That was how players kept finding loopholes.
"By working for other people, mining, and building infrastructure, the casual players made a fortune," Black Queen reported. "Since you specifically said not to interfere with player behavior that helps the common players earn money, I didn't stop them."
"I see."
Drex Valen nodded.
That explained how someone had managed to rush a mech so quickly. They had simply exploited the system. Still, that was normal enough. Rich players and super-whales always wanted to improve their experience, so it was only natural they would spend money that way.
With mechs, the whale-class players utterly crushed the casuals.
On top of that, every one of their subordinates had already been equipped as machine-gun infantry, which gave them the satisfying feeling of overwhelming force.
Meanwhile, even the hardcore grinders among the free-to-play players had only reached the point where both they and their subordinates were machine-gun infantry too. That was already pretty good.
"Besides that," Black Queen continued, "the strategy-group players you asked me to keep an eye on have learned to hire even more local natives to help them work. The strategy-group players themselves already have mechs as well."
Drex Valen fell into thought.
"Black Queen, issue a public announcement to all players. Tell them to fight Thanos's Black Order and reinforce Nidavellir."
His mind moved too quickly for prolonged hesitation, so the order came almost immediately.
"Is that really a good idea?" Black Queen asked. "Those players are still pretty weak."
"You still don't understand the terror of the Fourth Calamity," Drex said with a faint smile. "Or the terrifying monkeys and invincible footsoldiers that come with it. You will soon."
Black Queen blinked. "I've always been curious. What are the first three calamities you keep mentioning?"
"Simple," Drex said. "The first is the Securitron Protocol, meaning an AI crisis. The second is the Void Demons, meaning the swarm. The third is higher-dimensional invasion, meaning beings from another dimension invading our world."
"Though there are other versions," he added, "like undead, machine minds, swarm, and players."
"I see." Black Queen paused. "So I might become a calamity too?"
"Probably not a true calamity," Drex said. "But someday, I should be able to show you a small-scale version of the first one."
He thought about Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Pym all gathering together in suspicious secrecy lately, and it was obvious what was coming.
Ultron was probably about to be born.
"Should the swarm and higher-dimensional invasions be added to the list of threats we preemptively prepare for?" Black Queen asked next.
She thought it was very necessary to guard against the swarm, dimensional invasions, and even the possibility of an AI rebellion.
"If this were Warhammer and the green skins from the Warp, maybe," Drex said, shaking his head. "Normal swarm invasions and dimensional incursions are nothing to worry about."
Unless it was a Marvel Zombies invasion.
That was worth preparing for.
Because if even robots turned into zombies, that would be ridiculous enough on its own. And if Johnny Storm and the Ghost Rider could become zombies too, then the whole thing had definitely crossed into lunacy.
"How should I phrase the announcement?" Black Queen asked.
"I'll say it. You write it down."
Drex gathered his thoughts for a moment.
"In the distant, unknown starry dark forest of the universe, the Krypton Empire stands as a rising interstellar empire and civilization. Under the leadership of our supreme and glorious emperor, the Krypton Empire has burst forth with unprecedented vitality. But now this beautiful empire is facing an unprecedented threat!"
"The infamous Mad Titan Thanos, feared across the cosmos, has led his Black Order in a surprise attack against the borders of the Krypton Empire. Nidavellir is in grave danger! There is no time left to investigate the reason behind this invasion!"
"Citizens of the Krypton Empire, take up your weapons! Fight for the future of the Krypton Empire! Fight for the freedom of the Krypton Empire! Fight for the great emperor!"
"Waaagh!"
Black Queen quickly recorded every word.
Then the quest notification appeared.
[Quest Name: Chapter One of the Krypton Empire · Black Order Leader · Mad Titan · Thanos]
[Objective: Take up your weapons and fight for the great emperor and the Krypton Empire. Defeat the Black Order invading Nidavellir, and bring back the head of the Black Order's leader, Thanos!]
[Reward: All players who participate in the battle will receive one of three reward tiers based on performance.]
Third-tier reward: Players with normal contribution will receive 100 silver and 100 reputation.
Second-tier reward: Players with outstanding contribution will receive 300 silver and 300 reputation.
First-tier reward: Players with special contribution will receive 1 gold and 1,000 reputation. (Limited to 10 players)
[Quest Advice: Thanos is the infamous leader of the Black Order, a nightmare remembered by countless civilizations across the universe. He is extremely powerful and protected by the entire Black Order. Prepare thoroughly and challenge him as a team. In addition, Thanos will attack any enemy within his line of sight.]
[Monster Encyclopedia]
[Monster Name: Black Order Grunt · Outrider (Image)]
Monster Description: The most common foot soldier in the Black Order. Huge jaws, sharp teeth, ferocious claws, immense strength. Its four forelimbs are extremely sharp, and when it runs on all fours, it is incredibly fast. Combined with their overwhelming numbers, they are extremely difficult to deal with. These creatures are called Outriders. They are the Black Order's hounds, view death as honor, and are utterly loyal to Thanos.
Level: 20
Possible Loot: Possible equipment or junk.
Note: Most loot can be exchanged back in the Krypton Empire for currency, reputation, and merit.
[Monster Name: The Black Order's Ebony Five Generals (Elite) (Image)]
Monster Description: The five strongest generals under the Black Order's leader, Thanos.
Level: Elite
Possible Loot: Identifiable equipment
Note: Loot from the Ebony Five Generals requires identification. Identification costs a certain amount of currency and requires sufficient reputation and merit.
Profiles, abilities, and weaknesses for Corvus Glaive, Black Dwarf, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, and Supergiant were all listed as well.
Then came the final entry:
[Monster Name: Thanos · The Mad Titan (Boss) (Image)]
Monster Description: A terrifying cosmic overlord whose power has shaken the universe and who has been listed by countless interstellar civilizations as someone never to provoke. A dreaded ruler of the stars!
Level: Boss
Possible Loot: Identifiable equipment
Note: Loot from the Ebony Five Generals requires identification. Identification costs a certain amount of currency and requires sufficient reputation and merit.
...
After the announcement was released, Black Queen immediately pushed the system-wide notice, sending the quest to every player. Of course, the monster encyclopedia could only be viewed on the official website and the official forum.
At the time, players were doing their usual work, mining, building, or inventing their own PvP and PvE modes when the quest arrived.