1234: The Outlanders' Hometown, Veteran Player Return Gift Bag (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Votes)

It was the morning at the end of February, half a day earlier.

Divine Iron City, within the safe trading district of the main city recognized by players.

The many volcanic peaks surrounding Divine Iron City stretched endlessly into the distance, with snow blanketing many mountaintops. The sunlight after snow, filtered through the white peaks, seemed brighter and more dazzling as it fell upon the empty, somewhat desolate trading square of Divine Iron City, now devoid of players, making it appear especially clean and beautiful.

Several bored native guards of Divine Iron City stood watch atop the walls in full armor, looking down at the utterly empty and silent trading square below. One of them sighed. "I used to think those Outlanders were unbearably noisy. But now that it's been so quiet for so many days, I suddenly find myself unaccustomed to it."

Another agreed. "Yeah, it's really strange. I used to hate those guys the most, but now I actually kind of miss those noisy fellows."

The third said, "Actually, having them around was pretty nice. They were noisy, sure, but every day there were endless stories from all over the world. Their channels for gathering information really were far better than ours. Without them noisily telling stories, life feels a little dull."

After the three finished speaking, they all sighed again.

They had actually had similar conversations many times over the past few days.

Unfortunately, the Outlanders still had not returned, and no one even knew when they would come back.

The Stronghold Master had said that the Outlanders had gone to their hometown and would return in about a month.

But now, a month had already passed.

And where exactly was the Outlanders' hometown?

No one knew.

Perhaps the all-knowing, all-powerful Stronghold Master knew.

Yet it was