“No wonder.” Blake Miller nodded and continued moving forward. Magic-based classes usually allocate their points to intelligence in pursuit of high damage, but very few people go for full intelligence, because magic classes with full intelligence usually have low health and defense, making their survival rate low—especially when leveling alone. Unless they are very confident in their own skills, few would choose full intelligence.

Just by asking this, Blake Miller had already roughly gauged Ryan Bennett’s level of skill.

“Up ahead is the nest of the poisonous maggots. Did you bring any antidote potions?” Blake Miller asked.

“No.” To be honest, Ryan Bennett was still not very familiar with this game and knew nothing about these details.

Blake Miller and Scarlett Miller were a bit puzzled. How could Ryan Bennett come to the Land of Zombies without bringing antidote potions? They couldn’t figure out whether Ryan Bennett was a pro or a newbie. If he was a pro, there’s no way he’d overlook such details. But if he was a newbie, there’s no way he could play with such skill. He really was a bundle of contradictions.

Blake Miller and Scarlett Miller guessed that Ryan Bennett had never played this game before, but had accumulated good operational experience in other games, which is why he handled things so smoothly.

“This is an antidote potion, take it. These poisonous maggots can spit venom. If the venom gets on you and you don’t detoxify in time, you’ll keep losing health.” Blake Miller said, handing a bottle of antidote potion to Ryan Bennett. The colorless crystal bottle contained some blue, pure liquid, looking very fresh and pleasing to the eye.

“Thanks.” Ryan Bennett took the antidote potion from Blake Miller. Ryan Bennett vaguely remembered that a bottle of antidote potion cost several gold coins. For the safety of the team, Ryan Bennett accepted the potion and made a mental note of it.

Emily Miller shrank back a little, walking beside Ryan Bennett, seeking a sense of security by hiding behind him, but because she wasn’t very familiar with Ryan Bennett, she didn’t dare get too close.

This delicate and frail girl evoked pity. Ryan Bennett always tried to shield her from the more gory scenes as much as possible. Emily Miller seemed to sense this and was filled with gratitude toward Ryan Bennett.

“Be careful, there are three poisonous maggots ahead. After killing those three, it’s the Maggot King. Those three maggots are level eleven monsters, and the Maggot King is a level fifteen quasi-BOSS. Everyone, be careful.” Blake Miller had once scouted the maggot cave in stealth and knew the place like the back of his hand.

There were forks everywhere here. For Blake Miller to remember the paths so clearly was truly impressive.

At the edge of the maggot cave was a protruding ore, emitting a faint green glow.

“Wait a moment, I’m going to mine this.” Ryan Bennett said quickly. In the wild, you often come across higher-level ores, and you definitely can’t miss such opportunities.

“You know how to mine?” Scarlett Miller was surprised. “Let’s wait a bit, then. Wild ores can usually fetch several gold coins—don’t waste it.”

The group stopped, and Ryan Bennett picked up a pickaxe and started mining.

Ding, you have obtained malachite.

Ding, you have obtained malachite.

Ryan Bennett mined more than twenty times and got a total of five pieces of malachite before the ore finally disappeared. Malachite is a material for jewelry crafting, and each piece can sell for about five gold coins.

Ryan Bennett held the five pieces of malachite in his palm, their green, dazzling light shining. Ryan Bennett said, “Let’s split them evenly.”

Blake Miller shook his head. “You mined this malachite. If it were up to us, we’d probably just waste it. You should keep it.”

Emily Miller’s clear eyes seemed to be pleading. Ryan Bennett thought for a moment. “Alright, then I’ll keep it.”

Emily Miller showed a delighted expression. Seeing Emily Miller so happy, Ryan Bennett smiled faintly and said, “Let’s go.”

When they reached the fork in the road, Ryan Bennett and the others could vaguely see three poisonous maggots ahead, blocking Ryan Bennett’s path.

Scarlett Miller pondered for a moment and said, “I can control one.”

“I can control two.” Blake Miller thought for a bit, then added, “But it’ll be tough.”

If the melee classes up front couldn’t hold the monsters, and those monsters charged at the magic classes, or if the melee classes couldn’t withstand the damage because the priest’s healing wasn’t timely enough and got killed, then the whole team would be wiped out.

Volume One: The Legendary Debut

Chapter Fourteen: The Red Moon Necklace

The three of them all looked at Emily Miller. Emily Miller was the weakest link among the four. Seeing Ryan Bennett, Blake Miller, and Scarlett Miller all looking at her, Emily Miller became a bit nervous, as if she had made a big decision. “I... I can do it.” After she spoke, a trace of fear and confusion flashed in her eyes.

Scarlett Miller nodded, speaking earnestly, “We believe in you. No matter what, you must learn to be strong. No one can always help you—you have to learn to face things yourself.”

Most of the time, Scarlett Miller was very strict, so it was rare for him to speak so gently. Ryan Bennett could tell that Scarlett Miller still cared a lot about Emily Miller.

Blake Miller quickly laughed to lighten the mood and said, “No need to be so serious. Alright, let’s go.” Compared to Scarlett Miller, Blake Miller was more easygoing, but their concern for Emily Miller was the same—neither cared less than the other.