The Black Lands were as barren and dreary as the name suggested. There were no plants here except some mutant abominations. And all animals were monstrous and hostile. The entire landscape looked like it had been twisted and tortured at the hands of a mad god. The distant lava filled peaks of a black mountain range only enhanced the haunting desolation. And the lack of players made the whole region seem even gloomier.

  In other areas of the world, the group had frequently encountered human players. Some were friendly and traded with the group, while others were hostile. But here, meeting a human player was a rare occurrence. This being a high-level region was part of the reason. But the Pixel Tyrant being here made the region even more unsafe, prompting player Exodus to somewhere she wasn't there.

  Any players the group encountered during their journey through the Black Lands were quick to run away. Some did stop and speak to the group and told them more horror stories of the Pixel Tyrant. But none seemed to know exactly where she was. Reports from different players sometimes even placed her at two opposite ends of the region. And those who had encountered the Pixel Tyrant and fallen beneath her blade urged the group not to waste their levels and gear needlessly in fighting the Tyrant.

  Despite all the discouraging words, the group pressed on deep into the Black Lands. But the lack of their quarry was fomenting dissent in the ranks.

  Li Wei was the first to complain. "Jingjing, we have been wandering around aimlessly. There is no sign of her."

  An Jing tried to reassure him. "Just a little more, Jie-fu. People have seen her around. She must be here somewhere."

  "Jingjing, this area is so dark. Can we go search somewhere else?" An Mei asked.

  "Jie, we can only search where she is. She is here. Just, be patient, all right?"

  "I think this is a leadership problem," Li Jing announced. "Jingjing clearly had no plan at the Gates, and I had to save everyone. I say we vote for a leadership change. I nominate myself for the position. Who's with me?"

  Nobody said anything.

  Despite the lack of response, Li Jing continued unfettered. "I won't have Mei Lin's vote, I know that. What about you Weiwei? You would vote for your dearest sister, right?"

  "Jie, I wouldn't vote for you even if you and I were the only ones left. You would be terrible at leading a video game team."

  "Come on, Weiwei, just one vote. You would side with your sister-in-law over your own sister?"

  "I side with what is logical. And stop pushing my character. There is a cliff on the other side."

  "Hmph. No loyalty at all," Li Jing grumbled. "What about you, Na-jie? Would you..."

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "No."

  "Just no? Jie, you didn't even hear what I was going to say."

  "Doesn't matter. The answer is still no. Focus on the game, Xiao-Jing. Xiao-Yue might be anywhere."

  "What's the use of having siblings? They are all traitors," the succubus whined. There was still one person left. Li Jing coyly sidled up to the catgirl. "What about you, Meimei? You will vote for me, right?"

  "Jie, I...I..." An Mei mumbled while trying to figure out how to let Li Jing down easy.

  "Of course, my sister-in-law would vote for me. Unlike the rest of you, Meimei knows who really contributes to the team. Isn't that right, Meimei?"

  "Umm...I don't..."

  "How about this? If I become captain, I will make you my second in command."

  "But I don't want to be second in command."

  "What about this necklace? You see the one my succubus is wearing. It's pretty cute, right? I'll give it to you for free if you vote for me."

  "Umm..."

  "How about I give you that baby mammoth mount? I know that you were eyeing it up when we started the game."

  "But the guy from the company said it wasn't done yet."

  "Meimei, I am not talking about the virtual thing. I'll get you the plushie version of it. The one they haven't even thought of releasing yet."

  "Really?! Oh my god, Jie, that would be so cute."

  "So, do I have your vote?"

  "Yes, yes, of course."

  "What?" An Jing yelled. "Jie, how can you shift your loyalty over a baby mammoth?"

  "Jingjing, I am sorry," An Mei said. "But that baby mammoth is really cute. I love you, but I can't pass this up."

  All the baby mammoth talk had made Li Wei curious. "Now I feel like I want one," he said.

  "You too, Jie-fu? Why is everyone falling for this baby mammoth? How cute can it be?"

  "It is very cute," Li Na added.

  While the family was arguing about the baby mammoth, Mei Lin was watching the road. "Someone up ahead," she said. "Seems non-hostile, but be ready for a fight."

  The baby mammoth discussion and thoughts of mutiny quickly subsided as An Jing took command once more. The company waited at a defensible position as the figure approached them. It was an orc named SaltedSpicyFish, and it was wearing only a loincloth.

  "Hey dudes," the orc greeted the party.

  "Hey," An Jing said. "We are not looking for a fight, but if you want some, we are ready to deliver," she added.

  "Don't worry, bro. I ain't looking for a fight. Had enough of PvP already; got killed by The Pixel Tyrant. Took all my items and weapons."

  "You seen her?"

  "Yeah man. Down there in the valley. Killed a bunch of other players too," said the orc.

  "She is alone? Anybody else with her?"

  "Nah. It's just one dude killing everyone. It's a massacre, man. I was hoping to get to the Queen boss fight, but nah, too risky."

  "Thanks for the info," An Jing said.

  "What about you guys? You came for that boss fight?"

  "No. We are hunting the Tyrant."

  "Wow. I mean, that's some cool stuff, bro. I mean, I ain't brave enough for that, but hey, I wish you guys luck."

  Seeing his lack of garments and items, An Jing decided to be generous. "Thanks. You need any armor or clothes?"

  "What?! Why?!"

  "I mean, you are kind of walking around in a loincloth."

  "Oh. That's my style, dude. My class is monk, so it fits my character. And the loincloth has plus ten defense."

  "I...I see."

  "See you later, dudes. Gotta find some PvE content. Maybe I'll try Windswept Caves."

  "Uhh...bye," An Jing said.

  Everyone watched the orc until he disappeared behind a bend in the road.

  An Jing once again gathered everyone together. "All right. Now we know where she is. It's time to go get her," she said. "And remember to stick to your roles. This is gonna be our toughest fight yet. If we mess up, we stand no chance. Is everyone ready?"

  "Yes, Jingjing," all five members of the team said in unison.