Black Panther cursed as she raised her hand to hold the advance. "You have been toying with us this whole time. You are not a newbie."
Liu Ye didn't reply and instead took over the man from Marco as he aligned his back with the car. He didn't want to get attacked from behind as he would probably get one-shotted.
-300
-300
"Of course I'm not a newbie. Do you think a newbie would act so calm after being mobbed?" Liu Ye countered as he gulped down a Medium Mana Potion. "We were actually in the same line of work since I was also part of the criminal organization. Back in my region, we had tens of Cities under our control."
The Ice Serpent was eating his Mana like crazy so he had to keep up by drinking at least two potions.
Black Panther's face darkened. "I see. Did you come to Emerald City to expand your business?"
"No, I have left the underworld and no longer involve myself in those matters," Liu Ye replied honestly before adding, "But I don't mind returning just for today."
His eyes grew sharper as he ordered, "All of you move to one side and throw your weapons on the ground! You only have a minute before your friend dies so hurry up!"
All 9 thieves frowned while preparing to attack but Black Panther didn't plan on risking it. "Do it. We don't want to lose anyone today."
Even though Liu Ye couldn't simply blow up the man's heart, they had no way of knowing it.
"Kick those weapons to us and group with your leader. You only have 45 seconds!" Liu Ye hurried them up and they no longer stalled. They threw their Elemental Weapons on the ground and kicked them to Marco.
Liu Ye could also demand money but he had only 100 seconds for the whole operation. Once the man was dead, Liu Ye would only follow suit. He could only satisfy himself with 10 weapons he could resell for a quick buck.
"You are going to regret this," Black Panther announced as she threw her own flaming whip in his direction. Marco was already proactively collecting all the weapons while piling them next to Liu Ye.
[Ding! Your Affinity with Black Panther decreased by 200. You will be attacked and killed on sight by any of their members.]
Liu Ye ignored the notification and ordered sternly, "Now go back. When I see you gone, I will release him. You have 20 seconds or else his heart will die on its own!"
"Ugh, let's go!" Black Panther ordered after one last threatening glance at him. "If you kill him, I will find you and burn you alive."
Liu Ye watched their backs and swiftly grabbed the weapons from the pile to store them.
[You acquired Flaming Scimitar.]
[You acquired Fire Whip.]
[You acquired Thunder Sword.]
…
His notifications filled with newly acquired items and now, Liu Ye was only left with one last decision to make.
Did he want to kill this man or not?
"Are we leaving?" Marco questioned urgently but Liu Ye was still debating.
The buff man only had 10% HP left and the temptation to get enormous amounts of experience and gold was too strong to resist. He probably would not get such an opportunity even again and the Black Panther Gang was already against him anyway. What difference would it make if he was going to be killed on sight already?
"Run first. Quick. We will meet in front of the Academy," Liu Ye ordered and Marco didn't question him.
"Good luck," Marco wished before he launched alongside the street like a torpedo. Liu Ye gave him a few seconds headstart since he knew the situation could get bloody.
5%...
3%...
1%...
In a game like Avatar Online, one had to be merciless to advance faster.
[Ding! You killed the Gang Member. You received 94 500 Experience and 50 gold. Due to the difference of 54 levels, you earned 77 000 bonus Experience.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You reached Level 12!]
[Ding! Congratulations! You reached Level 13!]
[Ding! Congratulations! You reached Level 14!]
[Ding! Congratulations! You reached Level 15!]
[Ding! Congratulations! You reached Level 16!]
Liu Ye was shaken by the sudden spam in his inbox but he had no time to ponder on his gains. He threw the dead body to the side and began to run after Marco with all the strength he got. When the Black Panther finds out he is dead, they would definitely chase after him.
Will his items drop if he dies?
Will he lose his level and Experience?
Will he respawn in the Emerald City or back in the Newbie Village?
Many questions bounced in his mind as he had no experience with dying yet. So far he didn't see any notification about the Emerald City being any type of special Zone so he wasn't particularly worried. Even if he lost his level it didn't matter as long as he could keep his inventory.
Just as he wondered while rushing to return back to the safe areas, his inbox filled with another series of notifications.
[Ding! Your Affinity with Black Panther decreased by 300 and reached the limit. Player and Black Panther have become mortal enemies for life. Black Panther Gang will now actively search for you to make your life miserable.]
Liu Ye has already kind of expected this to happen but even if he knew for sure, he would still go for the kill. Even if they hunt him down and he can't stay in the Emerald City, he could still farm in any other land. There was no way they would chase after him in the whole Mainland, right?
Swoosh!
He was distracted with his inbox when two Ice Spears flew past his face, almost blowing his head off.
"Catch him!!!" Black Panther called out with pure anger in her voice. Liu Ye didn't need to turn around to know he was chased by multiple Gang Members wanting to split his throat open.
'Fuck!' Liu Ye cursed and swiftly dumped all his Skill Points into Dexterity. He instantly felt a noticeable boost to both his stamina and agility which he used to the full extent.
"You can't run from us!" Black Panther cried out with her voice distancing. He was almost ready to celebrate his escape but then he looked behind and saw two men acting like they were in a circus.
Their water whips wrapped around their arms and they grabbed onto the street lamps to swing like monkeys. Seeing Marco right ahead, Liu Ye gritted his teeth and turned at the intersection to lead the Gang Members away. He could revive endlessly but once Marco died, it would be all over for him.
'People!'
Liu Ye exclaimed in his mind when he finally saw other humans and busy streets. His happiness was short-lived though when the two Gang Members suddenly flew above his head and landed right in front of him.
"It's over kiddo," the Gang Member announced grimly and the end of his whips turned into Ice Blades ready to slice him into pieces. "You shouldn't have killed one of us."
Liu Ye ignored him and opened his profile in search of his last saving grace.
[Ding! You are unable to log out during a battle state.]
"Hah…" Liu Ye didn't know why but he felt like laughing. He has been walking on the edge of life and death for a while now and it was finally time he failed.
"Bastard, I will make you go through endless torture!" Black Panther shouted while catching up but Liu Ye already moved, rushing at the two Waterbenders with water wrapped around his fists.
"Everyone has to go die at some point…"
