My Players Are So Fierce

“How could you let this happen? How did assassins manage to sneak into the camp and set fires?”

Outside Kenport’s half-burned tent, Korando, who had rushed over clutching his undamaged diary, scolded harshly:

“You have over 30,000 gnolls, yet you can’t even protect your own main tent?”

“I should be asking you that!”

The enraged gnoll warlord, now wielding his three-headed spiked skull flail emitting faint green light, roared:

“Aren’t you supposed to be blessed by the night? Why didn’t you detect the vampire assassins sneaking in? They almost burned all our supplies! It’s fortunate my pups reacted quickly and put out the flames!”

Korando laughed bitterly at this fool’s retort.

Damn it, you’re asking Wolfsbane Clan vampires to catch assassins? And quite possibly excellent assassins from the Thorn Clan? Who on the entire continent doesn’t know that Wolfsbane produces warriors and brutes?

Are warriors counters to rogues?

Shouldn’t you have found a Blood Dread Clan greed hunter for this kind of thing?

Shit!

All these bastards raising so many hyenas is such a waste!

But after interacting with Kenport for so many days, he knew this bastard’s personality wouldn’t listen to reason. So he simply dropped the matter and asked directly:

“Did you lose anything from your tent?”

“My collectibles were all stolen! Ah, damn it!”

Mentioning this made Kenport even angrier.

His two most beloved hyena relics had been stolen, which made him both furious and heartbroken.

Although gnolls are savage, their name still contains the word “person”, indicating they have emotions, just much more muted compared to civilized people. For example, Hog would be sad if his mate died, but that wouldn’t stop the skinny gnoll from finding himself a new mate.

“What else besides those?”

Korando asked emphatically:

“Are the things I gave you still there? Don’t tell me you lost those defense plans too? Those are life-and-death items!”

“No, they were burned.”

Kenport clutched a handful of ashes of a unique material, saying:

“Those guys probably didn’t have time to take it away, but it doesn’t matter, I’ve memorized those positions.”

“What good does your memorizing do?”

Korando mocked:

“If they looked at the map and realized what it was, you and I would both be finished! So, do you still plan to drag this out? The enemy has already started moving, who knows how much longer that head of yours, which is useless for anything but eating, will last.

So, shouldn’t you show some initiative?”

The gnoll warlord was so angered by these caustic words that he clenched his paw.

But he knew what needed to be done now, so he gritted his teeth and barked at his servant:

“Go! Summon all tribal chiefs with over 800 followers to come here. I want to annihilate those shameful thieving bastards! The day after tomorrow! We march on Crimson Citadel the day after tomorrow!”

“That’s more like it.”

Korando nodded with satisfaction.

This was what he had hoped to see. However, since the gnolls were set to move the day after tomorrow, tomorrow night would be the time to scout that road they claimed.

While the gnoll army was pressing forward, he would personally lead Wolfsbane elites to raid Crimson Citadel.

Hmm, a great battle is about to begin, and the leader will perish.

That sounds so pleasing to the ear.

——

“Hehe, this thing is not bad at all. I knew it, high risk brings high rewards.”

Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry, who was now riding a horse back, played with the oddly shaped skull ornament in his hand, smiling broadly as he said to Frostfang Claw, who was riding a horse beside him with a sour face:

“See, I told you this job could be done, right? We brothers should get closer in the future, this is our unique ‘way to get rich’.”

“Cooperation, fine”

Frostfang Claw had now passed the Black Iron Trial and was very excited. Dorothy had also promised to get him a letter of introduction to the Thieves’ Guild, which gave him a way forward for his second profession change.

But he still laid down three rules for Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry:

“Don’t talk so much when we’re working in the future! I’m not used to it. To be honest, it’s a bit scary.”

“Huh? What are you afraid of? My words sound so nice.”

Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry asked curiously. Frostfang Claw was a bit embarrassed, but under the latter’s questioning, he sighed and said softly:

“I often work in ancient tombs. If someone suddenly starts talking next to me, things could get really bad.”

“What?”

Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed:

“Brother, what do you do? Grave robbing? How come you’re going into tombs? I’m not kidding, you better come clean! I’m about to call the police, you know.”

