Compared to a class group full of newbies, those hardcore gaming groups are a whole different ballgame.
Almost every player who's touched Disaster immediately thought about leveling up!
They understood that the era of players had arrived!
Only by getting stronger could they stay competitive and survive greater calamities.
[Level 7 Mage-Swordsman seeking party, absolutely powerful. Looking for a speed-leveling squad!]
[Level 6 Elf Summoner, gorgeous with a sweet voice and massive healing. Looking for a fast-killing powerhouse to carry me—guaranteed to blow your mind~]
[Buying Talent Cards & Common Gear. PM me if you have stock. Fair prices.]
[Level 10 Qi Master available for monster runs. PM for details. Payment in kind accepted... Married women preferred]
Chen Nian was a lurker.
Even when speaking in group chats, he never revealed his identity.
After all, he was the silent god in the hearts of all players amidst the calamity.
The slightest slip could lead to his real identity being traced through social accounts—trouble guaranteed.
Better keep leveling up.
The primary goal was to keep leveling up. Encountering a wild boss would be even better—killing one usually yielded rich rewards!
Including but not limited to rare gear, skill scrolls, advancement crystals...
For two full days, Chen Nian roamed the wilderness slaying monsters.
Sunset.
Level 35!
Chen Nian's level had skyrocketed to 35!
His leveling method was both the most efficient and sustainable.
First, he'd pull a wave of monsters, then wipe them out in one fell swoop.
Though each use of Word Magic drained his extraordinary power, leveling up would replenish it, creating a balance.
Others would tire and rest.
He didn't need to.
After leveling up, he unlocked several more Word Spirits, dramatically boosting his combat prowess.
Sequence 9: Eagle Eye
Sequence 19: Inferno Blast
Sequence 33: Wind Demon Slash
Simultaneously, Chen Nian acquired a full set of Fine-grade equipment, significantly enhancing his stats!
Chen Nian: Word Spirit Sage (Unique)
Genetic Tier: Tier 1 (Level 35)
Constitution: 46
Agility: 42
Supernatural: 42
Attack Bonus: 110
Defense Bonus: 260
Combat Rating: 25 Stars...
With his current defense, attacks from low-tier Tier 1 monsters could be completely ignored without taking any damage.
Chen Nian no longer needed to activate Word Spirits to kill monsters; he could simply use physical attacks, making the process much easier.
This was the advantage of high levels!
Two days had passed since the game Calamity merged with reality, and the city had largely stabilized.
Gifted extraordinary beings were now scattered: some recruited by security squads, others hired as corporate enforcers, and still others venturing outside to level up...
From Chen Nian's observations, anyone above Level 20 was treated like royalty wherever they went!
Major corporations casually offered salaries exceeding half a million credits per month!
But Chen Nian knew that working for others would only slow his progress toward becoming stronger, limiting his future growth potential.
"Hey, bro, you out here slaying monsters too?"
Chen Nian was sitting on the ground catching some breeze when a trio approached from ahead.
Two men and one woman.
The man leading the group smiled and said, "We're also Cataclysm players, and we're pretty high level now. Wanna team up?"
"No thanks, I prefer soloing." Chen Nian declined flatly.
Gruping meant splitting experience points.
He could effortlessly slay monsters alone—why share the gains?
"Bro, going solo's tough these days. You can't revive in real life. Think it through."
"Thanks, but no thanks."
Seeing Chen Nian's stubborn refusal, the man shot a knowing glance at the woman beside him.
"My big brother is a Level 21 Demon Swordsman. Joining our party is your lucky break—not only will you level up fast, but you'll get to challenge powerful monsters too."
The woman beamed with pride, certain that mentioning Level 21 would seal the deal.
Who didn't know that anyone above level 20 was elite?
"Not interested."
"You?!"
"What an ungrateful jerk!"
The woman was furious, stunned by his sheer arrogance.
Unable to persuade Chen Nian, they had no choice but to leave.
Barely a few steps away, the woman spat angrily and began complaining.
"What a jerk! Thinks he's some big shot?"
"Forget it. The three of us can handle that boss anyway. We were just going to use that kid as cannon fodder. Who knew he'd be so sharp?"
"The more I think about it, the angrier I get. After we take down the boss, we're going back to skin that bastard alive!"
"Anyway, the real world's already in chaos. Killing him won't get us in trouble! Maybe we can even loot some useful gear."
"Haha, sis's got a point!"
The trio entered the forest and advanced cautiously toward their target.
Ahead stood a five-meter-tall treant!
In Disaster, its official name was "Disaster Treant."
Its branches could transform into armor-piercing blades, boasting terrifying attack and defense stats.
Its level was a staggering Tier 1, Level 70—a high-tier existence among Tier 1 monsters. As a boss-level creature, it also possessed additional stat boosts!
Extremely challenging!
The rewards for defeating it would be unimaginably rich!
"We're barely past level 20. Can we really take down this level 70 treant?"
Xu Meng chuckled. "Forgot who I am? I soloed this boss in the game before. Its attack patterns are simple—just wear it down carefully from range!"
"But if it drops loot, we'd strike it rich!"
The other two lit up at the thought.
They followed Xu Meng around—he was the big shot in the game, guaranteed to live it up!
"Go!"
All three launched their attack simultaneously.
At first, the Calamity Treant's attack patterns stayed within their expectations.
But gradually, they began to struggle.
Because performing physical actions in real life drained stamina—something the game didn't require!
They'd forgotten this was actual combat, not just manipulating a keyboard and mouse.
"Yaaah!!"
A steel-like branch pierced the woman's thigh.
"No... we're no match for it... Aaah!"
Another man was violently flung back, a bloody gash exposed on his chest as he slammed into the ground.
Xu Meng couldn't hold them off alone. His weapon was wrenched from his grasp, his expression turning grim.
The second difference between games and reality.
Injuries severely impaired movement—not just a cold health bar in a game!
For the first time, the trio felt the terror of impending death.
Just then, a slender youth leapt down from the trees and stood before them.
"If you lack strength, don't come seeking death."
Chen Nian's expression remained impassive, his tone detached.
"It's him... the one from earlier!"
The woman gasped in shock.
Hiding in the shadows to watch was one thing, but to actually step out?
This was a level 70 boss-tier monster!
The three of us couldn't defeat it together—was he here to die?