Chapter 31: Breaking SingSing(2)

Monday, as usual, I logged into Deron right after school ended.

By now, the number of guild members was increasing on its own, without any effort on my part.

After handing over admin privileges to Harang and Iyeap, it seemed they were managing things well on their own.

I immediately started spying on information about the SingSing Guild.

Perhaps because they couldn’t participate in the anticipated Conquest War last weekend, the number of their guild members had significantly decreased.

The initial 300 members had now dwindled to 270.

When I checked the mailbox, there was a message from the allied guilds I had formed partnerships with.

The guild I allied with wasn’t just the [Galaxy] Guild.

[Heaven’s Wind], [The Turtle Reached the Sea], [Requiem], and [Divine]—these were all guilds with which I had formed alliances after messaging them post-Conquest War.

Among these, except for [Requiem], they were all mid-sized guilds that had experienced conflicts with the SingSing Guild.

If you combined the member counts of these guilds, there were close to 900 members.

Of course, not all of them could participate in the Underground Labyrinth content, so the actual number of usable members was around 700.

This marked the beginning of genuine guild competition content. If such content continued to be updated in the future, this alliance would become a great asset.

I also knew that other alliances were beginning to form.

I regretted not being able to bring in more guilds.

According to rumours, SingSing was also poking around, trying to find allies, but due to the karma of their past actions, no one wanted to join forces with them.

I gave special orders to the guild members to prepare items for use in the Underground Labyrinth.

I purchased a large quantity of mines and bombs that could be crafted through Magical Engineering.

This world had one clear advantage.

Unlike in previous worlds, where players prioritized combat, there were more players here who invested in life-skilling content. As a result, there were plenty of Magical Engineering items available, which would have been hard to find otherwise.

Compared to the previous world, the availability of these items was about ten times greater.

Magical Engineering items didn’t deal massive damage and had long cooldowns.

For this reason, not many players actively used them.

However, in content like the Underground Labyrinth, where large groups of people gathered, the story changed.

If every member used one of these items, the combined effect would be overwhelming.

If dozens of members planted mines along a path, that path could be effectively blocked.

Of course, if a warrior with a priest’s protective shield charged through using their dash skill, it would be a different story. However, at the very least, it would prevent stealth rogues from sneaking through.

I sent five bombs and five mines to each guild member.

I added a message telling them to buy their own next time.

As time passed, the appointed moment drew near.

It was not a raid day. Everyone entered the Underground Labyrinth in full readiness.

When I passed through the portal with the guild members, the world turned pitch black.

The ceiling, the floor, and all the walls—everything was covered in smooth black stone bricks that glistened faintly.

The entrance location for each guild was randomized.

I quickly opened the map.

The Underground Labyrinth was structured like a square, with twelve bosses respawning in a clockwise manner as time passed.

The format was such that, if all twelve bosses were defeated, the final boss would spawn at the altar in the centre. The best rewards could be obtained from this central boss.

It was everyone’s first time here. No one had any information about the map. No one had information about the bosses.

Only I had this knowledge.

However, this is something you naturally learn while playing RPGs.

The cardinal directions—east, west, south, and north—and the centre.

Guilds with good instincts immediately began running toward these locations.

They ran along the maze-like paths that lived up to the name Labyrinth.

I calmly observed the situation with the guild members at the entrance.

“Aren’t we going?”

“It’s the same no matter when we go.”

“Same? What do you mean?”

As I was about to answer Harang’s question, I clamped my mouth shut.

I almost let slip that I already knew the details of this content.

If people found out, it wouldn’t end well for me.

If rumours started spreading that our guild was being favoured by the administrators, our guild would be torn apart by public opinion.

When would be the right time to reveal the information?

I pondered while fiddling with my lips and started moving.

“Everyone, follow me. Let’s head toward 12 o’clock for now.”

Twelve o’clock—an unremarkable, safe choice.

Although I said this, I adjusted our direction toward one o’clock.

It’s a maze, after all.

If we wander aimlessly, we’ll end up somewhere eventually.

When we finally reached the one o’clock position, the guild members looked at their maps and shook their heads.

They checked their location and realized we had gone the wrong way.

But we had arrived exactly where we needed to be.

I quickly checked the time.

It was then that a massive magic circle appeared before us, and a towering giant emerged.

[Prisoner Cyclops]

The giant, with blue skin covered in tough calluses, had heavy chains bound to its arms and legs.

[“Kwoaaaaargh!”]

The boss respawn in the underground labyrinth starts at one o’clock.

From there, the bosses respawn in a clockwise direction.

Once all the bosses are dealt with, we need to rush to the centre.

