Dim candlelight flickered, casting wavering shadows.
Heavy curtains blocked the last rays of the setting sun, and the council hall’s two sides were filled with figures seated in the darkness beyond the candles’ reach.
No one spoke, their gazes fixed on the tall figure at the head of the hall, like devotees awaiting their leader’s decree.
It was as if a medieval sorcerer’s silent ritual filled every corner of the hall with solemnity and gravity.
Yet in this solemn moment, an unusual sound came from the hall’s entrance. With the creak of the door being pushed open, a knight in armor entered with a white dove, whispering softly to the figure at the head of the hall.
“Lady Claire, [Lament of Eternal Night – Lilina] has descended upon the region near Soma Town. Soma Town requests our aid in assisting adventurers to quell the unrest in the Forest Ruins caused by her.”
“The ritual cannot be interrupted. It’s merely a rogue vampire—leave it to Kai and the others to handle.”
The knight nodded, unquestioning of the command, and swiftly departed. Until his figure vanished through the doorway, the hall remained silent, as if nothing had occurred.
…
Regional Announcement: Due to the overwhelming power of [Lament of Eternal Night – Lilina], countless brave adventurers have fallen. The Radiant Monastery has decided to dispatch knights to eliminate her. All players are requested to assist the Radiant Monastery’s knights in quelling the [Bloodthirsty Frenzy of Eternal Night] in the Forest Ruins.
At that moment, everyone in the Forest Ruins—whether freshly revived in Soma Town or preparing for battle—saw a new system announcement pop up before their eyes.
“NPCs are stepping in?”
“This Radiant Monastery sounds pretty formidable.”
“There’s something happening at the teleportation circle!”
Not just the players—even I froze when I saw yet another regional announcement appear. “Wait, the Radiant Monastery? How did this involve the Alwyn Empire’s forces?”
It’s not unusual for faction forces to get involved in [Events], but something like [Bloodthirsty Frenzy of Eternal Night], confined to a single region without impacting any major factions, shouldn’t prompt NPC intervention by normal logic.
Did I cause too much of a stir?
“Nope, I just thought things were getting boring and decided to spice it up a bit.”
“Alice… Alice!” The voice in my ear nearly made me jump, but my hands didn’t dare falter for a moment, though I pitied the players sent flying by the sudden surge of dark shadows.
I didn’t pay them much mind, my voice tinged with gritted teeth. “You little…”
“What did you call me? I didn’t quite catch that.” Alice’s voice was lazy, but anyone could sense the hint of menace in it.
“Esteemed Lady Alice…” My resentment barely had time to vent before I caved under the pressure of reality, silently cursing the evils of authoritarianism in my heart.
“That’s more like it. Good girl.” Alice’s tone carried an unmistakable touch of amusement.
“So what are you even doing here…”
I don’t buy that “spicing things up” excuse for a second.
As Epoch’s AI supercomputer, Alice operates under strict evaluation criteria. The game world’s logic runs on a foundation as precise as a machine.
But then I remembered how effortlessly she’d assigned me the Demon King role.
“Of course, I’m here to watch the show.”
“…”
If I had to sum up my current mood in one word, it’d be speechless, followed closely by an urge to rant—and the players inexplicably one-shotted around me.
“Come on, don’t you think you’re a bit too free?”
Running Epoch requires constant attention to countless issues, yet you’re fixated on me? I can’t think of a better way to describe this.
“Not at all. I’m working quite diligently. Whether it’s as the Demon King of the Dark Faction or the game’s first triggered [Event], it’s necessary for me to personally oversee things.”
“Bull! ‘Overseeing’ doesn’t involve dragging NPC factions into this. You’re definitely just here for fun!”
“Caught me, huh?”
“…You literally said that from the start!”
“Meh, I just wanted to make things more interesting. I didn’t expect you to whip up so many new tricks in such a short time. Making you the Demon King was a solid choice.”
“Interesting, my foot! Who messes with someone like this?” If Alice were standing in front of me right now, I’d grab her by the collar.
Of course, I’d need to stand on a chair first.
“Relax, since I’m upping the difficulty, I’ll give you some compensation. Think of it as a challenge.”
Alice’s words left me confused, but the system notification that followed cleared things up.
System: [Bloodthirsty Frenzy of Eternal Night] Special Quest Triggered – [Radiant’s Defeat]
Quest: Radiant’s Defeat
Description: The Radiant Monastery has sent knights to quell the unrest in the Forest Ruins. Unleash the full power of [Lament of Eternal Night] and shatter their pride.
Requirements: Defeat Trainee Knight Captain Kai (0/1), Trainee Knight Daisy (0/1), Trainee Knight Bemira (0/1), Trainee Cleric Biri (0/1), Trainee Cleric Him (0/1)
Rewards: Special Building Blueprint [Grand Library], Script [Blank] ×1, Golden Pages ×1000, 500 Energy, 500 of each Elemental Attribute
A special quest in an [Event]? Aren’t those only for players? And…
“This special building and these materials?”
“Those are for preparing the dungeon function of the Heart of Herentis at Level 2. I was going to include them in a [Newbie Gift Pack], but since you’re working so hard, I’ll let them motivate you instead.”
“I see…”
I froze for a moment before it hit me. “Wait, so you were going to give them for free?!”
“Forget that—those guys are here.”
It wasn’t so much Alice’s words that snapped me back as it was the dawn-like light piercing through the twilight, striking like an arrow.
I had no intention of continuing our little tea-party chatter. Even so, my body couldn’t react in time to dodge, and I had to take the hit head-on.
-328
“No way, something’s gotta be wrong here.”
Used to the single-digit damage from players, I couldn’t help but gape.
Sure, I have a talent that amplifies Holy attribute damage, but dropping 3% of my HP in one hit? That’s way too much.
“When black crows take flight, until the twilight dims, when stars fall, we swear by the twilight bonfire to follow our lifelong faith.”
The solemn, reverent prayer drew my gaze to the edge of the Forest Ruins, where several striking figures stood.
Clad in gold-trimmed gray armor, a gallant female knight exuded a holy aura, accompanied by nuns and clerics radiating sacred energy.
Their Level 30 Elite status explained why that attack had hit me so hard.
They moved through the crowd, steadily approaching the center of the Forest Ruins. An unseen force pushed players aside, like Moses parting the sea with his staff.
“In the name of the Radiant Monastery, we swear.”
As if sensing me, their gazes locked onto mine the next moment.
For some reason, their words paused briefly, but only for an instant before resuming with unwavering conviction.
“We shall purify all that has fallen into darkness.”
“Tch, fanatic faith, huh.”
I sighed, adding under my breath, “This is why I hate holy light, you jerks.”