https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-840-The-Player-s-Creative-Way-to-Die/13677785/
Chapter 839: Apocalypse Zone
Taliro Great Desert, Shalin City.
"Collect Dragon-class Resources!"
"Looking for a pro to clear the Two-Headed Dragon Nest in the desert!"
"Adult Green Dragon Scales—top-tier resources! Original price: 29 Silver Ginnar per scale. Vendor weeping tears, clearing inventory—now only 9 Silver Ginnar per scale! Limited stock—first come, first served!"
"Are you serious? This is just a scam targeting newbies! Hah! Prices for Dragon Scales have been plummeting since the Great Rift War. Twenty-nine Silver Ginnar? That’s ancient history. Come over here—only 6 Silver Ginnar, cheaper than this greedy merchant, this heartless vendor!"
"What? No money? Can’t even afford one scale? No problem! Hand me your bank card—I’ll loan you ten Golden Nael. We’re the Imperial Bank, an Imperial-recognized institution, with a reasonable annual interest rate..."
"Urgent recruitment: Mechanical Cult Life Sect Experiment Specialists! Death compensation: 3 Silver Ginnar per mission! Only three spots open—outdated applications rejected!"
"Wait, this isn’t recruiting experimenters—it’s recruiting test subjects!"
Players were gathered in the Central Plaza, some sitting on the ground hawking goods, others debating war strategies, laughing, arguing, or bickering—turning the city into a chaotic, vibrant hive of activity, utterly unlike the grim, oppressive energy of the Dragon Worship Church’s rule.
To the local Seleucus people, these Empire travelers from the North seemed strange—odd in behavior, yet bearing faint traces of Dragon traits. But unlike the fanatical Dragon Cultists, they rarely humiliated or oppressed the locals, and never brought ruin to families.
After The Battle of the Locke Rift, instead of retreating immediately, most of these players chose to stay in Seleucus—a land rebuilding from ashes, brimming with opportunity. They wanted to explore, earn gold coins and Experience Points (XP), and claw their way from the bottom up, becoming true masters of the game.
Suddenly, one player shouted:
"Hey, look! A new mission just dropped!"
The crowd erupted. Every player instantly pulled up their Character Sheet, scanning the latest War Mission.
"This quest is interesting—Explore the Apocalypse Zone."
"Wait, what is the Apocalypse Zone? Sounds pretty high-tier, doesn’t it?"
Could it be that the Dog Designer finally had a change of heart and is finally releasing a proper Dungeon? There’s just not enough monsters to kill anymore. With the Empire’s firepower so strong, I barely get any XP in War Missions—just scraps at best!"
"Whoa, check this out—the rewards are insane!"
---
Quest: Explore the Apocalypse Zone
Description:
The Deep Crimson Embers, Kazul, awakens from a millennia-long slumber. With it comes overwhelming devastation—apocalyptic, world-ending destruction. The Primordial Dragon turned hundreds of miles of fertile land into an Ashen Wasteland, transforming it into a natural barrier against Empire invasion—known as The End Cataclysm.
Now, you must venture into this scorched, cursed wasteland, and seek a way to lift the curse spreading across the Earth.
Note:
"When Lava covers the land, and Ashes choke the sky, the Mother of Monsters shall descend. Old Era ends. New Era begins."
Reward:
0% exploration progress. For every percentage point gained, you receive massive Faction Contribution and Experience Points (XP). The top-ranked explorers will earn a Legendary Bloodline Elixir - Alpha Type.
Side Quest: Kazul’s Favor
Description:
Kazul once founded a vast Church. His followers walked the Earth, spreading his glory. Capture or slay Kazul’s followers.
Reward (choose one):
- Legendary Artifact: Ancient Dragon Heart Armor Set
- Legendary Bloodline Elixir - Beta Type
- Key advancement item: Dragon Oath Scroll
- Transformation surgery for a Vigitas Dragon-Scale Monk
---
"Legendary Bloodline Elixir? That’s something even Elite Guilds can’t easily get! The official dropped it like it’s nothing!"
"Legendary-grade gear—armor forged from Ancient Dragon Scales, capable of emitting an 8th-tier Protective Spell and boasting insane Magic Resistance! Wear this, and you can ignore enemy mages entirely!"
