Xihe Is Legendary' at all.

One person is a chuunibyou, two are crazy, three are lunatics, but when a crowd gathers, that's pure passion.

Such behavior is like that of a rebellious child.

Bai Yesheng wore a face of contempt.

【Potion: SpiritGathering Liquid Crafting·Basic, Rejuvenation Liquid Crafting·Proficient, Coagulation Powder Crafting·Proficient, Toxic Gas Bomb Crafting·Perfect】

The other is the Justice Hero Squad centered on the Lost Wanderer and Flying Fire Meteor.

Seeing both agree, Chang Xi led them toward the gathering point.

"Fallacy!"

The concrete manifestation is that every time they log off, they must do a full‑hour of antics, sharply raising their own blood pressure.

First smash through the center, then widen both sides, gradually expanding the gains to form a passage corridor.

【Resource Exchange, details please join the group…】

"Great, many people make strong power!"

Finally she suddenly stopped standing behind her.

"Conjugate Father and Son, each discuss their own understanding, okay?"

Aurora Dance almost instantly uttered those four words, then quickly withdrew.

【Aooo, we must claim the land belonging to the Furei fan!】

Holding the sign, in high spirits, even walking through a bleak ruin is a pleasure.

"I'm talking about that Aurora, you aren't socially anxious, are you?"

No, we can't just indulge her like that.

【Combat Skills】

There are many in number and many types, countless.

Although his daily interaction with Aurora Dance is quite pig‑snout, often indulging in abstract stream‑of‑consciousness dialogue.

【Mysterious Merchant is clearly exploiting us, all players unite!】

Although eager to try the effect of SpiritGathering Liquid now, without a prior appointment, disturbing Ms. Buluowa in the middle of the night would be inappropriate.

However, he himself is a naturally sociable expert, so he quickly synced mentally with the players.

A massive pile of compressed files flashed before his eyes like fish crossing a river, but Ji Ming immediately spotted that something about a beautiful boy's slime.

"Maybe it's a bit abrupt, but what exactly is your relationship?"

Although Hua Shu is a member of the Gunblade, being able to lead the convoy organization means he's long been familiar with all the players.

"Copy that, there's slime flying in the sky!"

Since canceling that night's photo shoot, Chang Xi has developed the habit of entering the game every night.

"Ha, I'm using a quantum computer to play the game; can it not be fast?"

【Passive: Precise Throw】

【This is Miss Samoyed's fan club, Samoyed Gate】

Bai Yesheng was unreserved, opening his mouth with profanity.

【No‑requirements Loafing Group, brothers and sisters may come in to chat about daily life】

"Get lost!"

She kicked a stone on the ground back and forth, like a primary school kid waiting at the gate for parents.

Casually making small talk, Ji Ming led her smoothly to Dog Village.

After a bout of giggling and chaos, she turned her head and realized Aurora Dance had vanished at some point.

She turned around, expressionless, staring into Ji Ming's eyes.

"Fine, at worst you just lose a level; the hustle and bustle is what matters most."

……

…

By the time the two returned to the gathering point, almost every player had already converged here.

Remove the makeup, tweak the face to lower the attractiveness a bit, and you can become a "stranger" who is both similar and entirely different.

"My big kid, what are you messing around with, did Yu Yu's syndrome flare up?"

Their main idea is to upscale and professionalize the gun formation that shone on the first day of the game, essentially taking a collective combat route.

"What, are you about to join a squad?"

I can only say it's lucky the system can help with disguise; otherwise this abstract thing would be exposed, and I'd instantly get a red nose and be sent off as a court jester.

Better keep an eye on it.

Thus, amid the heated discussion among players, a "massive campaign concept" against slimes was proposed.

"Is your internet speed faster, or why does your login happen so much quicker than mine?"

"Alright, alright, I won't bring it up again."

Dodging a kick from Bai Yesheng, he quickly retreated onto the ruins.

【Thanks for the invite, please check out Goblin Slayer】

"No problem, the guys will definitely bring you later."

"Ha."

"Huh???"

【I won't dare next time, I should log in quickly, I don't have much time to game (crying)】

If the rear path is blocked after pushing deep into enemy lines, you'll be wiped out completely.

