[The Western Europe Cataclysm dedicated channel announces: Congratulations to the survivors seeing this message, you have successfully entered the designated cataclysm.]

[At this very moment, perhaps you have discovered that aside from your gear, you have no other possessions, especially the backpack you carry around even when eating and sleeping. You've adorned it meticulously, haven't you? I know you harbor resentment in your hearts, but what can you do about it? Come and hit me?]

[Of course, this rule has always adhered to the principles of fairness and transparency. I had originally prepared to notify you in advance, but I encountered a force majeure. You all know that a force majeure is potent, right?]

[Kind reminder: The map function has been unlocked for free. Resource locations will be marked on the map intermittently. Please stay alert.]

[Kind reminder: The night is falling; war is upon us.]

"War is upon us?"

"What does that mean?"

Ming turned the phrase over in his mind but didn't dwell on it. Regardless of what it was, as long as he could slay the boss here, everything would be fine. He glanced at the wooden box in his hand, deciding not to open it for now.

He still remembered the incident when he opened a treasure chest, triggering a hidden mission. Having suffered once, there wouldn't be a second time, so he decided to discard it for now.

Ming thought it through. He didn't want to gamble on what was inside the box. Even if it wasn't a hidden mission, it seemed best not to open it now. He could retrieve it after the cataclysm settled. After all, without his backpack, holding onto it would affect his speed. As such, he carefully tossed the wooden box into a bush under a tree. Having done all this, he stood up to gaze into the distance. Not far ahead was a mountain city to advance towards.

A burly man with brown curly hair was walking in the mountains, accompanied by a knight wearing armor with light purple eyes, a zombie puppet. The man wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat in the shadow of a tree to rest. He took out a red gem from his pocket, immersed in joy.

This was what he chose before entering the cataclysm, a small wooden box. The gem in his hand could increase his strength by 50 points when inlaid. At this moment, he noticed a small wooden box in the nearby grass.

He scooped up the box, noting its identical appearance to his own. He thought that it was probably discarded here by someone else after taking the contents. However, he still shook the box, and it seemed like there was still something inside, and it was not light!

Could it be that some fool forgot it here?

It seems his luck was really good. The man chuckled and opened the box. The moment the lid was lifted, a red light burst from inside. The man was overjoyed. Red light! He had struck it rich!

Thanks to the fool~

The next moment, the brilliance faded, and he could see the 'object' inside. It was an exclamation mark glowing with red light!"Damn it!"

The man's face turned pale instantly. The next second, the exclamation mark shattered and disappeared before the man's eyes.

"…"

The man held the box, stood in place, and was stunned. The fool was himself. He swore that if he could survive this time, he would never be greedy again.

...

At this moment, Ming stood outside the mountain city and found that the buildings were all built on a continuous hill. A temple stood atop the high hill, which he thought looked somewhat like Athens.

Sniff, sniff~ He didn't smell anything special. Was he about to be disappointed again?

[Kind reminder: A supply point has been generated near you. Please go and collect it as soon as possible.]

[…]

Ming opened the map and saw a green supply package-shaped icon flashing in his southwest direction, not far away, a few minutes walk.

Sniff, sniff~

While on the move, he was always alert to his surroundings. After all, this was a cataclysm zone, and it didn't hurt to be cautious.I think you should take a look at

A man?

At this moment, a man walked quickly out of the left-side street, followed by a knight zombie puppet in armor. This man seemed familiar.

The two men met at the street corner and spoke simultaneously, "Ah~ you're that~ you're that?"

"Mr. Gutman!"

"Ah yes, and you are...?"

"…"

After a beat, Ming recognized him. The man in front of him was Young Rubio, also the captain of Saint Alice's guard. They'd met twice at Wild Fruit Mountain and had even engaged in a bit of trade, so they were kind of business buddies.

Seeing the man's listless appearance, Ming asked with concern, "What's wrong? Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Young Rubio sighed heavily and said, "I was taking a breather in the mountains, and spotted a small wooden box in the grass under a tree. It looked quite well-crafted, so I picked it up and opened it. You're gonna think I'm making this up, but I swear it happened. Just rotten luck..."

"Don't worry, I'm not one to revel in others' misfortune. What happened next?"

"Sigh... After I opened that wooden box, a red exclamation mark shattered, and then, I got a hell-level hidden mission."

"…"

Was it the box he had temporarily discarded?

As expected, he was right again. The system really was toying with him.

Luckily, it was Young Rubio who was being toyed with now. He was too careless. Why did he touch this? What a fool. Ming then curiously asked, "What kind of mission is it? Is there money to be made?"

"…"

Rubio looked deflated. Of course, that's what you capitalists would think about. No sympathy, just gold coins in your eyes. You're looking to profit off my bad luck?

Then it hit him - the man before him was Gutman of 109, the formidable Gutman. Maybe this was his lucky break!

He excitedly said, "The mission is actually quite simple. You just need to kill the God of War, Ares, to complete this hidden mission. You'll get a very generous reward, that's a huge fortune!"

While Young Rubio was speaking, he exaggerated and embellished the details. After all, the man before him was, at heart, a capitalist who liked to make money. Tempting him to help complete the mission might still be possible.

"If it's that simple~"

Ming flashed a grin, "Then I won't keep you from your mission. I'll move along. Best of luck~"

"…"

Young Rubio was stunned. He... just left?

Did this man no longer love money?

No, no, without his help, Rubio knew he stood no chance of completing the mission. Furthermore, no one else was capable enough. Combat prowess was one thing, but what scared him more were the fanatical followers of the gods who might rally to Ares' defense.

With this in mind, Rubio quickly spun around and ran after him. "Mr. Gutman, please, I need your help. I promise to make it worth your while."

Ming halted in his tracks and turned to look at Rubio, "How 'worth ?"