Lord Of The Lost

The formation of a 'player alliance' isn't just a good idea, it's absolutely essential.

It's inevitable that game will be revealed to the public. When that day comes, the players who were part of the early, internal testing phases will need some kind of structured organization; a 'player alliance' to watch each other's backs, share resources, and navigate the complex world ahead.

Think about it. The only way a player could avoid all of this is if they manage to hide their powers completely, living under the radar as if they were just an ordinary person. But seriously, how realistic is that?

'Can you imagine someone with extraordinary abilities just sitting on them, never using them?' It's like holding a blade in your hand, eventually, the urge to wield it is too strong to resist.

'No one's going to want to live their whole life in the shadows', pretending they're normal when they've got these incredible powers. Even if some do manage it for a while, they won't hold out forever.

Now, let's say some players try to rely on the government for support. Sure, they might avoid outright imprisonment, but do you think that means they'll have freedom? 'Far from it'. The constant surveillance and restrictions they'll face will make life unbearable. The government simply can't provide the same environment, treatment, or degree of freedom that a 'player alliance' could offer.

The establishment of a player alliance is not just likely, it's inevitable.

But here's where things get interesting. Who forms this alliance, and more importantly, who holds the power within it? That's going to shape everything.

Of course, right now it's still a bit premature to talk about this on a large scale. Most players haven't even grasped the full scope of what's happening around them, let alone how things will evolve in the future. 'They're still figuring things out.'

That's where the Forum Master comes in. He's got foresight and a methodical way of doing things. He understands that introducing the idea of a 'player alliance' too soon might scare off most players. Many would reject it simply because they don't understand its importance yet.

So, rather than charging ahead and pushing for a full-scale alliance, he's playing it smart; he's laying the groundwork by quietly forming a small team.

And when the Forum Master put out the feelers for this small team, plenty of players on the forums showed interest. There was a buzz about it. But despite this, he didn't rush into mass recruiting. He knew that going too fast could cause chaos and unwanted attention. Instead, he's building something more stable, brick by brick.

Then there's 'William'.

When the Forum Master extended an invitation to him, William didn't hesitate with his response: '"Not interested."'

The Forum Master wasn't surprised. He knew William's reaction was only natural, given the circumstances. In fact, the Forum Master thought that beginning to form an organization was a wise move, as it would strengthen the players' ability to coordinate and act together. 'Scattered, isolated players can't hold a candle to an organized force'.

An alliance would be a huge boost, especially when it comes to tackling the 'main quest'. Because let's be real; if they fail the main quest, it's game over. Not figuratively, but literally. The weight of this threat is always looming in the back of every player's mind.

But even though William understood the logic behind the alliance, he wasn't about to sign up just yet. The situation is still too unclear. In these early stages of the internal testing, players like William want to see how things unfold before committing to any group.

The Forum Master was a little let down by William's refusal, but he didn't dwell on it. After all, he hadn't expected William to accept on the spot. 'Their paths will cross again'. He knew this was only the beginning.

Next, the Forum Master approached 'Metatron' and the 'Gambler'. Both powerful players in their own right, but their responses were equally hesitant. Metatron wasn't interested at all, and the Gambler, true to his name, kept his cards close to his chest, simply saying he'd "consider it."

Here's the thing, these rising stars among the player base all have their own agendas, their own visions. Committing to a group so early could feel like a shackle, limiting their freedom before they fully understand where things are headed.

'Who can really predict the future?' There's still so much that's uncertain in this strange new world. For now, the question of an alliance remains open, and it's only a matter of time before decisions must be made.

The stakes are rising, and sooner or later, everyone will need to pick a side.

William shifted his focus to the forum, scanning through the latest posts with sharp eyes. Before long, something interesting caught his attention, two locations were being discussed: 'Knight's Fellowship' and 'Shadow Castle'. The post originated from 'Metatron', a name William had come to respect.

