MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 302: The Unseen Final Act

The tension in the air was apparent as Xin and Hilda stood side by side, their gazes fixed upon the countdown in the sky.

The numbers ticked away, each passing second amplifying the anticipation for the impending arrival of the final boss.

Unabated attention held them in a state of heightened readiness.

As the countdown approached zero, a hushed silence enveloped the battleground, and the surrounding atmosphere became charged with an air of expectation.

Xin and Hilda braced themselves for the appearance of the final boss.

However, as the final seconds dwindled away, a sense of bewilderment replaced the expected crescendo of dramatic events.

The countdown reached zero, yet the sky remained devoid of any supernatural manifestations. No ominous fog descended, no smog enshrouded the area, and the inky darkness that usually heralded the arrival of a formidable boss failed to materialize.

"What’s going on?" Xin’s voice betrayed his bafflement as he surveyed the strangely serene surroundings.

He turned to Hilda, a questioning look etched upon his face. "Can you sense the boss?"

Hilda shook her head in response. "No. I don’t sense anything."

The minutes ticked away, ten of them passing in eerie stillness. The absence of the anticipated boss and the persistent tranquility left Xin and Hilda in a state of uncertainty.

The battlefield, once filled with the echoes of clashes and chaos, now stood silent and mysterious.

The weight of the unspoken question lingered in the air: had they encountered a glitch in the game, or was something more sinister at play?

Xin’s analytical mind raced, considering various possibilities, yet finding no immediate answers.

As the duo continued to stand in the quiet aftermath of the countdown, the mystery of the missing final boss unfolded, casting a shadow of doubt over their minds.

"Is the boss still going to appear?" Xin wondered aloud.

"Maybe it slipped past into the town?" Hilda suggested.

"There should be screams from the townsfolk by now, and we should have been alerted by the sounds of blasts or devastation as well," Xin stated.

Hilda scratched her head, uncertain of what to answer Lord Schoringer. "Maybe I will take a look inside?"

Xin nodded. "That won’t be necessary."

All eyes turned to the one who spoke—a familiar voice that Xin immediately recognized as Poppy.

Poppy stood outside the gate, her expression blank. When Xin’s eyes met hers, she offered a smile. "There’s no enemy to defeat this day, for I am the final boss," Poppy declared with a beam.

Xin and Hilda exchanged a puzzled look.

"Huh?"

"You must be confused," Poppy remarked.

More than confused, Xin mused.

"The truth is, I am Astraea, the goddess of justice and fairness. My initial mission was to assess every creatures in this realm, whether they’re worthy to live or not. I was assigned the task to eradicate evil in this world."

Poppy eyes changed. It changed to pearly white that glowed, and reflected a profound sense of contemplation.

With a sigh, she began, "My initial mission was clear — to assess everyone and determine their worthiness to live. Eradicating evil was my solemn duty, a task bestowed upon me by divine decree."

"But then, X, you entered the picture," she continued, her gaze fixed on him. "In witnessing your journey to defend this castle, your struggles, and your unwavering dedication to help everyone in this town, my perception began to shift. The lines between good and evil blurred, and the complexities of all living things unfolded before me."

Astraea’s eyes softened as she spoke, a glimmer of understanding in her gaze. "I’ve observed your choices, your sacrifices, and the connections you forged with others. You, X, have shown me that redemption and transformation are possible. Your resilience and compassion have given me pause, prompting a re-evaluation of my divine mission."

She concluded, "I’ve decided to give all living things a chance, to believe in the potential for goodness to prevail. X, you have changed my mind, and I am willing to see where this newfound path leads."

Xin was dumbfounded. Had Poppy misinterpreted his actions, or was her sudden change of heart due to their maxed-out relationship level?

Regardless, if he could navigate this situation without confronting the final boss, that would be the best.

"Then . . . does that mean?" Xin began, his voice both surprise and uncertain.

Poppy nodded and beamed. "You have won, and this castle and all its citizens are safe . . . for now. However, I shall stay here for the time being and observe. Here, take this as a token of my gratitude."

[ACQUIRED! Astraea’s Staff!]

Xin and Hilda exchanged looks, their faces smiling as the notification shot into the sky.

[CONGRATULATIONS on getting first blood from clearing one of the seven wonders of the World, THE CASTLE OF DOOM!]

Xin couldn’t believe it. His initial intention was merely to wander around the Castle of Doom and satisfy his curiosity about what it would feel like.

He never expected to actually clear it!

He hadn’t set any lofty expectations and had simply done his best.

However, he surmised that it was all thanks to him being bugged; he couldn’t have achieved it without maxing his relationship level with Poppy.

Having finally comprehended the underlying system of the Castle of Doom’s last day, Xin acknowledged that the intricate dynamics of relationships and choices played a pivotal role.

This led to a unique resolution that defied the conventional expectations of a final boss encounter.

Now, the only thing left to do was to deal with the aftermath of it all and faced the real world and the consequences of his actions.

"I guess this is it, X," Poppy suddenly said, her eyes reflecting melancholy despite forcing a smile. "I wish you safe travels in your journeys ahead."

Xin couldn’t help but feel that familiar pang, akin to the moment when he was about to part ways with the NPCs he had bonded with.

"We will see each other again," Xin assured her and gently patted her head.

Poppy beamed, her missing tooth adding to the charm. "I’ll hold you to that."

As Xin and Hilda slowly turned into particles, they were oblivious to the chaos they had unleashed, both in the game and the real world.