Dark clouds shrouded the sky, and the dark ground was a complete mess. Spiraling stairs, blood-stained corpses, armors, weapons, everything was so chaotic, desolate, and filled with the smell of death and danger.
Rod took a deep breath, but he couldn't feel the coldness and blood in the air. After all, this was just a game. Thinking until here, Rod smiled bitterly and shook his head. Then, he turned around and looked at his comrades who were sitting cross-legged on the ground not far away. At this moment, they were quietly resting, recovering their strength, and repairing their weapons. On the surface, it looked no different from usual, but Rod was very clear that this battle wouldn't be as easy as before.
"How many of you stayed?"
He asked in a deep voice.
Hearing this question, everyone looked at each other. Then, a skinny mage stood up.
"96. Leader, this dungeon of the Void Dragon is more dangerous than we thought. Many of our brothers died in the previous traps. The only fortunate thing is that our classes are still intact."
"That's good."
Hearing this, Rod nodded and didn't say anything. The others also remained silent.
If it were an ordinary party, perhaps they would have lost their courage and started to panic. After all, they were about to face the strongest and most terrifying elite BOSS in the game, the Void Dragon, the final BOSS of the third chapter of the online game Dragon Soul Continent. It was also the most terrifying existence so far. In the face of such a battle, ordinary guilds would have to organize at least ten parties to try to challenge it. But now, Rod only had 96 people under him, which wasn't even enough to form a complete party. But even so, in the eyes of these people, there wasn't the slightest hint of panic and loss. There was only calmness, confidence, and trust.
The person they trusted so much was standing on a flight of stairs not far away from them. He raised his head and looked at the sky. On his face, which was as firm as a rock, there was a cold scar that ran down from his forehead, giving people a feeling of awe. The armor shining with magical brilliance covered his majestic body, like an impregnable city wall.
Of course, they didn't trust the man in front of them because of his imposing appearance. No matter how strong he looked, he was just a character design in the game. The scar on his forehead didn't serve as a reminder of his painful past. It was just a part of the game's design.
What was truly intimidating was the countless halos and achievements behind this man.
He was the first professional player to reach the top.
He was the first player to use the most difficult class, the Spirit Swordsman, to reach the peak.
Ever since the first chapter of the Dragon Soul Continent, "Darkness Descends", was released, he led the guild, relied on his own ability, and a terrifying degree of familiarity with all the classes to sweep through the entire three data seasons, taking down the leader of all the First Kills of the Bosses. The video of every dungeon run would be reposted by countless players and was regarded as a holy scripture. The leader of the number one player guild in the Dragon Soul Continent — Rod.
He had once personally destroyed the "Darkness Descends", opened the "Turbulent Era", and once again conquered the "Turbulent Era" and arrived at the "Void Trial". And now, he would once again use his own hands to end the "Void Trial". But, a new era would no longer be opened by him.
How many years has it been?
Rhode asked himself as he withdrew his gaze from the sea of clouds in the distance that flickered with lightning snakes.
Ever since his sister passed away, it had been a full seven years since he entered the Dragon Soul Continent. In these seven years, in order to force himself to forget the painful past, he set himself an almost unreachable goal time and time again, and then he achieved it again and again. Only the great excitement and glory at that time could dilute the residual pain in his heart.
But, this was all he could do.
A month ago, Rod's parents were on a business trip abroad and died in a plane crash due to a hurricane. Rod couldn't remember how he felt when he received the call and heard the news. But now, he had made up his mind. Leaving the game and returning to reality wasn't only for his parents. Rod was also clear that it was time for him to make a change.
"L-Leader?"
A timid voice interrupted Rod's recollection. He looked up and saw a female mage in the crowd timidly raising her hand and looking at him with sparkling eyes.
"Y-You're really leaving?"
"Yes."
Rhode nodded and sorted out the complicated emotions in his heart. He shook his head and gazed at his companions again. These were the memories and rewards that he had gained over the past seven years. They were friends that he had gained over the past seven years of hard work. But now, he would eventually leave them. Although in the game, even if it was just a gesture, one could be familiar with the other party's intention. But when he took off the game helmet and returned to reality, perhaps he wouldn't be able to recognize the other party anymore.
"My resume was sent out yesterday. I hope I can find a company that is willing to accept me."
"If I receive your resume, I will arrange for you to be a department manager. Don't worry!"
A knight brandished his greatsword. His words had also stirred up the originally gloomy atmosphere. Everyone laughed heartily.
"Thank you for your kindness. Unfortunately, I didn't write this in my resume. You have to know that our guild has many enemies. If other guilds receive my resume, then my life will be difficult."
Rhode replied with a smile. Then, he let out a cough and put on a stern expression.
"I think everyone knows how we have been through all these years."
Hearing this, everyone who was laughing just now shut their mouths and listened to him quietly.
"We also know that on the forums, on the internet, many people are criticizing us. They say that we have destroyed the balance of the game, monopolized all the BOSS first kills, and made the competition meaningless … To be honest, I don't think they're wrong, but …"
Speaking until here, Rod suddenly clenched his fist and waved it.
"But, what does this have to do with us! We are the strongest guild, we are the strongest team! We have the strength! Then we have to do it, to snatch it! If the other guilds aren't strong enough, then it's their own problem if they lose. If they are strong enough, then they can break our monopoly. Our monopoly on the First Clear of bosses is not based on the rules, not based on status, not based on the game company's flattery. We earned it with our own strength! We never give up, we never admit defeat, and we never slack off. That's why we have the results and everything we have now. This is what we deserve. It's that simple. "
Rod paused for a moment before continuing.
