Chapter 60
I'm sick and tired of all the China drama on the community forums. Just thinking about them daring to target my guild members still makes my blood boil. I was already barely holding back the urge to smash my way across the Yalu River.
"Yeah, I get it... but it looks like Shenyang City got completely wiped out."
"Honestly, I didn't see that coming either."
"Huh? An entire city wiped out?"
Choi Ah-rin's words made my half-lidded eyes snap wide open.
Lies, right? How many players were stationed there?
Feeling a bit offended, I replied in a sulky tone.
"They beat me half to death and can't even handle that? Well, if it's too much for them, they'll probably beg other countries for backup. Plenty of nations voiced support for invading Korea last time."
"Yeah, well... I'm not calling to ask for help. It's just that Nevros appeared near the border."
"Near the border, huh..."
I nodded.
"Better to keep an eye on it, just in case?"
"Exactly. No one knows where it'll pop up next."
I let out a long sigh.
"Sigh... Got it. Sorry, I'm just a bit sensitive about that stuff."
"It's fine. I totally understand. You've suffered a lot because of China."
"Thanks for getting it. Just keep a close watch if it crosses our side, and report anything suspicious right away."
"Yes, ma'am. Take care."
I hung up and set my phone down. No doubt about it—China's firepower would melt any world boss. I only survived because I'm small and nimble.
...Not that I want to admit it.
Any average world boss would've been reduced to dust.
Quit exaggerating.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue and picked up my smartphone. My fingers danced across the screen, opening my usual search engine.
Nevros, was it? Let's see what this thing does.
Choi Ah-rin said it wasn't that strong, but there had to be a reason China got wrecked.
I typed "Nevros" into the search bar and clicked the top link from the results.
It took me to some anonymous site—a so-called "community" forum.
Ever since the AON Reality Merge, it's crucial to memorize monster strategies. So here's a full breakdown on World Boss Nevros.
The post was from early in the Reality Merge. Official sites had that stiff, formal style, so this casual community vibe felt unfamiliar.
"Hmm, AON... probably Astriya Online?"
I scrolled down slowly, reading FirepowerFetishist's summary. Unfamiliar terms and slang tripped me up a bit, but I pieced it together.
• Nevros revives dead players as its minions. If a minion kills you, you become a minion too.
• Minions keep all their original stats and skills intact. And anyone who's fought them knows—their AI is scarily human-like, making them a nightmare to face.
• Bottom line: Don't die in a Nevros fight. Easier said than done, but extra critical here!
• Every few minions it gains, Nevros summons stronger elite monsters. A few deaths, and your party's toast in seconds.
"Ooh..."
I let out a small gasp of admiration at the clear, detailed breakdown. It felt like watching Nevros up close—complete with reference images that made everything click. Amateur post or not, it rivaled official guides. Hell, it was better.
"...Impressive."
I suddenly wondered who FirepowerFetishist was. They knew even niche tips—definitely a pro.
Wonder if I've run into them before.
I scrolled to the end and hit the comments section. Tons of them.
I tilted my head at the comments, brow furrowing.
What? Is this even the same language I use?
I could read it, but it made zero sense. What the hell were "total pro," "fr," "whoa," "insanely good"?
It felt like deciphering alien code disguised as words.
"Weird... I heard all languages unified worldwide..."
So not a language barrier. I bit my lip, snapped my fingers, tilted my head, bounced my leg—trying to crack it.
"..."
Failed.
Looks like I'm still missing Earth's common sense.
Gotta try harder...
One day, I'd uncover the meaning of "insanely good." Vowing that, I went to exit—
"Huh...?"
Amid the alien slang, a familiar name jumped out. Too familiar to miss.
"Why... why is my name here...?"
Suddenly hooked, I read the replies.
"Hmph... this was back when my rep was at its peak."
Can't blame folks for fearing me. Twirling my hair, I rationalized it.
One last check on the author before bed. Bound to have more gems—worth bookmarking.
Clicking FirepowerFetishist's name, I pulled up their other post. My face drained of color.
* My heart pounded wildly, breath quickening. Pupils dilated, trembling like aspen leaves.
My info...? Wait, does that mean my full specs are out? Height? Weight too?
With shaking fingers, I barely clicked the link.
"Ah..."
My eyes went blank, a sigh escaping. The whole nation knew my height. Even my weight.
The world crumbling around me, I rubbed my face.
Where's personal data protection? World bosses get no rights?!
Crack.
Veins bulged on my hand, but the phone survived pulverization. I rubbed my face repeatedly, distraught.
"Ughhh..."
Grunting in agony, I forced myself to read.
• No clue why the devs made this trash boss. Rumors say it's loaded with their weird fetishes?
• Skills aside, normal attacks are bullshit. No human reflexes can dodge 'em.
• See the red-marked spots? Fail to dodge in 0.5 seconds, you're dead.
• Fundamentally broken design—the worst boss ever. Still, curious what it drops if you somehow win.
Relentless hate-barrage made my head spin. Dev fetishes? What nonsense...! I clawed my way through Pandela for centuries!
• Supposedly shattered half a dimension, but fighting her shatters my sanity too.
Ah, sue for defamation? When did I shatter half a dimension?! Infuriating. I'd die of grievance first.
• Worst part, though...
Lips clenched, teeth grinding, I scrolled.
Crunch!
My phone finally bit the dust.
* Thankfully, the market had spares easy to grab. Even transferred all my old data and settings instantly. Handy system.
What's the point? My info's public domain anyway.
Swallowing my gloom, I turned on the new one. Same wallpaper, but the latest model felt snappier somehow.
Wanna test the performance?
Right as I went to check—
Bang.
The door flew open. I yanked the blanket over me faster than light.
"Saw it all."
"..."
"What time is it?"
Yunsia's voice. I mumbled weakly.
"It's not even eight yet..."
"Evening eight—that's the problem."
"Eek..."
Footsteps crossing the floor. I shrank instinctively. Even the strongest world boss can't escape when bed's your only hideout.
"You looked wiped, so I let you sleep. But you're up—time to move."
"J-just about to crash again."
"No way! Guild complaints, budget approvals—mountains of work! Guild master's job."
"You do it."
Silence blanketed the room. Terrifying silence.
"Guild master? Do your duties, then sleep?"
Sweet tone, seething rage. Whoosh—warmth gone, cold air and light rushed in. Yunsia scooped me up like a cat, arm around my waist.
"C'mon, let's go."
Damn it, if I hadn't gotten sucked into that community rabbit hole...
Stoic-faced as Yunsia carried me out, I screamed internally.
You, FirepowerFetishist! I'll get revenge someday!!