"Coordinates 240.039... So you're hiding here."
Amid a chaotic expanse of collapsed ruins, Orson landed lightly and retracted the Crimson Lizard King back into the Battle Space.
SSR North Fist: "I want to see how many heads those UJ players have. Excluding us US players from this ambush? Who do they think they are?"
SSR East Star: "Don't bother. Wedge is meeting with an NPC. That group of UJ players already left through the teleportation array."
Hearing the voices, Orson crouched in a low depression in the terrain, carefully concealing himself.
Two SSR Guild members were patrolling the perimeter. Likely, the 007 agent Charles had planted in SSR Guild had been forced to retreat by these very players.
"Meeting with an NPC? Could it be related to what Drunken Dream mentioned?" Orson's eyes narrowed.
According to intel from Drunken Dream, Wedge had secured the assistance of an NPC organization, enabling the locking of the teleportation array, which otherwise would have randomly transported away.
However, despite repeated probing, Drunken Dream had failed to uncover the identity of their mysterious benefactor. This suggested that the matter was crucial to Wedge's "Elimination Plan," so much so that she hadn't even confided in her "lover."
Given Wedge's calculating nature, personal feelings were clearly secondary to guild interests.
"You haven't been discovered."
A notification chimed, indicating that Orson had successfully entered stealth mode.
In Infinite Dimensions, only rogue players could achieve complete invisibility. Others, like Orson, could enter a "hidden state," which blocked detection through standard vision and sound mechanics. However, the status would break if the player was noticed in any way.
Not wanting to alert the enemy prematurely, Orson patiently waited for the two players to leave before proceeding.
"Farewell, Bishop," a familiar voice called out, catching Orson's attention.
From the entrance of a subterranean lair, Wedge emerged.
Accompanying her was an escort of over thirty NPC guards. These guards were lavishly equipped, clad in pristine silver armor adorned with a sun emblem. All were level 50 or higher, with at least four of them boasting over ten million HP and classified as Lord-class elites.
"The Holy Light Order. Members of the Radiant Church," Orson muttered to himself.
In the lore of Infinite Dimensions, this organization was an affiliate of the Light Dragon's national religion and directly managed the Cleric Guild. They played a major role in late-game clashes with powers like the Dark Dragon Empire.
"May the Holy Light always guide you, Lady Wedge," an elderly man in crimson robes stepped out of the lair, greeting Wedge with respect.
[Holy Light Order Archbishop Karquil: Level 60]
[One of the Twelve Red-robed Archbishops of the Order]
[HP: 20,000,000]
[Attack Power: ???]
[Skills: ????]
"This woman is truly formidable," Orson thought coldly. It made sense that Wedge, whose secret class originated from this church, had developed close ties with the red-robed archbishop. She might have even secured an agreement with these NPC powerhouses.
The UJ players were likely just a vanguard force meant to harass him. The true trump card in Wedge's hand was this group of NPCs, capable of crushing players with ease.
"Friends, you may rotate out. Go about your other duties. There's no sign of UJ players nearby for now," Wedge said to the patrolling SSR players after escorting the archbishop out.
SSR East Star: "Heh, Wedge really is something. It looks like our chances of winning just went up a notch, huh?"
East Star gestured at the departing NPCs, his meaning clear.
Wedge smiled but did not answer directly. "We can't let our guard down. Orson is no simple madman. Until the final moment, we can't claim victory."
"Why, thank you for the compliment. Interesting," Orson chuckled quietly.
Once Wedge and her group departed, Orson activated the outpost skill Divine Vision. His eyes flickered, and the entirety of the third battlefield map unfolded before him.
At the reception area, he spotted the SSR reinforcements heading to replace the patrol. They wouldn't arrive for another five minutes—just enough time to explore the lair.
"You have discovered the Ancient Teleportation Array (UJ Region)."
"You have discovered [The Monument of the Saint's Death]."
Deep in the lair, Orson found a massive teleportation altar. At its center stood a small crucifix.
The cross seemed unremarkable at first glance, but Orson's extensive experience in, uh, "archaeology" told him otherwise.
This object was extraordinary—it had managed to create a dent in the supposedly indestructible ancient teleportation array. It was no ordinary relic.
Examining it closely, Orson noted the crucifix was shaped like a figure in agony.
[The Death of Varmikil, One of the Twelve Saints]
[HP: None]
[Effect 1: Forged by the Light Dragon King; cannot be attacked.]
[Effect 2: Spatial Binding; nullifies all spatial teleportation.]
[Holder: Archbishop Karquil.]
"Impressive... and Drunken Dream didn't mention this?" Orson clicked his tongue. That lecher probably spent too much time ogling girls and overlooked such critical details.
This small cross was the key, pinning the teleportation array's respawn point like a nail.
Orson attempted to approach it, extending a hand to begin a detailed "archaeological examination."
[This item cannot be attacked or touched. Only the holder may place it in their inventory.]
A system prompt stopped him. Orson coughed awkwardly, his kleptomaniac tendencies momentarily betrayed.
"So, with this thing here, Wedge can open and close the array at will?" He squinted thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the item's description—specifically, the clause mentioning the holder: Archbishop Karquil.
A bold idea began to form.
"If I kill Archbishop Karquil, doesn't that mean this teleportation array becomes permanently accessible?"
Wait. Twelve Saints, twelve red-robed archbishops...?
That means there are eleven more of these crucifixes out there. If I could control them all, killing or controlling the archbishops...
Wouldn't I, Orson, be able to invade any region at will?
Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.
Of course, there were risks. These Saint crucifixes anchored twelve ancient teleportation arrays, and the arrays worked as two-way channels. The worst-case scenario? Facing the combined wrath of players from twelve regions.
But that was a problem for later. For now, controlling this single Saint crucifix was the priority.
With a smirk, Orson muttered, "If she wants to play gatekeeper, I'll make sure her door stays wide open—permanently."
He slipped out of the lair before the SSR reinforcements arrived.
At the edge of the battlefield, a senior knight wielding a massive battle axe blocked Orson's path. "Halt! Who dares obstruct the Order's passage?"
Orson smiled calmly. "Can your archbishop be bought with gold coins?"
The knight, initially stern, burst into laughter before retorting coldly, "I'll forgive your insolence this once. Leave now, or face execution!"
"Not for sale? Or do you think I'm broke?" Orson shook his head and discarded his imperial white robe, revealing a full set of Heavenfire Gear. Above his head, blood-red words glowed:
[Crimson Butcher].
"The heretic adventurer who brought suffering to Pondenorlin!"
"The Butcher who troubles Lady Wedge, the church's candidate for saintess!"
The Holy Light Order NPCs erupted in fury, shouting at Orson with red-faced indignation. "Damn heretic!"
"Seriously? Do you people hate me that much? I don't even remember crossing paths with you," Orson muttered with a wry smile.
Ding-dong—
"Your heretical actions have enraged the Holy Light Order."
[You have discovered a Level 40 Hidden Quest Clue.]
He blinked in surprise. Getting cursed at could trigger a quest?
Checking the details:
[Heretic's Dread]
Difficulty: Abyssal.
"Your heinous acts have drawn the Order's attention. Fortunately, a sandstorm is brewing. You have three minutes to escape the area."
Escape?
Orson grinned. Not likely.