Chapter 126: Crisis Awaiting

The internal situation within the Dragon Sovereign Guild had grown increasingly complicated. Open conflicts and covert struggles between rival factions were escalating, and beneath the guild's outward appearance of stability, tensions simmered like dangerous currents beneath a calm lake.

Damien was caught in the middle of it all.

With resources running low, Garrett dead, and his authority facing growing challenges, he found himself trapped in a predicament with no easy way out. Every decision threatened to worsen an existing problem, while doing nothing would only allow his enemies to gain ground. He was running out of room to maneuver, and the pressure was becoming suffocating.

It was like standing above the volcanic depths beneath Ashford City, where molten magma churned restlessly, threatening to erupt at any moment.

Yet the crisis awaiting Damien was nothing compared to what was about to unfold across the world.

On a seemingly ordinary day, while the conflicts within Ashford City continued beneath the surface, an unprecedented upheaval approached without warning. It was an event capable of shaking the foundations of Eclipse Online and, eventually, humanity's existence on Earth.

At precisely high noon, millions of players were going about their usual activities.

Some rested in safe zones, waiting for the horn that would signal the beginning of their next expedition. Others fought desperately against grotesque monsters in the vast wilderness, while adventurers explored dangerous dungeons, navigating deadly traps and battling formidable creatures in pursuit of their objectives.

Then, without warning, their vision changed.

A massive, deep-purple notification screen materialized before every player, abruptly obstructing nearly half their field of view.

There had been no preliminary announcement, no familiar system notification, and no indication that anything unusual was about to happen.

The screen simply appeared.

Its dark surface pulsed with an oppressive aura, while crimson lettering flashed across its center.

[GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT!]

[Warning! Abnormal fluctuations in high-dimensional energy tides detected!]

[The deep integration process between Eclipse Online and the primary system has accelerated!]

[Version Pre-Update Announcement: "Battle of the Boundary Break · Act I — Alien Vanguards"]

[Update Summary]

[1. Space-Time Barrier Weakened]

In 168 hours, the first wave of interdimensional invaders will breach the weakened spatial barrier.

The Undead Race and Orc Race vanguards will establish temporary teleportation nodes and initial strongholds across major regions of the world. Potential locations include urban ruins, wilderness territories, mountain ranges, and oceanic regions.

[2. Hostile Factions Activated]

The Undead Race possesses characteristics associated with necromancy, shadow and frost damage, summoning, and battlefield control.

The Orc Race specializes in berserk combat, overwhelming physical attacks, war cries, and shamanistic totems.

Both races will regard all non-kin life forms as hostile targets.

Killing alien units will grant bonus experience, merit points, and a special currency known as Marks of Glory.

[3. World Event Activated]

Actions taken to resist the invasion, destroy initial strongholds, eliminate alien commanders, and defend civilization will be recorded as World Event contributions.

Individuals, teams, and guilds achieving the highest contribution rankings will receive generous rewards upon the conclusion of the event.

Potential rewards include unique titles, special equipment, high-tier skill books, territory vouchers, and other valuable resources.

[4. New Interaction Systems Activated]

Merit System: Exchange merit points for special faction rewards.

Mark of Glory: Exchange this special currency for alien-themed equipment, skills, and items.

Invasion Intelligence System: Display discovered invasion points and their estimated threat levels on the world map.

[5. Final Warning]

Alien units are generally stronger than ordinary monsters of equivalent levels and possess intelligent tactical coordination.

All survivors are advised to strengthen themselves, establish defensive lines, and prepare to fight for the survival of civilization.

[Countdown: 167:59:59...]

The announcement played three times, each repetition accompanied by the same ominous purple background and flashing crimson warnings.

When it finally disappeared, the massive interface contracted into a translucent icon at the edge of every player's vision. A red countdown continued ticking inside it, counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds remaining before the invasion.

For several seconds, the world seemed to fall silent.

Then chaos erupted.

"An alien invasion? Is this some kind of joke?!"

"Undead and Orcs? Since when did Eclipse Online have expansion events like this?"

"One week? You're telling me we have only seven days to prepare?!"

"Did you even read the warning? They're stronger than ordinary monsters, and they can coordinate their attacks!"

"Forget that! Did anyone see the rewards? Unique titles, territory vouchers, high-tier skill books!"

"You're worried about rewards? It literally says we're fighting for the survival of civilization!"

The initial confusion quickly gave way to widespread panic, disbelief, and frantic speculation.

Across the game's forums, thousands of posts appeared within minutes. Players flooded discussion channels with screenshots of the announcement, competing theories about the upcoming invasion, and increasingly desperate questions about how they were supposed to prepare.

