"Well... the conditions for this quest require a male and female pair to participate. Both must wear a matching pair of rings on their left ring fingers to temporarily attain the status of a couple. Once the quest is complete..."
The mysterious woman hesitated as she explained. Though the quest was not particularly difficult, the number of players who had successfully completed it was astonishingly low—so rare it could be counted on one hand.
"What!"
Thankhun exclaid, voice rising at the conditions.
"Well then... I'm out."
Chang Long frowned in irritation. A quest like this should not be offered to random players. It would be far better to require that the players had to already be a couple to accept the quest, avoiding this kind of awkward coercion.
"Oh please, I beg of you. I miss him so much, I feel like I'm losing my mind. The couple status isn't permanent—it disappears once the rings are removed. Please... You can't imagine the agony of waiting without knowing anything. For five years, I've endured this longing, this pain and sorrow that grips my heart. Please, help end it."
The woman pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she sank to the ground, sobbing. Chang Long and Thankhun stood silent, listening to her heart-wrenching cries. After all, this was just a ga...
"Sigh... Fine! I accept the quest."
The woman lifted her tear-streaked face, her expression brightening with joy as she look at Thankhun.
"And your partner...?"
Thankhun turned to look at Chang Long, silently asking if she would pair with him for the quest. But her eyes made it clear: there was no way she would agree to be his partner.
"Sorry. You accepted the quest, so find a partner on your own. I'm heading to the restaurant. Good luck."
Chang Long dismissed him coldly, leaving both Thankhun and the mysterious woman stunned. Just monts ago, she had shown such kindness by saving his life and his pet. Yet now, faced with a tearful, beautiful woman begging for help so pitiably, Chang Long rejected her outright without a second thought.
As Chang Long began to walk away, the mysterious woman played her last card: she clung to Chang Long's leg, crying and refusing to let her leave. Thankhun joined in, trying to persuade Chang Long until her exasperation got the better of her, and she reluctantly agreed.
The mysterious woman wiped her tears, stood up, and took out two small red silk pouches. She handed one to each of them. Inside the pouches was a simple gold ring. Nodding, the woman indicated that they had to wear them. Chang Long and Thankhun slipped the rings onto their left ring fingers. Imdiately, the system announced:
"Player Chang Long/Thankhun have accepted the Couple's Quest."
"Players Chang Long and Thankhun have been temporarily elevated to Couple status."
.....
The Pendragon Guild's ship finally docked at the harbor of Troy, soon followed by the ship of the Immortal Guild, led by its guild master, Destiny. Both guilds were warmly welcod by Feather, the close friend of Phiros, guild master of the Caesar Guild. Troy was bustling with activity. Guild mbers filled the streets, especially those from the three allied guilds—Caesar, Pendragon, and Immortal. While guild leaders and their top officers held an urgent eting to plan an assault on the special territory, their mbers prepared themselves for the coming battle.
To the north of Troy stood a fortress on a cliff. A tall tower, resembling a lighthouse, that housed the city emblem was visible from miles away. However, attacking it was no small feat. The path leading up was narrow, steep, and treacherous, filled with gravel and sharp thickets. A preliminary survey had revealed only one easily accessible route. While easier to navigate, it left attackers exposed to AI archers stationed at the fortress, who could easily spot and target them from afar.
"What do you all think is the best way to attack this fortress?" Phiros, acting as chair of the eting and guild master of the Caesar Guild, addressed the room. Attendees included his second-in-command, his close friend Feather; Siegfried, Draco, and Rafael of Pendragon; as well as Destiny and his two deputy leaders from Immortal.
"Given the available routes, it's incredibly challenging to launch an assault on this fortress,"
said Destiny, deep in thought.
"Yes, from what we've studied how other guilds attempted this assault, we found out that they have suffered crushing defeats. Whether they tried a direct approach or a stealth attack, all routes have proven treacherous. First, there are the high-level beasts blocking the paths. Second, most routes leading to the fortress are hazardous, with steep slopes, unstable and slippery gravel terrain with poisonous thickets scattered along the way. Lastly—and most critically—are the AI soldiers. If anyone ends up fighting them solo, it's almost guaranteed they won't survive,"
Phiros explained.
"Not even one person?!"
Draco exclaid in shock.
"Not one. Even players at level 60 struggled. These AI soldiers possess excellent basic combat skills and flawless coordination in their attacks. They're perfect."
"The biggest challenge we face is organizing our forces for the assault. A direct attack is out of the question—it's far too risky. We could be wiped out in one go..."
Rafael nodded, grasping the gravity of the situation.
"I think we should organize our allied mbers by profession."
After a mont of thought, Siegfried, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. All eyes turned to Siegfried, awaiting the guild master of Pendragon to elaborate on his idea.
"I think we should have players in knight and warrior professions lead the charge, with the knights carrying large, reinforced shields above their heads, creating a roof-like defense to block the AI soldiers' armor-piercing arrows. Mages should focus on casting spells to breach the gate, while high-level, highly accurate archers target the AI archers on the fortress walls in small number. As for other classes like ninjas and wandering martial artists, their speed and stealth make them ideal for flanking and taking less accessible paths. They should wait for the main gate to open and then launch their assaults after the signal from the main gate. Lastly, healers, being the most limited in number, should stay at the rear, protected by high-level players.
"Siegfried explained his plan roughly in detail, and the participants nodded in agreent. Many had previously thought of organizing their forces by guild, overlooking the potential for a more unified strategy that Siegfried had suggested, ignoring who was from which guild since all guilds were allies.