If the bosses are being cleared quickly, we should already be heading to the centre before the twelve o’clock boss is defeated.

“Tanks, grab aggro! Dealers, focus on damage!”

There was no need for me to tank.

I needed to stay back and keep an eye on the situation, so I stepped aside and left everything to the guild members.

Looting rights automatically went to the highest-ranking member of the guild anyway.

“About 20 mages, follow me. Yes, you there, from here to there.”

The mages followed my instructions and stepped aside.

I began keeping watch with them.

The most vulnerable moment in the underground labyrinth is during a boss raid.

If we were attacked during this time, it would be a real headache.

But I was the only one who knew the one o’clock boss respawned here.

Since I had stationed guild members in advance, no matter how quickly another guild arrived, they wouldn’t be able to steal the looting rights.

The boss’s health began dropping rapidly.

When its health reached 20%, a new boss respawned in the two o’clock position.

The boss’s location is displayed on the map in real time, along with its health.

Those rushing toward one o’clock must have urgently redirected themselves to two o’clock.

“Some freeloaders might try to swoop in, so take out every player you see.”

Drawing my sword, I spoke to the mages.

Players began gathering around us, cautiously observing the situation.

Some were here to land the last hit on the boss, while others were just curious spectators.

But there was no way to distinguish between the two.

Everyone we saw had to be eliminated.

I unsheathed my holy sword, glowing with sunlight, and cast a menacing glare at the players, causing them to back away hesitantly.

Of course, those who refused to back down received a taste of my blade.

After some time had passed, a notification about the dropped items suddenly appeared before me.

[Guild Funds Gold Pouch 1,000 x3]

[Infernal Soulfire Warhorse Summoning Scroll x1]
[Ring of the Underground Labyrinth]

From the very beginning, the dropped items were phenomenal.

The Ring of the Underground Labyrinth was a PVP-exclusive accessory, loaded with stats perfect for player-versus-player combat.

What truly caught my eye, though, was the Infernal Soulfire Warhorse Summoning Scroll.

Deron also had a mount system.

However, up until now, the only mounts available were the brown dung horses commonly found in the capital city or tiny donkeys.

Their speed wasn’t particularly impressive either.

To make matters worse, real-world horseback riding skills were required, so not many players actually used mounts.

Because this world was different, the market for mounts didn’t seem too promising.

The boss at two o’clock started losing health.

If we rushed now, we might be able to snag the last hit or reset its aggro to claim it for ourselves.

But I didn’t feel like doing so.

Instead, I quickly messaged the allied guild leaders.

Allies: “Bosses are respawning clockwise starting from one o’clock. We’re heading to three o’clock.”

Those who were quick on their feet should have already figured it out by now.

Time was precious. We had to move fast.

“To three o’clock! Let’s go!”

I led the guild members and began running.

It was the first day of the newly opened content.

Herbivore and carnivore guilds alike were tangled up, thrashing around in chaos.

I swiftly slashed down anyone in my way as I dashed forward.

This was to benefit from the Highlander skill’s Victory Streak effect.

Some players, just before dying, shouted in anger, questioning why they were being attacked.

I didn’t respond. This was just how it worked.

They had chosen to step into a PVP zone of their own volition.

After dying a few more times, they’d eventually stop coming here, resigned to their fate.

I didn’t expect understanding, nor did I seek it.

Engaging in an argument with such players would only tire me out.

When we arrived at the three o’clock position, a large crowd of players had already gathered.

It wasn’t just one guild.

Unorganized players who had entered the area were standing around awkwardly, warily observing each other.

Should we kill them?

Yes, we should.

If we were to prioritize the gains of our guild alone, that would be the right choice.

As I mulled over the decision for a moment, another guild group appeared behind us.

They hesitated briefly upon spotting us but didn’t back down.

[RamjiThunder]

In my time collecting information about various guilds, I had also learned about the RamjiThunder guild.

They were a so-called “Gallery Guild” formed by users of the Deron Online gallery.

Many gallery guilds existed, but RamjiThunder had built the largest power base among them.

I signaled my guild members to stand by and slung my holy sword over my shoulder.

I already knew what kind of image I had within their gallery community.

This was a form of showmanship.

“Are you guys planning to claim three o’clock?”

I asked the person standing at the front.

He opened his mouth to respond.

“Yes, are you… from the gallery as well, Ren?”

I cast a casual glance over the RamjiThunder members.

Most of them were cocky, hyper-macho types prone to reckless actions.

It was better to give up the spot rather than risk a confrontation here.

There was no need to dirty my hands unnecessarily.

These guys would take the blame for us.

