Chapter 284: The Soloist and the Wood Spirit Merchant

Chapter 284: Chapter 189: The Soloist and the Wood Spirit Merchant

[You have been tainted by Madness. Spiritual Value cap -1. Anomaly progress accumulating…]

Looking at the scene before him, Li Miao felt a chill run down his spine and his scalp prickle with fear.

The effects of the Madness progression also made him feel groggy, as if his movements had become somewhat sluggish.

This was clearly an Illusion Realm, but he had no idea why he was suddenly affected like this. ‘Is it a special feature of this map?’

After composing himself, Li Miao tightened his grip on the Frost Riding Spear in his hand.

Fortunately, the Illusion Realm had come and gone in a flash, lasting less than a second before fading away.

Most of the monsters dissipated directly, leaving only a few High Platform Audience members who returned to their original state. They stood there quietly, and it seemed that as long as he didn’t make a sound, he wouldn’t attract their attention.

‘Could this be some kind of hint?’

Recalling the caves on the cliff face from before, Li Miao felt there must be a connection between the two.

For now, though, it was best to continue exploring. After finding the next Milestone Spirit Candle, he could go back and ask the other players…

Hm?

As his gaze swept the area, Li Miao suddenly noticed something.

On the central path leading to the building at the top, a faintly glowing Flame Mark seemed to be flickering on the ground.

A few motionless High Platform Audience members stood beside it.

Li Miao approached cautiously. The High Platform Audience members ignored him, making it clear that only sound would draw their attention.

It was for the best that they weren’t causing any trouble.

Li Miao breathed a sigh of relief and focused his gaze on the Flame Mark on the ground.

As if sensing someone approaching, the Flame Mark quickly transformed into a silent message.

[If you wish to do business, please come to the dilapidated house behind the garden.]

Business?

‘Looks like a merchant NPC?’

After reading the message, Li Miao understood. A wandering merchant. Many games had this kind of setup.

As he pondered this, Li Miao looked up and toward the path on the right.

Although most of the houses along the central path were damaged, they at least maintained their basic shape.

But the path to the right was nothing short of a ruin, with some collapsed buildings even covering the original road.

Li Miao advanced carefully.

But surprisingly, there wasn’t a single monster on the path.

Even the corners that seemed perfect for an ambush were unusually empty.

Li Miao scratched his head.

After glancing at the pile of collapsed houses ahead, he stepped forward.

‘Wow, I can actually climb this little mound!’

‘In some other games, you’d never be able to get over something like this.’

‘As expected of an open-world virtual reality game.’

After that snarky inner comment, Li Miao looked down below.

Below was a platform extending from the side of the main structure. From the remnants of fences and the roots of toppled plants, it wasn’t hard to tell that this had once been a garden for guests to rest and relax.

But now, the garden was a field of ruins, and amidst these ruins, a person in tattered traveler’s clothes was sitting by a broken fountain.

“Wooo…”

The person’s eyes were covered, and they were playing a faint, mournful tune on a small, flute-like instrument. The music carried a hint of sadness.

Surrounding him were corpses, also holding musical instruments.

[Side Stage Soloist]

[Tier: Molten Slag]

[Level: 28]

[Talent: None]

[Skill: Chaotic Music]

[Explanation: A Soloist by the high platform. He is waiting, but he does not know what he is waiting for.]

“Hm?”

This…

Li Miao was completely baffled.

‘This thing looks like a mini-boss, at the very least. But it’s just a Level 28 Molten Slag Monster? Is the monster difficulty on the Mysterious High Platform this pathetic?’

‘Is this a trap?’

With a suspicious mind, Li Miao leaped down from the building’s ruins.

‘The fall wasn’t high. A Candle Spirit definitely wouldn’t die from it. Only a certain Demon Hunter from an older version of a game would.’

He moved step by step, warily approaching the broken fountain.

Puzzlingly, the Side Stage Soloist didn’t attack him.

No other monsters jumped out from the surroundings, either. It was as if he truly just wanted to perform a solo here, and that was all…

Li Miao looked around warily for a while before confirming that there was no cutscene or anything of the sort.

‘Don’t tell me this instance isn’t even finished? It’s a work in progress?’

‘Or maybe I have to attack this Soloist to trigger something?’

Li Miao frowned, then reached out and waved his hand in front of the Side Stage Soloist.

“Hey?”

The only response was that same mournful music.

Seeing that the man remained silent, Li Miao scratched his head and reached out to pat his shoulder.

“Hello?”

The music stopped.

The Side Stage Soloist slowly drew a short knife from his waist and launched an attack at Li Miao.

But!

It was a freebie.

Whether it was his Level, combat experience, or Attributes, Li Miao was among the top tier of players. A Level 28 boss was clearly no match for him.

[You have killed the Side Stage Soloist]

[Obtained: Wax Oil x26]

[Obtained: Wanderer’s Longcoat (Excellent)]

[Obtained: A Page from the Soloist’s Journal]

[A Page from the Soloist’s Journal]

[Type: Note]

[Content: “…The war in Shelander still hasn’t ended… I wonder when I’ll be able to sow my flower seeds… I hope Xiaolei’Er’s performance is a success…”]

[Explanation: A page from the Soloist’s journal, interwoven with sadness, hope, and anxiety.]

After reading the journal page, Li Miao put it away and stared intently at the Soloist’s corpse.

In his opinion, this Side Stage Soloist most likely had a second phase.

After all, this was a creature that occupied an entire area by itself. How could he have defeated it so easily?