"Whoa—wait, isn’t that Dragon Oath Scroll the key to Dragon Oath Mage Ascension? The strongest spellcasting class right now!"
"I’d say the real treasure is the Dragon-Scaled Cultivator’s Transformation surgery! That’s like becoming a Dragon Skin brother—Emperor of the Ashen Flame’s sword, unit cost: tens of thousands of gold coins. Mechanical Divinity’s bio-transformation tech isn’t hype. Even a total newbie with no class level or combat experience can reach Strength 7 or 8 after undergoing a dozen complex surgeries. Pure numerical monster power."
Players buzzed with excitement, imagining themselves triumphant, confident, and powerful after claiming the rewards.
"Looking for a Party to enter the Apocalypse Zone! Need at least level 8, no Wild Wizard, no thief!"
"Need a Mage! Prophecy school preferred, Defense school acceptable!"
"Elite raid group recruiting for Apocalypse Zone Dungeon—Class Level 10+, extensive battle and exploration experience. Only players from the Singo’s Strength Ranking T1 or higher tiers allowed!"
"Newcomer seeking group—got nothing special, just willing to do anything,不怕 death, and bring top-tier emotional support!"
"Guys, private message me. Girls, be independent!"
"Wait—bro, you’re acting weird."
"We Ailezegai Players are like this—everyone’s a brother."
"Man, where are all the Priest players? Any Life Force healers left? We’re missing a healer—ready to depart anytime!"
In a dark alley on the edge of the city, a man in a long robe, sword at his hip, face weathered by time, stood arms crossed, staring intently at the Quest info. His eyes burned with unwavering determination.
"Hmph. That Vigitas Dragon-Scale Monk Transformation surgery—I will have it. Elite Faction? Professional players? Back then, you mocked me. I’ll return your humiliation a hundredfold!"
His voice was gritted, fists clenched so tight that veins bulged. His eyes turned crimson.
Yes—this man was not a native. He was a Player. His nickname? [Worldly Wanderer]—the very civilian warrior who’d been crushed repeatedly in the Imperial Gladiatorial Tournament Preliminaries by multiple pros and elite faction mainstays.
Behind him, several players of similar level and diverse classes emerged, rallying around him.
"Right! We can’t let them keep trampling over ordinary players!"
"We’ll prove it—common folk can become powerful!"
"Thirty years east, thirty years west—don’t mock the poor youth!"
They were [Mortal] Guild—ordinary players with average Strength, but immense ambition. Led by Worldly Wanderer, they were determined to rise through sheer will, surpassing even the Elite Guilds and Pro Players.
Singo and the “Black Slave Four” arrived instantly.
Stuffed Bun, anxious, urged: "Let’s go now! The Dog Designer finally had a conscience—rewards this good, tons of people will rush in. Slow hands lose!"
Singo waved a finger slowly. "Not yet. High risk means high reward. Based on my read of the Imperial Official’s habits, dropping this much blood—it’s no ordinary quest. Trust me, Red Scales Garrison already leaked insider intel. Several powerful Crimson Scale Conqueror Scouts—experienced, elite—have vanished in that禁区. If you charge in blindly, you’ll end up worse than them."
Tian Sheng Zhan Kuang scratched his bald head, grinning with all teeth showing: "Heh. Let’s scout first. Let others go ahead and get tested."
Xia Ye Qiu Yu nodded. "Exactly. No battle without preparation. We’ll follow behind."
"Come on, hurry! First come, first served!"
"Flesh is frail. Machines shall ascend!"
"Kazul’s followers belong to Royal Power! This time—no one takes it from us! Not even the Mechanical Divinity!"
Before long, the portal to the Apocalypse Zone activated in the heart of the city. Players surged forward, pouring through the rift into the Empire-occupied southeastern border—the entrance to the forbidden zone.
But as they stepped through and beheld the sight beyond the border, they froze.
"...Is this really it?"
"Damn. No joke—this is the Apocalypse Zone."
