MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 280: Shadows of Affliction
As the sun began to rise, casting a soft, golden glow over the ruined landscape, the players assembled in their usual battle formations, their armor gleaming under the sun.
The atmosphere was tense, yet a collective determination permeated the air.
Unlike the previous days, the once-thriving army was now reduced to half its size. The leaders had strategically merged some groups to optimize their strength and combat efficiency.
Players exchanged glances, acknowledging the absence of familiar faces and the amalgamation of once-separate units.
The sense of camaraderie, however, remained unbroken, replaced by a shared resolve to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The countdown echoed through the desolate square, each second ticking away with a weighty anticipation. The players’ gazes were fixed on the digital timer, their expressions a blend of focus and steely resolve.
The looming uncertainty of the Castle of Doom hung over them, casting shadows on their collective determination.
At the Castle Battlement, the Scatter Blasts took their positions, readying their ranged attacks to defend against potential aerial threats.
The once-full battlement now accommodated a smaller group, their synergy essential in the face of adversity. Shields and bows at the ready, they scanned the horizon, prepared for any winged enemies that might descend upon them.
Underground, the non-playable characters (NPCs) stayed, ensuring their safety and making sure that no one would die.
Xin stood on the battlement alongside the mages, his eyes fixed on the expansive landscape before him. Hilda was in the town and secretly observing the situation.
The anticipation was palpable as the players awaited the reveal of their enemies.
The Castle of Doom stood tall and foreboding, its architecture intricate and imposing.
As the countdown reached its final moments, a hushed silence fell over the area. The air crackled with energy, and the tension was almost tangible.
Then, with a flourish, the countdown reached zero, and the Castle of Doom seemed to come alive.
The rumbling sound in the distance grew louder, resonating through the virtual landscape like an ominous drumbeat.
Players shifted nervously, their avatars looking around with a mix of curiosity and disorientation.
The sky, once a canvas of vibrant colors, began to darken, and with it came an intensifying wave of air, carrying a foul stench that permeated the environment.
Confused murmurs echoed through the ranks of players.
"What’s going on?" one exclaimed.
"What is this?" questioned another.
The guild leaders quickly rallied their forces, urging everyone to be on high alert.
"Be alert, everyone! Anything could come out from this fog!"
As the darkening sky enveloped them, the players found themselves in a disorienting mist, obscuring their vision and heightening their sense of vulnerability.
Reacting swiftly, the healers and mages in the group were called upon to dispel the darkness.
Spells were cast, and a surge of light illuminated the surroundings, dispelling the unnatural fog.
Players without the [Night Vision] ability breathed a collective sigh of relief as visibility was restored.
"Be alert, everyone!" called out Fighting Bunny, the tension tangible among the players.
They stood poised, weapons at the ready, anticipating the emergence of a formidable foe.
Minutes passed after the countdown reached zero, but there was no sign of the expected enemy forces.
"What’s going on?" questioned Fighting Bunny, a note of confusion in her voice.
The entire group scanned their surroundings, waiting for the impending threat that seemed to be delayed. The eerie silence heightened the players’ unease.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the air, causing a collective jump among the players. They turned towards the source of the sound and were met with a startling sight.
Several players had collapsed onto the ground, unconscious, their avatars writhing in apparent agony. The once-clear eyes of the fallen now glowed with an unnatural hue, bloodshot and haunting.
Purple veins crawled like twisted vines across their avatars’ once pristine skin, signaling that they had been poisoned or cursed.
The players who were still standing stared in shock at the unexpected turn of events. Panic rippled through the group as they grappled with the realization that the danger they faced was not a visible enemy but an insidious force that targeted them from within.
The healers rushed with their magic. Desperate attempts were made to heal the fallen players, but the mysterious affliction seemed to resist conventional healing spells even the most potent potions they have brought.
The guild leaders frantically conferred, trying to make sense of the unfolding crisis.
This day had thrown them a curveball, presenting a challenge that transcended the conventional battles they had faced thus far.
The Castle of Doom, true to its reputation, seemed to have devised a perilous trial that tested not only their combat prowess but also their ability to navigate the unseen threats lurking in the shadows of the realm. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"Healers, what are you doing? Heal them!"
"We are! But they aren’t responsive to our spells!"
"Try the Antidote! The Greater Healing Potions!"
"They’re not working!"
One after the other, players were falling.
"Are they dead?"
"No! But their HP is dwindling slowly!"
"Give them HP potions and don’t let their HP turn to zero!"
The players breathed easy when the HP potions worked and restored the players’ HP, but even so, the sickness that afflicted them slowly ate away at their HP, and they didn’t have enough HP potions in their inventory.
Restoring their HP wouldn’t just cut it. They needed to devise a way to heal them completely, and fast.
"Hoi! Ragnarok Reaper, what are we going to do?!" Steel Striker asked in urgency.
"Don’t breathe in the fog!" Ragnarok Reaper said and instructed, "Everyone, cover your nose with any accessories or items you have. Fighting Bunny, your group carry back the fallen into the castle! The rest who have mask and are okay in these fog stay here with us to defend the castle! Eclipse, you and Maya take care of the sick back in the castle!"
Eclipse nodded, and as he was about to sprint back to the town, Ragnarok Reaper grabbed his arm with a serious expression. "You have to find a cure for this. We can’t afford to lose this many players."
Eclipse nodded solemnly, and he hurried towards the castle.
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A/N
I have a lot of backlogs of unedited Chapters, sorry for that 🙏😅
It’s December so I’m in holiday mode. But don’t worry, I will try to upload the same rate as before and finish all the backlogs . . . I hope.
December 24 to 25, no update. January 1, no update. We’ll rest on those days.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🙏🥂🎊✨🎄🎇🎉
