Waterdrop reacted in a startled voice upon checking Otter's chat.
"Huh? Wait, the West Gate?"
I was just as confused by the unexpected result.
The West Gate was the farthest entrance from the center. On top of that, the path to the center from there was narrower than the others, flanked by Western-style buildings, forming a series of tight alleyways. In short, it wasn't an ideal place for a fight.
'Sure, the West Gate is one of the attack points, but still…'
I couldn't understand why they would specifically choose the West Gate. Was there some special reason?
"Damn, I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Same here."
Apparently, both Waterdrop and Haerun, who were pretty sharp, also sensed something off, judging by their uneasy reactions.
[Waterdrop] Is it really the West Gate?
[Waterdrop] Why though?
[Otter] I don't know either
[Otter] It's not really a good time to butt in and ask…
[Waterdrop] Where are you?
[Otter] I'm at the East Gate.
Of all places, he was on the exact opposite side. Things were definitely starting to feel strange.
"Let's just go check it out. We'll figure it out there."
Yuchae took the lead and started heading toward the West Gate. Yeah, she was right. Our goal right now was to retrieve the stolen staff. We didn't have time to sit around and speculate.
Using my evasion skill for movement, I made it to the West Gate as fast as I could and immediately scanned the situation unfolding ahead. Inside the revival zone, Fever Guild members were waiting for the preliminaries.
"What the hell? Why are there so many of them?"
"Right? Looks like more than forty."
Just as Haerun and Ssesese said, the number of players gathered here was far too high just for an attack on the West Gate.
'What the hell is their plan?'
I couldn't begin to guess why Fever would pour so many people into the West Gate instead of the North Gate, which was closer to the center. Yuchae seemed equally unsure—she said nothing even after taking a headcount.
[Guild Chat]
[BornFromCapitalism] Huh??
[BornFromCapitalism] What the—Guild Leader and Waterdrop are here.
[ParkSeungjin99] I was about to call for you anyway;
[ParkSeungjin99] You see how damn many of them there are?
[SoySauceCrab] For real. They're like cockroaches.
[Waterdrop] We're here to back you up.
[Waterdrop] But we'll need more people.
[Waterdrop] Everyone give a quick briefing.
[TheHunter] 15 at the East Gate.
[Staeric] About 15 at the North?
[ManaOutGuy] 10 at the South.
[ParkSeungjin99] What the—
[ParkSeungjin99] That's messed up. Why only 15 at the North?
[SoySauceCrab] There's over 40 here at the West...
[Staeric] Wait, the West Gate?
[Waterdrop] Move fast.
[Waterdrop] Head to the West Gate. Go go.
[TheHunter] Who should go?
The answer to TheHunter's question came from Yuchae.
[Yuchae] Hwasoun, Laggy, Mokkapang, Staeric.
[TheHunter] That's it?
[Yuchae] You too.
[SoySauceCrab] That's it?
[Yuchae] Waterdrop, you handle the rest.
[Waterdrop] Ugh—seriously.
Despite his annoyance, Waterdrop started rounding up more members without complaining. Honestly, Yuchae had made a pretty solid selection.
The guild members she called over included a lancer, sharpshooter, summoner, reaper, and warlord. All of them had short cooldowns or splash-damage abilities—ideal for fighting large groups. It was safe to say she'd picked the most crucial people for the current situation.
After calling for additional reinforcements, our team's front line moved forward, led by BornFromCapitalism, ParkSeungjin, and SoySauceCrab. Off in the distance, we could see the bright white glow of the revival zone—and at the front of it stood Fever's guild leader.
[Global Chat]
[Danbok] Wow
[Danbok] That scrub is standing out like a sore thumb lol
[Chaerorop] Huh?
[Chaerorop] Who's that?
[Danbok] That "I'mSleepy" loser lol
[Danbok] Talked big and got wrecked by our guild master lmao
[Chaerorop] For real? LOL
Well, damn. I had a feeling, but I didn't think they'd be this childish. Watching them yap first in global chat was just pathetic from where I stood.
[Guild Chat]
[ParkSeungjin99] What the hell are those guys on about?
[Staeric] Did you PvP them before?
[I'mSleepy] I ran into them during a quest the other day.
[I'mSleepy] They picked a fight first.
[Staeric] Ah, got it.
[Mokkapang] lol but
[Mokkapang] There's no way Sleepy would lose?
[Yuchae] He didn't.
[Yuchae] He beat two of them, then got ambushed by their guild master.
Even though I wasn't saying anything, Yuchae stepped up to explain. For some reason, the image of a tiny dog yapping in front of its owner came to mind.
[TheHunter] lol as expected
[Hwasoun] So those guys are
[Hwasoun] flexing after getting smacked around?
