The Shelter Game: Me, Starting with a Tenfold Drop Rate

Behind Vite, thirty figures in black stood firm, a majority of whom were formidable mages.

They fixed their cold gazes on Irving, the chill emanating from them creating a palpable sense of oppression among everyone present.

"Irving, don\'t come over here." James shouted, glaring furiously at Vite. "You bastard, don\'t think I don\'t know what you\'re up to. If you want to get to him, you\'ll have to go through our corpses first."

James wasn\'t alone in his resolve. Even the twelve remaining players from the Green Ivy Group, though battered and scarred, stood tall, forming a wall of determination.

Vite sneered, casting a disdainful glance at James and his companions. "You think you can stop me?" he mocked. "A bunch of worthless ants. You are not worthy to speak with me."

Turning his attention back to Irving, Vite taunted, "What\'s the matter? Don\'t you have the guts? Looks like I overestimated you."

"Don\'t fall for it, Irving!" Vicky urgently warned.

Irving\'s face, however, broke into a faint smile. "Why wouldn\'t I?" he replied calmly.

Ignoring Vicky and Sophia\'s attempts to stop him, he strode directly towards Vite.

Everyone\'s hearts skipped a beat.

Not far away, Anna and Aron, who had been watching the scene unfold, were equally stunned.

"Is that kid out of his mind?" Aron said angrily, his frustration evident.

Anna\'s brows knit together in concern as she glanced back at the members of the Angel Guild behind her. "If any of you have any sense of pride left, come with me. If you\'re too scared, then pretend I never said anything."

Without waiting for a response, she decisively marched towards the group of Night Blades.

"Anna, you…" Aron sighed heavily.

This dungeon expedition had dealt a crippling blow to the Angel Guild, which had always prided itself on its official backing.

While the Angel Guild\'s members had been carefully selected from the best across the country for their innate talent, talent alone was insufficient for survival in the impending apocalypse.

To endure what lay ahead required not just talent, but also unwavering resolve, courage to forge ahead, and an indomitable spirit…

All these essential qualities, embodied fully in Irving, were indispensable.

From the first moment Anna met Irving, she had recognized the unparalleled talent emanating from the young man.

Subsequent attacks in the park and the conquest of The Brotherhood of Night Blades had left her equally astounded by Irving\'s courage and decisiveness.

In Irving, Anna saw hope.

She had decided to protect this man in her own way!

"Damn it, this time I\'m going all in." Aron cursed under his breath as he hurried to catch up with Anna.

By this point, Irving had already reached the group standing behind James.

"Irving, you can\'t go over there!" James said through clenched teeth. "Even if we die here today, it doesn\'t matter, but you… you\'re different!"

The twelve players\' gazes also fell on Irving. They stood like an immovable wall in front of him, unwilling to retreat even a single step.

They were human too, and they were afraid of death.

Yet, deep in their hearts, they knew that the current conflict had surpassed a mere family feud and had escalated to a matter of national honor.

Even if they died here today, they had to ensure that this foreign force paid a price.

"Step aside." Irving said softly, his deep gaze falling on the twelve players. Seeing their battle-worn appearances, he continued, "You\'ve already done what you needed to do. Now it\'s my turn."

"Irving…" James began, but Irving interrupted him.

"Enough. All of you, step aside!" Irving\'s words were firm and resolute.

Each word struck James and his companions like a heavy stone, stirring ripples in their hearts.

James sighed, knowing he couldn\'t change Irving\'s decision. He reluctantly signaled to the players beside him.

A path slowly opened up through the crowd.

"Irving, wait for me. I\'m going with you." Vicky called out as she hurried over, grabbing Irving\'s hand.

Feeling the warmth of her hand, Irving looked surprised. "You…"

"Irving, if it weren\'t for you, I\'d probably be dead by now." Vicky\'s beautiful eyes glistened with tears. Forcing a smile, she continued, "So, let me stay by your side."

Sophia also stepped forward. Though she remained silent, the determination in her eyes spoke volumes.

