Chapter 1107: Gathered At The Border, Vicinity Quest
Chapter 1107: Gathered At The Border, Vicinity Quest
Meanwhile, in Kifa Karsts...
A group of more than 100 players had gathered near the Defiant and Sleeping Gardenia border. Most of these players came from the top guilds stationed in Kifa Karsts; however, there were a few stragglers who were not a part of the top guilds and just happened to be in the vicinity.
"Hey, watch where you're going?!" One of the players from Hollow Tempo scowled.
He was a young man who went by the name Off Beat and was also the section leader of Hollow Tempo in Kifa Karsts.
"Huh? I was here first! Why don't you watch yourself?!" A player from the Headhunter Syndicate scoffed.
The player from the Headhunter Syndicate was a young man called Clutch, the section leader of the Headhunter Syndicate stationed in Kifa Karsts.
"Who even invited you losers anyway? Ah, I get it, you're looking to eat the scraps we leave behind. Heh, how pathetic have fallen." Off Beat chuckled.
"You bastard! Try saying that again!" Clutch said as he along with the players from the Headhunter Syndicate drew their weapons.
"What? You think we're afraid of you?!" Off Beat snapped back with a cold gaze.
Ever since what took place during the Protector of Amaharpe event, Hollow Tempo and the Headhunter Syndicate had become akin to blood enemies. In fact, when Izroth first announced the bounty placed on their guild members, those from Hollow Tempo were among the most zealous in hunting the players from the Headhunter Syndicate.
"Both of you, stop this nonsense. Have you already forgotten what our guilds have agreed on? Besides, we have a more important matter to attend to." A young woman stepped forward.
She had long curly pale blue hair, a pair of crystal eyes, and wore a set of exquisite light armor. When she spoke, it caused Off Beat and Clutch to exchange hostile gazes with one another; however, the two backed down and lowered their weapons. That's because neither of them wanted to offend the power behind the young woman.
The young woman went by Umi. She was the section leader assigned by Broken Exile to the Kifa Karsts.
"That's right! What are we going to do about the ore cave?!" A burly young man who went by Slow Slumber spoke up and expressed his outrage.
Slow Slumber was a player from Defiant. At the moment, he was left in charge of the Kifa Karsts until Defeaning Silence and the other players from his guild returned.
After Slow Slumber learned the fate of his fellow guild members and Sleeping Gardenia's bold actions, how could he not be outraged?
"Before that, are not we missing a few guilds? This is an ore cave we're talking about." A young woman called Mist Princess pointed out as she strolled over to where the other section leaders and Slow Slumber were located.
Mist Princess was the section leader who represented the Mist Palace in Kifa Karsts. And, just as she stated, not all of the top guilds had gathered here.
Sleeping Gardenia not coming was understandable. After all, they were the main culprits this time around. But, Sacred Beasts, Cross Haven, Hypers Symphony, and even Blue Oasis did not show up.
"Cross Haven has always done things their own way and Hypers Symphony is their loyal dog. As for Sacred Beasts-they have already aligned themselves with Sleeping Gardenia. Blue Oasis missing out on this chance, however, was unexpected. Regardless, that just means that we can divide it into bigger pieces." Umi stated.
"Hmph, trying to swallow a mountain alone? Sleeping Gardenia has no one to blame for themselves for being blinded by greed." Mist Princess smirked.
"So? How are we doing this?" Off Beat inquired.
"Even if Sacred Beasts has sided with Sleeping Gardenia, we can overwhelm with our numbers and strength alone. As for strategy, there is no point seeing as how our guilds are not used to working together. Trying to implement any kind of strategy would only result in poor results. Our goal is simply not to get in each other's way and secure the ore cave." Umi clarified.
"I agree with section leader Umi. Why try something we aren't good at? Just not getting in each other's way is more than enough." Mist Princess chimed in.
"I don't see the issue. We're in." Clutch commented.
"I also agree with section leader Umi's approach." Off Beat confirmed.
"Defiant is also in agreement." Slow Slumber said with furrowed brows.
It was clear that Defiant had the least amount of manpower on their side. Because of this, Slow Slumber was worried that the other guilds would try to cut them out of the picture once everything was said and done.