The details were intriguing. 'Shadow Castle', located north of Border Town, was home to the infamous 'Blood Count', a figure shrouded in darkness. Over the years, the Blood Count had transformed into something far more sinister, a creature of dread that made his own people tremble in fear. It got so bad that the residents of Shadow Castle fled, abandoning their homes in terror.

According to Metatron, many of the thieves and rogues now skulking around Border Town had once served the Blood Count. It all added up; a sinister lord, fleeing subjects, and a sudden rise in criminal activity in the area. Shadow Castle was a place few dared to venture.

And then there was the 'Knight's Fellowship'. This wasn't your typical knight's fiefdom. The place bordered the dangerous 'Black Forest' and had a dark history. Legend has it that the land was the final resting place of a legendary knight, buried there over a thousand years ago.

But now, something terrible had happened, the knight had risen from his grave, transformed into the fearsome 'Knight of Death'. He was said to roam his fiefdom at all hours, a terrifying figure haunting the local villagers who lived in constant fear of his restless presence. No wonder the locals were uneasy.

The more William read, the clearer the picture became. He now had a much better grasp of Border Town and the perilous lands surrounding it. Satisfied with the new information, he reached out to Metatron.

"Any word on the black magician?" William asked.

Metatron responded almost immediately, "I'll check and let you know what I find."

William appreciated Metatron's willingness to help. His attitude was always dependable, and he clearly understood that William wasn't asking out of idle curiosity. The 'black magician' was tied to the 'main storyline', something players at this stage weren't supposed to have access to yet. It was risky, and any information regarding it meant potentially facing off against high-level monsters.

Players who ventured into such territory needed all the support they could get.

Metatron's knowledge was impressive. He seemed to have his finger on the pulse of this strange magical world, and his advice was always grounded in solid reasoning. William trusted him. Whatever Metatron had experienced in this world, it was clear he was doing well; though how he had gained such an edge was still a mystery. William knew Metatron wasn't the only player with good fortune, though.

This was only the beginning. 'Soon, more players would rise to prominence', flooding the forums with insights, strategies, and stories. The competition would be fierce, a 'vibrant explosion of talent and creativity', with the strongest earning the respect and recognition of their peers.

'But talent alone wasn't enough'. If William wanted to stand out, he knew he had to hone his skills. With this thought in mind, he steadied himself, pushing past his fatigue. His body was still weak, but he couldn't afford to rest. He began practicing '[Piercing Attack]', a skill he had been working to master.

Though William wasn't a knight by class, there was something about the way he wielded the 'knight's Lance' that felt right. The connection between the Lance and the [Piercing Attack] skill seemed to unlock a hidden power within him. He recalled a moment at 'Crow Ridge', where he had fought off crows.

It was during that battle that he first felt it; the Lance, combined with [Piercing Attack], unleashed a power that was 'unpredictable and fierce'. It was like he had found the perfect rhythm, the right technique, and suddenly the weapon responded to him in a way it never had before.

It was a new feeling, one he had never experienced with any other weapon or skill. William realized something important, if a player mastered the extraordinary skills of a particular path, even if they weren't aligned with that path's class, they could still tap into the power of the corresponding equipment.

It wasn't about being an extraordinary person in name; it was about mastering the techniques that allowed you to channel the power.

But William didn't dare practice with the actual 'knight's lance' in his small home. The sheer force of the skill when combined with the Lance would be enough to wreck the place; the aftermath would turn his living room into a battlefield. So, for now, he held back.

As the hours passed, night fell. William finally paused his training, stepping outside into the cool night air. The streets were nearly deserted, the town quiet and still under the cover of darkness. It was the perfect time to reflect on everything he had learned and prepare for the challenges ahead.

The road before him was uncertain, but William had a clear goal in mind: 'to grow stronger, gather allies, and face whatever this mysterious world had in store'. William shifted his focus to the forum, scanning through the latest posts with sharp eyes. Before long, something interesting caught his attention; two locations were being discussed: 'Knight's Fellowship' and 'Shadow Castle'.

The post originated from 'Metatron', a name William had come to respect.

