Chapter 166: Planning

The battle ended and silence filled the whole area as we watch the whole base of the Serpent union crumble down. It was a sight to behold.

The cries of the people we once heard were deafening, horrific and were simply too much for a normal human to handle. I could see Helga grasping her hands as she watches the whole base burn.

One could think about the three of us, 'is this truly something that you have to do? Kill people?' but the reply I could think of, 'is this truly something you have to do? Kill animals to eat?'

All those people once had a family, a child, a friend, a wife, a husband, a childhood, someone special, someone beloved. But the last thing they saw was the violent flames which resides in hell. But not one ache was felt in my non-existent heart.

It's the same with Herold. We watched as everything burnt with a blank face.

Even though I wanted to puke or let out tears, I simply can't. Because I don't feel anything.

"Heh." I let out a single chuckle because I knew myself that I've stopped being human. Killing humans has become a second nature to me. This just completely shows how much I stopped becoming human both body and in mind. "Let's go?"

"...Yeah." Herold replied.

"I'm sorry about the fight, I didn't do much." Helga said randomly.

"No you did plenty." I replied. "Those barriers were on point. I guess the only thing you need to focus for now is your reaction time. There are some times that you could've casted your barrier."

"Ye- yes! Thanks for your guidance."

"Alright. Before we go, what do we do now Herold?" I looked at him.

"Lure the Serpent union out. As we saw here, their underlings are pretty weak. But incredibly strong for the non players." Herold replied.

"So... what do you have in mind?"

"We're just going to invade small bases then I'm sure that they'll come to us. Probably."

"Man we're going to kill more people..." Even though I didn't feel anything, I know it was wrong.

"It's a must. And we're not going to kill some random people. We're just going to kill the other players."

"..." I couldn't say anything. Because I know that is something that we have to do.

"We're not fighting for peace right now, we're fighting to just survive. After that, then it's peace."

"Yeah..."

"So for now lay low. Anyway I got a new skill I picked up from one of the stores called Message. I can contact you whenever I can now. It acts like the Telepathy skill but I can't pass skills over to you."

"Alright. I'll be waiting for you to contact us."

"So long."

We seperated into our own ways and Helga and I went back to Izgoy. All of them were happy to see our return. I went back to my drawing board, in my chambers to think of other ways to improve and get stronger.

After thinking for a while I called over Precia, Yefa and Greta.

I was the one to ask the questions, "How's the new three members? Neco, Feran and Helga?"

Precia was the one to reply, "Neco is raiding some open dungeons by himself about twenty levels below him, Feran and Helga aren't doing anything."

"Hmm... I see. The three of you will be handling all the Serpent union's bases."

"..?" The three of them looked at me puzzled.

"I forgot that you weren't in. Well here's the gist of it."

I told them all the things that the Serpent union were known for, controlling kingdoms, killing the non players, the curses, their goal and motive and everything we currently know as of now. They all took it well so I don't have to prove to them what I'm saying is correct.

"So that's why the three of you will be the one leading the missions for now. Just exterminate anything you see that resembles the serpent union." I explained. "That's all. Leave me be for now. I have something to think about."

The three of them wanted to ask more details but they all left silently. It seems that I need to do more to not let them worry about me like that.

I spent the next four hours reading the reports of everyone about everything.

The training grounds made by Afal gave me a handwritten ten page essay talking about literally everything. Who was a failure as he called it, who has potential and all other things. He also listed the technique he

Next up I called Zeta. "Hey." I called out to him.

"Need something?" He asked.

"Yeah. You go buy some things for me."

"I can do that but can't you just order some of the people below?"

"Yeah. But you have to do other things than buying that."

"I see. Then what is it?"

"You'll gather intel about the serpent union. You will go on all the non player led kingdoms and ask around about the Serpent union. I still haven't told you about them right? Then-" I told Zeta everything to know about the Serpent union."That's why I'll leave this up to you. This will be a tough mission since you'll be going alone."

"I can manage. But... how long will this be?"

"Until Herold contacts which will be just a few weeks."

"...I see." It seems that he's worrying about not having to meet Greta. I can't say to him that I notice this but I'll just do my best to remember that. I guess I need to let them go someday somewhere and somehow. We can't possibly bring him with us anymore if they ever go to have a private life to the two of them. But that future seems so close right now. I'll just have to use them to my disposal while they're still useful and needed.

"So your goal right now is to act as a merchant. You will need to buy that merchant badge or something from one of the cities. Buy all the food and wheat you can since you'll be bringing it back to us too alright? But your focus is to gather intel as much as you can. Just lay low. Since you're a merchant you'll definitely meeting some bandits on your way so dispose of any enemy as silent as possible. Also, Herold got a Message skill from one of the skill stores. It basically acts like Telepathy but you can't pass skills and such. Just basic communication. So buy one to communicate with me and Neco. Tell Neco everything about the serpent union."

"Oh I already got that skill. It's just a basic one."

"Alright then. Just contact me whenever you can. Call for Afal and Neco here. You may leave."

"Got it."

Zeta left the room and brought Neco and Afal.

It seems that he had to locate Neco since he's been in dungeons seeing how his whole body was dirty from the raids he did.

"You're dirtying the carpet Neco..." I let out an exasperated sigh and then casted, "Bubble Cage!" Water came out of my hands and encaged Neco in a circular water bubble. It was an unexpected skill by me so I forgot that he needs to breath. I controlled the spell just as Zeta told me and let him breathe out by opening up a small hole for his head to be free.

"UGUAH!" Neco rose up and popped his head for everyone to see. "That was sudden!"

"You're gonna dirty the carpet. Dispel!" The water bubble exploded and Neco fell on the ground. Cleaning everything on his dirty clothes. "This is just a temporary measure to clean you. Go take a shower. Anyway, I'm going to put you two in a mission. For Neco, what level are you?"

"Level 83."

"That's acceptable. You've been farming low level dungeons so that level is acceptable. You will be contacted by Zeta about the Serpent union. Here's everything I know about them-" I told them all about I know and they understood what I was planning. "Zeta will send you all the enemies that he can't kill directly so Neco, I will leave it up to you for the assassination to kill all those Serpent union members. DON'T SHOW MERCY."

"G- got it."

"Alright, Afal for you, you will need to bring me about fifty people. Fifty people whose talents in combat are outstanding. They need to be strong enough like around level 30-40 that are talented. We need those fifty people to defend Izgoy while we are gone. That's why you'll need to set up a special course for those who you select. If they decline, then do not force them to. I repeat Afal, do not force them to."

"I will remember that my lord." Afal replied.

"We just saved them but they are no way indebted to us. Alright, carry out the mission. I expect to see results."