A relaxing afternoon in New World. LadyQueen Blade, Michi Mochi, Barbeque Rooster, Fifty Silver, and I were all heading to the Clouded Marsh as planned.

The new member, Fifty Silver is a middle-aged looking man with a menacing look. His first impression is not the best since he barely introduced himself. We even hesitated to invite him in since his age did not help to make things less awkward. People can slightly change their appearance in this game yet I think he has the same face in real life.

However, because he was already here, we felt bad not letting him join. Good thing Aria was able to convince him somehow to follow her instructions when in the party. It will be bad if this person does not cooperate well later.

One thing that helped his case is that he does not talk too much. But conversing with him cannot be avoided if we are walking for a long time.

The journey was an hour away from the city and is making me wonder what ETHER is going to do about the long travel time to high-level hunting grounds. It will take at least two hours if we want to travel back and forth.

For now, walking is the only choice if we want to progress fast in this game. And if we want to maximize our experience gain, we need to buy lots of potion or food to sustain our hunting session and that cost more gold than ever needed.

I made sure that everyone has the number of necessities before we begin the journey. A face that is familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time came to me. His appearance was the plainest among the plainest even his armour does not stand out in any way. He came to talk to me, that is why I cannot help but notice him.

"I didn't know that Big Sis is a friend of Leader and Vice Leader. That's amazing! Big Sis must be really strong."

"What happened to you and you met Aria?"

"When Big Sis told me the where to go, I met them during a random encounter between our parties. Basically, Leader and Vice Leader killed my party and somehow I joined theirs."

"They really did that!? Oi, Aria! What the hell have you two been doing before this?"

"Don't worry Big Sis, the reason why they killed my party because they saw me getting bullied by them."

"Again? You were also being bullied when I saw you."

Barbeque Rooster, or ChickB like what Aria and Michelle like to call him, was sharing his stories about the game with me. He got a lot of stories to share mostly about how amazing my friends are.

After the casual talk, the whole group discuss each of our responsibility in the party during a fight and how the loot was going to be distributed. This was the few times where Fifty Silver was joining in the talk especially when the topic about loot distribution was on hand.

Aria's rules in loot distribution were quite fair for a party. First being the preference equipment. Since every member of this party is distinct on their playstyle, they get the opportunity to take the item.

If an item was is compatible with multiple people, then the owner will be decided through 'Rolls'.

Rolling for an item is a given system in New World where each party member who participates has the chance to get the item through luck. It was through a simple six-sided die and the highest roll will have the opportunity to take it. If the same number comes up, then another roll happens until the end.

While we are discussing these things among ourselves, the hour-long travel pass by quickly. It was only when we stepped into a mushy ground did we notice that we have finally reached our destination.

"We're here. There are only a few players hunting here so far, so there would be no problem with stealing and party disputes. Our good spot is still further away. We will be walking only at this point. Be careful of sneak attacks behind your back, the monsters here can be surprising especially those hiding under the water."

"I heard many Twilight City Rankers have died in this place. Can we really grind here? I can understand if our average level is above 24 since the monsters here are 26 and above, but our highest level is 22 while I am just level 18."

As Fifty Silver said that, a group who came earlier was being wiped out by a crocodile just 50 metres away from us. His worry is understandable. If it were not for Aria and Michelle, I would probably worry the same. Those two are unbelievable after all.

'And to think I am supposed to be the one with the most experience in games. How sad.'

Despite the comments of Fifty Silver, we proceed into the deeper part of the marsh where no other player can be seen. We have already positioned ourselves before entering the hostile zone. Fifty Silver being in front while I was at the back.

[Ferocious Gharial Lv. 26]

[Ferocious Gharial Lv. 26]

[Ferocious Gharial Lv. 27]

It did not take long to find an enemy. The first encounter we find was a group of 3 reptilian monsters with the length twice that of an average human. If it were not for Aria pointing at the group, I would think those weird looking things are just rocks.

"Cherry, can you hit the Gharial from this distance?"

"No problem."

"Fifty Silver be careful with their first strike. The moment they rise from underwater is when they deal the most damage. Besides that, they're not scary when on land."

Her instructions were the signal to start the hunt. We made sure that no monster or player was behind us before I shot it with my bow.

"Charge Arrow"

-311

A huge number popped above the head of the Ferocious Gharial.

Luckily, my Charge Arrow was a critical hit resulting in a high damage figure to start with. This mob does not seem to have that much armour based on that alone.

"That some damage you dealt. Was that a critical hit? What's the stats of that weapon? I bet it's at least a rare grade weapon."

"You right. But the most amazing about this bow is its slowing properties. Wait a little more and you can see what I am talking about."

The Ferocious Gharial is already swimming towards us. It also brought along its companion beside it. But fortunately, the third one was not aggroed. Aria said the battle would be difficult if three or more of this monster will attack us simultaneously.

One thing that I kind of underestimated was its speed underwater. I can now see the reasons for the deaths in this area. This thing can and will catch you surprise if you are not alert enough.

"Activate you all your defensive skill, Fifty Silver. We need someone to take the hit for it to come above."

Fifty Silver followed her and begun to hold his shield tightly. His body gave a slight faint of glow, giving off the feeling of an impenetrable wall. He braced for the impact of two reptilian monsters' attack.

-349

-338

"Shit! I was not able to block it properly. The mud makes it too difficult to turn."

Those two attacks alone have dealt almost half of Fifty Silver's life.

As he shared a while ago, his health reaches 1700 with 130 defence points. It is higher compared to normal tank players at his level that I know of, but it does not matter anyway because two attacks were enough to make him tremble.

"I won't survive long if they continue damaging me like that."

"Don't worry. Retreat and drink a potion. Michelle will tank for the moment while you are healing."

As she said, Michelle was not having a hard time tanking the two Gharials when in the land. Compared to the first strike, their following strikes were pitiable if it even hit in the first place. She was also accustomed to stepping on the ground which became a detrimental factor for Fifty Silver.

The Ferocious Gharials were not as ferocious after all when they now on our ground level. Slow and predictable attacks, Michelle was able to dodge many of them.

When Fifty Silver finally returned to the scene, Michelle now focused on dis[ensing out heavy damage. And with that, it did not even take three minutes to kill both of the Gharials.

"That's a bit let down of a battle. I expect more fast-paced or heart tightening situations when dealing with higher levelled monsters in this area."

"It's not really that easy. Your bow just made it a whole lot easier dealing with these crocodiles. Usually, we take 10 minutes to kill a group of two. But because of you, they are basically walking dummies after a few hits of your arrow."

"Your critical rate is also crazy, damn that Epic pendant has really increased your damage output even my greatsword who boast high damage is pale in comparison.

"You're really strong Big Sis."

I hear praises from the three which made me embarrassed for quite a bit, but it did not last long because of Fifty Silver.

"Enough with the talking, ladies. There more coming from our back."