Chapter 258: Enemy on the 3rd Day
As the sun began to set and cast a warm glow on the surroundings, Fury called out to everyone, her voice carrying a certain edge.
"Alright, everyone, gather up," Fury commanded, prompting a collective assembly of players.
"Hoi, Fighting Bunny, go make a roll call. Is everyone present?" Fury asked, delegating the task of checking attendance to Fighting Bunny.
Xin felt a twinge of unease as Fighting Bunny started to go through the names in their group. An internal prayer echoed in his mind, hoping that John’s absence wouldn’t raise suspicion among the players.
Fighting Bunny meticulously counted heads, scanning her list. "Hmm . . . John is missing," she announced, her brow furrowing.
Xin’s heart raced, anxiety bubbling within him.
"Huh?" Fury frowned, her expression darkening. "Doesn’t he know that tomorrow starts the real fight?"
"Maybe he got cold feet?" a player chimed in with a laugh.
"John isn’t like that. He’s a professional," another defended, his tone firm.
The mention of John’s professionalism seemed to cast a momentary hush over the gathering, creating an uneasy undercurrent among the players.
The realization that one of their own was absent on the eve of a crucial battle hung in the air, leaving an unsettling tension among the assembled group.
As the players puzzled over John’s absence, a murmur of concern and speculation filled the air.
"Did he forget to log in on time?"
"He never forgets meeting time."
"Then why is he not here?"
"Can you check if he died in here?"
"Died in here? There’s no enemy inside this town, unless there’s an event here that we don’t know about."
"That couldn’t be. He must still be at home."
"Let me check," Fighting Bunny scrutinized the list, her frown deepening. "That’s odd; he isn’t online."
"Then he must be at home. He must have something important to do."
"Let’s not waste any more time with him," Fury grumbled, shooting a glance at Fighting Bunny. "Issue a warning to John that if he doesn’t show up the next day, there will be repercussions.
"Now, let’s move on to the main issue at hand: our strategy for tomorrow."
In the midst of the discussion, Xin felt a mixture of relief and guilt.
Relief washed over him as he remained undetected, but a gnawing guilt tugged at him, both for deceiving his fellow guild members and for the potential consequences John might face.
He could only hope that his own selfish curiosity about entering the Castle of Doom wouldn’t inadvertently jeopardize John’s future and well-being.
He promised to give him an item after this was over.
Xin then pondered the potential consequences of John’s absence, wondering if death in the game equated to offline status.
Would they discover the real Gilbert being offline because he’s "dead"?
Hilda had killed him because he couldn’t PK in towns while she could because she was an NPC.
Xin considered the possibility that Fighting Bunny might have overlooked the absence of the real Gilbert’s character due to her focus on John.
Regardless, the situation worked in Xin’s favor, allowing him to maintain his facade a little longer.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the castle battlement as the guild leaders gathered to strategize for the impending battle. Fury took the lead, her gaze serious as she addressed the assembled players.
"Alright, everyone, gather around. Let’s talk about our enemies for tomorrow," Fury announced, her voice carrying authority.
The players, still buzzing with the recent victory, huddled closer, their anticipation was apparent.
Fury began outlining the challenges they would face on the morrow. "Our enemies will be more coordinated this time. We’ll see a mix of classes –– tanks, DPS, and magic users. It won’t be a straightforward skirmish like today and yesterday."
A murmur of concern and interest rippled through the group.
Xin, disguised as Gilbert, listened intently, his eyes flickering between the guild leaders as they discussed the impending threat.
Fighting Bunny chimed in, "We need to be prepared for a more organized assault. Tanks will be at the forefront, DPS dealing damage, and magic users providing support. Keep an eye out for their tactics and adapt accordingly."
The players exchanged nods, their expressions reflecting a heightened sense of focus. The prospect of facing a more structured and diverse enemy force had everyone on edge.
Fury continued, "But there’s one more thing we need to be wary of. They’ve got a leader among them, a Druid. This guy stays at the very back, elusive and hard to find. Our goal is to locate and neutralize this Druid. Without their leader, their coordination will crumble."
"It’s our responsibility to engage in both battle and search for this elusive Druid amidst the sea of thousands of enemies," Fighting Bunny emphasized. "If we fail to locate this Druid, the relentless swarms of skeletons and undead won’t cease."
Fury concurred, her expression grim. "Our duty extends beyond mere combat and defense; we must also remain vigilant for the presence of this Druid. And this time . . . I anticipate that some of you may not make it."
A collective gulp echoed through the assembled group as players exchanged apprehensive glances.
"If you wish to avoid that fate, then stay alert at all times," Fighting Bunny cautioned.
A sense of gravity settled over the gathering as Fury’s words sank in. The mention of a Druid leader added a layer of complexity to their mission.
Xin couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation and trepidation. Finally . . . he would be in the front line tomorrow.
One of the players spoke up, "How do we find this Druid? Any clues or strategies?"
Fury nodded. "Good point. We’ll need to prioritize scouting and reconnaissance. Keep an eye on the outskirts and pay attention to any unusual movements. Druids have a tendency to blend in with their surroundings, so we’ll need sharp eyes to spot him."
"You’ll easily recognize it, as it will distinguish itself from the rest," stated Fighting Bunny. "Although it might be challenging initially, given that we’ll be surrounded from all directions by enemies."