Ember Dragon

Chapter 78: The Contribution Frenzy

Mantou's video and Singo's strategy guide stirred up a huge wave in the player community. The Exchange's temporarily limited 10 copies of the [Mysterious Invitation] had sold out.

Major guilds declared they would no longer hold back, starting to monopolize the previously neglected faction contribution quests, while gold-earning quests were left in the dust.

Thus, players launched a frenzy of pursuing faction contributions, tirelessly working for Cassius day and night without pay. Quest boards were even being fought over.

"Let me become a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer!"

"I want to be a Dragon Knight!"

"Aaaah! Give me legendary gear!"

"The sky is a man's romance!"

Excited players shouting such slogans appeared in mines, beside city walls, on rooftops, and even next to manure piles.

Even Medrolash was shocked by the players' overwhelming enthusiasm for labor, hastily crafting many new quests.

At this critical moment, Cassius pressed on relentlessly, administering another strong dose by launching his long-prepared, fully automatic "leek harvester"—the Faction Position System.

Using players to manage players, reducing management costs to negative numbers.

Currently, only three low-level positions were open: [Tax Collector], [Clerk], and [Constable].

They were responsible for assisting in tax collection, handling documentation, and maintaining city security, respectively. Baator City's officials would provide them with corresponding gear and accommodations. Their only salary was the daily faction contribution, and the amount would be determined based on performance.

Even for these low-level positions, the application requirement was 3,000 faction contributions, while most players hadn't even reached one-tenth of that number.

Faced with this, they could only sigh helplessly, continuing to bury themselves in grinding, fantasizing about a better future.

However, at this time, the famous "Black Slave Quartet" were extremely excited about this. After eighteen days of brutal toil, their contributions had already reached the standard.

[Faction Position System Activated!]

[Your contribution value is 6,457; you can choose positions: [Tax Collector], [Clerk], [Constable]]

[Note: Low-level positions have a daily minimum salary of 100 faction contributions]

[You can earn additional faction contribution bonuses through work.]

Pointing at the prompt on the interface, Mantou said, "This system is pretty sweet! With a daily minimum salary of 100 faction contributions, it seems we won't have to run around doing odd jobs anymore!"

"Yes, it's finally over."

Summer Night Autumn Rain nodded with lingering fear; if not for her high professional standards, she probably wouldn't have wanted to stay in the dirty, dark mines for another moment.

Born Battle Maniac rubbed his bald head: "It's indeed pretty good."

Singo quickly skimmed through the specific descriptions of the positions and summarized eloquently: "Let me share my thoughts. I mainly recommend the positions of Constable and Tax Collector."

"Constables get an extra bonus of 150 contributions for each illegal or criminal act they catch. Heh, given the nature of the player community, you all know how high their crime rate is."

"Then there's the Tax Collector, who earns contribution bonuses based on the amount of taxes collected. We might even be able to snag some gold coins; there's a lot of room for maneuver here."

"As for the Clerk? Processing 4,000 words of documents every day, with a monthly minimum of 1,500 contributions."

"Not even a dog would take that."

He once again uttered that classic judgment.

Born Battle Maniac, Mantou, and Summer Night Autumn Rain all suggested in unison: "Then let's choose Constable."

For no other reason than that being a Tax Collector draws too much aggro.

Singo gave a sly smile: "Heh, then I'll choose Tax Collector. I'll let the players know that paying taxes is as inevitable as death."

Mantou felt a chill down his spine and once again sighed that this guy was a total pervert.

Who knows how this future Tax Collector will torment other players.

[You have selected the faction position—[Sheriff]]

[You can reside in the [Baator City Constable Dormitory]]

[You need to go to the [Baator City Administrative Hall] to receive the corresponding gear and weapons.]

Mantou and his group first went to check out their quite decent new dormitory, and then went to the hall to collect their armor and weapons.

"Wow, this is so cool!"

"These benefits are too good."

Looking at the brand-new [Sheriff's Armor] and [Sword of Order] in his hands, Mantou couldn't help but exclaim.

This was far better than the equipment that Singo had previously taken and sold; it was a qualitative leap.

"Although Singo is a bit of a jerk, his abilities are indeed strong," Mantou sighed.

The armor was finely crafted iron armor that players found hard to purchase; the weapon was a standard iron longsword. On the chest of the armor and the hilt of the sword were carved exquisite emblems—the design was a golden vertical pupil surrounded by flames, symbolizing the unique emblem of the Ember Nest.

They even obtained the right to use mounts.

Donning the brand-new gear, gripping the longsword, and riding on a tall horse.

"In the spring breeze, the proud horse's hooves are swift; in one day, I see all the Baator flowers."

He recited proudly.

Mantou felt elated, his hardships finally over, and all previous depression vanished. Even his gaze at the hardworking players became more arrogant.

The players in the square also noticed Mantou. They initially thought he was some NPC, but only barely recognized him after seeing the [I Go Eat Mantou] name above his head.

"Is that really Mantou?"

"Where did they get that gear? It looks so good!"

"Did he rob a bank?"

"Where did he get a mount? I want to ride a horse too."

"Seeing Mantou doing so well makes me feel worse than seeing myself doing poorly."

A player who had just returned from the mines, covered in dirt, exclaimed: "Damn, isn't that the 'Black Slave Quartet'?"

Hearing this, Mantou's eyes widened, and he pointed his longsword at that player, shouting according to the Sheriff's manual:

"Citizen, I am responsible for maintaining security here; please mind your words!"

"Provoking a Sheriff is prohibited!"

...

"Pfft!"

Cassius, lying in the cave watching the scene, couldn't help but burst into laughter, almost spitting out flames, thinking to himself that Mantou was quite good at showing off.

The red dragon exhaled a breath of sulfurous heat.

But this was good; letting them become positive examples of working for the Ember Nest, so that all players understand the importance of striving for faction contributions. This way, Cassius could reap the benefits effortlessly.

"Hehehe..."

Cassius let out a sinister laugh.

When most players reach the faction contribution standard, he will implement a "consumption upgrade."

He will move the items originally corresponding to the [Adamantine Shop] level to a new [Gemstone Shop], and then raise the faction contribution standards several times over, continuing to make them work for free.

"Don't worry, everyone."

"There are still many days ahead."

In just over a month of the beta test, Cassius had already become self-taught, deeply understanding the essence of reaping leeks as he did in his previous life.