My Players Are So Fierce - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Military Commander Joy Stick

The arrival of 50 new players today made Crimson Citadel lively again. Local residents have become accustomed to these peculiar “mountain folk” and no longer feel the previous curiosity, sometimes even finding them slightly annoying, as these “newcomers” just like the previous warriors, would always surround them repeatedly asking if they needed any help.

One or two would be fine, but if 50 people all came to ask the same question, even the most good-tempered Crimson Citadel residents would become irritated.

Especially for those residents who experienced the Kadman City disaster, this would make them recall some “unpleasant” memories, such as being chased by several people asking if they needed help finding lost items/lost cats and dogs/lost wives/lost daughters and other strange questions.

You couldn’t even get angry.

After all, they were genuinely trying to help, although their excited tone and eager-to-try punch-worthy expressions made them seem like troublemakers.

However, locals with more “rescue” experience were very good at making the most of this opportunity, craftily taking advantage of this situation by giving various errands to those over-excited new players.

For instance, tasks like arranging new homes and moving things could be given to the noisy newcomers, who not only did them quickly and well but even saved the step of cleaning old rooms, and in some extreme cases, they didn’t even need to pay them any rewards.

Because these bloodhound-like fellows would always find “treasures” from mysterious corners that even the homeowners didn’t know existed. A copper ring, a brooch, or even a pair of worn leather gloves was enough to make the new players happy for a long time, as it proved their “luck.”

It was precisely because of these more “street-smart” locals that they managed to stabilize these new players’ eager hearts to contribute to Transia.

However, for some NPCs who had closer connections with Lord Murphy and already knew the “truth,” the arrival of new players was undoubtedly a “good thing.”

“Come, come, this is your task for today!”

At the entrance of Sewer No. 7, Lady Dorothy pointed at the messy fighting club arena and a pile of pre-prepared cleaning tools, saying to the dozen or so wide-eyed curious little players before her:

“The Blood Rat Gang is holding a big gladiatorial fight tonight, but our member responsible for cleaning twisted his ankle this morning.

He probably won’t be able to get everything organized before evening arrives, so I need you to fully utilize your courage and wisdom to clean this place up to a level where fierce gladiators can fight to their heart’s content.

This counts as employment, so I’ve already prepared payment for you.”

The Blood Rat Gang leader played with the eagle claw knife in her hand and said with a smirk:

“In the room next door, there are some weapons and protective gear that novice gladiators use. After you complete the cleaning task, each of you can choose one item to take with you. If you find anything valuable during the cleaning process, you can keep it as your own.

Additionally, the Blood Rat Gang will throw in tickets for tonight’s big gladiatorial match. I hope you’ll enjoy Transia’s ‘traditional entertainment.’

Oh, right!

If you still have nothing to do tomorrow, the Blood Rat Gang welcomes you back to the sewers. We always have lots of work that needs doing, and we’re always short on people.”

Dorothy’s lips curled into a strange smile as she praised:

“People like you who possess great determination and courage, this land can never have too many of. Now, begin your service, Lord Murphy and we are all watching you.”

After speaking, Dorothy very gracefully backflipped and disappeared into the shadows before everyone’s eyes, with the “illusion” of giant blood wings folding as she entered the shadows. This cool scene and extremely realistic light and shadow effects made the new players before her exclaim “holy crap.”

Among these dozen or so players, eight were clearly a group, and like the Tiger Leopard Cavalry and the Soldier Strike team, they adopted a unified format in their names.

The leader’s ID was “Moon Demon Lan.”

Well, just from this brother’s name, it wasn’t hard to guess the names of his seven brothers.

Together they formed the “Demon Octet,” and they had already decided to form a guild, with the name chosen before entering the game, “Eight Demon Elite Group.”

Very cool, very nostalgic, very chuunibyou, even slightly childish for kids, but just right for the chuunibyou level of adults.

And you had to admit that without knowing their background, just hearing their names would indeed intimidate you.

After all, in this world where gods and many dangerous planes truly exist, few people would so directly associate their names with legendary demons.

Brother, even for real cultists, this is a bit too extreme, isn’t it?

“Brothers! Today is the official debut day of our ‘Eight Demon Elite Group,’ whether for ourselves or for all of Transia, this is very memorable! Therefore, I propose that we also participate in the gladiatorial competition tonight!”

The leader of the Eight Collection, Moon Demon Lan, leaning on a broom while skillfully cleaning the strange blood stains on the ground, suggested to others:

“Also, let’s show other brothers the results of our ‘secret training’ that we prepared offline for this game! My 100 squats every day at the gym weren’t for nothing! I really feel like I can make a splash in the arena!”

“Big brother is right!”

The second brother of the Eight Collection, “Mountain Demon Ganpu,” squatted on the ground scooping up the blood stains and fur “left behind” by the dead gnoll gladiator, while saying loudly:

“Just simply participating isn’t interesting enough. I say we should have an internal competition too, see who’s the worst. The worst one has to shoulder the food expenses for the other brothers for the next week.”

