BXBX NOVEL Chapter 184: Team (4)
He partially understood that as well, but that hadn't changed anything!
Shaw seemed to be the same kind of person!
"My Praying Mantis—Spear Flash is inspired by those little creatures. They're faster than you think, and I want my spear to be even faster," Shaw let his girlfriend's hand go and mimicked his spear thrusts. Because of his green hair and yellow eyes, he appeared like a mantis himself.
It was quite an amusing sight.
Jake asked the typical question someone of his level would have already asked. "Are you practicing it daily in the training grounds to get natural speed instead of leveling up?"
Players had various reasons not to level up.
It could be that they wanted to build stats easier at the lower levels because it was much harder at higher stages, or some different circumstances held them back.
Shaw chuckled, "I like the grind, but the main reason would be that Peace likes adventuring more than leveling up. The Warmonger Empire is our starting point, but we also have checkpoints in other countries. I often return here to practice because I'm familiar with instructors and others."
"Oh, I see," Jake replied. 'You're adorable, too, huh?!'
Clueless that some of Jake's jealousy had resurfaced in his heart, Shaw added, "I heard that getting stats is harder at higher levels, so I don't mind leveling up slowly and focusing more on adventures and training. I—"
Peace chimed in, "He often runs after the carriage as I sightsee the surroundings! It was so embarrassing at first, but I got used to it! This dum dum often puts me in so many embarrassing situations that I'm close friends with shame now! Look at his nickname! It's because of a stupid bet!"
Shaw awkwardly scratched his hair. "Hey, it's not really wrong."
Peace's cheeks reddened.
"I mean, I am no villain!" Shaw quickly added.
Peace pointed her finger at Jake. "Archer! You should call your girlfriend to us! You two can't leave me alone as you talk about your cringe nicknames! That's the only thing I'd never get used to!"
Jake clicked his tongue. "I don't have a girlfriend."
"Why would you have trouble finding one? You seem active and passionate about your archery. Women like guys like that, you know? Besides, there are a lot of girls who are gamers nowadays because of the immersive virtual reality! A girl like that should really make you competitive! You can find those everywhere!" Peace said.
"I told myself that only someone more obsessive than me can become my girlfriend," Jake said.
Peace stared at him briefly before going on her tiptoes and telling her boyfriend that Jake might be a masochist.
Shaw nodded and whispered back, "Gotta respect that. Sounds like a grind."
"Don't support him like that!" Peace pinched his nose before looking away.
Shaw calmed his girlfriend with head peats.
He asked Jake. "Have you talked with Last Coin?"
"Not yet," Jake replied.
Shaw chuckled, "Keeping him on a hold?"
Peace humorously added, "So petty~~!"
Jake ignored their comments.
Shaw grinned. "How about we meet him now? He should be holed in his alchemy shop. I heard a lot about him because of his mana control, which has been praised by many. He might have a talent for magic and alchemy. That's a dangerous combo!
One day, he might create a grand potion of seven dragons!"
"What's that?" Jake asked.
Peace replied in her boyfriend's stead, "One of his cringe nicknames. He says that becoming a dragon is the last stage of his spearmanship. That's when his hair will become red, and his eyes will be gold like golden coins. He associates everything the best with dragons. It's why he loves The Oath Kingdom the most."
"So cool," Jake replied.
Peace disappointedly shook her head.
"Let's visit him!" Shaw said without waiting for Jake's decision. He'd pull him to Last Coin's shop if Jake decided not to visit the mage.
He believed that this meeting would be more than exciting.
His girlfriend thought it'd be awkward, but she didn't say it aloud, as it sounded amusing nonetheless.
Because of that, Jake now headed straight to meet Last Coin.
It didn't mean that his conversation with Shaw was done.
He said, "I learned about the archery skill called The Triple Hydra."
Shaw's eyes glittered. "Bro's cooking!"
Peace hid her face in her palm.
-
Last Coin practiced his alchemy in the shop called The Arch Emy Shop.
This store was on the main street. It was difficult to get in because it sold high-quality potions, which meant that even medium-level players would buy there.
Their presence was much sharper than that of players at the lower levels, causing low-level players to make way for them and wait longer in queues.
Jake and his new friends were one of those low-level players.
"Should I add him to friends and tell him we're here?" Jake asked.
Shaw and Peace crossed their arms. "No! It's a surprise!"
These two were on the same page now.
Therefore, Jake spent some time squeezed in the queue. It wasn't even a fun experience as he stood between the armored player and Shaw behind him. Peace melted into Shaw's side, not allowing anyone to touch her!
Jake didn't dare his jealousy take over him.
He waited and waited until it was his turn to step in.
Last Coin wasn't on the shop's first floor as he was in the basement, producing potions for low-level players.
That said, someone who recognized Jake quickly trotted to him!
It was a female healer player following Last Coin since his duel with Jake.
Two more of them were secluded in the basement along with Last Coin, helping him with his alchemy skills. They were learning mana control this way.
The rest had given up on him.
'Seems like another one is about to get a girlfriend!' Jake thought, his feelings hidden behind his faint smile.