Only moments earlier, many had been preoccupied with guild rivalries, resource disputes, and the ongoing conflict between the Dragon Sovereign Guild and Dark Abyss.

Now, those concerns seemed considerably less important.

What good was winning a territorial dispute if an alien army could arrive a week later and slaughter everyone involved?

For the first time in a long while, players across different factions found themselves confronting the same enemy.

Fear spread throughout Ashford City. Official shelters tightened their security, while major guilds immediately convened emergency meetings. Recruitment advertisements flooded public channels, the demand for combat supplies surged, and equipment that had been gathering dust in storage suddenly became highly sought after.

The atmosphere was changing by the minute.

Some players saw the announcement as the beginning of the end.

Others saw an opportunity to rise above their rivals.

And among the most ambitious, one question quickly took precedence over everything else.

Who would emerge from the coming invasion stronger than everyone else?

Dragon Sovereign Guild Headquarters.

The strategic conference room was filled with an oppressive silence.

A massive holographic display hovered above the central table, its crimson countdown casting an unsettling glow across the faces of the assembled executives.

Damien stood at the head of the table, his expression dark.

He had barely begun addressing the guild's internal problems when an even greater crisis had descended upon him. Resource shortages, factional disputes, and Garrett's death had already placed him in a precarious position. Now, he had to prepare for an invasion that threatened the entire world.

He drew a slow breath before speaking.

"You've all seen the announcement."

His voice was hoarse, but he forced it into a tone of authority.

"The alien invasion is both a crisis and an opportunity. If we handle it properly, the Dragon Sovereign Guild can emerge stronger than ever. If we fail, none of our current advantages will matter."

He surveyed the room, allowing his gaze to linger on the faction leaders and senior officers seated around the table.

"We're changing our priorities immediately. All unnecessary internal conflicts are to be suspended. Large-scale military operations against Dark Abyss are on hold until further notice."

The decision clearly displeased some of those present, but nobody openly challenged him.

Damien had little choice.

Continuing to fight Dark Abyss while preparing for an invasion would stretch the guild's already limited resources beyond their breaking point. Worse, it would give his internal rivals another reason to question his judgment.

"For now, we consolidate our strength," he continued. "All available resources will be directed toward equipment upgrades, combat supplies, and potion production. Our elite teams receive priority, but the rest of the guild must be prepared to mobilize when necessary."

His expression hardened.

"This invasion is an opportunity to restore our standing, unite our people, and secure resources that other guilds can only dream of. We will not squander it. The Dragon Sovereign Guild must claim the highest contribution ranking in the World Event."

"Sir Damien is right!"

"We'll make sure the guild comes out on top!"

Several team leaders voiced their support, their earlier uncertainty giving way to renewed determination.

An external threat could accomplish what months of internal negotiations had failed to achieve. Faced with a common enemy, even hostile factions might temporarily put aside their grievances.

Damien intended to take full advantage of that.

However, Selene was less easily reassured.

"Sir, there's still the problem of our resources," she reminded him. "Even if we suspend the campaign against Dark Abyss, our current reserves won't be enough to sustain prolonged combat. If the invasion lasts longer than expected, we'll be in serious trouble."

Damien's jaw tightened.

He was painfully aware of that problem.

"Release the remaining supplies from our strategic reserves," he ordered. "Then issue mobilization orders to our affiliated and cooperative factions. Each faction will contribute supplies according to its size and available resources."

Selene's brows drew together slightly. "Some of them may refuse. Several already have complaints about the previous requisitions."

"Then remind them that the invasion threatens everyone." Damien's voice turned cold. "If civilization collapses, their private stockpiles won't save them. They can contribute voluntarily, or we can discuss what their refusal means for their future relationship with the Dragon Sovereign Guild."

He paused before issuing his next order.

"The intelligence department will begin a comprehensive investigation into the Undead and Orc races. Examine the game's historical records, monster compendiums, and every relevant piece of background information we possess. I want their weaknesses, attack patterns, command structures, and potential high-value targets identified as quickly as possible."

He tapped the holographic table.

"Pay particular attention to their initial strongholds. If there are resources or strategic advantages we can seize before our competitors, I want to know about them first."

"Understood!"

The executives responded in unison.

The Ironhelm Guild, Valkyr Guild, and other major factions were reaching similar conclusions. Emergency meetings were called, combat units were reorganized, and recruitment efforts intensified.

Across Ashford City and other survivor strongholds, preparations for war accelerated.

Yet while the major guilds scrambled to make sense of the coming crisis, one organization had already begun preparing for it long before the announcement appeared.

And its leader had a considerable advantage over everyone else.