━━━━━━ POV ━━━━━━━


  In the Town of Sprigfield, many NPCs suddenly started whispering in hush tones. They told tales of a legendary treasure in the Canyon, one that granted near-infinite power.

  Even then, they would never give any info to the Braves. It was as if that information was a state secret, but the less they said, the more the players became curious. #Hidden quest!!

  The NPCs spreading the rumors were members of the Drunken Sailor and the Bloody Chains. Jack had totally used his connections to flood the Town with rumors.

  It started with the NPCs but spread to the players like a plague in the fifteen century.

  At the exact same time, many factions started assembling for an expedition…in the Canyon. This made the rumors turn into a fact, at least in people's eyes.

  "Did you hear about the goblin treasure?! Apparently, it's amazing!"

  "People say it gives an incredible legendary Class."

  "I'm gonna become the pirate— get the booty! "

  Everyone and their mothers rushed toward the hunting ground to try their luck. Their chances to obtain the treasure were almost nil, but they believed!

  That's how even more players assembled at the Canyon's entrance. What had once been a swarm of Braves became a sea. Oh, and everyone wanted answers, to know the truth.

  The peeps from Forsaken, Epoch, Amber, etc., could only grind their teeth. The secret was out in the open.

  They had tried heading back to the cave, only to realize that nothing remained of the magical circle. This was such a tragedy: that Demon King asshole had destroyed it!

  Their only alternative was now to siege the sealed areas, challenging the rock goblins. How bothersome would the whole thing be? Many couldn't help but sigh.

  The various faction leaders faced the crowd. If they could not hide it, they'd exploit the volunteers instead! They quickly explained the situation.

  "…Now, who's ready to slaughter some goblins and a Demon King?!!!!" One of them shouted, his voice resonating in the entire Canyon.

  — AYYYEEEE!!!! —


  The cheers were so loud that many Rock-Peckers flew in alarm, some living boulders played dead, and even a certain Demon King's party heard it.

  Soon began the most impressive march Sprigfield had ever seen, with hundreds of players participating. Even that one anti-Macabre expedition had paled in comparison.

  As they reached one of the sealed areas, it seemed completely empty. The chests of many idiots bulged with pride. Had the goblins run away from their mighty display of force?

  "Be careful. They could be in ambush and—" One tried to warn them.

  "Hehe, the stinky goblins are obviously scared!"

  "That's their survival instinct telling them they don't stand a chance."

  But they were sorely mistaken. Before they even realized what was happening, boulders began raining from the sky. It came from the rock walls around!

  "Scatter, quickly!" The shouts were right in time to prevent many from being crushed.

  — BAM! —


  The impact of the rocks was so heavy that it created fissures in the ground. Luckily, they had avoided most of them, the survivors sighing in relief.

  But it seemed they were rejoicing too quickly…the rocks were alive. That's when everything went to hell.

  The living boulders started rolling all over the army as small brown-skinned creatures appeared from various crevasses, throwing spinning earth spikes!

  — Swoosh! Pierce! —


  — Roll! Splatter! —


  The sudden sneak attack from outside and within at once instantly caused incredible panic. The players dodged to the best of their abilities, only to collide with others.

  They all fell like dominoes, often never to rise.

  Soon they all respawned at the same time, bathing the Town in a brilliant blue glow. But instead of feeling fear or embarrassment, their desire for revenge trumped all.

  "Let's go back! We won't let them encircle us this time, and we'll win for sure!"

  "We outnumber them four to one! We'll be fine as long as we're careful about the boulders."

  They resolutely marched their asses back, ready to fight again. The various faction leaders led their people to sneak around the main goblin army this time.

  As they launched their pincer offensive, they successfully took by surprise…empty rocks. Where were goblins?! Just as they were wondering, the goblin war-cries came.

  — Bok Bok Grakt!! —


  At this moment, there was a beautiful moment where goblins and humans managed to understand one another perfectly… It totally meant you're all fucked!

  Rocks raining from the sky? Check!

  Projectiles flying from the sides? Check!

  Dying screams and shattering of shields? Check!

  Sprigfield bathed in a soothing respawn blue? Yep!

  The humans suddenly started realizing how naive they had been. Not only were the goblins smart, but they obviously had actual strategists. But, so what?!

