After hesitating for a long time, Black Swan finally looked at Valerius.
"Mr. Valerius, how long will you stay here?"
"I'll be leaving again tomorrow."
"…Then your next destination?"
"Random."
That answer made things difficult.
They wanted to return and discuss this with the others—after all, these were shared points.
But what if they decided to buy…
…and couldn't find Valerius anymore?
"You really can't give us a hint?"
"No."
Valerius shook his head.
"The rules are clear. I move randomly. If you find me, you buy. If not, that's just bad luck."
After another round of silence—
Ningguang made the call.
"Buy it."
She was a merchant.
Everything revolved around profit.
Holding 10 points and losing the game?
Unacceptable.
Yes, business valued risk and leverage—
But she also knew the price of greed.
Spending 4 points to secure victory…
Was worth it.
And more importantly—
The Hero faction already knew that March had wasted points and been eliminated.
What if they found Valerius again and went all-in?
Mutual destruction wasn't impossible.
Ningguang would never bet on winning without spending anything.
"Agreed."
Black Swan nodded.
Her reasoning was simpler—
This was safer.
The two reached a consensus.
They spent 4 points.
Purchased: Demon King Formation.
"We leave immediately."
With the item secured, they wasted no time.
"Hey… you're leaving already?"
Valerius looked a little helpless.
He had finally found someone to talk to—
And they were just going to leave?
"Apologies, Mr. Valerius."
Ningguang smiled faintly.
"We have matters to attend to."
"If you ever have time, you are welcome to visit the Jade Chamber. I will personally receive you."
"…Alright."
Left alone again in the wilderness—
Valerius could only sigh.
Demon King Castle
When Ningguang and Black Swan returned—
The others were already waiting.
"Take it out. Let's see what you got."
"Here."
They revealed the Demon King Formation.
Several pairs of eyes lit up instantly.
"This is good."
"I suggest we start with Fu Xuan."
Silver Wolf spoke first—without hesitation.
She still remembered how Fu Xuan had nearly killed her.
This was personal.
"…Interesting."
Phantylia's eyes gleamed.
This item was practically made for her.
With it—
She could allow players to enter the castle freely.
And finally…
Fight them directly.
Despite being the Demon King—
So far, she had only seen prisoners.
Not a single proper Hero opponent.
That was… disappointing.
"Let's move."
Raiden Ei acted immediately.
"I'll go capture more players."
"Phantylia, absorb the prisoners in the dungeon."
"What about Yae Miko?"
"No need."
"I've already punished her."
Ningguang covered her face.
This Raiden Shogun…
Captured her.
Beat her.
Now just discarding her like that?
Cold-blooded.
The Demon faction mobilized again.
Everyone except Feixiao moved out.
Villages.
Cities.
Anyone they encountered—
Captured.
Players suffered heavily.
One moment—
You're peacefully eating hotpot.
The next—
You're dragged off to become Demon King fuel.
Meanwhile—
On the Hero side.
With the airship, everything changed.
They could move freely across the map.
Pick up players.
Relocate instantly.
Avoid direct confrontation.
The Demon army frequently arrived—
Only to find empty towns.
A constant cycle began:
Capture vs Rescue.
The system notifications flooded the world:
[Notice: Hero Ranpo has been eliminated.]
[Notice: Player Diona has been eliminated.]
[Notice: Player No. 11 has been eliminated.]
[Notice: Player Fischl has been eliminated.]
[Notice: Player…]
Phantylia had begun absorbing.
One by one—
Players were eliminated.
Her stats surged.
Still level 100—
But her attributes had skyrocketed.
On the other side—
The Heroes were growing too.
With constant leveling—
Most had reached the high 90s.
Higher than the Demon Generals.
If not for the natural stat advantage of Demon classes—
The tide would've already turned.
One Month Later
The final phase had arrived.
A massive airship cut through the sky—
Heading toward a dark, ominous castle.
On the deck—
Four figures stood at the front:
Yanqing
Klee
Kamisato Ayaka
Bennett (the final Hero)
Yanqing stepped forward.
"Everyone, listen!"
"This is it—the assault on the Demon King Castle!"
"We must win!"
"When the battle begins—"
"Protect Klee at all costs!"
"As long as she reaches the throne room—"
"She can defeat the Demon King!"
"YES!!"
"All for Klee!!"
The crowd roared.
After a month of suffering—
This was their moment.
Their revenge.
Only Bennett covered his face.
"…I'm level 6."
He had been trapped since spawn.
Only recently rescued by Klee.
Before he could even level—
They told him:
Final battle time.
Level 6…
Against level 80+ enemies.
No one could explain that.
Demon King Castle
On the other side—
The Demon faction prepared as well.
Raiden Ei stood outside—
Leading a massive army formation.
Inside the castle—
All Demon players gathered.
Waiting.
On the wall—
Feixiao leaned silently.
Looking down at the army.
"…Sigh."
The Hero side…
Was in danger.
Phantylia had grown too strong.
"Such a pity…"
She turned to leave—
Then suddenly paused.
"…Wait."
She realized something.
She was still part of the Demon faction.
If Phantylia won—
She would receive rewards too.
"…Oh."
A smile appeared.
"That's not so bad."
Her mood instantly improved.
Still—
"…Poor Yanqing."
At the same time—
On the airship—
Yanqing suddenly looked toward the castle.
As if sensing something.
He tightened his grip on a glowing orb.
"General Feixiao…"
"I found it."
"The artifact."
"Just wait…"
"We're coming to save you!!!"
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