Conquering OtherWorld Starts With a Game

Chapter 164: Battlefield Test Version

"Charlie Rex" was no longer a person nor a name but, rather, a symbol.

A symbol that epitomized the virtues of kindness, compassion, bravery, nobility, and a profound sense of empathy toward the welfare of the people.

This symbol had taken root within the collective consciousness of the people of Weisshem, ensuring any policy emanating from the town hall, bearing the prefix of Rex, was met with open arms. Yang Qiu's next agenda was to embed this emblematic figure into the psyche of the people of Indahl.

The reason behind adopting such a blunt and potentially problematic approach of elevating a hero, setting a standard, and indulging in the symbolization of heroism was straightforward: At certain junctures in societal development, symbolic heroes wielded an unparalleled influence and persuasive power over the masses.

Given that the "Charlie Rex" symbol was no longer monopolized by any single individual (Rex himself couldn't to carve out an independent path, much less others), Yang Qiu only needed to ensure that his crafted "hero" didn't veer off into a narrative of solitary heroism or roguish valor. Even if he were to overlook it, his fellow nation team personnel was there to rein things in.

In essence, while Charlie Rex himself didn't care if he had a good reputation or not, the leadership of Weisshem, tagged with the "Charlie Rex" symbol, needed to.

"Don't worry," Yang Qiu reassured Wagner with a comforting glance before proceeding to showcase the combat capabilities of the Taranthan humans.

Within the Wanderer Guild hall, Wagner saw about a dozen Sokrians, all exuding an air of lethargy and irritability.

Sokrians, hailing from the southern Sokri Empire, were unmistakable with their dark, smooth skin, deep black eyes, and fine, soft white hair, a stark contrast to the subtler distinctions among the peoples of nations in the central and eastern regions.

Yang Qiu beckoned a large bearded man over, introducing him to Wagner, "This is Kenn, a mercenary captain from Sokri. You guys have met previously, and now, Captain Kenn and his mercenary brothers serve under the banner of our undead friends."

Wagner silently glanced at Captain Kenn, and the latter's dark eyes met his.

Each year, Sokri merchant caravans would enter Indahl, and the mercenaries accompanying the caravan had to register with the city defense force. So, naturally, Wagner and Kenn knew each other.

Back at the chaotic battle beside Horsehoof Lake, the two had also seen each other

Wagner expected that Sokrians captives would be detained in Weisshem, but he never imagined that these mercenaries suffered a much direr fate. Just standing in the strange Wanderer Guild hall surrounded by the ceaseless din of the undead was enough to fray Wagner's nerves, leaving him to wonder how these mercenaries had endured their predicament.

Unperturbed by the complex dynamics at play, Yang Qiu cheerfully said, "Captain Kenn and his brothers have willingly joined this battle for honor against the Radiant Sun Church's knights. Wagner, you must take care of them well and don't let them suffer any losses during this battle."

"Willingly?" Wagner's lips twitched.

"Of course. I never force others. Am I right, Kenn?" remarked Yang Qiu nonchalantly.

"Yes, we're willingly taking part," Captain Kenn declared with a deep breath, his eyes momentarily glistening with unshed tears. "As long as we can settle the enormous tab we've racked up we're more than willing to fight for Mr. Rex."

"Umm tab?" Wagner's eyebrow twitched, vaguely sensing something amiss.

"Of course," Yang Qiu asserted confidently. "Our undead friends run a canteen via the Undead Merchant Association, providing three square meals daily to everyone. It would be unfair not to compensate them, right?"

Wagner: ""

Wagner subconsciously did some mental calculations on how many days he spent in Weisshem where he had free meals And his heart skipped a beat.

Looking at Yang Qiu's composed smile once more, Wagner felt like he was dealing with a devil in disguise. Clearly, any attempt to shirk from leading the battle would likely lead Yang Qiu to come and chase his unpaid meals debt!

Setting aside the veiled threat, the inclusion of the Sea Lions, a mercenary group of some repute, indeed alleviated much of Wagner's burden.

Captain Kenn was an exemplary field commander, with squads adept at reconnaissance and several assault and tactical teams under his command. Had it not been for the undead's relentless assaults and the mercenaries' obligation to protect their employer's caravan, they wouldn't have been easily captured in their entirety.

Now with reliable allies, Wagner faced the greatest challenge of the upcoming battleensuring the undead followed orders.

Without the undead's fierce, undying onslaught, just relying solely on his own forces and the Sea Lions wouldn't suffice against the formidable Radiant Sun Church.

But commanding the undead in battle was a task Wagner wouldn't even dream of, having witnessed their chaotic nature firsthand during the skirmish at Lakeside Village.

Fortunately, Yang didn't leave Wagner to fend for himself. After introducing him to Captain Kenn, the black mage said amiably, "Our undead friends do tend to be overzealous. To ensure they fight effectively without causing alarm, we'll need to employ some unconventional tactics Are you guys ready?"

Before Wagner could react, Kenn, wary from the past experience, interjected, "Hold on, what are you planning?"

"Have our undead friends acclimatize to the battlefield. More precisely, get them used to following explicit commands to complete their missions," Yang Qiu explained.

