QJ led the procession down the narrow mountain path. A brisk breeze met them head-on, tugging at cloaks and stinging cheeks.
[Group: Sato] Wow... This is cold.
[Group: QJ] This is summer. It gets worse in a few months.
[Group: Ringo] No thanks...
The trail snaked between sheer cliffs, rising high on both sides. Now and then, loose stones clattered down from above. A few came close, but no one was hit. The mountain ponies didn't flinch—veterans of this precarious route.
[Group: Breeze] Can I keep this pony?
[Group: QJ] Of course.
The city of Basalt loomed ahead, carved into the heart of Iron Mount. It wasn't a starter city—it was the hub of mid- and high-level guilds. Gold changed hands fast here, and often violently.
Sato gave a low whistle as the massive walls came into view. "Looks bigger than last time."
QJ grinned. "Last time we flew in on jetpacks. Things look taller from the ground."
Ringo squinted ahead. "Not good…" A long line snaked from the city gates. "That'll take hours. Our counterfeit [Red Player] tokens will expire before we get through."
QJ pulled up beside the last wagon in line—a wood-hauler. "What's with the holdup?"
A lone woman sat on the wagon bench, bundled in fur with a mountain cap pulled low over her ears. Wind-chapped skin, brown eyes sharp with curiosity. She gave the group a once-over, then settled her gaze on QJ.
"They're looking for someone. Some foreigners stirred up trouble. Smashed one of the Iron Mount officers' faces first into the dung."
QJ arched a brow. "That literal?"
She laughed. "No. Heard one of 'em dragged a guild officer through the air, bounced her off half the buildings while his crew robbed the King."
"The King?" QJ deadpanned. "The dwarf king?"
"Aye. Stumpy bastard lost all his mithril. Wish I'd seen his face." She stuck out a gloved hand. "Name's Kata. Freight driver."
"QJ," he replied. "Foreign outlaw, wanted by Iron Mount and the Dwarf King. What's the reward up to?"
[Group: Ringo] What are you doing?
[Group: QJ] Improvising.
[Group: Sato] We're so dead.
Kata gave QJ a long, unreadable look. "You do look like the posters. Although they say the leader's got sky-colored eyes. Even a few bards are singing about you in the pubs."
QJ grinned and slipped off his Romani [Dusk] bracelet. His appearance shimmered, settling into its true form."Like this?"
Kata's smile was sudden, genuine. "Even better than the bards say. You're worth ten million credits. More than I'll make in ten lifetimes hauling freight. But honestly… I'd rather you just ran before they see you."
[Group: Ringo] I like her.
QJ swung down from his pony and climbed into the wagon seat with practiced ease. "Mind if I take the reins?"
"You actually turning yourself in?" Kata asked, one brow raised. "Or are you up to something?"
"I'm up to something." His grin was all teeth.
Kata handed over the reins, matching his expression. "Be my guest. Bow's stashed behind the seat if it gets messy."
QJ flicked the reins, pulling the wagon free from the line as Sato grabbed his pony's bridle. The wheels thudded against uneven stone as the cart bumped up onto the trail's edge, half off the path and kicking dust into the air. A chorus of curses trailed behind them from the queued travelers.
[Group: Sato] What's the plan?
[Group: Ringo] QJ distracts the gate guards, we ride in behind him.
[Group: QJ] Back alley near the market square. Contact's name is Trillie.
[Group: Ringo] Got it. We make the exchange, then we bolt.
[Group: Lotte] What about Kata? We can't leave her hanging.
[Group: QJ] I won't.
QJ took the left side of the road, the cart wobbling with speed. His group followed close behind on the right, staying a dozen meters back, just outside the guards' attention.
The checkpoint didn't stir until the rumble of wheels echoed too close. One guard looked up just as the wagon skidded sideways into view, kicking dust over his boots.
"What the hell are—" He cut off mid-shout, eyes going wide.
"Afternoon," QJ called cheerfully, hopping down. "This fine woman's apprehended me. I'm QJ, One Problem Guild." He handed Kata the reins with a wink and walked calmly toward the stunned guards.
"S-Stay where you are!" the lead guard stammered, motioning for two others to join him. "You're under arrest!"
"Of course," QJ said, stopping politely. "Take me in."
He smiled sweetly… and dropped a flashbang followed by a smoke grenade.
[Group: QJ] Shield your eyes.
FLASHBANG.
Guard Tuman has been stunned.
Guard Shaw has been stunned.
Guard Federn has resisted stun.
Smoke billowed outward, cloaking the entire gate in thick gray fog.
