66: The Covenant of the Rye Tavern

Under the cover of night, the City of Glory shed the clamor of the day, gaining a tranquility and haziness that belonged only to the evening.

The "Black Rye Tavern" in the west of the city seemed utterly unremarkable among the countless brightly lit buildings.

It lacked luxurious decorations, possessing only a wooden sign blackened by time and the warm, dim light leaking out from under the door.

This was the favorite gathering spot for ordinary mercenaries and lone players.

A cheap glass of ale and a plate of savory peanuts were enough for them to boast about a full day's worth of adventures, temporarily forgetting the misery of being exploited by the major guilds.

When Lin Mo pushed open the creaking wooden door, the noisy air inside the tavern rushed out to meet him.

He pulled up the cloak over his head, concealing the face that was now recognized by everyone on the entire server, and walked straight up the stairs leading to the second floor.

The private rooms on the second floor were obviously much quieter than downstairs.

Lin Mo chose the innermost seat, and through the window, he could just see the bustling street below.

His mood was calmer than ever before, even carrying a hint of... anticipation.

This was a very novel experience.

There was a time when he had grown accustomed to moving alone, used to burying all secrets and pressure deep within his heart, dancing alone on the tip of a blade.

But today, after enduring the siege of a hundred thousand troops, the tightly locked sluice gate deep within his heart had finally been completely burst open.

He was no longer alone.

Soon, he would welcome his first true companions.

"Creak—"

The door to the private room was gently pushed open, interrupting Lin Mo's thoughts.

The first to walk in was a figure as imposing as an Iron Tower, the Shield Warrior—Iron Wall.

He was still wearing the excellent armor obtained in the Valley of the Dead dungeon, but at this moment, his honest face was filled with barely suppressed excitement and a trace of awkwardness, like someone meeting an idol.

As soon as he entered, his gaze locked onto Lin Mo, his eyes so fervent he seemed capable of melting a person.

Close behind him was a graceful figure wearing white Priest robes.

The young woman had a delicate face and eyes as clear as autumn water; she was the Priest Summer Rain.

Unlike Iron Wall's overt display, she seemed nervous and shy. Her fair fingers tightly gripped her staff. When she saw Lin Mo look over, a charming blush involuntarily crept onto her cheeks, and she didn't dare meet his gaze, only nodding softly.

"Gr-Great God!"

In the end, it was the straightforward Iron Wall who first broke the silence.

He strode over to the table and, facing Lin Mo, performed a standard warrior's salute with a loud "bang," his voice trembling slightly from excitement.

"Sit."

A gentle smile appeared on Lin Mo's face.

He raised a hand, signaling them not to be constrained.

"Great God, am... am I really not dreaming? Did you truly... truly invite me?" Iron Wall still couldn't believe it after sitting down. He pinched his thigh hard, grimacing in pain, yet a foolish grin spread across his face.

Summer Rain sat down as well. Although she didn't speak, her bright eyes shone with a dreamlike radiance.

The Godslayer, the number one player on the entire server, the legendary "Poison God"... no matter which title it was, he seemed as distant and unreachable as the stars in the sky.

And now, this legendary figure was sitting across from them, inviting them to become companions.

All of this felt incredibly surreal.

"I never joke," Lin Mo said, looking at them with a calm yet sincere tone. "Furthermore, starting today, I hope you can change how you address me."

"Huh?" Iron Wall was stunned.

"We are teammates now, companions," Lin Mo's gaze slowly swept over the two of them. "I hope you can call me by my name, Lin Mo. Or, like a real team, call me... Captain."

Captain!

These two words seemed to carry a mysterious magic, causing both Iron Wall and Summer Rain to involuntarily tremble slightly!

This was not just a change in address, but an acknowledgment of status!

"Yes! Captain!" Iron Wall subconsciously straightened his back and responded loudly, his face filled with glory and pride.

"Ca... Captain," Summer Rain also murmured the title. Although her voice was soft, the determination in her tone was no weaker than Iron Wall's.

Seeing their solemn manner, the smile on Lin Mo's face deepened.

He knew he hadn't chosen the wrong people.

"Very good." He nodded, then took two heavy money bags from his backpack, gently placed them on the table, and pushed them toward the pair.

"This is..." Both Iron Wall and Summer Rain were stunned.

"This is the team's startup capital," Lin Mo explained. "One hundred gold coins each. Go repair your equipment and stock up on some potions and scrolls. Next, we have a tough battle ahead."

One hundred gold coins!

Looking at the bulging money bags, the two were once again shocked by Lin Mo's generosity!

For ordinary lone players like them, one hundred gold coins was an astronomical sum they could barely scrape together even if they risked everything!

Yet Lin Mo had given it to them so casually, treating it as "startup capital."

"No, no, no! Captain, this is too much! We can't accept it!" Summer Rain quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"That's right, Captain! We're here to work with you, not to take your money!" Iron Wall hurriedly added.

