畅想听吧

Chapter 168: Ready to Kill (4)

"Now. Move."

The temple golems made noises periodically as they roamed the area and searched for intruders.

A group of five managed to slip past the golems and enter the inner part of the temple, and waiting for them inside were five more individuals.

"You called us here and showed up late? Are you joking?"

"We weren’t late. We both know time is of the essence."

One of the players dusted off his shoulders and removed the hood of his robe. Beneath it was a face that any seasoned MID Online player would recognize—Goliath of the Titan guild.

The man waiting for Goliath asked, his voice mixed with slight annoyance, "We could’ve just talked over the phone. Why did you bother making us come all the way here?"

Goliath responded with a wide grin, "Hah. And trust you just by hearing your voice? That’s not possible."

"Do you think being face to face would change anything?"

"It’s better than a phone call."

"I came in person because you emphasized how important this meeting was, but if this turns out to be a waste of time..."

"Don\'t worry about that. Let me ask you something first. This upcoming event... how do you think it’ll connect to what comes after?"

The man squinted, trying to gauge Goliath\'s intentions. "What do you mean?"

"Let’s stop beating around the bush. I think this event will lead to siege wars and territory battles later on," Goliath, who clearly disliked speaking in riddles, made his point directly.

The man on the other side paused to think, then slowly nodded. "It seems you\'re being sincere. The number of monsters shown in the Invasion Event trailer was greater than the humans. The NPC soldiers who died were too numerous to count."

"Cities and towns overrun by monsters will start popping up like mushrooms after rain."

"And the land..."

"...will likely be given to the adventurers who wipe out the monsters and gain the people\'s trust."

This was the direction the two guilds\' intelligence had determined the game would take.

The information-gathering capabilities of the intelligence units from the world’s top ten guilds are nothing to scoff at.

If it were just one guild, it might be different. But if two came to the same conclusion...

Then it\'s almost certainly accurate.

After the Invasion Event, a true era of Warring States period would begin!

Having revealed the results of their intelligence, both men nodded in agreement as if confident in their predictions.

Goliath spoke again, "Which is why I’m making a proposal. Help us during the Invasion Event, and we’ll support you in the territory battles."

"That’s funny. I don’t think our guild is weak enough to need your help."

"Of course you don’t. But are you confident you can win against the other top ten guilds in a head-to-head confrontation? If the Titan guild backs you, there’ll be no chance of defeat."

This was an implicit alliance between two of the world’s top ten guilds! It was an extremely rare occurrence among those who thrived on their own pride and power. Such a thing had never happened before, simply because no one had ever lowered themself to make such a proposal.

Well aware of this, the man tilted his head and asked, "What exactly is there for us to help with during the Invasion Event?"

"Unknown. Or rather, Kai." Goliath gritted his teeth, his gaze burning like a volcano. "You didn’t participate in the Battle of the Bir Plains, so you don’t realize the power that man holds."

"That again? I already understand. I know he\'s a threat. But even so, he\'s still just..."

"No. The very fact you\'re thinking that way means you\'re underestimating him."

Goliath\'s stance was resolute. In his mind, Kai was the most dangerous variable in the game right now.

Yoo Ha-Rin. That monstrous woman was a target for recruitment, not an enemy.

Personally, Goliath believed Yoo Ha-Rin\'s skills far surpassed Kai’s, but the reason he didn’t see her as a threat was simple.

She’s just one person.

A solo player. Someone who didn’t belong to any faction and wandered alone, with no followers or allies. Though she was a player, she was viewed by the others as an NPC with unparalleled strength. Because of that, the top ten guilds had tried to maintain friendly relations with her, but none dared to antagonize her.

However, Kai was different.

He’s dangerous.

At first glance, Kai seemed to be walking a similar path to Yoo Ha-Rin. However, during the Battle of Bir Plains, Kai revealed two hidden trump cards.

The Radiant Paladin class, and... the elves and merfolk.

Goliath had ordered his intelligence to investigate the Radiant Paladin class. But unfortunately, they didn’t uncover much. Still, what they did learn was enough to show just how revered that class was within the Church.

Kai must have strong ties with the Solarian Church’s main church. Maybe not as deep as Minerva, the Saintess, but... he could still call on their support if needed.

With just the two forces, the Solarian Church and the non-human races, backing him, he had already become a person of great interest.

"All the guild masters present at the time recognized how dangerous he is. Katherine declared she’d keep watching the situation, and Vulcan made some childish statement about wanting a fair fight. The others were the same—just a bunch of cowards, too afraid to act."

"From the way you talk, it sounds like you\'re the only brave one here."

"I wouldn’t say you’re wrong."

