Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pit-pattering rain fell on the upturned turf of grass that was kicked up by horses. The scent of fresh soil pervaded the air. An Elf who had green symbols on his head walked over the grass. He lowered his head and grabbed some clay to stuff into his mouth, but he was stopped by his Human comrade. The Human gave him an eye signal and looked at another person who didnât have green symbols above his head.
âDonât eat. Be immersive in your role,â the Human with green symbols above his head said.
They were in a long contingent that consisted mostly of Fairies, Humans, and Elves with green symbols above their heads.
They were transporting various materials like metal from Eternal Kingdom.
The destination was Goldshire Town.
Though the gamers didnât find any traces of the Wyvern, they had a massive breakthrough in forging weapons for fighting it.
Many gamers contributed their knowledge, especially the technically inclined gamers who designed powerful Ballistas.
They said, âJust like the Hobbits in the movies, we can shoot down the Wyvern.â
Nobody knew if the arrows could penetrate the Wyvernâs armor as they hadnât seen one. The survivors of the Wyvern attack couldnât provide any information. Besides describing it as Dragon-like, they didnât have other details. They were terrified by the Wyvernâs appearance, steep diving, and breathing of flames and were just glad that they survived.
The Humans without green symbols above their heads were residents of Goldshire Town who were acting as guides. The gamers didnât know how to get to Goldshire Town.
Lancelot was leading the contingent while chatting with the guide.
âNobody expected such a thing to happen. Since my aunt left, I felt that something ominous would happen. The Duke of York sent some Knights to our town. I thought they were levying mandatory taxes. Our town isnât doing well financially, and the mayor didnât pay the required taxes. Then the Knights attacked Victoria City. Donât be mistaken, we arenât gloating about them attacking you. Do you get my meaning?â
Lancelot was listening intently to the guide who complained about his education and work. As a member of the Church government, he had to revise his homework daily. Lancelot wasnât interested in such stuff.
While Lancelot was wondering when the guide would stop talking, he heard galloping sounds ahead and saw a horseman.
He screamed, âWyvern! Itâs a Wyvern!â
Lancelot tugged his reins nervously. He was about to ask for the Wyvernâs location when a loud bellow answered his question.
With a shrill shriek, a winged figure of about twenty to thirty meters flew over Lancelotâs head, and the shadow engulfed the convoy.
âHoly cow! Whatâs that?â
âThis is exciting. Thatâs a Wyvern, Itâs a Wyvern!â
âPrepare the long-distance weapons. Everyone disperse!â
The gamers shouted excitedly while the residents of Goldshire Town fled in terror.
The Wyvern observed the convoy while it flew from the start to the end. Then it returned and opened its mouth that was full of sharp teeth.
Fatal flames shot out from his mouth.
The flames engulfed the goods, horses, and gamers, which melted instantly.
This included the gamersâ equipment.
âShucks! How could I forget? The Wyvernâs flames will melt our equipment!â
âWhy are we still fighting? Letâs flee and find some cover!â
âHelp, help, help me put out the fire. My Plate Leggings are burning!â
The gamers witnessed the destruction of the flames and panicked, fleeing in all directions. The Wyvern was relishing in the destruction. It came back, flew over the convoy, and breathed more fire.
The long contingent was wrecked by the Wyvern, and the gamers and residents of Goldshire Town fled in panic. As for Lancelot, he was unable to deal with the Wyvern.
He prayed that the flames wouldnât hit him as he tugged the reins to guide the horse towards the forest. The other gamers also ran towards the forest. Though, a few stray gamers fled to the plains and became live targets for the Wyvern.
The entire convoy was in flames.
...
Dragonborn walked out of the Revival Point. Many other gamers of Victoria City also walked out naked from the Revival Point. They cursed and swore as they proceeded to their Stronghold.
âWhat the heck? Why is the Wyvern so strong? It destroyed us with a breath of fire. Not even our equipment was spared.â
âCool. If we kill this Wyvern, our rewards wonât be less than the rewards received by those silly gamers of Eternal Kingdom.â
âItâs difficult. Our lives are difficult. We canât hit the Wyvern in the sky. If only we had an Airship or a seventy to eighty meters tall Gundam. Iâd slash the Wyvern to bits.â
Dragonborn proceeded to his Stronghold. During the Wyvernâs attack, Dragonborn was killed by the Wyvernâs flames.
