Chapter 163: Unfortunate
Chapter 163: Unfortunate
The goblin continued, "I won't waste time with unnecessary chatter. The Virtual Channel we've discovered is Level 2. Its maximum mana capacity is equal to that of a fully extended Two-Winged Gold sorcerer, so you can see this isn't a national war. It's merely a low-intensity hunting festival."This operation requires teams of five. You may form them freely, or we can assign them randomly. Don't interrupt me, let me finish. The reason for five-person teams is the Moonshadow Priests. They will bestow the Blood Moon Blessing upon you.
"The blessing applies to each team and grants over a dozen powerful effects, including forced march, ghost form, extreme enhancement, self-healing, hardening, mental resistance, light feather suspension, and more. Most importantly, it links the lives of your team members for forty-eight hours. If anyone does not wish to receive the Blood Moon Blessing, raise your hand now."
Some adventurers had initially raised objections when the Blood Moon Blessing was first mentioned. However, they quickly fell silent once its effects were explained. Even Ashe felt tempted. The multiple buffs were impressive, but it was the Life Link that no one could resist.
During the 422 Incident, healers had used this Miracle to save hundreds of lives. It had become so well-known that Ashe could easily access detailed records of it on the Curtain.
As the name implied, the Miracle connected the life force of a group. Fifty healthy individuals linked with fifty injured ones would continuously channel vitality into the wounded, granting rapid recovery. As long as the link persisted, even fatal wounds could not claim their lives. It was like locking in the very last drop of life.
When healers were in short supply, the Miracle could save countless lives and buy precious time for emergency treatment. On an adventuring team, it functioned as the ultimate safeguard. Because the effect was passive, teammates were compelled to channel their life energy, regardless of how unwilling they were. Even the most selfish adventurers would not refuse an extra layer of protection.
Seeing that no hands were raised, the goblin continued, "Once I finish speaking, free team formation will begin. Those who refuse will be assigned to random teams. One thing to note, the random teams will enter the channel first, ahead of the self-formed teams."
Ashe's eyes narrowed. He quickly figured out that the randomly assigned teams were effectively cannon fodder.
The channel might have been confirmed complete, but more than a day had passed since the "Rabbit" returned. No one could predict what awaited on the other side. Under these circumstances, the disorganized nature of the randomly assigned teams made them far better candidates to act as scouts, clearing the way for the coordinated teams. The Life Link was essentially designed to help them survive longer, buying precious time for the adventurers who followed.
The goblin continued calmly, "Of course, teams entering first receive extra rewards. The first three batches will consist of random teams, with each batch comprising five teams and a three-minute interval between them. The first batch earns 300 Vanguard Merit Points, the second 200, and the third 100. Additionally, the first team in each batch receives a bonus: 80% for first, 50% for second, 30% for third, 10% for fourth, and 0% for fifth."
In other words, the first team of the first batch could earn 540 points. The incentive was immense, but only if they survived.
Ashe didn't know much about the zone's economy, but the audible gasps from nearby adventurers made it clear that 540 points carried substantial purchasing power.
One adventurer raised a hand. "Can a self-formed team join one of the random batches?"
"We don't mind," the goblin replied lightly, gesturing to the tents beside the main platform. "There are three rows of tents to my left. Facing the platform, the first row represents the first batch, and the first tent on the left corresponds to the first team.
Standing before the group of hardened adventurers, the goblin remained calm, like a shepherd among sheep. He adjusted his glasses and added, "The blessings begin at 11:15. I expect to see five people seated in each tent by then. Now, team formation begins. And remember, no one is to die during this process."
With that, he stepped down from the platform and moved toward the largest tent. During that time, no one dared make a move. Some even instinctively made way for him. Power alone could intimidate, but it was authority that commanded respect.
The moment he went inside, chaos erupted. A sorcerer smashed a long table and pulled a hand cannon from a crate. Gunfire roared like thunder, and several adventuring teams immediately exchanged volleys.
The operation hadn't even begun before the adventurers started squabbling over positions.
Their goal was obvious: to be the first team of the first batch and claim 540 Vanguard Merit Points.
The reasoning behind it was straightforward. All three batches faced danger, but the difference lay in their positions. The teams entering first would draw the most attention, making survival slightly harder, while those following would face lower risk but fewer rewards. Should an ambush lie at the far end of the channel, every batch would have to fight just to survive. However, in the case where there was no ambush, the first team of the first batch would reap the greatest rewards.
Anyone bold enough to be an adventurer was already a high-stakes gambler, addicted to risk and incapable of tolerating ordinary work. With rewards this tempting, how could they not go all in? Naturally, they fought fiercely, each vying for the right to gamble with their lives.
As the adventuring teams clashed, the true lone wolves slipped into the tents to form their teams. Unlike the others, Ashe had no intention of returning to the Blood Moon Kingdom. The faster he moved, the better. After a moment of thought, he decisively headed for the fifth tent of the first row.
The fifth team of the first batch was by far the riskiest and least rewarding position. Its danger was almost equal to that of the first team, yet the rewards were far lower. Anyone with even a bit of sense would avoid this position.
For Ashe, however, it was perfect. The first batch offered the quickest exit, and being in the fifth team allowed him to let the four teams ahead draw all the attention while he searched for a chance to slip through unnoticed and leave the Blood Moon Festival as quickly as possible.
Yet when Ashe lifted the tent flap, four people were already inside.
Three long benches filled the space. On the right bench sat two masked figures. The taller one casually filed his nails, while the skinnier one had his hands in his pockets. The faint clinking noise of steel balls colliding with each other could be heard from within.
The middle bench held another masked figure with curly hair and dark skin, tearing open a Snow White candy wrapper and slipping the Moon Candy into his mask. On the left bench lounged a masked figure with a lazy posture. Seeing Ashe enter, he narrowed his fox-like eyes slightly, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Ashe instinctively tried to back out. "Sorry, I think I took a wrong turn—"
Before Ashe could finish, a hand clamped down on his wrist. When he tried to pull away, the familiar voice froze him in place. "Don't forget, you still owe me a wish, my dear cult leader."
Iger pulled Ashe fully into the tent. He lifted his mask, revealing a face that practically glowed with delight. "Perfect timing! Right when I needed a bait, you just happened to stumble right into me. This is..."
Ashe sighed. "Really unfortunate."