******
IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE LAST CHAPTER, SO... HERE'S A SUMMARY OF THE CURRENT ARC
THE STORY SO FAR...
The Phantom Seekers guild is hosting a live-streamed competition to recruit a new healer. Thirty-five participants are competing to rescue their "missing" Guild Master, Alan Warden, and two other guild members from a dangerous virtual swamp.
Ah, and Amelia's uncle is participating... Someone Amelia seems to dislike. Yikes!
The rules are:
Inventory access is blocked except for one chosen starting item Death means disqualification Two NPCs are lost: one knows the Guild Master's location, one doesn't Points are awarded for teamwork and successful actions
The competition begins with immediate dangers. Early participants are eliminated by swamp slimes, establishing that this is a deadly serious test.
Then, after identifying two potential landmarks, two groups are formed--and secretly a third one, led by a Paladin that withheld information from the other participants.
Nicholas decides to follow the eastern group, facing increasingly difficult monsters (Hopsters) that require coordinated teamwork to defeat.
Nicholas demonstrates tactical thinking and hidden abilities, while other participants like Maude (Combat Medic), Hugo (Monk), Finn (White Mage), Liam (Druid), and Oliver (Cleric) work together effectively as a team.
The team eventually reaches an island with a mysterious tree containing what appears to be a bride-dressed mannequin. Nicholas then discovers this "mannequin" is actually the captive NPC Anastasia. A massive battle ensues against living wooden dolls controlled by a spider-like boss.
While Maude goes solo to kill the boss, Nicholas reveals his true nature, systematically eliminating the rest of his team.
Maude manages to defeat the boss but dies in a planned explosion, only to be resurrected by Nicholas's necromancy.
Although her body is currently under Nicholas' control, Maude decides to help him in exchange for her autonomy, which he agrees to.
****************
Two miles from Nicholas' position, the Paladin leading a small group toward the northern sector spotted a white birch tree in the distance.
The five-man team showed wear on their tunics and armor, though their health remained at full strength. During their trek, they had battled numerous enemies attempting to block their advance—which had actually boosted their morale, since resistance meant they were heading in the right direction.
Following the Paladin's instincts was finally paying off.
"So there really was something here," one of them muttered, and the Paladin's chest swelled with pride.
"Well done, Henry." Another teammate clapped his shoulder plate in appreciation.
That's right. We made it. Henry strode forward confidently. My instincts are telling me the Guild Master is here. This was the least obvious of the three locations. While the others waste time saving those NPCs, we'll secure victory by completing the main objective.
They entered a clearing dominated by the solitary dead tree. Up close, the wood looked hard as iron, with a human-sized hollow carved into its center like a doorway.
The silence felt oppressive, but for a group that had not lost a single member, they treated it as cause for caution rather than fear.
"What's our move, Henry?"
"Life Check."
"On it... Nothing detected nearby."
"Cast defensive buffs in case of an ambush."
"Roger. Ice Charm—Frost Armor."
A visible chill enveloped each member as the System confirmed their Vitality boost.
Henry nodded approvingly before addressing the group's largest member. "Lewis? What's your read on this?"
The Monk stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "My read? This place stinks." He smirked. "Cover me. I'll be right back."
The six-foot-three man disappeared into the tree hollow while the others maintained watch.
"Think the other teams know about this place?" someone asked.
Henry shook his head. "Eventually. But you saw the resistance we faced getting here. They're probably still fighting bosses at their locations. It'll take them time, so we still have the advantage."
Minutes later, Lewis emerged supporting someone over his shoulder. "Hey. Need healing over here."
The stranger collapsed to his knees before the group, too exhausted to stand. His health bar showed a critical 5%.
"Is he...?" one of the healers started.
When the rescued figure lifted his head, revealing a pale face and wolf ears, everyone recognized him immediately: One of Phantom Seekers' NPC: Fabio.
The same thought crossed every member: Since Alan Warden served as judge, Fabio might be acting as this test's Guild Master.
More than one healer moved to cast a spell, but Henry raised his hand, stopping them. He then crouched before the NPC. "Who are you?"
"Phantom Seekers' Guild Master. Call me Alan," Fabio replied, confirming their suspicions. "Please, help me escape this place. I know the way out, though it's dangerous. I ask you to bear the risk with me."
Despite hearing what they wanted, the team waited for Henry's decision as he studied Fabio intently.
"Lewis, what was this 'Alan' doing in there?"
"Held captive," Lewis answered quietly. "Gagged and bound to a chair carved from the tree itself."
"Who did this?" Henry asked.
The fake Alan sighed heavily. "I was completely overwhelmed. Couldn't do anything against her... the Swamp Witch."
Something Fabio said made Henry's eyebrow twitch.
"What about your team? Where are they?"
"Ah, yes... Anastasia and Bella. They were captured too. But I assume rescue teams are already en route, correct? Let's not worry about them now. If we linger here, the Witch will notice my escape and pursue us. Trust me—that's a battle you cannot win."
Henry stood, suspicion still etched on his face. "Heal him."
The NPC's health was restored instantly. He then rose and cracked his neck. "Thank you all. May I have your names?"
After introductions, Henry spoke again. "Where's the exit?"
"South of here," the NPC replied, already walking that direction. "You may have passed it coming here."
The group exchanged puzzled looks.
"The only notable landmark was that temple," their sole female member said. "Nothing special about it."
"Oh, I assure you there's a hidden passage there that leads out. Come, I'll show you."
The five guild members looked to Henry… Would they follow this 'Alan' now?
Henry said nothing and fell in behind the NPC. The rest followed suit.
