The mighty sun burned on Friendly Dagger's skin as he escaped through the desert with more than a dozen enemies in hot pursuit.
"Idiots! He is luring us away!"
"So what, our guilds have mobilized so many people. And if worst comes to worst we can still turn around!"
"Hmpf. I will return now!"
"Hey, Beast Den guy! Don't think no one knows that you are eyeing the equipment on those mages! If you run away now, you can forget about cooperating in the future!"
"Whatever! Do you think we are depending on you?"
The players quarreled between each other but ultimately no one dared to give up the chase. They followed Flying Dagger until the thief gradually slowed down. He came to a stop above a wide dune, gazing down at the pursuers.
"Haha, getting tired?"
"Hand over your equipment!"
"Encircle him! Let him attack first to deepen his red name!"
Friendly Dagger watched with a grim expression as close to twenty players encircled him. They constantly threw out provocations.
The thief appeared to be in a hopeless situation. But suddenly his face changed, and he grinned brightly.
"You want me to make the first move? Hahaha, no problem!"
"What is he doing?!"
The opponents were confused as Friendly Dagger pulled out a small black icicle and instantly activated it with a thought.
A bone-freezing chill erupted abruptly. Friendly Dagger was the first to be hit, his body freezing in place.
Black-colored ice quickly spread along the ground. The little water left in the air froze spontaneously, snowing to the ground. The ice shimmered gorgeously under the bright sun but to Friendly Dagger's enemies it looked like a dark, all-devouring monster.
The players wanted to run away but everything happened too swiftly. Ice formed along their bodies, rendering them immobile.
"Damn, I knew we shouldn't have chased…"
One player left out a mournful shout as the ice grew over his head and plunged him in darkness. The players were automatically placed into a state of deep sleep. At least they would feel greatly refreshed after the effect ended.
Meanwhile Final Fend and his group ran along the street within the tribe. Friendly Dagger had sent them a message shortly before activating the black icicle.
Under Final Fend's lead the group reached the side of the tribe where the enemies were thinned out. They left the tribe from between two tents where there was no enemy currently on guard. As soon as they left the town, they could finally summon their mounts and dash off into the desert.
Thus, they got a head start of about 30 seconds before they were discovered.
"Hurry up! To the sandstorm!"
Final Fend urged his team as they raced through the desert just like Friendly Dagger before.
Behind them more and more people appeared to give chase.
"Damn what is this? 50 people? Don't they think too highly of us?", cursed Dominating Zen.
"Dream Avenue, you won't escape!"
"Give us your equipment!"
A thick cloud of dust spread as Beast Den and The Only Way rode on mounts of all kinds, pressuring Final Fend and his group.
The commotion couldn't be hidden anymore from the occasional unrelated player travelling past. Soon screenshots and videos appeared online.
Most people recognized the people being chased as members of Dream Avenue, but it took some time before the identities of the pursuers were dug up. Instantly the situation became a hot topic.
Since the last contest for dungeons, it had been rather quiet around the game. Thus, the sudden excitement attracted even more attention.
"Wow, are mounts already so widespread?"
"How dare these people chase after members of Dream Avenue?! Are they suicidal?"
"Five against fifty, I don't think Dream Avenue can turn this one around."
"But they definitely have reinforcements on the way!"
"Can anyone figure out where Final Fend will be going?"
"The direction seems to be the sandstorm zone, but I don't know if they dare to enter."
"So far no one has managed to find anything in the sandstorm zone. The constant damage is too much!"
The excitedly chatting netizens had guessed correctly. It didn't take long until the enormous sandstorm appeared in Final Fend's vision.
"Ok guys, remember the plan. Stick closely together!"
"Yes!"
"Ha, let's see if they dare to follow us!"
Overbearing Zen and Dominating Zen sneered as they glanced back at the pursuing players. But as they swiped their heads back to the front they suddenly froze.
Their eyes fell on a group of people approaching from the right on quick mounts. Although it was only a group of ten people, they gave off an overbearing sense of danger.
