With a single patch, the game developers made life for rebels a hundred times harder than before.
Previously, if someone had infamy, they would only be jailed if caught by authorities, and the maximum punishment was a 30-day detention.
However, after this update, all rebels and criminals were to have a prominent red bar above their heads, making it impossible to roam in public, whether or not they had a run-in with law enforcement.
Now, if a rebel was seen by a commoner NPC, they would be instantly reported to the authorities, making even simple tasks like buying weapons from a blacksmith or potions from a merchant impossible, since they would simply refuse to serve rebel customers.
This shift was sure to force the rebels to rely on the black market for essential items, transforming the game's landscape entirely.
Many players were yet to grasp these changes that were to come, however, the sharper minds amongst them could see it clearly, as they began hoarding supplies from the merchant shops in hopes of selling them at a premium within rebel territories later.
Tens of millions of players were forced to leave Empire occupied land at once, as they traveled towards the South and East, towards the nearest rebel stronghold.
It was a mass exodus, and it gave birth to sights never seen before.
Entire roads became clogged with fleeing rebels, their groups growing as more players joined the trek to the nearest rebel stronghold.
Some of them were proud to be a rebel and wore it on their chest with a smile, while the others felt ashamed of being identified as one.
Those who felt proud were mostly affiliated with 'The Uprising' and wanted to ride the rebel wave till the end, while those feeling frustrated were the players who were living their lives peacefully within Empire controlled towns, albeit having some infamy under their belt.
They were the ones who did not benefit with the rise of 'The Uprising', but lost a lot from being labeled a rebel.
Furthermore, within the Empire's territories, guilds and player groups reliant on rebel alliances found themselves fractured and their ranks split between those who remained loyal to the empire and those forced into exile.
The sudden disappearance of certain guild members weakened many groups, leaving gaps in their defenses and leadership.
Meanwhile, NPC-run cities began tightening their defenses, doubling guard patrols and enforcing stricter access to high-value areas in a glimpse of what life in the future would look like.
For now, they did not detain or hunt anyone as the 6 hour protection period was active, however, once it was concluded, rebels were sure to have a tough time remaining hidden in NPC controlled cities.
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( Meanwhile ChaosBringer )
All hell broke loose within The Uprising's internal chat after the most recent system notification, however, despite hundreds of thousands of members panicking about their future, and millions more asking the guild superior's about where to migrate? ChaosBringer did not bother with responding to a single one of them.
Today was a day of great celebration for him, as today, after The Uprising's brilliant performance in having captured three key territories in the Eastern Duchy, 'TheBoss' had finally summoned him to meet face to face.
For ChaosBringer, this meeting was a dream come true, as for him 'TheBoss' was an almost divine being.
An unparalleled warrior, an unseen before tactical genius and a mass manipulator unlike any other, 'TheBoss' was a perfect god for ChaosBringer, and just the thought of him getting to meet the man in person, sent shivers of joy down ChaosBringer's spine.
'I need to look amazing today' ChaosBringer thought, as standing in front of the mirror, ChaosBringer stared intently at his own reflection.
Today wasn't just any day, today was the day where he was finally going to meet him, the one and only Boss and the man that he idolized, respected, and, if he was honest with himself, downright worshiped like a god.
'I have to look absolutely perfect,' he thought, carefully smoothing down his robe with trembling hands, as he feared wrinkling the expensive fabric.
The crimson and black fabric was impeccable, freshly pressed and tailored to highlight his rank as an elder within The Uprising. But he wondered if it was enough?
Leaning closer to the mirror, he scrutinized every detail of his face.
He could not afford any loose ends today, Nor could he afford any blemishes or imperfections.
'I need to look nothing short of perfect…. not when I'm meeting him', he thought, carefully adjusting a stray strand of hair and ensuring every piece was perfectly aligned.
'Perfect–' he thought, after adjusting his hair, as taking a step back he swept his gaze over his entire figure.
Twirling, he took in the sight of the precise cut of his cloak, the polished shine of his boots and the sharp angle of his collar.
Finally satisfied, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, as for once, he looked as powerful as he felt.
'If he sees me like this, maybe, just maybe, he'll see that I'm worthy of his presence,' he hoped, nodding to his reflection with a sense of pride.
The mere thought of having the chance to meet 'TheBoss' sent a surge of excitement through him, as although The Uprising had always been his passion, but TheBoss? TheBoss was a god for him.
As he left his quarters and walked toward Leo's temporary residence in Briarhelm, he couldn't resist glancing at his reflection in passing windows, ensuring that his presentation was flawless.
Everything had to be perfect— as this moment could literally define him.
He could already imagine the envy in the guild chat when he posted a photo with TheBoss, as a proof of their meeting as while millions within the uprising idolized him, none had ever had the chance to meet him one on one.
'Just one photo… and they will all see. They will see that every claim I've made about knowing him was true. They will realize TheBoss himself trusts me and that I'm a part of the guild's inner circle as I claim to be.' ChaosBringer thought, as a surge of pride washed over him.
His fingers itched to open his guild chat and type something, but he held back.
This moment was too sacred to be spoiled by premature words.
Instead, he straightened his back and quickened his pace, his heart pounding in anticipation.
Today was more than just a meeting. It was a chance to step closer to divinity, to brush against the greatness that was TheBoss.