Prologue: The Legend's End

Dark clouds shrouded the sky, and the dim, lightless ground was littered with debris. Winding staircases, blood-stained corpses, armor, and weapons—everything was chaotic and desolate, reeking of death and danger.

Rhode took a breath, but he could not feel the chill or the stench of blood in the air; after all, this was just a game. Thinking of this, Rhode shook his head with a bitter smile. He then turned around to look at his comrades sitting cross-legged on the ground not far below. They were resting quietly, recovering their strength and repairing their weapons. On the surface, it looked no different from any other day, but Rhode knew very well that this battle would not be as easy as the previous ones.

"How many are left?"

He asked in a deep voice.

Hearing this question, the group looked at one another, and then a gaunt mage stood up.

"Ninety-six, Guild Leader. The Void Dragon dungeon is even more dangerous than we imagined. Many brothers fell to the traps earlier. The only stroke of luck is that our class composition is still intact."

"That's good enough."

Hearing this, Rhode nodded without saying anything more, and the others fell into silence as well.

If this were an ordinary team, they would have likely lost their nerve and descended into chaos by now. After all, what they were about to face was the most powerful, terrifying, and unconquered elite boss in the game: the Void Dragon, the final boss of the third chapter of the online game Dragon Soul Continent, and the most fearsome existence to date. Facing such a battle, an average guild would need to organize at least ten teams just to attempt a challenge. Yet, Rhode had only ninety-six people—not even enough to form a single full raid group. Even so, there was not a hint of panic or confusion in their eyes; there was only composure, confidence, and trust.

The man they trusted so deeply was standing on the stairs not far ahead, gazing up at the sky. His face, as resolute as stone, bore a cold scar running down from his brow, giving him an intimidating presence. Armor shimmering with magical radiance covered his powerful, sturdy frame, making him look like a wall that would never crumble.

Of course, they did not trust the man before them because of the majesty displayed by his appearance. No matter how formidable he looked, it was merely character design; the scar on his brow was not a memory of some tragic past, but simply an accessory chosen during the character creation process.

What truly commanded awe were the countless halos and achievements behind this man.

The first player to reach the level cap.

The first player to lead the notoriously difficult Summoner class to its peak.

Since the launch of the first chapter of Dragon Soul Continent, "Darkness Descends," he had led his guild, relying on his own ability and a terrifying level of mastery over every class, to sweep through three full expansion cycles and claim the first kill of every boss. Every dungeon video he released was shared by countless players and revered as a teaching scripture. He was the leader of the number one player guild in Dragon Soul Continent—Rhode.

He had personally extinguished "Darkness Descends," ushered in the "Age of Turmoil," conquered that era in turn, and arrived at the "Void Judgment." Now, he would once again use his own hands to end this "Void Judgment," but the new era would no longer be one he would usher in himself.

How many years had it been?

Rhode withdrew his gaze from the sea of clouds in the distance, where serpents of lightning flashed, and asked himself inwardly.

It had been seven full years since he entered Dragon Soul Continent following the death of his younger sister. During these seven years, to force himself to forget the painful past, he had repeatedly set himself nearly impossible goals like a form of self-torture, only to achieve them time and again. Only the immense excitement and glory brought by those moments could dilute the lingering pain deep within his heart.

But that was as far as it could go.

A month ago, Rhode's parents had died in a plane crash while on a business trip abroad. Rhode could no longer recall his exact state of mind when he received the call and heard the news, but he had made his decision. He would leave this game and return to reality. This was not just for his parents; Rhode knew clearly that it was time for him to change.

"G-Guild Leader?"

A timid voice rang out, interrupting Rhode's memories. He looked up to see a female mage in the crowd raising her hand shyly, her eyes shining as she watched him.

"Are, are you really leaving?"

"Yes."

Rhode nodded, then gathered his complex emotions. He shook his head and looked once more at the companions who had followed him—these were his memories and gains from the past seven years, friends he had made while fighting side by side. But now, he was finally leaving them. Even though in the game, they were so familiar that they could understand each other's intentions with a single gesture, once they took off their game helmets and returned to reality, they would likely never recognize one another again.

"I sent out my job applications yesterday. I hope I can find a company willing to take me."

"If I received your resume, Guild Leader, I'd promote you to department manager immediately! Don't worry!"

A knight brandished his greatsword, his words lifting the somewhat heavy atmosphere, and everyone burst into laughter.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but unfortunately, I didn't write that in my resume. You know our guild has many enemies; if someone from another guild received it, my life wouldn't be very pleasant."

Rhode smiled as he replied, then cleared his throat and turned serious.

"I think everyone knows how we've spent these past years."

Hearing this, those who had been laughing fell silent, listening quietly to his words.

"We also know that on the forums and across the internet, many people criticize us. They say we've ruined the game's balance, monopolized every boss first kill, and rendered competition meaningless... Honestly, I don't think they're wrong, but..."

At this point, Rhode clenched his fist and swung it down forcefully.

"But what does that have to do with us! We are the strongest guild, we are the strongest team! We have the strength, so we do it, we take it! If other guilds aren't strong enough and fall behind, that's their own problem. If they were strong enough, they could have broken our monopoly. Our monopoly on boss first kills wasn't gained through rules, status, or sucking up to the game company—it was earned through our own strength! We never give up, we never admit defeat, and we never slack off. That is why we have our current achievements and everything else. It is what we deserve, simple as that."

