148: An announcement that seems a bit off

Xu Shian actually managed to back up his boast!

He said he would Sweep it, and he did.

[Congratulations on killing the 'Pirate Treasure Cave' elite difficulty BOSS 'First Mate - Murloc Cookie'. You have gained EXP +15,000.]

[Congratulations on obtaining: Blueprint: Toy Boat, Equipment: Guardian Pauldrons (Bronze Level), Guard Shield (Silver Tier).]

...[Congratulations on killing the 'Pirate Treasure Cave' elite difficulty BOSS 'One-Eyed Captain - Skeletal Jack'. You have gained EXP +15,000.]

[Congratulations on obtaining: Gold Coins +50, Illustration: Moon Amulet, Equipment: Jack's Scythe (Silver Tier), Reprimand Dagger (Silver Tier).]

[Congratulations on obtaining the clear reward: extra lifespan treasure chest +1.]

[Ding, congratulations on completing the first clear of the 'Pirate Treasure Cave' Dungeon on elite difficulty. Rewards: free stat points +10, Gold Coins +10, Reputation in all main cities of Wazhou Island +1000. A 'Sakura Country' announcement is about to be made. Would you like to hide your name?]

[It has been detected that all members of the clearing party belong to the 'Time' guild. Guild EXP +1,000.]

"Don't hide it!"

Why hide it?

Once I get all these rewards, won't I be able to be the one calling the shots?

I just love the way you guys can't stand me but can't do anything about me... [Ding, Announcement! Player 'Shi Chuan' has achieved the first clear of the Level 15 Dungeon 'Pirate Treasure Cave' on elite difficulty, receiving generous rewards. Players, please keep up the good work and create more glory!]

The Sakura Country announcement echoed three Times in the ears of every player in the Novice Village!

The [Bankai] team was currently dying repeatedly in the hell difficulty Dungeon [Rebel Ninja Den: Root Country]. They were already frustrated when they heard Xu Shian had taken another first clear!

Having just gone through a period of overconfidence only to find that fighting the BOSS wasn't going so smoothly, [Bankai] was fuming!

"Take a break. Sano-kun, immediately arrange for people to stir up trouble on the World Channel and the Huaxia Forum. Say that [Shi Chuan] wants to monopolize all the Dungeon benefits for himself, leaving nothing for the people of Huaxia... Stir up internal strife and conflict among them!"

"Hai!"

[Black Tooth] next to him complimented with a smile.

"Sano-kun's father used to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; he's best at manipulating public opinion! With him taking action, [Shi Chuan] will definitely be overwhelmed!"

Seeing his teammates echoing him, Kukimototaka's irritable mood improved quite a bit!

The rewards from hell difficulty Dungeons were indeed high, especially after the version update.

But the difficulty was also truly brutal!

Thinking about how that guy [Shi Chuan] soloed hell difficulty Dungeons all the way to level up, a trace of fear grew in his heart.

Without attempting hell difficulty, he saw him as a frog at the bottom of a well looking at the bright moon.

After experiencing hell difficulty, he saw him as an ephemeral mayfly looking up at the sky... So, when he heard the system announcement about [Shi Chuan] again, [Bankai] immediately began plotting against him.

Since Sano needed Time to arrange the internet trolls to start the chaos mode, everyone sat at the Dungeon entrance to rest for a while!

...After entering myriad realms online, everyone had lost their original entertainment activities!

Now there was no need to 'stumble into the halls of the elite'... because the elite and the common people were once again at the same starting line.

How long could this situation last? No one knew!

However, a new elite would surely form soon... So now everyone's job was playing the game, and their greatest entertainment was taking a break to browse the Forum!

By the Time Xu Shian chose the hell difficulty of the [Pirate Treasure Cave] after leaving the Dungeon, the hype had already been stirred up!

After all, the whole population was staring at every bit of news; any slight movement would be known by everyone... "The [Time] guild is a tumor of Huaxia. They take what belongs to everyone and make it their own. Such good things should be handed over!"

"[Shi Chuan], relying on being alone in the main city, is frantically taking first clears of elite and hell difficulty Dungeons. This is..."

The Forum was a mess of demons dancing.

Of course, those with ambition and strength were busy leveling up, preparing for the upcoming Level 10 Trial!

Those jumping around on the Forum were all people who just wanted a free ride... "I knew this [Shi Chuan] was no good. Look at [Bankai], how low-key and humble... Before, others just didn't act because they were waiting for teammates to clear together! Unlike [Shi Chuan], selfish and only caring about taking benefits for himself!"

"Exactly... Clearly, as long as you form a party, everyone can get system rewards, but he refuses. He just wants to hog it all..."

"I suggest everyone in [Time] leave the guild and let him play by himself..."

"Seconded!"

"Plus one!"

...Where there are people fishing in troubled waters, there are also rational observers!

"Though... but... putting aside whether this argument holds water, just how did you know [Shi Chuan] is frantically taking first clears in the main city? How come I didn't know?"

"I want to ask too, I didn't know either..."

"Same question!"

"I know, it came from the Ko-gaki's side. I went to their Forum section and looked; they all seem to be discussing this!"

... "Just came back from there, it's true. [Shi Chuan] got the first clear of an elite Dungeon called [Pirate Treasure Cave]..."

Smiles gradually became twisted... "Things are getting interesting!"

After committing a crime, criminals like to return to the scene to see their handiwork!

Kukimototaka was naturally no exception.

But as he watched, he felt something was not quite right!

"The Huaxia people didn't know about this?"

"It looks like they didn't..."

"Then why do we know?"

"Isn't there a system announcement...?"

The five people in the team looked at each other... That's not right! This announcement is wrong!

The Ko-gakis in different Novice Villages were all looking at each other in confusion!

[Ding, World Announcement: Player 'Shi Chuan' has achieved the first clear of the Level 15 Dungeon 'Pirate Treasure Cave' on hell difficulty, receiving generous rewards. Players, please keep up the good work and create more glory!]

[Ding, World Announcement...]

... "Oh... he really is taking first clear rewards!"

"I told you, he's just selfish... I call on all Huaxia people to boycott him and the [Time] guild!"

"Hey, you upstairs, the [Time] guild is recruiting. Are you going?"

"Yes, where do I sign up?"

"Tch..."

...Players with some strength and insight had no Time to participate in the petty schemes of these marginal people.

Meanwhile, the Ko-gakis on Wazhou Island were feeling a chill in their hearts!

By now, everyone in Sakura Country had a bad premonition... Meanwhile, Xu Shian was completely delighted as he tallied his gains.

[Ding, congratulations on completing the first clear of 'Pirate Treasure Cave' on hell difficulty. Rewards: free stat points +30, Gold Coins +100, extra lifespan +1000 days, skill points +2, Reputation in all major cities of Wazhou Island +1000.]

[Ding, your talent 'Social Butterfly Syndrome' has been triggered. Reputation in all major cities of Wazhou Island +500.]

[It has been detected that all members of the clearing party belong to the 'Time' guild. Guild EXP +1,000.]

Things seemed to have become interesting...