Hill finished dinner and sat on the sofa until late, but Fran and Adrian didn't show up.
What has happened? Hill was somewhat worried.
Moonlight caressed the branches, as maple leaves danced in the night. Unable to sleep, Hill quietly watched the flurry of red leaves and carefully communicated with the Spirits of Nature nearby.
Something happened, but had it nothing to do with him?
If Fran was in trouble, it would definitely affect him, so it must be a situation that prevented them from coming and involved outsiders, right?
Hill sat on the windowsill, waiting quietly. As a Professional with a very high spiritual power, he actually needed very little sleep. But Hill always remembered his mother's instructions to sleep well and eat well. What once seemed to be a nagging command, Hill now firmly followed.
Only when one loses something do they know to cherish it—a phrase that Hill used to find boring and nothing but empty talk, until he truly lost something.
He never felt regret before because what he lost wasn't something dear to his heart.
Bathed in the gentle moonlight, Hill was immersed in his memories.
A sudden loud bang nearly startled Hill out of his wits.
He flew quickly to the rooftop and looked around. The blasted no-fly zone meant he was oblivious to whatever was happening.
Hill saw groups of players swiftly running towards the Inner City gates: the city gates, usually closed at night, had been blasted open by thousands of Mage players.
It seemed that the trouble was in the Outer City.
Hill thought for a moment, guessing it must be gang trouble that had exploded.
It seemed like the players had endured it for a few days and then made a big move.
Hill guessed that the players probably mistook the gangs' harassment for a plot-driven quest, so they put up with it for the past few days. But their retreat made the gangs think they were easy to bully, right? So they attacked the players?
Now it's turned into a regional task.
Considering it, Hill figured conflicts must have already started. Those living there were likely low-Level Scattered Ones or adventurers in pursuit of excitement.
They must have begun fighting at nightfall. But at the very least, when Hill closed his door, the situation hadn't escalated since Romantic Drunk Red Dust still had the mood to record and watch the drama unfold.
The gangs never imagined that attacking a few low-Level Professionals could stir up such a commotion.
Mages all have a lineage, and nobody dares touch them. It's always been low-Level Swordsmen and Knights that the gangs targeted—men to act as thugs and women, even more so, as many are purchased by Nobles.
Especially so many enchanting Female Swordsmen among the players.
Hill had long noticed their swordsman attire: low-cut leather tops, micro-mini leather shorts, black silk thighs, high-heeled leather boots, topped with a black cape fluttering in the wind, all cool and enchanting.
The players probably can't understand why the NPCs in their eyes would get violently aggressive over such common attire.
To them, it's just another spontaneous local map task.
They even dare to block their way to complete quests—what's just a city gate to them!
All of a sudden, Hill snickered to himself, the Outer City was going to be cleared out today.
Anyone bold enough to act against the players would be marked with a red name, and those who've been causing shadows troubles these last few days are likely to be swept clean by the players.
As for the idiots who dare to lay hands on God's Favored Professionals, no one would be brazen enough to make a fuss about it to William, and anyone who speaks of the city gates being demolished would be deemed a fool.
Those who attempt to hinder the Undead Tribe from saving their kindred in peril, William, if he so wishes, could easily label them as gang accomplices.
Nobles who dare speak out at such a time undoubtedly have intricate ties to the gangs, and they might even be the masterminds behind the scenes. In this world, nobody pays attention to things unrelated to their interests, let alone offend a God-favored Race of tens of thousands of Professionals.
Hill believed that no matter how cold and ruthless William became in this world, he would definitely make short work of those foolish Nobles who could only survive by enticing gambling, trafficking people, and exploiting women.
Not a single person who has survived in modern society could look upon that miserable way of life for the first time without feeling disgust and sympathy. Even if one chooses to look away, stay silent, and remain still, that uncomfortable feeling of revulsion lingers forever in the heart.
Hill heard several female players ranting in the past few days, accusing the designers of being inhumane for concocting such dark plots, saying they must be sick in the head, discriminatory towards women, and inherently twisted.
Incidents where Sky Knight players, while taking their younger brothers and sisters out shopping, nearly came to blows with lecherous Nobles trying to buy Female Guards, have happened several times.
William's attendants were running all over the streets, telling these Nobles to stay away from God's Favored Race, but there's always some imbecile who can't understand plain speech.
Fortunately, the players just saw it as an isolated incident and let the culprits off with a severe beating.
The reason this street where Hill lived was so quiet was partly that he, someone on good terms with the Undead Tribe, was an Archmage in place. Secondly, the Barons were somewhat more cautious.
The Nobles could never understand how the Undead Tribe managed to present a united front, with over ten thousand members! They probably also thought that they had successfully won over many players these past days since they could hire the race with money.
Too bad the players don't consider settled silver as a sign of winning them over—they just think it's a very lucrative quest.
No one finds it odd that William doesn't interfere with the Great Nobility's attempts to win over the Undead Tribe—could it all be attributed to divine will?
But the meaning of a red name, especially in a war against outsiders, is distinct.
Even if the tactics players use against each other are cunning, vicious, and unyielding in combat, you, an NPC, want to stir the pot? Then you'd better defeat the boss before divvying up the spoils. If the split isn't good, just fight again—who's afraid of whom?