In the chaos, QJ surged forward, catching the nearest guard in a hip toss that slammed him hard onto the cobbles. Without missing a beat, he darted into the smoke, sprinting toward the city.
QJ stealthed and slipped through the alleys, heading straight into the heart of the Guild sector.
His destination: the Proving Ground.
In the center square, two melee fighters clashed with sword and spear, both wielding heavy shields. The tags over their heads marked them as a subsidiary of Iron Mount—a combat alliance with no shortage of applicants. A crowd of guildmates circled the square, some cheering, others heckling.
The match ended abruptly with a brutal impalement. The victor yanked his spear free, then dragged the downed player to the edge of the square, calling for a cleric to rez.
QJ, still stealthed, walked calmly past them as the stone tiles under his boots began to glow.
[System Message] Proving Ground activated. Please choose your mode.
"All comers. No limit," QJ murmured.
The quiet sound of Roll Credits sliding from its sheath cut through the ambient noise like a bell.
[System Message] Proving Ground active. Only one challenger allowed at a time. Time between challenges must not exceed two minutes.
QJ exhaled sharply and glanced around at the onlookers.
"Who's first?" he asked, voice easy and loud now. "Shouldn't take more than three or four deaths before someone important shows up."
**
"QUINN!"
Anna's voice rang out as she stormed into the upper hall, leaning over the railing. Below, Tal and Quinn sat casually at the kitchen island, sipping coffee.
"QJ is in Iron Mount!" she barked.
Quinn didn't look up. He took a measured sip and gave a nonchalant shrug. "Sure. He has a mission there. Top secret, can't talk about it."
Anna's expression soured. "This is serious! He's on the Proving Ground!"
Tal glanced at her husband. "What is that?"
Quinn waved lazily. "It means he's safe."
Anna's eyes bulged. "Safe? It means they're going to get him! Capture penalties on other gaming worlds are brutal—he could lose gear, stats, levels—"
Quinn chuckled. "Then he'll be very motivated."
"Tal?" Anna turned to the one she hoped was reasonable.
Tal tilted her head. "Is that the place where they fight one at a time?"
Quinn nodded, still calm.
Tal shrugged. "Then he's fine. Come down and have some coffee. Is anyone streaming it?"
Anna let out a long sigh, half defeat, half dread. "Yes... it's on the OP feed."
[Iron Mount Alliance: Elton] QJ just stepped onto the Proving Ground.
[Iron Mount Alliance: Josena] Deal with him.
[Iron Mount Alliance: Elton] Is that a joke? I'm a wizard.
[Iron Mount Alliance: Josena] You're an officer in the Alliance. Act like one. I'm on my way.
A wrenching crunch echoed across the stone as bone snapped and a sword clattered to the ground.
Noli has received 43,387 in grappling damage.
(Critical Injury: Dislocated Shoulder)
QJ never let go of Noli's wrist. He rolled smoothly to his feet, flipped Roll Credits once in his hand, and sliced clean through the limb. The heavy blade sent a spray of blood across the square. Without fanfare, QJ wiped his face and flung the severed arm to the side.
(Critical Condition)Noli has lost consciousness and can no longer fight. He will be sent to his binding point with a death penalty.
QJ exhaled. "Next?"
Four down in minutes. He rotated through his techniques, careful not to repeat. Efficiency over spectacle—though the spectacle came anyway.
From the sideline, a familiar figure lingered in robes, trying not to draw attention.
"Hey… I know you. You're Elton." QJ tilted his head. "You know you have to step in, right? Officer in Iron Mount, yeah? You gonna let a level 66 Wrangler from Guns and Gore wipe his boots on you?"
Elton didn't respond. He'd already toggled off guild chat.
"Come on, pudding." QJ smiled, all sweetness and bloodstains.
Elton cursed and stepped forward, palms glowing with flame.
He never got the cast off.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 68,878 damage.
Fire scorches your target for 13,375 damage.
Elton has been stunned.
QJ was already on him, blade arcing. Elton's eyes widened as his head struck the stone with a dull thunk, his body still upright for a moment before collapsing.
Elton has been slain.
[Group: Ringo] We made the exchange. Time to bug out.
Quest Updated: [Dark Contacts]
QJ stealthed, then leapt—dozens of meters into the air—activating his [Glide Ring] mid-flight. Wind rushed past as he skimmed the rooftops, riding the headwind to gain altitude before banking hard toward the front gate.
Two miles down the trail, the team waited.
He landed in a burst of dust and loose pebbles.
[Group: Ringo] Any problems?
[Group: QJ] Walk in the park. You guys?
[Group: Ringo] Same. Let's gate out of here.