Chapter 288: King’s Way, Extreme Path, Title

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: King’s Way, Extreme Path, Title

"Very good. Step three: intelligence gathering."

"For this task, I need the Golden Lion Cross and Iron Throne Guilds to take the lead."

"Immediately consolidate all high-mobility Professions in the camp and divide them into hundreds of scouting parties."

"Spread them out like a net across the three regions announced by the Underground City."

"They are not to fight any monsters. Their only missions are to create detailed topographical maps and, using the coordinates I provide, pinpoint the exact locations of all the Iron Guards."

"I will share the five coordinates I have shortly. We need to immediately contact the people with the other five and collect them, promising to prioritize their interests."

Lance planted his hands on the table and looked around at the three of them.

"Furthermore, announce to the public that if anyone is caught backstabbing us during the raid..."

"...I expect the three major Guilds to immediately join forces to execute them on the spot, with no mercy shown!"

"As for raiding the Iron Guards..."

Lance’s tone was exceedingly confident.

"I will be the first to attempt a solo clear."

"If I can verify that the Seal can be transferred..."

"...then I will take personal responsibility for killing all ten of the Iron Guards!"

"And then, the final right to distribute the Seals will be mine to decide."

Faced with such an arrogant declaration to take on everything himself...

...not a single one of the three captains present uttered a word of doubt about his ability.

After the battle in the square last night, Lance’s strength no longer needed any proof.

"If it’s discovered in a real battle that the Seal cannot be transferred..."

"...then the five Adventurers who have the coordinates will have priority raiding rights, and our assault team will provide support."

At this, Lance paused. He thought of Nieve, but quickly dismissed his hesitation.

’If Nieve isn’t strong enough, I can’t let her go to her death.’

’For her own safety, I have to make sure Nieve is capable of clearing it before I let her challenge an Iron Guard.’

"The remaining spots will be filled later based on the intelligence you gather. The capable will be chosen, so we can avoid unnecessary casualties."

Lance looked at the others.

"No objections, right?"

He had subconsciously slipped back into his old role as the overall commander.

Everyone nodded in unison. They didn’t even realize that, bit by bit, they had come to completely submit to Lance’s arrangements.

"Then, this reconnaissance work must also be completed within three days."

"Every evening, the three of you must come here to report to me the day’s casualty figures and food consumption data for each region, as well as updates to the basic topographical maps of the three major regions."

Lance suddenly remembered something and added a pointed reminder.

"By the way, you’ve all shared information about the Crimson Bell of Death, right?"

"Be extremely careful during your sweeps. If you find any trace of them, do not, under any circumstances, alert them."

"Report their coordinates to me, and I will personally deliver them a ’special gift’."

Listening to Lance’s well-organized and logically sound arrangements...

...the trace of anxiety the three captains had felt due to the crisis completely vanished.

’Who knew it was so relaxing not to have to think for yourself?’

Moreover, every plan was so orderly that Viters was starting to admire Lance.

"Next up is the most important part—the raids!"

After a brief discussion, it was decided that the three major regions would be handled by the three major teams. Based on the results of the reconnaissance, each team would devise a raid plan, reorganize their personnel into large assault formations, and conduct simultaneous raids.

They would report their progress to Lance daily.

As the various difficult tasks were methodically assigned...

...the joint strategic meeting for the Underground City, one that would decide the fate of over ten thousand people, finally came to a successful conclusion.

And everyone was thoroughly convinced of Lance’s coordinating abilities.

Based on Lance’s current arrangements, the casualty rate for the ten thousand-plus people might even drop below 10%.

For a raid mission, that was a terrifyingly low number.

As for the green-haired, robust man Viters, his initial appreciation had transformed into complete admiration.

He even considered recommending Lance to the military after they left the Underground City, poaching him from the Silver Hand. ’The military desperately needs talent like this.’

’In Lance, he could almost see the shadow of the old Marshal.’

Felix, for his part, had long since decided to bet on Lance. ’Now I just have to wait until we leave the Underground City, then go back and convince my father.’

’Oh, and my uncle who’s in the secret department.’

The thought made Felix frown slightly.

As for Julius, he had only one thought: ’My brother-in-law is awesome!’ ℯ

Just as the group was about to adjourn and carry out their orders...

...a panel notification suddenly popped up in front of Lance.

[The Underground City is now scoring the current event...]

[Title Evaluation System activating...]

[Summer Crown Exclusive Hidden Panel: Title Rating is now enabled for you!]

Lance froze for a moment.

He was surprised to realize it. ’So, after the Summer Crown enters its second half...’

’...the Underground City only then begins to rate the surviving Adventurers for titles?’

’More importantly, the system was actually able to incorporate the Underground City’s title rating rules and fully materialize them on my panel!’

’This will help me better adjust my approach to get the title I want based on the specific ratings.’

[Analyzing and calculating behavior log...]

[You implemented "military control over supplies" through forceful means, displaying swift and decisive autocratic power. This aligns with the King’s Way rating dimension: Dominating Might. Current Dominating Might score: +75]

[By instituting a food rationing system, you converted panicked and idle personnel into a pioneering labor force. This aligns with the King’s Way rating dimension: Command. Current Command score: +60]

[You consolidated the Spiritual Chefs, preemptively preventing a crisis of famine and internal strife in the camp. This aligns with the King’s Way rating dimension: Computation. Current Computation score: +75]

[Relying on your personal prestige and charisma, you successfully mediated the conflicting interests of the three top teams, making them willingly submit to your strategic arrangements. This aligns with the King’s Way rating dimension: Gathering Heart. Current Gathering Heart score: +80]

Looking at the dense string of calculation notifications on the panel...

...Lance had a sudden realization.

’So that’s how it works...’

He finally understood how the final title calculation for the Summer Crown operated.

It divided all of a Trial Taker’s behavioral dimensions into two paths: [Extreme Path] and [King’s Way].

Each path has six dimensions, and each dimension will ultimately affect the bonus Effects granted by the title.

At the final settlement, the Underground City will tailor the ultimate clear title based on the comprehensive performance in these two rating categories.

Lance closed the panel, thinking to himself. ’However...’

’If I want to make these rating dimensions truly effective, to cash them in for powerful title modifiers...’

’...the prerequisite is that I must obtain a Seal and be in the top ten of the individual rankings at the final settlement.’

Because only by breaking into the top ten could one reach the threshold to obtain a "custom title."

Lance took a deep breath.

’The dimension scores on the Extreme Path side lean more toward individual challenges.’

’The bonuses they add to the title system also favor personal stats.’

’The King’s Way scores are also very important, because many of its dimensions ultimately convert into Aura-type modifiers. Anyone who’s played games knows how crucial those kinds of buffs are.’

’This game is only just now starting to get interesting.’