Chapter 207 - The Calm Before The Storm!

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A miracle had happened at Sprigfield Town as the nightmarish macabre shrieking had stopped! 

"The rats are all gone! How is that even possible?!"

"What if it's a trap?! They could be lurking near, waiting for us to exit the barrier!" 

"Are you crazy?! There's no way that rats are that smart! They probably just gave up."

Everyone had a theory, some giving more credits to the rats than others. But as they were all bickering on who was right, an NPC came running! The man was panicked and looked like a worn-out farmer. 

"The rats are attacking the farms! They're targeting one in particular! Please help. I'm sure the farming association will reward you!" He shouted at the Braves. 

[The Rats Will Wreck Havoc on the Farms!] 

[New Event! Macabre Rat Invasion!] 

[Find a Way to Stop Them!] 

They were supposed to fight the entire rat army?! Many had sullen looks in their eyes: how were they supposed to deal with this?! But just as they were hesitating, a commotion suddenly arose. 

"Holy shit! They're here?!" 

"Am I dreaming?! Are they who I think they are?!" 

"With them here, the rats can all wash their neck, hahaha!" 

Three groups arrived at once, all highly coordinated. Many exclaimed in shock as they showed up. 

They had an aura of power, looked haughty, and were obviously used to having a high standing. Oh, and all their gear slots were filled, all of them! 

There was no mistaking it: all were badasses, popular enough to be instantly recognized!

1. Forsaken —> Forsaken F emblem

Contrary to their guild name, they were present in every freaking MMO. Joining Forsaken meant that one would never be guildless no matter how obscure the game. 

2. Epoch —> Small Book at their waist ????

They were one of the OG professional guilds around. Legends said that they had been around so long that their history went back to an age where VR was only a myth! 

3. Amber —> Amber Necklaces

They used to be an exclusively Eldritch Scroll Online guild, but it seemed like they were branching to Infinite. They were renowned for being quite friendly but extremely hard to join. 

"OMG! Think I can ask for an autograph?" 

"I don't need such a thing, just the Amber Princess's number!" 

"Pui! Shameless! Do you think you're worthy! Still, I didn't even know they were here!" 

Many were confused as it was the first time they saw them. That's because they had pretty much been living in the hunting grounds, farming XP nonstop! 

As pro players, they knew that the most important was one's strength! Once power was obtained, then wealth would follow, and wealth could be used to power-level life skills! 

This time, they had come back specifically for the rat event. They were different than the rubbish players that were just playing for fun! Their very presence intimidated the minor yet arrogant factions. 

That's when a stern, handsome, military-looking man addressed them all. This guy was the Heavenly Right General from Forsaken!! 

"Everyone! This event is bound to give bountiful rewards! I'm counting on all of you to join our expedition! With all of us, victory is assured! Who's in?!" He thundered. 

His short speech was received with maddened cheers. 

— Clap! Clap! Clap! — 

"I'll join for sure!" 

"If we perform well, can we join Forsaken?!" 

"Wait, isn't the last guy leading the Freedom Battalion Faction?!" 

¯_(ツ)_/¯

With everyone joining the expedition, it soon became so damn lively! Heck, there were even plenty of NPCs! 

There were the militia members, but also a man wearing a deep green robe. They had even managed to mobilize the arrogant representative of the mage Tower?! Impressive! 

The players treated the mage like a king as they tried at all costs to get in his good graces. But it was all useless, for he considered the very people of this town beneath him. 

A beggar-looking man had also joined. The few that knew him glanced his way in shock: what was he doing joining a military expedition?! Had he gone mad?! Scamming was one thing, but fighting?!

Many looked his way mockingly, sneering with incredible disdain, but eventually all ignored him. 

He was used to being ignored. It let him observe the world as it truly was. No one hid things from beggars, for they were less than humans— in their eyes at least. 

The Scammer chuckled as he noticed how much those from the three groups despised their weaker peers. They hid it well, but they would imperceptibly scrunch their nose when looking their way! 

The idiots rejoiced as they talked of glory and wealth, not realizing that they were nothing more than bait. The more he heard and the more he felt they were all fools. 

"The peeps from the three factions are already level 15?!"

"They're 100% the strongest players in the entire town!" 

"That's because they didn't waste time on life skills." 

"Damn, here I was trying to become a builder!" 

"At least you stayed far away from the farms, haha!" 

The Scammer knew better. Strongest? Waste time on Life skills? Stayed away from the farms? Bullshit!

If he wasn't mistaken, the creatures were targeting a Pumpkin Farm that belonged to his master! Would there even be a fight? There was no way he'd lose to such puny creatures! 

They were about to reach the scene of the battle when the weather suddenly changed. Dark and large clouds gathered, turning the night sky even darker. 

A second later, a deluge began. The rain was so heavy that it instantly drenched everyone and formed puddles on the field! The reactions to this were varied. 

Some were annoyed: 

"Goddamn rain! Everything will be muddy now!"

"Rain before a battle? So freaking cliché!"

"Anyone has umbrellas?" 

Some were glad: 

"Talk about fitting for a showdown!" 

"All good, I like my battles like my women: extra wet!" 

"Hehe, it will just make the tale better! It will sound all ominous now!" 

But just as the players were complaining/rejoicing, an NPC amongst them started trembling. The once aloof mage suddenly stared at the sky, his mouth gaping open. 

"How?! This is impossible?! It's magic. All of it is magic!!!" He shouted as if a madman.

Then it got worse. He suddenly realized that the magic rain reacted with his own magical robe, corrupting it. One had to know that this item was worth more than his own life! 

He didn't hesitate even a second as he hurriedly undressed, soon only wearing his undergarments. 

The players whispered, shocked: 

"What the hell?!" 

"Has he gone mad?!"

"M-maybe he just really likes rain?" 

The naked mage started rushing forward excitedly, not minding the weird gazes. He was hellbent on finding the source of this magic. Heck, this could be an opportunity! 

This was the kind of power that the mage Tower longed for! Just selling the information would give the man more benefits than he could possibly fathom! 

The Scammer didn't understand what was happening either, but he still had a wry smile. This was HIS doing, wasn't it? He followed the mage with a light chuckle, shouting in passing.

"Quick, copy master mage, or you'll die!" The Scammer even led by example, giving the movement momentum. 

A second later, the fools were ALL undressing, dumbasses! Who knew a small prank would be that effective? Hehe, he hadn't lost his touch. It was just that Demonic fella that was too hard to trick! 

A LOT of naked people were now running toward a Pumpkin Farm... 

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[A/N] Hype! Feb Mass Release Time! ????

Good Prank? ;)