Chapter 682: A Completely Different Life

Within the grim and shadowy expanse of Tirisfal Glades lay ruined hamlets and decaying cottages—a cursed realm where undead of every description drifted to and fro.

In such a place, taking up the mantle of a corpse to join this grand continent of Azeroth offered a sensation entirely unprecedented.

"Beware the living!" was a caution frequently uttered within Deathknell, for in the eyes of those breathing creatures, they were nothing short of monsters.

"They are the true monsters!" the elven maiden Thera cried wistfully as she battled the beasts of the forest. "We fight these monsters while having to guard against everyone else. Aren't we all fighting that evil Burning Legion? Why can't we just coexist in peace?"

"Those people are bound to judge by appearances!" Thera thought resentfully, working alongside Nalan Mingxue and others as fresh recruits scrounging for useful equipment in Deathknell.

"Pardon my intrusion, but are you truly an elf?" Lanyand and the others stared curiously at the elves along the way; in the game, the Horde and Alliance spoke different languages, so communication was seamless since both Lingzhou and Norah tongues became Horde and Alliance speech.

And with the memory of the language embedded in their avatars, comprehension was effortless.

"Of course!" Having quickly gathered plenty of gear, each slung a sack over their shoulder, walking back with sweet contentment.

Even the most dilapidated pieces of armor could be bartered with the Deathguard for a few provisions.

Naturally, the experience points remained paramount.

...

"Miss Thera, are you sure you don't want to join our Alliance's human army?" The Golden Gryphon Knights, seated nearby, clearly shared Su Tianji's sense of being chosen for a grand destiny.

Of course, the identities they now assumed were merely citizens answered the call to defend their homeland and the Alliance.

Stormwind was currently facing a massive threat, its main armies stationed overseas, leaving the home front severely undermanned; thus, the duty of resisting invaders and purging internal threats fell partly upon these conscripted players.

Contributing to the prosperity of a kingdom and the security of its people was, by all accounts, a most noble pursuit.

"I pride myself on our wise choice to become human Paladins, haha!" Engaging in such work brought a profound sense of achievement and duty, provoking hearty laughter from the Golden Gryphon Knights.

After all, their duty was to guard the city, yet the entire metropolis remained prosperous and serene, leaving them with little to do.

One knight from the order channeled a platinum radiance into his hand: "The warm Holy Light can heal any wound with incredible speed. Tell me, isn't that magnificent?!"

(Among all spells, those of the Holy Light possessed the fastest healing velocity; though other games featured mending arts, their speed was comparatively sluggish, as was true in the lands of Norah.)

"I imagine when we face true combat later, our adversaries will feel utter despair!" another knight added enthusiastically.

"Indeed! May the Light be with you!" Helen cried joyfully. "I feel the Paladin's martial techniques are extraordinarily potent. Though our level is low now, when we grow strong, they will surely play an unimaginable role."

"Hmm—?" Just then, Commander Evan gasped, drawing out a long note of surprise as his eyes widened at the quest report in his hand. "A report of Duskwood wolf packs attacking Northshire? Does this Azeroth continent have a Duskwood too?"

"Why is there a Brotherhood here as well?" The knights were evidently still completing tasks at Northshire Abbey when Helen, holding several documents, suddenly froze. "Humans wearing red masks... calling themselves a Brotherhood?"

"A coincidence, surely!" a nearby knight remarked casually. "Sharing a name is common enough..."

Northshire Abbey was a verdant valley thick with ancient, massive trees; this vast woodland was utterly delightful, whether one was slaying beasts to level up, practicing skills, or fulfilling tasks. If choosing the Undead allowed one to experience an atmosphere entirely distinct from humanity in Deathknell, then here in Northshire Abbey—this human territory—one could complete reputation-enhancing tasks with the pleasant disposition of a sightseer amidst the peaceful, quiet domain.

Perhaps... beholding such a beautiful place, they would understand what they were doing and why they protected this land.

Passing beyond the towering stone walls of Northshire Valley and following the gravel road through the trees, one reached the first major town outside Stormwind—Goldshire.

Surrounded by towering Elwynn timber, the tranquil town of Goldshire sat upon the main highway to Stormwind, a microcosm of life for the people of Elwynn Forest. The Lion's Pride Inn was bustling with adventurers from all corners answering the call, perhaps livelier today than ever before.

"Oh... look at the crowd!" The Golden Gryphon Knights had just stepped into the tavern when Commander Evan bellowed, "A pint of Lion's Dark Ale for each of us! Hahaha!"

They found a place to sit, feeling a wave of exhaustion after spending an hour or two questing in Northshire Abbey.

Nearby sat several members of the Royal Guild, including Princess Ji Yu, the second prince, and numerous students from Shengjing Academy. Some bore two-handed swords on their backs while others wore one-handed blades at their hips; slamming the table, one shouted, "Waiter, bring out your finest wine and best dishes!"

The group of Golden Gryphon Knights stared over in utter bewilderment: "..."

"Hmm? Is that not how one calls for service?" The Royal Guild members blinked in confusion.

No matter what sort of person they were in reality, they seemed entirely immersed in this game; like him, one would occasionally instinctively believe oneself to be a freshly conscripted human Paladin, learning basic skills and combat techniques just as they had when first becoming knights.

Of course, the Paladin's skills appeared remarkably noble and elegant; they wielded the platinum Holy Light, possessed Flash of Light to rapidly mend wounds—a restorative spell of such efficacy unseen in the real world—and commanded various holy Seals.

"This feeling is absolutely brilliant!" Watching the crowd milling about the Lion's Pride Inn, Evan felt as though he had returned to his youth, when he had just mastered the sword and ventured out from his house to seek adventure.

Naturally, he had now become a glorious Paladin fighting for the human Alliance and the Holy Light.

Who was to say that bygone days never returned? Perhaps in another world, one could find an entirely different life.