Orson's eyes gleamed as he looked at the magic book, glowing with a red aura.
S-level skill!
Players referred to it as the "small forbidden spell," a top-tier skill that every great mage dreams of. True forbidden spells were out of reach even for the wealthiest gods.
[Ice Prison Ring]
Effect: Consumes 3000 MP to activate the aura. Every second, it drains 200-2000 MP depending on the skill's range, which is determined by the user's attack range. This skill has no cooldown. The aura extends in all directions to its maximum range, causing targets within it to be affected by freezing, paralysis, and other debuffs. Simultaneously, the Nine Hells Ice Prison opens, and countless jailers attack the targets. The number of jailers depends on the spell's strength.
"This skill is like an SS-level forbidden spell to me," Orson's heart raced. This skill was a perfect match with [Heavenly Spirit's Right Eye].
Ordinary mages might struggle to even activate the aura, given its sky-high MP cost—up to 2000 MP per second. Only someone like Orson could sustain such an enormous drain. And with the range determined by his attack distance, any hostile player within a five-kilometer radius would be in for a cold, icy hell…
"Learn!"
A flash of red light enveloped him, and the Super Ice Prison Aura was activated.
"Ding-dong—You've received a hidden quest clue."
[Help Request: Adventurer, I am Hazel. I have placed a hefty bounty on a mission and hope you can help me escape.]
"Hefty bounty? Then why not offer a hefty reward for a child? You made me excited for nothing."
Orson paused, feeling let down by the 500-gold reward. At least there should have been an offer of "a life debt" or something more enticing.
After a moment's thought, he muttered, "Accept."
The reason wasn't because he was eager for gold, but because this quest seemed related to Lord Cain.
From the letter's contents, it seemed that Hazel, the fierce girl, had been forced into a marriage with Lord Cain for a political alliance between two families. She refused to comply and had reached a breaking point.
Additionally, the quest wasn't just for Orson. All players with a high favorability towards Hazel (level 10 or higher) received the same request, with the same 500-gold reward. There were no penalties for failing the mission.
All players were instructed to gather outside a secret cabin near the Pondenorlin City Lord's mansion in 20 minutes.
"This must be an opposing quest."
Orson immediately understood. Players attending the Lord's wedding would likely have received the opposing mission—one to protect the wedding, while Orson's side would be tasked with ruining it.
Orson thought for a moment. He had previously saved the fool Berenice in the Abyss dungeon and thwarted Lord Cain's schemes, placing him at odds with Cain.
Furthermore, Orson had no love for the local dragon-riding guardians, who had nearly interfered with his dragon-slaying ambitions. This was a debt that needed settling. Besides, he was curious about Cain's involvement with monsters and his efforts to mass-produce an army.
"This is the perfect time to strike."
"Let's go to Pondenorlin City."
With a snap of his fingers, Crimson Lizard King, having gained massive attribute growth, flew down to him, its speed resembling a streak of red lightning, heading toward Pondenorlin City.
But just as Orson was about to forcibly enter the city, the city's protective barrier suddenly lit up, blocking both him and the beast.
"Your malevolent value in this city has exceeded 1000 points."
"You cannot pass through the barrier into Pondenorlin City."
A system prompt rang in Orson's ears, and he frowned. The city's malevolent value was different from the usual player-kill or NPC-kill points.
Once the malevolent value towards a city was too high, not only would players be unable to receive services from NPCs, but they would also be forbidden from passing through the city's barrier. To clear this, one would need either the lord's pardon or to perform a significant act against monsters.
"Think this can stop me?" Orson smirked, gripping one of the barrier's corner stones. He intended to reverse the barrier's entry point.
"Stop!"
"Evil thief! Dare to invade Pondenorlin!"
Before Orson could make his move, over a dozen guards rushed forward. Realizing his situation, Orson sighed in frustration, nearly forgetting he had a notorious reputation with a huge red name—entering the city would result in being arrested and killed.
"Ha, with me guarding here, no demon or villain will escape their fate!"
A voice with deep authority rang out, and a well-built man with a thick beard stepped forward.
Orson's eyes flashed. "Huh? A familiar face! Haha."
He grinned and winked at the captain of the guards, Wesley, as they locked eyes.
"You... you little bastard still dare to show your face…" Wesley froze for a moment before hurriedly signaling to Orson.
Following Wesley's gaze, Orson saw several high-ranking mages standing beside him. Their robes indicated they were powerful members of the Mage Guild. Even someone like Wesley, known for his arrogance, appeared to show some deference to them.
"Pondenorlin City has such a vicious criminal. Why hasn't he been caught yet?!" A level 40 mage scoffed.
Wesley raised his chin, speaking with righteousness, "Capture him! Anyone causing trouble in my territory deserves nothing less than death!"
Orson's expression hardened as he noticed Wesley subtly raised four fingers behind the mage's back and winked at him.
System message: Wesley is asking for a bribe. Pay 4000 gold to resolve the situation.
Orson rolled his eyes internally. Of course, the big bearded man was just after money. For a price, he could handle anything.
"These corrupt bastards of the Light Dragon Empire… I think I want to defect."
Orson sneered inwardly. The Light Dragon Empire was in a state of decay, its emperor only six years old and under the control of the Church and various powerful families. The empire was ripe for the taking, and with enough gold, one could even buy several cities.
Everyone Orson had interacted with so far seemed to have an uncanny ability to see right through him, sensing his overflowing wealth.
Wesley drew his sword and stepped forward with a smug expression. Orson immediately put on an act, clutching his chest dramatically.
"This… this battle aura… so powerful! My body is stiff, my legs are weak, I can't move!"
"Captain Wesley! Such strength! Comparable to the three Holy Swordbearers! I… I yield!"
Orson staggered back a few steps, his face contorted in mock humiliation.
If Bradley and the others saw this, they would laugh for a whole year.
But to the NPCs, it was flawless!
A mere level 30 player, in their eyes, was like an ant—easy to subdue, just as they expected.
Wesley strutted forward, and Orson whispered lowly, "A permanent LD status, or forget it."
Wesley cleared his throat and whispered back, "Hang in there, my treasure lord. I'll get you out soon."
"Kill this man already!" the mage urged.
"Hmph, ignorant fool. May you learn to live properly in your next life!" Wesley spat, then made a show of slashing at Orson.
"Ah… such devastating power! I die content!" Orson fell to the ground, a look of disbelief on his face.
Wesley turned around, casually flicking the blood onto the mage's faces. They recoiled in disgust before turning to check the other areas.
...
Minutes later, a handsome man in a white mage officer's robe appeared at the dungeon entrance. He had the blue NPC marker above his head: Orsix.