Chapter 92: Fates Intertwined "I know you’re there. Come out." As the words reverberated through the air, Xin felt an odd sense of familiarity in the way they were spoken. "Has she detected us?" Hilda murmured with a chuckle. "Considering she’s a demon, it’s not surprising. Demons and angels are renowned for their heightened senses, almost like superior beings." It appeared that she wasn’t particularly concerned about being discovered. "Should we reveal ourselves?" Hilda inquired of Lord Schrodinger. Truth be told, Xin was uncertain about the best course of action. His Golems had flawlessly melded with their surroundings, assuming rock-like forms that camouflaged them seamlessly. The distance between them and the woman was a good fifty meters or so, leaving Xin baffled as to how she could have possibly sensed their presence? "Evading her doesn’t seem feasible, so let’s just—" Xin’s words trailed off as he noticed rustling in the trees and the bushes. In a fraction of a second, numerous players emerged from their concealed positions, brandishing weapons and wearing expressions that suggested they were primed for a confrontation. In the blink of an eye, Midnight Duchess found herself encircled by a group of players. Undaunted, she placed a hand on her hip and addressed them in a flat, emotionless tone. "Let me guess . . . you’re here because you wanted to KS my kill. Too bad for you, I’m faster than all of you combined." "Wouldn’t be too bad for us once we take you down and claim those drops," one player sneered. Another chimed in with a threatening edge, "Or we can make this easy. Hand over all the Ice Archon’s drops, including the [Frozen Crown], and we might spare you." As the tension escalated, Hilda’s broad nose wrinkled with displeasure. A smoldering anger radiated from her, the kind that usually lay dormant in her Dwarven nature. "A bunch of cowards ganging up on a woman? These jerks need a good thrashing." The situation stirred a sense of duty within Xin. He was hesitant to involve himself in others’ conflicts, but the unfolding scene rubbed him the wrong way. It was glaringly evident that this horde of players was attempting to Kill Steal (KS) from Midnight Duchess, coveting the Ice Archon’s valuable drops. A cursory glance revealed that the players’ levels ranged from at least ninety and above. "We should step in, Lord Schrodinger," Hilda urged, her determination evident. Xin grappled with his decision. He wasn’t one to meddle in the affairs of others, especially those that seemed rooted in greed and selfishness. The players before him were willing to overpower one another for their personal gain, and Xin was inclined to let them reap the consequences of their actions. However, a part of him couldn’t ignore the spark of injustice in the situation. This wasn’t an honorable challenge; it was a calculated ambush. Xin’s level stood at a modest 30-plus, primarily due to the rapid level progression triggered by Hilda’s relentless massacre of the high-level beasts that unfortunately crossed their path during their forest exit. "If you’re after the drops, why don’t you go and find your own Ice Archon?" Midnight Duchess retorted, her voice carrying a note of annoyance. Laughter rippled among the surrounding players. "If it were that simple to stumble upon an Ice Archon, we wouldn’t be in this situation, would we?" "Looks like you’re itching for a death wish," Midnight Duchess stated coldly, her dual blades gleaming menacingly as she vanished into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness. Hilda turned to Xin, and concern etched on her features. "Shouldn’t we assist her?" At this juncture, Xin’s curiosity was more piqued about the mechanics of player versus player (PvP) combat. It was his first time witnessing such an engagement. PvP didn’t yield experience points, but it was a way to potentially claim a player’s belongings upon their defeat. Typically, PvP battles were arranged between two players with stakes, often items of value. However, the current situation resembled more of an ambush than a fair confrontation. Returning his focus to the unfolding showdown, Xin watched as the players struggled to track Midnight Duchess. Her presence seemed to flicker in and out as she attacked from behind, delivering critical blows that swiftly ended the lives of her unsuspecting targets. She must possess some high-level spells, Xin deduced, impressed by the mastery of her abilities. However, the question loomed: how long could she maintain this relentless onslaught? In the midst of the chaos, Midnight Duchess’s swift movements and uncanny ability to blend with the shadows painted a scene of eerie elegance. Her obsidian eyes seemed to gleam with anticipation as she struck her targets one by one, her dual blades glinting wickedly in the dim moonlight. Each hit was calculated, each strike executed with surgical precision, leaving a trail of fallen adversaries in her wake. The players, while numerous, found themselves paralyzed by their inability to anticipate her next move. She vanished, reappeared, and struck with lightning speed. Panic set in among the group as their health bars rapidly diminished, and they struggled to counter her relentless onslaught. "Stay resolute! Despite her top-tier status, she stands alone!" In that moment, Xin’s memory resurfaced, and the name "Midnight Duchess" clicked into place. She was a prominent figure in the game’s leaderboards, reigning supreme as the premier assassin. An elite solo player, she had earned a reputation that echoed throughout the virtual realm. Guilds often sought her out, capitalizing on her exceptional abilities for their own gains. Xin couldn’t believe that he would meet a top player here of all places, and being ambushed at that. Could his day be even more exciting? Back to the fight, just as Midnight Duchess appeared to be gaining the upper hand, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Before she could react, a player had managed to land a sneak attack from behind, momentarily breaking her rhythm and leaving her vulnerable. This unexpected twist opened the door for the others to close in, ready to seize the advantage and turn the tide of the battle in their favor. As they lunged forward with weapons raised, prepared to deliver the finishing blows, a resounding clash echoed through the air. The earth trembled as a stout, formidable figure manifested, a whirlwind of motion and polished metal. In a single sweeping arc, this compact force erased multiple players from the realm of the virtual world. And as the dust settled, Hilda’s voice resonated with roaring conviction, "Witness the might of a dwarf’s fury, you spineless bastards!" ". . . Egh?" Xin blinked. He turned to his side and saw, to his astonishment that Hilda had vanished, reappearing as a formidable presence at the heart of the battlefield.