Adventure World Online (AWO)

Chang Long's attempt to draw the attention of the AI defenders at the fortress proved highly effective. The AI forces rushed to the front gate, maintaining a vigilant watch. They recognized Chang Long as a dangerous adversary not to be underestimated, even though her group only numbered fifty. Smiling at her success, Chang Long noticed some members of the vanguard sneaking off to signal their hidden allies for the upcoming assault.

"Kid, you're quite something. Fine, I'll give you and your friends a warm welcome. If you can take down all my subordinates, then we'll meet."

The AI commander declared with a commanding voice before disappearing into the darkness behind the fortress walls. As the commander vanished, the fortress gates opened, and waves of AI soldiers poured out like a swarm of ants. Crown and his comrades widened their eyes in shock at how well Chang Long's strategy worked. Drawing their weapons, they prepared for the onslaught while Devi-chan, Hisa-chan, and Alice-chan eagerly positioned themselves at the forefront, ready for battle with the AIs. Azlam and Ackeran, meanwhile, hesitated, unsure whether to join the fight or continue contemplating the strange phenomenon of their restored forms.

The battle at the gates was fierce. The enthusiasm of Chang Long's spectral allies inspired Crown's friends, filling them with courage. Meanwhile, the remaining forces infiltrated blind spots within the fortress to launch surprise attacks from within. As the players pressured the AI soldiers to retreat into the fortress, Chang Long deactivated the Spirit Realm skill. Drawing her Sovereign Sword, she charged forward with her allies into the fortress. Inside, the players dispersed to attack key areas like the armory, supply depots, and barracks. Those with pets unleashed them to wreak havoc, revealing that many guild members possessed evolved creatures.

"So this is what they call war," Chang Long mused aloud while fighting. Her Sovereign Sword swung in perfect harmony with her intentions, cutting through enemies with precision. Little Jade, apparently awakened from her slumber by the noise, expanded to her full size and surveyed the chaotic scene with confusion. Her sudden appearance left players and AI alike staring at Little Jade in stunned silence. The system then announced for all to know that Little Jade was a level 145 Jade Fang Dragon Beast King.

"What is this, Chang Long?"

Little Jade asked uncertainly, her booming voice startling both players and their pets. Many stared at Little Jade and Chang Long in bewilderment, wondering why an untamed beast seemed so amicable with a human.

"Uh, it's a war. Want to help?"

Chang Long offered, though the renewed AI attacks quickly resumed, targeting Chang Long's group as they identified the dragon's allegiance.

"Chang Long, is that dragon yours?" Crown asked excitedly while fending off AI soldiers.

"Not exactly. We just have a minor bond,"

Chang Long replied, narrowly dodging a longsword aimed at her neck.

"I don't accept requests to harm humans,"

Little Jade declared firmly, shattering Crown's brilliant dream with the statement.

"Hurry back into bracelet form then."

Chang Long spoke with a smile. Little Jade nodded, coiling herself neatly back around Chang Long's arm.

Turning to Crown, Chang Long added with a playful grin, "Better luck next time." Crown could only nod in disappointment.

BOOM!!

An explosion erupted from the armory. The sound startled both the AI soldiers and their commander, who emerged from the tower to investigate. Upon seeing the obliterated armory, the AI commander cursed furiously, his eyes burning with rage as he scanned the players below. To his shock, he realized there were far more players than he initially anticipated—at least four times as many. Worse yet, the player he had underestimated earlier had not been defeated. His gaze lingered on Chang Long, perplexed. A player of her level should not be able to handle even two AI soldiers simultaneously, yet Chang Long was dodging attacks with precision and striking back with impressive force.

"Is that brat really just level 15? Why is her combat skill so advanced? Could it be... no, impossible. To attain high-level fundamental skills requires rigorous self-training and a level of at least 100. There's no way she could have reached that place... not with her level. It's simply impossible to pass through the beasts in Dragon's Maw Valley! You. Tell the soldiers to keep that brat occupied for me. I think I'll come down and have a little fun myself. "

The AI commander turned to one of his soldiers. The soldier nodded and descended from the tower, following the order.

