This time, the team was the Blue Team.
The size and appearance of the castle were identical.
The only differences were the color of the flag at the top of the castle and the name tag that read ‘Blue Team.’
The opponents were semi-rankers within the top 1000.
They weren’t in the top 100, but they were skilled veterans who had practiced together for a long time, making them a sufficient training match.
As before, Black sent out soldier NPCs.
The soldiers, scurrying across the river and vanishing into the forest.
I looked around the map and asked.
“Are we strategizing?”
“Um, I was originally going to decide based on the last match’s playstyle, but it just ended abruptly…”
Black shook his head.
The game had wrapped up just as he levelled up and purchased a couple of buffs.
Since it was mostly single-digit rankers gathered, the outcome was somewhat expected, but it was much quicker than anticipated.
“This time, let’s go for a proper strategy rather than a risky play. I’ll defend while the other three of you take action. Let’s try to grow rather than just charge in recklessly like bosses.”
“Okay.”
“Got it.”
“Sounds good.”
We nodded in agreement.
Black, shouldering his greatsword again, focused on the direction of the Purple Team.
“By the way, it’s best not to let your guard down with the purple team.”
“Are they strong?”
“Yes. They have a Deputy Guild Master. The other team members are tough as well.”
It would be wise to be cautious.
“…We’ll keep that in mind.”
[But still lol]
[Indeed]
[So can Raizaka solo, huh? lol]
■
“Lady Lily is here…”
Lily.
Lady Lily is here.
The rising star, an incredibly beautiful and talented individual, who is currently the hottest sensation—she’s perfect in every way, with a great voice and impressive skills—
“Weren’t you thinking something weird?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“The Guild Master told you not to get carried away and to take this seriously.”
You think I’d approach her personally?
The Dual Ranger, ranked 589 among the elites of the Black Moon, chuckled as she said this, causing the Deputy Guild Master ‘Taebaek’ to clear his throat.
“Ahem. Don’t talk nonsense. Why would I be crazy enough to do that?”
“You tried to hit on the new guild member who joined last time and ended up leaving, remember? That really pissed off the Guild Master.”
“…They left for personal reasons; it’s not my fault, okay? Besides, there were feelings involved—”
“Feelings that made you block contacts and get reported?”
Wriggle.
“…..Shut up. Just thinking about that time makes my heart uneasy.”
Taebaek sat gloomily on the throne of the castle.
In his line of sight were soldiers diligently bringing in resources.
Upon closer inspection, besides the soldiers, unique creatures were also busy gathering resources.
Unique creatures are working hard to gather resources.
The Dual Ranger quickly transformed the collected resources into buffs.
It was several times faster than the resource gathering of other teams.
Even if the level might be lacking, the advantage was in the buffs alone.
“Anyway, don’t touch Lady Lily. Last time it was just insults, but this time it might cost you your neck.”
“No, I said I won’t! Why are you making such a fuss?”
“It’s not just once or twice. If it weren’t for the founding heroes, you would have been cut long ago…”
“Get out!”
Boom!
The Dual Ranger, chased away by Taebaek’s abilities.
At the edge of the castle, an extremely angry Taebaek glared at him before spinning around and disappearing back into the castle.
“Oh, that temper of his.”
No wonder he can’t progress in the continent quests.
The fact that someone with such a ranking and specs can’t proceed with quests is a problem in itself.
No matter how good the specs are, if the favorability drops below a certain level, progressing with quests becomes impossible.
Of course, if you only keep one place as an enemy, it would be manageable, but if favorability drops everywhere, the story changes.
“I wonder if something bad is going to happen with him.”
What a worry, what a worry.
■
“Kraek!”
“Kwack!”
[Ogres are easy, huh?]
[Lololololololol]
[Compared to Raizaka, this is way too easy, right?]
[It’s almost like a stroll, lolol]
[Now this is hunting!]
[We can start wrapping it up soon.]
The green spear pierces through the ogre’s neck.
Ogres drop one by one with almost a single blow.
Compared to Raizaka, where everything had to be thrown in, this can definitely be called an easy hunt.
[Level has increased. (Level 4 -> 5)]
[Our side purchased Attack Buff 1. (Attack 2 -> 3)]
[Our side purchased Speed Buff 1. (Speed 3 -> 4)]
“It’s going smoothly.”
Levels and buffs continue to rise, and he feels strength slowly filling his weakened body.
If it continues like this for a bit longer, he feels he could catch Raizaka without too much trouble, but…
‘There’s no need to show off again.’
He already delivered a sufficient performance.
It might be fine to show something off on the day of, but doing it all the time doesn’t seem appealing.
Siege wars aren’t about catching bosses; they’re about breaking cores.
“Let’s head out soon.”
[Oh]
[Are we going to catch a dragon?]
[Let’s go and wipe out the workers!]
[Let’s go break the core!]
[Core, huh?]
[We can probably head for the general.]
[Let’s catch an ogre.]
[Dragon?]
