The sentries shared an uncertain look. They didn't like the idea of Darius coming here because it meant one of two things.
Either these two had come here to take control of them - to use them as footsoldiers for the major battles up ahead where the other Adept were - together with those who had followed them, or the duo planned to use their camp as a resting place while amassing points themselves.
Neither of these options was acceptable. The first meant that they would become exactly what they feared, mere tactical cannon fodder for the stronger ones to proceed with ease.
If it hadn't been for their united stand that they had come here for points, insisting that they wanted nothing to do with the main reward, they might have been forcefully dragged along.
A bloke like Darius who was so young and so powerful was bound to have a powerful background, which they could not afford to ignore, forcing them to do his bidding.
It couldn't be helped, that was how things worked in Faust. The weaker party had to obey the stronger ones.
Just like how peasants would not dare deny nobles, Amateurs and the like could not refuse Journeymen or Adepts.
This was why Darius had frowned after receiving the small Infoblock, feeling that things would be troublesome. It had been the primary reason fueling his desire to create a powerful identity, granting him some security against this custom.
In the end, it had only ended up partially useful. Then again, how had he been supposed to predict the misunderstanding about his actual stage?
Still, with it, he had gotten past any hurdles that would have given him social headaches, allowing him to focus on more pressing issues, namely his level of power.
As for the second issue, it was obvious enough that these fellows here had neither the intention nor confidence to survive the fight against the Stonekeeper.
As such, they preferred to 'peacefully' farm points from Journeymen undead, increasing their skill and their possible rewards, which was killing two birds with one stone for them.
If Darius, an Adept mage, coupled with Gunner, an Adept fighter - at least on the surface - were to compete with them over the same resources, it was obvious which side would be more efficient.
For this reason, the sentries didn't greet them, but they also didn't dare to stop them either. Darius was sharp and easily noticed the subtle dislike and hostility radiating from the Journeymen duo.
Although he had wanted to visit this camp to acquire some information or even some paid helpers to assist them, he could see that he was not welcome.
With that in mind, Darius lost interest.
He just inspected the camp from afar and nodded, leaving with Gunner to the deeper parts of the zone. As for the Journeymen, they sighed with relief once he left, not realizing that they had lost a huge opportunity to become rich in more ways than one.
Darius and Gunner continued on their own and ended up finding some level 22 and 23 undead wights as well as wraiths.
Since they were within a reasonable level for them to farm, they immediately engaged the group, this time without summoning Mikey or Joneson.
[Detected target is of an Enemy affiliation. Displaying details accordingly.]
[Name: Wight
Race: Undead
Class: Swordmaster
Subclass: None
HP: 456/456
MP: 462/462
Level: 22
Strength: 24
Agility: 23
Endurance: 19
Intellect: 21
Charisma: 6
Luck: 0
Abilities: Thrust, Overhead Strike, Soul Pierce
Weapons: Sword]
[Detected target is of an Enemy affiliation. Displaying details accordingly.]
[Name: Wraith
Race: Undead
Class: Specter
Subclass: None
HP: 220/220
MP: 667/667
Level: 23
Strength: 20
Agility: 29
Endurance: 11
Intellect: 29
Charisma: 11
Luck: 0
Abilities: Torment, Spirit Punisher, Fear
Weapons: Claw and Mental Magic]
Darius and Gunner split the tasks wisely. Gunner handled the physical wights that were like ghouls, only with somewhat clean grayish flesh on their bodies. They looked like corpses that had been dead for a week or two at best, but each one wore some light armor and wielded a sword.
The wights were capable of basic swordsmanship and had notable Agility, thanks to which they quickly put pressure on Gunner.
Luckily, his recently upgraded Earth's Guardian made his Defense increase by 110%, making it hard for the Wights to deal damage.
Whenever their swords landed on his skin, it only did surface damage, leaving behind a small red line. Gunner though, was not the type to idly take damage in order to waste time.
Since his Strength was now above the threshold, he immediately activated Explosive Strength and felt boundless energy coursing through his veins. His body swelled up and his mind became sharp enough to make the most of his changes.
He immediately punched out with Earthen Punch and his fist connected with the blade of a wight which was defending. The sword that wasn't even well maintained snapped and the unstoppable blow connected with the monster's chest.
With a loud boom, the monster was sent flying and hit the ground over 300 meters away, crashing into the earth and twisting its appendages all over the place. This was far stronger than the damage he had inflicted to the Dark Horses and Dark Salamanders due to many reasons, Explosive Strength being just one of them.
[Wight - Level 22 Undead
HP: 203/456 MP: 462/462]
Almost half of its HP had been taken away in one hit, making Gunner grin widely. The other wights nearby almost froze in shock, turning back to check on their compatriot who could barely stand with its limbs twisted in many strange angles.
Had it not been an undead species, that crash - which likely dealt the majority of damage - would have certainly killed it give its current state.
Still, being out of commission was good enough for Gunner as he raised his leg and brought it down.
Earthen Stomp!
With a loud tremor, the ground flaked and cracked, the nearby wights who had been surrounding and harassing him tossed off their feet.
The closest ones were flung about and the majority got stunned. Some ended up incapacitated due to accidents like being pierced by some protruding rock or falling into a crevice from which they were unable to pull themselves out.