"Sure, sure, let's stay in touch online more."

So Ji Ming slowed his speech.

"Alright, let's set off!"

Bai Yesheng gave him a cold glance.

"Um, actually these can be learned later, I…"

Tearing off the last complete page, Ji Ming felt like it was September at university, with clubs scrambling to recruit new members.

In fact, the so‑called decisive battle strategy is simple: players form a fist and smash toward the direction of Sacred Tree Lake.

Bai Yesheng said nothing, but her breath seemed to pause for a moment.

Bai Yesheng instantly widened her eyes, about to panic, but she calmed down at the last moment.

Ji Ming glanced at the time, then pressed his palms together.

Kou may go, I may also go.

Ji Ming shook his head calmly.

【You haven't replied to me for a second, it's meaningless; if you don't love me, that's fine, really, no need for cold‑violence.】

"Ah!"

There are those who gather to go berserk at villagers, those looking for like‑minded friends to chat, and those simply seeking game partners.

It might be because it's the early‑night golden hour, and the village has fewer players than yesterday.

【Can't take it, bro's got a craving, log in quickly!】

【Life Skill】

When the next login comes, they'll move stones to smash their feet, eagerly begging themselves to log in as a free co‑player.

After a quick search, he finally found the lone Aurora Dance nearby.

【Male‑crossdresser cuddle group, current male‑crossdresser count: 0】

"Damn it, I'm targeting you!"

Throwing several bundles of talismans back into the warehouse, Ji Ming donned a set of standard leather armor and waited in the sanctuary.

Bai Yesheng stared at him stuck on the bulletin board for a long while.

Ji Ming had no choice but to walk over.

It wasn't excitement nor thrill; to be precise, it was over‑excitement.

Almost simultaneously.

Bustling, bustling—how else can it be bustling?

Seeing occasional instant messages pop up, Ji Ming scratched his head.

Then he threw himself back into work.

"Hope it's not Aurora Dance…"

He leapt off the wall, looking serious.

【Join our 'Rebel Alliance', with determination, perseverance, and strength!】

However, above the bulletin board, many notices clearly posted by players appeared.

"No one has no friends in real life, right?"

【Curses: Flatulence Technique, Cramp Technique】

"Just a bit of advice from a social butterfly, that's all."

Then he looked at the blue box in the lower‑right corner of the view.

She is always inexplicably over‑excited, even enjoys conflicting with herself—could it be because…

Alright, alright, that's how you guys play, huh.

But tonight's time can't just be wasted, so he took out the treatment plan he had prepared and studied it.

Gui Gui, what is this again?

Unfortunately, Ji Ming clenched his fist and directly kicked them away.

【Get up quickly, don't be an online rich kid!】

Bai Yesheng fell silent.

Holding back a poison gas bomb that could wipe out the Rebel Alliance in one go, Ji Ming glanced at his own position assignment.

【Got it handed over, brother!】

Those who know say he's a doctor who saves the dying and heals the wounded; those who don't think he's a hot‑handed, black‑hearted thief who also practices Taoist exorcism.

"I just don't like crowds; they're so annoying."

"Ji Ming, you little brat!!!"

But this is a game; play it however you enjoy.

After sensing that a huge threat was brewing, countless slimes merged together.

One is the "Gun Blade" centered on "Spearman's Weapon" and "Blooming Wealth".

You players form groups; does that mean we slimes won't?

But before any work began, they saw a female player waving at them from afar, holding a sign in her arms.

Upon hearing that, Ji Ming seemed to sense something and a hint of doubt appeared on his face.

"Don't worry, slimes are easy to beat; after all, it's just a game, what's there to fear?"

【Nurse not here, play a bit】

She fell silent for a moment, then quietly glanced at the two people beside her.

"The 'defying Heaven' nickname is useless; you're simply jealous that my popularity surpasses yours."

She inhaled, then raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

The so‑called game guilds, teams, and the like are essentially just two categories: professional and recreational.

So when the players left the gathering point and headed toward Holy Tree Lake, they saw a super slime that commanded two great elements.

【Martial Skill: Thump Dull Stick Lv. 2】

If you take too big a step, you'll easily pull your balls; I have a feeling something chaotic might happen…