Using the power of [Eternal Night], I flung the shadows behind me outward in a ring, forming an invisible barrier that forced the crowd of players back. When the regional announcement rang in my ears, I froze for a moment.
Though I had anticipated some developments before using [Descend] on the Dark Bat King, the emergence of an [Event] was honestly beyond my expectations.
[Events] in Epoch are a unique system, somewhat similar to in-game activities in form, but they can only be triggered by random game elements, not by official design.
Moreover, most [Events] are limited by region and specific conditions, excluding players outside those parameters. Some can even influence the game’s progression, something regular activities can’t achieve.
In my past life, I’d participated in a fair number of [Events]—not too many, but not too few. These [Events] always come with various buffs to set the mood and spark player enthusiasm.
But triggering an [Event] this early in the game? That was something I never saw coming, especially since it seems I’m the main cause.
“It doesn’t look half bad, actually.”
My eyes lit up as I glanced at the buff effects.
The mechanism allowing monsters in the Forest Ruins to revive automatically after death meant I didn’t have to worry about Dark Element consumption. Though it affected the energy recycling system, using this to maximize player kills was the key to gaining energy.
“Well now, what a grand feast. I won’t hold back, then.” Excitedly licking my fingertip with my pink tongue, revealing cute little fangs, I declared the battle’s start in a super chuunibyou tone.
But I didn’t expect that my purely atmosphere-driven, dramatic declaration would rile up the surrounding players even more.
“Everything I have is yours, baby~”
“No need to hold back, wifey!”
“Go ahead and ravage me however you like!”
I realized too late that my words might’ve sounded a bit suggestive, my cheeks instantly flushing. “W-Wait, I… I didn’t mean it like that! Don’t get the wrong idea!”
“She’s blushing, she’s blushing!”
“A little tsundere act now and then is totally fine~”
“No worries, wifey, it’s all good, wifey!”
These guys are completely impossible to reason with.
Fuming with embarrassment, I willed three Dark Bat Elites from the Dark Cathedral to appear at my side, issuing them attack orders. “You perverts should just go die already!”
The sudden appearance of the Dark Bat Elites, while not as destructive as the Dark Bat King, was no small threat under the Eternal Night Frenzy buff and my Eternal Night Domain.
They forced back nearby players with ease.
Seizing the moment, I transformed [Eternal Night] behind me into several razor-sharp blades, slashing at the surrounding players.
The passive skill [Eternal Night Hunt] lets me attack in any form—area or single-target. The wider the range, the less damage each player takes.
Having already gauged my damage range from earlier, and with my past-life knowledge of current player defenses, even my weakened attacks easily wiped out the HP of my targets.
Even those who barely survived were left with slivers of health, unable to escape as I brought down [Eternal Night] in a massive black curtain, crushing them all.
“As expected, a BOSS’s advantage is overwhelming.”
Clearing a vacuum-like zone around me in an instant, I couldn’t help but sigh. Without that bug at the game’s start, I’d never have imagined I’d one day face so many players as a Commander-tier BOSS.
But, gotta say, crushing these players with a BOSS’s all-around dominance is pretty fun—like playing a hack-and-slash game.
Though, even in this, you’ll run into some tougher weeds.
Like the dozens of figures that suddenly charged from my blind spot, their unmatched speed showcasing the full power of a Warrior’s [Charge].
Caught off guard, I let them land a hit, stunned in place by the follow-up [Shield Bash].
Stormwind’s Ironblood Squad?
The familiar guild name and their synchronized teamwork let me identify them instantly.
In a way, Stormwind is undeniably a combat-focused guild. As its leader, Black King Caesar has a particular love for melee, attracting tons of Warriors to join. That’s how the Ironblood Squad was born.
Every member of the Ironblood Squad is a master of the Warrior class, including some of the top ten Warrior-ranked players.
In the late game, a hundred-strong Ironblood Squad could easily crush a thousand ordinary players with a single coordinated [Charge].
They’re practically Stormwind’s sharpest blade.
I just didn’t expect this blade to already be taking shape at this point.
“Squad One, don’t get greedy for damage—use [Taunt] to hold aggro.”
Seeing his Warriors’ [Charge] land, Black King Caesar issued orders through the team channel without missing a beat.
With a BOSS’s resilience, I wouldn’t normally care about a dozen Ironblood Squad members’ control skills—if I hadn’t noticed the faint outlines of dozens of figures materializing nearby.
Robin, Elegy, Silent Sky…
I recognized one familiar name after another.
“They’re not holding back—eight of the top-ranked Rogues from my past life are here.” I couldn’t help but grimace. Good thing I didn’t let my guard down.
Warriors only have a couple of control skills, so I wasn’t worried about them. But add in these Rogues’ control chains, with their perfect coordination? That could spell trouble.
Too bad for them—they’re not facing an ordinary BOSS.
With a thought, the three Dark Bat Elites swooped in, scattering the charging Warrior players.
At the same time, dozens of Dark Bats, previously entangled with other players, abandoned their targets and rushed to form a defensive line, blocking the Rogues sent by the major guilds.
“What the—since when do these bats act like they’ve got brains?”
Most players were thrown off by the sudden interference, losing their rhythm. Only a few—those top-ranked Rogues from my past life, plus a couple with potential—seized the moment to break through the Dark Bat encirclement.
But by then, I’d already shaken off the Warriors’ hold, leaping into the air and leaving no opening for them to exploit.
“Crap.”
Instinctively looking up into a pair of playful, glassy eyes, Robin and the other renowned Rogues felt their hearts sink. Without hesitation, they melted into the surrounding air, fleeing swiftly with [Stealth].
Even their top-tier stealth skills, which would’ve fooled any target in the past, couldn’t escape the keen senses of a Commander-tier BOSS.
“In my past life, you Rogues had me pinned down. Now it’s my turn to strike back.”
As my words fell, [Eternal Night] morphed into a massive scythe, sweeping through in an instant like the Grim Reaper’s blade, effortlessly wiping out the HP of those squishy Rogues.
“That felt good.”
Glancing at the white lights and scattered bodies on the ground, I recalled my past life’s humiliating escapes from Rogue ambushes, a wave of satisfaction washing over me.
But then it hit me.
Wait—bodies?
“Good thing I reacted fast. Sometimes, a different angle really does show you new scenery.”
Robin, who’d dodged death with [Feign Death], mused to himself. Like that blue-and-white pattern blending with the sky—or blue-and-white, or blue-and-white something. Too bad he hadn’t thought to record it with the camera function earlier.
Timing his skill’s cooldown, he was about to rise and slip away with [Stealth] when he suddenly heard the flap of wings.
Looking up instinctively, he saw that familiar blue-and-white pattern against pale skin, even clearer and more alluring than the glimpse he’d caught before.
His nose felt inexplicably warm, but before he could wipe away the nosebleed, a dainty boot sole filled his vision, accompanied by the loli’s furious voice.
“Die, you pervert, die!”
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