“Archaeology”

Frostfang Claw sighed with a melancholic face:

“I’ve been in the Lop Nur for almost two months. Sigh, I’m almost turning into a wild man.”

“Tsk tsk, that’s really tough. No wonder you play games to relax.”

Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry finally relaxed and kept asking Frostfang Claw about tomb exploration, but unfortunately, this socially anxious Frostfang Claw really didn’t have much to tell him, and there were many things in this line of work that couldn’t be discussed.

With no other choice, he could only continue to play dumb.

After talking for a while without getting any response, Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry also felt bored, so he started examining the good stuff he had received.

The bone item that fell into his hands should be some kind of eerie magical instrument. It looked a bit like a dried animal head, with the beast’s eye sockets emitting a green light in the darkness, looking quite creepy.

However, its attributes were really good:

Name: Plague’s Head – Classic Barbarian Sacrificial Instrument

Quality: Masterwork – 【Souvenir】Commander

Traits: Extreme Spirit Enhancement – Extreme Dark Assistance – Enhanced Spirit Recovery – Enhanced Spirit Perception – Bone Weapon

Special Effect:

1. Using the Plague’s Head can release 【Fear Spell】, causing a 【Panic】 effect on the enemy’s mind, with a chance to make them flee or faint.

It can be released 【3/3】 times before the spirit technique enters cooldown and recharge, with a recharge time of 12 hours.

2. Using the Plague’s Head can summon the spirit of the evil dog plague to fight for you. This spirit is considered an undead creature – wraith, possessing mental attacks and weak physical attacks, and can be considered as an evil spirit occupying the enemy’s body, causing continuous mental damage, lasting for 30 minutes.

Blood is required to summon the spirit before using this skill, with usable times 【1/1】, and a recharge time of 48 hours.

Note!

This item is a 【Bone Weapon】, with double wear rate. Special maintenance techniques must be mastered for repair. Once damaged, it is considered permanently destroyed.

Usage requirement: This item is an evil artifact. A certain level of mental resistance is required to ensure that the user’s mind is not interfered with during use. Requires Mind ≥ 13.

Crafter: Rending Claw Clan Plague Shaman Flesh Ripper

Item Description:

【Even in death, the loyal hyena’s wild soul still yearns to continue serving its master.】

“Hey, Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry, let’s make a deal.”

Just as Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry was admiring his new ornament, his mentor, Mage Helu, sneakily approached on a donkey and rubbed his hands, saying to his apprentice:

“I’m very curious about this thing of yours. Well, it’s just a Spirit Mage’s curiosity about spirit items. I can see at least two spirit techniques on this thing that I could learn. Although they’re all evil magic, there’s no Circle Tower to restrain me now, so could you lend it to me for research?

You can’t use it right now anyway.

Your spirit manipulation is still very crude, forcibly using this level of evil object would cause terrible backlash to you.

Trust me, I’m your mentor!

After you’re able to use it, I’ll definitely return it to you intact.”

“Ha, you might fool an 8-year-old kid with that talk!”

Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry rolled his eyes and tucked the Plague’s Head into his chest, saying disrespectfully to his mentor:

“I can’t use it now so I’ll keep it hidden. Anyway, I’ll be able to use it soon. At worst, I’ll find someone to help me level up. Actually, lending it to you for research isn’t impossible, after all, you’ll have to teach me the spells you learn.

But you can’t just take it empty-handed.”

He snorted, rubbing his two fingers together, saying shrewdly to his mentor:

“You need to give me some collateral, right? In case you go back on your word later, I won’t end up empty-handed.”

“I’m your mentor! You bastard!”

Helu was so angry his nose was almost crooked.

He deeply felt that this era truly had no manners or morals. As a dignified mentor from the Circle Tower, what’s wrong with taking something from this disrespectful disciple for research? As a mentor, could I possibly steal your treasure?

How come there’s not a bit of trust between people anymore?

But seeing his stubborn disciple’s unyielding attitude of not giving in until he saw the coffin, Mage Helu was at a loss. He could only reluctantly take out a very beautiful eye-shaped pendant from his bosom, fondled it in his hand, and then, with a heavy heart, handed it over to Thirty-Year-Old Tobacco Mulberry.

