CHAPTER 69: FIRST PHASE OF CONQUERING THE GAME

"A difficult quest?" Ragnarok99’s eyes lit up like stars when he heard Gabriel’s serious tone.

"Yes, and I promise you even more rewards," Gabriel said.

"A much more difficult quest? But we’re only level 1," Bunny frowned.

"Tsk, don’t you want to level up quickly again?" Ragnarok99 retorted. "I’m sure with this quest we’ll easily be able to afford the map."

At this stage of the game, real-life currency had yet to affect the economy, so the only way for players to make money was by handling menial tasks from NPCs.

Bunny frowned. If this was another game where one could purchase coins using real money, she was sure she could have gotten that map—ten of it.

Now they had no option but to risk their lives for a mere map.

’Besides, what kind of NPC gives such a difficult quest in a starting town?’ she frowned. ’Weren’t all quests meant to be easy in the starting area?’

On the forums, when they heard what Broken Heaven said, the chats became crowded once again with so many people typing at once.

---

GamerKingX: Did he say difficult-level quest? How difficult? Someone wanna guess?

ShadowRogue: From the look of his eyes, you can tell the quest isn’t a simple one.

PixieLord: Anyone notice that Ragnarok99 has become so tame?

CrimsonFlash: True. With Broken there, man feels like a total background character now.

---

Meanwhile, inside the game, the conversation continued uninterrupted.

"The quest is pretty simple," Gabriel explained. "I need you three to help disrupt the Holy Church’s place of worship, slaughter the priest, and those who worship there. They’re scum. I won’t delve into more detail, but that’s all you need to do."

---

DemonHunterX: Damn, how did things escalate so quickly?

BetaWatcher: Oi, @Dev, is this a hidden storyline we’re not aware of?

SaintSparrow: Is this man a villain? Why is he targeting the Church? Aren’t they like, one of the good guys?

BloodReaper: Hahahaha finally, a ruthless NPC with no compassion for human life. I like that!

DarkPurge: Damn, I can’t wait for this game to launch! Hahahaha I can finally carry out my fantasy. Genocide!

Noob999: @FederalPolice: Please arrest the guy above me!

---

"You want us to disrupt the Church and slaughter everyone, including its members?" Bunny’s eyes widened, her mouth dropping to the floor.

"Sick! Hahahaha, sign me up!" Ragnarok99’s boisterous laughter echoed.

"I don’t know about this." Sniperbowlegend frowned. "Isn’t killing an NPC a crime within the city?"

"It is, but this is fuckin’ beta!" Ragnarok99 laughed. "All progress will be deleted anyway, and when the real game starts, all our sins will be wiped away."

"Still, it’s not ethical," Bunny mumbled, then fell into deep thought as she stared at the tall, crimson-haired, electric blue-eyed NPC.

’Could it be he’s one of the hidden villains in the early part of the game?’ her eyes flashed. ’After all, the devs did say that Realm of Ascendency was filled with all sorts of powerful, evil hidden bosses.’

"If you’re ready, Anna here will lead you to the location," Gabriel said.

At the same time, a system screen flashed across the trio.

---

[Ding! You have received a quest.]

[Title: Against the Church]

[Difficulty: Hard]

[Description: Kill the followers of the Church]

[Reward: High Grade Map, random treasure each]

---

"A map and treasure... Damn, why does this reward have to be so good?" Bunny entered a state of dilemma.

Even Sniperbowlegend’s expression changed drastically when he saw the rewards.

"This is like a deal from the devil," he whispered under his breath.

Ragnarok99 became even more excited, his blood literally trembling, feeling an intense urge to swing his blade already.

Gabriel hid a smile as he watched them fall into dilemma. This was their weak point. No matter how righteous these players claimed to be, when they were presented with treasures, he could easily swindle them.

Fortunately, he had the Extraction Talent.

If there was one thing he didn’t lack, it was treasures!

Some time later, Bunny spoke. "Fine, we’ll do it."

Sniperbowlegend nodded as well.

"Very well then, Anna, lead them to the local church."

"With pleasure." Anna nodded and gestured for the players to follow.

It was at that moment, away from Gabriel’s shadow, that they actually paid attention to the beautiful NPC.

[Anna Montreal]

[Level: 50]

[Danger Level: Highly Dangerous]

"Heok!" The trio’s expressions paled when they saw the huge level gap. They swore in their hearts never to offend this NPC.

"Still, why is her threat level lower than that of Broken?" Sniperbowlegend frowned. "Is it a bug?"

"It’s not," Bunny replied. "The AI detects what one is capable of, and it’s not solely based on levels alone."

Some time later, they arrived before the church, which was being guarded by two knights in white armor.

"Here is the place. I’ll stay just right there. When you’re done, I’ll take you back to Master." Anna went to the side, ready to watch the show unfold.

The trio nodded and began to approach the church.

’Master knew if he targeted the Church openly like this, he would be a criminal wanted by the Church and the entire kingdom. But by using the otherworlders, he...’ Anna’s eyes flashed with admiration. ’A perfect way to mess with the Church.’

Suddenly, she sensed a gaze in her direction and looked toward the source.

There, standing on a concrete roof with a serious expression on his face, was Gabriel.

"Grizzlenaught, come forth," he called out, and his summon slowly rose from the ground.

The red Grizzlenaught Bear bowed respectfully, awaiting orders.

"Go and hunt monsters. Bring the corpses here."

Grizzlenaught nodded and, without hesitation, disappeared into the wilderness.

The reason Gabriel wanted Grizzlenaught to bring the corpses here was so that he could use his Talent on them.

With how frequently treasures dropped, he was confident he could find a useful treasure to give the otherworlders when they returned.

As for the map, he could easily purchase that.

And of course, Gabriel could easily kill them off when they were done with the quest, but that wasn’t what he wanted.

The goal was to entice the players and gain their trust.

At that moment, someone made the first move.

Shing!

"Die!" Ragnarok99 grinned wickedly as he slashed down one of the knights in front of the church!

"Attack! Ring the bell! Argh—guuuuuh!" The remaining knight panicked.

An arrow pierced right through his skull, killing him instantly.

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