The details were intriguing. 'Shadow Castle', located north of Border Town, was home to the infamous 'Blood Count', a figure shrouded in darkness. Over the years, the Blood Count had transformed into something far more sinister, a creature of dread that made his own people tremble in fear. It got so bad that the residents of Shadow Castle fled, abandoning their homes in terror.

According to Metatron, many of the thieves and rogues now skulking around Border Town had once served the Blood Count. It all added up, a sinister lord, fleeing subjects, and a sudden rise in criminal activity in the area. Shadow Castle was a place few dared to venture.

And then there was the 'Knight's Fellowship'. This wasn't your typical knight's fiefdom. The place bordered the dangerous 'Black Forest' and had a dark history. Legend has it that the land was the final resting place of a legendary knight, buried there over a thousand years ago.

But now, something terrible had happened; the knight had risen from his grave, transformed into the fearsome 'Knight of Death'. He was said to roam his fiefdom at all hours, a terrifying figure haunting the local villagers who lived in constant fear of his restless presence. No wonder the locals were uneasy.

The more William read, the clearer the picture became. He now had a much better grasp of Border Town and the perilous lands surrounding it. Satisfied with the new information, he reached out to Metatron.

"Any word on the black magician?" William asked.

Metatron responded almost immediately, "I'll check and let you know what I find."

William appreciated Metatron's willingness to help. His attitude was always dependable, and he clearly understood that William wasn't asking out of idle curiosity. The 'black magician' was tied to the 'main storyline', something players at this stage weren't supposed to have access to yet. It was risky, and any information regarding it meant potentially facing off against high-level monsters.

Players who ventured into such territory needed all the support they could get.

Metatron's knowledge was impressive. He seemed to have his finger on the pulse of this strange magical world, and his advice was always grounded in solid reasoning. William trusted him. Whatever Metatron had experienced in this world, it was clear he was doing well, though how he had gained such an edge was still a mystery. William knew Metatron wasn't the only player with good fortune, though.

This was only the beginning. 'Soon, more players would rise to prominence', flooding the forums with insights, strategies, and stories. The competition would be fierce, a 'vibrant explosion of talent and creativity', with the strongest earning the respect and recognition of their peers.

'But talent alone wasn't enough'. If William wanted to stand out, he knew he had to hone his skills. With this thought in mind, he steadied himself, pushing past his fatigue. His body was still weak, but he couldn't afford to rest. He began practicing '[Piercing Attack]', a skill he had been working to master.

Though William wasn't a knight by class, there was something about the way he wielded the 'knight's Lance' that felt right. The connection between the Lance and the [Piercing Attack] skill seemed to unlock a hidden power within him. He recalled a moment at 'Crow Ridge', where he had fought off crows.

It was during that battle that he first felt it; the Lance, combined with [Piercing Attack], unleashed a power that was 'unpredictable and fierce'. It was like he had found the perfect rhythm, the right technique, and suddenly the weapon responded to him in a way it never had before.

It was a new feeling, one he had never experienced with any other weapon or skill. William realized something important; if a player mastered the extraordinary skills of a particular path, even if they weren't aligned with that path's class, they could still tap into the power of the corresponding equipment.

It wasn't about being an extraordinary person in name; it was about mastering the techniques that allowed you to channel the power.

But William didn't dare practice with the actual 'knight's lance' in his small home. The sheer force of the skill when combined with the Lance would be enough to wreck the place, the aftermath would turn his living room into a battlefield. So, for now, he held back.

As the hours passed, night fell. William finally paused his training, stepping outside into the cool night air. The streets were nearly deserted, the town quiet and still under the cover of darkness. It was the perfect time to reflect on everything he had learned and prepare for the challenges ahead.

The road before him was uncertain, but William had a clear goal in mind: 'to grow stronger, gather allies, and face whatever this mysterious world had in store'.

