Another person equally troubled as Ma was little Chang Long. She was torn between transforming into a dragon, a wolf, a giant bird, or a lion. Unable to bear watching her indecision, Davy-chan blurted out.

"Fool, if you can transform, just turn into your adult self!"

Chang Long was stunned by Davy-chan's suggestion before laughing at her own lack of foresight.

"You're right! You're so smart, Davy-chan!"

Davy-chan grimaced at her compliment as she laughed and swallowed one of the Shape-shifting Pills. Focusing on her adult form, Chang Long's body began to glow with a soft white light and quickly expanded until she appeared as she did before the curse.

"Hehehe, now the fun begins!"

Chang Long laughed, grabbing the Sovereign Sword and rushing into the fray. Davy-chan shook his head in exasperation and floated after her, while Hisa-chan smiled, watching Chang Long. Whether in child or adult form, her personality remained unchanged.

Chang Long's friends were stunned to see her adult form joining the heated battle. She merely smiled at them before turning to fight the Dark Horse Guild player who swung a sword at her. Though curious, they could wait. Her friends focused on the increasingly dire situation, as more than a hundred Dark Horse Guild players reinforced their enemies.

Once again, Chang Long's group was surrounded by an even larger force. Signs of fatigue began to show, especially in Kimhant, who was not used to intense combat.

"Ha ha ha, now you won't escape!"

Ma laughed triumphantly as his reinforcements arrived.

"Yeah, so can we negotiate a bit?"

Chang Long responded with an annoying tone.

"I told you, no matter how much you beg for your lives, I won't show mercy. You'll all die miserably here!"

Ma shouted at Chang Long.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But this younger brother here has nothing to do with it. Can you let him go? He's just a delicate journalist who got caught up in this mess,"

Chang Long said, pushing Kimhant forward.

"But..."

Kimhant started to protest though he was not skilled, he would never try to get away alone. However, Chang Long shushed him and jabbed him in the stomach, leaving him speechless.

"So what? He doesn't matter,"

Ma replied indifferently. Why should he care about a random shoddy reporter!

"Such a big operation deserves some publicity, right? Imagine your deeds being reported in the newspapers. Your guild would become even more famous, overshadowing the Doom Star Guild completely!"

Chang Long said with a sly smile. Ma narrowed his eyes, evaluating her words, prompting her to add.

"I mean, your guild prides itself on justice. You even stepped in to claim damages for affected players. Letting one innocent reporter go shouldn't be that big a deal, right!"

"Tch! Fine. But he stays under our control until you're all dead, and he has to make an article on our guild,"

Ma grudgingly agreed.

"No problem, right, little brother!"

Chang Long quickly responded, and as Kimhant was about to walk over to the Dark Horse Guild players, she whispered softly in his ear,

"Capture everything. Don't miss a single shot. And when I tell you to close your eyes, you must do it immediately, got it?"

Kimhant's eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself, understanding Chang Long's plan.

While Chang Long was negotiating, Siegfried and everyone else were not standing idle. They were popping rejuvenating crystals, mana crystals, and blood crystals into their mouths, preparing for the second round of the battle. It was clear this round would be far more intense.

"Alright, are you all ready to die now...?"

"Yeah!"

Ma began, but before he could finish, Chang Long interrupted with a cheeky demeanor, causing the veins on Ma's temples to bulge in anger. He ordered the attack without giving Chang Long's group a chance to negotiate further.

The battle was as fierce as expected. Players who had been watching from the square retreated to safer vantage points in nearby buildings to continue viewing the fight. Chang Long's group was starting to show signs of being at a disadvantage, but they still did not seem afraid.

The clash of various weapons echoed loudly, mixed with the explosions of magic and the screams of injured players. Onlookers felt chills as if they were watching a mini-war. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Chang Long's group fought fiercely, and every attack they launched caused significant damage to the Dark Horse Guild.

