Chapter 239

Chapter 239

After the leader of the Crow of Death left Bader's territory, he hastened their plan at the latter's behest. They even activated several spies they had planted within the domains of the Old Gods, plunging the already unstable situation into chaos.

"Lord Blood Acolyte."

While Blood Acolyte was propagating the plan in a settlement called Moonlit City, a few NPCs he had recruited earlier approached him, their expressions uneasy.

"What happened?" Blood Acolyte recalled that after joining the Investigator Organization, they had voluntarily gone to other towns to spread the plan. However, looking at what they had brought back, there were no props or resources as he had anticipated. Instead, they had led a few children with them. "Didn't you go to the neighboring settlements of the Perfect? What about these kids?"

The man struggled to speak, unsure of how to begin. Finally, it was his companion who spoke up, "We did go there, but we were too late."

"The people in that town... they're already..." He couldn't bear to continue, his lips quivering as he nudged the children holding tightly onto his sleeves toward Blood Acolyte. "These are the only survivors. They must have exploited a loophole in the rules to survive."

Blood Acolyte looked down at the children, their blank faces and lifeless eyes revealing their emotionally closed-off state. He couldn't help but frown. "It's happened again."

"What should we do now?"

"I'll inform the leaders of our organization. For now, continue on to other towns. If you encounter anyone from the Crow of Death, avoid them carefully. As for these children, ask the decision-makers of this city if they're willing to take them in."

"Yes."

Once the NPCs and the child had left, Blood Acolyte quickly logged into the forum and noticed that many players had posted pictures of the fallen cities. The discussions on the topic had surged.

Blood Acolyte: Are more Human settlements falling recently? My subordinate mentioned it when reporting the propaganda situation.

Nightly: Same here with my subordinate.

Milk Tea Dog: And mine... I heard it's the Crow of Doom causing trouble.

Druid: Hiss, sounds similar to what happened in Black Rock Town. Tsk, what exactly is the Crow of Doom group up to?

Black Cat: According to that priest's account, the Crow of Doom organization is undoubtedly a terrorist group. Their goal is to hasten the end of Humans, as they were fervent supporters of the Old Gods. They can't tolerate the fact that Humans caused the Old Gods' demise. Knowing the truth about this world, they have no hope for the future, so they push their kin towards death.

Beauty Is Justice: That's strange. If that's the case, wouldn't it be perfect for them if we got the Humans out of the Dream World? That way, the Old Gods wouldn't be infected, and the Humans could go to the new world.

Tax Collector: It doesn't work. I tried. They don't trust us. Deep down, they're still believers, just fanatics of the Old Gods. They yearn desperately for those times and see their own kind as the source of all evil. You know, there's no point reasoning with fanatics. They have their own logic and don't believe others.

Barbara: This is a headache. Can't we just locate their headquarters and eliminate them all?

Bald No More: Do you think players don't desire it? They just can't find it. That black robe they wear has the same function as the leaves we pluck from the forest, allowing them to move undetected under the crimson moon. It's truly elusive.

Divine On Earth: Calm down, how has the recent propaganda been going?

What's Wrong With Money: What else could it be? So many have perished quickly, it must have slowed down...

Tax Collector: On the contrary, due to the actions of the Harbingers of Death, more Perfect Humans have joined our cause.

What's Wrong With Money: ...Huh?

Druid: Ah, now that you mention it, it does make sense. The Harbingers have revealed the truth to the Perfect Humans, making them realize the hopelessness of their world, so they turn to us.

Human Peach Blossom: So, in a way, the Harbingers' actions are working in our favor? Isn't that great?

Divine On Earth: Not necessarily, I don't see it that way.

Seeking Odd Numbers: Why?

Divine On Earth: ...It's hard to explain, but it brings about an unpleasant feeling.

Black Cat: Are you concerned that the Perfects might associate us with the Crow of Doom?

God Among Men: Not necessarily. After all, they saw us risking our lives to save others, which is the polar opposite of the Crow of Doom's creed.

Odd Seeker: Then what are you worried about?

God Among Men: It's hard to put into words, but I have this feeling that the Crow of Doom isn't an ordinary group... For starters, where did they get those black robes that can shield them from corruption? Our leaves, as you know, are unique to Lahn's forest.

Druid: It could be from another region, considering how surreal the Dream World can be.

Divinity Among Us: It's possible.

Divine beings on earth frowned as they perused the forum discussions. In truth, they had a vague suspicion that while the Harbinger of Death might be acting purely out of faith, it could also be under the influence of the Old Gods. Considering how inconvenient it was for the Old Gods to manifest before Mortals, it would only be natural for them to have an agent acting on their behalf.

But if that were true, which of the Old Gods' factions did the Carrion Crow serve?

Though the divine had not fully comprehended the mortal realm, it was better to push that plan forward as soon as possible, just in case.

Divinity Among Mortals: I believe it's high time we addressed this. The Perfects seem to have reservations about our so-called 'New World.' You must have encountered similar questions in your promotional efforts, such as what this New World actually entails, right?

Blood Acolyte: I've encountered plenty. Even when I answer, they keep asking. Sometimes the questions are so ridiculous, I don't even know how to respond.

God Among Us: Hmm, for the second phase, I plan on weaving a new myth to aid our promotion.

Black Cat: A myth?

God Among Us: Though it's called a myth, there won't actually be any gods in this ritual.

God Among Us: What we truly aim to create and address is how humans will live in the new world, and how Perfected beings will adapt after losing their ability to manifest their dreams in the Dream World.

Druid: That sounds intriguing. Have you finished weaving it?

God Among Us: Not yet. Isn't that why I'm seeking your opinions? Everyone can share their thoughts here. This new myth will become our most powerful tool for promotion.

Matcha Milk Green: Since you mentioned it as a promotional tool, why not use this opportunity to address common queries from the Perfected? They often ask me what the new world is like, if there are similar species to them, or how high their mental power can reach there. When I tell them no one uses mental power, they're astonished, since in the Dream World, they control and create everything with it – food, clothes, everything. They practically materialize things out of thin air. Even though they can't utilize this ability as freely now, their innate gifts still provide ample material satisfaction.

Uncle Hao: This world is indeed idealistic. Honestly, if it weren't for the interference of the Evil God, it would be quite beautiful. At least the Perfected had a decent life in the previous era. They find it hard to envision a future without this ability entirely.

Not Crazy: Some even ask if there are fish flying in the sky or if the pets of the Old Gods roam the earth. I tell them no, but we have airplanes and cars. Then they inquire what those are...

God Among Men: Well, let's incorporate common objects and general knowledge from the real world into it.

The player forum erupted with discussions. As the Dream World map was currently the hottest event in the game, over half of the players had painstakingly leveled up to meet the quest requirements and joined the promotional efforts. Thus, their enthusiasm for this activity was abundant.

Amidst the players' chattering, a new mythology began to take shape.

From the time when humans learned agriculture and produced their own food, to the invention of paper and gunpowder.

The advent of the steam engine shrunk the distances between people as trains and ships forged new connections, while the harnessing of electricity gave birth to the light bulb, illuminating the darkness with the flames of civilization.

It was a myth sans deities, an epic crafted by humanity itself.