"See? Chang Long doesn't look like she's struggling at all,"

Duncan pointed out to a female guildmate, nodding toward Chang Long, who was fighting fiercely nearby.

"True. It's strange, though. Chang Long's level is 15, yet she fights like someone between levels 40 and 50. Even if her dodges are just barely successful, she still manages to evade the attack. And her attacks are strong plus, her combat stance shows experience."

The woman's voice was still laced with curiosity and doubt.

"Chang Long is always like this—unpredictable,"

Duncan replied with a smile. He glanced at Chang Long, admiration evident in his eyes. Despite knowing her for only a short time, Duncan felt he had come to understand the kind of person she was.

"You seem to admire her a lot. Or are you interested in her?"

The woman narrowed her eyes at him.

"What? No way. I don't think of Chang Long like that. Besides, the person she's meant for wouldn't let me."

Duncan denied it quickly. As he spoke, he swung his long knife to intercept an AI soldier attempting to sneak up behind his guildmate.

"Wait, Chang Long has a boyfriend?"

The woman asked, wide-eyed, after finishing off the AI soldier Duncan had weakened, turning them in to white light that dissipated.

"I don't know if they're officially together yet, but it's obvious they like each other. Chang Long is pretty oblivious to feelings, though, and Siegfried gets all shy around her. At this rate, they might not even make it official until their next life, haha. Whoa!"

"Hey. Could you guys keep the gossip down? If you're so free, come help out. It's getting a bit tight over here, you know. Don't forget, Master Chang Long is only level 15."

Chang Long shot a glare at Duncan after sending an AI soldier flying his way with a powerful strike.

"Y... you've got sharp ears,"

Duncan muttered under his breath as he rushed to assist Chang Long, who was now surrounded by four AI soldiers.

In truth, Chang Long did not have particularly sharp hearing. The secret lay in her invisible spirits, one of whom had overheard Duncan and the guildmate's earlier conversation. Alice-chan, in particular, seemed amused by Duncan's comment about needing to wait until the next life for Chang Long and Siegfried to finally become a couple.

.....

Meanwhile, Demos and Siegfried stood face-to-face once again. This time, however, Siegfried's demeanor was far calmer. After logging back in following an hour-long break, Demos was baffled by the serene smile on Siegfried's face. It was as if the man in front of him had turned in to somebody else entirely. Even more surprising was Siegfried's proposal for their two guilds to join forces to raid the mine—a suggestion that left Demos, who was usually the one to manipulate and provoke others, utterly stunned.

"Wait, is Guild Leader Siegfried really going to team up with Demos?"

Killer asked in confusion. After all, just an hour ago, Siegfried had seemed ready to charge at Demos with murderous intent. Now, he appeared relaxed—one might even say cheerful.

"Yes, I think it's the best course of action. Fighting Demos and his guild would cause us heavy losses before the raid, and there's no guarantee we'd win. Even if we did, we wouldn't have enough strength left to secure the mine afterward."

Siegfried gave answers to the assassin's question.

"But it's risky. You know Demos can't be trusted." Draco argued, his voice laced with concern.

"It's not as risky as it seems. I've been studying the mine system. See that empty area a bit away from the mining zone?"

Siegfried pointed, and his companions nodded in acknowledgment. So, he clarified,

"That's where the system allows players to build a smelting facility. Owning such facilities is the real reward. The mines themselves are public and can't be owned outright. The competition is about planting flags in as many mining areas as possible. The more flags we plant, the more smelting facilities we're allowed to construct. These facilities generate income for us—not the mines themselves, which many players misunderstand."

"Whoa, so that's how it works. But how do we profit from smelting facilities? Don't we have to buy them from the system at an insane cost!"

Killer's eyes widened as he voiced his question.

"That's exactly the point. They're forcing the player to take control over the mine in order to gain the right to buy the facilities. Only players who control a mining area can purchase and construct smelting facilities. However, these facilities refine raw ore into pure materials, similar to how gems are unsealed in the game. The key difference is that smelting facilities can process materials in bulk. Players who need these refined ores will inevitably rely on our services."

