Before long, everyone had gotten the items or weapons they wanted. They gathered in small groups, discussing what they planned to do.
Just then, Mu Fengyu clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Come on, everyone, eyes on me. I've got an announcement."
"I probably won't be logging in for a while. I've decided to help make the next version and adjust the classes for some races. So if you're unhappy with your race, come sign up with me now. I'll get the changes into the next version."
"Me, me! I think my race's speed stat is way too low. Give me a boost!"
"Bah, Herohero, that's asking too much. You're a slime—where would you get speed from? You'd be better off asking them to boost my Hanba's defense. A zombie king shouldn't be as fragile as paper."
"Hey, I may be an Ancient Dark Slime, but does it make sense for my speed to be this low?"
"Godfather, don't listen to them. Boost my range instead. This bird-person race is terrible in close combat and weak at magic. I can only just scrape by by shooting arrows from two thousand meters away."
Everyone chimed in with all sorts of suggestions. Mu Fengyu noted them down one by one. Whether the changes actually made it into the game would be up to the development team.
"I've written down all your suggestions. I'll try to get them implemented later. I'm logging off now, so carry on playing."
With that, Mu Fengyu dissolved into data and gradually disappeared. The others finished gathering their spoils, then went their separate ways.
In the real world, Mu Fengyu took off his headset and stood up, stretching his limbs.
"Ah, that was a really satisfying session."
Suddenly, the door opened from the outside, and a kind-looking woman stepped in.
"Young Master Yu, I've reheated your late-night meal. Have something to eat, then get some rest."
Mu Fengyu glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was almost midnight. He scratched his head sheepishly and smiled apologetically at her.
"I'm really sorry, Aunt Temari. You don't have to wait up for me next time. You should get some rest when it gets late."
Mu Fengyu had never met his parents in this life. Aunt Temari had raised him from childhood. He'd once asked her why she went to such lengths to take care of him. She'd told him that his parents had helped her escape the slums, so she'd chosen to stay and care for Mu Fengyu, the child who had lost his parents.
On the table were a plate of saury, a dish of tofu, a few skewers of grilled chicken, and a bowl of rice. It was only a simple meal, but for commoners who could only afford liquid food, it would have been a feast.
They sat down, and Mu Fengyu picked up a skewer of grilled chicken, savoring it. Every so often, he praised her cooking.
After eating their fill, Mu Fengyu spoke to her.
"Aunt Temari, I'm going to Yggdrasil Corporation tomorrow to help make the next version of the game. I'll be counting on you to look after the house while I'm away."
"Don't worry. There's not much an old woman like me can do, but I can stay home and help with the cleaning. You be careful out there, Young Master."
"Mm, don't worry."
The next day, Mu Fengyu went to the office to work on the next version—and sneak in a few changes of his own.
Meanwhile, in the game, two pieces of news had spread throughout the world over the past couple of days. One was that the archer from Nine's Own Goal had been pursued by more than nine hundred players for several hours, yet managed to escape.
The other was that Nine's Own Goal had destroyed a large guild in just two hours. Rumor had it that the guild possessed a World Item.
According to reliable information from players killed at the Storm Horn stronghold, Mu Fengyu of Nine's Own Goal had the World Guardian buff. The angel apparition that had destroyed Storm Horn was almost certainly a World Item. After all, what else could destroy an entire large guild in one go?
The game was instantly swept up in a search for Nine's Own Goal's stronghold. As a result, Momonga and the others had recently scaled back their plans to go adventuring.
In Asgard's cliff dungeon area stood an all-angel guild called Tears of Angels. It was a special guild that only players of angelic races could join, and each member used an angel's name.
Their stronghold had been built on a sheer cliff and converted from a level-70 dungeon. At that moment, a heated argument was underway in their meeting hall.
The vast meeting hall contained a hundred stone pillars of varying heights, each with a different angel standing atop it. An angel named Feier, who was in charge of gathering intelligence, shared the information she had obtained with her companions.
"Based on the documents I bought from an information broker, the angel apparition used by Nine's Own Goal really was a World Item, named [Heaven-Supporting God]."
She looked toward the guild master standing atop the tallest pillar and raised her voice.
"Guild Master Michael, as an angel guild, are we really going to let those disgusting, inhuman players claim the glory that belongs to us?"
"Just imagine those filthy monsters defiling the pure angels. Can any of you accept that? As angels, [Heaven-Supporting God] should be a World Item reserved for us alone. We should go and bring it back at once. This is the only place worthy of a holy paradise."
His speech roused most of his companions. They angrily denounced Nine's Own Goal for using underhanded means to obtain a World Item that should have belonged to them.
"Silence."
Michael's commanding voice rang throughout the meeting hall. His gaze swept across all the angels present. Most wore furious expressions, looking ready to reclaim [Heaven-Supporting God] at once. Only a small number seemed indifferent and had no intention of getting involved.
"Everyone, I understand your anger and frustration. As angels, how could we tolerate those inhuman beings defiling our sacred glory? But we must think clearly. We can't act recklessly."
He paused, then looked at Feier and continued.
"According to the intelligence, Nine's Own Goal has formidable strength and mysterious items. We can't act rashly. We need a carefully laid plan to ensure we reclaim [Heaven-Supporting God]. First, we need to locate their stronghold."
"Feier, tell us what you've learned about them."
"Yes, Guild Master."
Feier kept up a calm front, but inwardly, he was already delighted. If he could get his hands on [Heaven-Supporting God] this time, he'd be able to rise further in the guild.
Then he could sell off all the intelligence and, at the end, betray Michael himself, claim the World Item, and retire in triumph.
That's right: this guy was actually a spy sent by a rival guild. After three years, then another three, he'd finally worked his way up to intelligence officer. But this was his chance to climb higher, so he was very invested in the operation. He'd already gathered a great deal of intelligence on Nine's Own Goal.
Most of the scouts I sent lost their trail in Helheim. The rest lost them in a level-60 monster zone. Based on what we know so far, their stronghold is probably in that area.
Michael nodded slightly, then addressed all the members in a loud voice.
"I know some of you don't plan to take part in this operation. I won't force you, of course, but don't reveal our plans in advance."
"Feier, send out every scout and search that area thoroughly. We must find them, or at least confirm their exact coordinates."
He then turned to the angels beside him.
"Those willing to join the operation, prepare yourselves. For this mission, I authorize Gabriel, Raphael, and Sraosha to each take two divine-grade weapons from the storehouse."
"You'll lead the vanguard."
"Yes!"
All the angels answered Michael's declaration in unison. This time, they were determined to obtain [Heaven-Supporting God].
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