After repairing her equipment, Yang Ying headed to the tunnel entrance at Exile Town's northeastern side to meet up with her companions.

This tunnel entrance discovered during the [Letters to Home] quest had become a popular rallying point, with hundreds of players bustling around, some even perched on rooftops, making the area a hub of activity.

"Super popular team recruiting! Highest record is 26 Uncommon Venom Pearls in one night! Seeking healer and high DPS wanderers!"

"Noob wanderer looking to be carried~"

"Party of ten waiting for a healer! One healer and we're all set to go!"

"Poor warrior looking to change jobs. Any kind big bros or big sis willing to bring me to farm poison sacs?"

"Buying poison secs, venom pearls, and magic residue! RMB transactions are welcomed for bulk!"

"Everyone, be wary of teaming up with an idiot warrior named 'Bubble Trouble.' He lures monsters to hurt his teammates if he doesn't get the drops first!"

"Does any party need a knight? Newbie knight here looking to be carried!"

Yang Ying, stationed by an abandoned well near the tunnel entrance, met her friends, then continued squatting down to wait for others.

"Why is Qingyue taking so long to come online? She said she would come online to party up once she finished eating!" Having waited for quite some time, Tang Jia was growing impatient and frantically refreshed her friend list. "Hey, Jia Luo, didn't you mention you recently got to know a newbie mage player? Is he online? Ask him to join us."

Jia Luo, seated crossed-legged on the side of an abandoned well, replied lazily, "He's definitely online and always grinding away, but there's no way to get him to come play with us. You know how popular mage players are. He was sought out by quite a number of groups the moment he finished his job advancement and was recruited into a fixed team."

"Sigh, I should have also chosen to be a mage instead of a knight back then." A sigh escaped from Orange Cat, who had become a part of this fixed team.

Jia Luo playfully jabbed his shoulder. "Don't even think about it, Boss. If you played as a mage, it would be an exceptional achievement if you managed to complete the job advancement within half a year."

"Ji Tang's gone to be the player mayor and we've lost ourselves a general. We can't even do Spider Cave without a healer now," Tang Jia's lament interrupted the playful banter. "Had I known, I wouldn't have encouraged Qingyue to advise Ji Tang to become mayor. What's so great about it."

"Don't let other people hear you say all this or you will be made fun of," Yang Ying said. "Aren't Brother Lahong and his crew relishing the role of Exile Town mayor?

"Since Phantom and Study Obssessed returned from Indahl with us, they've been living it up with the privileges Brother Lahong's position affords. Now, they don't even need to venture out to the designated points for farming monsters; they can grind away in their own backyard."

Players that achieved Friendly reputation with the Undead Merchant Association could acquire a Free Trade Certificate and apply for land for building houses or shops.

How great an advantage the former was hadn't yet been announced yet, though the advantages of the latter were tangible. When land application was successful and necessary materials submitted to Old Yang, players would receive their own exclusive teleportation point.

This so-called exclusive teleportation point was a luxury of convenience, offering the owner and their guests a swift return to the safety and comfort of one's own home or shop, albeit without the perks of a login or respawn point.

This feature appeared trivial yet had immense potentialthe scope of land that Brother Lahong, Exile Town's player mayor, could approve was vast.

He positioned the homesteads of Blossoming Strokes and Give Me Medicine in remote wilderness teeming with monsters, far from the hustle of Exile Town. Thus, their "homesteads" transformed into exclusive grinding spots for their group, bringing them boundless joy.

Other players who had earned enough reputation from the Indahl quest could enjoy similar privileges. However, land approval wasn't just about paying the system (Yang Qiu); it also required the player mayor's consent.

In this regard, Brother Lahong didn't show much partiality herehe would reject the applications of those not from his blood alliance.

Ji Tang's Weisshem was more approachable, but Weisshem's wilderness was devoid of monsters, offering no good grind spots

"I'm too late this round, but I'll strive to boost my territorial prestige and aim to take over as Exile Town's mayor the month after," grumbled Orange Cat, whose application for land was thwarted by Brother Lahong's selective approvals.

"You might as well hope Ji Tang draws the Exile Town mayorship next time." Jia Luo punched his shoulder.

"Jia Luo, why do you always look down on me?" Orange Cat muttered aggrievedly.

"Not at all. I consider you a friend, so I'm not coaxing you into spending recklessly," Jia Luo replied casually.

Her words didn't just quell Orange Cat's anger but also left him grinning foolishly

"Qingyue is finally online. I'll add her to the party." Tang Jia jumped up upon noticing a name in her friend list light up.

Just as Unceasing Entropy joined the party, an announcement with several lines of yellow text popped up on the panels of players that were online:

[System Announcement]

Dear players,

Battlefield Trial has been launched. Players with intention to participate can seek out Lord Yang at Exile Town town hall to register.

Battlefield Trial currently does not support solo mode. Please form a raid group of 25 members and have the group leader register.

In Battlefield Trial, random battle missions will be available. The victorious team that completes the battle mission will receive a surprise choice reward and gain corresponding territorial prestige.