Chapter 80: Flames Beneath Blackroot

Yvonne's eyes gleamed like twin sapphires as she stepped closer to Malik, her voice trembling beneath a composed facade. "Adventurer… My father lost a crucial battle to a peak-tier expert who seeks to claim Blackroot City. He's been heavily wounded for days now. With him bedridden, the city's defenses faltered—and then the worst happened. A rebellion broke out among the troops. And from the shadows… a group of bandits rose."

Her fists clenched at her sides, her jaw stiff. "The leader remains unknown. They began plundering Blackroot's resources without mercy. My father couldn't do anything, and I—I was powerless."

She inhaled deeply, her voice shaking. "My father had hired the best healer in the Black Moon Kingdom to tend to his wounds. But that very healer… has been kidnapped, taken along with a few merchants by the same bandits."

'Could this be tied to the "Finding the Bandits" quest?' Malik mused silently, his eyes narrowing as he continued to listen.

"I tried to trace the bandits' trail, hoping to rescue the merchants," she continued. "But all I found was an ambush. Evil adventurers—rogues—attacked me. They tried to abduct me… I barely escaped with my life. And that was when you appeared. You saved me."

Her voice softened, eyes glistening. "I truly owe you my life, Adventurer."

> [System Prompt: You've learned more information about the quest 'Finding the Bandits.' Difficulty increased to A-Rank.]

> [New Objective: Locate where the bandits are holding the Healer and Merchants captive. Difficulty: A-Rank.]

'So it's no longer a B-rank mission, huh? Looks like this quest runs deeper than I imagined…' Malik's brows furrowed.

"Don't worry, Miss Yvonne," he said gently. "I'll help you however I can."

"I'll truly appreciate it, Adventurer," she said, her expression softening into a grateful smile.

Malik exhaled, releasing the tension in his shoulders. So this is the true face of the quest everyone's been sweating over… no wonder it's caused a stir.

…

After leaving the City Lord's manor, Malik called for Goliath, instructing him to lead the way to the auction house.

On the way, Goliath couldn't stop gushing about a particular player who had allegedly learned an S-rank skill.

"Brother, this guy was insane! He soloed an elite zone with just fists and—"

Unbeknownst to him, the very legend he was praising walked right beside him.

Once inside, Malik emptied most of his inventory into the auction house. Equipment, materials, and rare drops—all listed at competitive prices. He only held onto a few essentials: the glove still undergoing refinement at 40%, the rib shard, some potions, and Kyrogh's enigmatic war hammer—still unappraised.

I should try using the Eye of Insight on it when I have time… he thought.

"You set those things so cheap, Brother," Goliath said, scratching his head. "You trying to clear your warehouse or what?"

"I need coin—fast. And I also need a well-detailed map of Blackroot City," Malik replied coolly.

"You should've said that earlier!" Goliath beamed, digging through his inventory. "Here, take mine."

Malik unfolded the map immediately, scanning its content until his eyes landed on an ominous zone marked with red.

"What's this place?" he asked, pointing.

Goliath's gaze followed Malik's finger. "Why the sudden curiosity? Did you… did you get a mission related to this city?"

"I did. A hidden path opened on the quest 'Finding the Bandits,'" Malik answered.

Goliath's jaw nearly dropped. "Brother! You're too damn awesome! Sometimes I wonder who's greater—you or that crazy Player they call 'Man like Malik.'"

Malik smirked faintly. "You really don't wanna know."

To Goliath, it sounded like arrogant banter. This brother of mine… full of ego. But he's got the strength to back it up.

"That red-marked area?" Goliath continued, pointing. "That's the turf of the red players—PKers. Bandits in the true sense. They loot other players and hunt in groups. Hundreds of them. They've even formed alliances among themselves."

A sharp glint flickered in Malik's eyes. "So the City Lord's weakened state allowed this kind of rot to fester in Blackroot, huh?"

If Yvonne was attacked by red players… then the bandits and red players might be one and the same…

Goliath shuddered under Malik's gaze, which burned with a cold intensity. "Wait—don't tell me you're planning to invade their base?"

The words tumbled out before he could stop himself. He snatched the map from Malik's hands.

"Brother, you don't understand. Outside their turf, sure—you dominated them. But inside their turf? That's suicide! They've got hidden experts. Even the City Lord himself didn't dare provoke them in the Crimson Veins!"

Malik chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks for the concern, Goliath. But unless there's a Tier 2 player hiding in there, they won't pose a problem."

Goliath froze. What does he take himself for? The real Man like Malik or something? Wait… no way…

Malik turned, already walking away, his dark silver cloak trailing behind him like a banner.

"Wait, Brother!" Goliath called after him. "Even if I think it's insane… I'll come with you. Consider it repayment for that gift you gave me."

He quickly sent Malik a friend request.

Right. I should also invite White Emperor and the others… They might be able to earn contribution points through this. Malik thought, sending messages to his party before accepting Goliath's request.

> [System Reminder: Player Man like Malik has accepted your friend request.]

Goliath froze on the spot.

His whole body trembled.

He stared at Malik's figure moving farther and farther into the distance.

"…He's… he's Player Man like Malik…" Goliath muttered, staggering back until he collapsed onto the floor, completely dazed.

…

Six players stood before a clearing marked by a crude [No Entry] sign, a barrier of brambles and broken wagons forming a jagged perimeter.

This was it—the turf of the red players. The bandit base hiding in plain sight.

At their head stood a cloaked figure in dark silver. Behind him stood five elites: a warrior with a gleaming white shield, a swordsman clad in tiered gear, an Elementalist wielding a high-grade staff, a ranger with an obsidian bow, and a towering berserker.

All of them were Level 35 and above—the highest among them a menacing Level 40.

They stepped into the blood-soaked territory.

> <>

> [System Alert: You've initiated a Side Quest.]

> [Quest Update: Defeat and Cleanse the Crimson Veins]

> Description: Purge the Red Players from the Crimson Veins and restore peace to Blackroot City.

> Quest Reward: ??

> Quest Penalty: -20 Levels.

"Well… this turned out more epic than I expected," Malik said with a grin, his aura flaring subtly beneath the cloak. "Time to level up, everyone."

For normal players, red players were trouble. Killing one would net decent experience, but more importantly, red players would lose five full levels upon death. It was a brutal system designed to discourage murder.

But Malik? He had an extra reward.

Every red player he killed didn't just drop EXP. They also offered him bountiful Qi points.

So while the rest of the team saw risk… Malik saw profit.

He was the happiest man on the battlefield.

Goliath, on the other hand, was the most agitated.

"If he actually pulls this off… If Man like Malik truly wipes them out…"

He gulped.

"…God's Realm will never know peace again."