C236
The number of participants in the advanced channel continued to rapidly increase.
It seemed like all the rankers from Server 2 were gathering.
The fleet that appeared on the field wasn't just a mix of secondary characters, but was composed of airships equipped with cutting-edge technology, comparable to the warships of Niflheim.
The fleets of the ranked players were lined up in front of Ximena.
All of this happened in less than 30 minutes after the administration announced the rewards.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 312 participants]
Despite the significantly increased number of participants, the advanced channel was silent.
Everyone was awaiting their turn.
"They've placed the Inverted Sky Book as the prize."
For a master in the Pick Me Up game, it was the rarest and most desired material, crucial for ascending a hero from 6 to 7 stars. All the rankers on the server, including myself, had tried unsuccessfully to obtain this item.
Now, the developer had offered this item as a reward.
Just for defeating El Cid.
The ranked players, who had so far adopted a passive attitude, suddenly changed their stance. Even those who were just observing began declaring their participation in the battle.
"I see familiar patterns."
The leaders of the top 100 of the 2nd server began to appear one after another.
Even those thought to have retired, and members of large guilds were appearing.
Airships of various types emerged on the field through a dimensional vortex.
If they had anything in common, it was that their power far exceeded that of ordinary Masters that El Cid had faced so far.
That was to be expected.
The 7-star rank was a legendary category that alone could elevate a master to the top of the hierarchy.
From first to fourth place, they all possessed 7-star heroes.
Despite being considered superior in many aspects to those of higher rank, the criticism towards me had always been the lack of a 7-star hero.
If I had been on Earth, I would have dropped everything to log into Pick Me Up.
And I would have deployed the maximum possible power. Somehow, El Cid's display of power so far had acted as a kind of advertisement saying, 'This is how powerful you can be if you reach 7 stars.'
"It's impossible not to go crazy."
From the moment the raid promotion started, I had anticipated something like this could happen.
But I never imagined the response would be of this magnitude.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 347 participants]
LiveOut> I warn you. If you're under level 70, retreat because you're in the way. If you have complaints, talk to my guild.
LiveOut, currently ranked 11th.
The leader of the 'Liberty' guild, the largest force on server 2.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 351 participants]
LiveOut> I'm sorry to say to other leaders, but please leave this to us this time. We'll compensate you generously.
TtukbaegiHanbang> Stop putting on a show, lol. Don't talk nonsense.
LiveOut> Anyway, the Inverted Sky Book will be ours.
TtukbaegiHanbang, ranked 21st, but recognized as the best PvP player on the server, famous for operating alone without a guild.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 356 participants]
TtukbaegiHanbang> If you want it, come and get it. I'm quite interested in this prize too.
A dirigible reminiscent of a ghost ship, completely painted black, advanced forward.
On its bow, a pattern of a blood-red skull. On its deck, heroes dressed in black emitting a sinister aura, known as the Massacres, TtukbaegiHanbang's elite heroes.
And they weren't the only ones.
All the ranked players who had entered the battle had deployed their elite heroes.
Now or never, they thought. Especially now that Death Protection had been applied, there was no reason not to participate.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 362 participants]
TtukbaegiHanbang> Does anyone dare to face me? I know you have many numbers, but all without useless ones.
LiveOut> I'm tired of your boasting, finally a good opportunity. I don't need my guild, I can handle it alone.
Sigyn> How amusing ^^; Both of you wouldn't make a sound in front of Loki. It doesn't seem like he's participating this time, but if he were here, both would be eliminated first. Let's focus on the Raid first. We can decide who gets the reward later. The boss seems strong, what if we fight amongst ourselves and fail? Who will take responsibility?
In the face-off between two ranked players, a mediator appeared.
Finally, in a tense situation, a temporary ceasefire was declared. LiveOut and TtukbaegiHanbang turned their bows, moving away from each other, towards El Cid.
"......That's true."
El Cid smiled bitterly.
"If you manage to defeat me, your Master could obtain that 7-star hero he desires so much. Perhaps even more than he deserves."
El Cid finished his statement with a glance at me before looking forward again. There they were, lined up, the true forces of the rankers, on a scale and power incomparable to the first strike force.
"......"
The elite members of the strike squad, following their masters' orders, prepared for battle.
Without the usual trivial shouts, without boos or criticisms.
They silently prepared for the fight.
As they say, only weak dogs bark loudly.
"It seems they want to stop me."
El Cid smiled as he looked up at the sky.
The table and chair where Tel had been sitting had cleanly disappeared.
"Do they want to kill me?"
El Cid waved his coat.
Behind him, Leetha and Kirzak, along with the Conquest Army, lined up.
"I've endured hundreds of battlefields and thousands of fights. Before they arrived here, and after too. Against even more overwhelming numbers than these, against even greater desperations."
The Conquest Army lined up behind El Cid.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 384 participants]
The leaders weren't chatting.
