"Helena, this is for you."


    "I don''t want it!"


    Seeing the eye, asrge as a goose egg and covered in blood and viscous fluid, Helena felt a wave of nausea.


    She couldn''t fathom how something so disgusting could be made into equipment.


    She wouldn''t wear it, not even if it killed her!


    "Give it a try. It might be very effective."


    "No way, absolutely no way! Take it away!"


    Seeing Helena''s genuine revulsion, John shrugged, not pressing the issue, and then turned his gaze to Exiled Immortal.


    "What about you? Want to try it?"


    "Why not? It''s just a game. If the equipment is strong, I''d even wear a pile of dung on my head!"


    Exiled Immortal waved his hand grandly, epting John''s gift and immediately equipping the eye.


    Seeing this, Helena quickly stepped back, looking at Exiled Immortal with a newfound sense of disdain.


    But she couldn''t deny the effectiveness of the equipment.


    The increased field of vision and enhanced attributes were a perfect match for Exiled Immortal, making his alreadymanding view even broader.


    "It''s great stuff, big sister! It''s a shame you don''t want it."


    "There''s no need. You keep it."


    "Hey, even if you begged, I wouldn''t give it... Whoa! John, the goblins areing again!"


    Looking into the distance, Exiled Immortal saw figures darting through the dense forest. He swiftly descended, urgently saying, "Is the second wave of the goblin tide about to start?"


    "Judging by the time... it seems like it. Prepare for battle. Exiled Immortal, I still rmend not staying airborne unless necessary."


    "I''m used to it, John. If you suddenly make me change, I won''t adapt."


    Without looking back, Exiled Immortal soared into the air, leaving John with only a graceful silhouette.


    Seeing this, John sighed softly and said no more.


    He just positioned his golem and awaited the arrival of the goblin tide.


    Compared to the first wave, the second wave showed a significant improvement in both quantity and quality.


    The main force had shifted from themon cave goblins to goblin warriors, with an average level around 18.


    Furthermore, elite units such as berserker goblins and cavalry goblins appeared at the rear.


    If John remembered correctly, thisrge-scale event''s goblin tide attackprised ten waves.


    In his previous life, John had only managed to withstand up to the sixth wave before being overwhelmed by the elite goblin troops and hastily withdrawing from the battlefield.


    This time, however, John wanted to see what kind of monsters would appear in the tenth wave.


    With that thought, he took a deep breath and quickly enteredbat mode.


    With John''s currentbat strength, along with the arrival of Exiled Immortal and Helena, they easily withstood the second wave and even obtained another [Epic] piece of equipment.


    Unfortunately, the equipment was only suitable for the warrior ss, so John decisively exchanged it for event points.


    Throughout Calia City, battles were everywhere.


    Countless goblins swarmed into Calia, causing immeasurable chaos.


    Even the likes of Exiled Immortal and Helena, the most elite of the pioneering teams, were awestruck by the sheer scale of the monster tide.


    It was even more daunting for ordinary yers.


    It''s no exaggeration to say that the sessive waves imed the lives of at least three hundred yers, who were torn apart by goblins and lost their livespletely.


    In fact, not just in this firstrge-scale event, but in every subsequent event, many yers would meet their end here.


    They came with the mindset of giving it a try, yetcking the strength to protect themselves, they ended up in a state of regret and frustration. John often witnessed such scenes.


    Compared to John''s tranquility, the city had descended into hell.


    Goblins swarmed every street and alley, but the yers struggled to mount a strong resistance. asionally, a small team managed to hold their ground, only to lose their will to fight against the overwhelming numbers.


    Until, exactly one hour after the event started, the server-wide announcement appeared again.


    [One hour into the event, the leaderboard will soon be activated, ranking yers based on the points they''ve earned. Only individual points will be counted, not team totals.]


    Upon hearing this, Exiled Immortal''s eyes lit up.


    "Hurry! Check my rank!"


    "What''s there to check? I don''t care at all."


    John smirked, pocketing the damaged Trigger magic trap, and continued, "I''m definitely in first ce anyway."


    "Yes, yes, John is the greatest~"


    Exiled Immortal pouted, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she opened the leaderboard.


    At the top was an anonymous yer, with 10,455 points. It was obvious that it was John, who never liked revealing himself.


    She was right behind, holding second ce with 7,441 points, just 10 points ahead of Lily in third ce.


    As for Helena, she was a bit further behind, with 5,632 points, ranking fifth.


    "So, the yer in fourth ce seems pretty good! John, should we recruit them?"


    "Fourth ce? What''s their name?"


    "Why don''t you check it yourself?"


    John frowned and red at Exiled Immortal, but he still opened the leaderboard.


    If this yer was as good as Exiled Immortal suggested, John might consider recruiting them.


    But...


    When John saw the ID, his smile froze, and his expression darkened.


    "S."


    John knew this ID all too well!


    The person who took the [Legendary] item he gifted, the one who ended his life with his own hands, who chose betrayal over loyalty, and evenmitted that disgraceful act against Lily—who else could it be?


    Just seeing this ID made John''s anger re up.


    Noticing John''s change in demeanor, Exiled Immortal hesitantly patted his shoulder, asking, "Jo-John, are you okay?"


    "Huff... I''m fine. Let''s not bring up this topic again. If any of you get the chance to meet this person, do me a favor and kill him."


    "...Got it, John."


    Exiled Immortal and the others exchanged nces, their curiosity piqued but unvoiced.


    It was the first time they had seen John like this, so enraged that his hands trembled uncontrobly.


    Usually, he always had a smile on his face, but now, showing such a state, how could they not be curious?


    "I know what you want to ask. All I can say is that there is an unresolvable grudge between him and me. If I see him, I''ll kill him at any cost. I was impulsive just now; this is my problem, and I shouldn''t drag you into it. If you see him, please let me know."


    "Johnny... I don''t know why you''re so angry, but Lily will support you!"


    "I haven''t killed anyone before, but if he''s your enemy, then he''s our enemy."


    "All I can say is, messing with us means this S. is out of luck!"


    ...


    Meanwhile, in a certain alley in Calia,


    swung his greatsword with all his might, turning the goblin in front of him into mush, finally able to catch his breath for a brief rest.


    After sheathing his greatsword, S. slumped against the wall. Before he could even out his breathing, a chill ran down his spine.


    "Strange, what''s going on?"


    This feeling was like being watched by a hidden viper, making him feel prickly all over.


    If this was the immersion effect of the event, it was too exaggerated.


    "However, that anonymous yer is really strong, their points have already broken five digits. If I get the chance, I''d love to meet them. Maybe I could get some treasures from them.


    Speaking of which, my greatsword needs recing.


    Using an exquisite-quality item until now has be quite a strain; it can''t even crush those green monsters'' heads anymore. How about... I just steal one?"


    With that thought, S. fixed his gaze on a yer who had just acquired an [Epic] quality item and was strutting around proudly.


    After confirming his target, S. nonchntly drew the dagger from his waist and slowly crept closer.