“Damn, you guys eat too much, even the cafeteria chef is scared when they see you,”

The youngest “Sky Demon Ximu” complained:

“Don’t make it such a big deal, I think just treating drinks would be fine. Being too extreme in one cabin room can easily make relationships strained.”

“Alright, drinks it is then,”

Big brother Lan nodded and said:

“We can dock and unload cargo in three days, then we’ll all go ashore and have some fun. Now get to work! Tonight we’ll wait for our group to shine brilliantly. Muhahaha!”

When the big brother laughed, the other seven guys followed with weird laughter too, striking all kinds of strange poses. This filled the entire arena with a strange atmosphere and made all the little players around these eight guys stare.

It just felt like these eight guys were strange, seeming kind of crazy. For safety’s sake, it would be better to stay away from them.

This scene also fell into the eyes of Dorothy, who was secretly observing from the shadows. The Blood Rat Gang leader’s eyes flashed with great confusion, are all people from other worlds this strange?

No, that’s not right!

Her apprentice Fangfang was perfectly normal.

So, the strange ones were actually these eight guys, right?

“Perhaps before they sign up for the gladiatorial competition, we should have some witch hunters check their sanity. After all, the gladiators in the fighting club are currently all normal people. Won’t putting these guys in affect other gladiators’ performance?”

As Dorothy pondered these strange thoughts in her mind, she suddenly startled, feeling like she had also been influenced by these otherworldly fellows.

Her former self would never have such weird thoughts suddenly pop up in her head.

Never mind.

Better not play with them anymore, lest she irredeemably becomes a fool that others look down upon.

Thinking this, she quietly retreated from the shadows, spread her wings and flew swiftly along the wide sewer, quickly arriving above the Blood Vulture Halls, then entered the halls with a graceful glide at the cliff of the city’s great ravine.

A low-key “award ceremony” was being held here.

The reason it was called “low-key” was because there were less than 10 people participating.

But looking carefully, among these 10 people, except for Joy Stick and his deputy Tiger Leopard Cavalry – Lin, the rest were all high-level officials of Crimson Citadel and Transia’s political system. The phrase “simple but not simplistic” perfectly described it.

When Dorothy arrived, she just saw Murphy, as governor, very solemnly hand over the command scepter symbolizing “Commander of Transia’s Southern Defense Line” to Kudel before her.

The Hunting Baron Civilian Protection Officer also very seriously received it with both hands like a knight about to go to war.

“Tris and I need to garrison Crimson Citadel, assist Miriam and our hardworking civil servants in advancing the construction of the territory and the gathering of forces. I leave the establishment and maintenance of the southern defense line to you.”

Murphy said in a deep voice:

“Maxim will train troops in the Baroness of Shadow territory behind your battle line, and Knight Valand’s new Winged Cavalry army also needs more training before taking the field, but Kenport’s appearance and the movements in Foul Swamp have both proven that this Black Plague is different from before.

I guess those gnolls have learned lessons from their previous failures.

They intend to establish their advantage before the real war begins, so I can determine that your process of building defenses in the south probably won’t go smoothly.”

“I have anticipated this point.”

Kudel replied:

“Therefore, I have decided that from now until the Black Plague truly breaks out, I will always guard the southern defense line, ensuring that the gnolls’ footsteps cannot cross the swamp.”

“That’s still not enough!”

Murphy shook his head and said:

“Foul Swamp is a strategic location. Always allowing it to be in a situation where gnolls can cross at any time is a hidden danger!

I have decided that after the Transia population census action is completed, I will mobilize warriors to enter deep into the swamp. We may find it difficult to bring the entire Foul Swamp under our control before the war begins, but at least we must ensure that strategic initiative is in our hands.

Therefore, after you arrive at the southern defense line, you not only need to build trenches and fortresses but also need to operate an advance position that can provide rest and stopover for warriors.

After that position is fully prepared, I will issue new orders.”

“Mm.”

Kudel had no complaints about the difficulty of this operation, just straightforwardly accepted the order. Afterward, Murphy picked up a special military badge handed over by Maxim, and with his eyes signaled the excited Joy Stick to come forward.

This unfortunate person or lucky fellow had just provided “blood supply” to his “descendant” Melia Korando Lessenbra this morning, causing him to be very weak now.

Even when walking he seemed somewhat lacking in energy, completely appearing in a terrible state of “excessive indulgence.”

But his pale expression couldn’t hide his excitement in his heart. He strode to Murphy’s front, promptly gave a military salute, standing straight like he had returned to his unforgettable military career.

The past still stubbornly remained within this fellow, the past shaped him, and the past would also determine his future.

“My warrior Joy Stick, because of you and your team’s outstanding performance over the past period, after discussing with my general Maxim, I have decided to grant you the rank of ‘Kadman People’s Army Assault Company Captain’!

