Chapter 128: Seven Days To Prepare

The global panic triggered by the system announcement swept across Eclipse Online like a sandstorm, blinding countless players with fear and confusion. Some desperately searched for reliable information, while others scrambled to stockpile supplies, strengthen their equipment, or find powerful allies before the invasion began.

Yet at the very heart of this storm, deep within the underground cavern that served as Dark Abyss’s headquarters, an entirely different scene unfolded.

There was no panic, no frantic shouting, and no pointless scrambling to reorganize their operations.

Everything proceeded with clockwork precision.

Immediately after the announcement, Aiden had settled before the holographic map, his fingertips tracing the contours of Ashford City and its surrounding territories. His expression remained calm, his eyes occasionally flashing with a sharp glint as he examined the locations he had already memorized from his previous life.

Seven days.

To most players, this was an unforgiving deadline. To Aiden, it was a golden opportunity to transform his knowledge of the future into a decisive strategic advantage.

"Our preparations will proceed in three stages."

His voice echoed through the cavern, carrying clearly to Silas and Luna. At the same time, his instructions were transmitted through an encrypted channel to the three core intermediaries of the Dark Abyss black market and Blazewind, the leader of the Ember Guild.

"First, we’ll stockpile strategic supplies and secure the items most effective against the incoming invaders."

Aiden summoned a lengthy list containing dozens of items he had identified in advance.

He immediately forwarded it to [Coinlord] and [Old Smoke].

"Use our available liquid funds, along with the majority of our accumulated gold coins and easily liquidated assets, to acquire everything on this list. I want you to prioritize three categories."

He raised one finger.

"First, Holy Water, Basic Holy Enchantment Powder, and silver weapons, even those of common quality."

He highlighted the relevant entries on the holographic display.

"These items can give us an advantage against the Undead Race. Holy Water is particularly valuable because it can inflict additional damage on undead creatures, weaken certain undead effects, and purify weaker undead when used appropriately. Most players haven’t realized how useful these supplies will become, so prices are still relatively low."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"We need to take advantage of that before the market catches up."

He raised a second finger.

"Second, high-concentration fuel, Flame Enchantment Scrolls, Fire Damage Boost Potions, and engineering explosives."

The highlighted items changed.

"Orcs rely heavily on physical strength and aggressive charges. Fire-based attacks can exploit the weaknesses of certain members of their race, disrupt their regeneration when applicable, and wreak havoc on wooden fortifications, crude equipment, and camp structures. Their shamans may complicate matters, but we can prepare for that separately."

He paused briefly.

"These supplies are more readily available than some of the others, but demand will explode once the invasion begins. I want us to secure as much as we reasonably can before prices rise."

Finally, he raised a third finger.

"Area-of-effect control scrolls, such as Earthbind and Static Field. Basic group-dispelling items, antidotes, and War Cry Resistance Potions."

He looked at Coinlord and Old Smoke through the holographic communication window.

"These will be crucial against coordinated charges, battlefield control abilities, and the debilitating effects some Orc shamans can inflict. Don’t underestimate the value of an item simply because it doesn’t directly increase our damage."

Aiden enlarged the list and added several notes beside the acquisition instructions.

"Use multiple channels and keep the purchases dispersed. Avoid drawing attention to ourselves or triggering a premature market surge. The Dragon Sovereign Guild must not realize what we’re doing until we’ve already secured the majority of our supplies."

He tapped the map, bringing up two warehouse locations.

"Store seventy percent of everything we acquire in our first and second secret warehouses. The remaining thirty percent can be offered through Dark Abyss as limited presales or advance supply contracts."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Approach capable teams and guilds discreetly. Let them know we have access to scarce preparation items through private channels. When panic drives demand through the roof, we can sell part of our surplus at five to ten times the current market price, depending on the item and the actual level of demand."

Coinlord’s eyes lit up.

He immediately understood the full scope of Aiden’s plan.

Dark Abyss would purchase supplies before prices rose, reserve the bulk of its stock for its own operations, and sell a controlled portion when desperate buyers began competing for dwindling resources.

The strategy would generate substantial profits while allowing Dark Abyss to influence the flow of essential supplies throughout Ashford City.

More importantly, it would ensure that the organization possessed the resources necessary to sustain its operations long after other factions began exhausting their reserves.

"Boss, this is brilliant!" Coinlord exclaimed. "I’ll begin arranging the purchases immediately."

Old Smoke, however, was already considering the more difficult acquisitions.

"Boss, there may be a problem with some of the rarer materials. Pure Holy Light Shards, for instance, are required to produce high-grade Holy Water. The remaining members of the Church of Light and several major guilds may already control most of the available stock. Acquiring enough through ordinary purchases could prove difficult."

