The tension in the border town had reached its peak. Every horse, every suit of armor, every weapon the town could muster had been brought out for this decisive battle. The Forum Master, true to his reputation as a leader willing to risk everything for his plans, had even dug into his own pockets to hire skilled players. Among them were a few trusted individuals trained in attack magic, an investment that nearly drained his personal resources.
The stakes couldn't be higher. If the operation succeeded, his prestige would soar, cementing his status as the protector of the border town. But failure? That would be catastrophic. Three hundred high-level players would suffer the brutal death penalty, and any hope of dealing with the thieves would be lost. Dying twice in succession would cripple even players above level 5, leaving them unable to recover. It wasn't just a gamble; it was an all-in wager with lives, power, and the future of the town on the line.