"I love this guild, and I also miss the seven years that I spent with everyone. But all good things must come to an end. I should also go and find a life that belongs to me. However, I will never forget everyone, and I will never forget the guild. This place carries my most painful memories, and also my happiest memories. I will always remember it here. "
Saying that, Rod pointed to his head.
"A lot of people said that this guild can't function without me. I think many guilds already know about this news. They are probably waiting for me to leave, sharpening their swords, waiting to catch up with our guild and break our record. But, they are underestimating us too much. Dragon Soul World is not a game where I am alone. I can't establish a guild by myself, I can't organize a team by myself, and it's impossible for me to kill a BOSS first kill. That's why I hope that after I leave, you can show those scheming bastards why this guild is so strong and why we, Starlight, can be the number one guild in the Dragon Soul Continent! "
"Yes!"
"No problem, Guild Leader!"
"Leave it to us. By then, we will give those idiots a perfect answer!"
"Very well."
Hearing everyone's answer, Rod nodded, then he turned to the right side of the crowd.
"Old Liu."
Hearing Rod's greeting, the lanky mage walked out of the crowd and came to his side. Rod looked at the mage in front of him. After a moment of silence, he reached out and took off the badge on his chest and placed it in the mage's hand.
[System Announcement: Guild Leader's position has been transferred. Leader's position has been transferred.]
"The next era is your era."
Rod let go of his hand. His voice was very calm, without the slightest change.
"So, this battle will be under your command."
"Okay, no problem, Rod."
The mage nodded, but soon, he spoke again.
"Then, as the guild leader, as the leader, I order you to lead the team."
"Old Liu?"
Hearing this answer, Rod couldn't help but frown. At this moment, the lanky mage facing him smiled and patted Rod's shoulder.
"You started this era. There's a beginning and an end, Rod. This is the way of a man."
"…"
Hearing this sentence, Rod went silent. He lifted his head and looked at his companions. At this moment, they were ready and waiting for his orders as usual. Rod gripped his sword tightly, turned around, and faced the high platform in front of him. There, lightning bolts raged, rumbling, and flashing in bright radiance.
Then, Rod raised his sword and pointed forward. He once had the most ordinary beginning, so it was time for the most ordinary end.
"Start the battle!"
The Void Dragon is indeed incomparably powerful.
Rod had fought almost all the top BOSSES in the Dragon Soul Continent, including the other Dragon Souls in the game's settings. But none of them were as troublesome as the Void Dragon before him. Its attack pattern was more complicated, almost without any pattern, and its damage was several times higher than ordinary BOSSES. Needless to say, its speed, reaction, and even defense were superb.
It was indeed a tough opponent to conquer.
Rod gripped his sword, gritted his teeth, and gazed at the massive creature before him. The battle had reached its final stage and he was the only survivor. But even so, Rod's health was almost depleted. The glaring red color reminded him that his vitality had reached its limit.
Wasn't the same for the Void Dragon?
Gazing at the Void Dragon's blood-red eyes filled with wrath, Rod had a strange feeling as though he could empathize with the Void Dragon's feelings. As the most powerful BOSS in the game, no one had ever conquered it. Now that it was about to fall to the ground, it must be feeling terrible.
In that case, let me accompany you.
At this thought, Rod raised his left hand.
Along with a crisp chirp, Rod's sword suddenly burst into flames. They spiraled into a flying firebird, raising its head to the sky and rushing towards the Void Dragon. Facing this oncoming attack, the Void Dragon let out a roar, raised its front claws high, and pounced down.
“！！！”
Rhode felt his body tremble violently as a powerful force rushed towards him. The Flamingo let out a mournful cry and was immediately scared out of its wits. However, before it disappeared, the strong explosion caused the Void Dragon's claws to be shaken off.
For a moment, it was wide open.
Rod gritted his teeth. The bright red color in front of his eyes became more and more dazzling, indicating that the damage he received had reached a critical point. But now, this was no longer within his consideration. This was his last chance. Either he succeeded or they were wiped out. He raised the sword in his hand and stabbed forward. But at this time, the Void Dragon had recovered. It roared and once again swung its claws downward. At the same time, Rod also threw out the sword in his hand.
Thunder Strike, activate.
The sword turned into a dazzling radiance and shot towards the Void Dragon's chest. Rod stared at it intently, watching the radiance mixed with thunder and lightning drilling through the gaps between the Void Dragon's claws. Then, it easily tore the scales on the Void Dragon's body.
"— — —!!!"
A deafening dragon roar erupted from the ground. Then, a huge dragon claw slammed heavily on Rod's body.
The bright red color in front of his eyes had almost shrouded the whole world. Rod could no longer see the scene in front of him clearly, but the system prompt that appeared from the corner was as clear as ever.
[Congratulations to Starlight for obtaining the first kill of the Void Dragon. An eternal evil has been eliminated.]
[Character received excessive damage and is about to die.]
It's finally over.
Looking at this line of system prompt, Rod revealed a gratified smile.
At this moment, suddenly, a bright beam of light descended from the sky and shrouded the high platform.
The pure white light illuminated the originally gloomy sky and dispersed the lingering dark clouds.
At this moment, the others who were reviving from the graveyard and rushing towards the high platform suddenly came to a halt. The world channel that was originally bustling because of Starlight obtaining the first kill record suddenly quietened down.
For a moment, there was only one message left. It was a system announcement.
[System Announcement: Player Rod has gone offline.]
A legend that ruled the game for three whole eras had come to an end just like that.
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