[The main quest begins.]

After completing another dangerous investigation task, Druid strode towards the door of Ranen’s therapy room with an air of indifference, under the envious and resentful gazes of the players waiting in line, and knocked on the door.

It wasn’t always necessary to have therapy, but maintaining a good relationship with Ranen (increasing affinity) was definitely something that could not be neglected.

As expected of an NPC who was suspected to be an evil god, Ranen’s affinity was notoriously hard to increase. Currently, Druid had the highest affinity among all players, but it was only at 15 (acquaintance).

Other players had it even worse; even if they were around Ranen every day, their affinity barely stayed between negative numbers and single digits.

(Ranen: Have you considered what you’ve been doing every day?)

Although Druid knew that the affinity was likely inherited from the previous character card, it didn’t stop him from feeling proud and often posting about it on the forum, enjoying the sight of Ranen’s fanbase’s frustrated and enraged faces.

The door to the therapy room opened from the inside. To Druid’s surprise, it wasn’t Ranen who opened it, nor was it Ogre, whom he had met a few times before.

Instead, it was Carmen.

A NPC Druid hadn’t met yet, but had seen several times on the forum. Or rather, to put it another way, it was the potion master!

The potion master had been found by the troublemakers team through a fortunate turn of events. According to his relatives, the man who had been saved by Ranen was a true master of potions! The potions available for players to buy so far were all low-level, common potions, but this potion master could craft A-rank potions!

Unfortunately, those high-level potions were not available to players, with the forum speculating that there were special conditions to unlock them. In any case, players definitely wouldn’t have access to such powerful potions early on, as it would disrupt the balance of the game.

However, this didn’t stop Druid from betting on the conditions for buying those advanced potions in advance! If he guessed correctly, they would definitely have an advantage later in the game!

Druid’s gaze was too intense, and Carmen tilted his head in confusion. “Hello, do we know each other?”

Snapping back to reality, Druid awkwardly smiled. “We don’t know each other, I’m here to see Dr. Ranen!”

“I know, please come in.” Carmen said softly.

To protect patient privacy, only one person was allowed to enter the therapy room at a time, and the other players were left standing outside with faces full of resentment.

As soon as Druid entered, he sensed that the atmosphere seemed different from the previous visits.

In previous visits, Ranen had always been sitting in a chair, wearing a white lab coat, looking just like an ordinary psychologist. But now, Ranen stood behind his desk, back to Druid, as if heralding the arrival of something significant.

The potion master, on the other hand, stood respectfully in the shadows beside Ranen. This demeanor made Druid’s mind race, and a sudden realization struck him.

The troublemakers’ guess is right—Ranen indeed went out to recruit this person!

So… does this mean that by raising Ranen’s affection, he is indirectly raising the potion master’s as well?

“The harbinger of disaster arrives. They have begun,” Ranen said with a light chuckle. “No matter the time, humanity’s folly and fanaticism know no bounds. Wanderers chasing illusions.”

Druid froze for a moment but reacted swiftly, quickly starting a screen recording.

Ranen turned around, his emerald-green eyes as clear as the sky now appearing particularly profound in the dim light. His gaze fell lightly on Druid, and it took all of Druid’s willpower not to take a step back.

The overwhelming pressure brought him back instantly to the hospital, to that ward. The seemingly “gentle” demeanor Ranen displayed to players had almost made them forget.

The person before them was no harmless psychologist NPC.

He was an unknown evil god, an unspeakable terror.

Without realizing it, the corners of Druid’s lips had curled up.

[Willpower check in progress…]

“Andrew, I’ve seen your growth over these past few days,” Ranen said with a smile. “It’s time for me to entrust this set of keys to you.”

Only then did Druid notice the keyring in Ranen’s hand. His heart couldn’t help but race.

Could it be… that dungeon is finally unlocked?

Druid stepped forward and extended his hand. He originally thought Ranen would release the keys and let them drop into his palm, but that didn’t happen. Startled, Druid looked up, meeting Ranen’s meaningful gaze.

“Taking these keys signifies that you’re accepting a new destiny. Are you ready for it?”

