A different world game? A different world game!

Blood Pit Fortress.

"Anvil and Ale" tavern.

In the abyss after the great war, the polluted air still carried the undertones of rust and sulfur.

This detestable sky will never change because of anything.

But the moment he stepped through the tavern's wooden door, the burning smell of blood and the heavy pressure from the chaotic magic suddenly lessened considerably.

The order within the fortress acts like an invisible filter, keeping out the most malevolent abyssal aura.

The iron flower structure hanging over the fortress continuously cleared away the chaotic magic that tried to surge in, ensuring that everyone was at least protected from the invisible magic's interference.

The air was filled with a "cleaner" smell of blood and sweat.

The mixture of cheap ale, barbecue grease, tobacco, and a pine-scented cleaning agent created a peculiar "freshness" belonging to frontline soldiers.

The interior of the tavern was surprisingly bright.

It's hard to imagine that this is a tavern located in the depths of an abyss.

The alchemical lamp spheres embedded in the rough stone wall emitted a stable, warm yellow glow, not a glaring white light, enough to dispel the shadows in the corners without appearing cold or harsh.

Although the wooden tables and chairs were heavy and rugged, with even the edges bearing the marks of battle, they were polished to a shine and arranged quite neatly.

Several rustic oil paintings depicting magnificent mountains or tranquil forests hang on the wall—clearly the work of a homesick soldier or craftsman.

It formed a delicate balance with the worn-out shield and polished weapons hanging in the corner.

This deliberate, slightly clumsy sense of "warmth" is precisely the intention of the fortress designers and the tavern owner.

It is like a rough but effective whetstone, trying to grind away the numbness and almost solidified hatred accumulated in the hearts of the warriors in the endless bloody battles.

Let them, in a brief respite, rediscover a sense of "being alive" rather than merely "fighting."

It may not be of any use, but it's better than nothing.

The tavern was even noisier now than it had been a month ago.

Because a month had passed since that war.

The place was bustling with noise and steaming with heat.

The night watchmen in their silver-gray uniforms huddled together in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones. Occasionally, their listless eyes could be seen staring into the air in front of them.

The Avengers, covered in scars and with eyes as sharp as knives, occupied several long tables.

These people silently chug down strong liquor, or recount in hoarse voices the dying cries of some demon.

They only manage a slight smile when they're talking about these things.

There will never be a shortage of people like this in the abyss.

Several Abyss merchants, draped in dark cloaks and with skin bearing the distinctive gray hue of the Abyss, were gathered around the bar, haggling with the shrewd bartender.

Incidentally, he also sells some strange items of dubious origin that might save lives in critical moments to others; what exactly they contain is unknown.

After all, this is the abyss, and battles can be deadly at any time. There might be harmful or excessive substances inside.

But what does that matter?

However, due to the existence of the Blood Pit Fortress, coupled with the various potions provided at the beginning.

Selling this drug is much more difficult than before.

The majority of them were soldiers wearing the heavy, stained armor of the Bloodbath Fortress.

These soldiers were all warriors from the Bloodbath Fortress. Now they are able to come to the Blood Pit Fortress, look around at the differences, and experience the novelty.

Their boisterous laughter and boisterous clinking of glasses were the main theme of the tavern.

People from different camps mingled together, and although they were clearly distinct, they had lessened the barriers they once shared and developed a rough sense of identity forged through bloodshed.

"Ha! That feels great! That's fucking great!"

A heavily axeman from the Bloodbath Fortress, with a full beard and fresh scorch marks on his armor, gulped down a large glass of dark beer.

Foam dripped down his beard, and he slammed the wooden cup onto the table with a loud bang.

"I've been frustrated for so many years. I've been slaying demons in this godforsaken place until my axe is dull, but I'm just going around in circles."

"Last month's attack really pierced the heart of those bastards! Twelve outposts! Hey! A piece of cake!"

"you do not say!"

A shield guard with a long scar on his face chimed in. He carefully wiped the edge of his tower shield, his tone carrying the calmness characteristic of his race, but the excitement in his eyes was undeniable.

"Looking back after the battle, the speed of their advance seemed unreal. Before? How many brothers would have to be sacrificed to take down one of their outposts? Now? Heh!"

He couldn't help but grin.

"The key is that we held on!" Another sturdy dwarf warrior, wearing a horned helmet, slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming. He was a veteran of Bloodbath Fortress.

