Chapter 569: Carnival of Desire [1]
After the shocking collapse of Happy Audio, the name Erebus was once again thrust into the center of attention across the entire Happy TV Network platform. The overwhelming influx of faith, pouring in like a burst dam, had significantly expanded the power of the god Erebus.
However, when the system sent out the announcement for the new Super Dungeon — Cross-Guild event, Carnival of Desire, viewers who flooded into the Erebus Guild’s broadcast channel were met with nothing but a strange "absence."
Silvanus was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, the representatives standing in the Erebus Guild’s assembly hall were other names—yet ones that were no less familiar.
"Oh my, so many people have gathered! What a lively atmosphere~"
A clear voice, carrying a cheerful tone like the light of the morning sun, rang out through the dim waiting hall.
The livestream camera immediately panned toward the person who had spoken. Adrian had radiant golden hair that shimmered like strands of heavenly silk, and clear blue eyes like polished sapphires. He wore a simple clerical outfit, yet his face carried a brilliant smile, so warm and friendly that anyone facing him would instinctively feel their guard lowering.
"There’s not even anyone talking except you, Adrian."
Ember spoke expressionlessly, standing with his arms crossed, his broad shoulders like a wall of steel blocking out part of the light. His rough and intimidating appearance made the surrounding free players instinctively move away, both provoked and intimidated by his presence.
Adrian blinked his blue eyes lightly and turned toward his towering companion, draping an arm over his shoulder as the smile on his lips grew even brighter.
"Why are you grumbling, Ember? We’re participating in a major event. We should be friendly with everyone. Look, the audience is watching us."
By instinct, Ember lowered himself slightly, his brows furrowing tightly as he said nothing.
"The two of you are drawing far too much attention..."
A soft, somewhat timid voice came from behind the hem of Adrian’s robes.
Nick stepped forward, clasping his hands tightly in front of him, his head always slightly bowed. His brown eyes swept over the lively waiting hall, thick with the scent of gunpowder, his lips slightly pursed. He couldn’t help but glance toward Adrian and Ember.
Indeed, the upcoming dungeon was a team-based dungeon. Moreover, for some unknown reason, the other three major guilds had all decided to participate despite currently being in their rest period.
Just from that alone, Nick could already sense that this dungeon was far from ordinary.
And this time, their team consisted of only the three of them. Silvanus still showed no sign of wanting to appear.
At this moment, the audience watching the waiting room had already erupted into a commotion.
[So this is Erebus’s guild?]
[Maybe these are all the members they have right now.]
[This dungeon really did open out of nowhere.]
[No Silvanus...]
[I missed Adrian and Ember so damn much. Hurry up, hurry up!]
"Come on, don’t be so scared. I’m here, aren’t I? I’ll protect both of you."
Adrian laughed cheerfully as he patted Nick on the shoulder. Nick couldn’t help but shrink back a little, still saying nothing.
[I think this combination is pretty interesting, hahaha.]
[Ember’s face always looks like someone owes him a billion dollars. Can’t he smile for once?]
[We’re not Adrian. What do you expect?]
[Still like Adrian the most.]
BOOOOM——!
At that very moment, the waiting hall suddenly began to tremble. The system’s artificial lights shifted into a dazzling golden hue, followed by the deep blue of the ocean and the silvery gray of justice.
The presence of the three Great Guilds, representing the three supreme gods, had officially descended! Almost every gaze was immediately drawn toward them.
From the left, players clad in magnificent golden armor entered the hall. At the forefront were representatives of the Vaelthor Guild—those whose arrogance was ingrained in their very flesh and blood. Wherever they went, the free players scattered before them.
From the opposite direction, the Themisia Guild entered with a disciplined, cold demeanor, carrying the symbol of the scales of justice. And finally came the Abyssus Guild, those clad in dark blue robes that carried the gloomy, damp breath of the deep sea.
Natalia always kept both hands over her mouth, the long folds of her robes concealing the lower half of her face, leaving only a pair of ocean-blue eyes exposed, just like the god she revered, Abyssus.
Although she appeared petite, standing only one meter and thirty centimeters tall, she was the president of the Abyssus Guild. A Heir chosen at a very young age.
Her habit of covering her mouth seemed to have become her very symbol. Other than the livestream viewers, almost no one knew what the lower half of her face looked like. Because everyone who had ever seen it was already dead.
She narrowed her eyes, gazing at Adrian and the others with intense interest, a soft giggle escaping from behind her hands.
The atmosphere in the waiting hall grew somewhat tense when it became clear that not only Natalia, but the other two guilds as well, were staring intently toward the Erebus Guild.
Just then, a member of Vaelthor suddenly spoke up: "Has Abyssus really weakened to the point where its Heir has to personally enter the dungeon?"
These notoriously arrogant people truly knew no fear.
Adrian couldn’t help but curl his lips into a slight smile. He elbowed Ember in the stomach and pointed at them. "See? Now that’s what you call arrogance. You should learn a thing or two from them so you can live up to the way everyone sees you."
Ember: "..."
Clearly, despite Silvanus’s previous display of power, the Erebus Guild still hadn’t earned the attention of the three Great Guilds. Erebus might be powerful, but he was still only a newly emerged god. To believers, the god they worshipped was always the strongest. They would rather compete among themselves than waste their attention on a god who had yet to establish a foothold.
One of Natalia’s subordinates stepped forward, but she immediately stopped him. She smiled, her voice carrying a somewhat youthful tone. "All right. The dungeon is about to begin."
"But..."
The subordinate couldn’t help but frown.
However, before he could say anything, another voice rang out, sounding rather disappointed: "Why aren’t these people arguing with us?"
The voice was loud enough that it was obviously intentional.
The others couldn’t help but turn their heads, only to see Adrian looking at them expectantly. Facing them, he even blinked a few times, as though he were completely ready for a confrontation.
The others couldn’t help but wear expressions that were difficult to describe.
But before they could say anything else, the system’s sudden, prolonged chime rang out.
TING!
[Welcome, all Guilds, to the Super Dungeon: CARNIVAL OF DESIRE!]
[The spatial gate will open in 3... 2... 1! We wish all contestants a... delicious journey!]