Druid said nothing. His actions had already made his decision clear. Raising his hand, he gripped both the keys and Ranen’s hand.

At the same time, a mission prompt sounded in his ears.

[Main Quest: Shadows Closing in on Arkham.]

[Act One: Secrets of the Midnight Hospital.]

[Objective: Investigate the hospital at night.]

[Participants: Unlimited.]

[Rewards: 10,000 experience points, 200 free attribute points, 100,000 Western Dollars… Rewards for completing the main quest will be distributed based on player contributions during different stages.]

—-

He has succeeded.

Ranen’s lips curled into a smile.

The first stage of the main quest had been successfully triggered.

This meant he indeed had the power to directly influence the players’ progress. More importantly, the Fourth Calamity was about to fully engage in this event.

…

[Grass, grass, grass, grass!]  

When the video reached this part, the entire forum’s bullet comments exploded.

[Don’t you dare touch my wife’s hand, qwq! I haven’t even touched the hem of his coat yet!]  

[Druid, you sly dog, you definitely used this as an excuse to hold hands, didn’t you?!]  

[Ahhhhhhhhh, I can’t accept this! Druid PK PK PK PK PK!]  

[Where’s the game’s arena? I need a duel feature now. Devs, you’d better know what’s good for you (sharpening knives).]  

[Heh heh, wife’s delicate little hand, heh heh.]  

[Didn’t you see how the Druid was smiling earlier? Even when Ranen looked so terrifying, that guy was grinning. I thought he was Ranen’s actual devotee.]  

[I’ve been saying for a while now that Druid is sus.]  

The video ended there, but the sheer amount of information packed into this short clip ignited both players’ enthusiasm… and their fury.

In truth, other players weren’t usually so petty. The widespread denunciation of Druid stemmed purely from how infuriating he was!

Just like now, Druid was bouncing around in the comments of his own video post.

[Druid: Hehe, did you see this? Guess what—my favorability level is the highest! (smug face)]

[Druid: Sigh, every time I come for therapy, I don’t even have to wait in line. This backdoor privilege makes me feel a little guilty… but man, it does feel good.]

[5th comment: So annoying, so annoying. How can someone this irritating exist in the world?]

[6th comment: My fists are clenched.]

[7th comment: …I didn’t plan to say anything, but this level of smugness made me climb up here to say something. Druid, you’re celebrating way too soon.  

Remember the speculations in the forum posts before? The reason Druid’s favorability is so high might be because he’s already a pawn in Ranen’s plans.  

Think about what Ranen said earlier: “The harbinger of disaster arrives. They have begun.” That was obviously the prelude to some major event!]

[8th comment: I think so too. The signs were there all along. I feel like Ranen had already foreseen this day and was preparing for it in advance.]  

[Druid: Doesn’t matter, I’m happy, hehe.]  

[9th comment: …]

[10th comment: …]

[11th comment: Alright, let’s move on. Right now, I just want to @BlackCat. BlackCat, come quickly! The first stage of the main quest you mentioned has actually appeared. Yet another prophecy fulfilled!]

[BlackCat: Thank you, thank you, everyone! Hehe, the main quest has finally started. I accepted it immediately. Worth noting, you can accept not only the nighttime hospital investigation quest from Ranen but also an investigation quest outside the city! It’s clear now that the factions of Ranen and the Outsider are going head-to-head!]  

[BlackCat: Based on the information we have so far, the Outsider’s goal seems to be opening the “Gate to the Land of the Gods.” This could have unpredictable consequences for Arkham and its residents—potentially even lead to Arkham’s destruction or something like that.]

[BlackCat: As for Ranen’s goal, it’s unclear for now, but it seems he’s in opposition to the Outsider. Anyway, this main quest is up to you all to handle. I joked earlier about the two eldritch factions fighting each other, but I didn’t think it’d actually happen! (cry-laugh emoji)]

[15th comment: Ugh, it’s not like we have much of a choice. Right now, everyone in the game is swarming to Ranen’s side to accept the quest. If we don’t hurry, we won’t even get a sip of soup.]  

