Murphy's Ambition: Crisis and Opportunity

Chapter 45: Murphy's Ambition: Crisis and Opportunity

Lumina, looking completely bewildered, along with four other Little Players, had just logged in when Triss immediately shoved a quest at them.

Fortunately, they had already seen the update announcements on the forum beforehand and knew that this alluring and sexy NPC was an important story character. They accepted the quest without hesitation, then took the Day of Disaster mainline quest from Murphy. After that, they followed the route suggested by their teammates in the group and began exploring the city.

It was already nighttime in the Reality World. Except for these five players who had just logged in for special reasons, most players had used up their daily game time and collectively logged off in the makeshift shelters of the city wall defense line.

This made the five Little Players feel a bit lonely, but they soon had no time to be lonely.

There was simply too much to do in the City Ruins!

Although several blocks near the city wall had already been scoured by others during the day, there were still many detailed areas that had not been cleared. The meticulous Lumina quickly found the aged wine Madam Triss needed in a half-collapsed shop. Along the way, she also rescued the owner's family from the basement, which was buried under debris.

They had been trapped for over 6 hours and were now tired, hungry, and scared. When Lumina and the other four rescued them, they were so grateful they almost kowtowed.

"The NPC interaction in this game is so realistic. I just saw that little girl hiding in her mother's arms, wiping her tears. Other games don't have this level of detail."

Brother Nitou Che, carrying a gun, said to Shovel beside him while scavenging things by the street:

"Do you think there's a possibility that all the NPCs in this game are intelligently role-playing? Shovel, what are you looking at? You seem lost in thought."

The Chanche Ren, who was asked, withdrew his gaze from the tragic ruins. He said softly:

"Hasn't this city been dragged into disaster for over 6 hours? People like the owner's family who are trapped can still survive now, but if it goes on for much longer, it's hard to say. Remember those jobs we did for the fire system?

They said that in the real world, the probability of survival after 24 hours is..."

"This is a game!"

Brother Nitou scoffed dismissively.

"It's just a line of code to make them survive. You're thinking a bit too much."

"Yes, I know it's a game, but this game claims to be completely realistic. Don't ignore that point! If the development team can truly achieve 100% realism and they are willing to design it that way, then the NPCs buried in the city absolutely won't survive until tomorrow night!"

Shovel shook his head stubbornly and said:

"I don't doubt they have the technology to achieve the realism they want. I doubt, well, I'm just suspecting, mind you, read this quest description carefully. It clearly states that the number of NPCs we rescue will affect the subsequent plot development.

I'm starting to suspect this is a trap set by the development team. You know what I mean, right?

They deliberately didn't make it clear, probably wanting us to discover it ourselves!"

"Damn! Now that you mention it, it does seem a bit like that."

Brother Nitou pondered for a moment, reread the mainline quest description, and then slapped his knee hard, saying:

"We're probably going to be amazing this time. Let's hurry up and probe the NPCs for information. Call the other three."

"Okay."

Shovel went over and explained his speculation to Lumina, Jie Chong, and Black Silk Brother. The two rough men felt that Shovel was overthinking things, but Lumina didn't think so.

This highly intelligent girl felt that Shovel's guess was likely correct.

So, the five of them hurriedly escorted the shop owner's family back to the safety zone of the city wall. After handing the quest to Triss and receiving her high praise, they ran to Murphy, who was hunting Fear Derivatives alone, and told him their speculations and concerns.

"It's great that you guys noticed this. I overlooked this important situation too!"

Murphy was also startled.

He suddenly realized that he had been too immersed in player thinking these past few days and had overlooked the truth of this world. For him, this wasn't a game at all! These civilians trapped in the City Ruins, suffering from hunger and the erosion of Astral Energy, absolutely couldn't survive for two more days.

And he, a real Vampire, actually needed players to remind him of this. It was a serious miscalculation.

Although Murphy didn't care much about the life and death of the unfriendly people in this city, the unexpected perspective brought by these five darlings inadvertently gave him new inspiration.

Just as he had pondered above the Secret Vault, the final part of the Novice Guidance Quest required Murphy to obtain his own territory. Now that the Blood Vulture Clan had been attacked, its ruling system completely collapsed, and Cadman City was about to be swallowed by the Astral Plane, the manpower and resources in the city could all be used by him!

He could take this opportunity of rescue to utilize the native manpower he currently had at hand. Starting with this rescue, he would establish his own prestige and governance system among the survivors of Cadman City.

