I Don't Agree to the Terms

Chapter 950 501: Special Zone: Calamity Challenge (Part 2)

"It's just similar, not an actual summoning. He himself is more about support, and the system and skills are mainly focused on summoning and integration. However, unlike you, he can't support others, only his summoned creatures." Shura explained.

He had cooperated with Da Tianwei a few times and still acknowledged the other's strength.

Compared to those Main God Spaces, Dimension Parks, and the like, player backstabbing in the "First Era" mid-tier area is very rare. Everyone wins together or loses together, and given that they're all the top batch of players, it's natural to know that working in the same direction yields the greatest benefits.

The distribution in "First Era" is also very fair.

"I see. Do you have any intel on the Ten Thousand Races Arena?" Gu Shanhai casually asked, knowing the invitation was obtained by Shura from a native of some mythical world, so he must have investigated it.

"I didn't find out much. They said it's like a series of breakthrough challenges, where each level cleared rewards you handsomely. More importantly, the reward fits best with your system and talents." Shura actually didn't know much either; he wanted to gather all the intel but had no choice if the other party wasn't forthcoming.

"Breakthrough challenges, huh? That sounds a bit troublesome." Gu Shanhai rubbed his chin. From the hints, it seemed like some fast-paced special instance.

And judging by the name, it might be competitive.

"Troublesome? How?" Shura asked.

"These instances mostly need combat and puzzle-solving. I'm not good at either." Gu Shanhai sighed.

Upon hearing this, Shura seemed puzzled. How did he get this far without those skills? Every world and instance involves a bit of them.

"So what are you good at?" Shura couldn't help but ask.

"I know a little of everything." Gu Shanhai hesitated for a moment and then added, "I've come this far thanks to the generosity of kind people across worlds."

"Excuse me, by generosity, do you mean beating people half to death?" Shura had heard from Colorful and Lan Qiushui and Base Station Old Liu that, aside from being reliably unreliable, he's quite capable.

For example, if someone survived Gu Shanhai's summoned creatures or items, they basically completed the task.

Yes, even bosses weren't as powerful as Gu Shanhai's items or summons.

So Shura didn't believe a word Gu Shanhai said, assuming he was being humble.

"No way, I'm always kind to others. They voluntarily sponsored me." Gu Shanhai thought of the Da Xuan Dynasty, Ascension Empire, and others; the resources were gifts from them, and as for squeezing them further, that wasn't his business.

"Alright, I'll take your word for it." Shura said, but he didn't believe a single punctuation mark.

From Lan Qiushui and Base Station Old Liu, he learned to never let Gu Shanhai take action. Just let him be a happy aura mascot. From Colorful, he learned never to bring Gu Shanhai to fight bosses, especially those outside the norm, or Gu Shanhai might survive, but everyone else would likely face a party wipe.

The two chatted on and off for half a day before a young man in a black robe, similar to a Western priest's robe, walked over. This was Da Tianwei.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to replenish my provisions, or else my dear will start acting up." Da Tianwei said apologetically.

From afar, Gu Shanhai smelled a stench of scum, possibly due to preconceived notions from his past life.

He eyed Da Tianwei and quickly saw through his system, which wasn't the old Dragon Soul System but something similar in the ghost category. This confirmed that Da Tianwei's talent should relate to summoning and souls, unlike Shura and Colorful, who misused their powerful talents. Da Tianwei always harmonized with his system.

'This seems familiar, like I've seen it before.' Gu Shanhai found the ghostly aura on Da Tianwei familiar indeed.

'Wait, found it, it's the Netherworld Manor series, and it's mutated to a female-exclusive type. This means the talent probably includes something female-related.'

The Netherworld Manor series profession is similar to Undead Mages, except it comes with a manor space inside. It's summoning and integration focused, able to house ghosts and specters.

But Da Tianwei's scenario suggests it's a higher-level mutated profession, more powerful and with more restrictions, like only accommodating female ghosts in the manor.

This profession has its quirks, needing you to win over ghosts and specters as followers rather than summoning them, then installing them within to offer perks.

With this, ghosts and specters not only amplify but also aid in battle, even merging to boost personal strength.

However, Gu Shanhai observed that Da Tianwei hadn't recruited any other ghosts, just the original Netherworld Manor spirit.

He stayed loyal, unlike the typical Manor series users who continually fill with many ghosts and specters.

Moreover, Da Tianwei's supposed Netherworld Manor had nearly evolved into a half-plane, with the ghost's residence turning into a palace.

Thus, as a newly risen lone player, he seemed destitute.

Indeed, Da Tianwei probably completed his system's transformation and reached the first-tier recently, after struggling in the second or even third tier. Transforming the Manor into a half-plane took resources and missions that would halt his progress.

But completing it leads to tremendous growth and ascent.

'Seems he's raising just one now, unlike the nine before. Although expenses haven't lessened, his situation seems much improved.'

Gu Shanhai believed Da Tianwei could go further this time, unlike fading away in a past life.

"Everyone knows the situation, but I'll reintroduce. I'm handling combat this time, leading." Shura spoke first.

"Oh, I'm support, profession Master of Aura, skilled in healing." Gu Shanhai said.

"I'm a summoner, but elite summoning, filling backup roles." Da Tianwei added, meaning he had fewer than five summons, versatile ones able to fight, defend, heal, and control.

"Cough, uh, don't heal, just be aura support." Shura knew Gu Shanhai's healing targeted enemies.

Da Tianwei was puzzled until Shura explained, then looked at Gu Shanhai oddly. Who's healing turns enemies into summons, boss-level uncontrollable ones at that?

"Alright, you can heal too, right Da Tianwei?" Gu Shanhai was fine with it, just felt his timing was off. Imagine nobody needing his excellent healing skills now.

"Okay, let's wrap it up and prepare for the instance." Shura quickly divided the invitation into three, gave each one, then returned to player space.

...

[Special Area: Ten Thousand Races Arena - Venue 374 (Calamity Challenge)]

[Mission: Clear five challenges]