Ma and the second unit leader, who had brought reinforcements, were both furious. Despite their numbers, they could not inflict serious harm on the small group before them. They glanced at Chang Long who came out of nowhere, assuming she was the leader because everyone seemed to heed her words. Deciding to eliminate her demoralizes the group.

"I'll take care of that troublemaker myself. You handle our troops,"

Ma told the second unit leader, then strode toward Chang Long, who was laughing and joyfully fighting, easing the tension among her friends and helping them fight more effectively.

"Be careful. I think she's not as simple as she seems!"

The second unit leader shouted over the battle noise as Ma walked away, before turning back to command his subordinates.

"Hey there!"

Ma called out to Chang Long, who turned to him, surprised.

"Hey!"

Chang Long responded briefly.

"You're the leader of this group, aren't you!"

Ma asked with a menacing tone.

"No, I'm just friends with everyone here,"

Chang Long replied with a cheeky smile.

"Yeah, right... I really want to see what happens if they lose their leader,"

Ma sneered, pointing his sword at Chang Long's chest.

"I'm curious too. What will happen if your troops lose you and that other guy?"

Chang Long said nonchalantly, ignoring his taunting expression.

"You think you can do that!"

Ma shouted, irritated by her calm demeanor amidst the tense situation.

"Just knock him out, don't kill him. I have a gift for him and his friends,"

Chang Long whispered to Davy-chan and Hisa-chan, who were invisible. Ma, losing patience, swung his sword at Chang Long, intending to kill her in one strike.

"Davy-chan, Spirit Possession!"

Chang Long whispered softly, pointing at Ma. Instantly, his body emitted a black glow and froze, his sword stopping inches from Chang Long's throat. No matter how hard he tried, he could not move, as if an invisible force restrained him.

"Enjoy!"

Chang Long smile did not reach her eyes as she walked past Ma's immobilized form toward the second unit leader, who was directing troops nearby.

"Aaaaah. Aaaarggh!"

The anguished screams of Ma, the first unit leader of the Dark Horse Guild, echoed through the square, drawing the attention of his subordinates and the onlookers.

Ma's body was enveloped in a dark shadow, which gradually revealed the familiar form of a long-haired young man. Onlookers gasped in shock, realizing that this dark-haired figure was no phantom, but a result of a skill used by someone in the embattled group.

"What did you do to him!"

The second unit leader bellowed at Chang Long, stepping towards her aggressively. Chang Long remained unfazed, smiling as she pointed at him.

"Maybe you should try it too. Hisa-chan, Spirit Possession!"

She commanded. The second unit leader's body glowed white, and a handsome samurai figure emerged, glaring fiercely at the Dark Horse Guild members.

Without leaders, the guild members fought chaotically, making it easier for Chang Long's group to handle them. Many started to retreat in fear as their leaders had turned into strangers that fought against them. Meanwhile, Kimhant was snapping pictures furiously, capturing every shot as Chang Long had instructed.

As the bodies of the possessed leaders began to show signs of fatigue, Davy-chan and Hisa-chan sent telepathic messages to Chang Long, indicating it was time to release them. Otherwise, the owner of the bodies would have to lose consciousness for them to be automatically ejected.

She withdrew them from the bodies, leaving the two leaders writhing in pain on the ground. However, they were still aware, they gritted their teeth at the pain that were eating away at every part of their bodies.

"This battle has dragged on too long, and my time is limited. I need to end you now before you call for more reinforcements,"

Chang Long whispered to Ma, who struggled to keep his blurry eyes open. She glanced at her watch, noticing a countdown timer indicating the Shape-shifting Pill's effect lasted only an hour.

"Get behind me!"

Chang Long commanded her friends, who complied immediately, under the watchful eyes of the Dark Horse Guild members and distant onlookers.

"Are you planning to run!"

A guild member shouted.

"No, I'm offering you a chance. If you apologize and leave peacefully, we won't hold any grudges,"

Chang Long replied with a cheerful expression.

