The Last Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

We have to get those two to run, quick, and get the news out!

No one knew what method the female NPC sitting in the Bishop's chair across from them had used, but she had somehow even banned the use of their in-game "communications."

This left Chang Lu Man Man and the others completely unable to contact the outside world.

Of course, they could still log off, but it actually made no difference.

That was because, as the first batch of "Fall of the Gods" beta testers, they had all signed strict confidentiality agreements. During the beta test, they weren't allowed to use the internet even after logging off.

So, they still had no way to contact the outside world.

In a sense, then, unless they chose to abandon this account and create another one, they really would remain imprisoned here indefinitely.

As an aside, Chang Lu Man Man had even tried suicide. It hadn't worked. Their respawn point seemed to have been bizarrely restricted to this iron cage as well.

This showed just how powerful this mysterious NPC known as the "Bishop" was.

Well, fine.

At least they would have two more companions.

Chang Lu Man Man knew that Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic had probably encountered some kind of opportunity and might have some trump cards, but no matter how powerful they were, could they really be more powerful than the person standing before them?

In his anger, Chang Lu Man Man took several more hard looks at the Bishop's snow-white, shapely legs to vent his frustration.

However, just as he became even more irritated, one of his subordinates in the same cage anxiously patted him on the shoulder and suddenly shouted in delight:

"Boss, boss, look! Something's not right!"

"Urgh, what is it? I'm busy here. Why are you yelling? Don't tell me those two can take on eight people by themselves?" Chang Lu Man Man waved his hand impatiently.

"No, not that."

"Then why are you spouting nonsense? I'm doing something important here. Don't disturb me."

"No, Boss. Those two players really aren't taking on eight people, but that NPC beside them seems to really be able to fight eight by herself!"

"What? What the hell!?"

The Fire God Cult's Assassin Apostles had only dashed two or three steps before stopping. A deep-blue Magic Barrier instantly unfolded before them, shielding Vivian and the others inside.

One of the assassins brought the iron spike in his hand down hard, only to be sent flying by the recoil from the Magic Shield.

It was clear from this.

In the world of "Fall of the Gods," the Spellcaster class really was born a cut above the rest.

No matter how the assassins attacked the Magic Shield with their weapons, the blue barrier didn't show the slightest sign of wavering.

"You bunch of useless trash! You're disgracing Lady Eugenia! Move aside!" An angry voice rang out. A leader carrying a staff stepped out from among the Grey-robed Ones.

He was also dressed in grey robes, but the patterns and engravings on them were clearly more intricate and prestigious.

Fanatical Fire God Follower—Luo Er

Level: Lv15

Primary Class: Fire Mage

"Damn, this is bad. It's that bastard again!" Inside the iron cage in the lair, several players watching the battle through a magical projection gnashed their teeth in hatred when they saw the leading grey-robed man step forward.

If it had only been the assassins from before, the current beta testers still wouldn't have been without a chance. Some top players could even fight one against two.

But once the enemy's Spellcaster made a move, the situation became completely different.

"Great God of Fire above, please grant this cold iron your blazing blessing—Flame Enchantment!" After a brief chant, Luo Er raised the staff in his hand.

Sizzle—

Flames instantly rose from the weapons of the Grey-robed Ones, and scorching heat rapidly spread across the battlefield.

When the Grey-robed assassins attacked Vivian's Magic Shield again, it was obvious that although they still couldn't break through it, the deep-blue barrier was no longer completely unmoved. Faint ripples and distortions had begun to appear.

Each time one of the Grey-robed Ones smashed a fire-coated spike against the barrier, the flames conjured by magic caused its color to dim a little further.

At this rate, it probably wouldn't be long before Vivian's Magic Shield shattered.

The Fire God Follower apostles had noticed this as well, so they increased the ferocity of their attacks. Outside the battlefield, Chang Lu Man Man and the other players in the iron cage watched as the situation truly began to turn bad, yet they could only stare anxiously.

By contrast, the two players and one Little Wolf inside the battlefield were currently the most relaxed of all.

Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic weren't panicking in the slightest, even though the situation seemed to be developing in a direction unfavorable to them.

As for why?

Give me a break.

They firmly believed in Vivian's strength. How could a Witch dignified enough to be called a Witch lose to these nameless cannon-fodder underlings?

What, you asked why they were still at a disadvantage, then?

Wasn't it obviously because Vivian's old habit had acted up again? She just had to play weak to catch the strong. What a perverse hobby!

In fact, their guess was right. Vivian had indeed been holding back.

Liao Zixuan understood the girl inside and out. With his "focus everything on one point" allocation, this level-ten girl possessed strength comparable to that of a level-twenty second-tier class. Beating these Fire God Followers, whose highest level was only fifteen, would be effortless.

So there was only one reason Vivian was hesitant and didn't dare use her full strength.

She was afraid she couldn't control her power.

She was afraid she might accidentally kill someone.

Vivian's little palms were drenched in sweat. The strands of hair on her forehead had stuck together. The girl, who had lived her entire life in a rural village, was facing a situation like this for the first time.

The girl was at a loss.

Confusion, hesitation, struggle, and anger churned in her heart.

Standing at Vivian's feet, Liao Zixuan could clearly see that every time she tried to raise her other hand, she quickly forced it back down herself.

Powerful magic gathered, then dispersed.

W-what should I do?

The Magic Barrier won't hold for much longer. If it breaks, these Grey-robed Ones will attack us like mad.

But if I take the initiative and attack them...

I can't control the power of her "Magic Missile" at all. If these Grey-robed Ones are hit, they might die.

No, th-they'll definitely die... right?

What should I do? What should I do?

As Vivian grew more and more frantic inside, outside the Magic Barrier, the grey-robed leader directing his subordinates' attacks—the only NPC among them with a name—sneered inwardly.

From the girl's expression, her face, the beads of sweat on her forehead, and her trembling body, every sign showed that this lowly peasant from the countryside was about to collapse.

The only thing he was dissatisfied with was how someone from a village like this could become a Spellcaster, and even use the power of magic just like him.

Magic?

How could such a filthy lowlife from some muddy ditch possibly deserve to use it?

So die!

"Great God of Fire above, please unleash your fury upon this world and gather it here—Flame Impact!"

This was the strongest attack of a first-tier fire mage, and the magic Luo Er was most proud of. It was also the newbie spell that later players affectionately called Fire Rush!

Of course, later was later. Judging by the standards of now, the power of Luo Er's Fire Rush—no, Flame Impact—was still nothing to scoff at.

It was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Vivian's Magic Shield finally shattered completely because of it. The gloom that had been building in her heart also erupted along with the barrier's collapse.

"You..."

"You just..."

"Can't you speak properly!!!"

Luo Er would never have imagined that the "straw" he had placed on the camel's back would crush not Vivian, but themselves.