Rhode paused before continuing.

"I love this guild, and I cherish the seven years I've spent with all of you. But all good things must come to an end, and it is time for me to seek out my own life. However, I will never forget you all, nor will I forget this guild. It holds my most painful memories and my happiest ones. I will keep it in my heart forever."

As he spoke, Rhode pointed to his head.

"Many say this guild won't function without me. I imagine many guilds have already heard the news and are likely sharpening their blades, waiting for me to leave so they can drive this guild down and break our records. But they underestimate us. Dragon Soul is not a game for one person. I couldn't have built this guild alone, I couldn't have organized a team alone, and I certainly couldn't have taken down bosses for first kills alone. So, after I leave, I want you to show those people with ulterior motives exactly why this guild is so powerful—the true strength that has allowed Starlight to hold the number one spot in the Dragon Soul Continent guild rankings!"

"Yes!"

"No problem, Guild Leader!"

"Leave it to us! We'll give those idiots a perfect answer when the time comes!"

"Very good."

Hearing their response, Rhode nodded and turned to the right side of the crowd.

"Old Liu."

Hearing Rhode's call, the tall, thin mage stepped out of the crowd and came to his side. Rhode looked at the mage for a moment in silence, then reached out, unpinned the badge from his chest, and placed it in his hand.

[System Announcement: Guild Leader position transferred. Raid Leader position transferred.]

"The coming era is yours."

Rhode let go, his voice calm and unchanging.

"Therefore, I leave the command of this battle to you."

"Fine, no problem, Rhode."

The mage nodded, but quickly spoke up again.

"Then, as the guild leader and raid leader, I order you to lead the team."

"Old Liu?"

Hearing this response, Rhode couldn't help but frown in surprise. At this moment, the tall, thin mage facing him gave a faint smile and patted Rhode on the shoulder.

"You started this era, and you should see it through to the end. Rhode, that is the way of a man."

"..."

Hearing these words, Rhode fell silent. He looked up at his companions not far ahead; they were ready, waiting for his command as they always had. Rhode gripped his sword tight, then turned to face the high platform nearby, where lightning raged, roaring with brilliant flashes of light.

Rhode raised his longsword and pointed it forward. He had once had the most ordinary of beginnings, so let this be the most ordinary of endings.

"Pull the boss!!"

The Void Dragon was indeed incredibly formidable.

Rhode had fought almost every notable boss in the Dragon Soul Continent, including other Dragon Soul entities mentioned in the lore, but none were as troublesome as the Void Dragon before him. Its attack patterns were more complex and nearly unpredictable, its damage was several times higher than that of an ordinary boss, and its speed, reflexes, and even defense were all top-tier.

This was truly an opponent difficult to conquer.

Rhode gripped his sword, gritting his teeth as he stared at the behemoth. The battle had reached its final moments, and he was the sole survivor. Even so, Rhode's HP was nearly depleted; the glaring red warning signaled that his vitality had reached its limit.

Was the Void Dragon not in the same state?

Looking into those blood-red, rage-filled dragon eyes, Rhode suddenly had a strange feeling. He felt as if he could understand the Void Dragon's mood—as the most powerful boss in the game, one that had never been conquered, it must feel terrible to end up on the verge of collapse like this.

Then, let me accompany you to the end.

Thinking this, Rhode raised his left hand.

With a crisp cry, flames suddenly erupted from Rhode's sword, swirling into a flying firebird. It held its head high and charged toward the Void Dragon. Facing this incoming attack, the Void Dragon let out a roar, raised its front claws high, and lunged down violently.

"!!!"

Rhode felt his body jolt as a powerful force slammed into him. The firebird dissipated into nothingness after a mournful cry, but the intense explosion before it vanished prevented the Void Dragon's descending claws from landing fully, forcing them aside.

For a moment, its defenses were wide open.

Rhode gritted his teeth. The bright red warning before his eyes grew more intense, signaling that the damage he had taken had reached a critical point, but that was no longer his concern. This was the final chance—success or a total wipe. He raised his sword and thrust it forward, but the Void Dragon had already recovered. It roared and swung its claws down again with force. At the same time, Rhode threw his longsword.

Thunder Strike, activated.

The longsword transformed into a dazzling beam of light, shooting straight toward the dragon's chest. Rhode watched it with intense focus, seeing the light, crackling with electricity, slip through the gaps in the Void Dragon's claws and easily tear through the scales on its body.

"---!!!"

A deafening dragon roar erupted from the ground, and then, the massive dragon claw slammed heavily into Rhode.

The red before his eyes seemed to shroud the entire world. Rhode could no longer see what was in front of him, but the system notifications appearing in the corner remained as clear as ever.

[Congratulations to Starlight Guild for achieving the first kill of the Void Dragon. An eternal evil has been eradicated.]

[Character has taken excessive damage and is about to die.]

It's finally over.

Watching these system notifications, Rhode revealed a faint, relieved smile.

Just then, a bright pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping the high platform.

The pure white radiance instantly illuminated the previously gloomy sky, dispersing the lingering dark clouds.

At that moment, the others who were reviving at the graveyard and rushing toward the platform suddenly stopped in their tracks. The world channel, which had been buzzing with noise because Starlight Guild had once again achieved a first-kill record, suddenly fell silent.

For a time, only one message remained on it—a system announcement.

[System Announcement: Player Rhode has logged off.]

A legend who had ruled for three entire gaming eras had thus come to an end.