[Waterdrop] Yep
[SoySauceCrab] Not their first time doing this~
[Mokkapang] Freaking annoying, huh?
[I'mSleepy] It's fine.
[I'mSleepy] I'm about to beat the crap out of them anyway.
[Waterdrop] 😂😂😂😂😂
[TheHunter] Trueee 😂😂😂
[Hwasoun] #Let'sFuckingGo
While his guildmates trashed me in global chat, Fever's guild master—Sangdanghan—stood by and said nothing. Then he equipped his golden dual swords and finally spoke to me.
[Global Chat]
[Sangdanghan] Yo Sleepy~ lol
"…Wow."
I'd thought it before, but damn—this guy really wasn't normal. The sheer nerve it took to act that shamelessly was honestly impressive.
But if he was going to pick a fight with that smug-ass fake-friendly attitude, then I wasn't backing down either. I've been in PvP games since elementary school—I know how to scrap.
[Global Chat]
[I'mSleepy] lol hey
[Sangdanghan] For real logging in this early? lol
[I'mSleepy] Had to, since I left my guild
[I'mSleepy] Got too many jackasses barking nonstop lol
[Sangdanghan] LOLOL
[Sangdanghan] That's why I told you to join ours~
[I'mSleepy] lol sorry, I actually check for decent personalities
[Sangdanghan] LOL ohhh "personality"?
[Sangdanghan] Then isn't your current guild a bit of a joke too?
[I'mSleepy] Yeah, I won't say this one's perfect
[I'mSleepy] But your guild has shitty people and cringy behavior, so it's worse lol
I fired back without backing down, and the tension in the air instantly thickened. Guild members watching the exchange started chiming in.
[Guild Chat]
[Hwasoun] Damn… I'm scared now
[TheHunter] Still five whole minutes to go, huh
[Guild Chat]
[Mokkapang] LMAO seriously, Sleepy-nim 😂
[Mokkapang] Am I the only one who cracked up at "I won't say this place is great either"?
[Haerun] Can't even argue with that 'cause it's just true
[LagLagLaggy] For real lololol
[Waterdrop] Ugh…
[Yuchae] Should I just kill that bastard?
I ignored Yuchae's message and calmly searched for Fever Guild's newbie. But with nearly forty players gathered in one spot, no matter how much I swiveled my camera around, I couldn't spot them.
"Hey, I think they won't show up until the prelims start."
Yuchae must've been looking for the newbie too—she spoke through voice chat. I nodded and returned my camera to its default angle.
"They're probably hidden behind the crowd. Once the prelims start and we spot the newbie, let me know. I'll head there right away."
"Got it."
"Yup!"
"Okayyo~"
After hearing their replies, I equipped my staff. Only three minutes remained until the prelims began.
[Global Chat]
[Sangdanghan] "Cringey"?
[Sangdanghan] Bit harsh with the words, huh? lol
[ParkSeungjin99] Sleepy's just quick to notice stuff
[ParkSeungjin99] He immediately clocked y'all as a loser clubhouse lmao
[Danbok] What a loud-mouthed little bitch
[Danbok] Stop yapping and shut it already lol
[Haerun] "Shut it"?
[Haerun] 🎵 Shut it It's me~ 🎵
[Haerun] 🎵 Are you doing well over there~ 🎵
[TheHunter] I'm dying LOL
[SseseseLet'sGo] Bro 😂😂😂
[Hwasoun] I wasn't expecting that—are you a genius or something?? 😂
[SoySauceCrab] I just spat out my water, damn
[BornFromCapitalism] These jokes got me dizzy…
[Haerun] 🎵 It's been a while, my love ahahaha 🎵
[Waterdrop] LOLLLLLLLL
[LagLagLaggy] The vibrato was flawless
[ParkSeungjin99] "Coming up next from the loser squad… 'One Shot of Soju'"
[Danbok] LOL you losers really know how to party, huh
[Mokkapang] And yet, our dear cringe-master Danbok says… "Does soju taste bitter to you?"
[Mokkapang] "To me, it tastes like sweet juice…"
[Staeric]Kyaaa~
[SoySauceCrab] I'm gone, bro. I'm gone~~ 😂😂
[Hwasoun] Soak it up~
[Waterdrop] Stop, I'm gonna cry from laughing lol
'…So this is what no-breath DPS looks like?'
Watching my guildmates absolutely pummel Fever with nonstop jokes, I couldn't help but stick my tongue out in amazement. Sure, I had no choice but to join this nutcase group because of the staff, but man—maybe I'd jumped in a little too fast.
Still, the once-tense atmosphere had loosened up a lot, thanks to them. Being overly stiff in a high-stakes moment could actually do more harm than good. Feeling way more relaxed now, I placed my hands back on the keyboard.
The Guardian Guild Preliminaries have begun!
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : http://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]