We will give you the authority to form the ‘Assault’ special forces, currently with a quota of 300 people. The Administrative Department and Kadman People’s Army Logistics Department will provide you with sufficient military equipment and supplies.

You need to have your troops assembled before the next large-scale operation, and bring their organization and training levels to a battle-worthy standard.”

Murphy personally pinned the military badge in his hand on Joy Stick’s chest, then took a Napoleon cavalry command saber ordered from Master Broken Blade from Maxim, handed it to Joy Stick with both hands, and instructed:

“Your company will temporarily be under Commander Kudel’s command. While training the army, you also need to take on the responsibility of building the southern defense line. There is sufficient manpower there for you to deploy.

My warrior!

I entrust the safety of Transia’s frontline to you!”

“Ding!”

After Murphy finished speaking, a pleasant light sound represented an achievement being lit up. Brother Stick looked down and saw another “Server First” obtained:

【Hidden Achievement – ‘Server First! Army Founding Day’ has been lit up! Achievement reward: As the first military unit among the test participant group to obtain a designation, you have the right to freely design military badges and uniforms for your army at the Crimson Citadel Administrative Department.】

“Ding”

After the achievement was confirmed, another server-wide announcement was sent:

【Because test participant ‘Onboard Joy Stick’ has obtained the official military rank of ‘Captain’, the gameplay system – Military Rank System is now officially open! Players can now go to the Kadman People’s Army Recruitment Office to change profession to the new profession – Soldier, and obtain the ‘Reserve Private’ military rank.

Note!

This profession system is a commander system similar to administrative professions, its professional characteristics emphasize tactical command rather than individual combat. The Administrative Department will evaluate players’ command and combat capabilities based on each battle result of the military unit they belong to.

When certain victory conditions are met, military rank will be promoted!

Note!

When player military rank reaches ‘Second Lieutenant’, they can apply to obtain their own military unit designation number, which will be viewed as a special ‘Military Guild’ and be under the dual jurisdiction of the Adventurer Guild and People’s Army.

Note!

Military units established by players can recruit a certain number of NPC soldiers according to level, but please treat these brave warriors well.

If casualties occur, their military guild must provide condolence money.】

“Holy crap! Brother Stick, you’ve opened another profession path for us? Including the previous ‘Treasure Hunter’ this is the second one, right?”

As soon as the two server-wide announcements went out, Joy Stick’s private messages immediately exploded. His good friend Brother Meow King emotionally complained:

“How do you keep stumbling into all the good things? Getting rich and promoted, Lord Murphy even gave you a wife, you’ve taken all the good things in life!”

“Damn, don’t mention that wife-giving business again, why don’t you try it? I’m staggering when I walk now, that vampire woman sucked too hard, she sucked all my blood.”

Joy Stick looked very serious on the surface, but inside he was blooming with joy, and quite pretentiously replied one sentence to Brother Meow King. As for other private messages, he temporarily ignored them.

Seeing that Lord Murphy was about to discuss strategic plans with Maxim and Lord Kudel next, Joy Stick and his deputy very tactfully took the initiative to withdraw outside the room. He let out a long breath and touched the military badge on his chest again, then turned his head to say to Tiger Leopard Cavalry – Lin beside him:

“The superiors gave us a 300-person establishment and fixed monthly supplies, this counts as eating ‘public rice’ now. What needs to be done next is to quickly recruit people. Our current 30 people are far from enough. Pick a few eloquent brothers to stay in Crimson Citadel to recruit new players when each batch arrives.

Also, those old brothers of ours from all over”

“I sent out group messages.”

Lin had also received a “Warrant Officer” rank, and this official identity made this fellow’s tone of speaking become as crisp as answering a superior in the military camp.

He said in a deep voice:

“I sent messages in quite a few veteran soldier group chats, currently there are about 200 applications to me. I sent them that set of application test questions, and there should be responses soon, but we can’t just recruit veterans.

I mean, we should also consider other players who aspire to walk this path.

After all, they have larger numbers.

And given Transia’s environment that leaks on all sides, even pure newbies will become somewhat capable after fighting a few battles after entering the game.”

“Mm, let’s do as you say. Come on! Let’s go to the Administrative Department to customize our ‘Kadman Assault’ uniforms and military badges, this needs to be planned well.”

Brother Stick walked out happily, but Lin sneered at this, saying:

“Why bother with that? We have a ready-made design master, don’t we? Just find Lady Aqua, right? This kind of thing should be left to professionals.”

“Oh, right right right, find Sister Aqua, let her put her heart into designing the coolest most dazzling uniform set for us, then we’ll go to the blacksmith shop to customize our weapons, and afterward make a trip to Anderma Hills to let Brother Loyalty match us with individual weapons befitting our status!

Ha, special units need special equipment, look, these good days of fighting are coming soon.”