"How many waves of those Abyss bastards have pounced on us like mad dogs this past month? I'm on the newly built watchtower, looking down at the dark mass below, and it makes me panic."

"And the result? Hey! This new defensive line is as hard as Venerable Carlos's fist. Those damn demons crashed into it, and all they did was leave behind a pile of minced meat, utterly useless!"

He swirled his wine glass smugly. "Rock Solid Line, truly lives up to its name! A well-chosen name!"

This remark drew a chorus of approving laughter and clinking glasses.

The advancing defensive line not only held, but also demonstrated a resilience far exceeding expectations, which made these veterans feel more at ease and inspired than any temporary breakthrough victory.

This proves that last month's actions were not a flash in the pan, but rather a solid wedge of order into the rotting flesh of the abyss.

They did make changes and achieved some results, instead of the numb defense they used to have, endlessly fighting on the battlefield in front of the Bloodbath Fortress.

Those who are willing to come to the abyss to participate in the war are all beings who have already made psychological preparations for death.

They weren't afraid of death itself, but rather that their own death wouldn't bring about any change.

This forward push is the best remedy for boosting morale.

“It’s not just the defense that’s effective,” an Abyss merchant dressed in fine leather armor and wearing several gemstone rings on his fingers approached, a professional smile on his face, but his eyes shrewdly scanning the crowd.

"Fellow warriors, you have no idea what this newly opened 'safe corridor' means for us traders."

“In the past, transporting ‘local specialties’ from Blood Pit Fortress was always nerve-wracking. We almost wanted to hire an entire mercenary group! Now? Haha!”

He rubbed his hands together exaggeratedly.

"The patrols shuttled back and forth, and the artillery fire from both fortresses could reach them. Those scattered demon foes on the road were no different from being delivered as vegetables."

"The volume of goods transported has doubled, and the losses have decreased by 70%! This business is truly a joy to run!"

The businessman's words drew a chorus of good-natured boos and teasing, but also revealed the tangible changes brought about by this passage.

"Then why the hell didn't you offer us a discount? You damn profiteer, get out!"

"Hahaha, you're right. You scoundrels, you can't refuse to pay today."

"Okay! I'll pay the bill today!" "Great! That's a truly kind-hearted businessman, haha."

The tavern erupted in chaos again; they seemed genuinely excited.

The bar owner watched this scene with a smile, wiping his glasses. Scenes like this played out frequently this month; he was used to it.

"Speaking of which, I've wanted to come and see this Blood Pit Fortress for a long time!"

A young, freckled Bloodbath Fortress recruit, speaking with a mix of anticipation and a bit of alcohol, said loudly.

"Everyone says the Night's Watch has all sorts of rare things, and that...that floating tower. It looks much more imposing than our stone bunkers."

"The roads used to be too dangerous, and the captain wouldn't let us wander off at all. This time, thanks to the supply transport, we've really seen it all! Those ironwork... those ironwork structures, the speed at which they built houses, my god! It's like magic!"

His words resonated with many of the Bloodbath Fortress soldiers, who nodded in agreement.

This is different from those magicians who manipulate mud and rocks to create things.

It was an entire building that rose from the ground, and you could clearly see that different materials were used in both the details and the overall structure.

In a corner, a taciturn elven avenger carefully wiped a poisoned dagger with a cloth. His grey-green eyes swept over the bustling crowd, and he coldly interjected.

"It's too early to be happy. The passage is open, and the defenses are secure. But the demons are still there, and the abyss is still there. This progress is far from enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but it cooled down the surrounding noise like ice water.

"Ha! Elf brother, you're in such a hurry!"

A dwarf mercenary with a fierce face, who was obviously a bit drunk, climbed onto a chair and patted the elf on the shoulder while laughing loudly.

The other party dodged it without making a sound.

"You can't get fat in one bite! Last month's battle was fought brilliantly, but it was also very painful."

"Look at the warehouse! Ammunition, medicine, spare equipment... they're being used up like water. Even though the night watchmen are well-off, it pains me to see it like this."

"Still want to keep pushing? Take a break, bro! Let everyone catch their breath, let the warehouse fill its stomachs. We'll talk about it next time."

"I'd be perfectly content if I could just hold onto this territory and kill demons peacefully. In this godforsaken place, a victory like this is something to brag about for years to come."

His words represent the thoughts of a considerable number of pragmatic veterans. In the long history of the Bloodbath Fortress's defense, proactive attacks were a luxury; consolidating the defensive line and sustaining attrition was the norm.

