After dropping Tangmo home, Phakin dashed to the hospital!
A single bullet caused the stitched-up wound. And another child! The mercenary fired twice!
Phakin didn't behave like a sugar daddy; he hastily took Tangmo home. One part of him tried to act mature and protect the girl, but another part was consumed with fear for his own life—terrified of a bullet still inside him.
After a full-body scan cleared him of metal pellets, Phakin slowly regained confidence to return home.
Despite using a gun and battling pirates as a kid, he's still just an ordinary person, far from an anti-terrorism unit. Any gunfire could shatter his nerves. If Tangmo weren't there, he might have screamed out loud.
"Excited?" as he returned to the game, Mewku Mewku prompting the first word
Sagittarius, still gripped by fear, raised his voice, "What are you excited about? I'm afraid!"
They both noticed Sagittarius' post and understood it. It referred to those involved in helping the prisoners. The young man before him had to pose as a friend to avoid easy identification and often employed this tactic in the outside world.
Never underestimate the game's city lords; they wield significant power akin to state governors. Financial transactions and interactions within the game mirror the real world, bestowing considerable influence upon them.
"By the way, why are we walking into the city?" Sagittarius wondered aloud. "Why don't we head straight into the dungeon?"
Guinevere 28, narrowing his eyes, responded, "While you were out dodging bullets, I did my homework and analyzed the game guide for the Skeleton Dungeon. To break the dungeon record in less than two minutes, we need a priest and a swordsman or another attack type. Our party needs five members, the dungeon limit, to use our rights effectively."
Sagittarius understood. The dungeon's monsters were skeletons of the undead race. The priest's light-element Heal skill could launch effective attacks, supplemented by an attack swordsman. A party of five would efficiently raid and defeat the boss.
Thus, they entered the city to recruit two more members. But how to find willing players for their party? The three names they saw were curiously silent.
There's a fix for that dilemma. Only Sagittarius, trailing behind so long, was in the dark.
"Party management office???"
Sagittarius glanced at the building's sign, piecing together the business in an instant. And what form it took? A mystery he couldn't resist.
"Are you buying a franchise?" The idea struck him - he'd love to set one up in his Chandra city. Solving party squabbles and betrayals, wouldn't it be grand? Well, this office would do just that!
Plans for business and marketing sprung to life in Sagittarius's mind - a whole scene playing out.
"The genius behind this business is truly astounding!" he marveled to himself. City living was dazzling, the two girls strolled in together.
Especially seeing "Free of charge!" alongside the city's dungeon facilities. Brilliant! This had to be the work of the city lord.
Guinevere, aged 28, couldn't stop teasing: "When you leave the city next, take a stroll. Broaden your horizon."
Mewuku Mewku chuckled, "Everyone's got crazy ideas. Kin-chan, busy as he is, took a peek. Check the game board site or browse online sometimes."
Sagittarius, nodding fervently, returned from Mars swamped with obligations. He had no time to hunt for new info on virtual businesses. Finding new enterprises in the game was unexpected.
Entering the building, he spied a counter for party member preferences. Guinevere, 28, swiftly typed and sent them off.
Employees would present options. Beyond the counter lay a seating area for players, waiting to be matched by office staff.
Sagittarius saw hundreds of players, a perpetual flow, in and out.
"It's a relief I didn't see any corpses. If I had, I wouldn't be sitting here with you." Melon-chan shuddered at the day's events. She definitely needs to see a psychiatrist. Imagining someone lying in a pool of blood—thank goodness she hadn't witnessed it.
"Wow, he not only took care of her but hugged her, closed her eyes, rushed her to an ambulance, even shielded her from a bullet. And then, they brought her home... Talk about a knight in shining armor," Zhu zhu gushed, nudging her female friend.
Melon-chan, meanwhile, thought of the dark shadow trailing the cunning man. Her cheeks flushed momentarily, and she quickly shook her head. No, she definitely isn't flirting!
At that moment, a TV in the office aired news reports showing the mobilization of troops from small and large city lords, guild players, and various clubs, amounting to tens of millions, all converging to attack the city of Sirius!
When the players defeated the dwarves, it was a significant morale booster. Additionally, amassing forces in online games was hardly a challenge.
Zhu zhu asked Melon-chan, "Do you think they can win?"
"Why ask me?" Melon-chan pointed at herself, puzzled. How would she know?
"Well, you were in the Battle of Seven Lakes." She had battled dwarves before, so she had some experience.
Melon-chan shook her head. "I was just strong-arming my way through. No real planning on my part."
"Ah, it was Sagi-sama who orchestrated everything," Zhu zhu realized, before returning to her previous topic. "So, you've got a peach blossom fortune? In real life, a young man on a white horse swoop in to help you. In the game, a governor stands ready to support you."
Melon-chan averted her gaze and remained silent. There was no way she could reveal everything to Zhu zhu. No way she could tell her that the knight in shining armor, the one Zhu zhu idolized,
was the same person as the perfect city lord.
All the players gathered in the reception zone, chattering excitedly about the live TV events and echoing Zhu zhu's burning question: Will we win again or not? This curiosity sparked countless theories.
Meanwhile, a trio stood apart, not straying far from Melon-chan and Zhu zhu, poised for their turn to join the fray. Information buzzed around:
Guinevere 28, with a rueful shake of his head, commented, "Our army's amassed millions of level tons, yet we're still half-battered. These players…"
Mewku Mewku, glancing at the screen with a grin, added, "Mixed and untidy. We've got news that three hundred and forty guilds are in, not counting the thirty-eight e-sports clubs entering the fray. This battlefield isn't like a party skirmish."