When Dragonborn passed by Lord Liloâs Castle, he noticed many gamers gathered at the entrance.
âWhat happened?â Dragonborn asked a gamer.
âSomeone stood at the entrance and shouted to the Queen that the Wyvern killed her citizens. It was meant as a joke, but the Queen appeared and asked for the details. We are now waiting for new developments in the Plot,â the gamer explained excitedly.
âWhatâs there to be excited about? Is this the first time youâre playing this game? Isnât it normal for the gamers to develop the Plot? A lot of Plots are developed by us,â another gamer said.
An excited gamer walked out of the Castle. He was followed by two Hamsters and Queen Victoria.
âThe Plot is starting. Everyone be quiet!â a gamer shouted. There was no need for a reminder. When Queen Victoria appeared, the gamers went into Plot Animation Mode.
âI heard that you discovered a Wyvern. Our priority is to attack the Duke of York. As a Queen, itâs not appropriate for me to venture outside without a proper ride. After discussing with my advisors, Second Boss and Fat Otaku, I decided to let you, my citizens, capture the Wyvern and give you generous rewards. Second Boss and Fat Otaku will provide appropriate assistance as itâs hard for you to defend against the Wyvernâs flame attacks. Thatâs all. Disperse.â
Queen Lilo went back into the Castle after speaking.
The gamers started chatting once the Plot Animation Mode was deactivated.
âI said thereâs a Plot Mission. Itâs great. We have the gold from Goldshire Town and the Queenâs reward. I guess itâs Legendary Equipment.â
âShe canât possibly give Legendary Equipment to everyone. The rewards will be allocated according to contribution. There might not be any Legendary Equipment. Perhaps, itâs just Reputation Points and gold coins. Thatâs what Eternal Kingdom is doing.â
âIs Victoria City the same as Eternal Kingdom? Their missions are exploiting them. We only have to spend gold coins to buy powerful equipment, while they have to spend Magic Stones.â
The gamers discussed enthusiastically. They were thrilled by the latest Plot.
That was after the Queen returned to her Castle.
Two Hamsters stood at the entrance and looked at the gamers. Second Boss shouted, âWarriors of Victoria City, weâll provide fireproofing materials for your equipment. This will require three days and some materials. Let me take a look...â
The Hamster took out a piece of paper and read the words from it.
The mission notice appeared before the gamers.
[Mission Title: Preparation For Hunting The Wyvern
Mission Description: The Wyvern attacked the citizens of Victoria City. Queen Victoria is enraged. She has decided to capture it and use it as her personal ride. Warriors, we have to capture the destructive Wyvern. Preparations are needed for hunting the Wyvern.
Mission Objective:
Work at the Stronghold at the road intersection: 0/50,000 hours (Full-service mission)
Submit various materials: 0/100,000 (Full-service mission)
Mission Reward: Queen Victoria will obtain her ride, while the gamers will obtain Reputation Points and the Queenâs reward. We arenât sure what reward that is.
Mission Penalty: Queen Victoria will be unhappy and will hunt for the Wyvern for a long time. The gamers will be unable to attack the York Territory.]
The gamers werenât sure what effects the Mission Penalty had on them. However, to allow the Plot to progress, the gamers would work diligently and submit the required materials. The gamers were used to being exploited anyway.
Dragonborn returned to his Stronghold to retrieve new equipment after watching the Plot Animation. Unlike Arthur, he didnât have Legendary Equipment that wouldnât be destroyed. He only had a Legendary Weapon that was Soulbound to him.
âDragonborn Bro!â
When he entered the Stronghold, he saw a female character approaching him. It was Softie.
âWah, sheâs sweet when greeting Dragonborn. We donât receive such good treatment,â a Guild member teased Softie.
Softie showed her clenched fist and punched the member who teased her, then pushed him away.
She wanted him to bug off so that he wouldnât interrupt the private conversation between Dragonborn and herself.
That Guild member left, but Dragonborn didnât talk much to Softie. It wasnât because he was cold to Softie, it was because a few gamers were waiting outside the Guild Stronghold.
