Chapter 43 - 41 : Back In Infinite Realm : Preparations Before War
(AN : I tweaked some info in chapter 24 and 27. Nothing much.)
[[ System notification :
Locating server...
Server located.
Beginning Neurolink connection process…
Connecting to server Heavenly System Universal server…
Connection successful.
Verifying connection…
Connection verification successful.
Beginning mind transit in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 ]]
Flexing his body and getting used to it, Sato uttered "It's good to be back."
After doing a couple more stretches, he exited the room and headed over to the lobby downstairs, where he met up with Fudo.
"What took you so long?" Fudo questioned.
"I was trying to feel the changes of the update to our controls but it seems that wasn't what they focused on."
"Yeah. Now that you say it, I hardly feel a difference. So where are we off to this time?"
"Black Grill's cave. According to the players who have recorded all the nearby levelling spots, Black Grill's cave has a high spawn rate with a high concentration of monsters." Sato said as they left the building.
"Doesn't that mean that it will be populated?" Fudo queried with confusion.
"Normally, yes. However, the monsters there have an awfully high defence against physical attacks plus their huge numbers make them suitable for zerg tactics. That cancels out most of the solo players. Since the distance is quite far from Riverdale, not a lot of guild players or parties go there plus the loot isn't so appealing. They would rather head over to Fog valley or the outskirts of Kiro Mountains were there are higher level monsters and better resources."
"So we have Black Grill's cave to ourselves?"
"Not so much. If we could figure these facts and reach the conclusion that Black Grill's cave is a suitable levelling spot, others might have done the same."
"But they shouldn't be so much right? Let's just go."
As they had just walked a few meters from the hotel building, they both received a system notification. Not just Sato and Fudo but the entire player population in Riverdale.
[[ Town scale System Notification :
The Town Head has just received the information and has prepared for battle.
Update on "The Goblin's Invasive Retribution."
The Goblin's Invasive Retribution : Mission Package
A player has just discovered the goblin hideout, Gnorka. Hold down the fort and stop the goblin's from further conquering more lands.
The mission begins in 00 : 30 : 00 . (AN : Hour:Minute:Second. This will be the usual format.) Once the timer is done, gather at the Town's West Gate and await further instructions.
Rewards : Based on performance.
Failure Penalty : Destruction of the nearest Town
Loss of 2 levels with reduction of experience gained by 30% for 2 weeks
Relationship level with human forces at [Dislike] ]]
"So the mission has finally begun eh? Do we need to stock up more on consumables.?"
"We spent more than 40 silver coins on consumables and materials but you still think it wasn't enough?" Sato stared at Fudo with a weird face. "That's more than 30 times an average players gain since the game has started."
"Hehehe, then the average players are poor. What's the use of having money if you don't spend it?"
"...It's best we save for a rainy day." Sato said a she stared at the sky deep in thought. "Come on, let's head over to the West gate since we have nothing else to do."
Elsewhere…
In a private room at a fancy restaurant in Riverdale.
[[ Town scale System Notification :
The Town Head has just received the information and has prepared for battle.
Update on "The Goblin's Invasive Retribution."
The Goblin's Invasive Retribution : Mission Package
A player has just discovered the goblin hideout, Gnorka. Hold down the fort and stop the goblin's from further conquering more lands.
The mission begins in 00 : 30 : 00 . (AN : Hour:Minute:Second. This will be the usual format.) Once the timer is done, gather at the Town's West Gate and await further instructions.
Rewards : Based on performance.
Failure Penalty : Destruction of the nearest Town
Loss of 2 levels with reduction of experience gained by 30% for 2 weeks
Relationship level with human forces at [Dislike] ]]
"The large scale mission has finally begun." A burly man with a height of almost 2.2 metres uttered out after reading the system notification.
"Hmm, I doubt it would be that easy considering that the news was given to every player. This is such a drag." A level ranger who laid on a couch lazily remarked.
"Maybe for you it is. I can finally use this event to reach level 5." A level 4 assassin commented.
"Hehehe. Keep boasting while I wait to see it blast back at you." The ranger snickered.
"Enough you two. Acting like bunch of kids. Captain, do we need to purchase ore supplies just in case?" A cleric in white mage clothing asked the burly man.