[BlackCat: Crap, no wonder the reply count is so low. Wait for me, you guys!]

—-

By the time Druid uploaded the video, the slow-reacting players were still idly commenting, while the quick ones were already on their way to the psychology clinic.  

Hundreds of players packed the entrance to the clinic so tightly it was impossible to get in. Thankfully, Ranen had foresight and brought Karens and Carmen over ahead of time. The two of them now stood outside like gatekeepers, surrounded by a chattering crowd of players scrambling to accept the quests.

In addition to the hospital exploration quest previously assigned to Druid, there was another exploration quest set in the outskirts of Arkham City. The two quests had different focuses, providing enough variety to keep players busy.  

Once most of the players had accepted their quests and blended back into the crowd, Karens finally breathed a sigh of relief.  

It was only then that he had the time to think about what he had been instructed to do earlier.  

Karens glanced at Carmen, who was assisting him in handling the influx of players. Based on his appearance, Carmen seemed to be of Kamui descent. Karens had little impression of this nomadic people, who were said to lead isolated lives and rarely stayed in one city for long.  

This was the first time Karens had seen this person at Ranen’s place. Is this another new follower of his?  

Just then, Carmen finished dealing with the players and glanced over in Karens’ direction, offering him a friendly smile.  

Faced with such a warm expression, Karens couldn’t very well respond with a cold demeanor. For now, the atmosphere remained amicable.  

Once the flow of players dwindled to a stop, Karens turned and walked into Ranen’s psychology clinic. His mind was filled with a pile of questions he was eager to ask.  

—-

Ranen was seated behind his desk, holding a pen and jotting something down on a piece of paper. When he noticed Karens entering, he glanced up and said, “You’re here.”  

“Lord Ranen,” Karens asked respectfully, “are we going to war with the Outsider organization?”  

“War… well, you could say that,” Ranen replied. Then, as if remembering something, he added, “Oh, you probably don’t know yet. This organization has been planning for decades, and their plan is about to come to fruition. When it does, all of Arkham will be swept into it.”  

“In the worst-case scenario, Arkham could vanish from the map entirely.”  

Karens’ pupils contracted slightly. Instinctively, he turned to look at Carmen, only to find his expression calm, clearly already aware of this information.  

“So our objective is…”  

“Naturally, to stop them,” Ranen said with a faint smile. Then, as if recalling something, he added casually, “Oh, I almost forgot to mention—I’ve confirmed that the mastermind behind the banquet incident was also the Outsider.”  

The banquet…  

Of course, Karens wouldn’t forget that night, which had the potential to change his life forever. His hands clenched into fists, and his voice turned hoarse. “Then, the former leader…”  

Ranen nodded, confirming his suspicion. “It seems they threatened the Black Poker’s former leader. Once their trap was set, they killed him, as he was of no further use to them.”  

Karens closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  

His feelings toward the former leader of Black Poker were complicated. Before the banquet, he had held a positive impression of him—after all, it was the former leader who had promoted him from the ranks of mere grunts. However, after learning during the banquet that he had been abandoned, Karens had written off their years of loyalty in a single stroke.  

But that didn’t mean he would allow Black Poker to be used by another faction, let alone watch them do harm to the city.  

“Lord Ranen, what else can I do?” Karens asked, his gaze sharp with murderous intent, exuding the aura of a mob boss straight out of a movie.  

Ranen curled his lips slightly. “I have a list here that I need you to investigate. These individuals are likely the financiers backing the Outsider.”  

The list was one that Archie’s father had compiled long ago. Though it was uncertain how useful it remained after so many years, Ranen was happy to do anything that could trouble the Outsider.  

Since the gloves were off and the battle had begun, it was only proper to use every tool available.  

“Also, if my people seek your help, do what you can to assist them.”  

Karens nodded. “Understood.”  

“And one more thing…” Ranen hesitated, feeling that what he was about to say might undermine his persona as an evil god. But considering the potential disasters to come, that brief moment of hesitation disappeared as quickly as it had come.  

“If the time comes, have the residents near your Black Poker headquarters evacuate.”  