*
Meanwhile, on the map's western edge, The Shaman's group finished battling a seventeen-foot stone golem formed from the suspicious rock formation they were investigating atop a hill.
Of their original nine members, only five survived—three had been crushed by the rampaging Elemental.
The area resembled a battlefield. Surrounding trees lay shattered, human-sized craters dotted the ground, massive stone pillars jutted at odd angles, and the last healer's corpse had just finished dissolving into the digital void.
Still catching his breath, The Shaman asked the group for critical injuries before casting Life Check.
Someone nearby was struggling at 5% health.
He gasped and rushed toward them. "Hold on, I'm coming! Are you—" He stopped short. An NPC with cat ears lay among the golem's scattered remains. "I found her! I found the missing NPC!" he shouted to his team.
After healing her completely, the female NPC slowly opened her eyes before gasping. "Oh! Thank you for saving me! Where are the others? Where's Anastasia and Alan, my Guild Master?"
"Easy now, a rescue team went to help your friend," the Shaman explained gently. "As for your Guild Master, we don't know his location. Do you have any idea where he may be?"
The group held their breath. According to Clara Domínguez's instructions, only one of the two lost NPCs knew the Guild Master's whereabouts.
"Yes, yes! I know where Alan Warden is!" the NPC said brightly, making everyone sigh with relief. "He's northeast of here. When they captured us, he managed to send me a private message before I was knocked unconscious. Oh, where are my manners? I'm Bella. Nice to meet you all."
"They captured you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "There's a mastermind behind this, right? Any idea who?"
"The Swamp Witch! Very powerful. We might not stand a chance if we encounter her. Please, avoid confrontation at all costs."
After sharing this information, Bella fell silent, as if leaving the next move up to them.
"We know where Alan Warden is, Edward. Let's head there immediately," one teammate suggested.
"But what about the other NPC? Won't the judges award bonus points for rescuing her too?" another added, looking at Edward.
He listened to both sides before responding. "Consider this: even if saving Anastasia grants extra points, we'll win decisively by completing two of the three main objectives. The other group may have found her, but she doesn't know Alan Warden's location. Let's maintain our advantage. Everyone agrees?"
He turned to Bella with a sympathetic expression. "I'm sorry, but we can't spare looking for Anastasia. Our priority must be saving your Guild Master. Is that okay with you?"
"It's okay." Bella smiled softly, clutching the fabric at her chest. "If you say someone's already rescuing her, then I can leave this swamp at ease. I'll see her eventually, right?"
"I guarantee it," Edward said, maintaining a reassuring smile for any watching cameras. "Let's move out!"
The group mobilized immediately, healing each other en route to full strength.
But as they traveled toward their goal, something nagged at Edward's mind.
How strange. Why include random chance in this test? We were lucky to find the right NPC, but what if we hadn't?
Nothing indicated which location was correct... If I were to lose this competition just by simply choosing wrong, I'd be damn furious.
Let me think about what Clara said initially...
1 - Rescue the Guild Master.
2 - Two NPCs are lost in the swamp.
3 - One knows the location, one doesn't.
That's all. She never mentioned conditions like 'one always tells the truth, the other always lies.' So I can trust Bella's word without question.
He smirked. But why am I overthinking this? It's not like we're in the other group's position... Blame your bad luck, I suppose.
*
Having finished his preparations, Nicholas turned to the group of undead Users and the rescued NPC.
"Anastasia, right? Do you happen to know where the Guild Master is?"
"No, I don't," the lavender-haired NPC replied bluntly, making Nicholas scratch his head.
"Well, I'll be damned."
"You don't seem that upset, Nepopod," Undead Maude observed while testing her restored body control. She turned to Oliver the Cleric, who flinched under her intense stare. "You. You're 'online' too, right? Unlike the others."
She glanced at the remaining team—three gray-skinned undead automatically controlled by whatever system in charge of Nicholas's necromancy spell.
"Yes, I'm here," Oliver muttered nervously. "I was curious how things would play out too."
"And now we're buddies," Nicholas said, slinging an arm around Oliver's neck. "How about drinks when you respawn normally? My treat."
"T-That sounds nice... Thanks."
"Hey, what about me?" Maude protested. "I'm sticking this out to the bitter end too, aren't I?"
Nicholas sighed loudly. "Fine, fine. Drinks on me to celebrate my inevitable flawless victory."
"Flawless?" Maude sneered. "Didn't you hear her? We got the wrong NPC. I bet the other team is marching toward the Guild Master's location right now. You lost! Best you'll get is some points for escorting this girl to safety."
Nicholas maintained his smirk throughout her tirade, which only irritated Maude further. "What?" she grunted. "If you have some secret plan, spill it!"
"I may have marked one of the healers who went the opposite direction," Nicholas said teasingly. "Amazing what a few bloodstains on someone's cloak can accomplish. One of the perks only Dark Magic offers!" He turned to Anastasia. "And something tells me our friend here knows more than she's letting on."
Maude snickered. "Oh please! What kind of information could she possibly—"
"You're correct, Mr. Laflamme. There's crucial information you'll find helpful if you intend to leave this place alive alongside my Guild Master."
Maude stared at the NPC in shock. Whoever designed this challenge—well played! This NPC never intended to elaborate unless specifically prompted. She glanced at Nicholas, who wore the smuggest grin imaginable. And he prepared a backup plan on the fly in case he found the wrong NPC… Who the hell is this guy?
"Well, don't leave us hanging!" Nicholas chuckled like a delighted child. "Tell us what you know."
Anastasia held the information a moment longer, ensuring all three Users were paying attention. Then, with grave seriousness, she said: "Someone is currently impersonating my Guild Master."