The post about attacking the Calamity Grade quickly gained popularity on the forum. As players' strength continued to grow, they gradually began to have ideas about the Calamity Grade. Now that someone had taken the lead in bringing it up, it immediately stirred up the pent-up impulses of many players.
The last time Calamity Grade figure was eliminated was in patch 3.0, a collective operation organized by the Legion. Since then, the Legion has not organized any similar operations, which is why the forums were flooded with responses.
However, public stargates in various locations are now collectively closed to Beyond Grade A forces. Due to the distance, most players expressed their inability to help. After all, most people have to take care of their own black markets, and this was only a suggestion from one player, not a large-scale mission with limited rewards, so most people were only willing to offer their support on the forums.
However, there is another group of people who are very interested in this matter.
Inside the base, Jupiter turned off the private chat channel on the control panel, turned to look at the room full of the Gods Guild core elites, and nodded steadily.
"I've already spoken with that player. Our guild will be in charge of this operation. The boss's activity area is the Didora Star System in the Infinite Nebula, not far from us... Luckily, many of our guild members operate black markets nearby, making it easy to mobilize them."
Guild leader Poseidon hesitated, then asked, "Won't this affect the progress of many guild members' black market quests? Besides, this is just a spontaneous action outside of quests; is it worth making such a fuss?"
Jupiter nodded emphatically, "Of course it's worth it! This is a great opportunity to make a name for ourselves. The club hasn't been doing well in the league for several seasons. If we can achieve some results and increase the club's popularity, everyone will get a bonus!"
The Gods Guild is a professional guild under the Temple Club. Due to poor team performance, the guild has not fared well in recent versions, and its reputation has been taken over by the Dynasty, Long Sky, and Jiangcheng.
Now, with each version update, the foundation of each guild is getting stronger and stronger. Things that were unthinkable before are now gradually becoming ambitions. If they can take down a Calamity Grade, they can give back to the club.
"Are you sure it will work? In version 3.0, there were already Calamity Grade deaths at the hands of players. If it happens again, it probably won't cause much of a stir." Poseidon hesitated.
"Idiot! How did Atimo die in version 3.0? That was a faction event organized by the Black Star Army. Too many people participated, and no one could become famous. But if our guild takes down a Calamity Grade enemy on its own, is it the same? That's the guild's first kill! What a huge buzz that would generate!" Jupiter poked Poseidon's head hard with his finger, his tone full of disappointment.
Upon hearing this, the core members of the guild present wholeheartedly agreed.
Although the Legion had long ago allowed players to overwhelm a Calamity Grade monster with sheer numbers, the significance of a guild's independent first kill is different; it's absolutely sensational.
The next level of honor would be the first kill, but everyone present knew that there couldn't possibly be such a powerful player in the current player community.
"Guild Master, isn't this a bit too risky? Can our single guild handle Calamity Grade?" Poseidon scratched his head.
"It's worth a try. I feel there's still hope, after all, it's not version 3.0 anymore."
Jupiter said in a deep voice.
The reason Atimo was overwhelmed was that the Legion created a deathmatch environment, with hundreds of thousands of people constantly dying and being resurrected, ultimately defeating the opponent through sheer numbers. After all, the gap between Grade B and Calamity Grade is far less than the chasm between Beyond Grade A and Calamity Grade; a sheer number of people from a lower rank is still effective against Calamity Grade opponents.
As a guild, they naturally couldn't just field so many people like a legion, but the average strength of their players was now vastly different from before, with each player being more than 30 levels higher than they used to be. The guild's elite members were all above level 150, making them veterans of the Grade B.
Furthermore, the Black Star Army has been continuously updating its equipment technology, and the weapons and equipment players use now are far superior to those in version 3.0. They even have a series of special trump cards such as Evolution Badge, making their combat power quite considerable.
With so much progress, Jupiter felt the guild should be capable of single-handedly defeating a Calamity Grade, making it worth the gamble.
Upon hearing his explanation, many guild leaders were convinced and replaced by excitement, eagerly anticipating the start.
Although this wasn't a task, their initiative disregarded all of that.
Jupiter surveyed the crowd and said in a loud voice:
"Since everyone agrees, let's go fight the boss now!"
Infinite Nebula, Didora Star System, the main base of the Heavy Armored Iron Guard.
This is a massive interstellar fortress, its appearance resembling a building block base made up of countless cuboids of various sizes. The structure is very neat, with layers upon layers and sharp edges.
On the frontal armor of the Star Fortress, there is a huge engraved pattern, resembling a heavy armor helmet, which is the faction emblem of the Heavy Armored Iron Guard.
The Heavy Armored Iron Guard is a well-known civilian armed organization in the Didora Star System. Most of its members are mecha warriors. On the surface, it is a civilian armed force, but it is said to have an unusual background and a mysterious connection with the Feni Civilization that rules this system.
The leader of this organization is Dafis, nicknamed "The Planet Core," who is rumored to be a henchman kept by the Feni Civilization to do some shady work for them.
