Chapter 320
"Terror and mystery are the best bargaining chips. I don't need comrades, I just want them to obey me, senior."
"Um?"
"Give me the cooldown on my Bloodline skills! I'm going to maximize my power so they won't have the slightest desire to resist!"
The black-haired girl suddenly appeared not far from the centaur, which terrified the Witch Beasts, who finally understood why hiding was useless.
Before it could retaliate, the swordsman, enveloped in a halo, fell from the sky and landed right in the center of the army formation.
Dozens of light spears pointed at him simultaneously, but the swordsman didn't even look. With a light flick of his longsword, he wiped the Steel Centaur along with dozens of surrounding Witch Beasts from the world.
Vanished without a trace.
Chapter Fifteen: Quantitative Change Finally Leads to Qualitative Change (7K)
God's blade?
Andrew climbed to the top of the valley, put down his sword and spear, and cried out 'Amen'.
Inside and outside the valley, thousands of Witch Beasts all came to a standstill, and then, starting from their heads, their bodies turned to ashes and disappeared into the wind.
The impression of him single-handedly suppressing the battlefield in just a few minutes was too profound.
They knew that the Steel Centaur was nearly immortal and was the core of the chessboard; if they could eliminate it, they could immediately pass the level.
The question is, who can get close to this cunning centaur?
Except for him.
In the distance was a dense military formation, the center of which seemed to have been hollowed out. The soldiers and their elite guards had all vanished, and the Witch Beasts that were turning into particles formed a thick fog.
Then, a foot emerged from the mist. The black-haired swordsman acted as if nothing had happened, stroking the flying ash with his fingertips. He walked slowly, but like a collapsing mountain. By the time you realize the mountain is collapsing, it's too late to escape.
"He killed many people and participated in countless wars; he was a product of slaughter and war."
With a voice as clear as a spring, the blonde girl murmured to herself. This was one of the faction talents of War Orphans; war and slaughter could not escape her eyes.
Andrew and Bradley became even more wary, while Hayasaka Ai tilted her head and looked at Kaguya Shinomiya with a puzzled expression.
Yuki is indeed decisive and ruthless, but in the past, the only instance that could be called a 'war' was the Cosmic Insect Disaster, let alone countless other wars.
"Miss Violet, is this person scary?" Hayasaka Ai's eyes were clear and full of curiosity.
"It's terrifying. This kind of war animal is rarely seen even in games. Trust my judgment, the smell of this animal can't be faked." The blonde girl secretly hid the blood-stained halberd behind her back, her jewel-like blue eyes fixed on the man, unaware of the blonde maid's doubts.
Violet, 'Father' Andrew, and President Bradley —an odd combination, but all of them are indeed War Orphans.
Yuki looked at the other person, meeting their gaze directly with apprehension. He had encountered this group before; he remembered that the last time it was Tanya and Guts, and judging from their conversation, these people all belonged to the 'Ouroboros' organization.
A player team capable of operating a large trading market in the Borderlands —well, all three of them are monster-level, no less powerful than the Fire Pillars group; they're considered a strong team even in dungeons.
Experienced and determined, the senior students seemed unremarkable compared to them. Come to think of it, when Bradley was in charge of the military and politics of a country and slaughtered Ishval, the senior students were probably still in elementary school.
The Reincarnation Game doesn't offer any special advantages based on acquaintances, but once someone who was already incredibly powerful in their original world becomes a player, their ascension to 'monster' becomes even more natural.
"Head Hunters, Li Dan." Yuki stopped a hundred meters away, glancing over out of the corner of his eye, and saw Hayasaka Ai's lips twitching slightly, probably wanting to complain about his pseudonym again.
"Phew, I'll go. Who else wants to go?" Bradley volunteered without hesitation. Seeing the maid step forward, he nodded slightly. "Wait for my signal. If he tries anything against us, provide support immediately."
With four monster-level enemies, three Transcendental Grade- level enemies, and dozens of cannon fodder mercenaries, as long as the players are Isshin, he is not afraid of Mr. Li taking hostile actions.
"Be careful."
Revolver loaded, sword and gun raised, battle formation set up. Supported by his comrades, the President walked steadily. Why did the 'War Orphans' have the principle of not abandoning his comrades? It was for this very moment.
'Thorny Rose' unintentionally passed the test; facing a powerful Monster IV player, not every faction can stand shoulder to shoulder.
"Sir, are you a solo player?"
To his surprise, Bradley's first words nearly made Yuki draw his sword, only relaxing slightly after realizing they couldn't possibly be connected to the trackers.
Why do you ask that?
"It's very simple. In the faction missions, the Reincarnation Game will adjust the difficulty according to the overall strength of each faction. If you have teammates, wouldn't that be cheating?" The President was surprised. This setting was considered secret, but it wouldn't be difficult for players of this level to find out.
Wow, there was this setting too.
Yuki was completely unaware of this, as he had never enjoyed such a convenience before, always narrowly escaping death. However, he quickly realized the significance of it.
