MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 337: Moving On

The trio continued their journey through the lost forest, leaving behind the chaotic scene where the Giant Boa attacked Alexander and Meilyn’s guild.

As they walked away, Alexander’s desperate cries echoed in the distance.

"Hey! Get back here! Help us! We’ll pay you! How much do you want?!" Alexander’s voice, filled with panic and urgency, reverberated through the dense foliage.

However, Xin and the others pressed on, their footsteps firm and unwavering. There was no hint of hesitation or conscience in their demeanor.

They simply continued their trek, the ominous shadows of the towering trees enveloping them.

Alexander lost his patience and growled, "Hey! Are you ignoring us?! Don’t you know who I am?! I am Alexander Craig! I can buy you! How dare you ignore me! My guild will find you and make you pay!"

Xin was perplexed by his sudden outburst, and couldn’t fathom what had triggered such a vehement reaction. He hadn’t been the cause of their predicament; Guildbane was a competitive world, and every player operated as rivals.

In a realm where alliances were forged out of necessity, the likelihood of one player coming to the aid of a stranger and a direct competitor was slim.

Alexander should have been aware of this unspoken rule that permeated this world.

"What’s wrong with that guy? Is that how you ask for help?" Hilda scoffed, her tone a mix of amusement and disdain. Her massive hammer rested on her shoulder as she exchanged a bemused glance with Lord Scrooge.

Seraphim chuckled. "Looks like someone doesn’t want to die. Don’t mind them; it’s their last struggle to cling to life."

Xin’s expression remained impassive, and focused on the path ahead.

Seraphim wore a sly smirk beneath her cloak, and reveling in the chaos left behind. The unpredictability of her actions hinted at a secret agenda, making it difficult for Xin to discern her true motives.

Then a loud cry and scream reverberated in the forest, and Seraphim stifled a laugh. "Looks like they’re dead."

Xin didn’t budge. "Don’t mind them and keep going. They won’t die in the real world, so it’s fine."

Seraphim laughed a little. "Though I have to say that you’re a bit cold. The girl in there is cute. As a man, don’t you want to save her?"

Xin didn’t know why he felt there was a different meaning to what she said.

"Cute?" Hilda scoffed and growled, "That girl doesn’t hold a candle to me."

"In a competition, I don’t discriminate," Xin said, unfazed, and continued on.

Seraphim wasn’t backing down and went to Lord Scrooge’s side. "But that’s a bit hard, though. Don’t you feel guilty leaving them to their death?"

"Not really," Xin replied without care, then turned to face her. "Why are you asking me these questions? Do you want to save them?"

Seraphim laughed a little. "Instead of saving them, I’d rather kill them and get their loot."

Xin briefly glanced at her. She really reminded him of Midnight Duchess –– the way she was keen on stealing players’ loot and all.

"Let’s hurry up," Xin changed the topic. "We don’t want that giant snake on our heels."

"Don’t worry, Lord Scrooge. If that snake comes after us, I will pummel it with my fists," Hilda said, flexing her biceps.

Please don’t, Xin lamented. That was the last thing he wanted.

As they hurried deeper into the forest, the eerie ambiance persisted. The air was thick with tension, heightened by the distant sounds of clashing blades and magical incantations.

Xin’s attention remained focused on the map, a guide that could lead them to the Kitsune or something else entirely.

Hilda shot occasional glares at Seraphim, suspicious of her intentions. The temporary alliance was formed out of necessity, not trust, and Hilda remained wary of the mysterious figure trailing behind them.

Before, Xin and the others didn’t mind Seraphim much since they had Victor and the rest of the group. But now, with only three of them, Xin suddenly felt uneasy in her presence. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

On a side note, Xin did feel a twinge of guilt about leaving Meilyn behind. However, he couldn’t afford to be consumed by sentimentality. He didn’t want anything to do with her anymore, and that was precisely why he didn’t want to be there every time she was in trouble.

As the trio journeyed through the forest, the landscape shifted, revealing an ethereal beauty within the enigmatic realm.

Luminescent flora bathed the surroundings in an otherworldly glow, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Despite the captivating scenery, the underlying danger lingered. The unpredictable nature of the Lost Forest constantly kept Xin on edge.

Every step forward brought them closer to the unknown, where challenges and adversaries awaited.

Hours passed, and the trio’s footsteps resonated through the dense foliage. The chatter of unseen creatures and the occasional rustle of leaves accompanied their journey, a haunting symphony in the heart of the Lord Forest.

As they continued, the forest’s density increased, and the map became less reliable. Xin knew they would soon encounter the blank areas, requiring them to navigate the uncharted territories manually.

Eventually, they reached the last saving point before the uncharted territory of the map.

Xin studied the map, realizing the challenges that lay ahead in the Lost Forest. From this point onward, they would be navigating through unknown terrain, relying on their own mapping skills.

"Sylvan and the others are still far behind," Seraphim observed. "Seems like they’re having trouble with the enemies here."

No surprise there, Xin thought. The deeper they ventured, the stronger the enemies became. Without Hilda’s formidable presence, they would likely face significant challenges as well, and they wouldn’t have made it this far.

"It looks like our time for the day is up too," Seraphim continued. "The leader mentioned logging out after saving our progress. It seems that the others are planning to log out at the nearest saving point as well."

Reading the message Sylvan had left, Xin discovered that Sylvan wanted them to move ahead. He had anticipated regrouping at this last saving point before delving into the unknown.

"He must want us to map the area first. It could save time, but it’s also risky for us," Seraphim speculated.

Xin understood her concern. Dying in here would result in an EXP penalty, irrespective of whether the whole group died or not.

Unlike dungeons, where the group wouldn’t suffer an EXP penalty as long as one player remained alive, the consequences here were more severe.

With a nod, Xin addressed the group, "Let’s proceed cautiously. We need to map the area and be prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead."

Hilda added, "Don’t worry, Lord Scrooge. As long as I’m here, no harm will come your way."

Xin grinned. "Thanks."