SS-Class Emergency Mission

Beside a small village near Claw Forest.

Swish, swish, swish!

Several streaks of white light flashed in succession. Immediately afterward, several fully grown people suddenly appeared from thin air at the edge of the forest—enough to scare the daylights out of any timid native villager.

"I, Hu Hansan, have returned!" The person at the front pointed at the sky and shouted.

Chang Lu Man Man was seething with rage.

He had been forced to delete his account and start over. More than half a month of effort during the beta test had been destroyed in an instant. Everything was gone, and he was back to being a level-one blank slate.

Although this was a beta test and all data, items, and equipment would ultimately be deleted and character levels reset,

things like Favorability with NPCs, regional reputation, and class skills would still be preserved and inherited.

But all of those had vanished along with his deleted account.

"Damn it, Eugenia, is it? Just you wait!"

His in-game character had indeed become a weakling. Well, that wasn't entirely true. It seemed he hadn't been all that strong to begin with. But Chang Lu Man Man's influence outside the game certainly wouldn't disappear just because his account had been deleted.

If one had to name the most shameless tactic used by these despicable outsiders known as "players," then "calling people over to gang up on someone" would definitely rank among the top three.

Back in Claw Nest, Eugenia—also known as Witch Bella—had locked their souls away.

Of course, that was what it was called in the game. For players, the actual effects were that they could only revive in place and couldn't communicate with the outside world.

That was why Chang Lu Man Man and the others hadn't been able to use this ultimate weapon.

But now that they were free...

He opened the friend system and saw several unread messages flashing on the screen. They were all from people who had noticed something strange about Chang Lu Man Man's character and had come over to ask about it out of curiosity.

After all, those who had managed to secure a share of the extremely limited beta-test slots for "Fall of the Gods" were mostly prominent figures in the real world, with considerable fame.

Take Chang Lu Man Man, for example. He was a typical rich heir. He had established a guild club on Earth and acted as its owner. Although it wasn't top-tier, his money gave him enough power to thrive in gaming circles, and he had especially extensive connections.

After all, who wouldn't want to be friends with money?

He quickly found an acquaintance on his friends list who was also in the Huodian City region and began furiously sending messages.

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

The countryside outside Huodian City.

One of the many small villages.

A handsome Outlander was currently chatting enthusiastically with an elderly village woman at the village entrance.

The two characters "Luo Chen" floated above the Outlander's head.

Anyone in the gaming circle would recognize that nickname.

Luo Chen was a professional player with a gleaming professional certificate and so many trophies that they could no longer fit in his home. He was also the guildmaster of the super-first-rate Star Pavilion, ranked among the top ten even in the fiercely competitive Chinese region.

On top of that, he was devastatingly handsome—a bona fide protagonist from an esports novel, with countless female fans.

Unfortunately, if Luo Chen's female fans knew what their idol was doing at that moment, they would probably be furious enough to spit blood.

"Auntie, if there's anything else you need, just tell me. I'm young and strong, so don't worry about tiring me out!" Luo Chen flashed a charming smile as he spoke.

"Oh my, how could I? You've already gone to so much trouble doing so many things for me." The old woman at the village entrance acted coyly.

Seeing her expression, Luo Chen gritted his teeth and steeled his heart before using his trump card.

"Listen to you, Auntie. I felt like we'd known each other forever the moment we met!"

"To tell you the truth,"

"you look so much like my late mother. Seeing you, Auntie, is just like seeing a relative."

Good heavens, he had even dragged his mother into it.

But such a tremendous sacrifice had also brought outstanding results!

Village Chief Marian's Favorability with you +20

"Boohoohoo."

"Then, then I'll think of some other work in the village for you."

Hearing the system notification in his mind and seeing the NPC across from him moved to tears, Luo Chen finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Life is not easy.

Handsome guys have to sigh.

If Marian didn't have so many quests, with such generous rewards—dozens of Experience Points every time—who would be willing to live off an older woman?

But then again, not just anyone could become this kind of kept man.

Hadn't several players with faces like twisted melons and cracked dates grown jealous of the hundreds of Experience Points he earned each day and tried to cozy up to Marian? The old woman had been brutally realistic and had barely given them a pleasant look.

