A New World, An Immersive Game Experience

The stories the players had heard from those they had saved, and what they had seen, sent chills through their bodies.

The survivors were worked like slaves, worse than slaves even. Only given scraps to survive on and should they fail to work, they ended up as food for the orcs and each other.

These nightmarish tales boiled the blood of every player and Elizabeth doubted she could convince them to abandon the poor souls still under the orc's rule. No, she didn't want to even try.

How other NPCs, people of this world and the same kingdom, could not care for their fellow countrymen. The players' blood boiled just as much because of that. Multiple fights had broken out between the players and NPCs outside the city where the camps have been established.

Luckily, for now, the orcs had not moved on these camps, but Elizabeth felt it was time to remove everyone who had recovered enough for the journey to Vlisia.

This time's failure had reminded her that they weren't fighting a mindless force. Only a barbaric one that was currently fighting itself to choose the new ruler, and a basic hierarchical structure has been formed recently. Their basic lure and slaughter tactics would no longer work.

Things were going to become harder now that the orcs were going to start focusing on the ants trying to save other ants.

[[Elizabeth] - That won't be easy... You haven't seen the condition of the people in this city. Even if I tried to force everyone, I doubt I would be able. And it wouldn't feel right either.]

[[Eldrian] - I do not need everyone. I need you guys. What were you being called again? Flaming Hearts? I need help to clear two forts. After that, you guys can go back to saving people.]

Eldrian felt heartless after sending this message. But he knew that this was more important than throwing himself into saving people in a city that had been lost. Doing so would certainly make him feel better, but that would only last until something happened in Kynigo.

He had to take charge and prioritize, even if he didn't want to.

First, he would help secure Kynigo and thus secure part of the southeastern border of the kingdom against the undead. After, he wanted to continue his experiments and training. But he had a feeling he was going to need to force that in between other things.

[[Elizabeth] - How many undead?]

[[Eldrian] - Only a few strong ones. My group will handle them. I need you guys to help with the horde of lower undead.]

Reading the message, Elizabeth shook her head in exasperation. It was clear that Eldrian considered the lower undead nothing more than ants or flies. They were irritating and could get in the way, but they posed no real danger. He was calling for help to speed things along more than anything.

'I guess that's what happens when I don't reel him in. Not that I can...' She sighed. Perhaps the rumors that she was actually under Eldrian in authority were truly not wrong. It felt like that, at least.

But what else could she do? His presence in the guild was essential, even if from time to time he made demands of the guild as an individual. And it wasn't like his demands were self-centered. Keeping Kynigo standing where the guild's mansion and headquarters was, was paramount.

[[Eldrian] - This should be an experience gold mine for you guys. Even if you don't get as much experience in a party, higher undead give millions each. Plus, you can keep the items they have.]

Elizabeth's eyes twitched. 'Now he's trying to bribe me? Well, it is true that the amount of XP is insane for most. But once you get into level thirties, it becomes like a drop in the bucket. Especially after level 35...'

[[Eldrian] - It should only take one or two days.]

Eldrian continued to press.

[[Elizabeth] - Fine, we'll have to minimize our activities, but we need to take those we have rescued to safety and reconfirm the details inside the city. Do you want all of us?]

Thinking of the group, Eldrian immediately noted that he didn't need everyone.

As long as they could attract and keep the focus of the lower undead for a few minutes, it should be enough. He basically wanted them to act as decoys and bait so he could use Tempest Chase without worrying while Vivian, Myropsis, and Theas dealt with the stronger undead.

Thus, Nikki, who was better at leadership, should rather stay at Pediades. And Zyviss's arrows would do basically nothing, so he was worthless.

[[Eldrian] - Therdul, Judith, Ilmadia, and you should come. I'm curious, between a runic mage and a believer of Ziraili, who would come out top?]

After sending the message, Eldrian froze for a second, realizing the mistake he had made. Since the conversation wasn't about anything secret, he had lapsed and actually sent Ziraili. Miracle should already know of Ilmadia's Tier up and hidden quest, so he didn't think that was a lapse too.

'Oh well, not like Miracle will have time to bother with me soon.' The preliminaries have started and within two weeks the championship should start. By the end of the month, Miracle's secret will be out in the open.

Eldrian smiled, thinking of that made his heart skip a beat. He truly hoped things would go smoothly.

...

'It truly feels like I'm not the actual leaders of the guild,' Elizabeth grumbled as she and the others headed to Pyknos forest.

Eldrian had already shared the details of the undead in the surrounding forest and the fort itself.

There was a single revenant and a few unwilling, but the way Eldrian had relayed the information made it clear he didn't consider them much of a threat. Despite the revenant being Tier 6, making her wonder just why he needed them.

Theas, a dwarf, would seemingly take care of the revenant and all they had to do was keep the lower undead busy. In short, they had to act as bait to bundle up the lower undead. It was similar to how they would use Ilmadia's increased strength, only on a grander scale.

"When will we catch up to him?" Judith mumbled, recalling a year ago when he had only been slightly stronger thanks to his unique way of using magic.

Even just a few months ago, the difference hadn't been this massive. And while they hadn't fought with Eldrian since, everyone could clearly feel from his messages that they wouldn't even offer a proper warm up for him.

Ilmadia frowned at Judith's words, entering deep into contemplation.

Taking Eldrian's advice, she had discarded her worries and focused on improving her usage of runes. She still hadn't finished her hidden class quest, but she had learned to control mana to a degree, which allowed her to cast Tier 5 spells.

She had thought this would finally close the gap between them. Not only was she also Tier 5 now, she had also learned how to weave mana itself. She was now almost at the level Eldrian was a year ago.

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