"Ashen One, please show the Firelink Shrine the sacred Way of White's coiled sword, for it is the proof of the Ashen One, and it will guide you to Lothric, the home and meeting place of the kings."
After successfully upgrading her stats by creating a Soul, the Fire Keeper's guidance reappeared.
"Farewell, may the flames guide thee."
Watching Mo Zhi's HP, which was only half as high as her concentration, the viewers chuckled.
'Such a shameful health bar, standard for the weak.'
'The strong never care about the amount of HP, only if their blades are fast enough!'
'Eagle eye, a discerning eye for trash!'
...
The prominent health bar hung over Mo Zhi's head like a mark of weakness, and her viewers mocked her. However, Mo Zhi didn't care.
My life is gone, and you're calling me weak? Strong?
As long as I can clear the game, I'm happy even if you call me trash!
"Alright, stats upgraded. Let's switch some equipment and upgrade this pile of junk on me, then we officially set off!"
Mo Zhi went to the old woman attendant again to upgrade some minor equipment, then, as instructed by the Fire Keeper, she took out the coiled sword and placed it on the bonfire.
Flames ignited, illuminating the entire Firelink Shrine.
A "Teleport" button now appeared in the menu.
Upon clicking it,
Three map teleportation points appeared: the Cemetery of Ash, the 'Soul of Cinder' Gundyr, and the High Wall of Lothric.
"Understood. So, any place where I've lit a bonfire can be teleported to from the Firelink Shrine, and each bonfire can also teleport back to the Firelink Shrine."
Mo Zhi pondered carefully. "Firelink Shrine, bonfires, linking the fire... What a reasonable and novel setting, truly eye-opening."
"It seems this old scoundrel has quite a few interesting ideas in his head besides all the 'dark' levels and some adult games."
Old Scoundrel: Thank you for the compliment!
As she delved deeper into the plot and gameplay, Mo Zhi became more engrossed.
"I can't take it anymore, I have to go! Lothric High Wall, your grandpa is here!"
Mo Zhi roared and clicked to teleport.
[Ember: Embers are remnants of heroes, and the Unkindled cannot obtain items without them, hence their attraction.]
During the teleportation, helpful reminders supplemented the lore for players, wasting no extra time.
As the grey mist dissipated, Mo Zhi, the Ashen One, stood up in a small hall, which was dilapidated, with tattered banners symbolizing Lothric hanging on the walls.
She opened the door.
Mo Zhi was instantly captivated by the scene before her!
It was like an unearthed ruin, with various medieval architecture beginning to reveal themselves. Although broken, one could tell they had once prospered.
After her awe, Mo Zhi brought her thoughts back to reality. Upon arriving at the High Wall of Lothric, she lit the bonfire there.
She marked another location.
After replenishing her stats by the bonfire, Mo Zhi embarked on her journey. Gazing at the majestic buildings, Mo Zhi exclaimed as she walked, "This world is truly..."
Hiss—
"Damn it!"
Mo Zhi was startled by a monster that suddenly appeared.
Before she could finish her sentence, a skeletal monster hiding in the blind spot of the staircase corner ambushed her with a strike.
It was exactly at a blind spot while descending the stairs, a place no one would expect a monster to be hiding.
Clutching her pounding heart, Mo Zhi swore incessantly and hacked the monster to death with wild swings, venting her frustration.
If this happened a few more times, she might have a heart attack!
After killing the monster, Mo Zhi no longer dared to be distracted.
Wielding her shield and sword, she kept her eyes peeled and ears alert, wishing she could use a skill to listen for footsteps to defend against all the sneak attacks from these "dark" monsters.
Beyond the high wall, the land was filled with wandering Hollows. This once prosperous ancient capital had not escaped this catastrophe.
Mo Zhi was very curious about what had happened here.
The Hollows roamed aimlessly within the city walls, some curled up on the ground, others praying to strange giant trees.
