As the anniversary celebration began, the long-hidden grand prize was finally revealed. News that the top-ranked team would receive a world-class item spread, setting off a frenzy throughout the game.
Players vying for first place and those hoping to profit by selling information alike went mad. After all, this was one of the few relatively easy ways to obtain a world-class item.
Previously announced world-class items either required massive spending to acquire or had to be found by chance while exploring the world. This time, however, it had been made perfectly clear to everyone: take first place, and you got one.
For players pursuing strength, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Those with enough self-awareness to know they had no chance at first place also intended to make a little money from the event. Rather than competing, they were better off hunting monsters and selling information.
Now, many powerful guilds were offering high prices to hire mercenary guilds with exploration specialists, hoping to use their wealth of experience and precise judgment to give their teams an edge in the competition.
As the event continued, items capable of summoning bosses were discovered. The major guilds chasing the rankings began offering high prices for them in public chat. Before long, the items had been driven up to astronomical prices; a single one was nearly worth more than half a year's salary for an ordinary player.
By the final day, several teams on the rankings had scores close to one another. Most players were discussing who would ultimately claim first place, while the guild drawing the most attention was one called Ainz Ooal Gown.
With only a little over twenty members, it stood shoulder to shoulder with several major guilds that had dominated the rankings for years. This left players shocked and curious, and