Chapter 44 : War 2 : Schemes and Ploys

[[ System notification :

Update on "The Goblin's Invasive Retribution."

The Goblin's Invasive Retribution : Mission Package

A player has just discovered the goblin hideout, Gnorka. Slay the goblins and prevent them from invading the lands.

Rewards : Based on performance.

Kill 1 goblin : Experience reward + Basic reward

Kill 10 goblins : Experience rewards increase by 0.5 + 1 Silver ore(2 star).

Kill 50 goblins : 5 ingots of Dawn steel(2 star)

Kill 100 goblins : 1 log of Iron Pear wood(3 star). (If completed individually, the reward is as it stands. If completed by a group, apart from the experience reward, only 1 set is given to the group)[1]

Kill 1 troll : Experience reward + 1 silver core(2 star)

Kill 5 trolls : Experience rewards increase by 2 + 5 ingots Dawn steel

Kill 10 trolls : 1 log of Iron pear wood + 10 silver coins

Kill the leader : 1 Soul crystal (4-star) + 10 gold coins

Most Kills (individual) : 1 bar of Timber Crystal(3 star), 2 ingots of Star Gold(3 star), 5 silver coins, 1 level up, Relationship level with human forces becomes [Honoured], title [Humanity's Friend].[2]

Most Kills (group) : 1 ingot of Star Gold, 5 silver coins, 1 level up, Relationship level with human forces becomes [Honoured], title [Great Helper].[3]

Basic reward : 2 ingots of Limber steel , 5 Dark pearls, 3 silver coins, 50% increase in experience.

Failure Penalty : Destruction of the nearest Town

Loss of 2 levels with reduction of experience gained by 30% for 2 weeks

Relationship level with human forces at [Dislike]

The mission begins in 00 : 00 : 00 . ]]

"Charge!"

As soon as the barrier deactivated, a multitude of players and NPCs ran towards the goblin army that was close-by. Because the barrier wasn't moveable, the Command centre had cancelled the idea of a surprise attack as any movement close to the mansion would be noticed by the Emissary. Hence they adopted the final option of a full frontal charge by their men. As for the true powerhouses, apart from Midel and Arman, the rest hid themselves with their own abilities, effectively wiping out their auras and scents from being noticed.

*grunts*

The goblins were initially stunned by the arrival of a huge force of people and as such were incapable of responding properly. Before they could even react, an enormous and extensive amount of spells and arrows had enveloped the sky, screening out a portion of it from the view of the short green men. From below it looked like a myriad of colors, reminiscent of the northern lights visible from the northern hemisphere of Earth but only more colorful and dangerous.

There were far more spells used here when compared to the previous attempts by the other guilds. With the aid of the NPC forces, the potency and momentum of this batch was far more frightening and daunting than its predecessor. Such a stunning sight would have been amazing to appreciate, sadly it wasn't meant for that.

It only took awhile for the slew of attacks to land, unleashing an overwhelming force of destruction and decimation upon the goblin army. The attacks were aimed specifically for the horde located at the clearing behind the Mansion, closely bordering the mountain. Once it landed, a huge barrage of explosions resulted, temporarily silencing the battle cry of the approaching close combat fighters. Different varieties of coloured explosions went off, with a myriad of green, blue, red and orange colours particularly dominating the scene.

Once the smoke cleared off, an incredibly gory scene was left behind of the former lively environment . Few goblins were seen breathing with most of the objects covering the scene being dug out soil, mashed body parts, ousted limbs and deep green liquid. The firepower had almost eliminated the entire goblin army on the clearing leaving behind only an estimated 140 goblins, of the previous above 300, breathing.

"Krawwwww"

Enraged, the other troops stationed at the mansion and the mountain released a disordered series of cries before charging towards the approaching army. From a distance, the goblin horde that came running down the mountain seemed like a huge wave with more still rushing forward.

"It seems like the ones hidden underground have arrived. Alright men, we attack from the flanks. Let's show these people what we East Crow guild are made of!"