  The human leaders' eyes were now filled with fighting spirit. As if they'd lose to the goblins in a battle of wits! The modern men knew plenty of battle stratagems.

  They approached once more, ever so carefully, even using monster detection magic. Thus they would manage to eradicate all goblins successfully for sure.

  With their enemies' intelligence network down, they would triumph and— or not. Very soon, that one war cry echoed, announcing another human wipe.

  — Bok Bok Grakt!! —


  That's when incomprehension filled all faces. How was it that the creatures seemingly knew exactly where and how they were moving?!

  They were seriously getting pissed. What exacerbated them even more was hearing the rumors repeatedly with every respawn.

  They had long forgotten about Jack. They just wanted the shiny Epic reward that would definitely await them once they pierced through the goblins!

  Or so they thought anyway…


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  While human blood flowed like water, dying the Canyon a pretty red, Jack's party was decisively…having a picnic.

  Trouble? None

  Stress? Nope.

  Food? Delicious!

  They filled their mouth, Moon Moon barely taking the time to masticate. Its wolfish grin was worth a fortune.

  In the distance, they could hear every single wipe. Whenever it happened, they would exclaim, and so would the patrons of the Drunken Sailor.

  Had anyone entered the tavern at this specific moment, they would have found a wide board filled with odds and enough names to mistake it for a population census.

  Players having a bad time? —> $$$

  They were akin to sports fans, rooting for their team. Sure, they kinda sucked, but at least they were improving, right? Then again, few people made bets on the goblins too.

  Then came the deciding moment of the war. They finally noticed the information about the Red-Winged Rock-Peckers! Well, "noticed" perhaps wasn't the right term.

  The one leading Amber was seriously getting bored of constant failure and had bought the information from an NPC informant for 200 gold. (Totally working for Jack)

  When the first Red-Winged Rock-Pecker was taken down, the majority of Sprigfield cheered. Finally, they would progress!

  It was simply magical when they finally managed to destroy the goblin legion with their tears, blood, and sweat. The system was probably congratulating them or something.

  — Successfully Unlocked Tier 2 Canyon Area! —


  They had to feel such a great sense of accomplishment as the sound of their celebration echoed in the entire Canyon. They almost sat down for a feast right on the spot!

  Their bodies were fraught with injuries, their mana depleted, their HP dangerously low, and their supplies as good as gone, but they had been victorious!

  Yep, no one could ever take this achievement away from them.

  They were currently enjoying a well-deserved rest when they noticed the two figures running straight toward the remnants of the great army, only a few tens of players.

  At first, they tensed up, only to realize the newcomers were far too tall to be goblins. They sighed in relief, some even raising a victorious fist at them.

  But then their friendly gestures all froze as they noticed who it was. The Demon King?! Wasn't he on the other side already?!

  Jack passed straight in their midst, not bothering to stop. Still, he wasn't a killjoy nor an ingrate.

  "Gratz on the win, and thanks for clearing the way, later guys!" He happily waved them goodbye as he left most of them in the dust, only a few high agility players following.

  They had planned to stay on his heels until he died, but the Tier 2 area was nothing like Tier 1. They had barely progressed a few meters when two hyenas pounced at them!

  Needless to say, it was a massacre. Perhaps they could have stood a chance using their numbers had they been prepared, but they were taken by surprise.

  A few bites later, there were only corpses remaining of the scouts!

  That's when the army finally understood who had schemed to organize this from the very start. Taking a portal ahead? There had never been one.

  The Demon King had bamboozled and exploited them all! Had they really wasted their consumables and XP…. just for him to profit in the end?!

  Their bellies were filled with fury, but it soon became even worse as more and more players returned from Sprigfield with the news.

  "Tch— I can't believe those damn NPCs! We've become a complete joke in Town! While we were fighting, they started betting on the war's outcome."

  Luckily, there were a few ones still thinking straight. This included the experienced Forsaken Hero.

  "No matter! We're here for the treasure inside, not reputation with a few idiotic NPCs! Trackers, get to work! Find that bastard!" He ordered.

  For all the Demon King's scheming, he would lead them right to the destination. This was once again a game of cat and mouse, one that they would win for sure……