[Ascension: Solstreus City]

At least the update patch has successfully been installed and Hecate could login to the game.

Her appearance once again materialized in Solstreus City. When she looked around, she found out that the streets was quiet and lonely, almost devoid of those noisy Players.

"So quiet... Where is everyone?"

But when she thought about it again, it was understandable since they were most likely still stuck with the update patch.

There are not many Players hanging around at this time and their number can be counted on two hands. Most likely they are logging in either from a Basic-type Pod which only has a minor update patch, or from an Executive-type Pod like her which has very fast download speeds thanks to "Priority SSL Quantum Connection".

Though, the former seems more likely as not everyone can afford to buy an Executive-type Pod like her.

As Hecate walked down the street, she noticed that they were busy looking at their game interface with serious expressions. Curious, she asked the nearby Player.

"Onii-san, why do you look so serious? What happened?" (Hecate)

"Eh, a little girl...? Ah, sorry! Did you look at the forums? It's about this stampede on Drusel Fort..." (Male Player)

The male Player that she called looked a little surprised. Perhaps because meeting a loli Player in a game with a minimum age requirement of 16 was extremely rare. But he still kindly explained to her the whole current situation.

Turns out there was a sudden stampede on Drusel Fort. Wasn't this the place she just visited last night?

"I see, so that's what happened..." (Hecate)

Hecate used her own game interface to browse the forums and see the situation there on live broadcasts. It wasn't a very good quality video since it was recorded using a Basic-type Pod, but it was enough to tell the current situation. The situation was bleak and there weren't enough Players to defend the fort.

"I guess this Fort won't last for long. But, I don't understand." (Hecate)

The stampede event wasn't something rare. In the past, Hecate had also defended Fort Brynhild several times alongside Genesis Guild against monster attacks from the Forbidden Forest.

However, this time the stampede took place at a time when not many Players were able to get online after being stuck in the update patch. This gave the possibility that a similar situation could also occur for the Genesis Guild in the future.

Regarding this, Hecate was curious and asked the male Player.

"Why is the stampede happening at this time? Did the management allowed this?" (Hecate)

"I don't know. Maybe there will be official announcement later." (Male Player)

The male player shook his head and just watched the Drusel Fort countdown with a passerby mentality.

Hecate's gaze shifted to the live broadcast again and she tapped on the comment icon below the video to display the comment window. The video was bombarded with comments from many people, condemning the game's management and lamenting that they couldn't even participate online.

There were also several posts from Nebula Guild members urging any Player online for help regardless of their origin. They offer generous compensation and rewards to anyone who participated in defending the fort.

"It seems the Nebula Guild will give rewards to anyone who helped defending the Fort." (Hecate)

"Hmph..." (Male Player)

This sounds very attractive. But the male Player only snorted.

"Aren't you going to help them?" (Hecate)

He shook his head again.

"Lady, you don't understand the Nebula Guild very well. It's impossible to defend the Fort at this stage and I doubt the Nebula Guild will pay any compensation if the Fort falls. Going there is just asking for a pointless death. " (Male Player)

"I see, that makes sense too." (Hecate)

It seems that this male Player has a grudge against the Nebula Guild. But as a foreigner from the Rosenweil Kingdom, Hecate had no interest in the struggle for power in this place.

Not that she will lend any help anyway.

'Hmm, all the monsters there are orcs. That reminds me, I have picked something yesterday...'

Looking at the monsters in the video, Hecate remembered that she seemed to have an item that worked against the orc races. It was just looted during yesterday's test.

She tapped the inventory button and looked at the most recent added items.

Well, it seems the game interface has undergone some changes with this update. It has become more organized and colorful than before.

In the search results, there were several loot items, equipment, and two Soul Essences.

Last night, Hecate didn't have time to check her loots due to her rush to leave, but she did take a glance at the item info of Orc Lady's Soul Essence. This item can unexpectedly increase the damage to the Orc races by a whooping 30 percent.

Orc Warriors, Orc Hunters, Orc Generals, or even Orc Lord.

Regardless of the type or level, as long as their race had "Orc" in the name, this damage increase is valid. And coincidentally, the cooldown of her beloved spell, Mana Explosion had also ended. Coupled with Archwitch's Pride and Mystical Amplification, the Orc army shouldn't be a huge threat.

Perhaps using this opportunity, she could kill the orcs and ransack the fortress of the Nebula Guild as Black Phantom...

'Nah, it's too risky... I can't afford to endanger Black Phantom's identity.'

After thinking it carefully, Hecate shook her head.

Right now Genesis Guild was focusing on Black Phantom, and they also knew that Hecate was on a quest in the Gemmerio Empire. If suddenly there was news that Black Phantom had also appeared here, there was a possibility that she could be suspected.

'Besides, I already have an appointment with the spiders.'

It would be a pity if she had to wait for another week. This beloved Mana Explosion should be saved for the spider boss.

Hecate checked the other items.

