My Players Are So Fierce-Chapter 403

Two days later happened to be a weekend.

A new batch of eager little players received their helmets and transformed from “appetizer party” status to official “game testers”. They entered the Transia they had been “dreaming of” early in the morning, though this time there wasn’t the large-scale “welcoming ceremony” like before.

On one hand, as the player recruitment range expanded, the real-world connections between new players and veteran players were not as close as before.

They were no longer real-life friends, just online acquaintances.

On the other hand, because of the random event “Gnawbone Clan Invasion” that spawned in Smuggler’s Woods two days ago, most veteran players had rushed there in droves.

This event led by the Blood Claw Clan not only offered generous rewards but also had rare “Vanguard Wolf” mount random drops. Chief Hog had also opened limited-time exchanges for the Command Scepter, a “strategic weapon” specifically for Spirit Mages, which was enough to get the collector parties and meta parties all fired up.

However, because the monster strength in this spawned event was very high, it resulted in the newbie players’ activity space in Smuggler’s Woods being greatly compressed.

Actually, the sudden outbreak of this incident wasn’t surprising. Worried that players would go adventuring elsewhere, Hog had his loyal Nash venture out to provoke the Gnawbone guards, and that small gnoll ended up completing the task a bit too “perfectly”.

Who knows what methods he used, but he managed to steal the vanguard captain’s flail and war helm, urinated on the barbarian captain’s bed, and very arrogantly left Blood Claw Clan’s claw marks.

This outrageous behavior almost directly ignited the tensions that had been building between both sides.

The Gnawbone Clan guards in Plague Town had long been suppressed by the gnoll warlocks, and their pent-up frustration fully erupted with this opportunity. Over 40 elite barbarian warriors launched scattered attacks throughout Smuggler’s Woods, with these super-strong monsters potentially spawning anywhere at any time, making it impossible for newbie players to handle.

Left with no choice, they withdrew from Smuggler’s Woods and returned to Crimson Citadel at the Blood Rat Gang’s summons. As a result, they perfectly matched up with this batch of newly enlisted little players, forming an ideal “veterans leading newbies” situation. Those ambitious about developing their forces certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Just outside the Midnight Chamber, Thunder Demon Zhong Su, one of the “Eight Demon Elite Group”, immediately started clamoring when he saw the new players walking out of the “spawn point” with curious eyes. Waving the bone staff in his hand, he shouted loudly:

“Black Guild ‘Eight Demon Elite Group’ recruiting official members! Brothers, what’s the point of always following the orderly righteous path in gaming?

With such a high degree of freedom in the settings, we must try some different playstyles. Our Eight Demon Elite Group is the happy home for all dark path little perverts!

Our guild is currently only recruiting Trickster and Coffin Bearer players! The guild has ‘Transia’s First Evil Mage’ Brother Life’s Pretty Good and ‘Transia’s First Coffin Bearer’ Brother Dog Egg providing personal guidance!

Absolutely get you on the path of cultist in 3 days, achieve local tyrant status in 7 days.

Come quick, come quick!

Join now and receive newbie equipment gifts to help you comfortably start your newbie journey.”

This unique “recruitment announcement” made the nearby Forging Group recruiter Kind-Face Giant Shark Uncle stare with wide eyes. The bald vampire exclaimed:

“Holy crap, can being a cultist in the game become a mainstream playstyle? Brothers, take it easy, don’t actually develop into a cult group and bring witch hunters’ extermination upon yourselves. Look at Guildmaster Natalie’s sacred sword that’s taller than you, I don’t think you can beat her.”

“Oh come on, it’s just talk, what normal person would develop a cult in a game? But we do all follow the dark path.”

Thunder Demon Zhong Su waved his hand.

Playing with the Wraith Seed emanating a cold aura in his hand, he cackled and said:

“We’ve done our research. The continent is in chaos now, and the Trickster profession has great potential. I specifically asked Lady Tris, and among Trickster’s advanced class transfers is the ‘Monster Master’ profession sequence.

They say it can summon demon-like creatures from the dangerous Infernal Plane.

