Back at the guild hall, Dawei reviewed his stats. Now that he had the backing of the Mercenary Guild and the Legendary Quest, he'd unlocked access to advanced systems—and with it, the Mastery of War skill set.
A system prompt quietly flickered.
[System Prompt: You've gained access to War Mastery Skills – unlocks strategic command bonuses and passive influence in large-scale conflicts.]
But Dawei barely glanced at it. His mind was elsewhere.
His attention shifted back to the growing chaos within the world.
The rising activity of Dragon Soul Guild—under the name "Messy Star"—wasn't just coincidence. They weren't just running missions for fun. They were now actively promoting the King's Campaign, accelerating the war arc of the human kingdom. Their goal wasn't just loot or fame. No, they were clearly preparing for a high-end route—a strategic push toward the center of global influence.
Dawei saw the form clearly now.
The guild's not just playing a war game… they're aiming to win the world.
And he? He was one step ahead.
Candice looked at him with calm expectation. "Have you decided which mission to take?"
Dawei nodded, voice steady. "Black Dragon Invasion."
The room went quiet for a moment. The words sounded like a death sentence.
From a human player's perspective, his choice made him a traitor. Aligning with dragons meant turning against the human kingdom—against players like Messy Star and his entire guild. It painted a massive target on Dawei's back.
But he smiled anyway.
Being the villain had its perks.
Villains die fast, sure. But honest players? They spend their lives grinding, building, sweating—for someone else to take the credit. The ones who play both sides, the ones who twist the rules, they make the real gains.
And in Dawei's case, it wasn't just about playing the villain anymore. It was about infiltration.
Let the Dragon Soul Guild start the war. I'll be their shadow. I'll watch them, learn them—and when they least expect it… profit.
Dragon War's movements would never go unnoticed. A large guild made noise with every step. But now Dawei had a unique advantage:
Insider access.
Candice smiled faintly, as if she saw straight through him. "You're more daring than most. If you can walk this line, the rewards will be immense. But you'll have to move carefully."
She handed him the Bounty Hunter Badge.
[Bounty Hunter Badge]Symbol of the Mercenary Guild's elite force.Passive: +30% chance to trigger or unlock hidden missions.Note: Some NPCs may recognize the badge and respond uniquely.
Dawei felt the cold weight of the token settle into his inventory.
"A third more chance to trigger missions… Now that's insurance," he muttered. "I see why bounty hunters make a living off quests alone."
He smirked.
Now he had the perfect setup: trigger quests on the human side using his public identity, and then slip into Dragon City to complete counter-objectives. The more chaos created between factions, the more openings for him to capitalize on. Classic fisherman strategy—reap the rewards while both sides bleed.
Dawei straightened, checked his gear, and gave Candice a polite nod. "Thanks for the trust, President. I won't let you down."
Candice's gaze lingered, her expression unreadable. "We cannot reveal our true allegiance just yet. Not all dragons will be open to outsiders. Use the badge if you need to prove your value. But be cautious. You are not just a spy—you are our last hope to reforge the guild."
Dawei gave her a thumbs-up. "Understood. If I can't find profit in a world war, I'll retire early."
She raised her hand, and a shimmering portal flared open beside her.
[System Prompt: Teleportation Gate – Destination: Dragon City]
"Good luck, bounty hunter," Candice said softly.
Without hesitation, Dawei stepped through.
[System Prompt: You have entered – Dragon City (Outer Zone)][System Notice: Local Faction Affiliation – Unknown. Status: Monitored.]
The portal closed behind him. In its place rose the towering obsidian spires of Dragon City, glowing with ancient runes. The skyline shimmered with magic barriers and flying wyverns. The city's scale was awe-inspiring—grander than any human capital.
And yet, beneath its beauty, tension buzzed in the air. Watchtowers were manned. Gates reinforced. The war wasn't coming.
It had already begun.
Dawei exhaled slowly, eyes narrowed.
"Now then… let's see what kind of dragons I'm really dealing with."