In the early stages of the game, especially during the beta test, one had to seize every resource that could be exploited. Only then could one get ahead of everyone else!

I'm living off my own abilities.

There's nothing shameful about it!

After comforting himself this way, he immediately felt much better.

Just as Luo Chen was wondering whether he should flatter her a little longer,

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, are you there? Reply ASAP!

The sudden string of friend-message alerts nearly gave Luo Chen a heart attack.

Who the hell was it?

Couldn't they send messages properly?

For someone of Luo Chen's level, friend slots were worth their weight in gold. He was just about to block this person and free up a slot when he glanced at the sender's ID.

Chang Lu Man Man.

A big fat wallet.

Forget it.

Luo Chen didn't particularly like Chang Lu Man Man. Deep down, he naturally looked down on rich heirs who had money but no skill.

But the man had plenty of resources and an extensive network. It wouldn't be wise to fall out with him, especially in "Fall of the Gods," a new world with immense potential. Having one more ally was always better than having one more enemy.

Besides, from the tone of the messages, it was obvious that something urgent had happened.

Why else would Chang Lu Man Man come to him instead of someone else?

Wasn't it because he thought I was capable and powerful? Because he thought of me first when he ran into trouble?

After comforting himself, Luo Chen's mood instantly improved.

Endure for now.

He could find some excuse to turn him down later.

He was currently clinging to Marian's thigh and earning dozens of Experience Points every few minutes. He had no time to go elsewhere and solve other people's problems.

Luo Chen: Brother Lu, I'm here.

Luo Chen: Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?

Chang Lu Man Man: Old Chen, there's no time to explain! I'll send you coordinates later. Hurry up and bring your guild members to help me get revenge!

Get revenge?

Heh. Truly clever people were busy improving themselves and exploring the world. Only rich heirs like you ran around fighting for face!

Should I abandon this fragrant old lady who's devoted to me and go help you get revenge?

Even a dog wouldn't go!

Luo Chen: Brother Lu, I actually have an especially important limited-time quest on hand, so I'm afraid...

Just as Luo Chen was preparing to politely refuse, the words "I'm afraid I can't help" were about to be sent when—

Chang Lu Man Man: Make sure you hurry, Old Chen! Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll soon have to collect the corpses of Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic too!

Luo Chen's fingers froze over the keyboard.

Wait. Why did those two names sound so familiar?

He searched his memory. It took almost no effort before Luo Chen instantly remembered.

Holy crap!

Weren't they the two guys whose unbelievably fast leveling had gone viral on the forums, as if they were cheating?

Luo Chen's heart immediately burned with excitement. Plenty of people were searching for Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic, hoping to uncover the secret behind their rapid leveling.

He was naturally one of them.

So was Chang Lu Man Man with them?

Before Luo Chen could confirm it with Chang Lu Man Man, the latter sent him a set of coordinates and a recorded video.

When Luo Chen opened the video with a puzzled expression,

he was dumbfounded.

A Fire God Cult bishop? Claw Nest? A hypnotized boss? Purple Crystal Grass? An evil ritual? A mysterious country girl?

Flame Impact, Flame Spear Technique, Fireball, third-tier spell Magic Barrier, Flame Whip—

Who am I? Where am I? Are we even playing the same game?

All day long, I'm either looking for lost puppies or running errands and delivering letters for the villagers. At most, I go hunting at the edge of the forest. And you've already got magic flying everywhere and are holding a massive ritual?!

With his sharp eyes, Luo Chen immediately spotted Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic following the mysterious country girl named Vivian in the video.

As for why Luo Chen insisted on calling her a mysterious country girl—

Obviously! Had anyone ever seen an ordinary villager conjure a magic shield in each hand and stand against a Fire God Cult bishop?

Amateurs watched the spectacle. Experts saw the details.

Chang Lu Man Man was focused on getting revenge against Eugenia, but what Luo Chen saw was—

Main quest! Hidden storyline! Super NPC!

Damn!

No wonder those two were leveling so quickly!

It turned out they had latched onto an incredibly thick thigh!

Without the slightest hesitation,

Luo Chen: Brother Lu, wait for me! I'm coming right now!

