Arriving at the Town Hall and trying to come inside proved to be difficult.
When they arrived, they are quite happy that the Town Hall is deserted of Players and NPCs. Most likely due to the ongoing recruitment of heroes. Although the rewards appeal to them, they chose to let the opportunity pass, after all, there's no guarantee that they will be chosen.
So the better action is to choose where there are guaranteed quests and rewards.
But truth be told, when they heard about this Mission of the Count, and the rewards once accomplished, it made them drool. The rewards are too generous. Although the condition to accomplish the mission is hard, the rewards alone can make any player face the upcoming hardship and struggle to the end.
The main objective of the mission is to find the missing amulet of the Arman Family, a noble family in the Edo Kingdom.
The mission calls for a total of hundred heroes that will be divided into 5 groups. Every group contains 20 heroes. Each group will be supervised by four Level 20 Knights and a Level 30 Captain Knight that is equivalent to C Rank Adventurer.
From there, they will cover the specified land and forests near West Town.
Then each group will be assigned one Chef that will provide and cook food for them. But what's the use of it if they cannot taste the food? Maybe the Chef was brought along for the knights? After all these NPCs know that the heroes cannot taste the food due to the curse.
So everyone hopes that in the next installment update, the system will do something about it. But since all the players that are associated with Payne Blanc knew that there is something more behind this, they still hope that the next update will give a lead on how to remove the so-called curse on the taste buds of the heroes or players as the NPCs called it.
When this group of players arrived, they were supposed to enter the Town Hall gate as usual but then block by high-level knights.
"This place is restricted to heroes and citizens. Please back off." One of the knights told them in a condensing tone.
Everyone was shocked hearing it.
Sally quickly inquire. "May we know why? There are still three hours left on the office hours of the Town Hall, isn't supposed to be open for us, heroes?"
The knight snorted but still give them an answer. "Count Alvis, the Lord that overseers this place is currently staying in the Town Hall. So it is natural for us, his knights to put restrictions in the place."
So that's how it is huh?
Lex interjected. "Then how about those heroes who want to take a quest from the Town Chief?"
"You heroes, didn't you read the news in the bulletin board in the Central Plaza and in the Adventurer Guild? Getting quests from the Town Chief is temporarily suspended until further notice. If the heroes want to take on a similar quest. A quest that you, heroes will die for." The Knight paused for a moment and give them a silly smirk before continuing. "Anyway, the Adventurer Guild offers a job for the heroes. The difficulty is not different from the Town Chief's issued quests."
Angel clicks her tongue hearing the knight's answer and attitude.
"Is there any way to enter the Town Hall? We know someone currently working in the Town Hall, his name is Payne Blanc. He went here together with Mel, a chef and the owner of the Midnight Inn."
"Lady, I told you. We are ordered to block people trying to enter the Town Hall. If you still insist on entering, we might view you as a hostile hero, potentially hurting the Count!"
This time, the knight's voice raised a little and become firmer and stern.
"Then! At least, can you send a word to him that we are currently waiting outside? Pretty please?"
Sally interjected and use her alluring voice and wore her cutest expression.
The knight was taken aback a little. When he saw the group of heroes approach the gate, he cannot help but steal a glance at the archer. Her smooth skin and shapely figure are enough for him to gulp a lot of times. Forcing himself to be stern to avoid getting caught by his comrades.
Oblivious to him, his comrades are stealing glances at Sally as well. Although there are other two beauty standing in front of them, Sally's beauty is otherworldly and can be compared to the Elven race.
"We-well, at least we can that do for yo-you." The knight stuttered a little bit.
"Thank you! No wonder the people around calling you a gallant knight, it is because you are, after all!"
Sally replied while getting a bit closer to the knight which made the latter gasp as he inhale her alluring smell!
On the sidelines, the other knight becomes jealous of their comrades.
It should have been me!
Ah! How envious. She's a real beauty.
They thought to themselves.
On the other hand, Aliyah was quite displeased and relieved at the same time.
When the Knight enters the gate to give the word to Payne Blanc, the players went to the side of the road as they are blocking the gate if they stand still in the same location.
Upon arriving on the pavement, Aliyah started teasing Sally.
"It seems your beauty has its own used, huh?" A smirk is plastered on her face.
"Well, compared to yours. Mine has more impact than yours."
Then the two ladies start arguing again, leaving the rest helplessly sighing.
Just as their group is becoming more lively, a powerful explosion occurred near them which startled them.
The impact of the explosion release an air that made the cloth that was not covered in their armor flutter.
Everyone simultaneously turns their gaze on the source of the explosion.
Half of the Town Hall was destroyed instantly and is currently on fire. The knights guarding the gate were shocked but due to their experience, they quickly regain their composure and run inside.
The servant and officials that were spared from the explosion run outside amok while shouting.
While the knight's station outside the Town Hall surges inside to protect the Count.
It is Lex who woke up from the shock first. "Should we head inside?" His voice still has a trace of shock.
