late at night.
The towering World Tree stands in the center of White Dove City, emitting a magical glow like fireflies, mysterious and magnificent.
The World Tree, also known as the Golden Tree, attracts countless adventurers who flock to it like moths to a flame.
On the second floor of a luxury villa, the lights in the rooms were as bright as day.
The ground was littered with papers covered in monster strategy guides, which had been carelessly discarded by a certain young lady.
Linda sat at the table, rubbing her temples, feeling exhausted to the core.
"It's been a month, and the Ice Flower Adventure Team has already reached the eleventh floor, while we're still stuck on the eighth floor. The gap is getting bigger and bigger!"
A clean white hand slammed onto the table.
The girl's disgruntled voice made Linda's head ache.
The girl who broke into Linda's room was beautiful, with a shapely figure, long fiery red hair like flames, and slender legs encased in black over-the-knee stockings.
Like a rose with thorns, she is the center of attention wherever she goes.
The other person's name is Lia, and she is the captain of the Snow Goose Adventure Team.
When Linda first arrived in this world, she was grateful to have met Leah.
Linda possesses knowledge about 'this game,' while Lia is a highly talented swordswoman. Together, they can definitely annihilate all kinds of monsters in the World Tree Secret Realm and become famous throughout the region.
Now, looking at the arrogant girl with her arms crossed, all he could see in his eyes was disappointment.
"There's no rush to go to the ninth floor. Let's take it one step at a time and do our research first," Linda said helplessly, putting down her quill.
"Strategy guide, strategy guide, you've been repeating that phrase for a month now. I've heard that other teams don't need this long to make a strategy guide."
Lia frowned and looked at him with a questioning expression.
"The ninth floor isn't as simple as you think; the more comprehensive the strategy, the better."
Linda sighed.
The game "Secret Realm" is all about high difficulty.
The secret realm has fifty levels, and the monsters on each level are much stronger than those on the previous level. Entering without any preparation is no different from suicide.
Linda considered her words carefully and offered a milder explanation: "Perhaps our team's strength is slightly inferior to that Ice Flower Adventure Team? Moreover, the guardian of the ninth floor is likely to be a lava giant, which is not very compatible with our team."
"You're saying we're inferior to the Ice Flower Adventure Team?"
Lia's expression changed. She didn't hear a word of what came after that, focusing only on the first sentence.
"I think you're just scared, aren't you?" she said angrily, slamming both hands on the table. Her flat chest, revealed beneath her silk nightgown, showed no cleavage even when she leaned forward.
"Everyone else in the team has reached level 20, but you, the healer, are only level 15. Is it because your healing output doesn't meet the requirements for the ninth level that you've been making excuses to delay?"
Upon hearing this, Linda looked up and stared at Lia in surprise.
He is indeed only level 15, and his healing output as a healer is not high.
But as the captain, Lia should know best why his rank has dropped.
Creating a guide is not a simple task; it requires a lot of time and effort.
He was responsible for preparing supplies and meals for the team.
While Lia and the other young ladies were out shopping, eating, drinking, and having fun, Linda was staying up all night.
Linda could come up with dozens of reasons, but faced with the aggressive Leah, she was somewhat speechless. Knowing Leah's personality, she figured whatever she said would only result in a rebuttal.
He tried to speak: "My level is low because I don't have time to cultivate."
Lia raised an eyebrow, put her hands on her hips, and said smugly, "So other people will have time? If you work a little harder, you can at least reach level 16 or 17, right? In a few years, when we're all level 30 and have become Star-Rank Adventurers, are you going to stay at level 15? Don't you have any ambition?!"
It's always the same; either he doesn't work hard enough or he's not serious enough.
This young lady always felt that the reason the team was no good was because of him.
Linda couldn't help but ask Leah, "Is it possible that the biggest problem lies with you two?"
The members of the Snow Goose Adventure Team do not get along well, and their combat coordination is terrible.
Despite their exceptional talent and high level, they were a complete mess when they actually fought.
Without a detailed strategy guide, they would be a complete mess.
Under the girl's sharp gaze, Linda felt only a deep weariness.
He didn't argue anymore, nor did he bother to pick up the scattered strategy papers. He picked up a cup of hot water from the table and sipped it absentmindedly.
"I'm asking you a question." Leah slammed her hand on the table again.
"I'm tired. You should go home first. We can talk about it tomorrow."
Leah frowned, stared at him for a long while, and slowly said, "You don't care if you're replaced?"
"What?"
Linda didn't quite understand what Leah meant.
After a brief silence, Leah took a resume from her bosom and handed it to him.
Above is a young man with dyed blond hair, who is reasonably handsome, and the occupation column has the three words 'Healer' prominently displayed.
Linda felt a chill run down her spine.
It's like working hard and earning 1800 a month, only to be criticized for not being diligent enough and fired.
"This is Phyllis, a level 20 healer. She graduated from the Noble Academy of White Dove City and is a top student. She was here this morning."
Leah paused, then said, "I sent him back. You know what I mean?"
"Linda, more than one person in the team is dissatisfied with you. You're only level 15, and your background isn't good either. I've been favoring you and persuading them to keep you. Can't you stand up for yourself?!"
Leah stomped her foot in exasperation, "We're going to the ninth floor tomorrow. You'd better prove yourself then. You've been useless to the team the whole time. How am I supposed to keep you here?"
It didn't work?
Linda looked dazedly at the papers containing various monster-hunting strategies that were being trampled under Lia's feet.
So in her eyes, he was useless?
It was Lia who asked him to lead everyone through the World Tree without missing a single one.
He doesn't want anyone to die, but he also wants the fight to be quick. He's such a difficult client, always making outrageous demands.
Linda had been holding in a lot of resentment, and it finally exploded today.
What if I still disagree with the team entering the ninth floor tomorrow?
Leah paused for a moment, but quickly retorted angrily, "Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me? Do you know how many better healers than you want to join our team? I've sent them all away one by one! If you still don't want to go tomorrow..."
"What if you don't want to?" Linda's smile grew increasingly sarcastic.
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