Chapter 70 – Natlan Marsh (1/2)

Chapter 70 – Natlan Marsh

Going by foot is too slow. How long will it take for me to start riding a horse? It’d be so much faster and more comfortable. However, Nie Yan knew it would actually take over two months for horses to become commonplace as a method of transportation. They were simply too expensive. At present, even the lousiest of breeds still cost upwards of ten gold or more. It just wasn’t worth it.

He retrieved a Basic Haste Scroll from his bag and activated it by crumpling it in his hand, before sprinting off towards Sulgata.

If there were players nearby, they would see a silhouette dashing across the open field, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Half an hour later, he encountered a new area as the surroundings transitioned into a dark marshland. This location was far from town so few players could be seen hunting here. Almost no one actively sought out this strange place that was inherently filled with danger. However, every so often, a rare bunch would take the initiative in exploring this marsh. Many of them were thrillseekers who happened to be high-level experts as well. On the road here, he had encountered many such players travelling in groups.

Short stubby bushes flourished all over. A dense fog lingered in the air and blocked the sunlight from above. While every so often, a cold wind blew past. The marsh left an eerie impression on those who came across it.

The earth was muddied and filled with basins of festering waters, where the occasional corpse of some unlucky animal could be found rotting inside. A slight rustle or movement periodically came from within the shrubs, as one or two snake-type monsters slithered by. All sorts of hidden dangers were lurking inside this dark marsh.

「System: You’ve discovered Natlan Marsh!」

I’m finally here. He examined the everlasting fog of the Natlan Marsh. Passing through this area will take a bit of effort.

He cautiously moved between the bushes, wary of the potential monsters lurking nearby. He did his best to evade their sights. However, after passing through a dense patch of shrubbery, his high Awareness warned him of impending danger.

「Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!」A large silhouette charged past the shrubs and pounced at him.

He instinctively dodge rolled and avoided the sudden attack. but not before getting a good look at the enemy’s appearance. It was a Marsh Monitor, a species of large lizards that lurked in this map. The one that appeared was over two meters in length. Its dark green skin was speckled with black. Sharp protrusions grew from its head and tail. These protrusions along with its claws were covered in a viscous green poison which caused paralysis. Those unlucky enough to be struck by this poison would be unable to move for three seconds. The paralyzing poison was the Marsh Monitor’s most dangerous weapon.

Ah, it’s these guys. His felt a bit apprehensive. Although these lizards had relatively low health and were quite frail, the consequences of being struck by their attacks were fatal.

In his previous life, an expert had once left some words of advice. Under no circumstances should you underestimate a monster because even the weakest of Marsh Monitors was still capable of causing death.

At the lower levels, these lizards were the nemesis of all Mages and Thieves since these professions relied on their mobility to survive. In the event a Thief or Mage became paralyzed, these Marsh Monitors could freely rip them to shreds. Even heavy-armoured Fighters were susceptible to being killed by these lizards if they were careless.

Marsh Monitor: Level 6

Health: 360/360

The Marsh Monitor’s attack struck air as its body fell back to the ground.「Crash!」Its heavyset body sent mud and water flying everywhere.

At the end of the roll, Nie Yan retrieved his dagger and wielded it in his right hand in a reverse grip. He returned with Concussive Strike, Assassinate, and Vital Strike.

−79

−83

−97

Then he finished with a flurry of attacks before the Concussive Strike’s stun duration timed out. Afterward, the Marsh Monitor trembled and collapsed to the ground.