Equipment such as the Necklace, Halberd, Axes and Shields are still in an unidentified state and their information cannot be viewed. There also several ores, preserved meats, fruits, and other miscellaneous items.

Excluding the ores, Hecate planned to exchange everything to GCP later.

'These items are my souvenirs for the guild. I hope they like it.'

And the last item is the Orc Hero's Soul Essence.

This one is without a doubt the jackpot. Hecate had not expected that she would be able to obtain such a priceless item this time. The price of this item far exceeded the Orc Pirate General and Fiertooth Wolf's Soul Essence at that time. That was because this was the Soul Essence of a boss monster which only had a 0.0001% drop chance.

If she auctioned off this item in the real world, the end price might exceed 500 million yen!

Hecate couldn't help but hide her mouth with her hands. If there was no one in front of her now, she would probably burst out with a crazy laugh on the spot. The scene would be too spicy to watch and could destroy her image as a cute, innocent, and harmless loli.

'Oh no, I think I couldn't hold my laugh. I need to leave fast.'

The male Player noticed Hecate's action and asked.

"Is there something wrong?" (Male Player)

"No, I just remembered I have some Native acquaintances in the Drusel Fort, I hope they are safe." (Hecate)

Hecate quickly make an excuse, but of course what she said was a lie. It was only yesterday she stepped on that Fort and she didn't bother to befriend anyone there. She only said that so she could end the conversation quickly and leave.

But the male Player who heard her words couldn't help but stunned.

"Ah, I see... My condolences." (Male Player)

"It's okay, but I have to go now. Please excuse me." (Hecate)

Hecate said her goodbye to the male Player and walked away.

♦♦♦

 

Another POV.

 

The male Player, Enryuu, looked at the blue haired loli's back with a complicated expression as he recalled something important.

"Yeah, why I forgot about this... If I recall, Mina-tan is staying at Drusel Fort this week! OH NO!!!!"

Due to the conversation with the loli, Enryuu suddenly remembered about one of his Native acquaintances.

Carmina, or better known as Mina-tan, is a Native who lives and works as a Courtesan and Songstress in the Red District Industry field of the Gemmerio Empire. Her fairy-like appearance, graceful but kind behavior, and her soothing voice could melt the hearts of many. She was loved and idolized by many men, Players and Natives.

Enryuu still remembered that she had taken care of him when he was feeling down.

Mina-tan's hourly accompany fee was of course very high, but it was well worth the cost. She is smart, can sing, can play music, can joke very well and learns fast. She even can be consulted for any problem and she can just come up with some solution. In short, every conversation with her will never be boring.

It was said that if her favorability points was good enough, she won't refuse to do 'nyan-nyan' things. But unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, it seems that no one has yet been able to conquer her heart.

And this week, Nebula Guild has invited her to attend and sing in their commemoration party, held at Drusel Fort.

"DAMM IT, NEBULA GUILD!!"

Enryuu gritted his teeth in anger.

He naturally held some grudges and had a bad relationship with the Nebula Guild. Their members were arrogant and almost every good hunting ground was monopolized by them. He had already lost count of how many times he had gotten into trouble with them.

But this is not the time to care about all that. Now that Drusel Fort is about to be destroyed, Mina-tan's safety is also in danger. He was determined to protect Mina-tan at all costs and escort her to safety.

Without further ado, he immediately headed to the Adventurer's Guild to purchase a Town Scroll of a certain place.

"Wait for me, Mina-tan! I'll come to you right now!"

Even if the world is destroyed, Mina-tan must be alive!

 

------

Drusel Fort's destruction countdown: 00:43:20
Drusel Fort's destruction countdown: 00:43:19
Drusel Fort's destruction countdown: 00:43:18

♦♦♦

 

Hecate's POV.

 

After walking quite a distance, Hecate calmed herself down from the earlier excitement.

'Five hundred million... Should I auction it, or not?'

She hesitated to make a choice.

Orc Hero's Soul Essence was useless for her Archwitch class. It's definitely much more beneficial to just auction it off and turn it into money. And the amount of money was certainly very tempting. With 500 million yen, she could buy the entire floor of a luxurious penthouse for herself in the best location in the elite area of the Tokyo city.

'But, perhaps selling it is too risky...'

Of course, with so much money flowing through her bank account, it would no doubt attract the attention of her family. Although she could split the money into several sub-accounts, but she doubted this trick would work.

Moreover, this Soul Essence was simply too powerful. It would be troublesome if this kind of item ended up in the enemy's hands.

'Oh well, let's just keep it for now.'

Hecate decided to postpone her decision for later. Rather than that, she decided to focus on the current matter first.

Before she know it, her feet already arrived at her destination. According to the information she got from the Mage Association building yesterday, in front of her was the working place of her quest target, Frederick.

"Solstreus Magic Academy, looks like this is the place."

After making sure she arrived at the correct location, Hecate walked to the gate.