"Don't be ridiculous. After everything, do you think we'd let you go that easily!"

The guild member shouted back furiously, rallying his comrades.

"So, you won't do as I say?"

Chang Long asked.

"Never! You all have to die in this city. We'll wipe you out and hunt you down even after you respawn penalty at the online building!"

The guild member declared viciously.

"So ruthless,"

Chang Long remarked with a slight frown, still unfazed.

"Enough talk. Prepare to die!"

The guild member shouted. The Dark Horse Guild members, driven by their sense of honor, all charged at Chang Long's group at the same time.

"Close your eyes!"

Chang Long shouted. Her command caused the advancing players to hesitate briefly. Kimhant, hearing her, quickly closed his eyes after setting his camera to point towards Chang Long and her friends. The Dark Horse Guild members, thinking it was another of Chang Long's tricks, resumed their charge.

"Hisa-chan, Spirit Possession!"

Chang Long whispered as she used her skill. Any Dark Horse Guild players who got within attack range were promptly shot in the head by Hero and Jane before they could reach her.

"I warned you. Reaper Soul Harvest!"

Chang Long activated her skill while Hisa-chan possessed her body. This time, the reaper's shadow form was nearly double the size of when Davy-chan possessed her body.

The nearly hundred Dark Horse Guild players were stunned at Chang Long's skill which summoned a skeletal figure in tattered robes, towering 45 meters tall. In apparition, they forgot to run away. The enormous skeletal reaper grabbed them all with one massive hand, while the other hand hovered above their heads. Panic set in, and they began to scream.

The reaper's hand tensed and then lifted slowly. When it stopped just one foot above their heads, the players' screams turned to agony as their souls were torn from their bodies. Onlookers, including Hero and Jane, were left in shock, their mouths agape as they watched streams of white light being drawn into the reaper's hand.

The bodies writhed and their souls screamed until silence fell, their souls devoured by the reaper, who then vanished.

"Move!"

Chang Long shouted, dismissing Hisa-chan from the body. Her friends, still in shock, followed her lead, running towards the eastern city gate to escape to the forest. This path would take them up the mountains to Miracle Doctor Zhang Yijie's hut, nestled among over a hundred peaks.

"Whoa, wait for me, Master!"

Kimhant yelled, rushing to catch up, camera and tripod still in hand.

Jane and Hero, realizing the urgency of their friends' actions, quickly packed their rifles and joined the retreating group in the forest outside of the town. They knew they needed to deliver the quest items to Dr. Zhang and get the curse lifted from Chang Long.

Meanwhile, news of the fierce battle between the Dark Horse Guild and a small group of players—less than twenty even with pets—spread rapidly. The Dark Horse Guild, despite their numbers nearing two hundred, had been utterly defeated.

The in-game public communication channels were flooded with comments. Many players expressed satisfaction at the guild's defeat, posting all kind jeers and mocking messages they could think of. The Doom Star Guild members in particular reveled in their rival's downfall, adding to their negative reputation.

The victorious group was hailed as gods, though their identities remained a mystery. Though some faces were vaguely familiar, there were no symbols that would reveal their affiliations to any guild or association visible.

Aswa, the leader of the Dark Horse Guild, logged in shortly after the events and paled upon reading the news in the public communication channels, that crashed just a couple minutes later. He quickly summoned a meeting with all available high-ranking guild members to address the crisis.

Prologue

"Welcome to Adventure World online celebration event for reaching over ten million players within a month. The new blockbuster game from Asian Paradise, up-and-coming game studio. "

A beautiful female presenter announced aloud on a large stage set in the middle of the famous "Space Mall," surrounded by a massive crowd. The celebration was grand, almost like an annual festival.

"Perfect. They won't find me in this large crowd."

A beautiful, tall, slender woman in a black sports jacket and dark blue jeans muttered irritably as she made her way through thousand people standing in front of the stage. She tried to blend in by crouching down to match the height of the crowd, most possibly fans of Adventure World Online. Soon, she blended right in.