Look look, isn’t this the classic demon warlock path?

We’re already being pretty considerate by not forming a Shadow Council, don’t worry, we’re just having fun talking about it.”

As he called out, he actually attracted a little guy who didn’t want to follow the conventional path. A middle-aged side-parted scene guy with the ID “Gao Mao Ah” looked left and right as he came over to carefully examine the bone staff in Zhong Su’s hand, then stroked his chin and said:

“Brother, is this thing made of real bones? This artistic style is pretty good, can I take a look?”

“Here!”

Zhong Su very generously handed the bone staff to Gao Mao Ah, who held it and quite professionally appraised it for a while, then shook his head and said:

“There are many flaws, and the combination method also has some issues. Swapping the position of these two bone sections would raise its aesthetic value another level, what a shame.”

“Brother what do you do?”

Zhong Su asked curiously:

“Why are you so interested in these things?”

“I do sculpture and leatherwork.”

Gao Mao Ah very proudly adjusted his artistic scene-style side-swept bangs and waved his hand saying:

“An artist, you know? I have my own little gallery in real life. Aqua Girl called me to come play this game and bring along some apprentices. By the way, I just got in and don’t really understand, what should I do now? Do the main quest to search for vagrants?”

“No no no, when you first enter the game you need to transfer class and learn basic skills to practice, otherwise you might get carried off by wolves on the Seicob Plains. Come come, brother follow me, I’ll take you to transfer class.”

Zhong Su persuaded this self-proclaimed “artist” and led him towards the sewers.

The Blood Rat Gang had recently opened “new business” – Lady Tris had placed the handwritten copy of the evil mage transfer book at the Blood Rat Gang’s stronghold, so players wanting to follow the evil mage path wouldn’t have to keep interrupting her pleasant slacking off.

This time Zhong Su only had “Gao Mao Ah” as a recruitment result for his guild.

The other newly enlisted players were either RP parties or veterans recruited by Brother Stick, they all had their own destinations. The remaining few lone wolf players weren’t interested in dark gameplay, saying they wanted to become heroes of Transia and looking down on the evil mage path.

How disappointing.

Half an hour later, the freshly minted “Trickster” Gao Mao Ah wore a black apprentice robe and gripped an apprentice staff as he excitedly followed the other Eight Demon Elite Group members walking through the sewers.

They had just accepted a task from the Blood Rat Gang to investigate underground caverns, which was perfect for familiarizing their new guild brother with the gameplay.

“This game feels good in all aspects, just a bit limited in terms of races.”

Gao Mao Ah waved his staff, feeling itchy to find a target to try out his newbie skill “Corrosive Hand”. He complained to the others:

“Actually I’ve always wanted to pick an orc, you know? Like Gul’dan’s image, I really like that guy’s tragic story and dark transformation. He’s a true villain, the kind that never gets redeemed.

Isn’t this also a kind of artistic processing of character tragedy?

By the way, Transia should have orcs right?

Will this game open race transfer functions in the future?”

“Orcs, never heard of them.”

The leader of the Eight Demon Elite Group, Moon Demon Lan commanded his two undead sword-and-shield fighters to clear the path ahead while shaking his head and saying:

“But I heard from the gnolls that all sorts of races mix in the Dark Mountains, with all kinds of races there, and some mysterious races that haven’t been discovered yet, perhaps orcs are among them.

As for race transfers though, there’ve always been true and false rumors on the forums, but so far there hasn’t been a definitive answer.

If you ask me, they’ll definitely open it!

Otherwise why would the dev team work so hard to make unique models for dwarves and elves? And those human subspecies represented by the mountain folk, with so many races on this continent, not letting players experience them would really waste these resources.”

“Mmhmm, that’s good.”

Newbie Gao Mao Ah immediately looked convinced hearing these “veterans'” explanations. However, he hadn’t realized one very important point, that the Eight Demon Elite Group had only entered the game one week before him.

Theoretically speaking, these eight guys were still in the “newbie” realm themselves.

“Around this bend ahead and this patrol task will be finished.”