The latter took it in his hand with a chuckle and activated the appraisal, glancing at it:

Name: Scout’s Amulet – Circle Tower Standard Spirit Artifact & Graduation Certificate

Quality: Standard – Commander

Traits: Extreme Spirit Enhancement – Enhanced Spirit Coordination – Enhanced Spellcasting Speed

Special Effect: ‘Eagle Eye’ skill proficiency +1, ‘Hidden Eye’ skill proficiency +1, ‘Scout Sentry’ skill proficiency +1, ‘Scout Beacon’ maximum deployment number +2.

Built-in skill: Spirit Absorption Shield [3/3]

Current Bound Owner: Ratel Helu Constance

Crafter: White Cliff Headquarters Logistics Tower No. 14 Alchemy Lab No. 7 Enchanting Station

Item Description:

【This eyeball-shaped amulet is not just a spellcasting medium, it also represents that a Spirit Mage has been officially recognized by the Circle Tower! It can represent the authority of the Circle Tower anywhere outside of White Cliff.】

“This thing is the proof of all my efforts and achievements in the first half of my life! Although I’m no longer a member of that organization, it still holds special meaning for me,” Helu said very sentimentally.

“I’m pawning it to you, and I’ll take it back when I’m done with my research. Don’t you dare break it.”

“Alright, alright, no problem. You’re my mentor, how could I dare to break your beloved possession?” Smoke Mulberry agreed glibly, handing over his Plague’s Head to Helu.

The latter took it in his hand, marveling at it. He wasn’t trying to swindle his disciple’s treasure, but was genuinely curious about the spirit techniques of this vicious creation popular among the barbarian tribes.

He was, after all, a Spirit Mage.

Although he had become somewhat mercenary, the pursuit of truth and wisdom was still one of his principles of conduct.

The 4 of them returned to the Crimson Citadel in the morning. Dorothy took Fangfang to report the results of this trip to Lady Adele and the Count of White Mountain, and also to show them the strange map that Fangfang had stolen from Kenport’s main tent at the last moment.

There were some things written in code on it, secrets that Dorothy, a “novice vampire,” couldn’t decipher.

However, the Count of White Mountain and Lady Adele weren’t much more professional in the vampire race than she was. The 2 of them studied it repeatedly but couldn’t figure out what this map represented.

It wasn’t until they sent this thing to Murphy and Tris that Tris, who was well-traveled and had journeyed across the continent more than once in her youth, although drunk at the moment, immediately recognized what this thing was.

“This is a defense map of the Dorod Fortress Group on the western shore of Lake Shulps! That place is the only gateway to enter the Cato region by land from Transia,” Tris said, rubbing her eyes.

“The code on it is written in the Wolfsbane clan’s writing style. It will take some time to decipher, but each red mark represents a stronghold that the Wolfsbane clan plans to establish near this ancient fortress group.

It seems that the rumor Shani, that flirtatious vixen, mentioned before is true. Old Edward led the Wolfsbane clan to pledge allegiance to King Louis and received the Cato region as their new territory on the continent.

They really know how to pick a location.

The Cato region borders the Emerald Forest of Antani to the west, the Genoa Peninsula to the south, and shares Lake Shulps with Transia. That place is a true strategic location.

Old Edward has good vision, but unfortunately, his management of his subordinates is terrible.

Even this thing ended up in the hands of the gnolls.

I dare not imagine what kind of devastation the gnolls would wreak on that place if they crossed the Foul Swamp, turned direction in Transia, and charged straight into the Cato region when the Black Disaster happens.

They might even easily seize the second route into the heartland of the continent. From the Cato region, crossing the narrow Dilana Mountains to the north, they could rush into the flat Anju Plains, which is the ruling heartland of the Goldflower Kingdom!”

“It seems our kinsman Lord Korando has played a bit too big this time. This even goes beyond the definition of madness,” Murphy’s fingers twitched.

He picked up the leaked defense map before him, bid farewell to Tris, and immediately headed to the Blood Pact Knights’ station.

When he handed this map with a missing corner to Lady Lainnia, the color drained from her face in an instant.

It’s not easy to see such shock on the face of a moon elf vampire with already pale skin, but Murphy knew very well where Lainnia’s fear came from.