After all, what is more worthy of following than a leader who can lead everyone out of disaster and find a new life?

Murphy blinked.

He was still an official member of the Blood Vulture Clan.

In the current situation, as the last member of the Vampire family that had ruled this region for over four hundred years, it was only natural for him to inherit the Blood Vulture Clan's rule over this land and its people, right?

So, if everything was handled properly, this disaster in Cadman City might not be a trouble for him personally. Instead, it could become the absolute key to completing the Novice Guidance and breaking the deadlock!

Yes.

This idea and plan were completely feasible!

The premise was that he could truly rescue more lives from the ruins with the survivors, thereby allowing them to intuitively see his ability, wisdom, and strength.

Murphy made up his mind in these short few seconds. The thoughts reflected on his expression were noticed by the players, invigorating them.

Could it be that there really was a hidden quest?

"Ding"

As Murphy grasped the Computing Orb hanging on his chest, a few seconds later, a pleasant quest trigger sound made the five players look down at their player interface in unison:

[Major Hidden Quest - "Critical City Rescue" has been triggered!

Quest Description: Thanks to your keen observation and kindness, the outwardly indifferent but inwardly kind Vampire Murphy has finally realized the biggest hidden danger in the city. He has decided to take immediate action, and he hopes you will join this race against death.]

Task Deadline: Until the rescue operation in the outer city ruins is completed.

Task Reward: Distributed based on mission completion status.

"Damn it! It's real!"

Brother Nitou Che clenched his fist tightly and whispered to Shovel beside him:

"This was hidden so deeply. Good thing you kept your wits about you."

"It just suddenly occurred to me."

Shovel felt a little embarrassed. He scratched his head, then said with a serious expression:

"The biggest problem now is that we don't have any professional tools to search for those trapped people. If we rely on manpower alone, even if we bring all sixteen players, we won't be able to save many people."

"No, my warriors, you've overlooked something very important."

Murphy, who was already confident and ready to act, shook his head and said to his Little Players:

"There are powers in this world that you cannot comprehend. Leave the task of confirming the survivors' locations to me. You immediately rush to the survivor camp! Deliver my orders to Miss Mirian, the supervisor there, and demand she gather all able-bodied, healthy adult males.

I need them to participate in this rescue of their compatriots.

Maxim!

You escort my warriors there and help Mirian gather those people."

Murphy said again to his loyal servant and the Little Players:

"Restoring order is not a simple matter. In our current situation, we must learn to use violence.

Those who cause trouble in the camp, disobey management, provoke Mirian's authority, or intend to escape! Those black sheep who refuse to abide by the rules under this disaster! In my name, execute them on the spot!

I need them to know who can lead them at this time!

I also need them to know that obeying my orders now will allow them to escape this nightmare faster."

"As you command, my lord!"

Maxim felt that what Murphy said made perfect sense and accepted the order without any psychological burden. He had always considered spreading Lord Murphy's authority as his duty and mission. He then brought out several horses and handed them to the Little Players.

Brother Nitou Che knew how to ride a horse, so he took Shovel and left first. The other three were not as skilled, but they were all gentle old horses. Under Maxim's guidance, they also set off smoothly.

Mirian's survivor camp was some distance from the city to avoid the impact of Astral Energy.

Taking advantage of this time, Murphy found Young Miss, who was brooding at the edge of the defense line, and Madam Adele beside her. The latter's expression was very complicated when she saw Murphy. A voice in her heart urged her to pledge her full allegiance to Murphy, but her own reason resisted this call.

But Murphy didn't care about his first child's hesitation.

He looked at Young Miss, whose face was numb, organized his thoughts, and said to her:

"Many people are trapped in the city, unable to escape on their own, and I am planning to organize people to rescue them. It's not because they are that important to me, but because Cadman City is the territory of the Blood Vulture Clan, and we members of the Blood Vulture have a responsibility to them.

I hope you will join me!

Vampires' keen senses for life allow us to easily pinpoint the location of the living. And there are still 5 hours until dawn. If we are fast enough, we can save at least hundreds of people.

I remember when we first met, you praised the revenge I carried out for the Blood Vulture's citizens, and you also believed that protecting the citizens was your duty, right?"

Young Miss did not answer.

She sat on the stone like a person who had lost her radiance. She had been in this state since her conversation with Triss. It was definitely because she had seen something unacceptable in the inner city and suffered a terrible blow.

