Ember Dragon

Chapter 565: The Useless Ones

Mantou and Singo chatted as they headed to the Imperial Office, with Mantou still carrying the frost giant’s head to claim his reward.

However, the road ahead was packed, with players crowding together, nearly blocking the path, forcing many security officers to come and restore order.

"Don’t push, I was here first!"

"Move it, move it!"

"Aaaaah! I saved up for three months for this day!"

A snake-woman’s crisp yet weary voice came from a loudspeaker: "Citizens, please queue in order to make purchases! We are an official Imperial store with ample stock. No need to panic."

"Ooooooh!"

"Snake-lady, I love you! Let me pull something good!"

But her announcement had no effect. The players only grew more excited, shouting louder.

The scene turned chaotic, like a massive fan meet, obstructing many passersby.

"Citizens, follow Imperial regulations!"

"Ah! Help! The officers are hitting people!"

"You lawbreaking scum are exactly who deserves it!"

Only when the guards raised their batons and started "educating" personally did the players calm down and line up.

But the scene was already a mess—noise, complaints, and public resentment filled the air.

"Damn it, it’s those useless ones again."

"Tell them to move. I need to get my order verified."

"What use are they to the Empire? Greedy parasites!"

"Exactly. They don’t belong in this sacred city basking in the Red Dragon’s light. They’re Isthalia’s shame!"

The Imperial citizens’ harsh comments were cutting.

These "useless ones" had a terrible reputation in Isthalia. As Starfallers, they had no homes and often just lay around anywhere, ruining the city’s appearance.

Whenever job or quest announcements came up, Starfallers would swarm the area and snatch jobs from locals by working for low pay.

Worse still, Starfallers never seemed to rest, their numbers ever-growing, greatly affecting daily life in Isthalia.

As a result, angry citizens held marches under banners like "Expel the Useless Ones" and "Clean Up Isthalia."

They even proposed a "Deport New Starfallers" bill in the Citizen Assembly. But after fierce debate, the matter was shelved.

The "Starfaller problem" remained unresolved and was only getting worse.

Hearing the citizens’ rising outrage, Mantou, disguised as a local, felt uneasy. He quietly asked, "What’s going on? Why are all these newbie players gathered here?"

Singo pointed to a door engraved with the Ember crest in the distance: "That’s the second official Imperial shop in town. They’re selling [Cassius’ Secret Treasures]."

Hearing the words "Cassius’ Secret Treasures," Mantou’s face darkened with bitter memories.

"Damn it... People still buy that scammy garbage?"

Singo grinned mischievously: "Not only do they buy it, they cleaned out the whole shop. These boxes can drop rare gear now. One good pull and you’re set for life. A lot of newbies grind day and night just to gamble on these. Most lose everything."

Watching the excited crowd, Mantou shook his head. "Tsk tsk. Poor newbies. Haven’t been crushed by evil devs yet."

"He’s opening it!"

"This is Otter Bro’s seventh box! Total whale!"

Loud chatter came from ahead. Even Mantou grew curious.

He climbed onto Noodles’ back and saw the famous streamer "Big Otter" surrounded by a crowd.

But Otter looked flushed and tense, staring at the box with a familiar grim expression.

He rested his hand on the last box like a death row inmate and slowly closed his eyes.

"Time to witness a miracle!"

"Hahaha, Otter’s a born loser!"

The crowd erupted with jeers and cheers.

Otter roared and flung open the box lid. "Damn you, devs! GIVE ME LOOT!"

"Clank—"

A blinding white light flashed. A stinky pair of pants lay inside.

Otter collapsed to his knees, eyes vacant, muttering.

"I saved gold for three months..."

[Kobold’s Stinky Pants]

"No way? That’s the legendary Loser Set?"

"Only Otter Bro could pull a collector’s item like this!"

"Getting a white item now? He’s basically a god in his own right!"

Another newbie lost their dreams.

Seeing the all-too-familiar scene from Noodles’ back, Mantou chuckled, then sighed in mock sorrow:

"Posterity shall weep but learn not. So shall future generations mourn again. Alas, what a tragic tale again—"

But inside, he was already thinking: New content material secured!

Singo said impatiently, "Alright, quit gawking. Go claim your bounty. We have important business."

Feeling sorry for Otter, Mantou dismounted and continued toward the office.

The Imperial Office was still swarming with people, mostly bored players in beginner gear.

"So many people..."

Mantou couldn’t help but comment.

He went to the task desk and handed the bloody sack to a tiefling receptionist.

"Here. The head of the frost giant slave who started the riot."

She opened the bag and frowned slightly. "Sorry, Lord Viscount.

According to Imperial rules, frost giants who awaken Eternal Frost power must be delivered whole to the Magic Ministry.

Since you damaged the body, by standard policy... I can only give you half the reward."

She smiled apologetically. "You could’ve just submitted a magical recording instead."

"Damn it."

Mantou, nearly in tears, took the five gold coins and slapped himself.