"That's a brilliant idea, Siegfried. If we coordinate well, this fortress will fall to us easily."
Destiny, leader of the Immortal Guild, remarked with a wide grin.
"Then we should practice Siegfried's strategy. For additional equipnt, we can use the alliance's shared funds. What do you all think?"
Phiros suggested, smiling.
"That sounds good. It saves individual guilds from spending too much, and we'll all benefit from shared resources."
Siegfried agreed.
"In that case, I'll conclude this eting. Next, we'll need to call our mbers together to brief them on the plan and distribute equipnt for the assault."
Phiros ended the eting with a wide grin. The participants rose and exited the eting room. The deputy leaders began contacting their guild mbers, summoning them to Caesar Guild's spacious training grounds. Soon, the combined forces of the three allied guilds filled the area to its capacity. After hearing the attack plan they started practicing while focusing particularly on the main assault force which was the most important, as success on this front would determine whether the fortress could be captured. Guild leaders and deputy leaders prepared themselves for the higher-tier AI soldiers, including potential AI commanders guarding the city emblem.
Dawn of the new day,
It was the day agreed upon by the the allied guilds to launch their attack on the cliffside fortress. Everyone gathered from the early morning and set off in an orderly fashion towards their destination. Their disciplined march was a sight to behold, drawing the attention of both players and AIs in the city. Along the way, only few beasts dared approach the imposing army, instinctively retreating in fear. As the first rays of sunlight reflected off the knights' shields, the group reached the path that led to the cliff-top fortress.
Valentine and Aden led their ninja units along the designated paths, while Oliang and another deputy leader from the Immortal Guild guided wandering martial artists along their respective routes. Knights and warriors, known for their stamina and resilience, raised their large shields high above their heads, overlapping them like tiles on a roof.
Beneath this shield canopy, so mages and archers advanced alongside the frontline. Their synchronized steps echoed as they marched, a testant to the training and coordination honed during their alliance's practice sessions since before the patch update.
The AI soldiers stationed at the fortress focused their attention on the approaching army. AI archers drew their bows and fired arrows at the allied guild forces. However, their arrows failed to penetrate the knights' shields robust defenses. Siegfried's strategy was working as intended, allowing the frontline to reach the massive fortress gates.
As the gates creaked open, waves of AI soldiers poured out to et the attackers. The allied archers began targeting AI archers on the fortress walls, clearing the way for the knights and warriors to engage in combat.
The battle was fierce from the outset. The allied frontline managed to push the AI soldiers back into the fortress, dealing significant losses to the AI forces. However, once inside the fortress, the frontline found themselves surrounded. At this critical mont, the guild leaders and deputy leaders moved forward, unleashing their skills to break through the encirclent and clear a path for their forces. anwhile, the ninja and wandering martial artist units flanked the fortress from their designated routes. The ninjas deployed their signature throwing weapons, so laced with poison, to effectively weaken the AI soldiers. The wandering martial artist utilized their agility and fluid movents to confuse their foes before striking lethal blows.
The allied guilds fought with fervor, holding their own against the AI army and even gaining an advantage. Though their coordination was not flawless—understandable given that they had only recently t and trained together—it was sufficient to minimize critical losses.
As high-level AI soldiers joined the fray, they inflicted more significant damage on the allied forces. The guild leaders focused their efforts on combating AI officers and generals, but the AI commander remained elusive. The leaders decided to shift their focus to the central tower, aiming to secure the city emblem and end the conflict as swiftly as possible.
"Why are they coming at us nonstop?"
Rafael grumbled in frustration as he, Draco, and Lidded Wet Trash Can defended Peach Blossom, a mage. Her succubus outfit set ability reduced the AI soldiers' defenses by 10%, making it easier for the three to fend off their enemies.
"There's got to be a barracks or sothing like that. I'll try to scout it out,"
Draco suggested while deftly dodging three consecutive arrows aid at him.
"How are you supposed to scout with this many enemies around? You'll be dead before you even find it!"
Rafael objected.
"Archers, take that one down!"
Draco shouted at the allied archers, pointing at the AI archer still aiming at him. Then, he turned to respond to Rafael's concerns.
"Don't forget, buddy, I've got Firetail to back up once I unseal it."
"Alright. Wet Trash Can, you're on Blossom's protection for now. The rest of you, cover Draco and his dragon!"
Rafael agreed and directed two nearby archers and five warriors to guard Draco and his dragon as he prepared to unseal it.
"Thanks, buddy. Unseal Firetail."
Draco extended the hand wearing his pet-sealing ring and unsealed his pet. A brilliant red light flared, revealing his dragon companion. A sleek, five-ter-long dragon with shimring red scales and a tail tip ablaze appeared, roaring so loudly that the battle montarily paused.
"Take it easy, Firetail. Sorry for keeping you sealed away after your third evolution. But hey, you're about to let loose now, so go wild!"
Draco reassured his beloved dragon, who seed irritated after being confined in the ring for so long. As he climbed onto its back, Firetail spread its massive wings and soared into the sky. The booming voice of the AI commander echoed through the fortress, ordering AI archers to concentrate their fire on Firetail, which was steadily ascending into the air. The battle resud with renewed intensity as AI archers unleashed volleys of arrows at Firetail. However, the dragon had already climbed swiftly beyond the effective range of their arrows.
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