Everyone turns their gazes on him and tries to weigh the pros and cons if they heading inside to help.
And Lex continues. "Angel is a healer and If we are able to save the Town Chief, he might give her a reward. Also, we can help the servant and other officials while we are at it."
It is true, during this crisis, isn't it a good deed to help others? And the Town Chief or the Count might view them in a new light and give ample rewards for their good deeds!
Without further ado, they quickly storm inside the Town Hall.
Some of the Knights that we're patrolling outside near in the vicinity saw them running inside. Most of them ignore them but one particular knight shouted.
"Hey! Heroes, what are you doing?"
Their attention was caught and gazes at the Knight wearing a different armor from the rest. They deduce it is one of the higher rankings in their group.
Seeing that they only give him a simple gaze, he shouted "Stop!" and jump high and landed in front of them.
Sally and the rest were dumbfounded. How powerful is this knight? They quickly run their system and found that the knight in from of them is 30! This is without a doubt a Captain!
"I will view you and deem you to be a threat depending on your answer!" The Captain sternly declared as his hand gripped the hilt of the unsheathed sword on his waist.
Sally becomes nervous but quickly responds. "Sir, we are not a threat, we are just nearby when the explosion occurred and we decided to help when we saw the servants and officials panicking greatly." She then turns her gaze around to their surroundings.
The people behind her also nodded their heads.
The Captain scrutinizes them and exudes incredible and overwhelming pressure in every second that passed.
After a good ten seconds, the Captain loses his grip on the hilt of his sword and stands up straight befitting a Captain. "All right. But you cannot go inside the Town Hall, just help the servant and official to calm down. And I see that you have one healer, if it's not too much, kindly heal them as well. As you can see, we are lacking a healer."
"Of course. We won't go inside as per your instruction and we will calm down everyone."
The Captain nodded his head and steal a glance at the Town Hall. Half of it was utterly destroyed and the fire slowly kept up on the other half.
"Thank you! I will commend your deeds today and will ask my superior to give you rewards. Good luck!"
"We understand! Thank you!
And then the Captain leaves hastily. His movement is fluid and fast, leaving them with a wry smile.
The Captain ordered a few knights that just arrived to cover a certain location and set a perimeter outside the Town Hall and don't let anyone, even the heroes enter the vicinity except them.
Hearing this, they were elated. If after the chaos, they might be the first player to trigger the quest.
"I cannot wait to achieve that kind of movement speed!" Aliyah exclaimed as the Captain vanished from her sight.
Aliyah, as a swordswoman, wishes to be agile like him as well. Typically, a Swordsman is focused on their attack firepower and agility.
"Right? But do not worry, we will catch up to them soon." Lite responded and a smile formed on his face as the unwavering and excited gaze is mirrored in his eyes set ablaze.
The others nodded their head in agreement.
"Okay, you hear the Captain. We will receive a reward if we help calm the citizen. Let's spread out. Angel, stay here and do not under any circumstances go near the Town Hall okay? There might be another explosive inside. I need three capable fighters, a swordsman, and a tank will do to protect our healer."
Lex volunteered and his two other members in Heaven Sky volunteered as well.
"That's better. The rest of us will cover every corner of the Town Hall and lead the wounded to Angel. For the rest that is not wounded, let's advise them to proceed outside calmly."
"Okay!" Everyone responded in unison except for one beautiful lady.
"Who told you to be the leader?!" Aliyah angrily roared to Sally.
But before the former can retort, Aliyah waves her hand. "I'm against you being the leader here but your instruction is clear and reasonable. I was just about to say it, you just got ahead of me in a split second. Hmph!"
Then Aliyah, run on the western part of the Town Hall.
Sally just shook her head and smile wryly and went in the opposite direction.
Seeing the ladies go ahead in the opposite direction, they followed suit and quickly tend the wounded first and lead them to Angel waiting, protected by Lex and two players from Sally's wings.
Meanwhile, as Sally calmly instructs the officials and servants, her mind is racing like it never did before.
Why? It is because this current event is a major event! An explosion in the Town Hall? Just 24 hours after the official launch?
If it's not a major event, what more could it be?
And she was happy she went here together with her team and have the Captain let them participate in this major event!
Countless quests will be triggered one hour from now. And she was confident about it.
She was confused when the Captain let them help but no quest was triggered. But it is okay, perhaps after the chaos inside the Town Hall receded, they will instantly trigger a quest as they are the closest player in the vicinity.
Although they are quite far away from the adventurer guild where all the players are currently, it is impossible if they didn't hear the sound of an explosion.
Soon, players will rush in to know what happens.
That is why it is imperative to hastily calm the people and hopefully the knights quickly solve the chaos inside. So they can be the first player to get the quest and finish it quickly. Giving them an advantage over the players living in the West Town.
She then turn her head to the Gate and saw the knights barricading it. And players from nearby locations start gathering in the front.
Sorry guys, but in this game, luck plays a role. After all, the opportunity will be fought to death soon.
She then focuses on doing her job.