MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 349: Unexpected Betrayal

As Xin and the others explored Yama-mura, they found themselves immersed in various quests offered by the villagers.

The tasks ranged from helping with farm work to assisting in the Grand Market, adding a sense of purpose to their journey.

Amidst their quests, Seraphim raised a concern about the whereabouts of the rest of the group. "Shouldn’t we be hurrying to the exit? The others might already be there, you know," she commented.

Victor was annoyed, and retorted, "If you’re so concerned about them, maybe you should go on ahead. And why are you following us in the first place anyway? We’re no longer a group, remember? You’re free to go."

Victor couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something about Seraphim didn’t sit well with him, as if she were his greatest enemy or something.

Undeterred, Seraphim sweetly smiled behind her cloak. "Well, someone seems to be angry."

Ignoring the tension, Xin questioned the slow progress of the others on the map. "They’re still in the same location as they were an hour ago. They should have been here by now."

Victor was equally puzzled, and checked the map. "Could they have encountered an enemy?"

"Why don’t you go and check on them?" Seraphim suggested, prompting a glare from Grey Smoke.

"Why don’t you go? Ignis is your friend, right?" Victor shot back.

Seraphim stifled a chuckle. "We’re not friends, merely acquaintances who happened to share one single journey."

Interrupting the brewing conflict, Xin voiced his concern. "Anyway, I think something happened to them if they’re not moving from their spot."

Victor checked the map again and frowned. "They’re just a few meters away from the village. What are they doing?"

"We should check them out; they could be in danger," Xin urged. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The four then hurried towards the exit, their worry growing with each step.

"I can’t believe that we’ve strayed so much from sightseeing, but even still, those guys haven’t entered here yet," Victor said as they hurried out of the village.

"They could have encountered some trouble," Xin said. "Let’s hurry."

"Trouble?" Hilda thought for a moment as she ran. "But we didn’t encounter any when we came here."

Victor shrugged. "Ignis and the others must have found something."

However, when the four of them finally reached Ignis and the others’ location, they came to a sudden stop because they weren’t alone.

Behind Ignis, Drakoon, and Luna were at least hundreds of other players belonging to Doombringers guild, led by one of their core members, Nightshade, the vice-leader no less.

Victor’s face turned serious instantly. "What’s the meaning of this, Ignis?"

Ignis scratched his head and looked to the side while Luna and Drakoon remained silent.

"Ah . . . sorry, Grey Smoke. I needed the money, so . . ." Ignis started, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"So, you’ve auctioned the map, right?" Seraphim chuckled. "That map that you didn’t even acquire in the first place. I didn’t know that you have no shame, Ignis."

Ignis closed his eyes tight and fisted his hands while Luna sneered. "Oh, please. It’s just a map! If you want, we can share the money from the auction," she snapped.

Drakoon laughed a little. "This is part of the game. Since we’ve found the Yokai village, I’m sure there are plenty of kitsune for everyone, so no need to hug it all to ourselves, right?"

Hilda frowned. "You didn’t find the village. Lord Scrooge did."

"Little details don’t matter," Drakoon dismissed. "Besides, we’re already disbanded from Sylvan’s group, so working with other guilds shouldn’t be a problem anymore."

"You had auctioned the map before Sylvan even disbanded us," Victor said with a rising voice. "This is the reason why solo players have a bad reputation because of guys like you."

Drakoon’s smile fell, and his face turned menacing for the first time. "Don’t patronize me, Grey Smoke. You’re no better. Or have you forgotten that you kill your employers and fellow group members if you don’t like them?"

Grey Smoke smirked. "I only kill guys I don’t like, and don’t worry, I only kill idiots who have no pride and shame like you."

Tension rose, and both sides drew their weapons.

"Hold it!" Nightshade interfered and stepped forward. He was a tall, lanky guy with dark green hair and black eyes behind glasses. From the looks of it, he was a Halfling Rogue.

"If I get this straight, you guys don’t work for Sylvan, right? Then you’re free to do what you want. You can even join us," he said, nudging his glasses on his nose.

"And what are you going to do with that hundred of players?" Xin asked them seriously.

Nightshade didn’t speak for a moment before he answered, "Simple. We’re going to capture the Golden Tail Kitsune and maybe . . . explore the town."

Victor scoffed. "Is that right? With hundreds of players behind you? I don’t think so. But, too bad, we didn’t see any golden tail kitsune inside."

"I’m only prepared for the unknown. And that’s for us to find out if there is a Golden Tail Kistune inside," said Nightshade, moving forward. "If you don’t want to make an enemy out of Doombringers, I suggest that you step aside."

Victor and the others didn’t budge, while Xin didn’t see any point in this confrontation.

Too bad about others finding out about Yamamura, but like Drakoon said, it was part of the game. They were merely careless . . . he was careless in sharing the map to his group.

Besides making an enemy of Doombringers, the top 2 guild in the world, without gaining anything in return was an idiotic move.

Xin stopped Victor and shook his head, stepping aside for Nightshade and his guild to pass through.

"Lord Scrooge . . ." Victor and Hilda muttered.

"Looks like one of you still have his brain," Nightshade commented, and his guild continued their way without further conflict.

Victor glared, but Xin stared at him, signaling to stop.

Victor sighed and reluctantly stepped aside. Hilda and Seraphim followed Lord Scrooge’s lead and also moved out of the way.

Nightshade nudged his glasses again before throwing them one final smirk. He then led his hundred-strong army onward, making their way through the narrow path.

The air was tense as they passed, with both sides exchanging glares.