“Gyaaa!”
Weed’s roar reverberated throughout the underground passage. While this had the effect of luring in monsters, it also was a not so small reassurance to the players following behind his back.
“Hurry!”
“Those at the back won’t slow down. If we slow down, it will become more crowded.”
The NPCs and the players followed one after another in the secret passageway. The mid-sized guilds who were originally planning to follow after the larger guilds, also put their faith in Weed.
Over 100 hundred thousand people needed to be evacuated. People all crammed in at once, with many who had yet to even enter the passage.
Weed accepted Selina’s request as he fell into temptation for the flower bracelet. But in truth, this was an extremely difficult quest. This was not a quest that he could prepare for beforehand, and on top of that the moment to moment judgement would decide the fate of hundreds of NPCs.
“Allow us to fight with you.”
“Kill them all! Make them disappear!”
The players with high levels went past the NPCs and helped with clearing out the monsters.
“Forward!”
With the danger biting at their heels, it was a fight against time. Even then, the players felt more fun than danger. They were enraptured in the excitement as they followed Weed.
Even from the far back it was easy to see the large and tall frame of the Ice Troll, swinging his sword with strength! The muscles flexed as Weed grasped his sword, the Ice Troll’s long arm making it look like he was handling a spear as he sliced through the monsters.
“Wahahahaha!”
Laughter leaked out from Weed as he devoured the good loots whole.
The players' bodies tingled in excitement as they watched the Ice Troll, hell-bent in charging the enemy. To them it felt like Weed was presenting them with a question, rather than fighting to escape Serabourg Citadel.
Why should they live a weary and hard life full of pent up stress? The world was filled with fun that shook the body with excitement! It was a great blessing to even be able to use your body to fight, tussle and just live an exciting life.
You need to turn right.
There is a clear stream flowing there. If you are thirsty, please drink before you go. Weed-nim.
3 monsters approaching! Please give them hell.
There is a trap if you go a bit further. You will just break through right? I think I will fall in love at the sight of you breaking through!
Fairies flew around, directing him where to go. Archers came close to the forefront and fired their arrows before the monsters could approach Weed. The players had never coordinated with each other in dangerous situations before, but they still stepped forward and did what they could. Thanks to this, even though the number of monsters increased, they maintained their speed.
“Heal people.”
As soon as Weed commanded, the priests stepped forward and healed the players fighting upfront.
“Fix.”
Weapons were sent to the back immediately and the blacksmiths fixed them on the spot. Weed naturally maximized the efficiency of the group.
The treasures and lost items left behind by nobles were scattered about in the underground passage. While fighting monsters, Weed opened up 4 treasure boxes.
It’s empty.
It’s empty.
You received three gold coins.
You have found an Royal Ornamental Sword.
As Weed acted ahead of every other person, he obtained a fancy sword decorated with gold, silver, and jewels.
“Identify!”
Royal Ornamental Sword: Durability 45/45, Attack 24~39
At one point, the sword hanged as a decorative piece in the palace of Rosenheim Kingdom.
It has been lost for a long time and has been completely forgotten by the populace.
Restriction:
Must be over 3,500 fame.
Must be over level 240.
Option:
Charm increases by 4%.
Charisma +35.
Dignity +40.
Art +15.
If this sword is equipped while purchasing goods from a store, you must pay 5% more.
This sword was meant for showing off, rather than for battle. With the jewel encrusted at the pommel, he estimated that his could fetch a high price if he sold it at the store or to a noble.
“Not bad pocket change.”
The underground passage had an expansive tunnel network with many intersections. There were even traps to delay the pursuers but Weed just bashed through them. The traps that maintained their effects were disarmed as quickly as possible at the risk of the adventurers and explorers.
This way, it’s faster.
That path is blocked.
The king is escaping that way. You mustn't go this way, the evil soldiers are coming down through there.
There were many exits in the underground passage. Under the guidance of the fairies, Weed moved around the blocked passage and headed east. They advanced, defeating the monsters in their way and finally, they reached the exit to the surface.
“We will be resting here, before heading out the exit.”
As Weed transformed into an Ice Troll, his health and vitality recovered quickly, but the other players weren’t so lucky as they lied exhausted and panting for breath. Even following him up till this point was extremely difficult for the players.
Now as they headed toward the surface, anything could be waiting for them. The warriors who fought beside him weren’t feeling well. But as they caught their breath, they resolved themselves to face what's to come.
‘I will become a hero, if I die fighting here with Weed-nim.’
‘I am so going to brag about this at work. To boss-nim, supervisor-nim, director-nim, and even to the deputy. If I die fighting in Serabourg Citadel... Kakaaka! Everyone will be jealous of me.’
‘Am I on TV right now? I didn’t even wash my face today. If my ex-girlfriend who broke up with me for spending too much time hunting and leveling could see me now.’
‘My legs are shaking. The excitement is driving me crazy.’
The players were mad with excitement being able to save the newbies and earn their keep next to Weed. Their hearts were beating fast, their mouth dry with exhilaration. If they followed the other groups in their escape from Serabourg Citadel, they would have never experienced this much fun.
Information continued to stream from the players who were broadcasting or those who were defending Serabourg Citadel till the end.
The palace is on fire.
The West gate has been destroyed.
South wall has collapsed, the defenders are retreating.
They were also notified that the other groups composed of large guilds and high level players were beginning their escape. All the castle gates and walls were destroyed. Their only means of survival laid beyond the lines of the Embinyu Church forces. That’s why they desperately tried to breakthrough towards their chosen direction.
“They should at least draw some attention from the Embinyu Church away from us.”
Weed waited until the right moment before he spoke to the players.
“As we head out to the surface, we will face the Embinyu Church.”
GULP.
Players gulped as they waited for Weed to continue. They would have the chance to listen to Weed’s speech before they head out to the big battle, where they would have to fight tooth and nail for their survival.
Even against weak monsters, the newbies were overwhelmed and fumbled around. But right now, they were running for their lives away from Serabourg Citadel which was under attack by the colossal forces of the Embinyu Church.
What words could instil courage into these players?!
“Death from monsters, losing items, drops in skill mastery and level… It’s something that happens quite often in life.”
Weed experienced many deaths up till now.
“Especially as a newbie you die a lot. Then you quickly feel like your friends and party members are way ahead of you. The starting days are when the gap widens quickly. When you see strangers prosper, your inside boils up and you feel miserable at the unfairness of it all. And then, you friends start to disappear.”
"...."
“You become anxious to catch up. You start going into dangerous dungeons to level up and find yourself dying again. You lose money and items, you become poor, adventures become impossible and your quests don’t go according to plan.”
".........."
“Even then, let’s all try to be positive as we head out.”
"..................."
Without leaving out a word, this message was communicated one by one till the end. All the players and NPCs became subdued.
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