The terrifying sandstorm continued to ravage the world. It's roaring a background for the incoming battle.
Just then Silken noticed something off. His enemies seemed immune to the sandstorm!
"Not good! We need to attack!"
The young man was shocked. Under these circumstances their chances of winning the battle immediately plummeted. But it was too late for regret. Silken instantly ordered everyone to engage the enemy.
"Attack!"
"Let's go!"
"Hotpot is nothing!"
The surviving players shouted to bolster their courage as they confronted the world-famous party.
Just as The Only Way came out of the rock's shelter, Liam's instincts suddenly rang alarm. He instinctively jerked his head, looking at the top of the rock.
At some point the storm there had strangely weakened. A figure stood still on top of the rock, seemingly sitting on some kind of mount with a long tail. He looked extremely menacing, completely clad in black.
Liam squinted his eyes, trying to see more. Just then the figure raised his head and spread his wide wings, radiating an immense danger.
The movement suppressed even the last bit of sand and Liam finally got a good look at the figure. Instantly his chest tightened. What he thought to be black clothes turned out to be sturdy scales. And the supposed mount was the figure's tail coupled with the impressive height of its body.
Liam instantly realized who the figure was. It was the world boss Dream Avenue had been scouting for. Mehphre!
"RUN!"
"Wh…"
"Ignore them, RUN!"
Liam frantically warned his party as he turned his basilisk around and did his best to get away.
[Stance -65]
Fortunately his stance had recovered a great amount since the last fight was some time ago. He was able to pay the cost for breaking from the fight, which had already started.
His friends were perplexed but followed him either way. They ignored the enemies and escaped instantly. However, while running they still asked Liam what was going on, prompting the veteran to narrate whom he had seen.
Everyone was shocked by the sudden emergence of the world boss. Balm inhaled sharply before asking Liam:
"What will happen to that other guild?"
"Well, what's supposed to happen? If they don't escape fast enough, they will be destroyed by the world boss.
"Haha serves them right!"
Cyclone laughed brightly. She glanced over her shoulder as if she could see Silken and Therva through the sandstorm.
The two guild leaders stared back. They were frozen in place, not able to comprehend Hotpot's sudden actions.
"Did we frighten them into retreat?", asked a guild member behind them.
"No way."
"Is it a trap?"
"Maybe… something else frightened them?"
As one of the players said this, everyone got an ominous premonition. Silken suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He slowly turned his head upwards.
At that moment, a black figure slowly got revealed from behind the rock's edge. Silken felt his heart sink.
"A perfect snack…"
Mehphre's words sounded ominous as he let out an ugly cackle. The world was quickly drowned in darkness.
***
Meanwhile Liam and his friends managed to leave the sandstorm. As soon as they came out, they were warmly welcomed by the later arriving guild members.
Final Fend and his group were happy to finally shake off the pressure.
However, Liam hastily interrupted the celebratory mood. A world boss had appeared, and they had no time to waste.
Hearing this, everyone was suddenly in high spirits, clamoring that they should kill the world boss right now. It took some effort for Liam to convince everyone that they shouldn't fight without preparation.
But with the help of his friends the other guild members soon accepted his words. Under the urging of Hotpot, they finally left the dangerous sandstorm zone.
The guild members scattered while Liam and his friends returned to the small camp to reunite husband and wife.
But on the way the NPC suddenly stopped, eyeing the players suspiciously, and speaking in a low voice:
"May I ask where you are taking me?"
The players halted as well looking back in confusion.
"To your wife, of course. She is worrying about you.", answered Cyclone.
Suddenly the NPC shook, reacting harshly:
"No! I won't go back!"
A notification popped up in front of the players, informing them of a change in the quest.
"Huh, we can decide whether to bring him back or not?"
"What's going on?"
The friends were taken aback, discussing among themselves. Silent Acacia looked somewhat impatient as he suggested:
"Let's not take that guy back. Saves us some time."
But Balm disagreed:
"We already started the quest, and that woman looked so distressed. I don't know about you, but I can't be that coldhearted."
The friends were conflicted between the two options. But since they were not pressed for time, they eventually decided to return the man to his wife.
Silver Blade turned towards the NPC, smiling gently:
"Sir, I don't know what you are thinking. But your wife misses you dearly. It would be great if you can come with us."
"So you are determined to bring me back?"
"Yes."
"Well, well. Then don't blame me for falling out with you!"
Suddenly the man retreated a short distance and drew his weapons, revealing two curved blades of a sandy yellow color.
The players were surprised for a moment before getting ready to fight. The two sides stared at each other fiercely. Silver Blade checked the opponent.
It turned out the enemy was only a level 34 Sub-boss. Immediately the party felt all the pressure vanishing. Although the boss was a level above the last dungeon's hammer guardians, the party didn't fear that level of power after two weeks of upgrades.
And reality proved them right. Liam and his friends destroyed their opponent without much effort. Soon the treasure seeker kneeled on the ground, begging for mercy.
"Adventurers, please spare me! I will go with you. But please don't kill me!"
Looking at the begging NPC Cyclone didn't show much sympathy, scoffing in annoyance:
"Now you know how to behave. Why ask for a beating in the first place?!"
"Ok, no need to kick someone when they're down. Let's bring him back. It seems there is more to the story.", said Silver Blade, sheathing her weapons.
Her friends nodded. As the NPC noticed everyone putting away their weapons, he let out a sigh wiping his face with his sleeves.
The party continued on their way and the treasure seeker trotted behind them with complicated emotions on his lowered face, looking incredibly dejected.
Soon, the party reached the small camp again. The NPC slowed down, his feet reluctant to get closer. He didn't anticipate meeting his wife.
But just as he considered attempting to escape again, an exhilarated shout spread through the desert:
"My husband! I'm so glad you are safe!"
The female NPC ran out of the camp towards her husband, tears of joy running down her cheeks. With a jump she hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go.
The husband stood frozen on the spot, not knowing how to react. Eventually his wife noticed that something was off, looking upwards at her husband's face.
"Husband, what's wrong?"
A conflict brewed in the male NPCs eyes until he finally spoke in a cold voice:
"Let go of me."
"W… what?"
"I told you to let go."
"Husband… what happened to you?"
"I'm done! I can't do this anymore!"
The wife was frozen in shock, strength leaving her body as she stiffly stepped back.
"What do you mean?"
"Everything! This life!"
"But… but… didn't we decide this together? Aren't we happy seeking our luck together?"
"Luck?! What luck? We are risking our lives every single day only for you to spend all our money on useless items! I'm done! My father was right: what's so bad about working honestly, buying a nice little home and settling down?!"
The wife's face fell with every word of her husband, increasingly more tears running down her face, and this time probably not because of her joy.
"I'm sorry Enna, but I can't do it anymore! I will tell you straight up: it wasn't a coincidence that I entered the sandstorm alone! I hoped to find the treasure and use it as the foundation for my new life. One of stability and without danger!"
Enna began to weep bitterly as her heart cracked. Seeing her like this, her husband froze. After venting his emotions, he realized how deeply hurt his wife was, his gaze softening.
"I'm… I'm sorry, Enna. I just couldn't continue like this."
The scene suddenly fell silent save for Enna's sobs. The poor woman couldn't endure it and turned around to disappear into one of the tents.
Her husband remained behind, staring ahead with a constantly changing expression. He realized that he faced a life-altering decision. Countless memories flashed through his mind.
"Ah!"
Suddenly he let out a startled shout as something hit his head. He looked to the side and noticed Cyclone with tears streaming down her face.
"Go after her, idiot!"
The NPC appeared confused for a moment before nodding with a sigh and also entering the camp.