[The Courage to Step Out of the Safe Zone]
Haruta Motono wasn't the only player brave enough to step out of the safe zone and leave his comfort zone. In this game, players had a high degree of freedom and could go anywhere they pleased.
Yamaguchi Muraji was one such player. He also had an extraordinary identity—he was the eldest son of a famous Yakuza clan from Sakura Island.
Not only had he entered the World Gamble game, but he had also brought along three of his bodyguards.
While most players were still hesitating within the safe zone, he was already swaggering around with his bodyguards, strutting into the Silvermoon Forest with an air of invincibility.
"I came, I saw, I conquered!"
Standing atop a large boulder and overlooking the forest before him, Yamaguchi Muraji declared his conquest of the world.
Behind him stood three burly men, all of whom had chosen the priest class. They wielded massive war hammers and had menacing expressions.
These were the Yamaguchi clan's death attendants.
Yamaguchi Muraji, bare-chested and holding a longsword, was covered in tattoos so dense they were like a second layer of skin.
On his slightly pudgy belly, one could clearly see a distorted, sultry dancer smoking a pipe.
"We, the Sakura people, have always had a spirit of exploration for the unknown. We seize resources to strengthen ourselves. This is not just invasion; it is self-improvement!"
"Follow me into battle!"
Yamaguchi Muraji raised his longsword high and shouted, leading his group into the Silvermoon Forest.
The four of them were all Level 5 and proficient in Sakura swordsmanship, making them far superior to ordinary players who knew nothing.
Based on Yamaguchi Muraji's occasional gaming experience, he deduced that the monsters around the novice village were divided into zones with increasing levels, allowing players to grind and level up systematically.
Given their current location, the monsters they encountered shouldn't exceed Level 5.
[An Unexpected Encounter]
"Huff, huff."
"Huff, huff."
Suddenly, the group heard heavy breathing coming from the bushes not far away. The sound was oddly familiar, like the grunts of people lifting weights at the gym.
This immediately put Yamaguchi Muraji on alert.
He turned to one of his bodyguards and ordered, "Moriyama Norihito, go see what's going on in there!"
Moriyama Norihito obeyed, gripping his priest's war hammer as he approached the bushes.
The heavy breathing grew louder as he drew closer. Parting the bushes, he saw a towering gnoll, standing about two meters tall, lifting a wild boar as if doing squats.
Without an identification skill, he could only glean basic information: [Gnoll, Level 8]
Just a Level 8 monster?
Moriyama Norihito stared at the gnoll's faintly visible back muscles, feeling a bit disillusioned.
But his attention quickly shifted to a silver treasure chest and an iron treasure chest placed side by side nearby. His heart leaped with excitement.
Could these be the treasure chests from the game?
He recalled seeing players bragging about treasure chest rewards in the world channel. Someone from the Chinese region had obtained a crane mount, and an American player had opened an alloy shield.
Now, a precious silver treasure chest was right in front of him. Moriyama Norihito felt this could be Sakura Island's chance.
He had to ensure his young master could make a name for himself on the world channel.
With this thought, Moriyama Norihito quietly retreated to Yamaguchi Muraji's side.
"Norihito-san, what's the situation in there?" Yamaguchi Muraji asked eagerly.
"Report, Young Master. There's a Level 8 monster inside. It looks strong and imposing, but there's also a silver treasure chest and an iron treasure chest nearby."
"Silver treasure chest? Yoshi!"
Yamaguchi Muraji's eyes gleamed with greed, cruelty, and fanaticism, along with a hint of caution. He grinned wickedly and said, "What are we waiting for? It's just a Level 8 monster. The four of us are brave Sakura warriors. Kill it and take the treasure chests!"
The group quickly reached a consensus and cautiously approached the bushes, only to find that the Level 8 monster had already left. On the ground lay the silver and iron treasure chests, like two perfectly grilled steaks tempting a pack of hungry wolves.
"Young Master, what now?"
"The monster must have left. It makes sense; after all, this is a real world. Monsters have their own lives, even if it's just a game for us."
Yamaguchi Muraji stroked his chin, his deep eyes gleaming with wisdom as he shared his insight.
"Brilliant, Young Master! So, what do we do now?"
"I'll open the treasure chest while you stand guard. If that Level 8 monster returns, hold it off until I finish opening the chest. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
Yamaguchi Muraji waved his hand, and the three bodyguards immediately took up positions around him, standing guard. Meanwhile, Yamaguchi Muraji licked his lips and rubbed his hands together as he approached the silver treasure chest.
"May the Emperor bless me!"
"May the spirits of the samurai bless me!"
"I, Yamaguchi Muraji, shall open this silver treasure chest today and restore the glory of the Yamaguchi clan!"
He carefully placed his hand on the silver treasure chest.
[Lacking a key. Opening the silver treasure chest requires a silver key. Purchase for 1,000 Invasion Points?]
"Nani? 1,000 Invasion Points? Damn it!"
Yamaguchi Muraji frowned and turned to his bodyguards, ordering, "Transfer your Invasion Points to me, now!"
The three bodyguards complied without hesitation, transferring their remaining points to Yamaguchi Muraji.
"Yoshi! I'll give you a raise when we get back!"
"Exchange for a silver key!"
[Treasure chest key exchanged.]
Holding the silver key, Yamaguchi Muraji suppressed his excitement and inserted it into the chest's lock. With a look of reverence and anticipation, he gently turned it.
The chest opened, and a blinding white light burst forth, accompanied by a foul stench and the smell of gunpowder.
"Nani?!"
Yamaguchi Muraji froze, realizing something was about to explode.
"Boom—"
A violent explosion echoed, and the force of the blast sent Yamaguchi Muraji flying into a tree, killing him instantly. His body was covered in sticky, foul-smelling excrement.
[Congratulations on obtaining a purple blueprint: Flaming Arrow Tower]
A purple-glowing blueprint fell to the ground, unclaimed.
The three bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances, stunned by the scene before them.
"What now? The young master is gone."
"Take the reward back to the young master's family. No one could have known the chest was trapped. It's the least we can do."
Moriyama Norihito nodded and bent down to pick up the purple blueprint, only for a massive paw to stomp on his hand.
Looking up, he saw a dozen gnolls, each over two meters tall and rippling with muscle, standing before him. They exhaled heavily, cracking their knuckles.
Some swung an unconscious Blackwater Python like nunchaku, howling "Wah-wah-ow!" as they twirled it.
Others carried two Spearboars on their shoulders, continuing their squats.
One leaned against a tree, smoking a leaf-rolled cigarette, looking utterly relaxed.
Each one was menacing and brutal.
"Ptui!"
The lead Elite Gnoll spat on Moriyama Norihito's face, grabbed him by the head with its furry, muscular hand, and lifted him effortlessly. """
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