Chapter 101: The Secret Amulet

Black flames, withdraw.

The frenzied, tearing black fire, at Morningstar’s slightest gesture, dissipated into the snow and wind, vanishing from the street. Thanks to prior arrangements, there were no ordinary people lingering at this snow-draped gas station street—no crowd gathering in awe.

Morningstar glanced back. The other three, wounded and exhausted from their techniques, had already retreated far away. One—an earnest young man from the Guild of Divine Crafts, glasses glinting in the cold; another—a striking girl from the Hundred Herbs Garden, her braids dancing as she moved; and the last—a bronze-skinned youth from the small Ocean Vessel Guild. Behind him, the trio of players tended their wounds, wrapping bandages, sipping potions to restore their strength. They had not invested heavily in combat skills, but their health still held firm; though injured by the Hunter’s Chains, they had managed to withstand the blow.

As the black fire faded, the three players looked at Morningstar in disbelief. Their levels were comparable, yet what they had witnessed was far beyond their expectations. In this game world, slaying monsters is possible, but battle is not the only path to experience; every player, depending on their alignment, could gain experience in myriad ways. Some whispered of experience tomes hidden in dungeons, though only those of the Bookly alignment could use such volumes.

In the recent fight, Morningstar had defeated the second-in-command of the Devourer’s faction—a feat that, in their eyes, marked him as a top-tier player. They watched him, thinking: perhaps this is the legendary Underleveled Player.

The term speaks for itself: players who intentionally keep their levels low, a unique playstyle found in many mobile games. Yet, in New Dawn, such deliberate underleveling is exceedingly rare. Most strong low-level players simply hadn’t prioritized leveling, their focus elsewhere. Beastmasters, for example, might devote themselves to empowering their creatures, letting their pets fight battles for them; Card Crafters, endlessly refining their decks, relying on cards alone. They rarely fight; their experience comes from alignment bonuses.

Some techniques are said to have level restrictions, though Morningstar had not yet encountered such limits. He, however, was not truly underleveled; his strength came from exploration, superior equipment, and powerful techniques, giving the illusion of suppressed level.

These three were seasoned players from the mid-phase of beta testing, well versed in the knowledge that level is not everything. Even ordinary individuals could grow stronger through contact with New Dawn’s artifacts. Though rare, such cases existed, and without doubt, this sword-wielding player before them was one of those rare few. Despite his intimidating aura, they cast hopeful, admiring glances his way—seeking to follow his lead.

Morningstar chatted briefly, declined their friend requests, and turned his attention to the chain and a mist-blossom amulet.

A formidable control weapon, though heavily damaged, its power remained undiminished. The burning sensation quickly faded; the chain turned icy cold, as if seeking to invade him.

He examined its interface:

[Hunter’s Chains:
Description: The chain of a Hunter, its touch reveals the desperate struggles of countless prisoners.
Value: A forbidden weapon crafted for Hunters, unavailable in any normal marketplace.

Status: Severely damaged.
Alignment: Void, Ice
Equipment Requirement: Strength 30; requires time to fully master
Normal Function: The chain is governed by will, able to pursue enemies at the user’s command.
Binding: Targets are ensnared, consuming 20 spirit and significant stamina; designate a target to attack.
Once this skill is activated, the Hunter’s Chains break free of control, launching a rapid pursuit toward the locked target. Unless the target’s physical body perishes, the chains will not cease their chase.
If the chain binds an enemy, they enter a ten-second spirit-seal state (during which the enemy cannot expend spirit, use spirit skills, or maintain any spirit-based effects).]

Morningstar read the description—ten seconds of spirit-seal! In the blink-and-breath rhythm of battle, ten seconds is an eternity.

He tried infusing spirit into the weapon, attempting to command the chain. Spirit flowed through the ancient grooves; the chain responded, slowly folding to his will. He could not wield it skillfully yet—practice would be required.

Morningstar breathed deeply, the chain scraping across the ground, finally coiling itself into a metal sphere. He estimated its length—fifty meters in all. Even without the binding skill, the ability to freely control fifty meters of chain made it a formidable weapon.

This meant he could stand still, allowing enemies to flee forty-nine meters before striking.

Morningstar stowed the Hunter’s Chains in the Traveler’s Box, knowing it would take time to master. He then examined the next item—a flower-shaped amulet, white as mist.

This was not from the prisoner, but dropped by the man in the suit. They truly were killing their own kind; the prisoner had cared nothing for the suited man’s fate.

Among Devourers, fratricide was commonplace. Once their bloodline shifted, they became monsters hidden among humans.

Morningstar inspected its interface:

[Mystic Amulet:
Description: Doesn’t it feel uncomfortable to be watched?
Introduction: In Mist City, a skilled female weaver once met a bard who pursued her. The bard claimed mastery of a powerful mind-reading technique, able to glimpse the thoughts of others.
Each time, the bard guessed her intentions—whether buying flowers or drinking wine, every gesture seemed to grant her secret desires.
The talented weaver disliked this sensation. She studied ancient texts and forged this Mystic Amulet, able to shroud one’s strength and spirit, warding off prying eyes.
The invasion of privacy made her uneasy. Yet, after creating the amulet, she found the bard still understood her heart.
How could this be? The weaver was baffled.
In the end, she took up a hammer and gave the bard a thorough beating, only to discover he had never mastered mind-reading. Her heart was simply easy to guess.
Relieved, she accepted his confession and perfected the amulet.

Alignment: Void, Flower
Equipment Requirement: Alignment must be Void or Flower
Function: Wearing this item blocks prying abilities. (Note: When equipped, enemies will find it harder to discern your abilities; under the Pilgrim’s Detection, your attributes will appear as “???”)]

Why suddenly tell a tale of courtship? Morningstar ignored the story, focusing on its function.

This effect… He could not help but feel delighted at such a treasure! So that’s why, when he encountered this person in the game, their attributes showed as question marks.

Humans naturally fear the unknown.

The Pilgrim’s Detection could reveal the attributes of players up to five levels higher. This identification panel greatly diminished uncertainty, emboldening players to challenge enemies at the right moment.

Thus, most players looked down upon those five levels below themselves.

For now, within the player community, level consciousness remained strong.

Thanks to the Void Pendant, he could equip this item!

Morningstar fastened the mist-blossom amulet, its power allowing him to conceal himself and foil specialized detection techniques.

Hiding his information would make enemies hesitate to attack.

Once equipped, Morningstar opened the forum to check the current situation.

From the group’s messages, their plan seemed highly successful.

Some players were already posting memes celebrating the downfall of the Devourers—pop the champagne!

Morningstar walked to the place where they had emerged—a deep tunnel.

He summoned the Morning Star.

The Morning Star traced an elegant arc, descending into the abyss below.

“So deep…”

Morningstar twirled the Shadowstinger dagger in his hand, sensing the Morning Star’s continued descent.

(The end of this chapter)