Chapter 152 - Real

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

It was a long expedition.

20,000 players of the City of Dawn decided to follow William into battle.

As for the remaining 30,000 players, some were addicted to killing Orcs while the rest preferred to stay in the city to ogle at the women. They did not care about the main plot…

William assigned the main plot mission according to the mission that he had received.

[Battle of Light: In this battle of righteousness against evil, the Dawn Mercenary Team shall assist the Black Lava Nation to attack Iron Nation.

The victorious will rule while the defeated become slaves. Kill the enemies for our own sake. Conquer Iron Nation within a year.]

[Mission Level: S-]

[Mission Introduction: NPCs will upgrade their levels after killing you. Do not die recklessly!]

[Damage Ranking Reward: The top 1,000 players who inflict the most damage will receive a generous reward. The top player will receive a middle-level epic weapon]

[Experience Points Reward: Experience points will be awarded according to the damage ranking daily]

[Contribution Points Reward: Contribution points will be awarded according to the damage ranking daily]

[Mercenary Reward: During the war, each mercenary will receive eight silver coins]

[Mission Failure: The final reward will be halved.]

“The main plot mission of ‘Gods’ is very long. Players will be awarded daily experience and contribution points so that they can be upgraded. The contribution points can be exchanged for equipment.

The main plot mission of Iron Nation is similar to mine. The Iron Nation also has damage ranking rewards but the dark gold-quality weapon reward was too miserable. The contribution points are not very valuable.”

William would not forget to reward the players with faction affinity points, but they would be included in the final reward.

What about friendship points?

William would award friendship points if he was given money!

The expedition army was like a long black Dragon on the plain.

The players surveyed the surroundings, since it was their first time on a long expedition. Before this, they could only follow the merchant teams to the Human nations.

A player glanced at the river and said furiously, “Those small mermen deserve to die. They fled as soon as they saw our large numbers.”

“I have the intention to destroy the small mermen with our superior numbers. It’s a shame our righteous BOSS is not interested in defeating the small mermen.”

The other players expressed their approval.

The plains that were south of the City of Dawn were populated with many tribes, races, magical and wild beasts. The players came out to this area to do their missions. They were only afraid of the small mermen.

Whether it was the unaffiliated players or a group of ten players, when they felt the ominous feeling, they would flee immediately. Otherwise, thousands of small mermen would appear and kill them.

Many players had perished under the tridents of the small mermen.

William could overhear the players’ chatter. He was compelled to inform them. The corpses of novice players who were killed by the small mermen could encircle the southeastern region two rounds in a year.

The large bridge of the Rhine River was 235 meters long and 24 meters wide. It was last renovated 40 years ago, during peacetime. It was done to facilitate trade between the two nations.

But during the war, the bridge became a strategic outpost.

After Black Lava Nation took control of the Rhine River bridge, they invested a lot of resources to construct fortifications.

The Iron Nation could cross the narrow river using boats. But their small number of troops were not effective against the Black Lava Nation’s outpost.

On the river banks of both nations, a team of five scouts would be located every few hundred meters apart. They could see the opposite enemies clearly. Hence, the scouts would sit down to rest and take their meals. Sometimes, they would toast to their enemies while drinking water.

But when they meet in battle, they would be wielding swords instead of toasting cups.

The scouts could not be bribed as they were part of the nobles. As such, the enemy had no chance to build a floating bridge.

When William arrived with 20,000 players, Lautner had also reached the site along 40,000 players of Black Lava Nation.

The 60,000 players did not inspire fear. Instead, the army of players looked bloated and lethargic.

Of course,

Besides the Dawn Mercenary Team, there were also other mercenary teams that were composed of NPCs. The thirty mercenary teams had about 8,000 soldiers. The NPCs and the players sized up each other, but they did not mix together.

There were four tall and crude Black Lava towers at the bridge entrance. A few mages were enchanting the towers.

1,000 meters opposite the river banks were 50,000 slaves who were slogging to construct the fortification walls. But their suffering was not comparable to the four legions that were deployed in front. The legions were engaged with the enemy and sustaining damage.

There were two legions protecting the flanks of the slaves to prevent sudden attacks from Iron Nation.

In addition to a 5000-strong legion, the Black Lava Nation only had 20 other legions. The deployed soldiers were only half the total strength.

Carts of Black Lava rocks, armor, arrows, catapults, and other war resources were being transported here. Knights rode on the bridge with their warhorses frequently. The scene indicated that a large-scale war was about to erupt between the two nations.

The players of the City of Dawn were impressed by the construction speed of the Black Lava Nation.

“It’s only two days and they’ve constructed the fortifications?”

“Take a look at the forum. The fortification walls were constructed with flesh and blood. 20,000 slaves had died here. Didn’t you see the corpses floating on the river when you cross the bridge?” A player explained with sorrow.

The players of the City of Dawn were speechless.

They looked at the slaves who were filled with hopelessness. Most of the slaves did not have shoes so their feet were bleeding on the hard and rough ground.

Besides watching and throwing the slaves some food, they could not offer other assistance.

When a slave tried to escape, the horsemen guards would decapitate him without hesitation. Then they would smash the slave’s bloody head on the other slaves who were squatting on the ground.

Despair, hopelessness, fear, and silence…

This was the aristocracy of the nobles. The players wanted to stop the guards, but Elfin guards would extend their hands to stop the players.

Some players shouted that they wanted to defect to the Iron Nation, but the Elfin guard did not stop them.

Even when the players removed their Light insignia and left, the Elfin guards also did not stop them.

William watched everything without emotion. His heart was at peace as he knew that everything would come to a pass.

Because he understood it.

War was brutal.

The victory in war was won by flesh and blood.

Glory only belonged to the living and dead warriors. The slaves had nothing to do with it.

This was a reality.

This was the system in ‘Gods’. The game tried to as close to the real world as it could…

But to let the players get used to it, a lot of grotesque wounds had been substituted with something easier on the eyes. Some players could even change the blood to green color…

Violent Dragon came over on his horse. He surveyed the large army of players and found them arguing and fighting among themselves. Some players even swam across the river to defect to the enemy.

He frowned instinctively and asked, “Do you need my help?”

“No, just make sure food is provided. My mercenaries are crude men. It’s normal for them to have small fights. There is no need to provide tents for them.” William waved his hand casually.

The eyes of Violent Dragon lit up. The war resources of Black Lava Nation were being transported, but there were not enough tents. He nodded. “That makes my job simpler. They shall sit on the grass then. There will be only two meals per day.”

The players who were arguing became bewildered.

They looked at other mercenaries and regular soldiers who were lying snugly in their comfortable tents.

But they had to sit on the grass?

William did not say much. He led his personal guards and sat by the players!

They would enjoy fortune together.

And brave danger together.

Those who cowered were allowed to leave.

The war had just started.