The group was led by four people. They were a blond nephilim openly showing his wide wings, a rather fat man, a slim wood elf in green-black armor, and a human woman with braided brown hair.
"Careful guys, we've got company!"
The two brothers warned with a grim tone, causing Final Fend and Melodious Edelweiss to look over. The two immediately inhaled sharply. Especially Final Fend appeared greatly shocked, staring with wide open eyes.
But now was not the time to hesitate. Final Fend showed the qualities of a leader and immediately gave an order:
"Quick! Use dash!"
"But don't we need it in the sandstorm zone? Mirage said…"
"Do it! Now! If not, we might not even reach the sandstorm zone!"
Final Fend's heart beat wildly as he realized that the newcomers approached swiftly from the side. If they didn't use [Dash] now, their path might get blocked.
The others luckily complied. The group sped up instantly. Their mounts suddenly felt much lighter flying over the sand.
"Don't think you can escape!"
One of the newcomers, the chubby leader Fat Tiger, bellowed loudly as he pushed his mount to speed up. The poor beast carrying him had to endure the weight as it chased after Final Fend.
The two groups slowly got closer. Final Fend held his breath, his eyes constantly switching between the sandstorm and the enemies.
The roaring of the wind got louder and louder drowning out the players' cries.
An arrow whistled through the air. Overbearing Zen let out an angry shout as he got hit. More attacks followed but the wind coming from the sandstorm luckily smashed the projectiles away.
"We did it!"
Final Fend vented his emotions with one last shout as he, Melodious Edelweiss, Overbearing Zen, and Dominating Zen shot into the violent sandstorm.
Immediately their vision was reduced to a few meters. Sand was everywhere. The sky was blocked. The sharp little rocks grated their skin.
[-30!]
[-30!]
[-30!]
The group's HP bars got reduced at a terrifying speed.
"L…"
Final Fend wanted to say something but as soon as he opened his mouth he swallowed a mouthful of sand, barely stopping himself from vomiting. He instantly switched to the chat.
[Final Fend: No time to waste! Follow me!]
Final Fend tried to remember Liam's instructions as he went deeper into the danger zone. He was under great pressure as his HP kept reducing, as if wailing ghosts were draining his vitality.
He led the group until they reached a short gap where their HP reduced at a slower pace. Final Fend's eyes lit up as this was the point Liam mentioned for orientation.
The group turned towards the right staring the dry, grinding wind in the face. They moved along the zone where their HP depleted at a slower pace until they reached a majestic, protruding red-orange rock.
There, the loss reached a minimum and even their sight opened up further. However, this was still not a place where they could stay for a longer time.
[Final Fend: Ok, Bleary Mirage mentioned this rock. Now it counts!]
Final Fend prayed that everything went well as the group once again plunged deeper into the sandstorm. Following Liam's instructions, they instantly activated [Dash].
Mirage said to dash straight for 10 seconds…
Final Fend worriedly looked at his stance. Thanks to being forced to use [Dash] earlier, they now were at risk of running out before the ten seconds were over.
Final Fend's chest tightened.
6, 5, 4…
As only three seconds were left Final Fend ran out of stance. A chill ran down his spine, stranded within the terrifying sandstorm.
Dash increases our speed by five times, right? Or was it four?
The young man grew frantic under the pressure, questioning himself. He ordered his mount to stop, looking around worriedly.
[Overbearing Zen: Why did you stop? Fend?!]
[Final Fend: Sorry. I can't remember. Did dash increase our speed by four times?]
[Melodious Edelweiss: Five!!!]
Everyone was surprised as Melodious Edelweiss stressed her answer with three exclamation marks. But seeing her so firm Final Fend didn't question anything. Every second was important.
If Edelweiss is correct, we need to advance for 15 seconds without dash. I hope it goes well!
After calculating quickly Final Fend sped up again, advancing in a straight line. His worried eyes focused on his HP bar as he dropped below 2500HP.
Fifteen seconds passed quickly. The group turned to the left. They advanced swiftly in a straight line, praying that they wouldn't miss the safe harbor mentioned by Liam.