At this very moment, in the leader's office of the main base, Dafis was receiving a distinguished guest, and the two were having a pleasant conversation, with laughter frequently echoing in the room.
"... Haha, it's really kind of you to personally escort this batch of goods. I've already had it inspected, and the quality is excellent."
Dafis smiled, his tone indicating great satisfaction.
Opposite him was a man draped in an earth-yellow robe, who also resembled a pangolin in human form. He was a member of the Feni Race, just like Dafis, but his body was covered in mechanical implants. His electronic eyes were always glowing red. His body was deeply slumped in the sofa, and his weight was astonishing. His organs and limbs had been replaced with mechanical prosthetics, and his entire body was made of metal.
"Of course, when have we ever shipped you goods of poor quality? This batch of machinery and equipment is all newly produced military equipment from the official sources, specially approved for you by the military. Others can't even buy it if they want to."
The cyborg spoke using a vocal device in its throat, mimicking an enthusiastic tone.
He is an envoy of the Feni Civilization and has always been in charge of liaising with the Heavy Armored Iron Guard on behalf of the higher-ups. There is indeed a cooperative relationship between the two sides, exchanging resources for Dafis's loyalty.
The Feni Civilization has a particular fondness for mechanical cybernetic suits, considering them aesthetically pleasing. It has always been a hot market for cybernetic bodies, with almost everyone undergoing modifications. Many civilians even retain only their biological brains, replacing their bodies with various types of mechanical devices. Furthermore, the civilization's superhumans are predominantly Mechanic Class, with mecha warriors being a major trend within the civilization.
"Don't worry, I know why you're here. Now that I've taken your things, I'll naturally complete the mission properly." Dafis grinned and said, "I've almost finished what you asked me to do. Based on the intelligence you provided, I've removed the spies that the Beyond Grade A Association has planted in the black markets of several nearby star sectors. Only a few planets remain."
"Oh? Many of these people are Immortals of the Black Star Army. They are unkillable. Are you sure you've eliminated them all?"
The messenger asked casually, picked up the cup on the table, and took a sip. The cup contained a dark, viscous liquid. This was a beverage specially made for people in armored vehicles, containing excessive levels of heavy metals. It was broken down into different elements through special digestive organs, making it very nutritious for the armored body.
"So what if Immortals? As long as we destroy their black market channels, they'll either have to start all over again or slink away in disgrace."
Dafis disagreed.
The messenger put down his cup and asked curiously, "I heard from your subordinates that some of the Immortals you killed have threatened to take revenge on you. Aren't you afraid?"
"Do they even have the ability? These people are utterly useless. They only dare to spout nonsense because they're still alive. Otherwise, they would have been scared out of their wits by now. If they dare to retaliate, I'll kill one of them, and two of them."
Dafis snorted coldly, his tone carrying a hint of sourness as he expressed his disdain.
He was confident in his strength and didn't care about anyone except those of the same level or Beyond Grade A. However, he was envious of the players' immortality, and he was no exception. He was jealous of them and therefore attacked them with extra force.
It is precisely because he cannot obtain it that he feels a different kind of resentment and contempt, which makes him unable to help but harbor a sour feeling of "what's so great about it?"
"Then I'm relieved." The envoy nodded and instructed, "In short, this is a mission assigned by the Three Universal Civilizations, so it's best to be as cautious as possible. Besides, the black market was originally under our control, providing us with a lot of profits. The Beyond Grade A Association thinks that with the support of the black market administrators, they can just send a few people to take over our black market. That's wishful thinking."
Some high-ranking members of the Feni Civilization act as protectors of most of the black markets in this galaxy, reaping a continuous stream of profits and enriching themselves. However, the Beyond Grade A Association's attempt to consolidate the black markets has blocked their path to wealth.
At this critical juncture, the Three Universal Civilizations held talks with several galaxy-level civilizations, hoping that they would cooperate in combating the association's forces in the black market. The Feni Civilization was one of the parties involved in these talks.
The Infinite Nebula and the Shattered Star Ring are far apart, and even the Black Star Army, no matter how powerful, cannot reach them. Moreover, they are a galaxy-level civilization protected by the Peace Treaty. Clinging to the coattails of the Three Universal Civilizations would be far more beneficial than currying favor with the Beyond Grade A Association. Therefore, the Feni Civilization simply supported the Three Universal Civilizations and allowed Dafis to wipe out the team sent by the Association to take over the black market, killing two birds with one stone.
"With me here, they won't succeed."
Dafis waved his hand casually, then suddenly narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice:
"Don't forget the rewards you'll receive after this is done..."
The envoy chuckled twice. "Don't worry, we've been cooperating for so long, and the higher-ups have no intention of going back on their word. As long as you handle this matter properly, they will not only support your continued expansion but also be willing to make you one of the behind-the-scenes controllers of this black market. You won't be shortchanged on your promised share of the black market profits."
"Of course I believe you."
Dafis smiled with satisfaction.