Once the Dorod Fortress Group in the Cato region is breached by the gnolls, they can not only attack the Goldflower Kingdom to the north but also continue westward along the advance route of the last Black Disaster and charge into Antani.

That region directly borders the elf kingdom by land, and the Emerald Forest burned by the gnoll army more than 100 years ago still hasn’t recovered.

“Madmen! The Wolfsbane clan are all madmen!” The bow knight of moon elf royal descent was almost driven mad. She cursed in a manner completely unbefitting the double elegance of elves and vampires:

“This is no longer just a matter of colluding with gnolls. The Wolfsbane clan has crossed the line! They leaked a major secret of the civilized camp to the gnolls. This must be reported to Lord Payne! The Wolfsbane clan must be punished!”

“That’s right, it must be reported! I no longer wish to conceal my malice towards my kinsmen, but this is exactly what I wanted to see,” Murphy said in a deep voice.

“We, the defenders of civilization, are fighting at the frontlines, persisting in the first line of defense against the gnolls for the safety of the continent, but alas, there are always bastards trying to stab us in the heart. Always like this, how can we fight this war?

As the governor of the Transia region, I don’t have many demands, but please make sure to convey my opinion to the esteemed Lord Payne.

My soldiers, my people, and the innocent people of the Cato region need an answer!

Will he, in his wisdom, deal with such matters that touch the bottom line or not?”

“Stop stirring things up!” Lainnia looked at this dramatic vampire governor before her with some exhaustion. She sighed and said:

“Rest assured, Lord Payne won’t tolerate such matters. But those Wolfsbane pups who have crossed the line…”

“Please rest assured as well, my lady,” Murphy said softly.

“I guarantee that Transia will become their final step to audience with the Night Mother, and whether to forgive them or not is a power that belongs only to the Night Mother. We, the midnight kindred, are only responsible for sending these disgraceful fellows over.

Well then, I’ll leave the task of reporting to you.”

In the Dark Mountain range, in the barren mountains south of the Foul Swamp, right at the subtle boundary between the “civilized border” and the “barbarian lands,” in the station of the Blood Pact Knights.

The Third Lord Yvette, wearing black and red hunting light armor that blended the styles of shadow elf and vampire, walked into Lord Payne’s tent with a serious expression. As expected, she saw the revered lord with his long hair over his shoulders, wearing a burgundy robe, holding a brush and creating yet another piece of art.

She knew this was the lord’s habit.

He would always start creating a piece of art to record history before every major event, and she guessed that the name of this painting before her eyes should be “The 5th Black Disaster.”

The tall shadow elf vampire lord didn’t disturb the revered lord’s painting, but after a few minutes, Lord Payne sighed because of the interruption.

He put down the brush in his hand. The fiery gaze of his own decadent descendant made it impossible for him to maintain the mentality of an artist during creation.

“Speak,” Lord Payne said in a low voice as he wiped the paint off his fingers with a handkerchief, then reached out to collect his beloved brushes and tools.

Lady Yvette said in a hoarse voice beside him:

“Moriarty Korando Gongreau, the leader of the Greyclaw faction of the Wolfsbane clan, has committed a grave error. That pitiful madman handed over the defense map of the Dorod Fortress Group in the Cato region to Kenport, the newly risen gnoll warlord in Transia.

The Blood Vulture Clan has obtained evidence of this, and it has been confirmed by my descendant Lainnia.”

“Ah, midnight gave us the eyes of the night, yet there are always those who refuse to use them to seek the light.”

Lord Payne didn’t seem surprised by this situation. This ancient being who had lived for 1,100 years sighed and asked in a low voice with a strange sense of loss:

“Where is Palanno now?”

“The First Lord has arrived in the Misty City. Perhaps this matter can be handed over to him to deal with?”

“Let him wait there! Spellcasters, prepare to open the Astral Realm teleportation. Yvette! Bring the sacred spear from the armory and accompany me to the Misty City. I want to ask Edward in person. I’m very curious to know what my ancient brother intends to do as this storm is about to rise.”

The Third Lord turned to leave, but after taking just one step, she heard the revered lord add:

“Don’t forget to bring a cross as well.”

Yvette was stunned for a moment, then understood and immediately quickened her pace to leave.

She was a bit frightened.