041 The Rules of the Game!

The five members of the Cobra Organization’s Psionic Third Squad were at their wit’s end. Why wouldn't the Assassination Organization accept the contract to eliminate Chen Feng and Atlas? If they weren't so short-handed, they wouldn't have bothered hiring outside assassins in the first place. Cobra’s investment in this game hadn't been as heavy as the Assassination Organization’s, and their high-tier agents hadn't yet reached the level required to assassinate Chen Feng or Atlas; even throwing numbers at the problem wouldn't be enough.

Since being sent into the game upon their "deaths" in reality to provide support, their squad had never encountered such a thorny dilemma. The partnership between Chen Feng and Atlas had truly met their match; even if they deployed their Arcane Mage, taking these two down would be incredibly difficult.

"Let's just have them killed in the real world!" the short-tempered Enhancement Shaman cursed. He had been feeling stifled lately—unable to kill Atlas and unable to locate Chen Feng.

"The Assassination Organization’s rule is that in-game matters are settled in-game. That is a code established by our own Cobra Organization. Do you want us to break our own rules?" the Arcane Mage, Yahun, said sternly. "If we have to alert the organization's high command just to deal with two players, what will they think of us? Will they say all our years as psionic assassins were for nothing? Would they even let us return to reality? If word gets out that we couldn't handle two players in-game and had to resort to real-world intervention, how do you think other killer organizations will react? If they spread the news, it will surely cause a massive stir. The Chinese psionic soldiers have always looked down on us; if a scene is made, they will definitely intervene. Besides, once the news spreads, our organization’s assets in the game will be utterly destroyed. Who would ever hire us again?"

"Boss, I’m just venting. I was just talking." Arthur knew he had misspoke; the situation was indeed grave. Killer organizations have their own rules. If a failure in a game-based competition leads to real-world consequences, the fallout would be severe. That was why, when Cobra proposed the "settle in-game" rule to all other organizations with in-game assets, no one objected. It started as a restriction between organizations but eventually spread to everyone. Once a game organization shows it can't handle its own business and has to resort to real-world power, its reputation is ruined. The Agate Killer Organization in Brazil was the perfect example.

"Arthur, some lines must not be crossed. Don't speak so carelessly." The Arcane Mage knew that if they couldn't even handle the Chen Feng and Atlas mission, their status within the organization would plummet. Although they were currently the strongest squad in the public eye, there were still two other squads of true elites within the organization.

The organization was now ramping up its efforts to build power within the game. Though the reason remained unclear, the Arcane Mage suspected it had something to do with the game's immense profitability. The organization hadn't accepted outside contracts for the Arcanite Axe and the Divine Light Shield, meaning they were keeping them for themselves. Good equipment is a prerequisite for cultivating elite assassins; everyone knew that.

The Shadow Priest shifted the topic to the main issue: "Arthur, I don't think this Chen Feng is simple. It seems he was the one who turned the tide. Now that Shadow Corner has joined Atlas’s team, their combined strength is enough to go toe-to-toe with us. Furthermore, I have a feeling that Shadow Corner’s arrival is intended to force me out of the squad. They may have discovered my identity."

"Yalei, it’s easy for them to squeeze you out because Atlas hasn't been able to dig up any information on you; he likely suspects your connection to us. Atlas wants to control his squad entirely, using them as his lackeys. It’s hard to control someone with an unknown background. Your departure is inevitable." The Arcane Mage felt a headache coming on. He knew things were getting increasingly difficult. "Shadow Corner is a top-tier player. His joining Atlas’s team as an equal is fine, but I don't understand why he would abandon his status as the Fourth Leader of the Assassination Organization to join them."

As a prominent figure in the Assassination Organization, Shadow Corner could summon four squads of subordinates with a single word and had access to everything he wanted in-game. Why would he bother joining a team to grind for his own gear?

"Haha, you probably don't realize that Atlas’s team is now considered one of the top-tier teams in the game. Joining them is a guaranteed way to get top-tier gear and high-level quests," said the Demon Warlock, Ya'an. "Atlas is incredibly well-informed, intelligent, a triple-spec Paladin with superb technical skill—he’s definitely a master of quest-chaining. Add his devious personality, and it’s very hard for other teams to deal with them. Even our squad finds it difficult to handle them now."

The Arcane Mage’s squad was not weak; each member possessed psionic abilities. However, their class and equipment advantages were far inferior to Chen Feng’s team, making it extremely difficult to challenge them. In a one-on-one scenario, they would have had tricks up their sleeves, but now that their methods had been exposed, they were out of options. Otherwise, they wouldn't have asked the Assassination Organization for help.

***

"We should have just asked the Acid Rain Organization for help; their influence in the game is not bad at all!" the Assassin Rogue knew that completing the remaining three missions would be difficult. Blood Dragon, Atlas, and Chen Feng were none of them easy targets.

Chen Feng, currently in his Raven form, soared through the skies of District 25. The artifact quest required him to find a Steel Ash Dwarf. Chen Feng remembered seeing them somewhere around the Ash Volcano, but after circling the area, he found no trace of them. Chen Feng didn't dare go near the crater; the temperature was too high, and there was a possibility of encountering a Flame Demon boss. There was no need to get that close.

