Infinite Realm

On the 7th floor was a large party of 15 players. They were all clad in quality outfits with quality weapons. At the very least, each and every player was geared in Mid tier mortal rank equipment with at least two of their equipment or weapons being of the Upper tier Mortal rank. Even their overall look and presence would make one feel as if they were in the presence of experts.

Infinite Realm had been online for more than 24 hours which in in-game time represents 48 hours. Players had been able to upgrade their equipment during this time but still, Upper tier Mortal rank weapons was still a bit rare and not some cheap cabbage you could find on the streets or fields. Even if one could find them in NPC stores, without enough funds to cover the expenses, all they could do would be to stare and drool over it. For this team to be geared in at least one or two Upper tier Mortal rank each, was not just a show of wealth but of power!

"How far are we from the 9th floor and what is the ETA?"[1] One of the players who was dressed in an overbearing leather armour asked. From the way he stood ahead of the rest of the payers, it could be presumed that his was the leader of this team. His clothing only had the colours red and black, streaming through it. The patterns were arranged in such a way that the entire equipment gave off a bloodthirsty aura. From an overview, it could be seen that the top clothing fitted well with the lower one. This was only so for a specific type of equipment; a set equipment, and one for [Berserkers] at that. Together with his ferocious appearance, he looked like a bloodthirsty savage.

"We are still a bit far boss. The eight floors next after which it's the 9th floor. With the current momentum of the team, if we keep going as we have been, it would only take 5-6 hours to get through the two floors. But with the way the monsters increase in strength, I predict it might even take us up to 8 hours." Another player who stood behind the previous one replied. Behind him hung a quiver made of tanned monster skin that was painted to replace its original look. Held in his right hand was a bow that measured at a height of 1.3 metres. The wood used to manufacture this exquisite bow didn't look to be ordinary as it had a purple colour to it. Slight pulses of mana drew themselves to the bow, passively enhancing its abilities. This feature was only limited to the highest ranking Upper tier Mortal rank weapons and above.

"8 hours…that's too long." The leader of the group shook his head. 

If the other guilds happened to hear what he was saying, they would feel that he was conceited and arrogant. To spend just 8 hours to go past the 7th and 8th floor to reach the 9th floor was already an impressive record. One should remember that despite having the complete map for the Middle regions 1-10 floors, Sato's team still took 2 days to go from the 5th floor to the 10th floor. Though most of the time was spent levelling up, it still took them a lot of time to reach the 9th floor. Even Emperor's Might current team lead by Azure Dragon, would be quite satisfied to make it from the 7th floor to the 9th floor all in 8 hours. After all, their numbers were limited but the quantity and quality of monsters they would face all depended on their luck.

"It can't be helped, boss. With each progression in floor level, the monsters get a whole lot stronger plus the chances of meeting a horde or a pack increases." The ranger sighed.

The team leader frowned as he stared ahead in thought. They had just gone through the 6th floor's Exit gate, arriving at the 7th floor and all these was done in the space of a day. With such an amazing clearing speed, any guild would usually be proud of themselves but for an unknown reason, he kept feeling uneasy.

"How's Emperor's Might's progress?" The team leader suddenly asked.

The [Ranger] replied, "A few minutes ago, our informants reported that the Snow Goddess' team were on the 5th floor. As for the other guilds, they are on the 5th floor, progressing to the 6th." 

"Haha. It looks like after we beat them back in conquest, they have always been hiding behind their tail." One other player guffawed. From his dressing, one could presume that he was a mage type player.

"Enough. We only managed to beat a branch guild back then and not their main force so don't boast too much about that. If you really want to, then aim to defeat the Snow Goddess yourself." The team leader reprimanded.

"Sorry boss." The mage bowed stooped his head low.

Ignoring the player, the team leader continued, "There's now way that Emperor's might would have been so slow in reacting. Ever since the game began, they have already been making large movements. It is impossible that they wouldn't have gotten some inside information about the world class boss' existence earlier on."

"You mean…"

"The Snow Goddess' party might be a fake to get people's mind off this idea. Remember, the Snow Goddess isn't the only capable member the guild had sent. There's still still Azure Dragon, Chesces and Black Tempest. But all those guys are missing. Do you know why?" The [Berserker] team leader asked.

"Because they might have another important mission to complete?" One player voiced out his thoughts.

"That's quite possible but there is still one other option. It is quite possible that Emperor's Might have already sent a team earlier on. If I'm correct, then that squad should have most of their heavy-hitters and are probably even ahead of us. Maybe at the 8th floor or even the 9th floor." The team leader said with a frown.

"!!!" The entire team was surprised.

"How is that possible? Unless they got inside information… but there's no way the developers would let that happen right?" The mage player asked.

The team leader glanced at him with an intimidating glare. "Hmph. Where did you think the news about the world class boss came from? It's obviously a leak, maybe one done purposely. It's understandable that some characters would have gotten a hold of the information before the majority."

"Ah? I understand." The mage player said with a depressed tone after being lectured.

"Let's move. We'll be taking only 4 breaks in each floor and each break would only be for 15 minutes tops. Anyone who dares to hold us back would be killed by myself. Now move. Our retaliation against the superpowers begins here." the [Berserker] said with a deep tone.

. . . . .

"Where next?" Yukino said as she pulled her sword out from the corpse of a Ground Rat.

"If we go forward for 200 metres before taking a turn to the left and proceeding 500 metres or so, we should find the Exit gate to the 6th floor." Kylian said. At the same time, he was admiring Yukino's strength after all, she alone had soloed a 2 level 6 Ground Rats while receiving only minor injuries. It was because of his admiration for her abilities that he had joined her private party alongside Griffin.

*Tweet*

A notification sound rang out but only Yukino was able to hear it.

Opening her system interface, she checked the notification and discovered that it was a result of a message she got from Chesces.

'They are moving ahead…'

"...not enough. We have to hurry." Yukino said with a sigh.

"???" Kylian glanced questioningly at her.

"Whiskers is moving without us." Yukino said. Whiskers was the nickname she liked to use to address Azure Dragon behind his back[2]. Azure Dragon knew of this but he couldn't reprimand her since she was the 'princess' of their guild.

"That soon? I thought they were waiting for us so why?" Kylian asked.

"A change of plans apparently. Heaven's Angels is hot on their tail so they decided not to wait any longer, lest the lose their advantage."

"I see." Kylian sighed. 

'If it were any other guild or even a super guild, Azure Dragon might not have made the same decision but with Heaven's Angels, he doesn't want to take any chances.' Yukino thought. She obviously knew why this was so.

After what Heaven's Angels had done to Emperor's Might in Conquest, the bad blood between them was something that couldn't be written off with an apology. Emperor's Might had once succeeded in avenging themselves but the scar still remained there. Hence, Azure Dragon would prefer to forfeit against any super guild than to do so against Heaven's Angels.

. . . . 

Meanwhile, Sato's team had prepared themselves for their operation.. The target, the kobold chief.