"You have to hurry back with the others, section leader...!" Slow Slumber thought to himself. "Alright, since we've settled on the simple things, we can worry about the complicated stuff after we take over the ore cave. Let's move out-" Umi started; however, she halted her words as an unexpected alert popped up from the system.
[System Alert: <<Polkentin's Secret Underwater Base>> has appeared in <<Kifa Karsts>>!
Coordinates...
[System Alert: The Vicinity Quest <<To Dream of Being Divine»> has appeared!
"Hm? These coordinates are..." Umi silently pondered. Though she was not the only player to
receive the system alerts.
"Hm? What's going on?"
"What is this?"
"A vicinity quest? These exist?"
The players gathered at the Defiant and Sleeping Gardenia border were taken aback by the abrupt appearance of a quest. However, when they looked over the quest's information, they were left dumbfounded.
Quest Name: To Dream of Being Divine
Quest Difficulty: S
Recommended Level: N/A
Recommended Party Size: N/A
Objective: The «Mad Alchemist, Polkentin>> has always dreamed of obtaining power over life and death like a divine being. You can choose to aid the <<Mad Alchemist, Polkentin>> or
obstruct the plans.
Time Limit: 7 hours 50 minutes
Aid:
-0/1 Eliminate all intruders who attempt to invade «Polkentin's Secret Underwater Base>>.
-0/1 Eliminate <<Player Izroth>>, who is currently trespassing in «<Polkentin's Secret
Underwater Base>>. (Special)
Reward:
-Gain favor with «Mad Alchemist, Polkentin>>
-x1 <<Polkentin's Elixir of Dreams>>
-x1 <<Polkentin's Epic Item Treasure Chest>>
-x1 <<Polkentin's Unique Item Treasure Chest» [Special Reward]
-A chance to undergo the <<Mad Alchemist, Polkentin» body modification. [Special Reward]
Failure:
-None
Obstruct:
-0/1 Aid in the destruction of <<Polkentin's Secret Underwater Base>>.
Reward:
-The <<Mad Alchemist, Polkentin>> will consider you an enemy.
-x1 <<Polkentin's Elixir of Dreams>>
-x1 <<Rare Item Treasure Chest>>
-???
Failure:
-The <<Mad Alchemist, Polkentin» will consider you an enemy.
-Lose 2 levels.
-Lose -250 world fame.
An S-ranked quest-it was actually an S-ranked quest!
"Are these rewards for real?!"
"Am I dreaming? Is this really an S-ranked quest?" One of the players looked on in awe.
Most players could only dream of coming across an S-ranked quest, yet such a great
opportunity had fallen into their laps.
"However, isn't this quest a little strange? If we choose to aid, then we have to eliminate a
player... Wait, isn't this the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace?!" One of the players pointed
out as they gasped in shock.
"Eh? This name... You're right! That's definitely the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace!" Another player commented.
"But, it doesn't matter any sense. If he's a target of the quest, then that means he chose to obstruct instead of aid. Why would the owner of the Mystical Realm Palace choose the option with fewer benefits and higher risk?" Off Beat frowned.
"Who knows? But, isn't this a chance for us to knock that arrogant guy down a few levels?" Clutch said with a fierce look in his eyes.
Clutch was one of the players from the Headhunter Syndicate who personally suffered as a result of the bounty placed on his guild by Izroth.
"He is not wrong. Since it is a quest, surely we cannot be blamed for choosing the side that
gives us the most rewards for our efforts. Even if Palace Master Izroth wanted to protest, there would be no grounds for it." Mist Princess said with a meaningful look in her eyes.
The top guilds had long since been bothered by Izroth's presence and growing influence. They knew that this was the perfect chance for them to make a move openly without having to worry about the potential consequences.
"But, what about the ore cave?" Slow Slumber asked nervously.
"Sleeping Gardenia has probably already called for reinforcements to secure the ore cave. They should not have arrived yet, but if we wait too long and the reinforcements do arrive, then attacking that place will be difficult. That is why I propose we split into two groups. We send half from each of our guilds to secure the ore cave, while the other half makes their way
to the coordinates. Once we've secured the ore cave, the other half can join us." Umi
suggested. "How do we choose who stays behind and who goes?" Off Beat questioned.
After all, no one wanted to potentially miss out on an S-ranked quest.