High-level quests were notoriously difficult; they’d give you a name and expect you to find an NPC. Chen Feng hated such quests. If he hadn't encountered a Steel Ash Dwarf while hunting enemies in this area before, he wouldn't have had a clue where to start.

Shadow Corner wanted to complete his class quest to become a God-tier class, but that was unlikely. If Shadow Corner turned out to be stronger than him, what would happen if he decided to target him later? He was with the Assassination Organization; even if he didn't move against Chen Feng, if the organization did, he wouldn't be able to protect him. Now that Shadow Corner knew completing the quest could lead to a God-tier class, he would be even more clingy. Chen Feng couldn't be bothered with him—he had to find his own path to a God-tier class.

Because of his intervention, the fates of Yin and Shadow Corner had changed, and Atlas’s game trajectory had shifted after meeting Chen Feng. Chen Feng wasn't sure how far the butterfly effect would spread, but he was certain that the Cobra Organization would have a hard time; their rise in the game would be delayed by his actions.

"Cobra has hired the strongest squad from the Acid Rain Organization to deal with you!" Shadow Corner sent a message to Chen Feng. Since he had joined Chen Feng’s team, he shared all the information he collected for free. Even the news about Atlas hiring the Assassination Organization to deal with him had been purchased with money.

"It’s fine. I’ll kill as many as they send!" Chen Feng really considered the Acid Rain Organization to be trash. Their top players posed no real pressure to him. As long as the remaining two psionic experts from Cobra didn't show up, Chen Feng felt no pressure at all. Though he was currently restricted from the large-scale maps, there wasn't much for him to do out there anyway.

At first, when Shadow Corner saw Chen Feng pull him in to cancel the assassination contract, he thought Chen Feng was afraid of the Assassination Organization. But now, Chen Feng wasn't even afraid of the Acid Rain Organization. The Acid Rain Organization had few members, but they were all elites who loved using bizarre, unorthodox killing methods. Their assassination success rate was higher than the Assassination Organization’s. Few people hired them only because their prices were too high. Yet, Chen Feng didn't seem nervous at all.

"Is your leader’s name 'God’s Thorn'?" Chen Feng suddenly asked.

Shadow Corner was shocked. Many people knew of his existence, but very few knew about God’s Thorn. How did Chen Feng know? Did Chen Feng really have a mole inside the Assassination Organization?

After Shadow Corner confirmed it, Chen Feng immediately said, "I know a key point for one of God’s Thorn’s quests. If he can help me gather some materials, I can tell him. As for you, I can help you complete your fourth mission."

Ever since God’s Thorn learned that completing the nine major class quests could lead to a God-tier class, he had become obsessed, desperately trying to find ways to complete the missions. The Assassination Organization didn't have many high-difficulty missions right now, and he didn't need to take action himself, so he could devote all his time to it. But the missions weren't easily triggered; even with the vast amount of time he invested, the results were poor.

***

"Fine. As long as you can help us complete the missions, tell me what materials you need," Shadow Corner said. He knew that if there was news about God’s Thorn’s mission, God’s Thorn wouldn't care how much money he had to throw at it. And for himself, completing one more mission would bring him one step closer to a God-tier class.

"Don't get too happy yet. I haven't even told you the materials I need." Chen Feng sent a list to Shadow Corner, knowing it would absolutely stump them. Even Atlas couldn't get his hands on these materials; it would be very difficult even for the Assassination Organization.

Shadow Corner looked at the list and was stunned. "You need 11 materials? Eight are Epic, two are Dark Gold, and two are Legendary? This..."

"I think your mission is worth more than these materials. If you don't help, I can get Atlas to do it just as easily. As for the cost, I’ll cover half; you cover the other half!" Chen Feng knew this batch of materials would cost millions of gold coins. The Assassination Organization would definitely hesitate to spend that much for just two missions, and the manpower and resources required would be immense.

"I’ll give you three days. No matter what method you use, you must get them. If your funds are insufficient, I can cover it first." Since Cobra had already brought in the Acid Rain Organization, Chen Feng felt no need to be polite. This time, Chen Feng was determined to complete the synthesis of the Rune Sword. He had poured so much effort into this weapon; if it failed, he would have no regrets. If it succeeded, Chen Feng felt he would be able to take on the Acid Rain Organization alone.

"We will try our best!" Shadow Corner knew Chen Feng was no simple player. Trading with him always meant coming out on the losing end, but he had no choice. God’s Thorn’s and his own class missions had to be completed—the sooner, the better, to gain an advantage.

Once God’s Thorn received the news and consulted with the organization’s high-level management, the entire Assassination Organization began to mobilize worldwide. To find the 11 materials on the list, they contacted every studio they knew and utilized every connection in the game to search. If a player refused to sell, intimidation was the only option.

As the Assassination Organization busied itself, so did Chen Feng. To make the Rune Sword a Legendary weapon, Chen Feng needed a weapon to complement it. The Arcanite Axe he had originally planned to use wasn't suitable, and he wasn't willing to part with it. Atlas suggested obtaining a Legendary two-handed sword, and the only player in the entire game world who possessed one was the American-region Retribution Paladin, Atlan.

With the intervention of the Acid Rain Organization, Chen Feng had to put his leisurely gaming life to an end and begin his first true assassination in the game: hunting the Retribution Paladin, Atlan, to loot his orange two-handed sword.