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Beyond the internal strife in Baator City, players have even expanded into other regions of the Anzeta Wildlands. Some players have planned to venture to the Ember Nest’s main base—the most dangerous yet richest place in the eyes of adventurers—the Dragon Valley.

Over the past five years, a rudimentary road has been laid between the Dragon Valley and Baator City, called the “Bumpy Road” by the goblins, allowing monster minions to easily go for support.

Now, on the Bumpy Road, a group of players is moving forward.

They all come from the future-renowned magic guild “Magic Coin,” but at this time, it’s still an unknown small guild with only over twenty members. The guild leader is “Charlotte,” one of the few steadfast mage players.

In this version where magical scrolls are unattainable, mages have become “mage apprentices” who know nothing due to their pitiful requirement of copying spells, while sorcerers have taken up the banner of spellcasting classes, being called “true mages.”

Even within the “Magic Coin” guild, only a few insist on the mage class; most have switched to sorcerers.

At this time, there are five level 3 guild elites who have come here.

“Guild leader, are you sure we can acquire spells here?”

The female player with the ID “Flying Witch” asked.

She is a Wild Magic Sorcerer, and although it’s a sorcerer class, it’s considered one of the subclasses most likely to hinder teammates—the innate magic of Wild Magic Sorcerers comes from the wild chaotic forces lurking beneath the creation of order, and casting spells often releases untamed magic surges.

Charlotte looked at the crude parchment map in his hand, pointing at the crooked skull icon:

“It’s right here, the Tower of the Great Sage.”

“I spent eight gold coins treating the ogre overseers to finish the tavern’s stock to get this map. It shouldn’t be wrong; they seemed quite honest and straightforward.”

The vice guild leader, Mingyue, felt a bit uneasy: “But I heard those ogres say when they were drunk that their boss is also an ogre. Are you sure these big ogres can be mages?”

Charlotte recalled those ogres lying on the ground drinking, shouting “Meat! Meat! Meat!” and couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth:

“They... should be able to.”

He wasn’t very confident in his heart. Coming to the Dragon Valley this time, he was prepared for returning without success. Anyway, eight gold coins were easy to gather for the entire guild.

“At least we have to try.”

“Reforge the glory of mages; it’s our unshakable duty!”

Determination flashed in Charlotte’s eyes; he was the last hope of mage players.

“Guild leader!”

Mingyue was extremely moved.

The “Magic Coin” guild is composed of mage enthusiasts, and although most have switched to sorcerers now, they still have faith in mages in their hearts.

Soon, the group from “Magic Coin” saw the outline of the Rock Fortress from a distance.

“Wow, it’s so big?”

“This fortress is quite magnificent.”

Wyverns roared in the sky, hobgoblins patrolled around the outer walls, and fierce shouts came from within the fortress—that was the Ember Nest’s army drilling.

After observing for a while, Charlotte concluded: “We probably can’t enter the fortress from the front. The officials probably won’t let us acquire spells so easily.”

“I think they discriminate against mage players.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

Flying Witch gritted her teeth in frustration.

At this time, Mingyue keenly noticed a massive rock on the hillside not far from the fortress, and there seemed to be a passage behind it. He pointed in that direction:

“Captain, we can hide there and then sneak in quietly.”

“Good idea.”

Charlotte praised.

So, the five players of “Magic Coin” sneaked behind the massive rock.

However, they didn’t know that they had made the mistake all adventurers make. This rock had witnessed countless adventurers’ deaths, and they would become the next case.

“Click.”

As soon as Mingyue stepped in, he felt something was wrong.

“Wait! Don’t come over!”

The complex and intricate magic circle under his feet suddenly lit up, and a surging wave of magical power erupted. Flames reflected in Mingyue’s eyes.

“Oh no.”

“Boom—”

Accompanied by the sound of flames burning the air, Mingyue was engulfed by the fiery explosion of the Glyph of Warding, turning into a charred corpse, losing his precious first life.

Although Charlotte hadn’t stepped into the magic circle’s range, his face was still blackened.

“It’s an ambush, everyone be careful!”

“Mingyue is dead; we can’t have more casualties.”

He noticed that besides the Glyph of Warding, there was another spell in the corner, but he couldn’t discern its purpose.

However, the hobgoblin guards on the Rock Fortress had noticed the commotion here. They approached skillfully, even chatting about “Another foolish adventurer fell into the trap,” “Guess how many there are,” “How many will die this time.”

Charlotte watched the approaching hobgoblin guards and said to everyone: “We need to leave now, or we might get wiped out here.”

“Everyone, go through this passage. Can someone cast Mage Armor on me? I currently have no ability to protect myself.” Charlotte directed.

Flying Witch quickly said: “Oh, okay.”

“Mage Armor!”

A magical glow appeared on her hand, and she reached out to touch Charlotte’s body.

However, the surrounding magical power suddenly became chaotic and surged wildly.

[Your spell has created an untamed magic surge, creating unknown magical effects!]

“Bang!”

There was an explosion.

Charlotte was transformed into a gentle and docile sheep by the randomly generated spell effect of the Wild Magic Surge.

“Baa~~”

The sheep that Charlotte had become let out a bleat; even through this bleat, one could hear his helplessness.

“Ah, sorry, the Wild Surge was triggered...”

Flying Witch quickly bowed and apologized to the sheep, but seeing the guild leader’s cute appearance, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Forget it, let’s retreat first.”

“If we stay here, the losses will be greater.”

A team member reminded.

“Baa~~”

Charlotte also let out an agreeing bleat.

So Flying Witch and the remaining two team members quickly entered the passage, preparing to escape through it.

“Why are there more traps?”

“What’s this?”

However, someone triggered a Web spell and was ensnared by the sticky webs that shot out.

“Rumble—”

A huge boulder rolled from the end of the passage, mercilessly crushing the trapped players.

“Baa...”

The sheep-transformed Charlotte let out a bleat of despair.

“The developers must be targeting us; they are too cruel. How come there are still traps—”

He roared silently in his heart.

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