I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

The theory of the magic network has been basically perfected. Gray towers have sprung up from the ground, already surpassing the height of the fortress, like a lighthouse overlooking the dark forest.

Wang Hao didn't know much about magic, but he still managed to get a contract. It stated that once the Gray Tower was built and the Magic Network was activated, players would become part of the Magic Network, sharing knowledge and pollution.

This is easy to understand. In the real world, every host on the internet performs a similar task, and once connected to the magic network, one can learn magic, which Wang Hao is quite looking forward to.

With the addition of the third batch of test players, the development of Dusk Town has far surpassed that of other areas in the Night Kingdom.

While other towns, including the Duke's territory, were still filled with the stench of excrement, mud, and garbage, Sunset Town had already built clean roads, orderly houses, complete urban facilities, and various functional buildings.

For example, using magic to purify streams originating from the Black Forest to provide pure water for the townspeople, as well as automatic irrigation equipment for irrigating farmland.

For example, in a three-tiered city structure built outside of farmland, even if the city walls are breached and the fortress falls, monsters still need to break through the other two city walls to enter the living area.

For example, the original catapults have been replaced by simple cannons, and the gunpowder is made from purified animal excrement, which can at least guarantee four to five rounds of artillery fire.

Today, Sunset Town has reached a level of urban sophistication comparable to some developed countries in the early 20th century. Apart from lacking modern amenities like cars and electricity, it is quite comfortable in every other way.

While Wang Hao was still pondering what to build next—whether to try using the magnets from the iron lizard to generate electromagnetic power or to explore other possibilities—he saw clouds gathering above the distant Black Forest.

"A demonic tide? That's impossible. According to our observations, it shouldn't arrive for at least another two months."

Wang Hao frowned.

Soon, another possibility came to mind: the migration of monsters.

He was among the second batch of test players and had not experienced the devastating monster attack. At this moment, excitement and unease lingered around him.

Before Wang Hao could leave the fortress, he heard shouts from the players below.

"Monsters are attacking! Monsters are attacking! Everyone, prepare for battle!"

Players who were either working on construction projects or resting in the town quickly mobilized.

Seeing this, the mage Jost still found it somewhat unbelievable.

These "players" are energetic, curious about everything, and unafraid of death.

Of course, Jost could understand that these traits were because they were creations of extraordinary power and had no concept of death, so it was reasonable for them to enjoy courting death.

However, Jost felt that if the people of this world gained immortality, it would definitely be extremely chaotic. But these "players" were very law-abiding, or rather, relatively law-abiding, and even a small reward would make them flock to it like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey.

Just like now, the observed monster migration has reappeared, and these players have quickly gathered. Even those players who went to rest have mostly returned to this world and entered the fortress.

Why are you all so enthusiastic?

Jost also asked the players he worked with.

"Of course, we're saving the world."

The players said it was only natural.

"I'll go to the front lines too."

Trist touched his [Imitation Sunfire] and decided to go to the front lines of the fortress to oversee the battle and prevent any problems that the players could not handle.

He arrived at the fortress's watchtower and found Stone already there.

"...It's a swarm of insects, I wonder if it's the same batch as last time."

Stone saw Twisted Fate, paused for a moment, and then spoke.

His abilities were useless against such an overwhelming horde of monsters; he could only watch helplessly.

"Could this wave of demonic energy actually be insects?"

Drizzt said uncertainly, "If they are insects, then at least this fortress should be able to withstand the monsters' attack."

It's getting dark.

Stone glanced at the sky.

Lightning bolts, a mix of deep purple and crimson, snaked and twisted through the clouds, while a fierce wind whipped the hair of those on the watchtower, making it difficult for many players to open their eyes.

The fallen leaves, debris, and sand in the Black Forest were blown up by the gale, forming a rough wind that crashed against the fortress.

"The migration of monsters signifies the approaching demonic tide. They will continuously surge and gather until the blood moon descends."

Drizzt recalled what he had heard during his first mission in the Night Kingdom.

"You're no use staying here. You can't exactly use a pistol to swat mosquitoes, can you?"

He glanced at Stone, half jokingly and half advisingly.

"We'll have to face it eventually."

Stone said.

The next moment, thunder roared, and the trees in the Black Forest began to sway, from which swarms of dark insects rose up.

"Prepare the artillery."

The players below gave instructions.

In an instant, cannonballs made from animal dung were loaded into the various cannons of the fortress, and then the fuses were lit, and the cannons were fired.

bang bang bang-

The deafening roar of the explosion echoed among the black, misty swarm of insects. In places indistinguishable to the naked eye, many insects disintegrated, their juices splattering everywhere.

This swarm of insects seemed to be much larger than the first one. Although many were destroyed by the first round of artillery fire, it still stretched as far as the eye could see. The black mist continued to thicken and encircled Sunset Town.

Chapter 737 [Thousand Feet]

"【Thousand-Legged】is a demonic tide that wins by sheer numbers."

Jost looked at the weather outside with some concern and said.

