A little earlier.
Firelink Shrine.
Gallagher stood beside the Bonfire, grimly watching messages flash across his communication window.
They were battle reports from Tessa and the other players trapped in Anor Londo.
Lu Xiu, the Nine Provinces' Architect, had used nothing but the dungeon enemies' aggro mechanics to get two Chosen Players, Ray and Enoch, killed!
She had now reached Sen's Fortress by way of the Demon and completely blocked the route out of Anor Londo.
When Gallagher shared the news, the other Prison Rock players beside the Bonfire turned grim as well. Several burst into curses.
"Useless! How did they let this happen?"
"Two Chosen Players, and an Architect got them killed that easily by using someone else's blade? How?"
"Are they pigs?"
"Quiet."
Gallagher raised a hand, cutting off their futile outrage.
"We still don't know where the other Chosen Players from the Nine Provinces have gathered, but we definitely need to reach Anor Londo. It's a strategic position."
Gallagher spoke in a low voice. "Zane has gone to get the Eerie Puppet. Once he returns, half of you will go straight to Anor Londo with him and use his Chosen skill to support our people inside."
"As for now—"
Gallagher turned toward Queenie, who stood in a corner.
She was the only nominal "Nine Provinces player" here, and a crucial source of intelligence in their hands.
"Let's search the area first."
Gallagher fixed her with a sharp stare. "There seems to be a Core Bonfire somewhere around here. We'll see if we can find it. Queenie, you're sure the Nine Provinces players never mentioned a powerful boss here, right?"
Queenie's face was pale. She nodded mechanically.
"I'm sure."
Queenie's mind was still in a fog.
She had been asleep for over ten days and had only just