The night was deep, and the sky hung heavy with clouds, hiding the stars. Only the glow from the countless homes and the flashing neon signs of nightclubs lit up the streets. The colorful lights reflected off the wet pavement, casting a soft, artificial glow that kept the darkness at bay.

William walked quietly down the street, his figure blending in with the nightlife. As he approached the familiar barbecue stall, the smell of grilled meat filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and casual conversation. The stall owner, a seasoned man with a friendly smile, noticed William's lean figure approaching from a distance.

"Same as usual?" the owner asked, already half-expecting the order.

"Not today," William replied, glancing at the sizzling meat. "I'll take two more kilograms of mutton skewers tonight."

The owner raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-surprised, but said nothing more. This was an open-air food stall; plastic tables and chairs scattered across the pavement. There were only a few customers around, a small group of young people drowning their worries in cheap beer, the ground littered with empty bottles as they complained about the struggles of life.

William found an empty table, sat down, and cracked open a beer. The stall owner, moving with practiced efficiency, loaded up his grill. He held ten skewers in each hand, each one loaded with thick chunks of marinated meat, which hissed as they hit the flames.

As William poured himself another drink, the owner called out with a playful grin, "William, with the amount of food you order every night, I'm starting to think you could single-handedly keep my business afloat! You'd think I've got a whole family to feed, and you're doing it yourself."

William smiled faintly, tipping his beer in acknowledgment. He had become a regular here, showing up every night without fail. He ordered a portion large enough to feed five or six people, but always managed to finish it all by himself. The first few times, the owner had been concerned, worried that this was some kind of challenge or that William would get sick.

But night after night, the young man proved he could handle it.

The owner, now comfortable with the routine, would often chat with his customers. As he tossed another set of skewers on the grill, he said, "Honestly, though, you're making it easier for me. I'll be able to close up early at this rate."

William gave a small laugh, glancing up from his drink. "That's good, right? The sooner you sell out, the sooner you get to head home."

The owner scratched his chin thoughtfully. "True, true. But you know, this much barbecue every night can't be cheap. I see you here, but you ever think about switching it up? Maybe hit a buffet sometime? Would be easier on the wallet."

William chuckled, knowing the truth of the matter. His nightly feasts weren't breaking the bank just yet, but they were certainly leaving a mark on his finances. Three or four hundred yuan every evening added up quickly. "Might take you up on that idea. But for now, barbecue still hits the spot."

As the night wind picked up, blowing around plastic bags and stray papers, the owner's voice lowered, taking on a more serious tone. "Speaking of heading home early… you heard about the rumors going around? They say Brooklyn's been haunted lately."

William raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unconcerned. He took a swig from his bottle and set it on the ground beside the others. Twisting off the cap of another beer with his bare hand, he casually asked, "Which ghost are we talking about?"

The owner, who had been cheerful moments before, now seemed hesitant. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if the very air might carry his words to the wrong ears. "Come on, you know what I mean... Who else could it be?"

William smiled, but didn't press for details. Ghost stories were a dime a dozen in places like this, and he wasn't in the mood to chase after urban legends. More than likely, it was just the kind of tale that got passed around in late-night conversations, growing in the telling. He shrugged it off and continued his solitary drinking.

There he sat, alone at the table, his thoughts swirling in time with the alcohol. He wasn't usually the type to sit in silence, but here, at this small barbecue stall, he rarely spoke much. His only conversation partner was the owner, and their exchanges were brief, casual.

When the food arrived, the smell of the grilled mutton was irresistible. William ate in silence, each skewer disappearing one by one, until only empty sticks remained on his plate. Satisfied, he stood up, sliding his hands into his pockets as he prepared to leave.

The stall owner watched him go, shaking his head with a smile. "Same time tomorrow?" he called out.

William nodded without turning back. He stepped into the cool night, the neon lights flickering behind him. His figure gradually faded into the shadows of the quiet street, leaving behind the faint clatter of dishes and the distant chatter of the few remaining customers.

The night was his once again, and he moved through it like a ghost himself, unseen and unfazed by the world around him.