Salramoa Forest

Deep in the jungle, a party of seven was confronting a big gorilla-like creature called Goromba. The monster, however, wasn't just a regular one, it was an Elite Goromba.

Elite Monsters.

They were stronger than regular ones. Usually, they were the leader of a pack. Some, however, prefered wandering or staying alone in certain places. They had slightly higher stats and special skills. Thus, some of them would be very hard to be fought solo. Sometimes, a party of two or three was needed. However, for players who liked a challenge, then solo was also an optional choice.

Just like the party who fought the Elite Goromba, they let a single person handled the monster —A light armored human who equiped with dual swords. He was none other than Dungeon Hunter Guild Master, Kimchi.

He swiftly swung his swords as if they were his own body parts. He was also spinning in the air, jumping back and forth around the big gorilla. The way he was dancing with his swords was beautiful and elegant. Of course, dancing swordsmanship was what his Job, Blade Dancer, was specialized in.

Slash slash slash!

His spinning blades cut the big gorilla's thick skin each time he jumped. After a few attacks, the gorilla roared loudly and hit its chest multiple times. Then the gorilla's eyes were glowing red.

Groaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Concerned about Kimchi, his party warned him about the monster status.

"Hyung-nim, be careful. He just buffed himself with Berserk Cry."

After listening his comrades warning, Kimchi immediately made a stance as he faced the monster. Then he chanted something.

"Dual Sonic Slash."

His swords were glowing bluish color, then he rushed forward and instantly stopped behind the big gorilla. After a moment of frozen time, blood was gushing out from two new big cuts on its body. And then the big gorilla was down. The body fell on the ground like a ragdoll.

'Phew...'

Kimchi let out a sigh as he sheathed his swords and walked to his party.

"How long was that?"

"Three minutes and twenty nine seconds, hyung-nim..."

Kimchi gritted his teeth. He looked dissatisfied.

'Too slow...'

Despite his bad mood, he continued hunting with his party. Killing all the Gorombas within their vicinity. Not long after that, they spotted another elite.

"What's his average stats?" Kimchi immediately asked.

"It's around 210-230, oppa..." A hooded elf girl answered.

"Alright, ready to set the time."

"Yes, oppa."

Kimchi readied his swords and rushed forward. He fought the Elite Goromba alone again. But this time, he killed it faster. Everyone looked amazed by his skill. He was the Guild Master for nothing after all.

Once Kimchi back, he asked about his record again.

"How long?"

"Three minutes and fourteen seconds. You're faster this time, oppa. Amazing."

"I see... But even so, I still can't break the three minutes record."

"No, hyung-nim. You're already amazing to take it down in three minutes." A heavy armored gigant praised him.

"Tsk!" Kimchi clicked his tongue. "That is still too slow. Don't you know there will be hundreds of Dark Army? Killing one in three minutes is the same as suicide. I need to cut it down to one minute. And you all need to improve as well if we want our guild to lead the event."

"Yes, hyung-nim..."

"Sorry, oppa..."

Everyone was gloomy by the fact he just thrown at them. Looking at them like that, Kimchi didn't want to decrease their morale any lower.

"It's fine. Thanks for being so optimistic. Now let's just find another one."

When they were about to leave, a leather armored sleethar came toward them from a distance.

"Huh, isn't that..."

The sleethar stopped in front of Kimchi and he began to open his mouth.

"Hyung-nim. We need to talk."

"Just wait for me to kill a few more elites."

"But it's urgent, hyung-nim."

"Hahh... " Kimchi sighed. "Alright, what is it?"

Then the sleethar leaned on him and whispered.

"They spotted the Dark Army."

Kimchi eyes widened for a moment. Then a smile was formed on his face.

"Does anyone else know about this?"

"No, hyung-nim."

"Good. Then let's get back instantly to Guild Hall." He said to the sleethar, and then he faced to the party. "You guys keep your training. Make sure you can kill them in less than five minutes."

"Yes, hyung-nim!"

"Yes, oppa!"

After he bid farewell to his party, Kimchi took out a scroll from his bag and opened it. Once the magic circle was formed, they vanished into thin air.

Dungeon Hunter Guild Hall

"Thus, without Byul's eyes we wouldn't have spotted the Dark Army." (Theo)

"I see... I'll make sure to give her a reward later. Anyway, this is a great opportunity for us. If possible, we can catch them alive, even if it's just one or two. So that we can interogate them, make them spill some information about them." (Kimchi)

"We need at least thirty players or maybe more. Fighting them will be easy since we've already learned their pattern by watching Aradun's video. But, the problem is..." (Sleethar)

"The other guilds?" (Theo)

"Yeah. What if there are other guilds heading there as well?" (Sleethar)

"That's the reason why we were farming inside the dungeons non-stop..." (Kimchi)

"Huh? We did that because we need to get better equipment, right?" (Sleethar)

"Yeah, we will choose the best ones for each members. But for the rest of them, we're going to sell everything with low price in Eldan." (Kimchi)

"...!?"

"I see... So that people will flock south in Eldan instead of north." (Sleethar)

"Amazing, hyung-nim. To make such clever distraction. You're awesome!" (Theo)

"Hmph. It's just a plan. We don't know yet if it will work or not." (Kimchi)

"I believe it will work perfectly. Especially if we make a thread about it." (Sleethar)

"Yeah, we shall do it ASAP." (Theo)

"I'll count on you." (Kimchi)

"Yes, hyung-nim!"

・・・

Dome

A carriage which was drawn by two horse-sized reptiles entered the town, and it stopped near the Coliseum. Once the door opened by the coachman, a man with noble outfit was coming out, followed by a full plated soldier that was holding a wooden crate with both hands. They went in the Coliseum as they were greeted by the guards.