Why the hell did he have to chop that head off!

Watching the receptionist take back half the bounty, Mantou clenched his now-light pouch and swore to make up for the loss.

"Damn it, I need to take more quests and earn that gold back!"

Just then, Singo’s mocking voice came from beside him.

"Heh, you think there’s any left?"

"What?"

Mantou looked at the quest board and was shocked to see only a few tasks remaining.

Any new task was snatched up instantly by players crowding the counter, with more still queuing behind.

Luckily, some tasks had level restrictions, giving Mantou a chance to grab one under the hungry eyes of hundreds.

Singo patted him on the shoulder. "Mantou, haven’t you noticed? There are way too many players in the Empire."

"Yeah."

Looking at the overcrowded hall, Mantou nodded in agreement.

Singo added, "According to official data, "Erezaghe" had 11 million active players as of yesterday.

Of those, 3 million picked the Anzeta Wasteland—the Ember Empire—as their starting zone. But the Empire only has 8 million NPCs."

"And a large portion of those players chose Isthalia, the city of gold and opportunity."

Watching players fight over tasks like locusts, Mantou muttered, "If this goes on, Isthalia’s resources won’t be enough. Damn, 3 million players—that’s more than the NPC population."

Singo adjusted his glasses. "Conflicts between locals and players are nearing a tipping point. Internal sources say the Empire will soon implement policies to restrict entry of these ’useless ones.’"

Mantou cheered and clapped. "Yes! Finally limiting the newbies! Isthalia needs pros like me."

Singo wagged a finger and sneered. "Don’t celebrate yet. More players are joining "Erezaghe" every day. The Empire’s pie only gets smaller."

Mantou panicked. "Then what do we do?"

Singo smiled cryptically. "You’ll see. Come with me."

Mantou stabled Noodles at the Crimson Scale Garrison and followed Singo to a new place.

Stained glass windows, medieval architecture, glowing runes—this was [Magical Coin] Guild HQ, the Magic Office.

Inside, they dropped their disguises and returned to their real appearances.

A flying witch nearby perked up. "You’re finally here. The Guildmaster’s been waiting for you."

After greeting the receptionist, the two followed the witch to an elevator in the hall.

"Vmmm—"

A magic circle beneath their feet glowed blue.

Mantou looked down. "Whoa, Permanent Gravity Spell! Your Magical Coin crew is loaded, using this stuff for elevators?"

The witch scratched her head. "We told the Guildmaster to install stairs, but he wouldn’t listen. He said the most important thing for a wizard is one word—flair."

Even Singo nodded. "Your Guildmaster really is the #1 spender in Erezaghe."

Moments later, the gravity spell lifted them seven floors to the Magic Office’s top level.

After walking past halls filled with oil paintings, they reached the conference room door.

A statue atop the door stirred, slowly opening its eyes and mouth, speaking in a low, calm voice.

"Guests."

"Greetings."

"Please enter."

Mantou eyed the talking statue. "This door’s kinda fun."

"Enter, you ugly humans."

Mantou snapped, shouting, "Watch it, you tasteless rock! Who are you calling ugly?!"

"Boom—"

The door opened before the statue finished. Charlotte, dressed in ornate robes and wielding a mithril staff, greeted them cheerfully.

"Hahaha! You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you two."

"This many people?"

Mantou looked in and saw over a hundred players—many familiar faces, including Born Battle Maniac and Summer Night Autumn Rain.

Singo declared proudly, "Now do you get why I brought you? Everyone here is top-tier."

Mantou stood proudly. "Told you I was a pro."

"..."

Without a reply, Mantou waved. "Yo, Battle Maniac Bro! Long time no see!"

Born Battle Maniac rubbed his shiny bald head and greeted back. "Not bad. You even made Viscount."

Mantou asked, "Why’d Charlotte gather so many people?"

Summer Night Autumn Rain turned and smiled. "For their specialty."

"What specialty?"

"Double agent."

Charlotte unrolled a scroll and addressed the room mysteriously: "Everyone—

Look here! The Empire’s latest event: The Thrace Infiltration Mission! Grand release!

Want wealth? Magic scrolls? Contribution and experience points? Then join us in the south and become the Empire’s glorious infiltrators!"

"Well damn."

Watching Charlotte beam, Mantou was stunned.

So this was a mage’s sense of flair?

Impressive. He actually made being a traitor sound so noble.

As Charlotte finished, a translucent quest window appeared before Mantou.

[Hidden Hero]

Issuer: Ember Empire

Requirements: Any class at level 8

Quest Description: The once-holy Kingdom of Fadlan has fallen. Three kings now battle savagely for power across the vast Feianso continent. Its people suffer, displaced and devastated by war.

The great and compassionate His Majesty Cassius cannot bear to see them suffer. He has decided to intervene and end this calamity.

And you, warriors of the Empire, shall be the vanguard. Infiltrate the Kingdom of Thrace. Become the Hidden Heroes of the Ember Empire.