How Do We Play If This Boss Isn't Nerfed?-Chapter 72 - 70: Advancement Quest: Goblin Centurion
ROAR—!
Another furious roar exploded from the opposite direction.
The sound was identical to the previous monster’s, filled with primal brutality.
Lin Ye looked toward the source of the sound.
At the edge of his vision, atop another building, stood a similar monster. This one was smaller, with longer arms and faster movements.
Level 17!
The exact same level, the exact same fused form.
The two monsters, separated by over a thousand meters, roared back and forth. It was as if they were engaged in some form of primitive communication, or perhaps declaring that they had jointly claimed this territory.
Lin Ye held his breath, recalling a conversation he had overheard a few days ago.
"It seems like the number of mutant beasts in the entire contaminated zone has dropped a lot this past month!"
"That’s a good thing! We get paid easily. It’s way better than being one of those unlucky bastards!"
’If these monsters are those two people...’
’Their mission was to clear out the mutant beasts from the contaminated zone.’
’But why did they end up like this?’
Lin Ye’s mind raced. He focused his consciousness on his system panel and quickly found a quest he had received long ago but had since put on the back burner—
[Kings Don’t Meet Kings!]
[Quest Objective: Kill the Level 20 Regional Lord!]
[Quest Reward: 25,000 EXP, 10 Skill Points, Unlock New Phase: P2!]
Advancing from a Goblin minion to a Goblin Warrior was a comprehensive leap in one’s very level of existence.
’So, unlocking the all-new P2 phase will likely be a far greater boost than a simple racial template advancement.’
And right now, these two Level 17 monsters were like terrifying gatekeepers on the path to the region’s final boss.
As Lin Ye was lost in thought, the two monsters began a frenzied slaughter!
They were like two tireless killing machines, rampaging through the ruins.
Any mutant beast that appeared in their line of sight, regardless of its level, met the same fate—
being torn to shreds or smashed into a pulp.
Lin Ye grew pensive. This didn’t look like mutant beasts preying on others for survival.
They weren’t making any attempt to eat.
It was simply indiscriminate slaughter.
Or perhaps...
they were carrying out the last command they received when they were alive.
Even as monsters, they had to complete the mission: "Clear out the escaped mutant beasts"!
Lin Ye felt a flicker of annoyance.
His Leveling Area was being destroyed.
These mutant beasts were a vital resource for him to steadily gain EXP.
Now, that resource was being eliminated by these two monsters with extreme efficiency.
’I have to find a way to get rid of them!’
The moment that thought surfaced, a cold system notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Detected that the host has reached a specific level and is facing new crises and challenges. Racial advancement quest triggered!]
[Advancement Quest: Goblin Centurion!]
[Quest Description: A qualified Warrior must prove his valor with the heads of mightier foes! You have not a single soldier under your command, but your renown will strike fear into these ruins.]
[Quest Requirement: Kill two Level 17 Fusion Mutant Monsters.]
[Quest Reward: Racial template upgraded to Goblin Centurion, All Attributes’ growth rate increased!]
Lin Ye wasn’t surprised when he received the quest.
Knowing the system’s usual antics, these two Fusion Monsters were most likely "elite monsters," similar to the mutated black panther.
He was currently Level 12.
Challenging two elite monsters five levels higher than him—monsters that completely outclassed him in both strength and speed—was no different from suicide.
’I have to find a way to level up.’
’At the very least, I need to reach Level 17. Only then will I be qualified to gather intelligence and formulate a strategy, just like I did with the mutated black panther.’
With his mind made up, Lin Ye no longer hesitated.
His figure silently melted into the deeper darkness, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, leaving no trace behind.
’Withdraw from the ruined city and plan for the long term.’
...
「The next day.」
The spear in Chen Meng’s hand was as fast as lightning. Every thrust was accompanied by a shriek that tore through the air, its tip aimed precisely at Lin Ye’s vital points.
