Chapter Seventy-Five: The Open Door Initiative

Fifteen minutes later, the central necropolis had been completely taken over, and the students with the affinity for shadow at Yang City’s Third High School were clearing the last remains of the battlefield.

This battle had been a brutal one for them. Every student with a martial affinity had perished, and only thirteen students with a magical affinity survived. As for the undead followers, all had fallen. Had they not succeeded in raising the battle standard at the final moment, claiming the central necropolis for Yang City’s Third High, the outcome could have been far grimmer.

Fortunately, this was the central necropolis, far superior to the minor graveyards they’d conquered before. Once the battle standard rose, it cast its influence over an area the size of two football fields, immediately banishing all hostile undead. Thus, the thirteen surviving students were granted a moment to collect themselves and tend to the field.

They moved swiftly, gathering the corpses scattered across the necropolis, and began to petition the master of the necropolis for the resurrection of their fallen companions.

The master of this region’s necropolis bore a name of his own—a cloud of black mist with the head of a locust. Three reapers shrouded in black robes stood by his side.

A closer look would reveal that these three reapers bore an uncanny resemblance to several of the school’s shadow-aligned instructors. This was a small benefit for the students: their teachers could not participate in the battle directly, but could guide them through such means.

Though the thirteen magical affinity students seemed to take their time with the aftermath, the three instructors were in fact quite anxious, though unable to offer hints. They could only watch as the thirteen approached the necropolis master and spoke the word: “resurrect.”

Those who had perished in battle felt darkness fall over their eyes, then a sudden brightness as the sky cleared and the air began to flow. The shroud of gray mist that had enveloped the heavens dispersed, and they found themselves returned to the world of the living.

Some ninety players exchanged glances. Then Li Shi spoke: “Inform headquarters we’ve taken the central necropolis. Tell them to prepare to initiate the gateway plan. Martial affinity students will stand guard here and await the arrival of those who will open the gate. Magical affinity students, head immediately to the Underworld to defend the necropolis.”

Under Li Shi’s command, the shadow-aligned players sprang into action. Those with magical affinity produced small vials and drank the potions within. As the liquid passed their lips, their forms faded like shadows under the sun.

Meanwhile, the martial affinity students prepared for their watch—comparing maps, observing distant creatures, and readying themselves.

For now, Liu Zong was counted among the martial affinity group, and his responsibilities were many. Most martial affinity students had only enough magic to support a single undead follower, or none at all. Whenever a task required magical support, they turned to Liu Zong, leaving him with little rest.

At the same time, the palace complex had taken on a new appearance. What had once been splendid, exotic structures were now crowded with stacks of timber and supplies. Makeshift tables were covered in maps, and several Level 1 players were deep in discussion, planning their next moves. They were the temporary commanders for this campaign—not for their looks or backgrounds, but because their studies focused on strategy, and they ranked among the best in that field.

Each day, frontline reports reached their hands, to be analyzed and used to refine strategic plans.

At that moment, a locust-headed soldier burst in, loudly announcing, “The central necropolis has been seized. They say it’s time to prepare the gateway plan!”

At this news, one player stood up immediately. Their mission was to capture all structures within a week, and within three months, secure the entire territory and begin constructing border fortresses.

But the map was vast. Even traveling from the palace to the border would take nearly half a month. Even if every player rushed, ignoring all monsters along the way, seizing every structure in a week was impossible.

They would have to choose another route—by water or underground, perhaps. Such tactics were within the rules, and with careful division of forces and secure routes, it might just be possible.

Yet this player proposed a different idea: open a teleportation gate, send the main force to the center of the map, and strike out from there. From the center, each structure would be only a day’s march away.

This way, they could attack in waves rather than splitting their forces, avoiding needless losses.

The key was the site for the teleportation gate, and ensuring the individuals opening the gate reached the map’s center.

The necropolis was the perfect location. Once the central necropolis was secured, any player who died would be sent there for resurrection. The resurrection point could be the central necropolis or any of the smaller graveyards.

This option revealed an opportunity to the player: to begin the march from the necropolis. But there was a crucial condition—the shadow-aligned students had to seize the central necropolis within three days.

Now that the necropolis was theirs, the plan could proceed. The player quickly shared his strategy and timetable with the others.

The lead player responded, “Open the gate first. Let’s observe the portal’s stability. Our forces should continue operations here until the gate is secure. Once it’s stable, we’ll consider sending detachments through.”

With approval given, the player issued a series of orders, and three students from the Space-Time Division were summoned.

This division was even more exclusive than the shadow affinity group, with extremely high requirements for entry. By this level, the distinction between martial and magical affinity no longer mattered—anyone with the space-time attribute was immediately recruited.

Even so, there were only six students in the division. Two were at the palace, maintaining the portal and handling incoming supplies. Of the four remaining, one was unable to leave—he was the artificer who created space-time devices and the division head’s protégé, not to be disturbed at such a critical time.

Thus, only three arrived to receive their orders. After being briefed, one spoke up: “I’ll go. My spatial orientation is the most accurate in the division. The materials and magic required to open the gate are simple—the challenge is in positioning. You two, prepare the components and mana. Once I have the coordinates, you can establish the portal.”