C21 Opening the Map Mission

As players logged in the next day, they sensed a shift in the air. NPCs who were typically preoccupied with their own tasks were now fully armed and stationed at the entrance.

Morphy gripped his greatsword, Eve notched an arrow to her bow, Sohlin planted his hammer firmly on the ground, and even young Shelley clutched her dagger. Together, they cast icy stares at the bewildered players who had just come online.

"What's happening?" Shadow of Wind whispered to his teammates as he noticed the persistent glow of white light signaling more players arriving in the game.

Players had grown accustomed to forming squads, and Shadow of Wind's team, which included Black Confidence, was among the elite. Their fame wasn't just for show; they boasted the game's sole iron weapon. Sohlin had restored the iron scimitar to a pristine state, its blade now reflective enough to double as a mirror. The mere sight of its chilling gleam was enough to instill fear.

Black Confidence scanned the scene and surmised, "Clearly, a mission is about to be unveiled. Let's all observe and not jump the gun. Mind your favorability ratings."

Once the white light ceased and all players were accounted for, Sohlin hefted his hammer and slammed it to the ground with a roar, "Listen up, everyone!"

His booming voice, magnified as if through a loudspeaker, left players dizzy. Sohlin's display of authority sparked hushed conversations among the crowd in the square, with many speculating whether this was part of a mission or a storyline.

"Silence!" Eve's frosty command hushed the majority of players. They turned their attention to the elf, who seemed even more icy than usual. "We've made our first move against the darkness, but it's not nearly enough!"

"To the south lies a small village known as Kaka Village, currently engulfed by darkness. Your mission is to dispel the shadows from Kaka Village and ensure it basks in the light of the god once more!"

After Eve finished speaking, she simply watched the players in silence. It was Shadow of Wind who reacted first, bellowing out a crisp "Roger!" His shout startled the other players, and even Shadow of Wind himself seemed a bit sheepish, scratching the back of his head and chuckling awkwardly. It seemed he had been transported back to his military days, as if he were responding to a commanding officer, and the word had just slipped out.

"Based on my experience," Shen Wanjin chimed in, "this is what you'd call a map-opening quest. Conquering new villages likely means new NPCs and shops, and given this game's design, I bet there's an even bigger surprise in store."

"Brother Wanjin, what kind of bigger surprise?" The idea of a map-opening quest was familiar to all players, but the hint of a major surprise piqued everyone's curiosity.

"Think about it—if we bring in more players, this village won't have enough room, so..."

Realization dawned on the crowd. Were they about to release more beta accounts? It certainly seemed like a possibility!

"Silence!" Morphy's voice cut through the chatter as he plunged his greatsword halfway into the ground, his expression stern. "Despite your lack of discipline, strength, and uneven talents, I'll tell you this: for the efforts you've shown, you must slay those dark creatures to hone your skills! Once you've grown sufficiently, I will instruct you in the ways of harnessing your power. Only then will you truly transform and be worthy of the title 'warrior'!"

"Of course, you're free to pursue any profession, as long as you can rise through battling monsters. Have I made myself clear?"

Morphy's question came as a roar, but the players were neither resentful nor hesitant. Instead, they shouted back with even greater volume, eager to show their understanding.

"Understood!"

"Got it!"

"Roger that!"

Listening to the jumbled chorus of responses, Morphy shook his head, more convinced than ever that his father's decision to temper their spirits was the right one. These folks had less discipline than a ragtag militia.

The players' excitement was understandable; Morphy's message was crystal clear. What did he mean by growing to a certain extent to gain power and undergo a transformation? It all boiled down to four simple words: leveling up and class advancement.

"So Shelley, a mere child, is actually an assassin mentor?"

Some newer players, who hadn't seen Shelley wield her weapon before, were now expressing their astonishment.

"Of course, this is a post-apocalyptic game where everyone's a soldier! Plus, this little girl isn't even human, so her strength is to be expected!"

"Let's cut the chatter and stick to our usual strategy. We'll divide into our regular groups and head south!" Shadow of Wind commanded, raising his voice, "Clearly, this is a team mission. Share any discoveries immediately, and proceed with caution."

"Some games offer bigger rewards for completing missions faster, so I suggest we push forward quickly, but safely. What do you all think?"

No one disagreed with Shadow of Wind. The first group of a hundred players swiftly armed themselves and formed nearly twenty teams, charging out of the village with the might of a great army.

As they made way, Sohlin stroked his beard and smiled, "Their bravery and resolve are certainly top-notch."

He then shot a stern look at the eager, yet unarmed players, and his expression turned stern, "Going out there without weapons is a death wish! Get moving and find materials, you little rascals!"

The group's enthusiasm deflated like a punctured balloon as they trudged out to resume the previous day's tasks.

"Last night, I crafted twenty-eight weapons. With the materials on hand, I can make thirty-one more. If you gather materials quickly, we can have a total of one hundred and one weapons in just three hours. Got it?"

After Sohlin rolled his eyes, the previously hesitant players suddenly picked up the pace, racing out of the village as if chased by a knife-wielding maniac. They frantically searched for stones, loudly calling for friends, not wanting to be the ones holding the group back.

Watching the scene unfold, Faang Qiubai couldn't help but smile. Indeed, competition breeds motivation. And a little incentive goes a long way. These players are probably more driven now than if they were in a heist!

Choosing Kaka Village as the mission site was strategic, given the presence of a small Dark Crystal there, not much larger than a soccer ball. Excluding the monsters that had roamed off, the area around the crystal typically harbored only seven to eight hundred of them. Faang Qiubai was confident that a hundred armed players could indeed put up a fight.

A reminder from the previous creator echoed in his mind: the monsters spawned by the Dark Crystal possessed meager energy. Destroying the crystal would yield a significant bounty, allowing for a smooth progression of events!