“Yes… hmm?” Karens had just responded affirmatively when he suddenly realized what Ranen had said. Startled, he looked up.  

Ranen maintained his inscrutable expression. “Is there a problem?”  

“No,” Karens replied, though he was visibly surprised. Hearing a proposal to save people coming from the mouth of an evil god was truly unexpected.  

He couldn’t help but speculate—Is there a reason he doesn’t know about? Perhaps these residents of Arkham will be useful to Ranen in some way later on? In any case, he found it hard to believe that an evil god would have any intention of saving people. The very idea seemed utterly incompatible with Ranen’s nature.  

Unaware of Karens’ inner thoughts, Ranen gave his instructions and waved him off.  

The arrangements for the players and Black Poker were complete. Now, all that was left was to see the results.  

—-

Meanwhile, at an isolated warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a place rarely visited by anyone.  

“Dirk, it’s time to switch shifts.”  

“Eh, I’m not tired. If you’ve got something to do, go ahead. I want to stay on watch a little longer.”  

“Whoa, what’s gotten into you today? So eager?”  

The young man in a cap simply smiled and didn’t answer. The other man didn’t seem particularly interested in pressing for a response. Realizing he now had an excuse to slack off, he grinned from ear to ear and said cheerfully, “Well, I’m off then.”  

“Go on, go on!”  

Once the man left, the warehouse was once again manned solely by the young man in the cap. He carefully glanced back at the intricate formation etched into the warehouse floor. Thinking it still wasn’t secure enough, he covered it with a piece of cloth.  

This should be fine now, right?

The young man let out a small sigh of relief. His mind began to wander, and he chuckled at himself for being overly cautious.  

No one ever comes to this deserted place, not even once a week. Besides, their cult leader’s plan is flawless.How could anyone possibly stumble across this warehouse for no reason?  

He stepped out of the warehouse, locked it securely, and started his patrol for the day. Not long after, he suddenly noticed a little girl walking down the road outside the warehouse, crying as she moved in his direction.  

The young man in the cap initially had no intention of intervening. However, he considered the possibility that any incident in the area might attract police attention later. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he forced a fake smile and walked toward the girl. “Hey there, little one. What’s wrong?”  

“I… I got lost. Daddy was taking me to play outside the city, but we stopped along the way, and I got out to play… and then I couldn’t find him anymore…”  

The little girl appeared to be about seven years old. Her tear-streaked face and sobs made her look pitiful, but her explanation was confusing and illogical. The young man frowned, recalling there was a gas station somewhere nearby.  

“Do you remember your parents’ phone number?” he asked.  

The girl shook her head emphatically, still crying.  

The young man sighed, feeling the situation becoming troublesome. There was some distance between this spot and the gas station, but he couldn’t leave the warehouse unattended.  

Should he call the police? But if they discover the traces in the warehouse…  

He debated whether he should simply harden his heart and ignore her. Just then, the little girl said, “Uncle, can I borrow your phone to call the police?”  

“Sorry, I don’t have my phone with me,” he lied without hesitation.  

“Oh…” The girl lowered her head in disappointment, only to look up quickly again. “Then is there a convenience store nearby? I can call the police from there.”  

There was indeed a convenience store a dozen meters away. Making a call from there would keep the police far from the warehouse.  

“I know of a convenience store nearby. Alright, let’s go. Quick in and out,” the young man in the cap decided, not wanting to waste any more time. Since the warehouse was locked, he figured nothing would happen during his brief absence.  

He took the little girl’s hand and led her away. What he didn’t notice was that as soon as he turned his back, the little girl glanced over her shoulder. Her tearful expression vanished instantly, replaced with a calm demeanor. She subtly gestured in a particular direction.  

Hidden not far away, a player noticed her signal and responded in kind, brimming with excitement. Alongside a companion with the Locksmith skill, they approached the warehouse. Once the door was unlocked, they wasted no time pouring acid over the magic formation etched into the ground, destroying it.  

The screeching sound of acid eating through the surface, accompanied by rising smoke, was soon followed by a system notification.  