Before them, a wide river of molten lava flowed slowly, bubbling constantly with sharp, crackling sounds. Thick, sulfurous smoke curled from the surface, carrying a stench like burning spines. The river seemed to rise from the depths of Hell itself, scorching gales whipping across the ground, sending ash swirling in every direction.
The lava split the world in two: one side, the lush, fertile Northern Seleucus Plain; the other, a wasteland worse than Purgatory—extreme, desolate, terrifying. Just looking at it sent chills down the spine.
Elite Guilds reacted instantly. Mechanical Divinity players fired basketball-sized metal spheres across the river. In mid-air, they unfolded into mechanical dragons—each less than half a meter long, yet nearly indistinguishable from a real Two-Headed Dragon.
Eyes glowing red, they circled above, scanning the terrain.
"Command received: Explore unknown zone. Assessing environmental parameters."
"Current temperature: 55°C. Air contains dangerously high levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. Human respiratory system cannot sustain."
Their voices were cold, emotionless.
Players stared up in awe, murmuring—some envious, others resentful.
"Only the Mechanical Divinity could afford this!"
"Is this even fair?!"
"Even human exploration is now a standardized process. Looks like we ordinary players are doomed to stay beneath forever."
Then—without warning—the mechanical dragons convulsed violently. Sparks crackled across their bodies, black smoke poured from joints, and distorted mechanical screams filled the air.
"Detection: Unknown magnetic interference. Connection severed. Control system error."
"Initiating Self-Destruct Sequence."
Boom!
The machines exploded mid-air, bursting into dazzling fireworks. Charred fragments rained down like black ash.
"Wait—what? They just blew up?!"
"Hahaha, wow!"
"Man—!"
Players gaped, utterly stunned.
The Mechanical Divinity operator adjusted his blue-lit tactical glasses, frowned, and spoke into his walkie-talkie:
"This area is shielded by an unknown force field. Our instruments fail inside. No communication. Can’t conduct large-scale unmanned exploration. Requesting Dragon-Scaled Cultivator Army for support."
Meanwhile, on the other side, a Stone Golem summoned by Magic Coin Guild collapsed with a loud boom the moment it stepped into the Apocalypse Zone—reduced to scattered debris.
"Arcane Turbulence? This place is cursed."
Charlotte lowered her staff, frowning at the lava-choked, ash-covered land. "It feels... tainted."
The Deputy Leader of Magic Coin, Mingyue, immediately began summoning guild members, forming parties, and assigning tactics—preparing for a coordinated, multi-pronged approach.
"Are we going in?"
"Let’s wait. The elite guilds haven’t entered yet. If we go now, we’ll just be cannon fodder."
"Right... I thought it’d be easier. This dungeon’s tougher than I thought."
For a moment, the earlier enthusiasm vanished. No one dared take the first step. Everyone feared becoming the first sacrifice.
Then—out of nowhere—a voice rang out, strong and resolute:
"Hmph. The so-called elite factions have lost their spirit. They hoard all the resources, hiding in their comfort zones!"
All eyes turned.
Worldly Wanderer stepped forward from the crowd, flanked by the members of [Mortal] Guild. His gaze swept across the gathering, confident, unyielding.
"Who’s that?"
"Who’s this guy showing off?"
"Wait... I recognize him. Isn’t he the one from the viral post ‘Myth of Unbroken Losses in Qualifiers! Worldly Wanderer vs. Three Pros!’?"
"Such a tragic figure..."
"Hahaha, it’s the unlucky egg. No wonder he’s gone full delusional—must’ve been pushed over the edge by spiritual spines."
The whispers stung, but Worldly Wanderer didn’t flinch. His face flushed, but he held his chest high.
"Those days are behind me. I’m not defined by past failures. I’m destined for greatness!"
"Golden Scales aren’t meant for puddles—once they meet Fengyun, they become Dragons!"
"Today, I prove it—ordinary players are the future of Ailezegai!"
"Watch me lead the way—first to step into the Apocalypse Zone!"
"Damn right, brother!"
"Mortal brothers! Let’s go! Time to make our name!"
And so, with nothing but courage and resolve, [Mortal] Guild—ordinary players with average levels below seven—became the first to venture into the Apocalypse Zone.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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