Sagittarius chimed in, "If we haven't practiced our strikes, we'll just fumble into a mess. It's not like those Chinese martial arts flicks where a lone hero decimates the enemy."
With a chuckle, Guinevere 28 noted, "Even the lords of two hundred large and medium cities are in. When they're beaten, their power nosedives, making our conquest easier."
Zhu zhu, overhearing this, eagerly waved and asked, "Sis, do you have any insider news?"
The two sisters, unassuming without their gear, turned to the girl in a monk's robe calling out to them. They didn't see themselves as mighty rulers and promptly joined her table.
Curious, Zhu zhu queried, "If they're stronger than five metropolis lords combined, are they really going to lose?"
Smiling knowingly, the sisters beckoned a man over and threw the question to him, "Are we going to lose?"
Sagittarius rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't have all the answers. But there are about ten major guilds involved, and e-sports athletes are joining in, so it's hard to say for sure..."
Guinevere 28, surprise flickering in her eyes, asked, "Do you really think they can win based on the intel I've gathered? There were only around thirty thousand high-level players in this battle. The rest are millions. You definitely have to stay grounded."
Mewku Mewku chuckled, "That's what Sagi-kun thought. A little water extinguishes fire. The unity of ants will topple the elephant."
"Sagi-kun?" Melon-chan's ears perked up. In her heart, she whispered, "Can it be? Is the world really this round? No matter where you go, you encounter it."
Sagittarius shook his head. "I wasn't done yet. When I say uncertain, I mean it's unlikely they'll breach the fortress, but they probably won't seize the city. Though our force was greater than in the previous battle, the opposition is stronger too. The event brochure clearly states that within Sirius City, there are no less than ten million Dwarves. When close, if players only desire new items, as the metropolis lord collected from the previous battle, use it as a weapon against others... It'll mix up and end in defeat swiftly."
Both sisters nodded in agreement. Guinevere 28 turned back to the TV, laughing heartily as field reporters interviewed players nearing Sirius City, all hailing Blazing Knight, leader of the Knights Templar guild, as their commander. He had fought Dwarves before.
Remember the launch event? A Dwarf emerged from underground Sirius. Blazing Knight was one of the first responders, met his demise, and was reborn in a neighboring city.
Regardless of his rebirths, Blazing Knight had real experience combating giant golems.
"Oh, he didn't join the Battle of Seven Lakes City? Didn't you invite him?" Sagittarius recalled.
Guinevere 28 smirked. "Skinny guy. Can't ride a horse. Didn't want to mix with him."
So, Guinevere 28 never actually invited Blazing Knight. The Knights Templar didn't share items... He had to lead his troops and gather his own.
Sagittarius chuckled. "The real me, maybe more fragile than him... Will you still continue dating?"
Guinevere 28 shook her head firmly, "You were shot, yet you kept playing the game. You're not fragile at all!"
Melon-chan suddenly sprang up, resolute... Clearly!
Zhu zhu, meanwhile, had deciphered the little girl's statement that "Sagi-kun" was a distinctly Japanese name, unlike Melon-chan's. The mention of "shooting" made Zhu zhu reconsider, surmising this group was not worth associating with, possibly even linked to the mafia. When Melon-chan stood up, Zhu zhu mirrored her.
Sagittarius noticed their movement casually, diverting his focus from the TV to the inconspicuous girl in dark glasses. He asked, "Are you folks looking for a party to explore the dungeon?"
Melon-chan eyed the petite girl, unmistakably the Lord of Greater Edo, and the blonde, likely the lord of Camelot. She turned her gaze away slowly, responding with composed determination, "We're seeking a team for the skeleton dungeon."
Zhu zhu quickly assumed the others were mafia, whispering to Melon-chan to avoid deeper ties with them. The two sisters disengaged from the TV, affirming, "Indeed, we're heading in too. Are you two employed?"
Zhu zhu hurriedly dismissed the notion, waving her hand to avoid conflict. Melon-chan froze as the inconspicuous man fixated his gaze on her. Had her identity been exposed?
She attempted a Clark Kent disguise with glasses but to no avail. Realizing she had made a possibly fatal social faux pas, she greeted, "Sorry for the late introduction. Thank you for escorting me home earlier."
Sagittarius stared blankly at Melon-chan, contemplating whether the bespectacled, inconspicuous woman was familiar, considering Clark Kent glasses for the petite and blonde girls. He sometimes used them himself. With their distinctive profiles and makeup, they were recognizable despite any outfit change.
Stunned, he muttered about the server's three billion user IDs making the world paradoxically small. "Have you notified your parents? They must be worried."
Melon-chan lowered her head, avoiding eye contact, "If they knew, I'd be grounded forever."
Sagittarius stayed silent. He himself wasn't at his parents' house. So, I don't know how much our parents are worried about us. What would you do if you heard that your children were caught in a shooting incident?
But it was Miss Zhu zhu who had vanished completely in fear. Clutching her arm, her girlfriend whispered, "That was the young man on the white horse??"
Melon-chan only managed a dry smile. The two elders turned away.
Mewku Mewku gave Sagittarius a hard smack on the shoulder, unable to resist teasing. Guinevere 28 ship so hard and too far...
"No wonder you left the game first. Actually... hehe." The two girls trembled with laughter.