Some things have changed in this new phase, such as the quest content and dungeon background; everything is now related to the faction 'None'.
Wait, it's not an illusion?
He suddenly realized something: while conquering the Tower of Asura, the dungeon seemed easier; before, taking down even one tower would have been incredibly difficult. Then, his active mind connected him to something else:
When he returned last time, he unlocked more permissions, and at that time he felt a sense of security that was like a mother's comfort, which was hard to describe. He just didn't understand it at the time, and he ignored it because he had to change permissions. But this feeling has always been hidden deep in his heart.
The unlocked permissions are helping me combat the Reincarnation Game's targeting, bringing back the normal settings?
As the corners of his mouth Yuki into a sinister grin, President Bradley felt a chill run down his spine, wondering if he had encountered a madman.
The game difficulty is determined by the overall strength of each faction. For example, if there are ten factions in a mission, each faction will have a different score, representing their relative strength.
Top-tier factions like Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) and War Orphans can be rated 8 points, while weaker factions like Thorny Rose, which only reach the lower limit of dungeon difficulty, can be rated 5 points.
Whether it's 8 points or 5 points, it's all based on the faction of the players. For example, Monster I is worth 2 points, Transcendental Grade is worth 1 point, and so on. There can even be 'Limit' players who are used as cannon fodder.
With equal scores, the fewer the number of players, the higher each player's score.
This setup is fair, ensuring that no faction has an overwhelming advantage, just like Yuki had to pay a price to take on the War Orphans.
The entire instance is about 16 points in difficulty, ensuring that even the strongest player faction cannot conquer it alone; they will need to plunder each other or cooperate.
"But I'm different. I'm in a cross-faction team. If I'm worth 8 points, the senior students are worth 5 points, Frieren belongs to the Aether Particles, so she's worth at least 2 points. That adds up to 15 points."
"This is a qualitative change resulting from quantitative change. After all, I was relatively weak before. If a dungeon difficulty score was 10, my senior classmates and I combined wouldn't even get 5."
A simple math problem, like this moment, would require him to pay a huge price to devour the War Orphans alone, but if you add Thorny Rose, it would be a complete crushing victory.
No contracts or transactions are needed; the senior students will carry out all orders, even at the cost of their own lives—an advantage that no other faction can match.
"This is a huge bug! Could it be that they want to get rid of me because of this Reincarnation Game?" Yuki gasped, but seemed unusually excited. He suddenly realized that he could use this bug to fight against the game.
Is this person testing me?
Bradley nearly turned and ran. He had only mentioned a very ordinary premise, yet Li Dan had fallen into deep thought, leaving him completely baffled. It was impossible for a powerhouse of this level to be completely ignorant.
"Ahem, Mr. Li, please feel free to ask whatever you want." Hayasaka Ai noticed the awkward atmosphere and quickly stepped in to play the straight man; she had already guessed what Yuki was thinking.
Yuki quickly regained his composure, suppressed his surging emotions, and said calmly, "I want you to take control of the War Tower."
This guy is definitely crazy!
Bradley's hand was already on the hilt of his knife. He didn't believe in free lunches; were they going to be used as cannon fodder or sacrifices?
He quietly made a gesture, and his comrades in the distance were ready for battle. But at that moment Shiina Hiyori took the initiative to go forward, and Violet couldn't stop her.
"Phew, so it really is you who controls the Tower of Asura." The girl exuded confidence like a gambler, reminding everyone why the Alliance Tower Explorers had retreated.
"That's right, each player can only control one tower." Yuki turned his head to look, and the oppressive feeling made the girl stop in her tracks, trembling slightly. Then Violet stepped in front of him without hesitation.
Wow, I've gained a great female friend!
Yuki tried to maintain his icy demeanor as he watched Hiyori's little head peek out from behind the Violet girl.
"I guessed why you came. Can you tell me?"
"Woman, don't try to guess what the strong are thinking. Excessive cleverness will bring death," Yuki warned, making Hiyori shrink back in fear.
But in his mind, the girl was so angry that she covered her mouth, Yuki was waving his hands and apologizing, saying that he had gone too far in showing off.
Bradley would never have imagined that while tensions were high in real life, they were actually discussing answers in a chat room where Shared Reading, with the senior student crouching down beside them, even instructing them on every detail of their expressions.
"You idiot, hurry up, show some appreciation in your eyes, and give them a little more control."
"Ah, that's right. Add a touch more helplessness, and then you can reveal your true purpose. They definitely won't suspect a thing."
If War Orphans knew this, they'd be spitting blood on the spot. This wouldn't be some kind of inside agent; the seemingly insignificant Mai Sakurajima would be the mastermind.
Yuki was very obedient, and as expected, his expression carried a hint of appreciation and helplessness. He even took the initiative to add his own drama, muttering something like, "No wonder he's so weak yet he's survived this long; wisdom is the biggest difference between humans and beasts," which sounded profound but was actually quite obscure.
