The red name above the Demon King's head was akin to someone dropping a baby in shark-infested waters: it scared the shit out of everyone.
Many here had played an MMO before and knew this bloody color: Jack was now a criminal. Hunting and killing him was fair game. Heck, it would most likely give rewards too!
"W-what?! All he did was speak up!"
"What now?! Is he gonna be alright?!"
"G-guys! He's already level 10?! So damn fast!"
"The Demon King is an actual raid boss now?!"
The village chief sneered at the man who had tried to scheme against him. How fitting of an ending it would be for him. He would be defeated by the very braves he had tried to use against him.
"All of you. Whoever brings me his head will be given a medal of merit and a title. Get him, hahaha!" He pointed toward Jack as if an executioner sealing the man's fate, his laugh echoing.
"…."
"…."
"…."
But the players didn't move in the slightest. Some just stood uncomfortably as if a child caught between their parents' argument. Others were just waiting for Jack's command to engage.
The village chief stared at them, confused. What was wrong with them? How was it possible for the braves to resist the temptation of a medal of merit?! Oh, right. They probably didn't know how prestigious it was!
"There is only one medal of merit per village. Whoever gets one is bound to become a legendary hero and soar to the Heavens!" The chief bellowed.
The players couldn't help but gulp.
A legendary hero? One per village? Didn't this mean a hidden class?! As long as they managed to obtain it, they would 100% become unstoppable monsters.
They'd get it all: fame, wealth, power, and bitches! But it was still risky…
"Tch— whatever. I'll do it myself!"
The village chief gave a powerful kick, one shattering the rock under his feet and launching himself forward. He had the momentum of a heavyweight rhino and the agility of a damn cheetah!
Jack turned serious as he prepared to fight for his goddamn life. Did he stand a chance? Hell no! All he could do was buy time and hope for the best.
At this moment, he so fucking wanted to log out and leave the asshole hanging, but his intent was already locked unto him. He was in combat!
The village chief frowned as he saw the man get a shield out. Wasn't this the one he had destroyed earlier?! He had played a trick, it seemed. Talk about scheming! But so what?! This time he would shatter both shield and spine alike.
Before anyone could react, the elder was upon his prey. Rotating on himself, he delivered an incredibly mighty kick that sent the arrogant youngster flying.
-22
Jack's eyes opened in disbelief. What the hell was this insane damage?! Fucking 22?! A little more than 50% of his HP AFTER blocking?! This meant that this guy could one-shot him! This was so damn perversely OP!
"Hahaha, you're nothing but a weakling! Take control of this village? In your fucking dreams! A year from today will be your death anniversary!" He chuckled.
Seeing their leader in such a precarious situation, the D.L. follower couldn't watch any longer. They wouldn't just stay idle while Jack got defeated!
"Protect the leader!"
"Avenge Moon Moon!"
"Screw that guy and his perfect abs!"
"Yeah, screw that guy and his…wait, what?! Just fucking charge!!!"
They were akin to a swarm of locusts as they began to run forward. So what if they were weak individually? As the saying went: apes together strong…or something!
"Show this bastard our might!"
"Huzzaahhh!!"
"D.L. FTW!"
The two were still fighting intensely— if it could be called a fight.
No, this was a one-sided beat down. Jack blocked every hit as he kept chugging potions as if at an open bar. Every hit would send him tumbling and coughing blood, but he was still standing.
"Why. Won't. You. Die?!" The village chief shouted, one punch or kick per word.
He was mixing the heavy, slow attacks with the quick-paced ones. Yet, the bastard was blocking them all! How was this even possible?!
The village chief was stronger, faster, dominating the fight, yet he hadn't landed a single clean hit yet! It was as if his opponent could predict the future.
"Just go down already!"
"Sorry, but I only go down on beautiful ladies. You ain't my type." Jack found the time to shrug while they fought.
But no matter how calm and composed he appeared, he was freaking dying inside. He could hear his own heart thumping like crazy as his body tried to cope with the insane workout he was putting it through.
At this moment, he was fucking glad that he had removed all limiters from the system. Every time he moved, he would accumulate damage.
-1
-1
-1
-1
He was using more force than his own body could tolerate. He was just a paper boat in an ocean of kicks and punches. The village chief kept chaining the combos one after the other: it was fucking bad!
But that's when the light of hope finally showed up. Jack sighed in relief as the many members of D.L. arrived. They were loud, they were so damn hyped, and they were so goddamn crazy!
Only in an MMO would there be players gleefully charging to their deaths without hesitation.
"Down with the old man!"
"Hidden raid boss, the goddamn chief!"
"I wonder what he'll drop. He's barely wearing anything!"
"Oh, I know. What about Uncommon Underwear of Colossal Strength?
"Hehe, with how much we're about to fuck him up, it just may be stained!"
They ganged up on him, surrounding him from all sides.
"You idiots, any aggressive move, and you'll be considered criminals too!" He warned.
But did the players care? Hell no! They began to swing their weapons at him, doing one damage at best. They were like mosquitoes: barely dangerous but so irksome!
The village chief snorted and kicked three times toward them, killing 5. How were they so damn easy to kill?! No, the problem wasn't them but that annoying smiling cockroach of a Demon King!
"Hey, Village Chief, I'll get the wrong idea if you look at me so intensely while half-naked." Jack acted bashful, even forcing himself to blush.
"Just fucking die already!" Every hit was as powerful as the last one.
"Pounding so heavily! You should take it easy at your age, you know!" Jack advised looking extremely genuine.
But Jack wasn't just taunting. He was ever so slowly retreating toward the forest. He was being extra careful as one hit would end it all. Luckily, this wasn't his first seemingly impossible fight in Infinite.
Yes, even with his precarious situation, the one feeling the pressure was the NPC. Every time he tried to finish him, a random brave would take the hit seemingly by mistake!
From time to time, a player would even attack Jack, aiming for the kill reward. But he would just happen to randomly dodge it, the attackers getting ganged upon and slaughtered.
How could this guy be so damn lucky?!
"Get out of the fucking way, you bastards!" The chief spat out.
"Kyaaa, he's gunning for my ass! Hold him down, my demonic legion!" Jack faked innocence.
Gunning for his ass?! He'd freaking kill the bastard! If only he didn't have this goddamn shield! He'd have to make the Blacksmith pay for this! But then he saw the guy drink yet another potion. What was up with that?!
The chief shouted toward the old potion lady:
"Hey, you old coot! How many potions did you sell this guy?! You should take responsibility for this!"
She suddenly jerked up in shock, wiping the drool off her mouth. Previously, she had been intently staring at the chief's upper body, only now coming back to her senses.
"T-take responsibility?!" She uttered, shocked.
"You sold him so many potions. Now do something about it!" He reproachfully shouted.
"A-alright!" She instantly agreed.
Jack couldn't help but frown at this new development. This was going to be a nightmare! She rummaged through a pouch at her waist, then started throwing vials all over the place.
They exploded on the ground in colorful puffs of smoke. There were enough colors to start a circus attraction: Blue, pink, and green!
"Don't breath it in!" Jack warned.
"Hehehe! Let me see how long you can fight without breathing!" The chief chuckled.
In a few seconds, this would be over….