Murphy waited for a few seconds. Seeing that Young Miss did not answer, he shook his head, stood up, and said to Madam Adele:

"I demand that you join this operation! In the name of an elder."

"I..."

Madam Adele's expression changed.

She clenched her fists, but then relaxed them, lowered her head submissively, and said in a hoarse voice:

"As you wish, Lord Murphy."

"Let's go, we don't have much time."

Murphy beckoned and led Madam Adele towards Triss.

He needed to plan three routes to maximize efficiency before the operation. The only thing he was grateful for now was that the rifts in the city had divided it in half, leaving only a quarter of the original city for Murphy and the Little Players to explore.

Although it sounded cruel.

The remaining three-quarters of the city had been completely swallowed by terrifying Astral Energy, along with the rampant Astral Beasts and Fear Derivatives. That area was basically off-limits.

Unless a miracle happened in this dark land, it was impossible for ordinary people to survive in such a situation.

"Murphy!"

Just as Murphy turned to leave and took a few steps, Young Miss's dry, hoarse voice came from behind him. The disheveled and dejected loli stood up straight, looking at Murphy, this fringe member of the family, with despair in her eyes.

She said:

"The Blood Vultures are finished. Literally! Our family's sacred pool has been contaminated. I saw it with my own eyes. The entire Blood Vulture Corridor is shrouded in a dangerous energy I cannot comprehend. Our most elite clan members are struggling painfully in the filth of the Astral Plane. They cannot leave the corridor...

They are beyond saving!

Only a few of us are left, Murphy. We are the last of the Blood Vultures."

"We have no home anymore!"

"No wonder she's so devastated."

Murphy suddenly understood. The Young Miss, who always prioritized family interests, would likely have trouble accepting the loss of her home. Unfortunately, not everyone could understand her emotions.

Murphy, for one.

He glanced at the Young Miss and said with emphasis, "Does this have anything to do with what you need to do now? Does it have anything to do with the civilians trapped in the city, living in fear and on the brink of death? Young Miss, you can flee and no one will stop you.

Or, you can do one last thing for those who offered their blood tax for the prosperity of the Blood Vulture Clan.

Actually, in my heart, I've always felt you were out of place with the other vampires. I don't know why I think this, but I can feel that your attitude towards humans is truly different from other vampires.

Perhaps we can cooperate?"

"But what exactly are you planning to do now?"

The Young Miss suddenly exploded. She grabbed her hair and screamed, "I heard everything you ordered your servants to do. You're deliberately promoting your authority and power among the survivors. What are you planning? To win people's hearts? Are you planning to build your own family on the bones of the Blood Vultures?

You… an ambitious schemer and a traitor!"

She saw right through me. Was I that obvious, or is this Young Miss really something else?

Murphy was a little puzzled.

He thought he had hidden his intentions well, but considering the other party might be an ancient being hundreds of years old, it all made sense.

His own meager skills were no match for her, so Murphy frankly admitted it.

He nodded and said, "I do plan to do that! I'll be honest, Fimis, the Blood Vulture Clan you love and are willing to dedicate everything to looks completely different in my eyes. I don't intend to be buried with it, but I do want to save the people who call you 'masters'.

It's fine if you don't want to help!

Just don't get in the way. With Triss here, I'm not afraid of you.

And traitor?

Heh, I don't know what you experienced in the Smuggler's Woods, but how did you survive? Young Miss, why would that terrifying guy who annihilated an entire Midnight Hunter unit let you go? It couldn't be because you're cute, could it?"

Murphy narrowed his eyes and retorted, "So, before you accuse me from the moral high ground of your family, please clear your own name first."

"You… you're slandering me!"

Fimis's face turned red.

Just as she was about to retort, she noticed Triss standing silently in the darkness not far away, pointing to her heart with a strong sense of threat.

The once furious Young Miss suddenly deflated like a leaky balloon. To Murphy's astonishment, her spirit visibly weakened.

She waved her hand weakly and said, "Alright, I'll help you, but I have my conditions! After the Astral Tide recedes, you must go to the Blood Vulture Corridor with me. I need to figure some things out!

And in this matter, besides the last Blood Vulture members, namely you and Adele, I can't trust anyone."

Ps:

It seems there's a new "Reader Correction" feature. If you spot any typos, please feel free to correct them. I can see them in the backend and make changes.

I really need this feature.

Also, there seem to be a lot of scam calls lately. I received five calls from unknown numbers yesterday alone. In short, keep a close eye on your money, and don't talk to strange people casually!