After sending the message, Luo Chen turned and prepared to leave. He checked the coordinates. They weren't very far away, and he could get there in less than twenty minutes if he traveled at full speed!

"Eh? Little Luo, why are you leaving? I just found you some new work. You don't want it?" The old woman immediately grew anxious when she saw the handsome young man leaving.

"There were several other outsiders like you who asked me to find work for them. If you leave, I can only give it to someone else." Her voice carried a hint of threat.

"No need, thanks, Auntie!"

Without looking back, Luo Chen waved his hand and left Marian standing at the village entrance, trembling with rage as she watched his retreating figure.

A-Auntie?!

A moment ago, he had said she looked like his mother, and now she was an auntie?!

One couldn't really blame Luo Chen for changing his attitude as quickly as a page turning.

After all, the two important NPCs in Chang Lu Man Man's video were a gorgeous, long-legged mature bishop and a petite, mysterious girl who seemed to be a key figure in the main storyline.

If they had a choice, which one of them would prefer the old lady?

Clearly, Luo Chen wasn't the only one who thought that way.

After Chang Lu Man Man deliberately used the video he had recorded of Vivian confronting Eugenia as bait, not a single player could resist.

After Luo Chen, Chang Lu Man Man called over every player with even a little influence in the Huodian City area, one after another.

Thus, a mighty army of players began converging on Claw Forest from all directions.

"Boss, do you think this will work?"

"What if even with all these people, we're still just sending ourselves to our deaths?" one of Chang Lu Man Man's subordinates asked worriedly.

Unlike the players who had been lured over after watching the video, they had personally experienced Bishop Eugenia's terrifying strength.

"Hmph. Even enough ants can chew an elephant to death. Before I was imprisoned, I secretly used Appraisal on Eugenia's status panel. She's only a little over level thirty. Besides, we have high-level fighters on our side too. Isn't my goddess one of them?"

"That's true, but... Boss, I'm just afraid your goddess won't hold out until we get there to support her." The people under Chang Lu Man Man seemed to be born conversational geniuses.

"Ah, I wonder how Vivian is doing now. I wonder how the battle in the nest is going..."

He had barely finished muttering when he noticed his boss's face darkening because of what he had said.

Seeing that he was about to get beaten again, the man suddenly seemed to think of something. He hurriedly spoke before Chang Lu Man Man's palm could come down:

"Boss! Boss! Wait! Aren't Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic still inside the nest? Can't we contact them to find out how the battle is going?"

Unfortunately, his brilliant idea didn't save him from a knock on the head.

"Obviously! Do you think I'm stupid? They blocked friend communications long ago. Where do you expect me to contact them?" Chang Lu Man Man grumbled inwardly.

Because of the earlier leveling storm, far too many people had sought them out for advice. Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic had shut off communications long ago and still hadn't turned them back on.

But then the situation took a turn.

"You are stupid, Boss! You forgot about the regional channel! We're in Claw Forest right now, so just call out to them through the regional channel!"

"They blocked friends, but they didn't block the regional channel!"

Holy crap!

After his subordinate reminded him, Chang Lu Man Man immediately slapped his forehead. Damn it, how had he forgotten that option?

Because the beta-test population in "Fall of the Gods" was extremely small—small relative to the scale of the entire world of "Fall of the Gods"—there were pitifully few people in any regional channel, and hardly anyone ever spoke.

The moment Chang Lu Man Man excitedly opened the regional channel and began typing furiously, entering countless exclamation marks in an attempt to attract Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic's attention,

something completely unexpected happened. In the empty regional channel for Claw Forest, someone beat him to sending a message—and the sender was none other than Big Watermelon.

The message was very short.

Only two words.

"Run!!"

At the same time, a slightly shrill system notification rang in the minds of all beta-test players in the region centered on Huodian City.

Ding

Your current region has triggered the SS-Class Emergency Mission "Demon Tide Incoming." Please decide within 30 minutes whether to participate in defending Huodian City.

00:29:59

SS-Class Emergency Mission?

Demon Tide Incoming?

G-Guard... guard Huodian City??

Seeing the glaring red countdown on the mission panel, Chang Lu Man Man was utterly dumbfounded.

What exactly

had happened??