Even if Hill seemed gentle and adorable, blossoming with the allure of spring and possessing handsome and elegant looks, daring to go against the players would at best earn him a few extra selfies on his corpse.
This was a battle with an unquestionable outcome. Hill figured Fran and the others were probably just there to watch. As long as they didn't advance into the Inner City, he figured they should let them be.
Unexpectedly, it was the players from the Inner City who struck first.
Hill opened a bottle of wine, raised a toast to the moon from a distance, downed it in one gulp, and then went to sleep.
When Hill got up in the morning, he saw that there weren't many people in the queue, but each one of them had a stern expression and a sharp gaze as they eyed their competitors.
Hill understood that the guilds were here to restock. It seemed that last night's battle had depleted their inventory. And he guessed the fight was still ongoing, otherwise some night owls would've come to buy items before logging off to sleep.
Hill quickly checked the medicine cabinet and exchanged some of the less popular medicines with healing medicines and mana potions.
Hill also put up for sale his own low-level medicine for mages and knights. While not cheap and seldom bought, he estimated that players would need it now.
Hill waved to open the door and sat down to wait for the outcome.
The guild's professional buyers were indeed formidable, and in the blink of an eye, they had filled up the medicine cabinet.
Seeing the rapidly diminishing potions, Hill didn't care that he had just said he wouldn't restock yesterday, and had the puppets quickly replenish from the warehouse.
Hill felt that after this battle was over, the players would likely be at the end of their tether. He hoped that the rewards from wiping out the gangsters would be enough to cover their expenses.
After that group left, surprisingly, no one else came in.
Hill even wanted to see just how intense the battle was. Knowing that every game has its casual players and this place definitely had its share, it was strange that none came to buy anything.
In the afternoon, it was Adrian who came.
Seeing Hill sitting by the window eating lunch, he said directly, "Get me a portion too."
Hill smiled as he brought out a steak set meal. "Did your stock run out?"
Adrian gave him a blank look. "Not many people would bother to have a ring just to store food like you do."
He ate quickly, as though he hadn't had a meal in several days.
After Hill finished eating, he put away his dishes and poured himself a glass of juice, leisurely sipping it.
The autumn sun shone warmly on him, and his mood was just right.
Once Adrian finished eating and made the dishes disappear, he said, "What about mine?"
Hill handed him a glass with a chuckle. "What's troubled you?"
"Crowds are truly terrifying!" Adrian sighed. "Pal Street has been completely leveled, and they even dug out three underground levels. The two streets next to it are about to be dug up as well."
Hill said with a smile, "Didn't grandmother always want to know how many mages the Undead Tribe had? Now she knows, doesn't she?"
Adrian scoffed. "Let your teacher hear how you take pleasure in others' misfortune! See if he still says you're well-behaved!"
Hill laughed heartily. "When did the battle start, and how come it's not over yet?"
"The Undead Tribe really holds a grudge! They have a way to mark enemies, and now they're determined not to let anyone go!
William has deployed the Royal Guard. The gates to the Inner City are letting people out but not in, and I only made it in because I was with William's guards."
He suddenly laughed. "Some of the Undead Tribe who didn't go out last night are also searching all over the city! They even searched near the Temple! Many who snuck in last night were dragged out and killed."
"Dragged out from the mansions?"
"Right. Mostly from the Earl's Mansion, with a few from the Marquis."
"No one tried to stop it?"
"A Sky Knight from the Nofa Family stepped in and was directly killed by a barrage of fireballs.
Hundreds of Archmages! And all specializing in the Fire Element, too scary. After that, no one dared to intervene!"
The Worship Fire Sect will always be in full swing, Hill commented inwardly.
He said to Adrian, "You go refill the medicine cabinet first, I estimate everything will be sold out by this morning."
Adrian got up in surprise to look. "Are they fighting while chewing on potions? No wonder it's been going on for so long without rest."
He quickly refilled the medicine cabinet. "Now I don't have much stock left either. Teacher probably has some, but those mage level medicines are so expensive, can the Undead Tribe afford them?"
Hill pointed to the junk cabinet. "Grandfather's Alchemy Hut sold eight. I was thinking of getting a few more from him! No matter how expensive, there will be buyers for the medicine!"
Hill guessed that medicines that increased constitution or magic power limit could add attribute points for players, while the natives weren't likely to spend on such expensive potions which only increased a small part of their strength.
But players would definitely be willing to spend money for an extra point or two in their attributes.
Adrian added, "Teacher's potions can only be bought with Crystal Stones."
"In their eyes, Crystal Stones are just gold coins with higher value."
Adrian said reflectively, "Alright then! It seems the Undead Tribe's planar elemental power is higher, after all! Who knows what kind of energy source they're using."
Hill had no wish to discuss such a delicate topic and changed the subject. "Hurry up and restock the warehouse, there will definitely be more people coming in the afternoon. Then tell me about how the fight started yesterday. I've been waiting for you to enlighten me!"
Adrian slapped Hill on the head irritably and went upstairs to restock.
Hill leaned back on the sofa with a smile, waiting for what was surely a wonderful story.