Chapter 040: The Hidden Map Revealed

“It could be an experienced player who changed their ID!” Lin Jia speculated, having some understanding of gaming guilds. At this moment, the warrior spoke up: “Hey, brother! Are you selling that robe? If you’re willing to part with your mage gear, I’ll pay a high price! You guys don’t even have a mage, do you? My mage buddy really needs some equipment! Name your price, I’m sure we can work something out!”

Lin Jia was momentarily stunned—why would someone with such great equipment still want his? He glanced at the other players around the warrior and noticed that while their gear was decent, it didn’t come close to the warrior’s impressive set. Even Lin Jia and his two brothers couldn’t compare. It seemed the warrior was the leader of this group, trying to get some good equipment for his companions.

Although Lin Jia’s group had valuable gear, if this warrior belonged to a major guild, or was even one of its representatives, he’d certainly have the means to buy. But sell to him? What would Lin Jia wear? Not being a warrior himself, he replied without hesitation, “Heh, sorry! This belongs to a buddy of mine. He just got killed and lost his red name status, so I’m just holding onto it for fun! We’re waiting here for him to finish buying potions and meet us!”

“He’s got a red name, how’s he going to get here? Is he going to charge in with a big sword or something? Don’t you know the city gate guards kill red-named players on sight? Red-named players can’t enter the city!” Little Shrimp asked in surprise.

“Huh?” The three of them exchanged bewildered glances. They had entered this secret map from the city—was there a secret passage in the city?

“If you’re not selling, then forget it! Do you guys have any spare Dungeon Escape Scrolls? We forgot to buy some before coming in, and we’re about to head down to the third level of the Pig Cave to grind some levels. Sell us two, will you? Otherwise, if we go too deep, it’ll be hard to get back!” Little Shrimp, seeing that Lin Jia’s group wasn’t willing to sell the gear, didn’t press the issue. Instead, he inquired if they had any extra dungeon scrolls.

“Pig Cave? This is the Pig Cave? I remember now!” Old Four suddenly slapped his thigh and hurriedly typed, “We each only have one ourselves! But never mind, we’ll just give them to you! We’re close anyway.” Then he turned to Lin Jia and the eldest and said, “Give them the dungeon scrolls!”

Though Lin Jia and the eldest were puzzled, they didn’t ask further. They took the Dungeon Escape Scrolls from their packs and tossed them on the ground for the other group to pick up. Dungeon scrolls were essential for anyone entering these underground maps, but since Lin Jia’s group often got even better Return Scrolls while leveling in the Fragrant Stone Catacombs, their backup dungeon scrolls had become unnecessary. After all, each scroll cost less than two gold coins, so they generously gave them to the warrior.

“Thanks! See you!” Little Shrimp picked up the scrolls, thanked them, and led his group of four or five players away. Before leaving, he warmly invited Lin Jia’s group to join them grinding on the third level of the Pig Cave, but Old Four declined, saying they had to wait for their “mage friend.”

“What’s going on?” The eldest, still confused, asked.

Old Four said, “Let’s head back to town!” With that, he used a Return Scroll and teleported away. The eldest and Lin Jia followed suit.

Once they returned to the safe zone, Old Four dropped his mouse and frowned, “No wonder the name ‘Stone Tomb’ sounded so familiar—it’s actually the Pig Cave!”

“Pig Cave?” Lin Jia looked at Old Four in surprise. It really was a fitting name—the place was crawling with wild boars, so calling it Pig Cave made sense. By that logic, though, wouldn’t the third level of Fragrant Stone Catacombs, where boars were even denser, be called the “Pigsty”?

Old Four pointed at a square stone platform near the safe zone on the screen. “That’s the entrance to the Pig Cave! Turns out the Fragrant Stone Catacombs and the Pig Cave are connected on the second floor!” With Old Four’s explanation, Lin Jia and the others finally understood. This “Stone Tomb” was actually the high-level monster map you entered via the stone platform next to the city’s safe zone. Most players just called it the Pig Cave. Lin Jia even ran out of the safe zone, climbed the pyramid-like stone steps, and entered to take a look. Sure enough, after passing through a square stone chamber, he arrived at the first level of the Stone Tomb.

Currently, the Stone Tomb had become the training ground for all high-level players. But it was strange—if so many players had poured into the “Pig Cave,” why hadn’t anyone discovered the connection to the third level of the Fragrant Stone Catacombs?

The three brothers puzzled over it for a long time but could only guess that maybe the staircase to the third level of the catacombs was in the dead center of the second floor, and the maze-like map made it hard to spot, especially with the poor visibility underground.

But even they didn’t fully believe this explanation. If there were only a few players, it might make sense, but with thousands, maybe even ten thousand, on this sole Thunder server—already overloaded—it was hard to believe no one else had found the place.

Maybe someone had found it, but the dense monsters on the third floor weren’t suitable for solo grinding, and larger parties just hadn’t stumbled across it? Or perhaps, seeing the stairs to the catacombs, they mistook it for the way back to the first floor of the Pig Cave and didn’t explore further? Or maybe someone had entered the Fragrant Stone Catacombs but happened to miss Lin Jia’s group, leading them to believe this “hidden map” was their secret alone?

Whatever the speculation, one thing was clear—the “hidden map” Lin Jia had found was no longer a secret. It was likely that soon, hordes of players would swarm the Fragrant Stone Catacombs, fighting over the teeming monsters and the high-drop-rate grinding grounds.

Aside from their disappointment at realizing their secret was out, Lin Jia and Old Four also felt thoroughly outclassed by that warrior, Little Shrimp. Having just reached level 21, Lin Jia and Old Four had thought themselves among the very few who would soon hit 22. But Little Shrimp was at least level 22 already, shattering their sense of accomplishment. And his gear—all high-end items they’d never even seen—left them feeling even more dejected.

Though the three brothers’ rare equipment was among the best in the game, and Lin Jia’s 1-5 Ocean Soul was perhaps the only “artifact” of its kind on the whole server, what did that make Little Shrimp’s set?

What is a “name brand”? A name brand is a symbol of status!

After being thoroughly deflated, the three brothers were suddenly filled with new determination! Without a word, they ran off to repair their equipment and stock up on potions, then dashed straight for the Fragrant Stone Catacombs. Since the catacombs weren’t the hidden map they’d thought, it was only a matter of time before it was discovered. If they didn’t grind levels now, once the crowds arrived, this place with its high drop rate, great experience, and hordes of monsters would become a barren wasteland where not even a single mob would spawn!

As long as this spot still belonged to the three brothers, they would grind for as long as they could!

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(Troublemaker: Time to get up~ This is today’s second chapter! The rest depends on how naughty you all are, beasts~)