Game: Civilization Paradise

Time passed quickly, and the sky gradually darkened.

Long Ming led Xiaoqi and the others to the northern entrance of the base city’s inner wall.

Numerous players from guilds like the Moon Wave Guild and the Starlight Guild were gathered here. The scene was incredibly lively, with everyone chatting and laughing.

"Xiao Li, you guys are here too? Aren’t you going to keep searching in the city?"

"We’re done searching. We plan to go up to the observatory and take a picture as a souvenir."

"Great idea. It’s not every day we get to come in here. Might as well take the opportunity to snap a photo. We’ll have bragging rights when we get out!"

"Hehe, that’s exactly what I was thinking."

"Then let’s go together later."

"Sure. Here, try this cigarette. I brought it back from Roke World!"

"I’ve heard of that world. It’s a primeval forest world, isn’t it? The cigars produced there are fetching sky-high prices these days."

"Exactly. I found a box myself once. I listed it on the market immediately and made a whole month’s salary!"

"That’s absolutely incredible!"

...

Long Ming glanced around the area. They were all allies.

The armband insignias worn by these guild players were all single stars of different colors.

The All Stars Guild players guarding the entrance to the inner wall, however, wore armbands with seven stars.

The symbols of the seven subsidiary guilds combined to represent the All Stars Guild.

"Wow, they’re all on our side."

Cloud Fish exclaimed excitedly.

"Looks like getting up to the observatory is going to be a breeze."

Xiaoqi was in high spirits as well. It had been a long time since he’d run such an easy dungeon.

Just then, a heavyset man wearing thick body armor, a military helmet, and sporting a small mustache walked before the crowd with a few of his subordinates. His armband displayed a single green star, and he spoke in a deep voice.

"Quiet down, all of you!"

The noisy crowd immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned to the man.

"Who is that?"

Long Ming asked Xiaoqi in a hushed, curious tone.

"Xiao Qiu, the guild master of the Starlight Guild."

Xiaoqi explained in a low voice to Long Ming.

"Everyone here is either a member of my Starlight Guild or one of the other subsidiary guilds of the All Stars Guild. In a way, that makes us all one big family, so listen up."

Xiao Qiu said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Yes, sir!"

The Starlight Guild players quickly responded.

Although Long Ming and his group didn’t reply, they pricked up their ears to listen.

"It’s fine if you want to go to the observatory, but let me get the ugly part out of the way first. Rule one: no acting on your own. Lord Qian Wei has set the time. We go upstairs at 2:00 a.m. sharp. You will follow the main group up the stairs, where professionals will guide you. Once you’re up there, no crowding. Everyone must line up. There will be no loud noise, and no using lighting equipment. That especially applies to things like flares. Anyone who messes around will face the consequences alone."

Xiao Qiu warned the crowd.

"Understood."

The crowd replied in unison.

"Second, and this is the most important point. After you get to the observatory, you can take whatever you like, but do not go near the central control room or the main hall. Absolutely no one is to steal the quest—that is for Lord Qian Wei to complete. If any of you dares to steal Lord Qian Wei’s quest, I don’t care who you are, you’ll be kicked out of the guild!"

Xiao Qiu warned everyone sternly.

"Yes, sir."

The crowd hurriedly replied.

After issuing his warning, Xiao Qiu swaggered away with his men in tow.

"Geez, I don’t think Lord Xiao Qiu needed to say that last part. Who the hell is tired of living and would try to steal Lord Qian Wei’s quest?"

"Exactly. Lord Qian Wei is the City Lord’s grandson, after all."

"You can’t be too sure. There are plenty of idiots out there these days. What if someone really does have a death wish?"

"Haha, true that."

...

Long Ming and his group listened to the others’ chatter as they found a spot to sit and wait patiently for the time to pass.

---------

「Outside the Observatory Base City, in a dense forest.」

Inconspicuous-looking players quickly gathered from all directions.

They respectfully bowed to Farina and a man with graying temples, dark spots on his face, and deep-set eyes. He wore a magnificent gray-black robe, and his very bearing exuded majesty.

This man was none other than Elder Fakam, one of the seven five-star elders of Star Tower City.

"Lord Fakam, it’s about time. Those people from the All Stars Guild are on the move."

"Excellent. Now, allow me to teach those fools from the All Stars Guild a lesson. I’ll show them what true, top-tier strategy looks like. Victory isn’t guaranteed just because you have greater numbers."

Fakam declared with immense self-satisfaction.

"You are absolutely right, Lord Fakam."

"Today, I’ll show them what it means to win against a superior force. I’ve been preparing for this moment for a long time, smuggling in and hiding a large stash of weapons and mortars from this and other dungeons."

"Lord Fakam, you truly are worthy of your reputation as a master strategist to have devised such an ingenious plan!"

Farina said with respectful flattery.

"Haha! This time, I’ll make the All Stars Guild lose all face before the entire world! Everyone will witness the power of our Star God Guild! Gefens!"

Elder Fakam called out excitedly.

"Here!"

A man with intricate, sacred tattoos branded on his neck and a cold expression on his face stepped forward and bowed to Elder Fakam.

"The success of tonight’s operation hinges on the flawless execution of your next move. I want you to silently eliminate the All Stars Guild’s hidden sentries at the four bridges, no matter the cost."

"Yes, sir!"

Gefens turned his head to look at his subordinates.

In unison, his subordinates all took out black cloths and masked their faces.

They used this as a marker to identify one another as friendlies.

...

「3:55 a.m.」

「Southern Elevator.」

Qian Lan said cheerfully to Qian Wei,

"Looks like I made the right call coming in here with you. I’ll be able to complete the safe quest effortlessly."

"Don’t say that. We’re all family; it’s only natural that we help each other."

Qian Wei replied with a smile.

"Alright."

Qian Lan replied with a smile.

Just then, Gao Feng stepped forward and said respectfully to Qian Wei,

"Young Master, it’s almost time."

"Mm."

Qian Wei gave a composed nod.

Gao Feng immediately understood. He picked up a wireless communicator, activated it, and issued the command.

"Begin the operation!"

As the command was issued, the All Stars Guild players guarding the four elevators began to cross the inner wall.

Qian Wei and his group followed them.

Seeing the All Stars Guild guards on the move, the players waiting in the rear shouted excitedly.

"It’s starting!"

"Hurry, let’s keep up!"

...

「Northern Elevator.」

Upon receiving the command, Xiao Qiu also led the way inside.

Seeing this, Long Ming said to Xiaoqi and the others,

"Let’s go. We’ll follow them."

"Right!"

Xiaoqi and the others scrambled to their feet.

Soon, Long Ming and the others followed the main force across the inner wall, arriving at the base of the elevator.