Game’s Dogma

Drako Yau began his calculations the moment the guilds started engaging the bear king. What he aimed to achieve was for the bear king to be at 5 per cent Health when his squad got close so they could dodge Bloodred Laser.

It was why he had been controlling the squad’s movement speed. It was why he hadn’t stopped even when up against King Zau’s curses and Empyreal Spire’s pursuit. Once he slowed down, his calculations would go awry, and it would end in complete annihilation of his squad.

Those from Allurers and Underworld were totally impressed by his manoeuvre. Meanwhile, Zephyrwolf and the rest of his close aides showed no reaction at all. A crazy bastard doing crazy things, what was so special about it? When crazy things happened over and over again, you’d eventually get used to it.

‘Kill!’ Drako Yau shouted.

Sixteen of them began dishing out attacks on the bear king. Even though the bear king had less than 5 per cent Health left, it was pushing their limits to finish it off with just so few of them around. The bear king was a world boss meant for thousands of players!

However, after casting Bloodred Laser, the bear king would start rampaging. The state increased its Attack even further while lowering its Defence.

Dakki’s foresight was on full display at that moment. Herself, the two elementalists, and the cleric all had ranged classes. They simply stayed at the rear as the rest of them engaged the bear king.

Soon, Dakki realised something was off—Mask’s people seemed to be able to foresee the bear king’s attacks.

Considering Mask’s inhuman reflexes, it was reasonable for him to pull it off. However, things were odd when even Underworld’s three fighters could do the same.

‘Squad “Howl of the Tempest Wolves, Underworld, Sky Dominion, Allurers” has successfully defeated the world boss of Highlands of John, The Failed Rampaging Bear King, for the first time! Obtained title: Masterful Bear Hunters.’

Unbeknownst to the others because it wasn’t announced globally, they also received additional rewards of 2 skill points and 2 attribute points—that was the most precious reward.

After they defeated the bear king, Drako Yau grabbed everything and swept all the loot into his item bag. No one knew he had set the squad settings to ‘Allocated By Squad Leader’, meaning he could keep all the drops and coins for himself if he wanted to.

The ladies from Allurers were about to yell at him, but Dakki stopped them.

‘Return to the city now and gather at Howl of the Tempest Wolves’ base.’

Drako Yau gave the order through the squad channel. He merely wanted to tell everyone what to do next, yet his tone was absolute and had no room for doubts.

They all tore a Return-to-City Scroll on their own, morphing into bright glows before disappearing.

After a long while, an army of players rushed over to the Highlands of John, only to find the bear king lying on the ground as a corpse. There was no one to be seen.

‘Fuck!’ Moonless Night broke his calm disguise which concealed his schemes in a fit of anger. After working hard for so long, their hard-earned reward was seized right before their eyes. ‘Howl of the Tempest Wolves, Underworld, Sky Dominion, Allurers… ARGH!!!’

Everyone let out a long sigh after entering Howl of the Tempest Wolves’ base in Yoda.

While the main army of players had fought the bear king for a long time, their squad had mobilised for less than fifteen minutes since the start of their operation. However, they were all under great stress for that duration. Their performance was spectacular, considering they didn’t make any mistakes, but being tense for so long exhausted their minds.

Sky Dominion’s people also returned. Sky Chun looked fine, but Shum Hung, Fong Sai Yuk, and the other two members glared angrily at Mask’s group. Windstrider also came back silently and sat at Howl of the Tempest Wolves’ side.

Because Sky Dominion was busy occupying the assailants from Empyreal Spire, they all died to the bear king’s unreasonable Bloodred Laser. As a result, they all lost a level.

Windstrider had heard about the skill in the private meeting, so he secretly pulled away from the battlefield while keeping Hau Ngai on the hook and survived.

‘Mask, don’t you think you owe us an explanation?’

Fong Sai Yuk was the one who spoke up. While he had been growing more mature lately, he couldn’t hold himself back any longer after taking a mental blow from dying. It had been smooth sailing for him since he joined the game—that was until recently. He died twice, and both deaths were related to the masked man.

‘What explanation?’ Mask sounded startled.

Hearing his response, Sky Dominion’s players were even more startled than he was. Fong Sai Yuk then yelled in rage, ‘You’re still playing dumb now, huh!’

‘Sai Yuk!’ Sky Chun shouted. ‘Don’t be disrespectful! Brother Mask must have his reasons!’

Drako Yau shook his head and asked, ‘Wait, hold up. What are you all talking about? I don’t understand a single thing.’

‘Hmph! Didn’t you specifically make us intercept Empyreal Spire, sending us in as cannon fodder?’

‘What?’ It was Drako Yau’s turn to be speechless. ‘You thought I called Empyreal Spire over to kill myself? How am I supposed to know they’d be hunting us down?’

Sky Chun and his guild members all went silent. Fong Sai Yuk then asked, ‘Then let me ask you one question. If our guild master didn’t step forward out of good spirit and intercepted the people from Empyreal Spire, what’d you do?’

‘Then we’ll go.’ It was Hades, not Drako Yau, who responded.

Fong Sai Yuk didn’t dare to act so impertinent before Hades. He was Underworld’s guild master, as well as the number one player in War of the Daemons, a well-renowned person in the gaming sector. Players who used to play the game still call Hades the ‘Diabolos’ out of respect to this day.

‘I don’t get it. What are you all mad about?’ Idyllic Poet who stood behind Drako Yau couldn’t stand it anymore. She truly didn’t understand why they were getting worked up. ‘What did you think we were doing? We’re stealing a world boss! Among thousands of people! It’s fortunate only a few of us died.

‘Also, we succeeded. All of your guilds are now known throughout the game! Isn’t this what you aimed for? Don’t tell me you’re the only ones who died, there’s thousands of players who also lost a level. We’ve achieved our goals, so why are you all mad?’

Hearing Idyllic Poet speak up, even Fong Sai Yuk who was the most furious of the bunch turned silent. Drako Yau didn’t utter a word either. Despite being covered by his mask, his face seemed to be calm and unfazed the entire time.

Moments later, Fong Sai Yuk saluted Drako Yau and said, ‘My apologies, Mask. I went overboard.’

Drako Yau shook his head in response.

Right after settling things down with Sky Dominion, Dakki said, ‘Now that Sky Dominion’s received their explanation, it’s Allurers’ turn.’

Her charming and alluring appearance now had a chilly sensation to it; she finally gave off the air of a guild master. ‘Brother Mask, you know everything about the bear king, don’t you? Including when it’ll use Bloodred Laser… Don’t be hasty, I’m not interested in why you know about the bear king, nor do I intend to ask about it.

‘My question is, why are Howl of the Tempest Wolves and Underworld the only ones who know about the bear king’s moves? Perhaps, we’re so untrustworthy in your eyes? Or is it as Brother Fong said, we’re here as nothing but cannon fodder?’

Dakki’s tone turned menacing as she asked her questions. Her voluptuous chest trembled as she shook in anger while glaring daggers at Drako Yau, as if she was trying to see through his mask.

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