MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 298: Enveloped in Shadows

Eclipse didn’t see her, right?

"The fight is about to start," Eclipse told him. "We need you in formation right now."

Xin was glad that he didn’t seem to have seen Hilda, at least. "I’m coming. See you later, Poppy."

Poppy waved her hand at them while Xin and Eclipse walked towards the gate.

There was silence between them as they walked until Eclipse broke it, saying, "You seem to be visiting that girl all the time."

Xin didn’t comment.

"Is that why you have maxed out her relationship level with you?" he questioned further.

At this moment, Fighting Bunny’s words seemed to have pierced Xin’s consciousness. Eclipse had killed Ragnarok Reaper and Doom Harbinger.

But looking at the lethargic man with few words, Xin wasn’t sure of why he would do that considering that it would be a great lost if he killed those two.

And he wouldn’t get anything out of it unless . . .

"You’re not one to talk, huh?" Eclipse commented.

"That’s right. Less problem that way," Xin simply replied.

"How about one million dollars to spill the beans on how you maxed your relationship level with her?"

Xin skidded to a stop and stared at Eclipse. The offer came out of the blue, and he had to admit that he wasn’t prepared for it.

Eclipse sported a serious face and continued, "If that’s too low, then I am willing to buy the information from you ten times that amount."

Xin blinked.

"What do you say?"

Though Xin couldn’t see it, he could hear it . . . that desperate tone in Eclipse’s voice.

Xin sighed and proceeded to walk toward the gate. "Ragnarok Reaper already offered me enough after this expedition. Besides, I probably could get quadruple that value if I auctioned the information."

Eclipse clicked his tongue and glared at X’s back. He didn’t give up and caught up to him, saying, "Then how about a special deal with me? Money, status, even women — my guild could give you all of that."

"No thanks."

Eclipse’s stoic face faltered. Never in his life had someone rejected his offer and even had the guts to ignore him twice.

X’s tone was even more lethargic than his, as if he couldn’t be bothered with him, which got on his nerves.

"Are you really a player?" Eclipse asked when he didn’t have any more words to throw at X.

Xin ignored him again and continued walking.

Eclipse’s mouth fell open this time. He was ignored, not once, not twice, but three times?

Eclipse’s face warped with rage. Who does this guy think he is?!

Right there and then, Eclipse wanted to teach X a lesson but decided against it since it would be futile inside the town.

And it would only cause him trouble if he acted right now.

It wasn’t the time yet.

"No, not yet," Eclipse muttered, regaining his calm composure.

One way or another, he would wring out the information he needed from him.

Meanwhile, the battlefield stretched vast and ominous, a landscape etched with the scars of previous battles.

The players assembled in haphazard formations, their armor worn and weapons at the ready.

The air was thick with a sense of impending doom, and the distant timer on the horizon began its countdown, each passing second echoing the inevitable clash to come.

Xin observed the players closely, noticing the absence of enthusiasm that usually accompanied the anticipation of a battle.

Instead, a pervasive gloom hung over the assembly, as if the weight of previous defeats had settled heavily on their shoulders.

The atmosphere was devoid of the usual solidarity, replaced by a collective resignation that seemed to suggest they had already lost, even before the fight had begun.

No rallying cries filled the air, and the absence of a morale-boosting speech was felt.

Eclipse and Fighting Bunny remained silent. There was no encouragement, no fiery words to kindle the flickering flames of determination within the players.

The usual fervor that accompanied the preparation for battle was replaced by a solemn stillness, as if everyone had resigned themselves to an inevitable fate.

The countdown on the horizon continued, each passing moment ticking away as a somber reminder of the impending clash.

It was a stark contrast to the usual fervent energy that charged the air before a significant battle, leaving Xin to wonder if the players had truly lost hope or if they were merely steeling themselves for what lay ahead.

"It’s too quiet . . ."

Xin heard Victor say.

"It’s like we’re in a funeral or something," he added.

"Could you blame them? Everyone has already given up," Xin uttered on the side.

Victor looked over at the countdown. The clock ticked away, and he released a large breath. "I guess when the boss comes, this will be a slaughter."

"Try not to die and resist. You still need to gather enough information to report to the guild about the final boss," Xin said.

"I know, and you sound like you’re not part of this group and couldn’t care less."

Xin shrugged. "I’m not really part of any guild, and I slipped in here without a contract, so I don’t really have any—"

Xin paused when something hit his head.

"What?" Victor asked, noticing X had suddenly stopped talking. "Hoi, are you okay? Did you lag?"

Xin didn’t have time for Victor when some idea entered his head. That’s right; the guilds still needed everyone in here to report to them about the final boss.

His eyes then darted to Eclipse, but he couldn’t find him anywhere.

Shit!

"What is it?" Victor asked, confused.

Xin was about to open his mouth to warn the others, but it was too late; a cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped the area, and within its grasp, Xin, Victor, and everyone else were paralyzed.

"W-what is this?"

"What’s going on?"

"Is it the final boss?"

"We still have ten minutes before the countdown starts."

"Then what the hell is this?"

Everyone was confused at the sudden turn of events, but Xin only sighed. Luckily, his equipment was Legend Grade and could easily deflect different status effects.