【Day 72: Xiao Shuai is dead, no resurrection... Unbelievable, but it’s true. We’ve slain dragons, eradicated demons, we thought that in a world without those so-called gods, there was nothing that could truly threaten us. We never even considered death, something so ethereal and distant. But...
Have I... Have I really... been wrong?
Why is it like this...
This shouldn’t be a simple, carefree world where we frolic and roam as we please, right? Aren’t we the chosen ones, the darlings of the world? Why are the enemies this time... the creatures of the Illusory World so powerful?
No, no no no... I should have known, Miss Tiyelu warned us from the very beginning.
The invincibility I’ve enjoyed for so long has made me complacent. I should have retreated long ago. Before Cheese Mochi fell into a coma from overexertion, before everyone’s equipment durability plummeted, we should have retreated.
We were all wrong, too greedy, too arrogant. This world is not our playground. Real danger, real strength, won’t offer a second chance.
We’ve pushed too far, perhaps, there’s no chance to go back now.】
“Ah...”
The notes abruptly end here, this is the final entry.
Violet has studied this book repeatedly for a long time, only reluctantly stowing it away in her backpack after confirming there were no hidden compartments or concealed content.
From the contents of the notes, it seems these cross-world players ventured to a place called the “Illusionary Realm” for some purpose but unfortunately failed.
Could it be that they were completely wiped out there?
No, it shouldn’t be the case. Although it clearly states that some players died in the Illusionary Realm, at least one person must have escaped for this notebook to exist here.
The Illusionary Realm... the name seems oddly familiar. Tiyelu also mentioned it before. Why did those players have to go there? What is inside?
And, even though they are supposedly players from the “Illusory World,” why did those guys appear earlier? Since someone managed to escape, where have they gone now?
It seems like Violet still knows too little about this world. Many things... are probably not as simple as they appear on the surface.
One thing Violet strongly agrees with in the notes is that one should never let their guard down just because a formidable opponent is scarce. From the situation with Sethlin, it’s evident that true deities can indeed harm her, not to mention the terrifying existence that caused all gods to fall.
Moreover, if the contents of the notes are true...
Players in this world probably can’t endlessly resurrect like in the game. In other words, they only have one life.
Of course, since resurrection magic has been proven to work, Violet, as a priest, isn’t particularly worried. When that player called Xiao Shuai died, the team’s priest seemed to have fallen into a coma due to excessive consumption, perhaps that’s why...
Well, it’s all speculation based on the contents of the notes. Without witnessing the scene firsthand or obtaining further information, it’s best not to jump to conclusions.
“Phew... Tiyelu, the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains...”
The black-haired girl took a deep breath, calming her restless heart.
Regardless, this was quite a valuable unexpected surprise. She never expected to find something like this hidden in the underground chamber of what seemed like an ordinary slum girl’s place.
The secret of the travelers. This was directly related to Violet’s true reason for coming to this world. In her eyes, it was even more important than the ongoing struggles between the Human United Kingdom and the monsters.
The timing was perfect too. Once she dealt with this matter, she could conveniently go find Tiyelu for some answers.
After searching the basement for a while and confirming there was nothing else of interest, the priestess, along with her pet, went back up the stairs.
In the slums, hardly anyone could afford magical lamps, and even candles were sparingly used. At night, it was particularly quiet here. Even though the wooden door of Eileen’s house was left unlocked without a bolt, no one came in to investigate.
Ironically, everyone was poor, and there was nothing worth stealing, hence another meaning of keeping doors unlocked at night.
Putting everything in the house back in place to prevent anyone else from easily finding the secret passage and entering the basement, Violet and her companion left through the tunnel they came in and arrived at the stone house in the underground black market.
But there was no one there.
Neither Eileen, Mr. Side-Swept Bangs, nor the contact they mentioned before, nor the unknown individuals who broke into Eileen’s house by cutting off the wooden bolt, were present. The house was empty, furniture arranged as it was during the day, and there were no signs of struggle.
“Haven’t they come across each other? Or perhaps, did they never return here at all?”
The girl Eileen’s identity was definitely not as simple as she claimed. If Mr. Side-Swept Bangs wasn’t collaborating with her in a play, then it meant that during their separation of over a year, Eileen must have undergone significant changes.
This could also explain why someone forcefully broke into Eileen’s house.
However, it seems that due to various coincidences, unexpected changes have occurred in the situation.
“Master, there’s a battle outside.”
“?”
The reminder from the little dragon girl made Violet instinctively look towards the front door, but she didn’t actually hear any noise. As a warrior and a dragon, Xiao Guang’s perception was much higher than that of the priestess, especially when not using SP.
She quickly understood.
“Are you talking about inside the black market?”
“Yeah.”
Oh dear... it seems things have gotten quite chaotic.
A brawl involving just a few people wouldn’t grab Miss Giant Dragon’s attention specifically. Since she mentioned it, it must have been a remarkably large-scale battle.
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“Let’s go, see what’s happening first.”
In the underground black market illuminated by magical lamps and firelight, there was no distinction between day and night, and the scenery on the way was the same as before. It wasn’t until they stood on the platform where they had come with Mr. Side-Swept Bangs and the others that Violet noticed the change.
In the southern area of the underground black market, where the Ghost Thief Group was based, several places were ablaze with fierce flames, and both sides were engaged in intense fighting.
Although it was a bit far away, the general situation could still be discerned.
On one side, the forces appeared more scattered, seemingly organized by the stallholders and various small to medium-sized poaching groups. On the other side, however, was rather surprising.
“... Adventurers?”
The black-haired girl murmured in confusion.
Although their weapons and attire were equally diverse, there were recognizable traits of adventurers. When Violet looked closely, the prominent adventurer level badges on their bodies already confirmed their identities.
Compared to the ragtag resistance of the poachers, the adventurers’ cooperation seemed much more coordinated. They formed small groups of several to a dozen people, with clear roles such as vanguard, harassment, ranged attacks, and healing support. These small groups assisted each other and advanced together in a coordinated manner.
Despite no overwhelming difference in numbers or average strength, they routed the poachers, who could only retreat in disarray.
Violet was a bit dumbfounded.
Just from what she could see, there were probably over a thousand adventurers engaged in battle. Where did all these forces come from?
Hey, can someone explain... what exactly is going on here?