As the man watched Goliath\'s bold expression, he contemplated for a moment.

If I accept Titan’s proposal here...

Having the support of one of the top ten guilds in the world during the territory wars would mean securing the territory he wanted.

Not a bad deal. But before that...

A contract must always be made clear.

With a sharp voice, the man asked Goliath, "I want to hear the exact terms. I get that you have a grudge against Unknown. So, what exactly do you need me to do?"

"This Invasion Event seems to favor whoever has the largest numbers."

"I see. So that’s why you’ve come to me."

The man smirked.

Goliath was right. From the video, it was clear that the Invasion Event involved hordes of monsters invading human kingdoms.

In that case, there\'s no doubt that joining hands with me is the safest choice.

Because this man was none other than Xao Lin, the guild master of the Black Dragon guild based in China, known as the largest among the world’s top ten guilds.

"Explain the details a bit more."

Xao Lin’s mind had already been swayed because there was already a specific city he had his eye on.

***

Opinions on where the monsters of the Invasion Event would come from wildly divided. Some said they would emerge from the sea, while others believed they would rise from the ground. However, everyone was wrong.

"What is that?"

"That... looks like a warp gate from Star Trek or something."

The monsters poured out from a circular, purple-glowing hole—a Gate. The locations where these Gates appeared were also very unexpected.

"W-what the hell!"

"This is a Gate?"

"Why here, of all places...?"

They appeared not only in hunting grounds where players were peacefully farming, but also along ordinary roads leading to other cities. However, the most shocking part was elsewhere.

"Why is the Gate appearing there...?"

"That’s right next to the fortress...!"

"Damn it! Weren\'t villages supposed to be safe zones protected by the system?"

"Why do I need to prepare for battle in a place where I came to rest...?"

Gates emerged right on the outskirts of several villages, and the monsters pouring out of them were all starving. Thus, it wasn’t a coincidence that they immediately launched attacks on the fortresses. And with that, the event officially began.

Ding!

[Extra Ep.1 - The Invasion has begun.]

[Players, please defeat the monsters and close the Gates.]

[Gates have appeared across the continent, categorized into Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties. A total of 1,500 Gates exist.]

[Points earned by defeating monsters and closing Gates can be exchanged for rewards with event NPCs.]

Although the event had been announced in advance, the invasion itself happened without warning. This led to explosive reactions from the community, and the servers became so crowded that they nearly crashed.

Kai was in just as much of a rush.

"Dang it...!"

Regretting his complacency, he quickly opened the community window.

The place I need to protect first is...

First and foremost, Libertia. It was home to the NPCs most closely connected to him, and it was also his own territory. However, while Libertia was a top priority, it was not the only place he had to defend.

The villages I’ve passed through...

Not only the various towns where he had spent his early days, but also Frica, where Chief Bunther and the blacksmith Maxim resided, Glendale, ruled by Master Huey and Baron Arsen, and even Whitehall, where Ayana’s family lived!

The faces of the NPCs Kai had formed connections with vividly flashed through his mind.

"First, I need to confirm everything."

The more panicked one was, the more composed one should be. This was something Kai\'s father and mother had always told him.

When you’re busy or in danger, keep your head cool and your heart warm.

After refreshing the page several times, Kai swiftly scanned the community for updates.

[Shocking news! Two Hard Gates open near the large city of Baran. Fierce battle underway.]

[City of Niolan falls! A glimpse of the power of Hard Gates...]

[Easy Gate closed by an adventurer guild with an average level of 57.]

[The Invasion is not just about claiming rewards. It is about protecting your memories.]

New articles were being updated every second.

After scanning the numerous articles and player posts, Kai quickly nodded.

Libertia is safe for now. Is it thanks to Luteria’s blessing?

No Gate had appeared in Libertia, likely due to the World Tree Luteria’s protection. As a result, Libertia was in a secure state. However...

An Easy Gate appeared in Frica. Glendale has one Easy and one Medium Gate. And...

Whitehall, which was still undergoing repairs, had a terrifying Hard Gate.

On top of that, Baran is a place I’ll have to visit later anyway.

Baron Arsen, the lord of Glendale, had once written him a letter of recommendation to the Count of Castle Barden. Kai had planned to visit there soon, but...

Baran can’t fall yet.

This meant Kai would also have to protect Baran.

As Kai was struggling to deal with the complex situation, a message arrived.

[Minerva: Where are you planning to take over first?]

Kai thought for a moment before slowly typing on the virtual keyboard.

[Kai: Please head to the large city of Baran.]

[Minerva: Aren’t you joining us?]

[Kai: I will join after.]

While the Pray guild defended Baran, Kai’s goal was to destroy the Gates near the other villages and cities.