Chapter 19: Feeling Hopeless
Chapter 19
9 AM.
It's been 9 hours since the Tomb of The Immortal Blade dungeon opened.
The news started spreading from last night until now.
The story of the Boss that made history.
The toughest dungeon of the First World.
"Enough! Let's rest! No more fighting!" Sword of Love lay directly on the ground.
No One panted heavily.
Liar.
You're pretending to be tired out of pity for me, aren't you?
He knew well that someone as strong as Sword of Love couldn't be exhausted just like that.
He was seeing that I'm exhausted, which is why he insisted on stopping.
The whole team was somewhat silent.
Lady Lam sighed.
"Alright, let's stop here for today. Tonight, I'll discuss the plan and we can continue."
"I think I'll have to call in sick today, oh dear." Cherished Dream lamented.
Hana had just graduated. She wasn't really busy with anything yet. But her eyes were already droopy. She nodded sleepily to everyone before logging out of the game.For 9 hours, countless players have given up.
In a typical dungeon, there is usually a pattern of 3 Bosses.
The First Boss is at an easy level, allowing players to acquire gear.
Even if they cannot reach the Second and Third Bosses, they still get stronger equipment, preparing them for battle with the next Boss.
After defeating the Second Boss, more gear is available to prepare for the Final Boss.
And the Final Boss is when all gates of hell are opened.
The most difficult, brutal battle.
The regular weekly sleepless nights at the dungeon should be at the Final Boss.
But now, the first Boss of the Tomb of The Immortal Blade has directly taken on all the top players of the First World.
The lowest health percentage reduced to on the Boss was 81%.
They haven't even brought it below 80% health!
Especially after last night, all players agreed to engage the Boss in its Demonic state.
They can't defeat it in its default state - Phantom of The Immortal Blade.
No One left the gaming pod, looking exhausted.
After leaving the pod and taking two steps, he collapsed onto the floor.
Nine hours of intense concentration in a virtual reality environment.
It truly takes a toll on one's health.
The other teammates still had the energy to drag themselves to bed.
Cherished Dream and Hana didn't have to fight continuously.
As for Sword of Love, he is tough as nails.
No One's stamina isn't exactly bad.But confronting that monster directly left him utterly exhausted.
After the first one to two hours that showed some progress, the next seven hours were filled with the Phantom of The Immortal Blade etching a haunting shadow into the minds of the entire team.
The more they fought, the stronger it became.
The more they fought, the more dangerous it got.
At a certain point, all the team's attacks were parried.
Every attack from the Phantom perfectly canceled their animations, annihilating the team.
The feeling right now for him is hopeless.
He gritted his teeth, hand clenched into a fist.
Frustrated, he slammed it hard on the floor.
Damn it.
These crazy people are truly strange.
Passionate about taking on unimaginable challenges, only to feel enraged by those very same challenges.
This feeling.
Is it hopeless?
Or is it...Unsatisfied ?
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A somber atmosphere surrounded the First World's guilds.
Last night, from midnight to 9 AM, countless guilds had accepted defeat. They decided to rest and rethink their strategies.
The performance of the Phantom of The Immortal Blade last night was, in reality, a massacre.
To the extent that today, many are still haunted by the image of the Immortal Blade, directly terrified at the sight of the Immortal Blade NPC in the City of Azure Flames.
Numerous criticisms and curses were hurled at DMG, the developer of First World.
And they received a response.
[The Tomb of The Immortal Blade is a passionate project of the gameplay design team leader, Tofu. It is the key to opening a new chapter for the First World. The entire development team hopes players can overcome this challenge together.]
Of course, the outrage only intensified.
At this moment, the entire community harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Immortal Blade & Tofu.
Challenging and absurdity are different things.
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No One slept on that floor until noon.
Upon waking, his body was incredibly sore.He sighed.
He buried his face into his knees.
Wrapping his arms around his legs.
His hands twitched, wanting to tremble.
His eyes were dark and sunken.
The feeling of defeat. It was so uncomfortable.
Why?
For a moment, an image of someone appeared in No One's mind.
He's played the game, defeated countless enemies that were said to be the toughest.
Is it to overcome the feeling he has now?
Those twitching hands suddenly formed fists.
No One jumped up from where he was sitting.
Damn it.
Immortal Blade.
At this moment, No One's eyes no longer only held confidence and excitement when facing a challenge.
They shone with determination.
No One grabbed his coat and then picked up his phone to call Lady Lam.
He dashed through the hallway of the high-rise building.
"Lady Lam, are you up yet?"
"Ugh..."How could I sleep? I have to work today. Unlike someone I know."
"Call everyone, let's strategize."
"You brat. It's work time now. Tonight at 7. That's it."
Lady Lam hung up immediately.
By then, No One had already reached the street.
Sunlight was streaming through countless holographic signs.
Creating a spectrum on the tiled pavement.
A large hologram covering an entire high-rise was showing news about "Phantom of The Immortal Blade."
No One gazed at the giant image of the Phantom of The Immortal Blade on the screen. His eyes did not blink.
Just wait.
Instantly, he clicked his shoes together, and roller skate wheels slid out from beneath his shoes.
No One glided down the street.
While skating, he opened his phone to send a message.
[No 11: Master.]
[Heavenly Demon In Black: My good disciple, what's up?]
【No 11: I want to become stronger. I need to defeat someone.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Defeat whom?】
【No 11: Phantom of The Immortal Blade.】
Heavenly Demon In Black didn't reply immediately.
The request seemed rather challenging...?
His mind was filled with countless strategies for confronting the Immortal Blade.
It was as if he was simulating endless battles that had happened.
Searching for the patterns of the Phantom of The Immortal Blade, figuring out how to counter it.
Immediately, he messaged the guild's group chat.
【Recruit more members into the guild. Prioritize the following classes for dungeon runs.】
He directly sent an attached file with data on the classes and reasons they were needed.
【Requirement: max level. Standard equipment is fine. Must be available during team dungeon run times.】
Ting
Lady Lam and TwinBird responded to the message.
【Lady Lam: ?】
【TwinBird: I'm about to lose my job Ụ w Ụ】
【Lady Lam: You brat, do you think it's easy to find this many classes in such quantities?】
No One quickly replied.
【In the worst case, consider collaborating with other guilds.】
【Lady Lam: Get lost. Let big sis handle this.】
First, he needed to visit a place.
"To Phong Antique Shop."
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Heavenly Demon In Black smiled faintly at No One's message.
"First, I will let you know the reason you're accepted as my disciple."
"Your skills are worthy of being taught by me, the Heavenly Demon."
Heavenly Demon In Black walked to the center of the great hall, facing a young man standing there.
"You will be the first Shadow Assassin disciple of the Heavenly Demon."
The young man bowed in respect.
"Ye Yu, greetings my Master."
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Ting
The ting sound of the phone was drowned out by the street advertisement noise.
【Heavenly Demon In Black: What my dear disciple wants, my dear disciple shall gets.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Blowing a kiss emoji 】