Arena Master Office

"Welcome, Sir Falter. It's such an honor to be visited by your presence..."

Arena Master stood and bowed toward Falter. Then he gestured his hand toward a chair in front of him.

"Please take a seat."

Once Falter was sitting down, so did the Arena Master, and he began to open his mouth again.

"So, what makes a great noble like you came all the way here from the Kingdom? Is there anything that I can help you with?"

"Indeed." Falter answered. "I need Aphi. A lot of them."

"Of course, I might have around...twenty of them. Do you need to pick the strongest ones? Or maybe..." The Arena Master grinned. "You want the virgin ones?"

"I need them all." Falter answered with emotionless face. Then he put a map on the desk and continued. "Turn their skin to black, but no illusion or paint. And then, send them to attack these two places."

Falter pointed two location on the map. One was Tagran Fortress, and the other was a remote village by the forest that was called Felmoor.

"..."

The Arena Master was flabbergasted by his answer. He didn't expect to make the Aphi attacked their own territory.

"Those are-"

"Also..." Falter cut him. "You have to make them as if coming from the west. Do it in discreet. If you succeed, I'll give you a reward."

The Arena Master was still puzzled by his bold plan toward his own kingdom. Curious, he tried to ask what his reason to do that risky business.

"My apologies, but... What are you trying to do exactly?"

Falter snapped his fingers and the soldier who stood behind him put the wooden crate on the desk.

"Give them those things before sending them to attack..."

The Arena Master stood and checked what was inside the crate. His eyes widened once he saw the contents.

"This crest... It's... It's Alkronia Empire's Knight Crest!?"

"Yes. I want everyone including the new heroes think that this Dark Army fairy tale nonsense is their doing. They are nothing but a made-up story. Can you do it?"

The Arena Master deeply in thought. It was very risky move. If he was found out, he would instantly become the most wanted person in Ghaldaran. However, it would be a disaster to refuse a well-known noble like Falter.

'It seems I cannot refuse it...'

No matter what he chose, his reputation would be bad either way. He would accomplished more by helping him. Furthermore, he would be rewarded as well. And the most important thing was: his relationship with Falter would be greatly improved if he succeeded his request. Thus, his greediness instantly controlled him to lick Falter's feet.

'I will make sure this damn pig's reward is worth the trouble.'

"About the reward..."

"I'll give you anything you want, as long as you succeed."

The tip of the Arena Master's lips went up.

"It shall be done, Sir Falter. I also think that the Dark Army is just a fantasy written by our ancestors."

"Good. Because I want that useless King being dethroned, and for that Bitch Empress..." Falter stood and turned slowly as his gaze looked at the Arena Master. "I'll screw and fuck her so hard."

The Arena Master gulped and forced a fake smile.

"I see... Then, I'll do my my best." He said as he bowed to him.

"Great. I'll count on you."

Then Falter walked out of the room followed by his soldier while laughing out loud.

"Just you wait. I'll crush that pride of yours. Hyaha ha ha..."

・・・

Alkronia Empire

Within the Throne Room, Princess Vanea was kneeling down to the Empress. All the nobles was present as well, waiting for Princess Vanea to report about her duty as Alkronia's Envoy.

Princess Vanea was nervous seeing her own mother again. Her lips trembled as she began to speak.

"Mother... I-"

Princess Vanea's words instantly got cut as she saw the Empress who was glaring at her own daughter with sharp and cold eyes. As if something was choking her, nothing was coming out from her mouth even though she tried to continue speaking.

She immediately put her head down, looking at the floor while she was kneeling. Her whole body trembled as she tried to open her mouth again.

"Forgive me, My Queen. I am here to report my duty."

"Speak." The Empress answered coldly.

"Tandor, Karmia, Juvaldo and Ghaldaran have agreed to form a temporary alliance. It is all done according to our plan."

Hearing the news, the nobles began to speak their opinions.

"My Queen. We shall not truly expect them to be such great assistance. Instead, we must evaluate our own force. We know very well that our power is still lacking in certain points. Thus, we have to make sure they are prepared for any dire situations we could be in."

"Indeed. What I am afraid of, however, is the fact that the other kingdoms could use the situation to turn against us. Especially Ghaldaran."

"Still, it is truly wonderful to unite all the kingdoms within our banner. Despite just a temporary truce, and the chance of being betrayed."

"Well, if they will indeed turn against us, we will just have to make them follow our order by force."

The Empress stared at Princess Vanea while she was listening to the nobles. The tip of her lips faintly went up a little. She looked satisfied despite her cold gaze on her emotionless face. She then decided what she had to do for the empire's future.

"Inform the Heroes." The Empress strong voice filled the throne room, and everyone immediately went silent. "Make them to join our empire. Will they affiliate with us, they shall be rewarded according to their contribution in joining the war against the Dark Army."

Everyone was shocked by the Empress decision. It wasn't in a bad way, of course. They looked at their Queen in awe, clearly impressed by her thinking. Instead of focusing on their own power, the Empress tried to make the players joined their faction. Once they affiliated with Alkronia Empire, the Empress would give them rewards according to their contribution. If they were lucky, they could acquire a title or even a house within the Capital City of Alkronia.

This very idea also benefited them in the long term. The players would fight for the empire when they were waging war with other kingdoms. And not only that, there would be many privileges once players set one of the kingdom as their affiliation.

The nobles admired the Empress more and more. They immediately accepted her decision without any doubts. It was truly a wonderful idea for their distraught situation.

"Consider it done, My Queen."

Thus, the news spread quickly across Heallance and the real world.