Lu Ban notched an arrow while he spoke. "Their entire guild came here from another VR world. They all made new characters and have been robbing players for the past week."

"Robbing what? You guys all have c.r.a.p gear." Nix stared at the group walking toward them, "they can't engage in pvp without a challenge being made, right? Or they'll be kill-on-sight."

"Let's return to our binding points, Lu." Circa carried a single dagger but was s.h.i.+rtless.

Lu Ban nodded. "You coming, Nix?"

"No. It took me all morning to find this guy."

Mollie lowered her voice slightly. "My return to bind hasn't reset yet. You guys go ahead."

Lu Ban cursed under his breath. "How long?"

"Half hour." Mollie was wearing a green s.h.i.+rt and brown leather pants; they were both common gear.

"Guess we'll fight them, Molls." Lu Ban offered her a smile. "We'll try to create an opening and then retreat."

Circa sighed heavily. "Time to fight then, we've been grouping all morning. That makes us friends in my book."

Nix watched the interaction with a smile on his face; he liked their loyalty. "I find the three of you impressive. I want to talk to these idiots. What could they possibly gain by stealing c.r.a.p gear?"

Mollie gripped her staff tight. "They aren't known for diplomatic skills."

Nix smiled pleasantly. "Well... luckily, I am a renowned diplomat."

Circa frowned when the approaching group stopped ten meters away; he had his dagger held low in one hand. "Get on your horse and ride Nix. I don't know where you got that thing, but they will definitely take it."

Lu Ban nodded in agreement. "We'll delay them, Nix; it would be tragic to lose a mount to them."

"Which one of you own that mount?" A huge bald man with a s.h.i.+eld and sword in his hands spoke. Unlike most of the people walking around, he had a full set of leather armor.

"That's my horse," Nix spoke calmly while he moved away from the trio. The armored man reminded him of Hyai's son-in-law if Bane had somehow turned into a complete d.i.c.k.

"We're going to take him." The Bald man gestured for one of his men to take her.

Nix nodded in agreement. "Take good care of her, she's really friendly."

A slim man with a long black braid approached Nightmare, his greedy face locked in a wicked smile. "We'll get paid for this one, boss!"

Nightmare waited until he stepped within range and sprang at him. Her teeth sunk into his shoulder while one three-toed front foot raked its wicked claws across the man's stomach, spilling his entrails on the ground. The demon horse stomped him a few times for good measure and then backed away a few steps.

Both groups seemed to be frozen in place, Nightmare went back to grazing, her b.l.o.o.d.y muzzle staining the gra.s.s.

"b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You knew that was going to happen!" The bald man's forehead was bulging with muscle and veins.

Nix shrugged helplessly. "She's never done that before; he must have spooked her."

"He'll resp.a.w.n in town Zed, most likely he'll be thrown in the stocks for a few days." The only woman in the group spoke; she also was wearing a full set of leather armor. Two swords were visible, one over each shoulder.

The bald-headed Zed nodded. "You owe the Spire Chasers a debt now."

Nix noticed their armor was actually mid-tier, it was still c.r.a.ppy gear, but better than their victims. "Why steal from players in the starter zone? What could you gain from it?"

Zed scowled at him. "None of your f*cking business."

[Storm Rider]

A flash of lightning and Nix appeared behind the woman who had spoken out. He pushed flames into Wrath.

[Execution]

Her head bounced away in a stream of blood while her body collapsed forward on the ground.

Sera Vi has been slain.

Because Sera Vi has 14 blood counters against her, your faction with Neva has increased by 14.

"Holy s.h.i.+t..." Zed looked decidedly pale.

[Backstab]

Circa has landed a critical hit on Zed.

[Thunderfist]

Nix punched Zed in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Zed has been stunned.

Mollie has cast. [Thorned Vine]

A large patch of vines exploded upward out of the ground, wrapping around three of the Spire Chasers.

Pueblo has been bound in place.

Chakadai has been bound in place.

Fortran has been bound in place.

[Trueshot: Burst]

Lu Ban has scored a hit on Pueblo

Lu Ban has scored a hit on Pueblo.

Lu Ban has scored a critical hit on Pueblo.

Pueblo has been slain.

Mollie has cast Natures Fury.

Nix's attack rating has increased.

Circa's attack rating has increased.

Lu Ban's attack rating has increased.

[Hamstrung: Hilt Strike]

Combination Attempt successful.

Circa has crippled Chakadai.

Chakadai has been stunned.

[Clear Shot]

Lu Ban has scored a critical hit on Chakadai.

Chakadai has been slain.

Fortran has resisted Thorned Vine.

Immediately Fortran stealthed and disappeared from view.

[Dragon Eyes]

Nix's eyes changed from yellow to orange as his vision changed to thermal.

"Behind you, Mollie."

Fortran has attempted [Backstab]

[Natures Reb.u.t.tal]

Mollie uses the power of nature to reverse the attack.

Fortran has been slain.

It had only taken a few seconds, but Nix's new friends had managed nicely. The sound of footsteps running away drew all their attention.

Lu Ban shook his head at the sight of Zed fleeing. "Leave him; we don't need the trouble."

[Storm Rider: Thunderfist]

Combination Attempt Successful.

Nix appeared in front of the fleeing guild leader and punched him in the chest.

Zed has been stunned.

Nix dragged him back to the group by his feet and then dropped him there. "I bet you have more counters than all of your cronies combined."

Mollie let a laugh escape before covering her mouth. "Sorry."

Nix glanced at her. "What?"

Mollie couldn't hide her smile. "No one says, cronies."

"Huh?" Nix looked at the other two for confirmation.

Circa shook his head. "Nope."

Lu Ban shrugged helplessly. "Unless you're a grandpa."