The advanced channel was open to everyone on the field.
There was only one Inverted Sky Book available. They would continue to fiercely compete underwater for that single item.
But their murderous intent was genuine.
The heroes who could be considered the full force of the 2nd server were all gathered, aiming at El Cid.
"Your role here is over. Now it's our fight."
El Cid spoke softly as he looked at Ziheum, who stood awkwardly.
Ziheum's figure faded like a mirage. All that was left was El Cid, Leetha, Kirzak, and the forces of Dorado.
El Cid threw his gray wolf fur coat.
Grumble!
Once again, the wind began to whip across the Ximena bridge.
The fierce wind swept through the entire airship, clearing the bloodstains on the bridge and dragging away the heroes' corpses.
Once the storm dissipated, the Ximena had returned to its original state, as clean as when it first appeared.
"As long as we have life, we will advance," El Cid muttered.
At the same time, the eyes of the heroes, which had looked lifeless, changed.
As if revived, light sparked in their eyes.
"For Dorado, to victory!"
"For Dorado, to glory!"
"Long live our hero, Laskandar El Cid!"
They raised their weapons and shouted loudly.
El Cid drew his sword from its sheath.
"Advance, everyone."
"To victory!"
"To glory!"
"Long live our hero!"
The Ximena began to move forward slowly.
Toward the field filled with the elite forces of the attack squad.
[Danger!]
[The Conqueror of Destiny]
[Laskandar El Cid Lv.327]
His level had dropped nearly 300.
He had probably used his power to strengthen his forces.
The Dorado heroes, who had seemed like dolls, regained some vitality.
But for El Cid, there was no way to replenish the interference power he had lost.
Death protection was applied throughout the field. Furthermore, the leaders' forces were still increasing. Latecomer masters were entering the battlefield.
"Once more, to victory!"
"Once more, to glory!"
"Long live our hero, Laskandar El Cid!"
The Dorado heroes, as if enchanted, continued to cheer El Cid's name.
'Like moths to a flame.'
No ranked individual here could face El Cid one-on-one.
Not even an entire guild could do it. But the situation was very different now. Excluding Niflheim, it was fair to call this group the full force of Server 2. Against this massive army, El Cid was charging with only a thousand soldiers.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 401 participants]
LiveOut> Those who cannot enter the advanced channel, please excuse yourselves and return. We do not know what could happen. We cannot be held responsible if you get involved in the fight.
Meanwhile, the ranked individuals' airships began to approach low-level master airships at the rear.
Officially, it was to ensure their safety, but I could discern the true intention.
In case a low-level master accidentally dealt the final blow to El Cid, they were taking measures to control it.
[Dimensional Channel (Advanced Only) - 399 participants]
LiveOut> You can watch comfortably from your Lobby. You can also watch via transmission. If you do not leave in 10 minutes, we will assume you want to intervene and attack first.
'...Incredible.'
If they didn't leave, they would openly destroy them.
Anything and other low-level users had no way to handle this situation.
After throwing a round of insults at the rankers and Mobius, they had no choice but to retreat.
Woong.
The Lucette, which had been halted, began to move again.
It seemed to be returning to the Lobby. From Anything's perspective, it had been an effort in vain. It might be frustrating, but there was nothing to be done.
<Master.>
As I looked ahead, a familiar voice sounded.
It was Yurnet.
<I believe now is the best opportunity to deal with El Cid. What if we participate? Several masters we have friendly relations with have already requested to join.>
"To participate, huh?"
<We have already prepared the fleet for deployment. With just your order, we can intervene immediately and begin a suppression operation. It would also be an opportunity to obtain the Inverted Sky Book.>
"Very well. Prepare a small airship for me to go to Niflheim."
<But...>
I narrowed my eyes.
El Cid's aircraft was approaching the attacking force.
The balance of power couldn't be calculated as 10 to 1 or even 100 to 1.
"It's not the time to fight him."
<If we cooperated with the other ranked individuals, we would have a considerable advantage...>
"It's not cooperation. It's obvious they would attack us in a group. Don't you see hundreds of hyenas holding their breath there?"
I smiled bitterly.
Cooperation? In name only.
What the ranked individuals sought was only the Inverted Sky Book.
There was no need to think about other rewards. But what if Niflheim, with the highest chance of success, appeared here? An inevitable situation would arise once the Raid advanced far enough.
'El Cid, the odds are against you.'
A master of his caliber would know it.
There seems to be no way out, but there's definitely a way to overcome it.
<I see. Understood.>
Yurnet replied.
She was smart. She had grasped the meaning by herself without needing my explanation.
"Watch the battlefield closely. Be prepared to respond immediately if anything happens."
<As you command. I will also send the airship to pick you up shortly. But, Master...>
"Yes?"
<If he wins this battle...>
I observed El Cid.
He seemed to be exerting himself, as his level was dropping in real-time.
"...I know."
I was already aware of that.
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