Blade of Tyranny

Chapter 38: Village Defense

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Nie Fan was dashing towards Tajit Village when he suddenly received a system notification.

[System: Horde of goblins spotted at first sentry!]

[System: Horde of goblins spotted at second sentry!]

[System: Warning, a goblin legion is rushing towards Tajit Village. Citizens nearby, please return to aid the militia in defense immediately.]

***

Nie Fan did a double-take at the striking message. The village was being attacked?

It was rumored that such random incidents where each village on the Osland Continent was attacked by monsters would occur daily, and the failure to defend any village would end up with the devastation of that settlement. On the other hand, various rewards such as Honor points, titles, and equipment were available successful aid of NPC in defense, not to mention that the sieging monsters tend to see the presence of substantial Elites and Bosses, which in turn was the best path to obtaining fine items.

At the moment, the goblin legion had just passed the second sentry—Nie Fan would be able to return to Tajit Village in time.

All the players farming monsters in the wild received the system notification at the same time as well. Some hesitated but eventually rushed back as well, while others gave up and fled as far as they could since they were lacking, and would never survive a battle royale.

Dancing Phoenix, who was still farming Dark Goblins received the system notifications too, before finding a clamor of comments in the guild chat when she turned towards it.

“Tajit Village is being attacked. What would Big Sis do?”

“Is she still farming monsters? Dust, ask her.”

Nonetheless, Dancing Phoenix issued a command in the guild chat. “Every member of Phoenix Down Studios are to gather in Tajit Village in three minutes!”

The entire studio’s chat was silent once Dancing Phoenix’s message was received, with every member stopping whatever they were doing and rushing back to Tajit Village. They were all well-trained: acting swiftly in a vital moment without dragging their feet, which obviously showed that Dancing Phoenix has strength in leadership.

Moreover, members from the Bloodbath Studios and Wandering Souls Studios who were active around Tajit Village were all heading back to the settlement as well.

It was only natural that all of them would join in the defense—though it was an ordinary siege on the village, this was the best timing for the various studios to establish dominance. Moreover, the Honor and titles they would gain in the village’s defense would also make things a lot more convenient for them, and if they were lucky, they might get some good items as well.

“Nie Fan, Tajit Village is being attacked. What are you going to do?” Xue Yu asked Nie Fan through a message.

“You guys should keep farming and stay away from the village since Tajit would probably be surrounded by the time you arrive. But I’ll be going back since I might get some good stuff.”

“Then be careful.”

Nie Fan hung up and entered Tajit Village to find a very busy scene. NPC militia were gathering, while players were looking for their respective groups.

“We are a party of five level twenty players here! Any players above level twenty are free to join us, the more the better!”

“Wandering Souls Studios, gather at the west side of the village!”

Several Thieves from Wandering Souls Studios passed by Nie Fan then. One of them was Grievous Harm, who attempted to assassinate him just before.

“So, he’s from Wandering Souls.” Nie Fan lifted a brow, unable to think of when he had crossed the Wandering Souls that they would send Thieves to kill him. Indeed, when he thought about it carefully, he realized he was no more than a newcomer who did not really offend anyone… but when it came to offending someone, he immediately thought of Xu Hong, who must absolutely hate Nie Fan after he humiliated him at school.

Grievous Harm had clearly noticed Nie Fan too, and snorted.

‘Lucky punk,’ he thought. ‘I’ll let you roam free for some time with the goblins coming.

‘But when they’re gone, I’m coming for you.’

He then turned, and headed to the western side of the village.

Nie Fan turned around after watching Grievous Harm vanish amongst the crowd. Anything could wait until after he sold off the items which he had with him. His messages to Warsong and Dancing Phoenix received quick responses, with Dancing Phoenix buying off the Copper Mage Robe and Warsong getting the Dash and Slash Skill Tome.

Meanwhile, members of Phoenix Down Studios and Bloodbath Studios were already inside Tajit Village. Nie Fan soon finished his trade and received thirty-six hundred bronze coins.

“Dark Night, care to join our group?” Warsong asked, able to see that Nie Fan was not partied and might not even earn a single EXP point if he played alone in the siege. “Our elite party is just twelve people, but we could be considered quite good around Tajit.”

“No, thanks.” Nie Fan flatly rejected him, unwilling to get to close to another studio. For better or worse, he was a fringe member of Tempest Wings and drew a salary from them, and therefore was reluctant to be the subject of ridicule.

Warsong could not help feeling a little disappointed by Nie Fan’s refusal, but he quickly accepted it—they were now working together, at least.

Scanning through the crowds, Nie Fan soon found the members of Phoenix Down Studios some distance away. All females, there were up to sixty of them—a lot more than Bloodbath Studios, not to mention that there were quite a number of pretty runs, which turned the heads of every male player nearby.

And amongst the crowd of female players, Dancing Phoenix appeared especially conspicuous with her fire-red armor and her stunning figure. Anyone who saw her would find her elegance and charm so extraordinary, she must be unmatched in this generation.

She was a lady who countless would fall for.

Dancing Phoenix caught sight of Nie Fan then too. The pair then locked gazes for a moment, with Dancing Phoenix flashing him a friendly smile.

The players around were left breathless, her stunning smile leaving them dazed and enchanted.

On the other hand, Nie Fan nodded at her in return and headed off to another corner. She withdrew her gaze as well, and continued tasking the female legion of Phoenix Down Studios in various matters.

There were now over thousands of players gathered in Tajit Village, leaving it bustling and a little chaotic.

Even so, Nie Fan doubted their ability to fight. The most powerful of them would probably be the gamers from the respective studios, and other top players who were in fixed parties.

Nonetheless, all that confusion had nothing to do with Nie Fan himself as he started to make one announcement after another.

[Want to buy Druid Skill Tomes for Smite or Tear.]

Soon enough, his voice channel rang.

“I have a Skill Tome for Tear. How much could you offer?”

“Five hundred bronze coins.” Nie Fan’s price was even slightly higher than the standard market price.

“Make it eight hundred.”

“Forget it.” Nie Fan firmly declined. It was clearly extortion!

The caller didn’t respond at all afterwards.

Later, another caller messaged Nie Fan to sell their Skill Tome for Smite, and both sides agreed upon the price of one thousand bronze coins, with Nie Fan immediately receiving the Skill Tome right after paying.

[Smite: Level 1, usable during Morphing, a vicious strike that renders the target Dizzy, lasts 2 seconds, 20 seconds skill cooldown, 10 Rage required.]

[Chain skill, +1 Chain Points with each casting.]

In terms of importance, Tear was actually less so than Smite since the latter could apply certain control over a fight, and it would be greatly useful in a PK even if it only lasts for two seconds.

The close-range skills of melee combat units were categorized into normal—Chain and Finisher. Combining Chains and Finishers were possible to build up combos, producing outcomes several times more effective than normal skills when used well.