He looked at Bradley with a nonchalant air, as if to say, "Since I've been seen through, I'm not going to bother with any more roundabout ways."
"I have mastered the Tower of Asura, but I have also become the target of everyone's attacks. I need someone to share the pressure, and I also need someone to guide the characters in the story to the next stage."
A perfectly reasonable reason. Bradley had long known that players controlling the tower represented both opportunity and risk, which is why that Alliance rushed to recruit people to attack it.
The players are lucky to hold their ground; they can't possibly bring anyone else in.
"What character in the story?"
Without a word, Yuki pulled a coffin from his domain. When he opened it, a collective gasp filled the air. Hayasaka Ai right moment, and Bradley immediately understood.
The coffin contained skeletons; each faction would gather intelligence and knew more or less about the 'Soulless Ones'.
"So you've formed an alliance with the Soulless Ones." Bradley nodded. If the dead Soulless Ones were so useful, imagine how useful the living ones would be.
"Yes, they are related to the Witch God, but the Tower of Asura is surrounded like an iron barrel. I can charge in by myself, but it would be too much of a loss to bring a group of ordinary people." Yuki as if he were treating the Soulless Ones as his personal property.
"Aren't you afraid of losing the Tower of Asura?" Hayasaka Ai interjected appropriately, then suddenly realized, "You have other factions to help you?"
"It's an alliance. Have you ever heard of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons?"
Everyone's heard of that; that faction is full of ruthless people, which suits Yuki's character.
As his doubts gradually subsided, he needed to protect his home Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, so he had to find another partner, and cooperation between two powerful factions was also one of his bargaining chips.
Everyone could have predicted that the second phase would involve infighting. These two strongest allies, having already taken the benefits, would they dare to turn against each other?
Why did you come to see us?
"Because it's the closest."
This is the most illogical answer, yet the one that best fits the persona—the strong are willful, after all.
Logically, everything was fine, and Bradley became eager. "The tower can only be controlled by one faction. Which one do you choose?"
"Them." Yuki pointed to Hayasaka Ai.
"Why?"
"Because they look good and are very weak, it's hard for them to escape my control." Yuki's answer was impeccable. He directly took out a bamboo scroll, the contents of which were already written, "I will help you take War Tower, allowing you to directly pass the first stage, and you will also receive a large number of enhancement points as a reward. Will you sign this contract or not?"
Once a contract is signed, it cannot be refused; any normal person would agree to it.
There are definitely risks involved, but compared to the potential gains, this is clearly a windfall.
"With the alliance in place and the senior students watching over us, there's no fear of betrayal. Plus, with the 'Night Parade of One Hundred Demons' incorporated into the Tower of Asura system, I've effectively controlled the two strongest factions in this dungeon."
Yuki felt like he was being overwhelmed by a dragon and couldn't possibly lose. Two towers, two factions, and the ability to start the second phase of the dungeon at any time—he rarely had such a relaxed experience.
Moreover, he learned from his senior that War Orphans valued their comrades very much, and he had a complete plan on how to win them over.
It's a pity I can't be close to my senior and Hayasaka anymore; I absolutely can't reveal our true relationship.
Yuki put on the Fool's Mask modeled after Li Dan again. This ordinary-looking middle-aged office worker, with his strength, gained a bit more of a master's demeanor, and every player kept their distance.
There's no way around it, this character is too cold-blooded, using mercenaries as cannon fodder without any psychological burden, and too powerful. With a sharp spearhead, he reached the last square of the chessboard in just half a day.
Despite their apprehension, the team was also filled with excitement. Clearing each row of squares was equivalent to ascending to a new level, and the rewards were substantial.
From the moment they entered the tower, each player received 8 enhancement points without having to make a huge sacrifice. Even though Yuki had a sour face, no one dared to offend this powerful figure.
"Mr. Li, we are ready." Bradley walked over with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of authority. "Having you here makes things much easier. The last few squares will yield the greatest rewards; originally, several players would have had to perish to get these prizes."
"How many enhancement points?"
"Five? I originally thought getting three enhancement points in the first stage would be pretty good." The President smiled, a few wrinkles appearing on his face. He tapped his lower back. "The Reincarnation Game really is a case of the strong getting stronger and the weak getting weaker. In the same dungeon, the difference in growth efficiency between the two sides is too great."
Is it considered normal to be honest, or rather, to have fewer than 4 enhancement points in the first stage?
Yuki deliberately testing him. At that moment, he was having a meeting with his senior classmates, discussing how to allocate skill points, but this sentence touched him deeply.
Does the strong always get stronger, and the weak always get weaker?
He still remembered the joy of Johnny Silverhand and the others' harvest. It was somewhat like one person achieving enlightenment and all their relatives and friends rising to prominence, just like his classmates and sisters improving rapidly along with him.
With the two towers combined, Yuki gained over 20 enhancement points in the first phase alone. There was no comparison between the two sides. The essence was that Yuki was stronger and smarter than them, and he even exploited a game bug.
"You are very composed."