Facing this overwhelming victory.
On Nine Provinces' side.
The players were naturally ecstatic. Although this was only a faction victory, most people had not truly felt its impact.
But the benefits gained from previous victories were real—and the consecutive wins had instilled the players of the entire Nine Provinces faction with unprecedented confidence.
[Hahaha, two-thirds of Prison Rock's capital is ours! Fucking awesome!]
[When the arena battles started, they strutted in all big and tough, spouting trash talk like they were something special. Who knew they were just pathetic losers! Didn't they still get chased all over the place by dungeon enemies?
And the head-on fights were even more hilarious. They actually said I was cheating because I severed my own arm! That's my power! And as for Loser's Obsession! I got that skill after dying countless times in Sekiro! Why shouldn't I be allowed to use it? If you're jealous, go grind out a similar skill yourselves!]
[Brothers, the group battles are about to begin! Charge! Let's snatch that last third of Prison Rock's territory too!]
[----]
In contrast to the excitement on Nine Provinces' side.
A suffocating atmosphere of low pressure hung over Prison Rock.
The Royal Court.
The Prime Minister before the throne stared at the map, seeming to age ten years in an instant.
Though he had been prepared, witnessing this scene with his own eyes still left him unable to conceal his pain.
They had lost.
Again.
From the very start of the arena battles.
Prison Rock had held no advantage whatsoever.
Their proud top-tier players could only trade blows with the enemy.
Their mid- and low-tier players, meanwhile, had collapsed like a rout.
And now, they had lost the speedrun battle as well.
Habits were a terrifying thing.
Once a faction grew accustomed to