However, upon encountering a Hollow carrying a lantern, it would shake its lantern, and the normally wandering Hollows would instantly gather.
They would then charge and bite Mo Zhi.
These Hollows, twisted into this ghastly state by the curse of fire, were not difficult to fight individually, but when surrounded, they would quickly be overwhelmed.
[You have died]
The familiar death screen appeared. Mo Zhi resurrected from the bonfire and, as always, first went to the place where she died to retrieve her dropped items.
After several rounds of repeated combat, Mo Zhi quickly dealt with the Hollows.
Continuing deeper into the city walls, she could vaguely see ancient dragon skeletons. Mo Zhi skirted them from a distance, fearing these bone dragons might suddenly flap their skeletal wings and attack her.
Fortunately, her fears did not materialize.
"Hey, guys, I see another 'Hollow' ahead. Come on, let's go say hello."
Mo Zhi, sword in hand, approached the warrior holding a shield and longsword.
Before she could speak, the force of the longsword, carrying a chilling aura, rushed directly at Mo Zhi's forehead. Sensing danger, Mo Zhi rolled to the side awkwardly, narrowly dodging the attack.
It wasn't a "Hollow"!
It was the "scheming" shield guy!
Mo Zhi was furious. She stood up and swung her sword to attack!
Clang!
Parry!
Huh?
It was from the enemy!!
Mo Zhi was stunned. What happened?
I, damn it, was parried by a minor monster??
'Holy crap, this design is a bit too 'dark', even minor monsters can parry?'
'What? Looking down on my shield bro?'
'My bro just told me he's getting beaten up by a Hollow in the Firelink Shrine!'
'Huh? Hollows attack too? Did your bro make the first move? The Hollows here didn't attack anyone!'
'As expected, never underestimate any NPC, especially my wife the Fire Keeper. It's possible the Lord of Cinder Ludleth had his legs broken and was thrown onto the throne by her.'
'Then what? Who do you think stuck the coiled sword into Lord Gundyr's chest?'
'Holy crap, I think I just discovered something incredibly important!'
...
The viewers were engrossed in a lively discussion, their thoughts running wild.
Mo Zhi's face turned red with anger, and she couldn't even bother to read the comments.
Shame, utter shame!
If this got out, she'd be laughed to death by her peers.
The player's ultimate skill was used against the player by a minor monster. During the stun, countless thoughts flashed through Mo Zhi's mind.
A piercing backstab took away a third of her health.
This calmed her down considerably.
"Let's just treat it like PvP. I don't believe I can't handle you!"
This time, Mo Zhi learned her lesson and let the shield guy make the first move.
Clang!
The roles reversed, and Mo Zhi let out a deep sigh of relief!
After defeating the shield guy, she followed the stairs upward and then witnessed a scene that would remain unforgettable!
A true dragon!
A giant dragon extended half its head over the high wall, spewing flames indiscriminately at any moving creature.
The half-head that was exposed alone was as large as an entire church.
In front of it, a tiny Ashen One was smaller than one of its toes!
Fortunately, the dragon did not deliberately attack her. Navigating through the gaps in the dragon's fiery breath, Mo Zhi successfully crossed the area of straight-line fire from the small dragon.
She reached the depths of the high wall.
Even though she could no longer see the dragon, the image of the beast was deeply imprinted on Mo Zhi's mind.
Her excited heart could not calm down for a long time.
This dragon is so realistic!
It's just like a real one, with no trace of the modeling.
The sense of pressure was immense!
After a while, Mo Zhi managed to suppress the fear brought by the dragon and began to search in the depths of the high wall.
"Huh? There's a treasure chest ahead!"
Mo Zhi was ecstatic. As expected of the old scoundrel, after scaring the player, he immediately provided compensation.
Alright,
This time I'll forgive you for scaring me with the giant dragon!
Mo Zhi skipped happily towards the treasure chest...
...