They are not greedy; the results they have achieved are already valuable enough.

The clamor of the tavern acted as a tangible wall, isolating the eternal oppression of the abyss.

In the core area of ​​Blood Pit Fortress, inside the command castle constructed of cold metal and solid rock, the atmosphere is one of somber efficiency.

The strategic meeting room on the top floor of the castle was brightly lit yet coldly imposing.

A huge holographic tactical sand table floats in the center, clearly showing the advancing "rock-solid defense line" and the surrounding area.

The crimson lights representing demonic activity continued to surge outside the defensive line, but were firmly blocked by the clear blue light of order.

Kana sat in the main seat, his golden eyes calm and unwavering, while the data halo behind him rotated slowly at a constant speed, silently processing massive amounts of information.

Lelia stood beside the sand table, dressed in military uniform, her red hair tied up, her face showing a hint of fatigue, but her eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's.

Several core Night Watch commanders and liaison officers from Bloodbath Fortress stood on either side.

"A monthly briefing."

Leilia's voice was clear and strong.

"The Blood Anvil Barrier withstood a total of thirty-seven demonic impacts, including nine high-intensity impacts."

"Based on newly constructed fortifications, the floating tower fire network, and the coordination between the two bunkers, the stability of the defense line is assessed as excellent."

"The demons' losses are far greater than ever before. Our casualties are within expectations, our supply lines are operating smoothly, and our losses have been replenished."

The report went on for quite a while before the meeting was adjourned.

Now only internal staff remain.

She paused for a moment and then brought up a new set of data streams.

"Regarding reinforcements: Over the past month, six new legendary combatants have arrived through the stabilized interdimensional portal. All of them are Night Watchers with extensive experience in combat in the Abyss or outer planes."

Brief information and code names of six legendary figures flashed across the holographic projection.

An elven mage skilled in spatial sealing, an orc hunter proficient in demon anatomy and weaknesses, a priest capable of summoning astral creatures of order, a dwarven rune lord who controls metal and forging, a master of shadows and deadly poisons, and a paladin specializing in large-scale battlefield protection.

Their arrival greatly enriched the fortress's high-end combat force.

Cana's gaze swept over the information of the six legends, and the golden data stream accelerated slightly deep in his pupils.

He nodded slightly, his voice calm.

"It's alright. Their experience is invaluable. We need to integrate them into the defense system as soon as possible, especially the plans for hunting and countering Demon Lord-level targets."

He paused briefly, and the data wheel behind him spun around, as if he were processing something.

The order was then issued.

"The world's transportation network still has excess capacity. We are initiating the second phase of the 'deep-rooted' contingency plan."

"Preparations can be accelerated. Three full-strength Night's Watch chapters will be mobilized from the main world to fill the gaps in front-line combat units."

"Two engineering and logistics support teams, carrying prefabricated defense modules and heavy equipment."

"Additional reserves: Standard energy crystal cluster base increased by 50%, various alchemical potions, repair materials, weapons and ammunition, and spare cores for constructs, to be shipped immediately according to the standard of three months of high-intensity wartime consumption."

The instructions were clear and concise, without any unnecessary delays.

With just a tiny bit of divine power, Kana becomes a massive computing machine.

And these supplies.

This is not merely replenishing supplies, but rather stockpiling resources in an unconventional, almost radical manner, in preparation for a larger operation.

The atmosphere in the conference room froze. Lelia's eyes sharpened, and she quickly took notes.

Some orders were issued directly and transmitted immediately.

Soon, the liaison personnel of Bloodbath Fortress, who were still inside Blood Pit Fortress, immediately noticed the Night Watch's movements.

The Night's Watch's logistical mobilization capabilities and determination truly impressed them.

They also vaguely realized that this venerable one did not seem satisfied with the results of last month's battles, and that he was accumulating terrifying power for the next possible "proactive showdown".

It really brought new vitality to the abyss.

Inside and outside the fortress, the hustle and bustle of the tavern and the cold commands from the command room together create a complex scene during the lull in the bloody battle in the abyss.

During the brief respite, the forces of order were being integrated and the undercurrents of the abyss were surging.

The warmth of victory still lingers.

Perhaps even the demons didn't realize that this was merely the calm before the storm; the real storm was already brewing silently through the mobilization of resources and the deployment of troops. (End of Chapter)