Golden Experience

Chapter 112: Preparing For a Counter Attack

Even among players who seemed to be constantly on the forums, there weren’t any particularly significant discussions going on.

Most players seemed to be sticking to the outskirts or cities close to monster territories, farming the monsters invading them.

As a result, these cities were in a constant state of readiness, causing disruptions in logistics. Prices of resources and consumable items seemed to be gradually increasing.

However, most players viewed this as a trade-off for gaining XP. They were willing to incur increased expenses in exchange for higher experience gains and weren’t actively seeking solutions.

It’s not that they didn’t comprehend the situation fully. They simply weighed the pros and cons, prioritizing their own experience efficiency over the city’s economy.

The players advocating for NPC residents were simply adopting a different playstyle.

However, in some cities, the city’s knight orders and such were taking steps to resolve the situation.

They had already subjugated the monsters or groups believed to be the leaders of the current threat in their respective monster territories. While it might not be lucrative as an event, it could be deemed beneficial for the NPC residents.

Players migrating from such cities to others had inadvertently caused prices to soar in places ruled by more self-centered leaders. For the inhabitants, it was a difficult situation.

Simply moving from the outskirts to a neighboring city would likely require hiring mercenaries, and it’s improbable that residents from these outskirts would be allowed to move for the sake of migration. The outskirts likely served as frontier settlements, hence taxes might be set at lower rates there.

“Well, in any case, it’s not something I should worry about. Oh, it looks like Ominous has arrived at the city.”

“Really? That was fast!”

“He’s flying, you know. The advantage of being able to fly is tremendous.

Now then…”

Jacking into Ominous, Rare started scouting the city from above.

If players were present, it would likely be around the inn or the vicinity of the sellsword guild.

It wasn’t possible to see inside, but if they were genuinely intending to attack the city where Rare and the others were, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were preparing to depart early in the morning.

There were no threads on the forums about gathering in this city, but there might have been discussions in event co-op threads or something similar.

“Oh, there definitely seems to be something. In a city that isn’t directly connected to the monster territories, I can’t imagine there being so many NPC mercenaries.

Those are probably all players.”

Even though it wasn’t directly connected to the monster territories, it seems they’ve been there since yesterday.

Currently, due to the large number of undead created by Blanc in Elntar, that city could be considered the frontline. They might have initially aimed for a city further beyond, Altriva or perhaps La Colline, but they should have realized today that Elntar, where Rare and Blanc were located, was no longer available for selection in the teleportation service.

“It could end bad if a lot of players come…”

“Potentially… From what I can see, I’m unable to tell their actual strength, so it’s hard to say… If we fight during the day, the zombies won’t be much of a fighting force”

“Well… If they stay inside and attack anyone who comes in, using

[Shadow Veil] or [Mist], we might be able to fight… But covering the whole city might be impossible…”

“If you’re using [Shadow Veil], I can use it too, so if we split up, we might be able to expand the coverage a bit. Oh, if we call Deas, maybe with

[Miasma] we could expand it further.

I think it also had the effect of enhancing ally undead. Although I’m not sure how it distinguishes between friend and foe.”

Rare would test it lightly before the battle, and if Blanc’s zombies were indeed strengthened, she might use it.

“Deas is one of the Four Heavenly Kings you mentioned earlier! Then there would be 2 of the four here in one city! It’s just like a dungeon you find before the final boss!”

“According to that logic, since I’m here to observe, it practically is right before the final boss, huh?”

“Bosses that appear in the early stages are usually the ones who escape when the battle goes bad! I’ve read that in comics!”

“…Hmm, rather than running away, I’d probably just kill them all.”

“That was the losing event route!”

It would likely take about half a day for the players’ party to arrive at this city, Elntar.

Even if they sprinted at full speed and arrived exhausted, they could nullify the fatigue with fatigue recovery potions.

In fact, Rare had done so during the closed beta period.

Fatigue recovery potions had the risk of habitual use and potential side effects, so NPCs didn’t use them much, resulting in their prices not being too high.

But for players, the health of their avatars didn’t matter. They’d buy and use them without hesitation.

Rare opened a friend chat with Deas.

>

<…Firstly, I must comment on your decision to head to that city alone.>

<Oh, sorry.

>

<Well, since you’ll summon me before battle, I’ll overlook it.>

< Sorry.

Also, keep in mind that the ability to use the inventory is a secret, so never use it, no matter who you are with.>

<Understood>

[Summon: Deas]

An impressive undead creature emerged from the space in front of Rare.

“Wow, he’s awesome! …But the summoning effects are unexpectedly subtle, huh?”

“Well, there might be times when you want to [summon] quietly.”

“In response to your summon, I am Deas, the Indignant, at your service, Your Majesty.”

“Wow, cool! You don’t usually say stuff like that, Deas.”

“…It was mentioned that your friend was present.”

“Oh, you tried to act cool because of that. Thanks.”

Having a perceptive subordinate was incredibly helpful. I had ruined it, but still.

“Oh! I’m Blanc! I’m a vampire! I’ve been appointed as the fourth member of Raerae’s Four Heavenly Kings? Nice to meet you!”

“…Four Heavenly Kings? You’re friends… are you not?”

Deas looked suspicious. Rare couldn’t understand such expressions before he had skin, so it was helpful to see expressions clearly now.

Although Rare could still somewhat understand his emotions as a skeleton, it gave a better atmosphere when they showed on the face.

“Oh, well.

Think of it as role-playing… um, what should I say. If you think of it as make-believe or playing pretend, that should do.”

“I understand. If Your Majesty permits.”

“Even though she may look like this, as someone who already leads a force of over 30 subordinates, I’ll teach and strengthen her more in the future, so be