“We’re not catching any dragons.”
He checked the map.
It’s been 10 minutes since the game started, and so far, nothing special has happened; team members are all active in their respective positions.
Everyone is engaged in their respective activities at their locations.
Earlier was special, but this is how it usually is.
I’ve left the forest and reached the open plains.
If I keep going straight, I’ll find Raizaka’s nest, but instead, I turned to head towards the forest where the Violet Team’s goddess is.
Black said the Violet Team should be cautious.
‘Of course, I should take on the Violet Team.’
[Violet Attack, Let’s Go]
[Keep in Mind (Violet Team Attack Power)]
[? LOL]
[Oh, it’s because they’re strong, isn’t it, LOL]
[Is the Black Moon viable for facing off against?]
[The Black Moon is strong.]
[Isn’t that person a bit controversial?]
[Oh my!]
[No, no, it’s not.]
[That’s right.]
[Oh my!]
[Wasn’t that just a happening?]
[It’s nothing, just a communication issue.]
[Why are there so many Black Moon shielders here?]
[Ah, we have to recruit Lily from the guild, LOL]
Guild?
Come to think of it, I had almost forgotten that many people have been suggesting I join a guild lately.
Yena, Raphael, and many others have proposed guild membership.
According to Apple Flavor, who is both an editor and manager, I still receive about 30 proposals a day…
‘I don’t really want to be affiliated with anyone.’
Being under someone can provide a sense of security and benefits, but I’ve seen many cases where it turns into a disadvantage.
I’ve actually experienced that a few times as well.
If it’s really necessary, I might consider joining, but right now doesn’t seem like the right time to decide.
“This is the formation of the Violet Team… there’s a resource tower nearby.”
In the forest in front of each team, there are two resource towers.
The resource generation time is 3 minutes, with a maximum of 5 resources generated, and since it’s a shared resource, anyone can take it.
I moved towards the nearby resource tower.
Soldiers are busily transporting resources.
Next to them, there’s a martial artist in a dobok sitting on a rock, sharpening a sharp blade.
He doesn’t seem to be the Grand General, rather, he looks like a General.
[Oh]
[It’s Myung-wol]
[Let’s kill it]
[Surprise attack, go go]
I twist my spear.
Now is the perfect time to attack while they are defenseless and doing nothing.
As they say, “First attack wins!”
Clang clang clang!!
‘An earthquake?’
Something is moving underground.
In an instant, something sprang up beneath me, swinging sharp claws.
Clash!
I quickly rotated the spear that was aimed at the martial artist to block the claws.
The claws are harder than expected.
But in a battle of strength, I won’t lose.
The brown object made a ‘tch’ sound as it flipped in mid-air and landed on the ground.
With a grunt, I spun in mid-air and landed on the ground.
A face resembling a puppy with perky, blunt ears.
The sharp silver claws on both feet… no, both hands were pretty long, and the scanty clothing along with the brown fur covered the important parts.
It looked like a dog? No, a mole? Like a beastman.
“Myung-wol! I almost got ambushed!”
“…I knew.”
“Stop with the bravado! You were looking at something else again, weren’t you?”
“…Beastman?”
Even so, I didn’t expect it to be a beastman.
[Changed the race to beastman]
[It’s a mole beastman]
[Mole]
[Wasn’t it a dog?]
[Dog-mole lol]
[That one could probably rank around 300]
[The black moon is a bit peculiar]
[Even if it’s 2 vs 1, Lily will likely win]
[For real lol]
“Tch. The timing was pretty good, though!”
“Let’s get to work. We have to finish quickly and go watch some anime.”
“Please, can’t you not say that with such a deep voice?”
“What can I do if it’s fun?”
Ugh! The mole beastman let out a sigh and sharpened its claws even more.
Light sparkled on the silver claws.
“Sis, since you’re strong, it’s okay to make it 2 vs 1, right?”
“If I say I want to do it 1 vs 1, will you actually do it?”
“No!”
Why did I even ask?
Tch!
The martial artist pulled out the sword they had been polishing for a long time.
An air of battle filled the space.
The first move was from the mole beastman.
I wondered if it had some kind of speed skill, as it darted towards me in a flash, aiming its claws down.
The claws met the spear.
But seemingly anticipated, it pushed its claws deeper, connecting the spear and claws, then swung its long legs.
‘Tying up the spear, huh.’
Not a bad thought at all, but…
“Ugh?!”
That would only work if I couldn’t handle this spear.
Instead, I lifted the connected spear high and thrust it down onto the beastman—
“Everything!”
Got it!
The silver sword swiftly sliced off the beastman’s hand.
The beastman barely managed to roll onto the ground before getting pinned.
‘Quick judgment.’
Normally, one wouldn’t think of cutting their ally’s body.
The beastman, having lost a hand, lifted its head and shouted.
“Hey! You should be cutting the spear tip, not my hand!”
“That was the best option.”
“What the…!”
“It’s coming. Dodge.”
“What…?”
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