Blake Miller traded the gold coins to Ryan Bennett, and Ryan Bennett nodded and accepted them. Friendship is one thing, but rules cannot be broken. If it were his own items, Ryan Bennett would have shared the gold coins with them as well.

Volume One: The Legendary Debut

Chapter Fifteen: On Hatred

How many friends have turned against each other over equipment? Since the game already has an unwritten rule like the PB system, breaking it arbitrarily would only cause unnecessary trouble. Ryan Bennett didn’t hesitate and accepted the gold coins straightforwardly.

Scarlett Miller walked over to Ryan Bennett and said, “You’ve always played solo before, so it’s understandable that you’re not familiar with some of the team rules. But I have to say, you made a mistake just now. As a warlock, a servant of demons, every creature has a certain level of hatred toward you. When in a team, your damage output must not exceed twice that of any main melee class. If it does, the monster is likely to shift its aggro onto you. That’s why many warlocks, even if their spell damage is higher than some mages, still can’t output like mages do. As long as a mage’s damage output doesn’t exceed three times that of the main melee class, there’s no danger—they can cast spells without worry. But you can’t. You must control your damage output.”

Ryan Bennett nodded silently. He had never teamed up before and truly didn’t know these rules, but he was absorbing them like a sponge. As a team member, these basics were essential to know; otherwise, it could easily lead to a team wipe.

It was strange, though—Scarlett Miller really couldn’t figure out how Ryan Bennett’s critical hit could reach over three hundred, especially without any buffs. Even an ordinary level-ten-plus fire mage might not have Ryan Bennett’s damage output. Could it be that, besides full intelligence allocation, Ryan Bennett was also wearing some high-intelligence gear? Scarlett Miller speculated, but these things couldn’t be asked casually.

Blake Miller, worried that Ryan Bennett might be upset by Scarlett Miller’s admonition, smiled and said, “My big brother is pretty straightforward. If he said anything unpleasant, don’t take it to heart. Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. That cave up ahead is where the Maggot King is. Everyone, be careful. Who would’ve thought a little monster would drop a purple item? The Maggot King’s loot definitely won’t be bad.”

Actually, his worry was unnecessary. Ryan Bennett wasn’t the petty type. What Scarlett Miller said made sense, and he wouldn’t hold a grudge.

Blake Miller stealthily moved ahead toward the cave, with Scarlett Miller following closely behind. Inside, the cave was a very spacious area, filled with a strong stench of rot. In the very center, a giant maggot was resting.

This Maggot King was about two meters tall and five or six meters long, its whole body covered in gray chitinous spikes, with green soft flesh. The ground around it was covered in thick green liquid—this was the Maggot King’s venom. Anyone who got within two meters of it would be poisoned.

Blake Miller glanced at Scarlett Miller and Ryan Bennett, and Ryan Bennett immediately understood the meaning in Blake Miller’s eyes. He took up position in a relatively secluded spot near the cave entrance, while Emily Miller stood by his side.

Teaming up with Ryan Bennett was truly enjoyable. Even after just a few hours of cooperation, Blake Miller and Scarlett Miller’s every gesture and glance could be understood by Ryan Bennett. The three of them worked together with great tacit understanding, as if they were old friends.

Emily Miller put on the Red Moon Necklace, the red gemstone highlighting her delicate and pretty face, making her look as cute as a doll. The priest’s robe she wore gave off a faint, pure aura, making people want to take a second look. In fact, Emily Miller could really be considered a beauty. Although not stunningly gorgeous, the girl-next-door charm she possessed was far more attractive than those fashionable girls.

Having spent a bit more time with Ryan Bennett, and after what had just happened, Emily Miller no longer felt so unfamiliar with him. She also sensed that Ryan Bennett was someone very easy to get along with, so she started talking more. Only then did Ryan Bennett realize that Emily Miller wasn’t quiet because she disliked talking, but because she was shy.

Ryan Bennett’s gaze became a little absent-minded.

Emily Miller blinked at Ryan Bennett and asked curiously, “Big Brother Xiao, why do you keep looking at me?”

Ryan Bennett smiled awkwardly. “Emily Miller, you look really nice.”

Emily Miller gave a sweet smile, seeming a bit shy. She turned her head, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks flushed, lost in thought.

Ryan Bennett also really liked Emily Miller’s pure and cute aura—she was just like a little sister.

Blake Miller drank an antidote potion and slowly circled to the back of the Maggot King.

Scarlett Miller let out a low roar at the Maggot King, drawing its attention. The two stared each other down, and a fierce battle was about to erupt.

Bang! The Maggot King was momentarily distracted and was knocked out by Blake Miller’s sap, falling into a stunned state.

Roar! Scarlett Miller charged forward and struck the Maggot King’s shell with his palm.

Blake Miller and Scarlett Miller tightly pinned down the Maggot King, attacking it relentlessly. Since the Maggot King was a quasi-BOSS, the stun skills of Blake Miller and Scarlett Miller only had a very limited effect on it, so they had to deal as much damage as possible during this window.