[Successfully destroyed a node. Contribution points +10.]

By the time the young man returned, all he found was the ruined formation and the warehouse door wide open.  

This wasn’t an isolated incident.  

After drinking the memory potion, Ranen had recalled a wealth of information. In his previous life, even by the time Ranen joined the game, the player forums were filled with mentions of remnants from earlier events. Some lucky players, while undertaking investigation tasks outside the city, stumbled across these formations. Back then, the main storyline hadn’t yet been triggered, so no one knew what the formations were. However, curiosity drove players to tamper with them.  

The result? Once the main storyline was activated, these players who had inadvertently destroyed the formations earned a massive amount of contribution points. Unfortunately, by then, Arkham’s destruction was already in its final stages, and the number of these lucky players was limited.  

Ranen had shared several key node locations from his memories with the players early on. From then on, he didn’t need to lift a finger. Once it became clear that destroying these nodes yielded substantial rewards, the players went wild, scouring for similar formations and wrecking them.  

This chaotic fervor left the Outsider who had been working in secret overwhelmed. Their newly drawn formations were often destroyed by players almost immediately.  

The news quickly spread and eventually reached the ears of Soren Hogg.  

In a certain abandoned church in the city center, Soren stood on the steps, sighing as he spoke:  

“Our plan has been exposed.”  

Behind him, the high-ranking members of the Outsider organization, who had been urgently summoned, remained silent, exchanging suspicious glances with one another.  

“Why are there so few people here?”  

Amos stepped forward, bowing respectfully as he replied, “Many of those with public identities in society have received warnings and probes. It seems their covers have been blown.”  

“This means the enemy knows us very well.” Soren turned his gaze toward Amos, then shifted it to Albert. His eyes swept across the gathered leaders of the Outsider. “Or perhaps… there’s a traitor among us.”  

Those caught under his gaze either straightened their backs to demonstrate their innocence or maintained expressionless faces, giving no indication of their thoughts.  

“Shall I interrogate them one by one?” Amos stepped forward, smiling as he asked.  

Albert shot Amos a subtle glance. How laughable—this man clearly harbors thoughts of betrayal himself.  

“No need. I have my own methods to distinguish the guilty…” Soren’s voice grew distant, almost ethereal. “Everyone, look into my eyes.”  

Albert’s heart sank. The information Amos had previously mentioned about Soren’s myriad techniques flashed through his mind. Yet, given the current situation, he dared not make any move and could only lift his head.  

In an instant, he was ensnared by those pitch-black, inky eyes, as though his very soul was being sucked away. His fingers trembled uncontrollably.  

‘I didn’t reveal the plan, I didn’t reveal the plan…’

He was innocent, after all. Albert hadn’t even been inducted into the core of the Outsider before this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked making deals with Amos.  

He repeated this to himself endlessly, unsure if it would help. Time seemed to slow to a crawl under those eyes, as though every secret he held was laid bare.  

Finally, Albert heard a dull thud.  

The oppressive tension around him abruptly eased. Only then did he realize his entire body was drenched in sweat. Stiffly, he turned his head to see the man next to him pale and kneeling on the ground.  

“I… I didn’t mean to… I didn’t betray anyone, it was just an accident…”  

Before the man could finish, his skin shriveled as though drained of moisture, taking on a texture like tree bark. Then, as if being wrung out like a towel, his entire body twisted grotesquely before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.  

A deathly silence enveloped the room. Soren’s complexion grew worse as he coughed softly and said, “Enough. Since we’ve been exposed, we’ll have to advance the plan.”  

The scene was utterly silent, broken only by Amos’s unaffected voice: “But if it’s not the right time yet…”  

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll ensure we have enough time,” Soren replied gently. “Now, those formations—please arrange for them to be redrawn. This time, make sure they’re much more concealed. Don’t hesitate to use harsher methods on those people if necessary. Leverage all your connections and ensure the nodes are properly set.”  

“Yes,” everyone responded in unison.  

“Go now. Albert and Amos, stay behind.”  

Albert’s nerves, which had just begun to relax, tensed up once more.