Villain Ch 258. Mass Hunt?
But Mac answered him by raising his hand, demanding Player_Eater's silence. His attention was fixed on a group of players who had gathered nearby, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and frustration.
"So, the villains attacked you too?" Mac exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. The players nodded, sharing their harrowing experiences. They came from various guilds and different groups, yet they all had one thing in common—the villains had struck them too. However, there was an intriguing twist: their attackers weren't the devil emperor or Grimora. Each of them faced a different antagonist, ranging from the succubus to the witch and even the Kraken.
"Yes. It looks like the villains are doing a mass hunt," answered a player named Sarah, her tone filled with seriousness and concern. She had been a seasoned player, and her experience in the game gave weight to her words.
The group of players huddled closer, exchanging worried glances and discussing the situation at hand.
Greg furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of the situation. "What about the new players?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. He had seen many beginners joining the game recently. He wondered if they were also being targeted by the villains.
A player named Jake shrugged and replied, "I don't know, but no one has reported anything yet."
Mac nodded in agreement, his face filled with a mix of determination and concern. "It seems this is only for high-level players," he muttered, his voice tinged with gravity.
"Are they targeting similar players?" Yora chimed in, her brows furrowing as she tried to make sense of the situation. Her hand cast a healing spell on one of her party members, ensuring their wounds were tended.
"I think not," another player named Alex replied, shaking his head. "Look at us, we're all different. Different classes, different equipment, different skills. There's no pattern to their targets."
Yora nodded, her confusion deepening. "I see... so they're not only after us," she muttered, the gears in her mind spinning as she tried to piece together the puzzle. It seemed that the villains had a broader agenda, extending beyond their own group.
"Is there an announcement from the game developer about this?" Mac questioned, his voice laced with curiosity and concern.
The group exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a shared sense of confusion. One by one, they shook their heads from side to side, indicating that there had been no official word from the game developer regarding these sudden attacks.
"Hmm... So, this isn't an event either," Mac pondered, furrowing his brows as he attempted to make sense of the situation. He desperately searched for a common thread, a clue that could connect these events and offer some semblance of understanding. But the pieces of the puzzle seemed scattered and elusive.
"Maybe the villains just randomly attack us?" Player_Eater suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Mac furrowed his brows and shook his head in response. "Nah, it can't be that simple," he said, dismissing the idea. "Remember what Grimora said back there? That she came for a specific reason – something she wanted from Yora?"
The group nodded, recalling the chilling encounter with Grimora and her ominous words. It had been a bone-chilling moment, and the memory of Yora being choked and tormented was still fresh in their minds.
"Yeah, but what about that devil emperor dude?" Player_Eater chimed in, scratching his head. "He just waltzed in and went on a killing spree, no questions asked. He even taunted us about whom he's gonna slay next before he disappeared!"
"Wait, you guys met the emperor?" a curious voice piped up from the group.
·?θm Greg let out a frustrated sigh, his annoyance evident in his tone. "Yes. Grimora was the one who killed our healer, but it was the emperor who killed us all," he replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. He couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration at his failed attempt to be Yora's hero in the game. The thought even crossed his mind that it might be easier to approach her in the real world. Plus, as a craftsman, his class didn't exactly complement the role of a healer. In most stories or games, the combination of a swordsman and a healer was always deemed the most effective.
"He also mentioned that he doesn't like half-assed work," Player_Eater chimed in, adding to the conversation with a raised eyebrow.
The players nodded, processing the information. "So your group encountered not just one, but two villains at the same time, huh?" Jake mused, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Mac leaned forward. "Did something similar happen to you as well?" he asked, curiosity lacing his words.
The players shook his heads. "No, we only encountered one villain," Alex replied, his eyes darting between the group.
Yora crossed her arms, a mixture of determination and frustration etched on her face. "So, it's just us, huh?" she questioned, her frown deepening.
Mac leaned back, considering the possibilities. "Perhaps that's a sign that the villains perceive us as formidable adversaries," he suggested, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. He turned to Yora, a supportive smile on his face. "They must have recognized our skills. It's a testament to our strength."
Yora's expression softened slightly, but she couldn't shake off her concern entirely.
"Or maybe it means they are paying particularly close attention to us," Player_Eater interjected, his annoyance evident in his voice. "And to be honest, I don't like the idea of being under constant scrutiny."
Mac raised an eyebrow, considering the different perspectives. "Well, it's just a game, after all," he remarked, trying to provide a more lighthearted perspective. "You could even view it as an honor. The fact that the villains are targeting us means we've made a significant impact in the game world."
"Maybe," Player_Eater snorted, a hint of skepticism in his voice. The recent encounters with the villains had left him on edge, questioning their every move.
Yora nodded thoughtfully, considering the situation. "Since the villains already got what they wanted from us, we should be relatively safe to resume our hunting, right?" she suggested optimistically.
"Should be," Mac replied cautiously.
Player_Eater let out a sigh, realizing he was ill-prepared for the upcoming battles. "You guys go ahead," he said, his tone tinged with disappointment. "I'm out of Mandragora Seeds, so I'll need to spend some time gathering them before joining you."
Mac placed a reassuring hand on Player_Eater's shoulder. "No worries, take your time," he said with a nod. "Just make sure you're fully stocked up and ready to join us as soon as possible."
Player_Eater gave a grateful nod and quickly made his way out of the village.
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