Orsix?
Everyone in the room froze in place.
Was this NPC an enemy, or an ally?
Slaughter's Ling Xiao spoke first, his voice calm, "Level 34, not particularly strong but not weak either."
"If he's part of a follow-up quest, we should have received a related notification. It's likely from the enemy."
The mage who had almost clashed with Absolute Kid analyzed the situation, and the others nodded in agreement.
The sudden appearance of this NPC was odd; he spoke in a tone that seemed to carry a lot of intelligence and even a touch of arrogance.
At this point, everyone's vigilance was raised to its peak. Ride Donkey and the others immediately prepared to take action. Madman, however, interrupted, his voice low, "Hold on! His attributes are unreadable!"
Absolute Kid and the others' expressions changed dramatically. In Infinite Dimensions, the attribute panel of NPCs and monsters could sometimes be unreadable for two main reasons: a huge power difference between the player and the NPC, or the NPC being part of a special quest.
"Triggered a special quest?"
One of the players muttered. A level 34 imperial mage didn't logically have the power to be so overwhelming. They immediately shifted their thoughts to the second possibility.
Orson, with a faint smile, glanced around at the players. Sitting alone at a table, he poured himself some wine, the sound of liquid filling his glass clearly audible.
"Am I disturbing your enjoyment? My apologies if I am."
Over a thousand pairs of eyes were fixed on him, yet Orson remained unperturbed, sipping his wine, looking completely at ease.
Blank's eyes narrowed slightly, an indescribable killing intent flashing across her face. She murmured, "This NPC is making me uncomfortable."
Demon Emperor, with a grim expression, directed his men to test this NPC. If they didn't have to fight, all the better, but if a fight was necessary, they wouldn't hesitate.
Slaughter Spree stepped forward, grasping his bronze war spear and approaching, shield ready. "Don't be nervous, young adventurer. Come, let's drink a bit to warm up."
Orson, maintaining his relaxed air, smiled like a spring breeze, completely disarming. "Let's drink together. Whoever can join me in drinking to the fullest will gain the clue to the hidden quest line."
A hidden quest line?
Could this be a hidden level in this dungeon?
The players felt a rush of excitement, and those sitting further back immediately surged forward, but Slaughter's players stopped them with cold glares.
"I'll do it!"
Slaughter Spree's lips curled into a grin as he walked towards the seat across from Orson. But just as he was about to sit down, a holy light shot through his body—2300 damage!
"Is that the damage from a priest?"
"Can it crit? Wouldn't a crit from that take out a squishy character?"
"A-class hidden job, a Paladin Priest! High output and high health, but low healing output!"
The crowd was shocked, and even Slaughter Spree's face turned pale. He was a level 20 hero-class Frenzied Knight with high resistances, yet a priest had just hurt him.
"Do you want to die, Madman? We've given you enough face!" Slaughter Spree roared.
"Hand slipped, I swear it was a hand slip!" Madman frantically signaled Absolute Kid, as though trying to tell him to back off.
"Ah... it was a hand slip, my bad, bro." Absolute Kid grinned, while Ride Donkey added, "I'm a bit tipsy, so if I chop someone by mistake, don't blame me!"
"Should I send them out?" Blank asked flatly.
Demon Emperor shook his head. "Let's focus on the quest first. We're all in the same faction; fighting amongst ourselves will only give the enemies a chance."
Madman couldn't help but be surprised by the old man's cautious demeanor. With ten outposts under his control, Demon Emperor clearly wasn't someone you could judge by conventional standards. If it were any other guild leader, they would've drawn their blades by now. But this guy? He was just too steady.
Blank furrowed his brows and urged, "What are you waiting for? Drink and get the quest!"
"'Drink'?"
"Wait, is he... offline?"
Slaughter's members froze. They watched in confusion as a player named 沉浮 (Chenfu) suddenly seemed to freeze in place, holding a jug of wine, his body glowing eerily red.
-500
-500
-4300!
...
"Priest!" Demon Emperor's face paled. The priests rushed forward to heal, but the next moment, two more priests also entered the "offline state," their health plummeting. Three souls flew out of the banquet hall. The players were bewildered—what just happened?
Orsix sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Sigh, could someone join me for a drink? It's so lonely…"
Ride Donkey growled, "What the hell is going on? Madman, you're the strategist here, explain!"
"I'm analyzing your a*!" Madman wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, muttering under his breath. "I know that tone, that style... I know it too well…"
"My bad, bros!" Madman suddenly grinned. "My stomach hurts, I have to go offline first."
And with that, he was gone.
The others stood in stunned silence, confused and at a loss.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Blank moved like a shadow, two serpentine daggers slicing through the air, targeting Orson's blind spot.
"My domain—expand!" Orson spoke incantations, and runes appeared around him. Suddenly, ice-blue light exploded outward, freezing Blank in her tracks.
But Blank was no ordinary thief. Before she could be fully frozen, she quickly chugged an ice-resistant potion, restoring herself.
"Berserk Fury!"
Demon Emperor hummed coldly, black energy swirling around him. A black battle god manifestation appeared behind him, breaking free from the freeze.
Absolute Kid shouted, "We're done for. This NPC is toxic—if we get too close, we'll be frozen instantly!"
"Drink? I'll drink your sister!" Ride Donkey shouted.
"Madman's a traitor! He must have realized something was wrong and bailed out fast!"
With Blank and Demon Emperor now fully alert, they knew they had to fight back. But as they prepared, Orson merely smiled, the next wave of his power approaching with the chilling scream of spirits.