The players could only participate in Crimson Blood in version 3.0 since they were only qualified for this mission. The changes in the Gods' world were independent of the development of players.
It did not mean that if the players did not participate in the mission, the Descent of Darkness would not happen.
In William's previous life, three dark events occurred in version 3.0 that shocked the entire Legendary continent.
The first one took place in a small vassal state of the northern Blue Frost Empire. Millions of people died overnight due to a dark curse or a plague.
After then, the dukedom became a place devoid of intelligent creatures. Poison mist and many terrifying creatures existed everywhere.
The second event was Kerenza falling into the Dark World and the resurgence of the Blood Moon Dark Witch.