"Yeah!"

Earlier on, before the charge begun, most guilds had gathered their teammates to plan out their attack sequence. Eventually they got grouped by the NPCs, with some of them handling the flanks and the others dealing damage straight up. In order to increase their working efficiency, most of the players formed teams, hoping to gain the team kills reward. Some had the idea of handing over the last hit opportunity to one of their members, though this tactic was used by the guilds.[1] However, the Heaven System is just and as such, if one is currently in a party system with other players, whatever kill he/she makes won't be counted individually but collectively.[2]

For the guilds, they made their best players play solo but often times, their party would aid the player in eliminating a monster and this was the exact tactic every guild planned to utilize.

As it stands, East Crow guild was the strongest guild among those selected to handle the left flank, hence they took the helm of command.

Daichi personally led this crusade together with a few other high ranking players though nominally, he was the leader as his strength surpassed all the others.

Facing Swift Blade, Daichi spoke up.

"You and Dream Tiger go solo and eliminate as much goblins as possible. Keep your mind up on levelling. Forget the top place reward for now. Just aim on killing as much goblins as possible. Our goal is to get as much 3 star materials as we can. I doubt there would be another event that offers this much materials like this."

"Ok Boss." With that, Swift Blade deviated from the squad and went away with Dream Tiger.

"Uncle, I hope you could keep your eye out for the boss." Daichi said to the man beside him.

"Oh?" Frowning, Drunken Hog continued. "You should know that the boss of this event should be far beyond our ability. Little White and Little Song already mentioned that, didn't they?"

White Zero and Little Song had both participated in the previous assault of the goblin horde however they both died in that battle. After reviving, they informed Daichi about everything, giving him more info on the boss's prowess.

"Indeed but I doubt that the Town didn't prepare anyone to handle him. With that in kind, getting a clear shot at a golden opportunity wouldn't be so hard as facing the boss entirely on your own would it?" Daichi replied casually.

"Then I doubt you are the only one who might have figured this out too."

"I never said I was. We just have to be faster than them. Can you do it, Uncle?" Daichi looked at Drunken Hog, Old Jiro.

"My range isn't that great. Dream Tiger would have been a better choice." Jiro looked at Daichi in a questioning manner.

"I would have gone with him but considering your recent breakthrough, I have more faith in you."

"*sighs* Alright. I would have to get closer though and I doubt that would be easy."

"Don't worry." Daichi replied. "I'd help you with that."

Drunken Hog chuckled. "With the aid of the great Daichi, what do I need to fear?"

Even though it seemed that they were having a nice and peaceful conversation, they were just 10 metres away from clashing with the horde. Apparently both players had been communicating while running at high speed.

Similar conversations either went on or were previously concluded by the various guilds present. Even if slaying the boss was far from their current abilities, landing the last hit is still acceptable. Since a 4 star material was on the line, all the guilds wouldn't just let it go so easily without trying. Considering the current development of things, most of them doubted that they could still get the initial [Void silver] with the very few who believe it is possible presuming that the boss might be the actual creature that they have to eliminate. In summary, killing the boss would grant them not only the high tier 4 star material, Soul Crystal with 10 gold coins, which is more than a hundred times the current earnings of most guilds, but possibly also another high tier 4 star material [Void Silver].

Right before clashing with the horde, Daichi looked forward and said silently with a smile on his lips,

"May the best player win."

AN :

[1] Can't believe I forgot the official name of this strategy. It's similar to power levelling but in this case, the entire team depletes the HP of the monsters with one particular member, usually the most important or most valued player, landing the last blow on the monsters.

[2] Normally in most games, even if you eliminate a monster, your kill count would be counted separately from your party members. But in this case it isn't. So if you want to participate in the individual contest, you have to make sure that you aren't in a party recognized by the system but guild members and friends that are in a party can still help you deplete the monster's health for you to land the last hit. Question me in the comment section for more info.