C rimson Berserker closed the chat and looked at the players gathering around him. Several thousand people who had come to his call stood still, waiting for his orders. All the rest were spread all over the map as he’d rather not give up on collecting the Influence Spheres altogether. He believed that five to six thousand people would be enough to repulse the attack and that all the rest could focus on their original task.

We need them. We’ve already given too many to Raven.

He didn’t need the rogue or his hints to know that the Columbus Club (many of whom were already among the TOP members and rapidly gaining levels) would come after the portals. Only two of them had been discovered up to date — one by Fortuna and one by Rollin’ Dice, and both would be targeted.

“Brothers and sisters.” Berserker climbed on top of a pile of granite blocks — the remains of a half-collapsing house — so that all the Fortuna members that had filled the ruins could see him. “Many of you are still unaware of what’s going on. I’ll tell you. The Columbus Club is eyeing the portal we discovered and fought tooth and nail to get. They don’t know our real strength but we know theirs. You’ve seen their videos more than once — their fights in the arenas, and with the mobs that roam their Floors. Well, if they think that we’re gonna run away like a bunch of pussies, they’re very wrong.”

He made a brief pause so that his comrades could process what they had just heard and continued.

“We’re a TOP clan! Not some randos. Not some stupid mobs that you can corner and slaughter. We were on the top in The Destroyed World [4]. We’ve conquered The Dark Gate. I don’t know what you think, but I’m glad that they have willingly given us the opportunity to show them their place with our skill and experience. I look at you and see some old and some new faces. But all of you have proven your courage and determination by answering my call. As for the spies and traitors...” He ran his gaze over the crowd and smirked. “For you, this is a teaching moment. I want you to ask yourselves — have I joined the right side? Make your choice, whatever it is, and don’t look back. But remember: anyone who’s not on our side is an enemy! We’ll kill you and your masters.”

Each word kindled a spark that’d soon grow into a blazing fire in the hearts of the people who had joined his clan to gain a new identity as its members. They looked around in excitement, locking gazes with their friends and comrades, and nodding in agreement with their leader’s words.

“We’ve come this far because we didn’t want to give up. Because we didn’t let any obstacle get in our way, no matter how big,” Berserker continued, feeling the excitement that had filled the air with his whole body. “I remember the day when we founded our clan. I remember when we were just a bunch of gamers who enjoyed adventure and a good fight. I remember all the times when our hearts had beaten like a war drum, pumping adrenaline into our blood. Remember. Remember these feelings — and when the enemy comes, show them our true strength!

“This world is cruel. We’ve lost many fights to strange bosses. We’ve struggled with seemingly impossible obstacles and raked our brains over difficult puzzles. But we’ve always had each other’s back. And what have our enemies been doing?” He turned his head to the side and squinted. “They keep fighting. Just like we do. They seek power. Just like we do. One mistake — and they’ll be a step ahead of us. Two — and we’ll be running to catch up with them.”

“You tell ‘em!!!”

“Yeah!”

“Looks like meat’s back on the menu, boys!” one guy screamed.

Racer, who stood next to him, stared at the guy in surprise.

“Dude, the two thousands called and they want their reference back.”

“What?” The other player just stared back, obviously not getting it. Racer shook his head and turned back to Berserker who continued.

“We’ve always been and always will be ready to prove to anyone that we deserve our place on the top! The Columbus Club is just another hurdle on our path. Put your headgear on!”

The players donned their helmets, hoods, crowns, and diadems, preparing for the battle.

“Take your weapons!”

The sound of clasping belts and the clang of daggers, axes, staffs, and spears came from the crowd.

“They dared to challenge us! It’s time to teach them what happens to those who dare oppose us! It’s time to trample them to the ground where they belong!” Berserker waved his ax to the sound of rising battle cries.

He had always been followed as a leader, even before he had officially become one. It wasn’t because of his level that people followed him but because of his charisma. People had always had confidence in him.

Fortuna was seething with bloodlust, its members ready to tear their enemies to pieces. Their battle spirit spread over the Silent Prayer Island, foreshadowing great bloodshed.

