Ashen Dragon-Chapter 669 - 79 Plans and the Blackstone Mountain Range

Victoria Port, Lower District, Wilson District.

The streets were bustling with people coming and going, where you could see fish sellers, followers of the Sea Queen, bare-chested dockworkers, and even clusters of gang members...

Among them, the players, whom the residents of Victoria Port called "Immortals," blended in without much dissonance.

"It’s tough to play as a native of Victoria, we players are not allowed into the Upper City, and the Lower District is riddled with competing forces, a hot mess."

"I should’ve chosen the Ashen Empire, people there get into demon wars as soon as they arrive, and some have even leveled up to Level Six."

"Exactly, I completed my task perfectly last time, only to be silenced by a gang, my body even tied to a stone and thrown to the bottom of the sea, such disrespect."

"It’s dog eat dog, isn’t it? That’s why they call it ’Sin City’ of Airez—the sheer audacity is the whole point."

"Haha, my buddy has even become a bishop of some Undercity Cult, if I really can’t make it here, I’ll just go join him."

"Is he the founder of the Undying God Sect? The one who claims that all his followers can become undying?"

"Darn, there are actually fools who believe that."

A few players chatted as they walked toward a towering structure that stood out amidst the many dilapidated buildings—their destination, Coast Tower.

"Among all the powers of Victoria Port, it’s the rewards of Coast Tower that are the most abundant."

"Yeah, and everyone says this mysterious NPC has a remarkable background, supposedly even the Black Hand Gang and the Blood Sea Sect were wiped out by him."

"We should seize the opportunity to improve our favor; there might be a chance to join Coast Tower."

Outside Coast Tower, players crowded and discussed animatedly but still made way for the main entrance at the request of the tower’s servants, waiting to submit their tasks.

A servant opened the door and called out, "Next in line."

"I’m first, I got here first!"

A towering player elbowed his way through the crowd and charged into the tower.

Facing a mysterious NPC dressed in a gray robe with a smirk on his face, the player gave a standard 90-degree bow:

"Great Hermit, we have found some gruesome clues pertaining to the Dominator God Sect, please review them!"

He fished out a reeking, damp package from his backpack, presenting it with both hands.

Inside was the head of Joel Nathan, a tavern owner who had gone missing several days before, now rotten and maggot-infested due to the dampness.

However, the player treated it as a treasure, severing the head to present as a token to the Hermit. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Typical player behavior..."

Cassius, in the guise of the "Hermit," lamented inwardly, but accepted the head without changing his demeanor.

"Very well, Immortal, you have accomplished my task and deserve a reward."

"Clatter."

With a casual wave of his hand, a few Gold Coins appeared on the wooden table in front of the player.

Eyeing the glistening Gold Coins and observing the "Favorability +5, Experience +500" signs on his panel, the player’s eyes sparkled.

He fell to his knees, weeping loudly: "Thank you, Great Hermit! You are like my second parents!

Ever since I was a child, lonely and uncared for, adrift in Victoria Port, it was your Coast Tower that gave me the warmth of a home..."

"Go on, get out, don’t waste time here."

Faced with the player’s touching, teary words, the maid wielding a broom swiftly ushered him out.

She had seen too many Immortals wanting to join Coast Tower these past few days; this one, spinning tales, was one of the better ones, some even put on dramatic performances.

"Next."

Another player entered, his face brimming with an ingratiating smile, approaching the Hermit to hand over a sack.

"Great Hermit, I went through great pains to finally find Joel Nathan’s hand."

The player opened the sack to reveal a bloody, equally putrid severed hand.

Looking at this so-called "clue," Cassius, incarnated as the Hermit, twitched at the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself:

"Nice move, tearing Joel Nathan into pieces and collecting rewards one by one. Trying to exploit a bug on me, huh?"

With that thought, the Hermit’s face darkened. He stared at the player before him and said in a deep voice, "Your companion has already submitted the task here.

Immortal, do not attempt to trick me."

"Yes, yes, Great One."

The player hastily apologized, the epitome of misery, suspecting he got screwed over by his own team.

"Hehe...

The arrangements in Victoria Port are nearly complete."

Cassius’ smile slightly grew as he watched the perpetual stream of players at the door of Coast Tower.

With the growing fame of "Airez," players started appearing all over Fianso Continent, conservatively estimated at over ten million.

And the few players from before were famous Professional Players from the past, known together as the "Evil Squad."

In their previous life, this team wreaked havoc across Fianso Continent: for instance, the Mage from the squad was responsible for shattering a Relic of Amanata Church, calling down divine punishment.

Cassius planned to use Victoria Port as a base to establish a new Organization through these "Immortals," gradually building an intelligence network, readying for the Heart Snatching Demon’s scheme.

The elect of the Death Triad stole the crown of Karlsas from Hell, each controlling a shard of Nether Stone to harness the Heart Snatching Demon’s core.