There was no other way to describe Jack coming back to Sprigfield.
He rushed straight through the Town this time, leaving NPCs and players alike in utter shock as they gawked at his shadow.
”Oh god, he’s back! Nooo!”
”What an ugly donkey….thing!”
”Stop staring at his ass. It’s an emergency!!”
The entire Town went crazy, tons of high pitch screams resounding. The people were akin to twitching pool streamers attacked by fiery hornet— or something similar.
But Jack did not care one bit. At this moment, he only had eyes for the Pumpkin Farm and nothing else.
”FASTER Toothfull! Show off your dragon lineage!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, the passerby raising doubtful eyebrows. Dragon? More like Lizard—Donkey!
— Clip! Clop! Clip! Clop!—
The two madly galloped across the plain.
But as he reached the Farm’s premises, none dared to follow. After all, that place was SCARY! How many had died trying to steal the Mythical Trident?! Over 9000…or close.
There she stood, waiting for him. Pumpkin Girl’s eyes shone with a light he had missed. “Welcome back.” She simply murmured as she dived into his embrace, gluing herself to him.
”Yes, I’m home.” He closed his eyes, enjoying the moment.
The two shared their body heat, the world seemingly coming to a halt. They then peacefully headed inside the little farmhouse for a long and intense…discussion.
Meanwhile…
The news spread like wildfire —> The Demon King was back!
Cultists donned their robes, assassins sharpened their daggers, guild leaders sent mass summons, scholars grabbed their quills, and even the NPCs joined in on the fun!
People were either rushing to the Farm or in Town listening to the rumors. There was no exception! This had suddenly become the #1 Sprigfield Topic.
Many unlucky players posted to the forums to brag about their recent achievements, only to be instantly overshadowed.
— Tamed a pet rock! #So cute
— Soloed an Elite Eel! #Stronk
— Successfully Learned Basic Goblin! #Mr. Worldwide
— …
They’d all get similar replies:
”Who F-ing cares! The Demon King’s back!!”
”Oh, this will be fun! Maybe a war even?”
”I know, right?! #Suspense #Wow!”
”Pftt- Poor OP! #Hijacked Thread!”
Heck, at this moment, there were even a few channels that had decided to cover the event IRL. Pancakes was already doing a live forum reading of all the juicy gossip.
He even kept teasing his viewers:
”Everyone, stay tuned! As long as we reach subs goals, you know what’s up, right? Interview with Moon Moon, YEAH BOY!… Oh, and the Demon King, hehe.”
The Farm surroundings soon looked like the scene of a legendary metal concert. Everyone glanced at the trees, trying to peer inside.
A Fairy watched it all happen in the skies, becoming more and more frantic. She’d check on Jack from time to time, only to come back blushing…they were busy.
Time elapsed, the place filling up like crazy, the Town actually becoming deserted.
More People —> More Conflict
It all began with the damn cultists.
”Demon King, Demon King, Demon King!” They loudly chanted as perfect certified fanatics. They had even forcefully claimed a large area and started a human sacrifice in plain sight!
”How dare you hurt the innocent?!” White knights thundered.
”Innocent? The sacrifice’s a volunteer, though?” They kept going, ignoring the idiots.
”We’ll cleanse the world of your—” The self-righteous peeps screamed.
But just as war was about to erupt, a killer tree suddenly moved its branches, throwing a Pumpkin at the idiots. Many saw it and chuckled: what kind of silly attack was this?
There was no way that this would do any—
— BOOM! —
An explosion of life energy!
Dashing players were instantly turned into mangled corpses, bits of them flying all over the place. That’s when the place turned deathly silent.
It wasn’t because of the deaths nor the gore. People were either used to it or had gore filtered off anyway. No, they froze as they saw orange appear in the green Forest.
Pumpkins, so many pumpkins!
”Gulp! If this lands… we’re all doomed!”
That’s when a lone majestic wolf came out of the wood. He glanced at them all before uttering an ultimatum.
”Woo!”
”….”
”….”
”He says to be quiet.” A cultist translated, pridefully taking a document out of his pocket and showcasing it. — Woo Language Course Graduate (Beginner) —
Casualties —> 13 Dead, 29 injured, 245 traumatized…and all this had been a simple warning. 0_0
The cultists took the opportunity to finish their summoning circle. “Oh, great Demon King! We sacrifice these members for you to appear before us!”
The magic circle glowed….nothing happening. Many couldn’t help but facepalm at the crazies’ antics. But a few seconds later, the trees rustled.
The killer trees were….getting out of the way?! A man appeared, a gorgeous girl by his side, the Pumpkin Witch! She seemed so demure right now, but it was all a lie!!
Jack glanced at the sea of players.