Lin Ye held his own spear, his expression focused as he calmly parried Chen Meng’s storm-like assault.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The ceaseless ringing of metal on metal filled the air, sending sparks flying.
"You’re distracted."
Chen Meng’s voice suddenly cut in. With a flick of his wrist, the momentum of his spear changed abruptly. It bypassed Lin Ye’s block at an unbelievable angle, and the shaft slammed heavily onto Lin Ye’s right shoulder.
BAM!
Lin Ye staggered, nearly falling over.
"Something on your mind?"
Chen Meng withdrew his spear and stood, his gaze as sharp as a torch as he watched him.
Lin Ye nodded.
"Teacher, there’s something I’d like to ask you."
Lin Ye thought for a moment.
His real concern was about the ruined city.
But he hadn’t forgotten what he wanted to ask Chen Meng, either.
So he recounted, in full detail, how he had received recruitment emails from Martial Halls online the previous day.
After listening, a trace of surprise appeared on Chen Meng’s face.
"The Martial Halls are already after you?"
He mulled it over for a moment, then asked, "What are the names of the ones that sent you invitations?"
"Thunder Shock Martial Hall, and another one... called Black Peak."
Lin Ye replied.
Upon hearing these names, Chen Meng’s surprised expression instantly shifted to one of understanding.
"So it’s them."
"You’ve been playing ranked matches online recently? And your rank has been climbing fast, with a high win rate, right?"
Lin Ye nodded.
"That explains it."
Chen Meng picked up a towel to wipe his sweat and explained, "Don’t be intimidated by their names. These so-called Martial Halls are just third-rate outfits in our Ninghai Province, not even worth mentioning."
"Teacher, what exactly is a Martial Hall?"
The concept was still vague to him, so he asked the question that was on his mind.
Chen Meng simply leaned his spear against the wall and sat down.
"Sit."
"Since you’ve already encountered them, I might as well explain it properly. This concerns your future path as a Martial Artist."
Lin Ye sat down and listened quietly.
"A so-called Martial Hall, you can think of it as a faction with a clear organizational structure, formed by Martial Artists who gather voluntarily."
"A hundred years ago, when the foreign races invaded and human martial arts resurfaced, the first batch of Martial Artists, in order to huddle together for warmth and share resources and intelligence, established the first major Martial Hall organizations."
"Having developed to this day, Martial Halls have evolved into massive, well-established behemoths. They’re like the corporations or conglomerates you’re familiar with, controlling vast amounts of resources, Cultivation Techniques, and intelligence."
"A solo Martial Artist, no matter how talented, will always be limited in the resources they can obtain."
"But by joining a Martial Hall, you can accept missions of various levels, explore the Celestial Abyss Rift, hunt high-level mutant beasts, or even participate directly in the war against the foreign races. Through these, you can earn merits and wealth to exchange for cultivation resources."
Lin Ye had a realization.
’So, a Martial Hall is basically like a ’clan’ or ’guild’ in a game.’
Chen Meng sneered, his tone shifting. "As for those Martial Halls that sent you invitations, their headhunters basically camp out on the ’Martial Peak’ platform twenty-four-seven, searching for promising new talent in every city."
"The D-class contract they offer might sound like they’re giving you some security, but in reality, it’s a slave contract!"
"Once you sign it, you’ll be tied to that Martial Hall for at least the next five to ten years."
"The majority of the profits you earn from missions must be handed over to the Martial Hall. You’d be lucky to keep even half of it. They use the cheapest methods to raise a large batch of newcomers like you. As long as just one of you makes it big, they’ll have struck gold."
"Lin Ye, I don’t care how desperate you are for money right now, remember this: absolutely do not rashly agree to sign with any Martial Hall, especially not one of these third-rate ones!"
A chill ran through Lin Ye’s heart, and he nodded solemnly.
He had, admittedly, been tempted.
"Teacher, then what are the good Martial Halls like?"
