After realizing the severity of the situation, Xu Feng soon adapted to the change and began to make new plans.
Now that the appearance of Fire Resistance Potions had been revealed to the masses, there was no longer any need to conceal it further.
Additionally, his post had gone to the top 3 thanks to the extensive guide where players didn't doubt its legitimacy— courtesy of Herald Fist verifying and confirming the strategy from his frantic forum post.
'Everyone is following the guide precisely, with only a few variations in between and with so many other players confirming it's true. I doubt it would take much longer for someone to obtain the first clear achievement.' Xu Feng fixed his glasses slightly, analyzing the possibility of the situation.
As much as he wished to achieve a greater shock factor, players aren't foolish enough to not find a breakthrough soon, especially when some could have a stroke of luck and complete the dungeon through brute force.
While he was thinking that it was time to give everyone the shock of their lifetime, Gentle Wind was messaging him again.
Gentle Wind: Riverwood Town is experiencing an explosion in popularity. Many players from other regions are coming here en masse. Are you still confident about getting the first clear achievement?
Anonymous User: Relax, Gentle Wind. There's no need to worry much.
Gentle Wind: How could I not worry? Even without those potions, I heard some teams and guilds are reaching the final stage as well.
Anonymous User: Then let them achieve it.
Gentle Wind: ???
Anonymous User: It seems like you have misunderstood me from the beginning, Gentle Wind. You're only speaking of their progress in the Easy Mode. But the first clear achievement I'm guaranteeing is Hell Mode. Not Easy or Normal Mode. Let's get that clear.
"Hmm, she's not responding yet." Xu Feng checked the time and realized a few minutes had gone by since there was a response. "So she really did misunderstand me. Well, not that it was surprising anyway."
He was never the type to achieve some mediocre results. If he were going to do something, then it must be a banger. The first clear achievements were amazing, but that also depended on the difficulty of it.
Everyone else was currently trying to obtain the first clear achievement on the Easy Mode level, but his intention had always been Hell Mode.
Therefore, he was never worried about others taking the first achievement on Easy Mode level.
After all, who would care about it anymore once the higher difficulty level was achieved by someone else. Matter of fact, their achievement and feeling of glory would soon turn to a feeling of shame.
A shame that could not be washed away because while they were celebrating like kings, another party had swooped in and accomplished greater results. Them acting like kings would instantly turn into a bunch of clowns, parading their pitiful achievement.
"Seems like Gentle Wind managed to recompose herself." Xu Feng muttered, reading her response.
Gentle Wind: Your intention and the contract of our deal was always about the Hell Mode difficulty?
Anonymous User: Naturally. Otherwise, why would I demand such a high fee?
Gentle Wind: Surely, you must be jesting… how can it be considered a high fee if you were talking about Hell Mode?
Anonymous User: Well, you're my first customer after all. And the first customer usually gets some privilege. Anyway, have your members reached the threshold of my requirement yet?
Gentle Wind: I was just about to mention this to you. We're ready on our side.
Anonymous User: Great, wait by the forest and I'll arrange for my subordinate to meet you there.
With that message sent, Xu Feng also started listing the inferior Fire Resistance Potions in the Auction Market.
Online Players: 6,875
Current Listings:
[Fire Resistance Potion x5]
Seller: Anonymous User
Starting Bid: 10 copper coins
Buyout Price: 3 silver coin
Time Left: 12 hours
Since the value of the potions increased extensively thanks to Herald Fist, Xu Feng decided to raise the price.
Not only that, but he also purposely ensured that no one else would know how many batches would be sold, essentially enticing them to buy it as soon as possible, otherwise, they would lose their chance.
Go big or go home, these players are now trapped in his little cages, having been psychologically manipulated into splurging more for their imaginary future success.
'Oh, Herald Fist, because of your actions for attracting so many players here. I hereby give you my thanks and listen to your request. Now empty your pocket and splash me with the money.' Xu Feng sneered inwardly.
Originally, he wasn't going to be that ruthless with the pricing.
However, with the influx of players arriving here, causing the difficulty to rise tremendously for him to navigate, he decided to be ruthless.
Meanwhile, the moment he put up the listing of the potions, players nearby him started shouting in fervor.
"Hot Damn! The potions are back in the Auction Market!"
"What? Really? Holy smoke, it's actually back and this time it's in batches!"
"This mysterious seller is really shrewd. Now that the potions are in high demand, they are going to make a killing again. 3 silver coins as the buyout price… I don't even have 50 copper coins!"
Seeing them shouting in such fervor, with some being envious, and others being frantic, Xu Feng was pleased.
He was anticipating the rapid fortune he was going to make so he decided to join in on the fun and entice them further.
"The seller might have listed it up because of the increase of players here, but knowing the potion is such a rarity. I wonder if this is the only batch or not." He shouted loudly, bringing the attention to others that this might be the only batch being sold.
"Right, who knows if there are going to be more?"
"Indeed, I tried to look for information and NPC stores in the area, but none of them have these kinds of potions."
"I came from Greenbird Town, and they don't have these items either. Otherwise, I wouldn't have traveled here."
As the players started to panic among themselves, Xu Feng equipped a mask that he bought from a vendor and began walking toward the forest at a calm and steady pace.