Chapter 298 – Cat Dad's Minions Launches a Surprise Attack
= Yeet City, 100 kilometers south of Seaside Town =
Flags of the Pangu Church on top of the city walls fluttered with the strong wind. However, the soldiers on the wall were all Pangu cultists with cold weapons. They patrolled the wall, pretending to be protecting the city.
The city had long fallen to the Pangu Church. After the church excommunicated Yuan Shaoqing and the Yuan Empire, they took over all his affiliated cities and replaced the garrison soldiers with their cultists.
As a result, the province-level city became the new territory of the Pangu Church. They demolished Yuan Shaoqing's castle and built a monastery on top of it.
The players were uninterested in provincial politics. As for the locals, half of the population suffered from poverty as many families served the army and the empire as officials. After Yuan Shaoqing was gone, they were relieved from their duties - losing their jobs.
Because of the crisis, the local NPCs relied on players. They begged the players to bring them food and gold coins in exchange for Contribution EXP and their heirlooms. Thus, this city became a haven for players of all levels as quests were easy to find there.
Many superhuman-aspiring players worked hard as usual. They ran around, killing local beasts and donating food to poor families.
Butter Tank, Dog Eater, Alzheimer, and Cherry Popper was there as well. Because Dog Eater and Cherry Popper lost some of their items and levels in the dungeon, they recuperated here to resupply.
After coming back from the dungeon, Butter Tank and Dog Eater thought about retirement. They admired their account as they sold their marked runes to Yuan Shaoqing for two million PACTs. After the split, the two of them had a million in their account, which was worth 40 million USD.
Both man didn't tell Dog Eater and Cherry Popper. For more shares, they kept the secret to themselves.
After the group got all of their supplies and new equipment, they gathered in a bar to discuss their future in private. They picked the secluded table and huddled to talk in a low voice.
"What's next, boss? The global event is probably impossible for us."
Butter Tank glanced at Alzheimer. The latter nodded at him. Seeing that Alzheimer understood his gesture, Butter revealed his intention.
"I'm thinking of disbanding the guild."
"BOSS, WHAT?! What about the noble peerage and lands?!" Dog exclaimed.
"What about our revenge?! Do you know what kind of nightmare I had been through when I died?!" Cherry still remembered the PTSD-inducing death when she was torn into pieces.
Butter coughed, "I've decided that I'm not suitable to be a guild leader. I led you to your death. This is a tarnish to my reputation, so I'll resign from my posts to take responsibility for my incompetency. You guys can select a new guild leader among yourselves."
Alzheimer grinned as if he had been waiting for this opportunity, "Don't vote for me. Let me stay as a backup member behind the scene. I don't like politics."
"…"
Cherry and Dog Eater were speechless. The resignation came out of nowhere, and they weren't prepared for the changes.
"Boss, are you sure? You know that only guild leaders are eligible to attain a noble rank, right?"
"Wrong. Any player can become a noble as long as their Contribution Level is high enough!" Butter coughed and pretended to confess, "I talked to Emperor Yuan Shaoqing. He said that he could make an exception for us if we abandon the Pangu Church Faction and join his empire. He lacks nobles and officials at the moment."
"R-Really?"
Dog Eater and Cherry Popper were excited. But when they remembered the guild buff and the deity sponsors, they hesitated.
"But boss, the guild buffs will be gone if we join the Yuan Empire…"
"That's why I'm quitting. I'll be leaving the guild as well so that I can freely join the Yuan Empire. I'll be the only one to lose my guild buff!"
"Boss, you…"
"Say no more. I've made up my mind."
The group nodded, respecting Butter Tank's decision. On the other hand, Alzheimer inwardly laughed as he knew why Butter Tank wanted to quit the guild.
"GEH!"
Suddenly, a player who had been sitting at the table next to them uttered out loud while he stared at the group. He was alone, but his eyes looked strangely glossy.
Dog Eater, Alzheimer, and Butter Tank turned around and glared at the player.
The player didn't stop. He sneered at them and repeated his word.
"Quitting the guild? GEH!"
Butter Tank was offended. He stood up and walked toward the player, "You've got a problem?"
The player chuckled. He sized up Butter Tank and stood up, staring into Butter Tank's eyes. He slowly moved his mouth and quietly muttered.
"G.E.H."
"…"
Butter Tank couldn't hold it in anymore. He threw a sucker punch at the player.
BAM
His right hook smacked the player's jaw, but he didn't flinch. A number appeared, showing the damage that Butter Tank had inflicted.
1 Damage!
Butter Tank frowned and stared at his right fist. He was still wearing plate armor, and his steel gauntlet should have offered some hand-to-hand damage. However, the DEF stat of this player was too high.
The player laughed. He grabbed the right wrist of Butter Tank and smirked.
"GEH Punch! My turn!"
As soon as he said that, his fingers dug into Butter Tank's skin. Then, he pulled it out!
SWUA!
A layer of the entire Butter Tank's body skin came out, including his equipped armor!
Butter Tank lost 99% of his HP on the spot. He was still alive, but the pain and the shock made him scream in desperation.
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
The commotion caught the attention of the other players and the local NPCs in the bar. When the people saw the state of Butter Tank, female NPCs and weak-hearted players screamed as well.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
While many people were in shock, several players with glossy eyes smirked and grabbed the nearest person's arms, neck, or chest. Then, they did the same as their colleague did to Butter Tank.
A dozen people got their skin stolen!
When the people in the bar screamed in unison, all players finally sensed that something was wrong around here. They rushed out of the bar to call for the local guards to deal with the outlaws.
But what happened next shocked everybody. The assailants vertically split in half, revealing a thousand small fangs and sharp teeth. They devoured the skinless victims and ate them alive!
In addition, the names of these creatures were revealed. Their red name flashed.
Pretty Skin, Level (???)
None of the players could see their level due to the level gap. Cherry Popper, Alzheimer, and Dog Eater leaped away from the monster and scrambled toward the bar's exit.
They got out unharmed, but their guild leader was killed.
The group of players panted and looked around. Several gamers and local NPCs also gathered in front of the bar in shock and panic.
Unfortunately, the incident was just the beginning. As if the commotion in the bar was the trigger, the other places in Yeet City were thrown into chaos as well.
Behind Chery Popper, a female player suddenly touched a male gamer's chest. Like what Butter Tank had experienced, she deskinned and stripped the guy. Then, she proceeded to eat the victim.
A hundred people on the street also did the same. Like a zombie apocalypse, the disguising monsters launched their attacks in unison!
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