Oliang explained while Siegfried and Wet Trash Can nodded in agreement.

"Also, the exorbitantly priced smelting facilities aren't just a one-time purchase. When we encounter higher-tier ores, we'll have to upgrade the smelting facility to match,"

Siegfried added.

"Wait. Doesn't that mean the people with the right to build smelting facilities could gouge prices for refined ores? That feels like it would force other players into an unfair situation."

Valentine interjected, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

"It's not possible to set the market price. The game has market mechanisms in place to prevent that. While we can charge players for using our smelting facilities, the prices aren't set arbitrarily. The market system determines the rates for each type of ore. Plus, a mining area isn't restricted to just one smelting facility or owner. Players can choose which smelting facility they want to use. If our prices are too high, they'll simply go elsewhere."

Aden explained to his puzzled friends, who agree that it should be this way. If the game did not impose mechanisms to regulate facility owners,those player would likely hike up service princes, making the game unplayable. This would significantly reduce the fun of playing.

"So we still have to compete with them, don't we?"

Peach Blossom grumbled, pouting as she gestured toward Demos, who was lounging under a tree, humming a tune while waiting for his subordinates.

"Exactly. Even if we say we're cooperating, it's still a competition. We can't underestimate them, especially since Demos is as unpredictable as Chang Long."

Siegfried said, his tone warning.

"Right? You still don't know how she feels about you, hehe,"

Draco teased, earning curious glances from Phiros, Feather, Destiny, Killer, and Murder, who were unaware of Siegfried and Chang Long's relationship.

"Shut up. At least I know something good that you don't."

Siegfried's declaration left his companions wide-eyed, especially Peach Blossom, who was clearly dying of curiosity. However, no matter how much she pestered him, Siegfried refused to divulge, responding only with a faint smile and feigned indifference.

"Spill it, Sieg, or I swear I'll go dig up worms right now!"

Peach Blossom threatened in mock frustration.

"If you do that, you'll never find out what I know!"

Siegfried shot back sternly.

"And another thing—I won't help you if you get into trouble during the mine raid."

"Oh, please. You'd never dare. Besides, even if you won't, someone else will,"

Peach Blossom retorted, her voice rising enough to catch Demos's attention.

"Don't forget, I'm the guild leader. The others follow my orders."

He added another threat,

"You said you wanted to avenge Chang Long, right? Why not face that guy one-on-one? I'll make sure no one intervenes."

"Sieg!"

Peach Blossom raised her voice at her brother, clearly annoyed, before dramatically turning her head away. Unfortunately, her movement directed her gaze straight toward Demos, who was watching her curiously. Feeling flustered, she huffed and turned away in another direction, leaving Demos furrowing his brows in confusion.

.....

A system announcement echoed across all islands, declaring the discovery of the final Pirate King's secret tomb. Players erupted in excitement, while others groaned in disappointment. One group, however, rejoiced wholeheartedly—the Dark Horse Guild. Their leader had managed to salvage their guild's crisis.

The guild master strode back into the guild's command center with an air of confidence, greeted by thunderous applause from guild members and AI citizens of Longshan City. A modest celebration was quickly organized, funded by small contributions from guild members to honor their leader's accomplishment. Aswa felt deeply moved and grateful for his guild members' support. He resolved to repay them by restoring the Dark Horse Guild to its former glory.

"Guild Master, I remember that while we were trying to find the treasure room, the system announced someone had discovered the secret tomb of the Pirate King. Doesn't that mean all seven heirs have been found now?"

Rose posed the question with a shiver, recalling the harrowing experience of her own death in the Pirate King's secret tomb.

"That's true. But the system hasn't made any follow-up announcements. Maybe there are still only six heirs?"

Merlin's Top Protege chimed in thoughtfully. His reasoning made sense. If all seven heirs of the Pirate Kings had been identified, the system would likely announce it to let players know the search was over. More importantly, the game should also declare the date for the decisive battle between the seven heirs.

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