Our guild still needed to maintain its image.

At least until we crushed the Singsing Guild.

“No. We’re heading somewhere else,” I replied.

“Oh…”

The man at the front nodded in admiration.

He immediately signaled his guild members and began charging at the players waiting near the three o’clock boss spawn point.

Watching the skill effects explode in all directions, I saw numerous players from smaller guilds get wiped out at once.

By now, a lot of time had passed, and the boss had already spawned at six o’clock.

Allies: “Do you need help anywhere?”

I didn’t get any replies from the allied guilds.

It seemed like they were all engaged in boss raids at their respective locations.

So, I turned and began running with my guild members.

If only I’d bought even an ordinary dung horse, we could’ve taken down at least four bosses.

At this pace, no matter how hard we tried, three bosses seemed to be the limit.

As we raced forward, I caught sight of Singsing Guild members.

They were hunting at the eight o’clock area.

There were nearly 200 of them, all focused on the boss.

I had my guild members wait at the corner of the path while I observed the situation.

“Ranged attackers and rogues, take out the healer line first.

Don’t go too deep, just focus on cutting off the healer line.

Without heals, their tanks will die to the boss, and their frontline will crumble.

That’s when we strike.”

I exchanged glances with my guild members.

These were the people I personally recruited.

They were reliable.

As for those who joined later, I didn’t know them well, but I trusted they wouldn’t disappoint.

“When entering the boss room, plant mines along the path.

We need to block their reinforcements from regrouping after respawning.”

I continued to monitor the situation.

If the Singsing Guild members reduced the boss’s health to below 50%, I planned to move in.

The moment I’d been waiting for finally arrived.

“Go. Don’t shout, just move quickly.”

We didn’t bother hiding our footsteps.

Everyone moved swiftly, planting mines along the narrow path.

Despite the long cooldown, nearly 100 members planting mines effectively blocked the passage.

“Attack.”

As soon as I gave the order, a barrage of dazzling magic rained down on the healer line of the Singsing Guild, who were battling the massive cyclops.

Enormous fireballs descended, and an icy blizzard swirled through the area.

The healers, clustered together, were wiped out in an instant.

Distracted by the boss, the Singsing Guild finally realized our presence and began shouting and screaming.

“Malleable Cow!”
“Crazy bastards are here!”
“It’s the schoolgirls!”

They drew their weapons and prepared for a standoff.

Nearly 200 of them stood ready.

Charging in recklessly would get us shredded.

But they’d already lost their healer line.

Without healers to sustain them, their tank line began to collapse under the boss’s attacks.

“Surround them so they can’t escape.

If we just stall for time, we win.”

In front was Malleable Chewy Cow, and behind was the massive Cyclops boss.

The Singsing Guild could do nothing and melted away completely.

The moment we wiped out all their members, the Cyclops’s red gaze turned toward us.

The boss had 30% health remaining.

“Let’s do it like before. Twenty mages, follow me.”

The tanks in our guild started drawing the boss’s aggro and began the raid.

I stayed back with the mages to guard the pathway leading into the boss room.

The boss’s health was already significantly reduced.

It would be a shame to give up now.

As I expected, the Singsing Guild regrouped and started charging back toward this location.

Seeing their guild emblem in the distance, I couldn’t help but smile.

At that moment, the loot drop appeared before my eyes.

• [Guild Funds Gold Pouch 1,000 x3]
• [Underground Labyrinth Necklace]

“Everyone, teleport back.”

“Huh?”
“What? Teleport out all of a sudden?”

“I’m telling you to teleport out and re-enter. It’ll be faster that way.”

I explained to Harang and the other guild members, who were looking at me in confusion, as I drew my sword.

Then Helena approached me and asked, “You’re not leaving?”

“I’ll distract them.”

The Singsing Guild probably despised me by now.

If I stood here alone, they’d charge at me recklessly, even without the boss present.

Understanding my plan, the guild members nodded and began using their teleport stones.

Once everyone had safely evacuated, I stood openly at the entrance of the path where the Singsing Guild was visible and started using my teleport stone.

“Kill that bastard!”

A man, his face flushed red with anger, unsheathed his sword and began charging at me.

Judging by his incredible speed, he must’ve used a dash skill.

But the moment he stepped onto the path, he and the players following him were caught in a massive explosion.

They had entered a corridor lined with over a hundred mines.

As the explosion effects subsided, about thirty players who had rushed ahead lay dead on the ground.

Before the teleport stone fully activated, the last thing I saw was the face of a priest hesitating in place.

For some reason, he looked familiar.

It struck me—he was the player I had stripped of all his equipment last time.