Chapter 79: I’m going to Miss Him Xin observed the digital exchange unfolding before him on his screen, the interaction between Snow Angels and Doom Serenity surpassing even his most optimistic expectations. The underestimated outcome proved to be a strategic boon, positioning Snow Angels in a more advantageous light than he had initially anticipated. Tristan’s blatant underestimation and subsequent forfeiture of their right to dictate the rules played right into Xin’s hands. This oversight, while amusing to Xin, highlighted the overconfidence that had become Doom Serenity’s Achilles’ heel. "Good." Xin muttered, satisfied. "Very good." Xin’s eyes narrowing as he assessed the evolving scenario. The pieces were falling into place, and he was relishing every moment of it. Before the challenge, Xin had taken preemptive steps, reaching out to Patrick to ensure that the news of the impending clash would spread swiftly and widely. Patrick had accepted Xin’s message without questioning its source, immediately checking the War Board on Guildbane’s official site to verify the challenge’s legitimacy. Satisfied with the confirmation, Patrick had taken it upon himself to disseminate the news across their school and various social media platforms. Xin reviewed the established rules meticulously, his analytical mind recognizing the importance of firmly establishing player limits from the outset. This strategic decision, while seemingly minor, held the potential to significantly shape the course of the impending battle. Xin delved into the labyrinth of possibilities that Tristan’s mind could be concealing. The former’s initial concession could be a mere ruse, a bait to lull Snow Angels into complacency, only to snatch away the first rule in a strategic twist. To outmaneuver such uncertainty, Xin had been resolute in his determination to establish the maximum number of players as the first rule, regardless of any potential shifts Tristan might attempt. By keeping the number of players at a minimum, Snow Angels’ probability of success underwent a considerable and favorable transformation. Xin recognized that this initial rule could serve as a linchpin, potentially tipping the balance of the battle in their favor. The stipulation of "No Items" within the rules might have initially appeared to pose a challenge for Xin, especially considering his reliance on certain materials for his skills. However, Xin had scrutinized the rule meticulously, diving into forums and discussions to ensure his understanding was unequivocally accurate. The concept of "No Items" primarily revolved around consumable items and tools that could directly influence combat dynamics –– potions, explosives, buffs, and debuffs, among others. It wasn’t intended to encompass materials or resources used in the preparation or execution of spells or skills. This nuance was pivotal, especially for individuals like Xin, whose unique abilities necessitated material usage. In fact, the developers had been mindful of this intricacy and incorporated allowances for exceptions. As long as an item was instrumental in completing a skill or spell and not directly wielded as a weapon or consumables during battle, it was exempt from the "No Items" restriction. Of course, an outright ban on spells or skills was a possibility, as certain guilds of swordsmen might advocate, pitting their physical prowess against spellcasters. However, this scenario didn’t apply to the current match-up between Doom Serenity and Snow Angels, both of which boasted diverse rosters encompassing both physical and magical combatants. Thus, Xin’s astute analysis of the rules provided a distinct advantage and understanding that could potentially reshape the outcome of the impending battle. The "No Tank" rule had been a strategic necessity, carefully selected to prevent any single player from seizing control of aggro. Xin understood the intricacies of combat dynamics –– Golems, in particular, was akin to monsters and instinctively targeted mages, the primary damage dealers. Devoid of a designated Tank to manipulate aggro, the Golems could rampage unchecked, resulting in chaos for their opponents. The battleground itself had been meticulously designed, taking into account every tactical advantage. The presence of lava posed no threat to the Golems, granting them an additional edge while simultaneously creating an arduous challenge for their adversaries attempting to evade the relentless fire. As for the stipulated level, Xin had the option to lower it, yet practicality dictated otherwise. Both Xiaxia and Tristan boosted levels exceeding ninety, and it was imperative that these two central figures participate in the war. They were the pivotal stars of this engagement, and their absence would diminish the spectacle that had been carefully orchestrated. Xin remained curious about Xiaxia’s rapid level progression, though. It was a testament to her unwavering dedication to the game and her guild. Breaking from his thoughts, Marry’s voice pulled Xin back to the present. "What are you going to do now?" Xin rose to his feet. "We await the commencement of the war. In the meantime, you can engage in quests or level up as you see fit." Marry’s eyes held a questioning glint. "And where are you headed?" "I’m off to gather materials, as planned. If anything arises, don’t hesitate to contact me," Xin assured her with a wave before closing the door behind him. Xin didn’t await Xiaxia and Scarlet’s return, striding purposefully toward his objective. With the battlefield parameters meticulously established, the time had arrived for Xin to embark on his two-day mining expedition to Ironpeak. ========================== The Distress of the Developers ========================== "So, let me get this straight. Once Lord Schrodinger exits Eternia, we lose all means of tracking him?" "Indeed, that’s correct. It’s a safeguard put in place to prevent developers from directly meddling in players’ experiences." "Why on earth would we agree to such a setup?" "Who came up with this idea?" "It was a collective decision through a vote." "But why?" "Simply put, we grew tired of being bombarded with endless questions, requests for hints, items, and whatnot from players. This was a way to streamline our interactions." "Unbelievable. So, what’s our plan now? How do we keep tabs on Lord Schrodinger? At this rate, we won’t even know who he is anymore!" "True, continuous monitoring is out of the question now." "But there must be something we can do!" "Well, we can still track him if he gets reported by other players. Also, any major achievements like securing first blood in dungeons or defeating bosses will trigger notifications. "Additionally, we’ll be alerted if he joins any in-game events or appears in live broadcasts or news." "But relying solely on sporadic reports and notifications is hardly efficient." "While it may not be constant monitoring, it’s the best alternative we have for now." ". . . Let’s hope his antics didn’t wreak too much havoc in the game." "Given his track record, he’s likely taken over some unsuspecting town, grinding NPCs to collect their rare items." "What’s the point? We might as well accept the situation. We’re powerless here. Even if we unmask his identity, he’s under no obligation to relinquish his account." "And like he would do such a thing." ". . ." ". . ." A momentary hush settled in the room until a voice shattered it. ". . . I’ll admit, I’m going to miss him." A unanimous sentiment echoed in response.