This team was actually that of Mountain Rift, that had previously bumped into Sato and Fudo and had tried to recruit them both. Apart from the previous 4(the Captain, assassin, ranger and cleric), there were 2 other players, both mages; an elementalist and a summoner. After they had left met with Sato and Fudo, they went levelling up and managed to return back to town in time for the update. As such, their average levels were quite high, being level 4 with the only exception being their captain, One Sword, being level 5. Silver sky, who was previously ahead of the others together with the captain, was quite close to level 5.
"Ao, you handle that. Silver, inform the other groups in neighbouring towns. From the info I have, Emperor's Might and Savage Tribe already have their eyes on Riverdale so there's no way they won't participate in this mission. Even though it's a large scale mission, there's most likely a reward for the best performing player or team. That's our goal and to beat those Super guilds in this, we need numbers. The rest of you, make your preparations and meet me back here in 1o minutes. Then we leave."
"Yes, Captain." Everyone nodded and those who had arrangements to make, left the room. In the end only One Sword and the ranger, Idle Archer, were left behind.
"Ahh. This will be a drag wouldn't it eh captain?" Idle archer lazily asked.
"More like a pain in the ass. But to surpass the other guilds, we have to do our best and get a better headstart than them. That means we have to make the bets of every opportunity."
"Ahh. Being a vice-captain is such a pain."
Similar arrangements were also happening in different gathering spots of various guilds and parties. And by similar arrangement, this author isn't referring to Idle archer's behaviour, but rather the preparations every guild was undertaking. Most guilds had reached the conclusion that the best performing player or team would receive a reward much more than the average performers. As such, the big guilds began to gather their forces and trump cards for the upcoming large scale mission, hoping to convert them all to potential rewards and aces that could give them an edge over their peers in future situations and encounters.
The small guilds on the other hand, were making somewhat similar preparations except that they didn't stake most of their forces in the upcoming battle as in this category, they can't compete with big guilds.
Of the 2 favorites with the greatest odds to take the win, Savage Tribe was a dark guild so most players weren't in support of them. Emperor's might on the other hand was a bona fide super guild and not just an ordinary one but one of the big 5; the super guilds that had existed since the Old Era.
"So you encountered Chike and lost?" Snow Goddess stared at Azure Dragon in the eye.
"He ran away before we could conclude our match so I don't think its my loss. However I have to admit, he's strength is the real deal. Compared to him, I'd rather battle you." Azure Dragon said with a smile while he took a sip from his glass of wine.
"Hmmph! Unless we fight, I won't believe you." Snow Goddess refuted. "The next time you run into him, call me."
"Yes ma'am." Azure Dragon chuckled.
"So what plans do you have for the large scale mission?"
"Oh that?" Azure Dragon picked up a piece of meat, dipped it in sauce and placed it in his mouth, chewing the piece gently . After savoring the taste a bit, he swallowed the meat in satisfaction and rinsed his mouth with the wine beside him.
"The usual; you will lead 3 teams with you and hope for the best or rather achieve the best. Apart from the Savage Tribe, we don't need to worry about anyone else. Mountain Rift could be considered a threat but not so much. The remaining others are a bunch of 2nd tier guilds that pretty much know their places. With my attack on Chike, Savage Tribe should already be aware that we are hunting down their members so I doubt they would make an appearance. Unlike us, their numbers are lower so I doubt they would make any needless sacrifices. With them out of the way, 1st position should be ours."
"It looks like you have thought this through?"
"I am a 'King' after all. I need to put in some effort to prove it otherwise what would others think of me?" Azure Dragon chuckled.
"Correction; a false 'king'." Snow Goddess smirked.
Azure Dragon twirled his glass. "Potato, potato. Same thing."(AN : You should be able notice the difference right?) "Also, keep an eye out for me for a fat blakc haired guy."
Yukino frowned "Why?"
"I plan on letting Chesces send him my regards." (AN : When you run out of names what do you do? You reward your number one supporter!!!)
"Why are you sending Chesces?"
"Because I don't want us to lose that rank for any silly reason." Azure Dragon glared at Yukino. "Last time was a mistake sure. But I don't want any such mistakes like that this time around."
AN :
One shouldn't underestimate Emperor's Might because Azure Dragon had lost a lot of men to Chike.. It's like this, the players with Azure Dragon then were comparable to Kakashi and Chike is Madara. So it isn't unusual for a bunch of Kakashis to lose to Madara, capisce?