Under everyone\'s watchful gaze, Irving approached Vite.

"Not bad, not bad at all!" Vite\'s cold eyes showed a hint of admiration. "Such bravery at such a young age is truly commendable. But…"

In an instant, Vite\'s tone shifted to one of chilling menace. "Aren\'t you afraid I\'ll kill you?"

Behind him, the thirty black-clad figures were already poised to strike. With just a flick of Vite\'s hand, they would reduce the young man before them to ashes.

Irving smiled. "I could ask you the same question. Aren\'t you afraid I\'ll kill you?"

Their gazes locked, and the atmosphere grew deathly still. It seemed as though even the sound of a pin dropping would be deafening.

Everyone held their breath, their nerves stretched taut like bowstrings.

The tension was palpable, and a battle seemed imminent.

Suddenly, a laugh broke the silence. The icy aura around Vite began to fade, replaced by a look of appreciation.

"It\'s been a long time since anyone dared to speak to me like that." Vite nodded approvingly. "But... I like your personality. Now, I\'ll give you a chance."

"Join the Night Blades."

"If you agree, all past unpleasantness will be forgiven, including the matter with The Brotherhood of Night Blades. Moreover, everyone here today will be allowed to leave safely."

These words caused even the nearby Black Robed Old Man to react with surprise.

The news of The Brotherhood of Night Blades\' destruction had reached the Night Blades by the next morning.

For a ruthless and vengeful organization like the Night Blades, the death of even one member warranted severe retribution, let alone the obliteration of an entire group they had heavily invested in and nurtured.

Anyone else would face endless reprisals, no matter how many times they died.

Yet, this young man was being offered an unprecedented opportunity.

Vite paused before continuing, "The apocalypse is imminent, and the entire world\'s order will be reshaped. The Night Blades have already taken control of several nations. I believe you are a smart man."

"As long as you are willing to join, I can guarantee that with your talent and abilities, your future status will not be inferior to mine!"

At this moment, not only the Black Robed Old Man, but also the other black-clothed members of the Night Blades looked at Irving with a touch of envy in their eyes.

Vite\'s position within the Night Blades was something they could never achieve even if they spent their entire lives striving for it.

And now, all this young man had to do was nod his head effortlessly and that achievement would be his.

In the heart of the volcano, everyone\'s gaze fell on Irving without exception, waiting for his final decision.

Whether it was James, Anna, or Aron, they all fell silent.

Anna, in particular, had tried multiple times to extend an olive branch to Irving, only to be rejected each time.

Now, the strength displayed by the Night Blades was far greater than that of the Angel Guild, even possessing the power to contend with the authorities themselves.

If Irving were to join the Night Blades, he would surely gain their attention and respect. At that point, Anna could not think of anyone in the Angel Guild who would be able to defeat this young man.

She wanted to speak up and stop him, but the words caught in her throat.

Given the Angel Guild\'s performance in this secret realm, some things were simply too difficult to say out loud.

"How about it? Have you made up your mind?" Vite asked, a rare smile appearing on his cold face. "If you have any conditions, you can put them forward now, and I will help you fulfill them!"

This was the most sincere offer he could make, with the sole purpose of recruiting the young man before him.

"I won\'t join any factions, and especially not the Night Blades." Irving said firmly. "You can give up on that idea!"

Vite\'s expression stiffened, unable to believe that the young man would reject such a generous offer. The smile on his face vanished, replaced once again by a cold, menacing look. "In that case... there\'s no need for you to live."

"Kill him! Everyone here will pay for his decision with their lives!" Vite roared.

As soon as his words fell, the black-clothed figures who had been waiting for this moment quickly waved their staves, releasing a barrage of skills that filled the sky.

In an instant.

Countless dazzling colors exploded in the air, raining down on Irving like a furious storm.

The brilliant colors were the skills released by the black-clothed people, containing various elemental attacks.

"Irving!"

"Irving!"

"Irving!"

Vicky, Sophia, James, as well as Anna and Aron, all shouted in unison, desperately running towards Irving.

But it was already too late...