Hundreds of tents, each containing adventurers cramped together in search of glory, stood around the untouched Doomsday Pillar in the middle of the Siberian tundra.
After morning comes, one thousand Earth Realm adventurers woke up, prepared themselves, and gathered together in front of a special, heavily guarded luxurious tent for an announcement.
Viktor Romanov, the youngest son of the Romanov Family and the leader of the expedition stood in front of the tent and addressed the gathered adventurers. He intentionally used grand gestures, aiming to rile up the desperate adventurers. After all, only the desperate would even think about coming to this place.
"For everyone else, this structure is the same Doomsday Pillar as the other 1000 all around the world, But for you all, this alien construct is the beginning of your bright future! Yes, are you ready to be a sky realm warrior?!"
"Yess!!"
"We are ready!"
The atmosphere was gleeful, thousand of people were cheering. Viktor decided to use the moment to introduce the people who are going to help them in this expedition.
First, he introduced Viez, along with her 20 fighters. Then, he introduced Anna and the Golden Roses. The name Heavens' Will was known around these parts, so they once again cheered in delight.
Clearly, they were glad they could be protected by such a known squad.
However, Viktor was not finished.
Just as the crowds already warmed up with the previous introduction, Viktor signaled for everyone to calm down. Then, he said.
"Our expedition is also blessed with the arrival of a famous figure. Let me formally introduce all of you…"
Viktor glanced at the luxurious tent, and immediately someone clad in full gold and silver metal armor walked out. Under the light of the sun, the armor was almost blinding.
"Let us give a warm welcome to North Fist, the Metal Guardian!"
Seeing such a striking figure and hearing the name, they cheered even harder.
For most of the adventurers here, they were only lucky enough to hear the name without ever actually seeing him.
Metal Guardian may have started as a one-night sensation, With that, people started to wonder and search about teh identity of such figures. It took only hours until one who had recently come from the pillar to find out that the metal guardian was the number one rank holder on the Doomsday Pillar. Thanks to that achievement, rumors spread fast as his name spread throughout Perm City like wildfire. Being a Russian top ranker, the metal guardian at this point was even considered a national hero.
The metal figure raises its arm to greet a thousand adventurers and teh response was much more positive than Viktor initially thought
"We are going to be led by such a strong figure!"
"This is amazing!"
"Thank you, Metal Guardian!"
People were cheering. With the warm atmosphere, Viktor decided to keep his momentum and quickly added.
"As all of you will be starting on a lower level, our special guest cannot accompany you. But he will definitely will after you reach a higher level. Still, let us give warm applause to the metal guardian!!"
Soon after that, Viktor told the adventurers to split into two groups and follow their assigned leaders. Viez and Anna group each would lead 500 people, and with that, they headed into the pillar.
Viktor then walked into the luxury tent along with the Metal Guardian. He zipped up the tent, made sure no one was looking, and whispered.
"Isn't this easy, Barry? I will need you to do this a few more times during the expedition. Can you manage?"
Barry nodded in response. Before the expedition started, Viktor made a copy of the Metal Guardian suit from simple materials, just to show and prove to people that he was really acquaintanced with the famous hero, and to dispel any thought that he and the Metal Guardian are the same person.
Right as he finished talking, the Djinn spoke into his mind
<Someone is approaching the tent.>
Viktor quickly gave a signal to Barry to prepare his act.
Before the Djinn could tell him who came visiting, a soft knock could be heard from outside the tent. Viktor unzipped the tent, and he was surprised to see that it was Anna who came to visit.
"Hello, Anna. What can I do for you?" Viktor asked in a cordial tone, but he was secretly elated to see her.
She wore an unfriendly scowl as usual and did not answer. It seems that she didn't come to see Viktor, but to see the famous Metal Guardian instead.
Anna didn't do anything beyond shooting Viktor a look telling him to shut up. She walked towards the Metal Guardian and said.
"Hello, I am Anna of the Golden Roses. Nice to finally meet you."
Emery was lucky that the Metal Guardian costume hid Barry's face, as Barry's expression of shock would have given him away. In the end, all he could do was nod.
The silence did startle Anna for a second, but then she continued as if nothing happened.
"I heard about what you did to Greg and his dirty gang, so I came here to say thank you… What you did was admirable, and it was a great act of service for the city… once again, thank you."
Hearing that from Anna, Viktor couldn't help but let out a grin. He tried his best to keep his expression discreet, but as Anna turned around, he changed his expression a bit too late.
She scowled and asked in irritation, "What are you even smiling about?"
For a second, Viktor felt the temptation to tell her that the real man behind the "Metal Guardian" was him. But he decided not to. He cannot be rash for the sake of a woman.
He shook his head, now is not the time. It would be better for her to see more of what the Metal Guardian can do, and after she admired him a bit more, that would be the best time.
Without realizing it, Viktor let out a creepy smirk once again. Barry was worried, but he could only hold on as he was still inside the suit.
All the adventurers have been taken care of, and it was time for Viktor to start executing his plan.
From his journeys and from rumors, Viktor knows that within this area of Northern Siberia, there are two known unvisited Doomsday Pillars, about 50 miles apart from each other.
For now, his plan for the expedition was to let the 1000 adventurers clear 30 levels of one pillar, then go on another journey and clear 30 levels of the second pillar.
They have around 1000 adventurers up to the task, and both sessions should be done in around a week.
Then, the group would return to the first pillar, clear the next 30 levels up to level 60, and when they are done, the 1000 would clear the next.
That was the gist of his 6-week plan for the expedition. By the time everything is done, all 1000 should have enough to level up into Sky Realm Knights, and a few of them could probably even reach Sky Realm Magus..
This expedition was partially the reason why Viktor and the "Metal Guardian" doppelganger decided to go hands-on and lead the expedition. He doesn't want to miss the 2-week Abyss Pit hunt where he could farm his spirit stones.
He planned this whole expedition not only to help make him richer in a short time, but also in hopes to progress his quest and slowly reach peak Sky Realm level.
[Objective 1: Reach peak Sky Realm level]
[Objective 2: Forge your core of Anvil to Stage 8]
[You have 348 days, 21 hours, and 10 minutes]
The clock was ticking for him to finish the quest.
However, there was a slight wrench in his plan. Trying to move around and join the expedition with the 1000 adventurers would be a useless endeavor, as he would then need to share spirit energy with 1000 strangers, especially during the first 30 levels.
He had planned for them to meet in two weeks. But as for now, he has a different objective.
In the vicinity of the two Doomsday Pillars, the untouched wilderness was abundant, and with that, there must be enough mutated beasts around. While the adventurers were busy with their pillar clear, he wanted to hunt those beasts.
After all, thanks to his unique way of getting stronger, Viktor's stats wouldn't be increased by training in pillars and would be better off trying to hunt mutated beasts who gave him multiple stats points.
He made sure none of the adventurers were left before he decided to sneak out of the camps together with Jessie and Liza. He slipped away from the camps' vicinity, entered the dark forests, and smiled.
"Let's go on a hunt!"
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,
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