âIs Dragonborn in? Whereâs your Guild Chairman?â
Dragonborn heard the voices and walked out. He noticed a few Humans and Elves, and Hoodlum was standing in front. He was prominent due to his deformed spine.
âWhat is it?â Dragonborn asked, bewildered. He felt that they werenât there to create trouble since their Guilds had a good relationship. They cooperated in previous battles. Compared to Eternal Kingdom, the gamers of Victoria City were more united.
âWeâre here to discuss the hunting of the Wyvern.â
Hoodlum said solemnly, âWe have a bold plan.â
...
Sherlock was busy recently, and not because of playing computer games or browsing the discussion forum. It was because of the rewards and compensation from the Specter Committee and the Merchant Alliance.
Sherlock had taken great losses during the battle with Frangipani, and he was unable to get back all of his lost Magic Stones. At least he could obtain around 20 to 30 million Magic Stones.
The price tag of 20 to 30 million Magic Stones was too high for both Specter Committee and the Merchant Alliance, despite Eternal Kingdom getting rid of the Ancient Gods army commander.
After a series of negotiations, the Merchant Alliance and the Specter Committee decided to share the reward and damage compensation of 5 million Magic Stones. The remaining 2 million Magic Stones were for death compensation.
Alchemy materials, food, and equipment worth 1.5 million Magic Stones were also paid for by the Merchant Alliance and the Specter Committee.
Sherlock preferred cash, but he was agreeable to the terms of the final negotiation.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The compensation wouldnât be paid immediately. Instead, the payments would be settled over a period of time.
Though Sherlock was busy, he was in a good mood. He managed to change the water for his pet tortoise.
Sherlock hummed a tune as he held a basin of boiling liquid and poured it into a glass tank in the Dungeon Lord Main Hall.
Sherlock wasnât torturing the tortoise. As a commander of the Ancient Gods army, Frangipani required such a liquid environment to help him recuperate. Frangipani couldnât possibly live in ordinary water.
Sherlock left the Dungeon Lord Main Hall after changing the liquid in the tortoise tank.
An hour later, a black kitten and a parrot walked in, exhausted.
âWah, youâre pretty high class. I havenât enjoyed such services before.â
The black kitten stood before the glass tank and looked enviously at Frangipani.
Frangipani didnât respond. He looked fierce. If the black kitten was placed in the glass tank, he would bite him to death.
âDonât waste your effort, this tortoise canât speak. I havenât heard him say a single word,â the parrot who was perched on a platform said to the black kitten Polio.
âWhat are you doing here? Go and work. Lord Sherlock assigned both of you to prepare fireproofing materials that are to be delivered to Victoria City in a few days. Brainiac is unable to cope.â
A Black Dragon came in and pushed open the door. He moved to the shelf and grabbed a huge teapot before brewing some bloody chrysanthemum tea.
Eggface wasnât afraid of the water temperature. He put his claws in the teapot and stirred to make the tea even, then poured the contents into his mouth.
Goo loo, goo loo...
Eggface finished all of the tea. When he was about to brew another pot of bloody chrysanthemum tea, the parrot ran to the cover of the bloody chrysanthemum tea can. He used his claws to fasten the tea can and said to Eggface, âNo, Lord Sherlock said that you can only drink a single pot of bloody chrysanthemum tea. Look at your weight. As a Black Dragon, you canât even fly.â
The parrot scoffed at Eggface.
Eggface frowned and looked fiercely at the parrot, making threatening âHoo loo, hoo looâ sounds.
But the unyielding parrot wasnât afraid.
âLetâs go. If Lord Sherlock finds out weâre idling, weâll be in deep soup.â
Polio stopped Eggface and Phoenix from bickering and left the room. Phoenix flapped his wings and followed Polio.
Eggface left subsequently, leaving the tortoise alone in the tank.
The eyes of the tortoise lit up as he looked at the ajar door and the busy gamers outside. âI, Frangipani, want to leave this place.â
âTo do that, I thought very hard for a few days before coming up with a plan.â
1: Leave the glass tank.
2: Leave Eternal Kingdom.
3: Kill Sherlock.
âPerfect.â