"Before we dive into today's activities, let's take another look at Adventure World Online with this VTR," the presenter continued.

A large LED screen on the stage began a countdown, lights dimmed to near darkness, and a game introduction video was played, its realistic beauty captivated even the woman who was only looking for a place to hide.

"As time goes by, the magical land we've only dreamed of is no longer just in our imaginations. Advanced technology has recreated a world of boundless adventures known to gamers as Adventure World Online, a world filled with mysteries to explore, a world not just to be seen but felt. Your dreams will be fulfilled, your heart will race with the limitless adventures you define, whether walking, running, sailing, or even spreading your wings to fly across the sky."

"How do you like the VTR of our Adventure World Online? It's still as breathtaking as ever, right? The game has been available for a month now, you must have fully immersed yourselves in the game's virtual reality system. And I believe you all would agree that it's fantastic. The game covers basic human needs and sensations like fatigue, hunger, sleepiness, and pain—except for the need to relieve oneself. That wouldn't be very convenient if you're in the middle of a fight and suddenly need to go."

The presenter joked, drawing laughter from the crowd, even from the cool woman who could not help but burst out laughing despite her stress. However, she still scanned her surroundings vigilantly. Albeit the overwhelming crowd, she still managed to notice two transgender people eyeing her among the thousands enjoying the presenter's speech.

"Seriously, these two won't give up on trying to scout me to be a male model. Ha! I'm a woman, for crying out loud."

She grumbled to herself, still irritated whenever she thought about it. Indeed, the two persistent transgenders were scouts from a famous modeling agency, who had been following her for weeks. Luckily, school was currently on holiday. So she planned to just stay home. Let's see if they could continue pursuing her.

"To thank all the players for their overwhelming responses to AWO, or Adventure World Online. Asian Paradise will be holding a double XP event for seven days in which the drop rate of items and in-game money will also be doubled for a whole month. Plus, veteran players can register for a random prize with any NPC in the player service buildings across all cities. And for those without an ID, signing up today will get you a 50% discount on the AWO game console, with a chance to win prizes right here on this stage, ranging from common to rare god-tier items..."

As the female presenter spoke, the crowd erupted in excitement, all hoping for a god-tier item from the draw.

"Wait, there's more! In appreciation for making Adventure World Online the number one game in Thailand with the score that profoundly outpaced the second place. We're introducing a pet evolution system that significantly enhances your pets' abilities. However, you'll have to discover on your own what kind of abilities they are. Moreover, we are adding a secret quest that might award you with a treasure map. Which will lead you to the mysterious treasure caves that many players have complained that no one has found yet due to their rarity.

Another wave of excitement swept through the crowd, unable to contain themselves at the mention of the treasure island quest.

The woman who was initially hiding from the scouts also found herself more and more interested by the game. It would be a fun distraction from boring months at home. Especially since her father would be too busy to pay her much attention. She listened on with a smile as the presenter shared more information about the game.

"At this point, you must all be wondering how to accept this quest."

The presenter stood with a smile, waiting for the excitement in the crowd to peak before continuing.

"Unfortunately, Asian Paradise hasn't provided any details about this secret quest, however!!"

She quickly added, raising her voice to prevent the crowd from uproar, and it worked. Everyone eagerly awaited her next words.

" The treasure map quest is a very challenging. It requires a players with a level above 30 to form a party, in order to have any chance of success. For clues, look for a man acting suspiciously around the docks."

Another wave of excitement surged through the crowd, louder and more vibrant than before.

"In an hour, all servers will shut down temporarily to update all the information I've just shared. And with that, my role here is done. Please enjoy the preview of evolved pets' battle. Lastly, I invite you all to participate in the activities organized by Asian Paradise around this area. I guarantee you will find them to your liking. Goodbye."

After her speech, the presenter bowed to the applauding audience and left the stage.