He risked offending the Black Star Army to do dirty work for civilization, naturally for his own benefit; he wouldn't risk his life if the benefits weren't great enough.
Due to the Feni Civilization civilization's penchant for armor, the profits from smuggling mechanical products on the black market in this region are astronomical. Dafis has long coveted this opportunity, and now, as long as he eliminates the spies planted by outsiders and the infiltrators, he can get a share of this huge pie. In his view, this is an excellent opportunity.
The thought of the enormous profits to come, enough to make him swim in money, filled Dafis with immense joy, and he felt his nerve cells become much more active.
However, at that moment, a sudden change occurred!
Boom!!
A deafening explosion suddenly rang out in the base. The two men felt a distinct tremor at the same time. The cup on the table shook and fell to the ground, spilling the heavy metal-infused beverage all over the floor, resembling a puddle of black engine oil.
Immediately afterwards, the piercing alarm blared, and the warning lights flashed, turning the room a deep red.
"What happened?!"
Dafis suddenly stood up, summoned his adjutant, and loudly questioned him.
"Boss, the base has just been bombed. The enemy's naval guns are too powerful. Several cracks have been punched in the protective shield. People have already broken into the base. The intelligent control center is mobilizing the defense forces to meet the enemy!" the adjutant replied hurriedly.
"Someone actually dared to raid my base? What kind of enemy is this? Are they even Calamity Grade?" Dafis exclaimed in shock and anger.
"N-No, I don't know. The enemy ships erased their faction markers and maps, but we didn't detect any individual energy sources at the Calamity Grade..."
"You dare attack my base without Calamity Grade weapon?!"
Dafis was furious. He shoved his adjutant aside and made to leave the room.
At this point, the envoy, somewhat worried, couldn't help but ask, "Should I avoid this place for a while?"
"What are you afraid of? I can solve the problem in a moment. I'll be right back."
Dafis walked out without looking back.
Just as the adjutant was about to follow, his arm was suddenly pulled back by the messenger.
He turned around and saw the messenger speak awkwardly:
"Um... I think I'd better hide somewhere. Do you have a safe house here?"
At the same time, more than a dozen jet-black warships hovered outside the base, continuously unleashing their firepower.
Rumble!!
Dark red beams of naval cannon fire slammed into the protective shield of the Heavy Armored Iron Guard's space base, blasting cracks into its surface.
The warship continuously launched assault pods and airdrop pods from its belly, each equipped with a propulsion unit at one end and a high-speed rotating drill at the other. Covered in shields, these pods slammed into the base's surface along the cracks in the shields. Some were shattered mid-air by the base's guard cannons, while others successfully withstood the barrage, piercing into the base's armor and leaving holes in their wake.
"Keep sending men! All those who land at the enemy base, remember to bind the resurrection flag immediately!"
In the main ship's command center, Jupiter, his emotions running high, and spittle flying everywhere.
The fleet consisted entirely of players from the Gods Guild. It took them considerable time to secretly assemble and gather intelligence before marching in a mighty force towards Dafis's stronghold.
To destroy a Calamity Grade enemy, the Gods Guild spared no expense. These warships were all assets purchased by the guild and equipped with a large number of weapons. Although the number of warships was somewhat small, their onboard technology was very advanced, and they were all top-of-the-line products of the legion. Dealing with a civilian armed organization was like a dimensional reduction attack, all for the purpose of quickly landing on the enemy base.
At this moment, the guild channel was incredibly lively, with messages flooding the screen.
"That feels good, I'm going in!"
"Those behind, hurry up and airdrop! Enemy reinforcements are here!"
"The Wizard and the Telekinesis control the board, giving the Mechanic a chance to establish a board presence!"
"Don't waste your energy on the mobs, force the boss out first!"
Inside the base, the players who had already logged in were wreaking havoc. All of them were seasoned Grade B superhumans, and they easily dispatched a large number of guard troops.
Just then, a powerful pressure rapidly approached.
With a deafening roar, the metal wall on one side burst open, and Dafis, wielding a heavy axe, charged in.
Dafis looked at the enemy in the field, his gaze suddenly locking onto the Army Commander's Big Dick. He remembered this guy who had died at his hands ten times in a row, and was immediately enraged.
"It's you?!"
The Army Commander's Big Dick blasted a Grade C mech warrior to pieces. Hearing this, he turned his head and grinned.
"Surprised? When you're in the game, if you say you'll call A Cartload of Bread People, you call A Cartload of Bread People!"
Before Dafis could reply, the Army Commander's Big Dick gun at him and shouted:
"Brothers, it's him! Get him!"
The next moment, everyone's eyes fell on Dafis, their eyes gleaming with the excitement of seeing prey.
Even though Dafis was a veteran of countless battles, he instinctively felt a chill run down his spine when suddenly stared at by a group of Grade B superhumans.
But then, his anger suddenly flared up. He raised his mechanical heavy axe, charged into the battle, and with a powerful swing, cleaved two players in his path.
"You're... courting death!"
On the players' side, almost everyone said in unison:
"MT Team! Charge!"