[Function: Dreamscape (New!)
Details: Allows a Lord to create an illusionary realm for training, testing, and other activities. Dreamscape space is limited by territory tier...
Currently Tier 1: gives a space of 100-mile radius.]
Roy stared at this function as a big grin spread across his face.
He glanced at the unconscious bunch scattered all over and whispered under his breath, This will be fun...
Within the Dreamscape...
Pained grunts rang out in a massive clearing as a group of 100+ hunters slowly awakened from the forced nap they had just been put into.
"Where am I?" a figure yelled in panic, noticing the once sunny, illuminated sky was now dark and vacant — no sun, no moon, not even stars in sight.
His panic started a chain reaction as others scampered around in fearful confusion.
They remembered ignoring a Lord's Territorial Order. They remembered encountering the Lord...
They remembered taking a swing of his baton — and after that? Darkness was all they could recall.
A chill ran down their spines as some broke down and started crying on the spot. Were they dead? Was this hell?
"Ah? I see you guys are finally awake... Sigh, you're all adults, you know? Sleeping so much isn't really healthy." A playful voice suddenly reverberated across the skies.
They stared at the sky in horror. Who the hell was that? A god? Could it be the god of hell?
And immediately, as though sensing their thoughts, the voice replied in kind...
"And no, this isn't hell. You aren't all dead. You're in my illusionary domain. As for why you're here? Well, it's naturally to fight for a chance to serve me."
The hunters frowned as they glanced at each other in apprehension. Humans were naturally rebellious creatures, and most of them preferred to be independent no matter the circumstances. Arcana wasn't exempt from this.
Roy had checked the recruitment page and had long noticed that the true cream-of-the-crop hunters had removed their names from the list. After all, recruitment was a mutual agreement that also needed the hunter's consent.
Seeing this issue, Roy had no choice but to make do with what he had. Since his prison cells were already full, he still had to fish for more.
"You can't force us to serve you!" a hunter suddenly voiced in a rebellious tone.
The others around him nodded in agreement. Their earlier fears had long vanished — after all, they were only afraid of the unknown...
Suddenly, Roy's voice took a dark tone. "Really, I can't? Even if I threatened your lives? Because like it or not, killing you all is pretty easy."
Murmurs ceased. Expressions froze. And the wind suddenly felt a bit chillier.
They were well aware of how easily they were knocked out... Would killing be any harder? They asked themselves, and the answers from their hearts terrified them.
Suddenly, an elderly figure couldn't help but speak, his voice noticeably more amiable, perspiration flowing down the back of his neck. "D-Dear Lord, you wouldn't resort to such means. It's beneath one of your status... right?"
Someone beside him nodded. "Esteemed Sir, such means might buy you our bodies but not our hearts..."
Everyone around nodded fervently as though their lives depended on it.
They stared at the sky, which remained silent for a few seconds before the voice was heard once more — bursting into laughter.
"Seriously, you all should see your faces... So quick to rebel, but so fast to retreat. A funny bunch you all are."
"Anyway, indeed I naturally wouldn't stoop to such levels..."
Only upon hearing this did they breathe, their heavy hearts dissolving with the wind.
"Of course, that doesn't mean I would still let you all go... You can see my offer, and if you still want to quit, you're welcome to do so."
Suddenly, a familiar holographic screen flashed across their visions.
[The Esteemed Cosmic Policing Lord has made a recruitment luxury bundle costing 23,000 JP.]
[How to Win: A battle royale is to commence, and the best 50 will be chosen. The losers will be given the option to become a worker or leave the territory.]
[Luxury Reward Pool:
1st–5th: 3 Rare Items, Post Police Inspector
6th–20th: 2 Rare Items, Post Police Sergeant
21st–50th: 1 Rare Item, Post Police Constable]
The more they read, the more their eyes widened. They couldn't understand much about the police posts, but they had an idea of what a rare-class item was.
Among all of them here, most had never come into contact with such an item before, but they were definitely sure rare was above the well-known regular.
And here this guy was hosting a mass giveaway session — rewarding them with rare-class items!
It made them wonder: if he could part with this much just for incentive, how much more did he have in store?
Bang!
Suddenly, a bald hunter unleashed his skill, blowing away someone beside him. His eyes shone fervently — there was no way in hell such goodies were going to pass him by!
His attack signaled the start of chaos. The once dark, gloomy realm was suddenly illuminated by the use of different skills — it had suddenly become hell.
Meanwhile, Roy was already back in the outpost, sprawled comfortably on his recliner as he spectated all this through a screen leisurely.
Such were humans — once there were benefits, their minds could do a rapid 360 in choice. Right now, not to talk of their hearts, this bunch would even happily present their souls.
Now that he had dealt with the subordination issue, he was planning ahead for something else.
According to the system, in order to upgrade, each territory had to undergo a calamity. He had faced one with the troll horde, and now another was fast approaching.
Though the system told him he could delay the calamity with special means, he chose against it. One had to remember — he was on a ticking clock.
Unlike other Lords, he had a unique responsibility — one that would eventually put him against all the Lords of Arcana. So now, if anything, he needed to stay ahead as much as possible.
He swiped the spectating screen away as he concentrated on the calamity detail that popped into view.
[Incoming Variant Stampede!]
[Time Left: 6d :13h :38m :19s]
His face warped into a scowl. Now what the hell is a variant? I have a feeling the answer wouldn't be so pleasant.