***

In the meantime, Raven, who had started the spark that ignited this forest fire, was sitting next to one of the statues, reading about the challenge rewards on the forums. The videos were few and far between despite the large number of participants, so many of his questions remained unanswered.

One was the range of the rewards. The system message mentioned that they could differ depending on the player’s achievements.

He was bummed out that Level Three Challenge videos were very rare, and those showing Level Four ones were virtually non-existent.

Still, that was another reason to take their difficulty level seriously. Raven always appreciated the opportunity to get new titles in higher-level challenges.

Tired of waiting, he decided to try one challenge to see just how tough they really were. Although spending one hundred Influence Spheres on this test was probably not the wisest decision, he’d rather trust his own eyes than other people’s words.

Coming back to the statue, he accepted the invitation.

You have entered the Sky Platform of Challenges.

Everything was exactly as Koshie had told him — until something changed.

Attention! Your sensitivity level is too high for this challenge.

Mind energy detected.

Level: Novice (I)

Setting up a challenge...

Challenge setup complete.

Challenge difficulty level doubled to match the candidate’s Mind Level.

Challenge goal: Overcome the mental pressure and take the Key.

Reward:

+ 1 Diamond Key (level 1)

+ Sensitivity level increased by 0.1%

The challenge will begin in: 10...

Upon him came the pressure everyone had been talking about. It crushed his mind, making him feel like his head was being filled with hot lead. With every step he took, the pressure grew and his head felt like it was going to burst at any moment.

Fucking fuck.

But still, he found it easier than most other players did due to his mental development. Even with the increased difficulty level, he seized the Key in less than twenty minutes.

Congratulations! You have completed the Level 1 Challenge.

Reward:

+ 1 Diamond Key (level 1)

+ Sensitivity level increased by 0.1%

Congratulations! You have set a new record for the Level 1 Challenge.

Time: 00:15:37

Bonus reward: 2 Diamond Keys (level 1)

You have completed the Level 1 Challenge with an increased difficulty level.

Title awarded: Bound by Destiny

Description: You are used to navigating an obstacle course as your path in life. Your power is binding. Only by pushing your limits can you can reach perfection.

For killing an enemy with a level higher than yours, you get +1% XP for each extra level.

Leaving the Sky Platform of Challenges in: 3... 2... 1...

He was cast back into the real world. While he regained his senses, the stone cocoon covering his character began to crack. Two minutes later, he was free.

The bonus reward was a pleasant surprise, particularly the title. Since his Floor was abundant with high-level mobs, he’d be able to level up much faster.

He could use the extra Diamond Keys, too. Unfortunately, he was still unaware of what the chests hid and hence decided not to waste any more Influence Spheres on low-level challenges.

While he had been testing the platform, the Spheres paid by Fortuna and Rollin’ Dice had been deposited into his account.

That’s why I love the TOPs. They always fulfill their promises on time.

Now his storage box had:

111,323 Influence Spheres

The four thousand paid by Queen for the video had been shared between him and Kingmaker. In exchange for her permission to be killed, he had promised to tell her everything he knew about the increased sensitivity level. He had offered her a few other things, such as lending her the Box of Wishes once again, but all she wanted was information.

She’s not stupid, I’ll give her that.

He smiled as he checked his Influence Spheres.

Green Influence Spheres: 12,004

Orange Influence Spheres: 9,116

White Influence Spheres: 6,332

Violet Influence Spheres: 10,075

Yellow Influence Spheres: 14,102

Blue Influence Spheres: 12,850

Pink Influence Spheres: 13,911

Black Influence Spheres: 11,669

Red Influence Spheres: 10,315

Gray Influence Spheres: 10,949

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

Taking a deep breath, he approached the statue again, preparing for a really, really difficult test — a match to his experience in the Corrupted Tombs.

Choose the Influence Spheres to be offered.

He selected ten thousand gray ones. After a moment’s thought, he shrugged and tried to add the rest but the system refused.

You cannot offer more than 10,000 Influence Spheres at a time.

Accepting that, he confirmed his initial choice...

...and then the statue came to life, astonishing everyone.