Lord Of The Lost

William had recently unlocked a skill called [Harm] from following the thief's path. It had the makings of a formidable technique, though it was still in its early stages, much like his [Piercing Attack]. The difference lay in the type of skill each represented. [Piercing Attack] was a direct, instant offensive move, while [Harm] was a status-based skill, which, when activated, affected his attacks over a period rather than in a single strike.

But there was a catch: William couldn't use [Harm] and [Piercing Attack] simultaneously at full power. Each skill demanded focus and energy, and until he improved his proficiency, he could only wield one active skill at a time.

In addition to these, he had also dabbled in skills from others, like Black Crow's [Mental Confusion] and the Werewolf's [Intuition]. However, his lack of practice meant he couldn't seamlessly transition between them yet. He needed more training before he could blend these abilities effectively.

Just then, the Gambler's voice cut through his thoughts. "Hey, something's up in Border Town. Check the forum."

William raised an eyebrow, surprised. He quickly logged into the forum, and the headlines greeted him with grim news.

"Windmill Village attacked by thieves, casualties are high, devastation everywhere."

The post detailed the horrific attack. Apparently, the entire village had been set ablaze, reduced to a charred ruin. All food and valuables had been looted, and only a handful of villagers had survived. The rest; women, children, and the elderly, were mercilessly killed. Even the players in the area hadn't been spared; everyone near Windmill Village had fallen in the chaos.

Scrolling through the post, William saw that the community was in an uproar. Players were furious and devastated. Just yesterday, William and the Forum Master had led a successful assault on the thieves, managing to kill over two hundred of them in a brutal skirmish. Although they had been ambushed, their efforts had dealt a significant blow to the thieves, putting a temporary dent in their activities.

But now, in what felt like a cruel twist of fate, the thieves had retaliated with ferocity. Led by a formidable, broken-armed thief with supernatural abilities, they had rallied hundreds of bandits and launched a full-scale assault on Windmill Village. The village that William and the Forum Master had risked their lives to defend was now a wasteland.

One player, Yoyo, had posted about her experience in despair.

Yoyo: "This is unbearable! I'd just reached level 3, and now I'm dead again! Back to the intensive care unit… I'm losing hope. Someone, anyone, help me, please?"

Her post struck a chord. William could almost feel the desperation in her words. The penalty for death in this game was punishing, and for players like Yoyo, who already had a fragile health status, dying again and again made it even harder to recover. Each death weakened her even further, creating a vicious cycle that made it nearly impossible to progress.

The comments poured in, many players offering her words of comfort and encouragement.

Yoyo: "I really can't take it anymore! Can't one of you just take me along for protection?"

Other Player: "Look, we're all trying to be nice here. Don't go biting the hand that's comforting you, you little troublemaker!"

Yoyo: "(﹏)"

The teasing tone lightened the mood slightly, but it was clear that Yoyo's plight wasn't unique. She was fast gaining a reputation as the forum's tragic figure—a player who seemed to carry a perpetual curse. But in this unforgiving game, she couldn't even argue her case; the label of "forum trash" was sticking, whether she liked it or not.

Just then, another player threw out a suggestion, half in jest, half serious.

Player: "If we can't beat the thieves… why not join them?"

The idea sparked a mix of reactions. This player explained that he'd once been approached by a small group of thieves, which triggered a prompt offering him the chance to switch his class to a thief. It was tempting, he admitted, given how difficult survival had become.

For a moment, the suggestion lingered, and William found himself considering the irony. After all, in a world this brutal, perhaps joining the enemy was a survival tactic as valid as any other. The thought of players crossing over to the other side, becoming thieves to avoid persecution, was both chilling and oddly practical.

The forum quieted down after a while, but William's mind was abuzz with questions. Was joining the thieves really an option? And if so, what did it mean for the game and its players?

The player's suggestion to join the thieves was quickly shot down by the forum community. Many players had already made enemies of the thieves and were determined to stand against them. Even if joining the thieves offered some enticing rewards, most players couldn't stomach the idea of raiding villages and robbing innocents.

Meanwhile, William noticed a notification from his discussion group. The Forum Master had tagged him.

Forum Master: "I'm planning to form an alliance to fight against the thieves. Care to join me?"

Though they hadn't known each other for long, the group had forged a bond through their shared experiences and battles. The Forum Master had been hinting at forming a coalition for some time now, and with the chaos the thieves were causing, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to recruit allies.

But William wasn't entirely sold on the idea.

William: "I've got some other things on my plate. The thieves are just a nuisance; you can probably handle them with a decent team. I'll step in if things get out of hand."

The Forum Master tried again, turning to the others.

Forum Master: "What about you, Metatron? Are you in?"

Metatron: "I'll have to pass for now. I need to think carefully about the path I'm taking. The Gambler's recent words on his talent and direction got me reflecting on my own choices. I want to be certain before making any new commitments."

Metatron's response clearly disappointed the Forum Master, but he wasn't ready to give up. If he could just get Breeze Across the Hills to join, he could bolster his team with strong allies. And if Metatron joined as well, his plan would be as good as guaranteed.

The Gambler declined as well, citing his talent's strong backlash as a reason to stay out of any prolonged conflicts. Only Alex gave a tentative yes, seeing the thieves as a chance to sharpen his killing skills.

Seeing his recruitment efforts stall, the Forum Master decided to take a bold approach. He posted a public message on the forum.

The title of the post was simple and direct: "Alliance Against the Thieves – High-Level Players Needed!"

The Forum Master didn't mince words. He called on experienced players to join forces, promising that even if they lacked proper weapons, he could supply them with a large number of blanks, ready for enchantment or customization. He emphasized the goal: a united front to crush the thieves and bring peace back to the villages.

In the post, he also mentioned the outcome of his and William's recent skirmish with the thieves. True to their agreement, William had taken four gold coins, while the Forum Master retained all confiscated equipment. He hinted that this gear would be put to good use, fueling the uprising.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. The forum erupted as players flooded the thread with comments, eager to discuss the plan.

Typically, players organized into small groups, rarely exceeding a dozen, and usually formed parties of just two or three. Even when players tried to gather larger numbers to combat the thieves, it was hard to attract others without a solid reputation.

But the story of the Forum Master and William's daring raid on the thieves in Border Town had already made waves. Their legend; two players riding magical warhorses, leading a successful ambush against a sizable band of thieves; had spread, earning them respect and intrigue among the player base.

And now, with the Forum Master officially rallying players against the thieves, the prospect of a large-scale alliance seemed possible for the first time. Excitement buzzed in the air, with players from all over the region ready to rally under a united banner. It was a call to arms that would shape the game's landscape, a chance to fight back against the thieves and reclaim the villages once and for all.

Today marked the beginning of a new chapter, one where players would stand together against the darkness spreading across the land.

With the tragic news of Windmill Village's massacre spreading through the forums, players were furious, tagging Bai Lan and the Pavilion Master relentlessly. They wanted their two strongest leaders to take decisive action, rallying together to crush the thieves once and for all.

Seeing the outcry, the Pavilion Master knew it was time to make a move. He stood up, ready to issue a rallying cry that would unite players on a scale they hadn't seen before. With this call to arms, he aimed to bring together a large force, ready to take down the thieves and restore some semblance of peace to the land.