The slightly shorter Water Demon Basha threw a illumination spell forward into the dark passage, letting a ball of light fly forward like a flare then arc down, illuminating the intersection ahead.

He turned back to say to his brothers behind:

“Too bad that bastard Ganpu got himself killed with his human bomb tactics, otherwise having all eight brothers on a mission together would’ve been quite impressive.”

“You should thank our Brother Ganpu for sacrificing himself to take down a barbarian warrior, that’s how we got the equipment we’re wearing now.”

Sky Demon Ximu touched the bone round shield strapped to his arm and grimaced saying:

“Really don’t know how those veteran players got their good equipment. I’ve been in the game this long and the best equipment I’ve gotten is just this masterwork shield. And gaining reputation is so hard! This damn game doesn’t even have daily quests.

All quests are one-time and have to be fought over and shared between players.”

“Don’t rush, this isn’t a level grinding game, everyone should play happily and get fulfilled.”

The tallest Fire Demon Sheng Zhu shouldered his gnoll great hammer and laughed heartily. Though he was a Coffin Bearer, it would be a waste not to use melee combat with his physical attributes, so he transferred to gladiator as his secondary profession and served as the Eight Demon Elite Group’s damage-soaking tank role.

Though these eight guys all followed the evil mage path, their profession combinations actually had some synergy.

Except for lacking a healer, they were quite complete from shield carriers to melee to ranged archers and spirit mages. This was also thanks to 《Reality Realm》giving players three profession slots allowing them to freely try different gameplay combinations.

“There seems to be movement ahead!”

Moon Demon Lan was about to impart some “evil mage experience” to his new companion Gao Mao Ah when his ears suddenly twitched. He frowned and said to the others:

“I hear the sound of claws scratching walls. Didn’t they say the monsters in the sewers had all been cleared out by veteran players? Besides rats there should only be some weird things left here, how could there be such sounds?

Ximu, throw an illumination spell over there.”

“Roger!”

Ximu waved his bone staff again, precisely and stylishly shooting out an illumination spell light dot at maximum range flying forward to finally land at the end of the passage. That blue light illuminated the surroundings, lighting up the grotesque faces of the monsters that had rushed into the second level of the sewers through cracks opened up from the underground caverns.

In that flickering light dispersing the darkness, the previously empty intersection at the end of the second level sewers was now crawling with over a dozen grotesque ghouls and incorporeal wraiths.

Ximu’s precise illumination spell startled them, making these creatures let out horrifying howls before pouncing towards them under the dumbstruck gazes of the Eight Demon Elite Group evil mages.

And this disturbance was like a spark thrown on a powder keg, instantly setting ablaze and making the ten thousand undead in the cavern cracks below also roar out.

The lure of life essence and the ghouls’ howls triggered another cruel and mad “Night of the Ghouls” in the sewers that had been quiet for over a month. And the unlucky Eight Elite Group along with the even more unlucky newbie Gao Mao Ah seemed to be the first sacrificial offerings for this night of madness.

“Run!”

The quickest to react, Lan drove his undead servants forward to block while turning back with a fierce expression to shout at the already frightened stiff Gao Mao Ah:

“Get to the surface! Send a message in world chat! Quick! The dog developers are up to something.”

“Oh, ow, I’m going! Hold on!”

Gao Mao Ah perfectly demonstrated urban people’s panicked response when encountering terrifying crisis.

He turned to run but stumbled and fell, but didn’t dare look back or stop, using both hands and feet to scramble back along the way they came. At this moment the thoughts in his mind made him completely forget he had already transferred class and had a Corrosive Hand that could be thrown.

Simply scared to death.

The Eight Demon Elite Group brothers were quite loyal.

They didn’t sell out the newbie, but retreated in order under cover of eight skeleton shield bearers and other undead servants from four Coffin Bearers, while the remaining three Tricksters continuously threw slowing spells forward to delay the enemies.

Their reaction and coordination could be called perfect.

Unfortunately, without being tempered by the Black Iron Trial, they could not handle such sudden attacks in terms of both combat power and spirit energy pool.