As she exited, an image of a three-dimensional woman in a red dress appeared on the stage, smiling at everyone.

"Welcome to Adventure World Online."

Said the woman in the red dress, spreading her arms. Her image gradually faded, replaced by a glowing red fox cub surrounded by flames. The fire slowly enveloped the fox, transforming it into a ball of fire. Then it exploded to reveal a much larger red fox. Its fur was as thick and vibrant as the flames. The Flame Fox leaped into battle against mythical beasts. Showcasing its elegance, agility, and fire magic, it left the audience in awe. As the battle ended, other game-related images were displayed. By then, most audience lost their attention and started discussing pet captures and their abilities post-evolution.

The woman, who had been watching the screen intently, was startled by someone approaching her from behind. Fearing it might be the two drag queens she had been evading, she turned around only to find a game company staff member dressed as a mage from the game.

"Are you interested in joining the prize draw event?"

The staff asked politely.

"Uh... I don't have a game ID."

"That won't be a problem. Would you be interested in signing up? We offer a special price for game consoles for event attendees."

"Sure. I'm interested."

"This way, please!"

The staff in mage costume led the bold woman to a registration desk that was quite empty, as most attendees had registered before the event started. The staff at the desk looked up at the new arrival, staring for a long while.

"Uh... can I sign up for the game... please?"

The woman asked the staff, who was still staring at her. The staff snapped back to reality with flushed cheeks.

"Of course. May I have your ID card, please?"

The staff asked shyly. The woman handed over her ID card without much thought, accustomed to such reactions.

"Miss Chayarin Rattanaruangrit."

The staff entered the woman's basic information into the computer.

"Do you want to use this name for your game ID?"

"Yes." The woman replied, shocking all the nearby staffs. The staff holding her ID card quickly rechecked the title on her ID, confirming it was "Miss" not "Mister".

"Ah, um, then that's everything. We've entered your information into this card. You can now draw for a prize on the stage. Would you like the game console to be delivered to the address on your ID card?"

The woman nodded.

"The game console will reach the specified address by 8 PM."

She nodded again, accepting two cards from the registration staff—one her ID card and the other a card bearing the game's logo. She followed the staff member in mage costume to the prize draw table in front of the stage, which was crowded with people who were waiting for their turn to draw. They were all players who had registered that day.

"Next, please."

A male staff dressed as a warrior called for the next person in line, which was Chayarin, or Chang.

"Oh! What a handsome guy, ha-ha. Your card, please"

Chang handed over her card without responding. The staff inserted Chang's card into his computer and then turned it back to her.

"Now, just reach into this box."

He said, pointing to an opaque box the size of a snack barrel, utterly dark inside. Chang obediently reached in and pulled out a golden paper, which attracted everyone's attention. Since the queue began, no one had drawn a golden paper.

"Golden paper! Let's see what prize you'll get."

The male staff said playfully amidst the excited crowd, except for the one who drew it, who appeared indifferent. He placed the paper on a device resembling a scanner, which was connected to the computer with Chang's card inserted. He closed the lid and pressed the start button. All eyes were on the soft white light as it slowly moved from the top to the bottom edge of the paper. There is a camera attached to the scanner to record the process in order to prevent any future disputes. As the white light passed over the golden paper, letters gradually appeared.

"A mysterious egg?!"

Everyone exclaimed in unison, leaning forward in anticipation.

"Yes, a mysterious egg. To find out what it is, you'll have to wait until it hatches."

The male staff explained, returning the card to Chang.

"Are you interested in any other activities?"

The female staff in mage costume asked. Chang declined, deciding it was time to head home before potentially running into those two transgenders again.

"Then, please have a safe journey."

"Thank you."

Chang replied briefly She scanned left and right before swiftly making her way out of there. Meanwhile, the fates of those gathered, though in the same place, among the same crowd, had slowly intertwined without their awareness.

-----

Read 'Adventure World Online (AWO)' before anyone else with more chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.