Liam arrived in front of a large lake some distance from the city. However, the lake wasn’t formed by water but hot, boiling lava. The air blurred from the searing steam.

Yet, a few monsters could be seen from time to time, swimming close to the surface of the red molten liquid, sometimes even coming out to rest on the large rocks drifting within the lake.

Liam glanced over his shoulder, watching the city far in the distance.

The spectacle should’ve already begun. Let’s go.

Unfortunately, Liam couldn’t find much information from the chat as, although it was titled ‘global’, it didn’t allow players of the order and chaos factions to communicate with each other.

It was however possible to switch factions through various means. For example, if Liam increased his relationship with the Black Chain Rebellion recklessly, he might one day be regarded as a chaos faction player by the order faction NPCs.

However, it was easy to prevent this from happening. One just needed to kill a few players of the opposing faction to show one’s allegiance.

Liam wasn’t interested in switching factions. He only made use of the chaos faction when he needed something from them. Just as he did this time.

Getting rid of his distracting thoughts Liam glanced at the vast lava lake before taking an item out of his inventory. It was a small sphere he hadn’t used in quite a while. Refresnim’s dark orb of flight.

Speaking of Refresnim it was quite the coincidence as City Lord Rentrasn’ar could be counted to the devil’s subordinate. And now Liam planned to use the item containing the devil’s magic to steal from them.

The veteran chuckled to himself as he activated the orb. Large wings appeared behind his body. It was fortunate that no one was around as these wings were quite conspicuous.

Liam pushed of off the ground, gliding through the air. Each flap of his wings steered up the heat, letting the uncomfortable air wash over his body.

[-1]

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Glancing at his HP Liam noticed that they were ticking down quickly. The hostile environment wasn’t meant to be entered without preparation.

Fortunately, Liam knew this. He took out a bottle containing a red liquid, downing it quickly. A cooling sensation ran through his body.

The speed at which Liam lost his HP slowed down but it didn’t stop entirely.

With my current HP I have about three hours. It should be enough.

Liam was reassured, crossing the lava lake. At this moment he suddenly heard a faint tremor. Glancing over his shoulder he could faintly perceive a change around the city.

It seems they have already started…

Feeling the pressure, Liam was just about to hurry up when his instincts screamed at him. Without thinking much about it he folded one wing, causing his body to plunge to the side.

With a low bursting sound, a bubble containing scalding lava burst next to him, splashing liquid fire in all directions.

[-146!]

Well, if I continue like this my time here will be shortened greatly…

Liam admonished himself, putting his concentration back on the lake. He continued a winding flight, dodging bubbles left and right until finally reaching the biggest rock on the lake.

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It was a small mountain made from dark brown stone with many sharp spikes sticking out. Liam landed close to the top, using the terrain to hide his body from sight.

Now it’s time to be patient…

Luckily, Liam didn’t have to wait for long. Soon, a commotion could be heard, getting closer and closer.

Rhythmic explosions rumbled through the air as Rentrasn’ar traveled by jumping over large distances before crashing into the ground.

A large crowd of players could be seen doing their best not to fall behind.

“Damn, that boss is so fast! We can’t catch up!”

“Does anyone know where he’s going?”

“Quick, use a scroll to boost your speed!”

“Guys, no need to be angsty. Look, that skeleton is still flying over our heads!”

Several players glanced at the sky, watching the flying Liberator Pontrakas with a large staff in hand. Ominous energy flickered around the skeleton, who had already entered battle mode.

And further behind came an intimidating crowd made from skeleton and demon guards.

The players realized that they were surrounded by high-level NPCs. Many had already given up the idea of taking down these bosses, but others had an ambitious thought in their hearts, preparing to steal the kill at the last second.

They continued their pursuit until they arrived at the lava lake.

The city lord performed one last jump, landing on a large rock in the center. It swayed dangerously, causing waves to wash along the lake.

A few monsters felt disturbed. They drifted towards the surface, ready to fire at the troublemaker. But with one gaze from Rentrasn’ar the monsters’ bodies stiffened. They hastily turned around, diving as deep as possible.

The players seeing this scene sighed with admiration:

“Wow, he’s quite powerful.”

“If I could learn that skill, I could walk the entire world unhindered.”

On a rocky path far behind the crowd an old man was walking past, carrying only a large bag. His ears twitched, seemingly hearing all the voices clearly.

In a good mood he whistled a melody and continued his way.

No one paid attention to the old man as Pontrakas arrived at this moment. He levitated over the lake looking down on the city lord. A mocking voice came from the ground:

“Hmpf. Skeleton, do you think you’re something special for floating all the time?! What a joke!”

With those words Rentrasn’ar gathered dark energy around himself, slowly rising into the air.

“Oh, you actually know such a trick?”

“See if you can remain pretentious when I break those brittle bones of yours!”

“You won’t have the chance when I burry you at the bottom of the lake.”

“Tz, keep talking. You already got the favorable battlefield and still don’t dare to make the first move? Your confidence is seriously lacking.

Well then, let me show you why I have been the city lord for 1640 years!”

Suddenly an enormous axe even bigger than the demon appeared in Rentrasn’ar’s hands. The players watched eagerly from the shore, looking forward to the fight between the big bosses.

And the city lord’s first move didn’t disappoint. He rushed towards Pontrakas like a bolt of black lightning. His axe seemed to suppress the entire surroundings as it slammed into the skeleton.

With a burst of magic, the liberator’s body exploded. The entire lake churned. Liam had to hold tightly to a protruding rock so he wouldn’t get thrown away.

The players watched with starry eyes.

“Wow, what a demon! Won in one hit!”

“So mighty!”

“I have decided, I will switch classes.”

“Tzz all of you are too naïve, do you think that skeleton would die so easily?”

Some players scoffed but the last voice was quickly proven correct. Just as the magic was about to dissipate it turned into long black chains, encircling Rentrasn’ar. They gave the city lord no time to dodge as they locked him tightly.

At the other side of the lake Pontrakas slowly stepped out of the air, the Staff of Melvun raised high above his head.

“Brainless brute!”

With a mocking laugh the skeleton cast a spell. Suddenly the lava churned. The players watched in horror as hundreds of dead heroes slowly emerged from the lake.

A green fire burned in their eyes as they looked towards Rentrasn’ar. At the forefront was a three meters tall Black Abyss Demon watching the city lord indifferently.

Rentrasn’ar laughed loudly:

“Skeleton! Do you think you can shake my mind by bringing out the old city lord?! I have slain him once and I can do it again!”

Despite his words, anger could be felt from Rentrasn’ar’s words. The magic surrounding him pulsed strongly before being absorbed by his body.

Suddenly the demon began growing. Three meters, five, ten.

A loud noise echoed over the lake as the chains holding the city lord burst apart. He stored away his axe, retrieving a new one suitable for his new size and swung it fiercely.

The pure power of this attack shook the world, decimating many of the undead brought out by Pontrakas. Suddenly a figure shot through the air. It was the old city lord, who met Rentrasn’ar with a fist enveloped in burning flames.

Meanwhile Pontrakas didn’t stay idle. All kinds of spells were casted quickly, conjuring deadly magical attacks.

Illusionary chains hundreds of meters long whipped at Rentrasn’ar, destroying his balance. Large spears reeking of death sought to pierce his heart.

But the city lord remained steadfast. With every second of the battle his eyes grew more excited. He landed a heavy blow on the old city lord’s chest, throwing him into the lava. With a quick turn of his axe the magic surrounding him was shattered.

With nothing blocking him, Rentrasn’ar directly shot towards Pontrakas, eager to grind the skeleton’s bones to dust.