Just as Gao Mao Ah climbed out of the sewers trembling, running wildly in the street while screaming news of the ghoul attack, the Eight Elite Group members finally managed to retreat back to the defensive line between the first and second levels at the cost of five members dying.

The Blood Rat Gang’s assassins and People’s Army veterans stationed here had already completed defensive preparations.

As the two unlucky ones Basha and Ximu sat panting on the ground experiencing the real feeling of escaping death, the Kadman People’s Army Second Lieutenant stationed here gave an order, and over 30 molotov cocktails were thrown out.

For a time flames shot to the sky.

Dorothy, who had been watching all this from the shadows, nodded with satisfaction. She grabbed her computation bead and for the first time issued a random event trigger warning to players as a faction leader.

This was her first time issuing such a large-scale task, but she wasn’t nervous. She had practiced for a long time and was confident she could perfectly fulfill her current responsibilities.

“Ding”

Little Rich Brother Feel You Poor, who was just leaving Murphy’s office after learning skills, looked with surprise at the computation bead prompt in his hand:

【Story Event – ‘Return of Night of the Ghouls’ has triggered!

Event Description: Heroes of Crimson Citadel! This is information from the Blood Rat Gang, the hateful undead we guard in the underground caverns have broken their seals under unknown forces. These mad creatures are rushing out of their caverns in large numbers, attempting to enter the sewers and unleash slaughter in the city.

I!

Blood Rat Gang leader Dorothy hereby issues a call to all heroes in Crimson Citadel. Brave ones willing to protect the city please immediately gather at the various sewer defensive lines!

We shadow walkers will become the first line of defense guarding the city and protecting our homes tonight!

Event Requirements: Players participating in this event must hold until reinforcements arrive from the Kadman People’s Army and Avalon Church witch hunters!

Event Rewards: Large amount of Blood Rat Gang reputation, ‘Ghoul King’ series equipment set, ‘Undead Shadow’ quest line unlocked.】

“The ghouls are back?”

Little Rich Brother exclaimed:

“How is this exactly the same as the Night of the Ghouls last time? Weren’t the Plague Rat King and his created monsters already killed?”

“This precisely indicates another force has its eye on us, my apprentice.”

Behind Little Rich Brother, Lord Murphy had already donned his cloak and gripped his sword cane. With a grim expression he said softly:

“The mess left by the Plague Rat King has been utilized by those hiding in the shadows. Fortunately we dealt with some ghouls beforehand, otherwise tonight’s events would develop into a disaster.

Follow me!

My apprentice, it’s time for me to test your progress on the path of the summoner.”

“Actually you could also test my swordsmanship.”

Little Rich Brother grinned while gripping the sword cane at his waist.

His current attire was about 60% similar to Murphy, clearly intentionally imitating his mentor’s image. Unfortunately while clothing appearance could be imitated, Lord Murphy’s handsomeness and beauty could not be imitated in any way before the face customization feature was enabled. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

But Little Rich Brother didn’t mind, he naturally had a pretty boy face himself. He held the sword hilt and said:

“I’ve learned from you and am already an excellent swordsman in addition to the way of summoning. Tonight, my blade shall swing in your name!”

“Hmm, such beautiful courage!”

Murphy examined his chuunibyou-exploding apprentice. While internally going crazy criticizing this guy’s increasing tendency toward RP, he outwardly expressed exceptional satisfaction saying:

“Except for lacking a pair of wings, you are no different from an excellent vampire elite, my apprentice. Are you really not considering joining the Blood Vulture Clan? I very much need talented people like you.”

“Becoming a vampire means I would be unable to use nature spirit energy to help soothe my manticore’s mood, my lord.”

Little Rich Brother sighed regretfully and said:

“There are gains and losses. Even while walking Avalon’s path of nature, I remain your loyal warrior. I only hope Avalon does not punish my disloyalty because of my loyalty.”

“It won’t.”

Murphy smiled mysteriously.

He spread his wings and flew into the sky, then said softly:

“I’m very familiar with Avalon. I think the nature god will grant me this small favor.”