Wasn’t there a LOT of cultists? It seemed they still hadn’t gotten rid of their summoning circle habits either. Oh well, whatever…
”Oh? I see a few came to welcome me back.” He chuckled.
A few?! This was at least 80% of the Sprigfield players currently connected. This was way more than a few! Also, how was he so calm?! He even had a certain regal aura…
A few guild leaders opened their mouths, ready to complain. For instance, the Macabre Deer was still rampaging in the Forest to this day.
Jack didn’t let them speak, waving his arm akin to an overlord. “Hehe, let there be Quests! System, share Mission!” He powerfully declared.
A thousand screens flashed…
[Jack’O Wants to Share a Quest, Accept? Y/N? ]
[ This Quest will Impact the Future of Infinite! ]
Future of Infinite?! Accept! Accept! Accept! How massive would the opportunities be for something like that?! They all shook in excitement, some even having trouble pressing YES!
[ Quest! Help Royal Seer or Jack’O! ]
Or? Was this a Good versus Evil choice? Or was it simply a Sprigfield versus Timber City representative? Many were already trying to figure it out.
Any Other Option > Helping the Demon King.
”Now, everyone who wants to help, sit down for a briefing. Others should scram.” He imposingly ordered, playfully playing with a Pumpkin.
Would he bomb them if they rebuked him?!
Many hurriedly left, but even more remained. They all appeared respectful and ready to set their previous differences aside. This was far more important— or so they said.
Naturally, Jack noticed the scheming glance in their eyes. Those younglings still had a lot to learn. Bullshitting was an art!
”Here’s what we’re looking for….” He told them everything…about an unrelated topic.
Finding Rare Resources/Artifacts —> Getting an Elf and a Mermaid.
They “needed” their power to repair the Trial. They were the only ones with the ancestral knowledge to make it happen…or so the story went.
The more he spoke, the more heated he became.
”… Let’s do this for humanity’s sake!!~and the Quest rewards.” He ended his discourse with incredible gusto, whispering his “true” motivation at the end.
Many inwardly scoffed as he revealed his true colors. Then it was time for them to spread out, only a few remaining.
The Drunken Sailor Staff
Plenty of pets/companions, from animals to undead and even that one blind goblin girl.
Then there were the ones who had been with him from the start. CPR Dude, Head Cultist, and Bubblegum— She glanced at him with a piercing gaze.
”You’re about to start another war, aren’t you?” She sighed, instantly seeing through his plans.
”War? Who said anything about war? We’ll just create a tiny bit of chaos. You know, just like in New Leaf back then, haha.” Jack cheekily replied.
Players and pets were already cackling heartily while the NPCs coldly shivered. The more they interacted with him, the more they understood his Demon King nickname!
”Now, I need some rumors started….” He mischievously grinned.
Everyone departed to accomplish their respective tasks. This left two girls staring daggers at one another.
Bubblegum VS Pumpkin Girl
The two appeared to be peacefully smiling, yet this “peaceful” atmosphere made even the undead rat and chicken shiver, scurrying into hiding.
”Oh? You’re still here?”
”No need to worry. WE’ll leave soon, hehe.”
”Is that so? Do come in: GUESTS are always welcome.”
One had the home ground advantage, but the other was an old partner that could accompany him when he went on a mission. Who even had the advantage here?
A second later, one took some Pumpkins out, the other grabbing daggers.
”Hehe, have you ever tried eating a PUMPKIN?”
”Sadly, I’ve somehow always AVOIDED eating one, at least here.”
”Oh? That’s a real shame. Everyone agrees that my pumpkins are to DIE for !”
”I’m sure that’s the case. Many IMMORTAL Braves would die for a slight taste.”
Pumpkin Bombing? So what? Bubblegum was an assassin: she could always avoid it, and she’d simply respawn worst-case. Why would she get intimidated?
The two kept staring daggers at one another, the tension reaching an all-time high. At some point, even Moon Moon realized that something was wrong.
”Woo! Woo!” (This is bad! We need to do something!)
The little wolf showed confusion. The more it listened to the words and the less it understood why there was so much tension. So strange!
It was even about to get between them, but Jack gestured it to stay put with a smile. God, humans were so difficult to understand at times!
Jack kept watching with his arms crossed….
Just as the situation was about to explode….both of them started laughing. The tension was gone as if it had never existed in the first place.
”I guess he wasn’t exaggerating when he spoke of you.”
”That’s exactly my sentiment, haha!”
Jack had long guessed this would end up like that. Peace returned to the Farm, the wait beginning. In the outside world, the players got really busy.
After a long while, Jack finally received the message he had been waiting for. They had spotted elves…. Still, wasn’t this a bit too quick?!