"Take it." Lin Mo's tone was unquestionable. "I said we are a team.

Team resources should be shared. I will not allow my teammates to be timid on the battlefield because of equipment or potion issues. This is an order."

Hearing the word "order," Iron Wall and Summer Rain exchanged glances, eventually accepting the money bags with some apprehension.

When the heavy weight settled in their hands, what welled up in their hearts was not just gratitude, but a profound sense of belonging.

"Since we are a team, we must have rules," Lin Mo continued, his expression growing serious. "Let me explain my vision first.

Our small team isn't just for running dungeons and farming equipment. My goal is to create the top power in the future of the 'epoch'—the 'Shadowless Hall'.

And you two are the first batch of... founders of this future hegemon."

Shadowless Hall! Founders!

These words exploded in Iron Wall and Summer Rain's minds like thunder, instantly making their blood boil!

"Regarding the distribution of loot," Lin Mo continued without giving them much time to process the shock, "my principle is: distribute according to need, and contribution speaks loudest.

Materials obtained during combat will be uniformly stored in the team warehouse as reserves for the future development of the guild.

Dropped equipment will first go to the class currently most in need within the team.

If multiple people require the same item, it will be decided based on Contribution Points (DKP).

As for me..."

He paused, looked at the two, and said word by word: "In the early stages of the team, I will waive priority on all equipment, unless it is a unique item only I can use."

What?!

Iron Wall and Summer Rain were completely stunned by Lin Mo's words!

They had been playing games for so long and had seen countless teams and guilds. Which guild leader or raid leader didn't use his authority to prioritize the best equipment and resources for himself?

Someone like Lin Mo, who was the captain yet voluntarily gave up equipment priority, was simply unheard of!

What magnitude of magnanimity and courage did this require!

"Captain! That is absolutely unacceptable!" Iron Wall was the first to object. "You are the core of the team; your equipment must be the best! Only then can we go further!"

"Yes, Captain," Summer Rain quickly urged. "We can't drag you down."

"You don't need to worry about my equipment," Lin Mo smiled confidently. "I have my own methods.

This rule is set. What you need to do is increase your strength as quickly as possible and make yourselves stronger. Because..."

His gaze sharpened.

"Our first target has been decided."

"What is it?" Iron Wall immediately asked, fierce fighting spirit burning in his eyes.

Lin Mo raised a finger and slowly uttered a name that caused all top players in the entire City of Glory to change their expressions.

"Level 25, Heroic-level Dungeon—[Wailing Mines]."

"What?!" Even Iron Wall, with his boundless courage, couldn't help but gasp aloud upon hearing the name.

Summer Rain covered her mouth with her hand, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.

Wailing Mines!

This was currently the consensus hardest five-person dungeon around the City of Glory!

Even the Normal mode had caused countless elite teams to fail miserably.

And the Heroic mode was known as the "Team Crusher"!

Since its opening, all top powers, including the three major guilds, had organized their most elite Pioneering Raid Groups to challenge it, but without exception, they were all utterly decimated by the final Boss. To this day, no one had cleared it!

And now, Lin Mo intended to take their newly formed, three-person team to challenge this nightmare-level dungeon that even hundred-person elite groups couldn't conquer?

This... this wasn't just madness; this was sheer fantasy!

"Captain... we... we only have three people," Summer Rain reminded him softly, lacking confidence.

"Three people are enough."

There was no sign of pressure on Lin Mo's face; instead, there was a confidence that looked down on the world.

He looked at the two and spoke slowly. His voice was not loud, but it carried a mighty power sufficient to calm hearts.

"Just because the major guilds couldn't do it doesn't mean we can't."

"I want all players in the 'epoch' to know that a force capable of overturning the status quo has officially been born today."

"And this debut, announcing our arrival, will start by shattering the unbeatable clear record of the [Wailing Mines]!"

As his voice fell, the entire private room sank into silence.

Iron Wall and Summer Rain stared blankly at the man before them.

Watching his profound, confident eyes that seemed to burn with fire, the trace of doubt and unease in their hearts was unknowingly replaced by a surging tide of fierce pride and fighting spirit!

That's right!

The one they were following was the man who had single-handedly toyed with a hundred thousand troops, the man who could even strike down a god!

What was a mere Heroic dungeon in comparison?!

"Good!"

Iron Wall slammed the table, rattling the plates and cups. Unprecedented fervor and battle intent erupted on his honest face!

"Captain! Tell me what to do, and I'll do it! It's just a broken mine, isn't it? I'll smash right through it with my shield today!"

Summer Rain also nodded heavily. She gripped the staff in her hand, and a firm, brilliant light blossomed in her gentle eyes.

"Captain, I am ready."

Looking at the two companions who were now completely fired up, a genuine smile appeared on Lin Mo's face.

He knew he had an unbreakable shield, an inexhaustible spring, and a... sharp blade capable of poisoning all things.

Their legend would officially begin, starting from this small tavern!