"Their lord is a giant worm that is constantly laying eggs. The eggs hatch as soon as they land and turn into countless worms. Although these worms are very fragile and will die if hit by magic or a longsword, the number of these monsters is at its largest when the blood moon arrives."

Xia didn't go to the front line because Lu Ban wanted to see if the defensive fortresses built by these players could really withstand the monsters. So, apart from leaving the townspeople in the core area of ​​the town, he didn't ask Xia to help.

He even started a live stream, letting viewers on Earth truly experience the oppressive feeling of the monster.

“In my time, the Thousand-Legged Swarm was not a very threatening demonic tide because the swarm was too fragile. Even without the Spirit Torch, it could withstand the attack for a long time.”

"Sia said."

The intensity of the demonic tides varies, and the "Thousand-Legged" one is relatively weak. If the demonic tide back then had been the "Thousand-Legged" one, it would even have been considered an auspicious sign, because the damage it caused would have been minimal.

But things are different in this era.

Without the Spirit Torch and a large number of mages to act as magical artillery to eliminate the swarm, the sheer number of Thousand-Legged Insects will become a major headache. Even if the fortress cannot be breached, without the defenses provided by the Spirit Torch, these insects can easily bypass the fortress and attack the ordinary people behind it, causing considerable damage.

In the modern Night Kingdom, mages could deal with most of the insect swarms, leaving only a small number to escape into the rear, where the rangers could handle them.

And the torch...

"The Spirit Torch..."

Jost muttered to himself.

As an important component of the magic network, the spirit torch, fueled by the souls of gods, was naturally incorporated into the design.

However, Jost hesitated.

If he develops the Spirit Torch here and inscribes it into the Magic Network, into the contracts of all mages connected to the Magic Network, then he will cause the deaths of millions in the future.

If his own sacrifice could save the world, Jost would gladly and generously face death.

But now, his actions are about to determine the fate of those who come after him, a choice that is far too heavy for Jost to bear.

The reason why the magic network stopped just short of completion, besides the need to find a deity that could be imprisoned, was that Jost wanted to find a way to replace the Spirit Torch.

However, this spirit torch seemed inevitable, which greatly troubled Jost.

Outside the window, cannon fire roared; the swarm of insects had reached the front of the fortress.

Wang Hao felt his hands trembling. When a person is in a state of extreme tension and excitement, they will experience a similar shiver, as if they were being electrocuted. He was on a lookout tower, watching the insects get closer and closer. He could even see the whips on their legs and their sharp mouthparts. He gritted his teeth and gripped the sword in his hand tightly.

The final barrage of fire struck the black mist, dimming it for a moment, but soon, an even denser swarm of insects made up for it.

Wang Hao's heart was pounding. He felt that his heart rate was probably already over 250 beats per minute, and he even thought that he would die before the insects arrived because of his rapid heartbeat.

"Prepare for contact."

The player in charge of command shouted, and Wang Hao raised his sword. Through the window, he saw the insects charging straight at him.

bang——

A deafening roar echoed from all parts of the fortress, and like a wall, the swarm of insects crashed into it, causing the building to shake violently.

Most of the insects were crushed into a pulp by the hard city walls and their later companions, while a small number crawled into the windows and swarmed on the ground, in mid-air, and on the walls, attacking everything in sight.

bang——

Stone decisively drew his gun and took down an approaching bug. His marksmanship was superb; he could eliminate a monster with just one bullet.

Trist also picked up a revolver, but instead of using [Mimetic Sunfire], he used ordinary bullets to deal with the insects.

Around them, players wielded longswords, blades, spears, and guns, roaring as they fought the insects.

One player was firmly gripped by the insect, its tentacle-covered mouthparts biting at his head, leaving a large amount of blood.

One player had his arm torn off by a bug, but he managed to chop off an enemy's head with his other hand.

Some players were grabbed by several insects, dragged out of the fortress, and thrown into the swarm of insects outside the window, where they were instantly overwhelmed.

The fighting was brutal, comparable to some of the most horrific wars in human history.

At this moment, the viewers watching this live stream were speechless.

Zheng Li originally envisioned a battle that, even if not as epic and awe-inspiring as the one against the Iron Lizard, would at least be as thrilling as the one in the movie "The Tide of Magic".

But as it turned out, the scenes he saw were far too gentle.

In the struggle between humanity and natural disasters, tragedy and cruelty are the true main themes.

On such a battlefield, there is no honor or merit, no justice or evil, only life and death, and the purest instinct for survival.

Some players had their weapons shot down, so they used their fingers to pry open the heads and eyes of the insects, inserting them into their soft parts. Some players had a large gash torn open in their stomachs, so they chose to pick up a lit shell and leap into the swarm of insects outside.

Faced with such words, Zheng Li did not avoid his gaze or close the webpage, but instead looked at it intently.

Now, only such attention can be the greatest tribute to them.

Some watchtowers were surrounded by countless insects and were on the verge of collapse, while some fortresses attracted the insect swarm's firepower and put up a stubborn resistance.