"Then don’t rely on ordinary purchases."

Aiden’s response came without hesitation.

"Use the resources we’ve already stockpiled as leverage."

He brought up several items from their existing inventory.

"We have Thorium Ingots and Lesser Fire Essence in quantities that other factions may find difficult to obtain. Use them to negotiate with the remnants of the Church of Light for their Pure Holy Light Shards. We also possess information about a hidden quest chain in a low-level dungeon. Trade that information to a survivor convoy in exchange for some of its fuel reserves."

He looked directly at Old Smoke.

"You’re responsible for working out the details. I don’t care whether you purchase, barter, or negotiate supply contracts, provided the deals remain profitable and don’t compromise our security."

His tone hardened slightly.

"Within seven days, I want our stockpile of the listed supplies to exceed three times our estimated consumption for the first month of the invasion."

Both intermediaries immediately understood the urgency.

"Understood, Boss!"

Aiden nodded before shifting his attention to the second stage.

"Second, we’ll secure strategic locations and establish forward operating bases."

The holographic map expanded, displaying several coordinates he had marked before the announcement.

He transmitted the relevant locations to Blazewind and [Phantom Eyes].

"Blazewind, the Ember Guild must suspend all nonessential activities. Every member is to enter a state of combat readiness. I have two assignments for you."

Blazewind straightened on the other end of the encrypted channel.

"Go ahead, Mr. Reaper."

"First, select two of your most elite and reliable mobile squads. Send them to these coordinates."

Two markers appeared on the map, one northeast of Ashford City and the other southwest.

"The northeastern location is the edge of Bone Swamp. The southwestern location is the entrance to the Rift Corridor. Based on my intelligence, these areas are likely to become important routes for the Undead and Orc vanguards, respectively."

Aiden enlarged both locations.

"Your squads are not to engage the enemy unless absolutely necessary. Their initial objective is reconnaissance. I want them to identify defensible terrain, establish concealed observation posts and temporary safe houses, and set up simple warning traps along the surrounding approaches."

He paused to ensure Blazewind understood the distinction.

"Once the invaders arrive, collect as much information as possible about their species, levels, abilities, behavior, and patrol patterns. Pay particular attention to their numbers and how they respond when attacked."

Aiden’s expression remained composed.

"We’ll use that information to determine which targets we can eliminate efficiently and which ones should be avoided until we’re stronger."

"Understood," Blazewind replied.

"Good. Your second assignment is more important."

Aiden highlighted a raised stretch of land immediately north of Ashford City.

"Lookout Hill."

The holographic terrain rotated, revealing the surrounding slopes, mountain ridges, and natural formations.

"The elevation provides an excellent field of view, while the surrounding terrain makes the hill relatively easy to defend. It also has access to nearby water sources, natural caves, and several routes that could be used for concealed movement."

He marked several points around the hill.

"I want you to establish a forward operating base there within seven days."

Blazewind’s expression became serious.

"The base doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it must be functional. Build basic defensive fortifications, including trenches and wooden palisades. Establish supply depots, a treatment station, and the necessary facilities for binding resurrection points, provided the local system permits it."

He paused before continuing.

"This will serve as the forward operational hub for Dark Abyss and the Ember Guild during the early stages of the invasion. It will allow us to deploy more quickly, resupply our teams, and maintain a foothold outside the city without relying entirely on our main headquarters."

"I’ll arrange for Dark Abyss to provide some of the construction materials," Aiden added. "Your people will acquire the remainder through gathering, local trading, or whatever other practical means are available."

His gaze sharpened.

"Keep the construction discreet. We don’t need the other major guilds discovering our plans before the base is ready."

Blazewind felt a surge of excitement.

Aiden was entrusting the Ember Guild with a mission that would place it at the center of Dark Abyss’s future operations. This was more than a simple reconnaissance assignment. If they executed it successfully, the guild would secure a valuable position in the coming conflict.

"Yes, Mr. Reaper!" he declared. "The Ember Guild will complete both assignments. Lookout Hill will be ready before the invasion begins!"

"See that it is."

Aiden ended the transmission and turned toward the two people standing beside him.

"Finally, we need to strengthen our core combat capabilities."

The first two stages would secure resources and establish a strategic foothold. However, neither would matter if Dark Abyss lacked the strength to exploit its advantages.

Silas and Luna were the organization’s most important combat assets.

Their development over the next seven days would directly influence how much Dark Abyss could accomplish during the opening phase of the invasion.

...

A/N:

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