Chapter 64 – The Mysterious Adventure of the Sky Islands

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One week into our dedicated party hunting routine in the sky islands, the results were already remarkable.

All party members except Nyongmom had reached level 40. If we’d been leveling on the surface below, progress would have been much slower.

Having exclusive access to premium hunting grounds was an incredible advantage.

Even Nyongmom had leveled up significantly. Though hunting lower-level monsters slowed her progress, she now stood at level 48 – just shy of 50.

She might well be the fastest-growing player in the entire game.

The average level of the so-called “vanguard players” had been low 40s when we left the surface. By now, they might have gained 3-4 levels at most.

If we kept grinding these sky islands, we could catch up to the top players completely.

Our daily routine began at dawn. Four girls emerged from their rooms in near-perfect synchronization, padding down the inn’s hallway.

“Yaaawn~”

Isolin stretched sleepily while Gladie rubbed her eyes, stumbling along. Nyongmom bounced ahead with light steps.

And then there was me.

One of the perks of being a Player – we never needed baths.

Our flawless bodies stayed perpetually clean and fragrant.

The biggest change this week? Nyongmom.

The fairy knight who once hid beneath a heavy hood now took pride in her appearance.

With flower pins in her hair and glossy violet skin, who could connect her to the grotesque creature she’d once been?

I noticed a new bracelet on her tiny wrist – something she must have bought last night.

“That’s a pretty bracelet,” I remarked as I passed her.

“Ah, hehe…”

Nyongmom smiled shyly, a happy glow on her face.

Over breakfast, I reviewed our party’s progress.

Without job-related NPCs in the sky islands, we couldn’t learn new skills, but our level 40 gear still made us stronger.

It might be time to change hunting grounds soon.

Just as we finished eating, the inn door swung open.

A group of Players entered – five in total, all bearing the same guild emblem.

Most were levels 40-45. Except one.

[Returner]
[Lv. 50]
[White Lion]

Two levels above Nyongmom. White Lion, a warrior carrying an enormous greatsword, wore gleaming full plate armor reminiscent of the Arceles Church paladins, his long cape billowing behind him.

Our groups locked eyes in mutual surprise.

Tension filled the air. Everyone knew about the Returner Guild’s internal schism and subsequent fragmentation.

That some still carried its banner was… interesting.

White Lion’s party clearly belonged to that remnant.

Isolin, Gladie and I had no love for the Returners. But White Lion seemed to recognize Nyongmom, waving cheerfully.

“Wow, never thought I’d see other Players here! Long time no see, Nyongmom. I heard about your… transformation, but this is incredible.”

His familiar tone made Nyongmom’s eyebrows twitch uncomfortably.

“Uh, long time.”

White Lion approached, his massive frame casting a shadow over our table.

“Hello. I’m White Lion, currently leading the Returner Guild.”

Leading? That was new. Last I heard, the guild master was someone called [Speedstar].

Nyongmom and the others looked equally uncomfortable, so I stepped in.

“Hi, I’m Supreme. Party leader here. Did you need something from Nyongmom?”

White Lion’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Ah… Well, since Nyongmom left the guild so abruptly, I was hoping to understand why.”

Nyongmom set down her fork. “I disagreed with the previous guild master’s methods.”

White Lion nodded eagerly. “That issue’s resolved now. Speedstar has stepped down, and I’ve taken over. Why don’t you all join us? Your whole party.”

A guild invitation. Hard pass.

“Thanks, but we’ve decided to form our own guild” I said, standing.

“I see.”

White Lion retreated smoothly, as if he’d expected rejection.

“Might I ask your guild’s name? I’d love to stay in touch. A party averaging over level 40 is rare.”

Names flashed through my mind – Destruction, Royal, Myth, Requiem – relics from past gaming days.

Before I could speak, Isolin jumped in.

“Girl Scouts! We’re the Girl Scouts!”

White Lion blinked, his gaze lingering on Nyongmom.

“Girl Scouts? But Nyongmom is clearly—”

“Shh!” Isolin cut him off. ”

The past doesn’t matter. What’s important is now, this moment!”

White Lion actually looked moved.

“Wise words. Yes, the past is irrelevant. Only the present matters.”

As he turned to leave, I called out:

“White Lion.”

“Yes?”

“Is the Returner Guild’s goal still returning to our world?”

“Of course. Though we won’t use the same… extreme methods as before. Growth shouldn’t come at others’ expense.”

“I heard we need to defeat a bird that heralds destruction to return. Any idea where it appears?”

“Not precisely. We only know it emerges when this world nears destruction.”

“Are you… trying to summon it?”

White Lion hesitated.

“If that proves necessary, yes. But first we must grow stronger. A final boss would be impossible at our current levels.”

Something dark slithered beneath his words. I nodded slowly.

“If you find any field bosses or dungeons, let us know. We’ll share our discoveries too.”

With that, White Lion and his guild retired upstairs.

Only Nyongmom and I seemed troubled by their appearance. Isolin and Gladie were already debating guild names.

“Girl Scouts? When did we decide that?”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s not that…”

“Better than Farmer’s Union or Sharecroppers, right?”

“True…”

As they bickered, I stared at the ceiling where White Lion had disappeared.

The Returners were still dangerous. And now they knew about us.

Our sky island adventure had just gotten more complicated

Vrslop_translator