Strategy game? Then I'll have to control you properly.

"Anyway, I can't play two games at the same time."

After the population was doubled, a certain procedure officially began to operate.

Seeing how well they functioned even without her intervention convinced Lin Miao that her choice was correct.

Even though they hadn't done anything and were just standing there, they were working diligently as if on autopilot, each doing their own job, just like playing an idle game.

This is perfect now. Whether you're gathering resources or hunting, as long as you don't cross certain areas, there won't be any monsters out of the ordinary in this game.

So right now, the only thing Lin Miao needs to worry about is Lillie, who is struggling in a relatively difficult game.

You must complete Chapter 1 as soon as possible to change jobs and obtain more equipment and skills to become stronger.

[You need to complete Chapter 1 to unlock the second stage]

What changes will there be in the second phase?

The reasons don't stop there. The intention was to test whether activating the second stage of Dark Souls would increase the number of residents available for deployment, but unlike the first game where it was unlocked unconditionally, this time there were conditions.

Originally, Lin Miao planned to bring more people with awakened traits like Attila instead of Lillie, so she had to clear the first chapter as soon as possible.

Although it's possible to activate other games directly without entering the second stage, since she's already here, Lin Miao doesn't want to go against the system's recommendation and take risks.

When Lin Miao brought Lillie, who had been waiting for a long time, into the game world, and they looked at each other on the screen.

"——"

Lin Miao waved her hand in a greeting gesture, and she responded with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Get it done today.

Seeing her like this, Lin Miao made up her mind to clear the first chapter today, since the game's completion time wasn't very long to begin with.

I was worried about controlling the pace of Lillie's fatigue level, but according to expert guides, the first chapter can be completed in less than an hour.

Although there have been changes such as the appearance of Abyss Skeletons in villages, the basic framework remains the same, and it is not impossible to see the BOSS today if you hurry up.

"Okay, let's go."

Lin Miao chuckled and quickly moved the character with her.

Walkthrough videos are not without value; they are at least helpful when taking shortcuts and solving scattered puzzles.

"The Black Knight".

As a result, less than a few minutes after the two began their mission, they encountered the core elite monster of the first chapter.

"..."

Those empty eyes that were staring at Lin Miao instantly surged with killing intent. The Black Knight was an outstanding knight in life, a powerful figure who was worlds apart from the other wandering soul soldiers.

According to the plot, the people who came to investigate this place didn't even see the real BOSS before they all fell to the black knight's sword.

"I'm inexplicably a little scared..."

The figure in the image, clad in blood-stained armor and wielding a blood-stained longsword, made Lin Miao involuntarily swallow.

Although it was originally just a monster in a game, it's completely different now. Even Lin Miao is like this, so how will Lillie react when she actually faces that monster?

"──"

But when Lin Miao turned around, she nodded with an unwavering expression, her sword drawn, a stark contrast to her terrified demeanor when she first saw the Abyss Skeleton.

Lin Miao recalled the image of her crushing the enemy soldiers in the previous battle.

It's unclear whether it was the power of receiving blessings or her own personal growth.

The only certainty is that through her continuous battles against the corrupted entities and game monsters, she is accumulating experience that other tribal warriors can hardly match.

The mage who could instantly defeat the raider faction was also blessed with the snowball effect of attribute advantage in the game.

"Experience pack?"

Lin Miao watched as Lillie charged towards the black knight who was letting out a chilling roar at him without hesitation, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Experience doesn't work in isolation; for Lillie, who is currently fighting the highly skilled Black Knight, her previous experiences fighting other tribal warriors must be of great benefit.

[A true knight, his blood boiling...]

Just then, the undead knight, who was no less powerful or skilled than Lillie, suddenly staggered and spoke.

Just like the Abyss Skeleton, a high-level elite monster that shouldn't have fixed lines, suddenly speaking, this was an event that didn't originally exist in the game.

Please kill me.

The Black Knight raised his sword at the bewildered Lillie and said this.

Although this action completely contradicts his words of seeking death, there is clearly an unknown hidden reason behind it.

"¿"

Lin Miao wasn't the only one confused; Lillie was equally at a loss.

Seeing that Lin Miao was standing there speechless, Lillie, who was very observant, spoke first.

[Behind this lies a terrifying demon. One that manipulates the bodies and souls of countless people living peaceful lives, including myself, a mere guardian knight. You unworthy individuals should not even think of approaching.]

You are nothing but a manipulated puppet, and the minimum requirement to qualify is to kill me.

Lillie seemed to inquire about the Black Knight's true identity and intentions.

As she asked, the Black Knight explained why he took these actions.

"Will there be any special rewards?"

Although it was a tragic story of someone being robbed of everything and forced to become an undead, Lin Miao, who was still unable to immerse herself in the noisy scenes on the monitor, had other thoughts after hearing the story.

Just like when I gained recognition by killing the Abyss Skeleton and received a blessing that was otherwise impossible in this area.

Unlike Lin Miao, Lillie seemed to have made up her mind; one could tell from her eyes that she was determined.

Having no intention of retreating, Lin Miao launched a charge attack on the Black Knight without hesitation.

[A person who knows no fear.]

The Black Knight, who began to wield his sword in response to Lin Miao's attack, regarded Lin Miao's character as a real person, much like the Abyss Skeleton, and commented that he knew no fear.

Of course, it would be even stranger if the character Lin Miao was controlling at will outside the monitor had feelings.

[But is this all the strength can offer?]

"Oops."

The problem is that most of Lin Miao's attacks were blocked by the opponent.

Even if they can unleash various combos, the limited movement patterns and attack methods of game characters simply cannot keep up with the sword skills of this Black Knight who has awakened into a true swordsmanship master rather than a game monster.

"—!"

Lillie filled the gap. She joined the battle a little later than Lin Miao and took advantage of the moment when Lin Miao was knocked back to break into the enemy ranks and strike the enemy's body with her sword.

No matter how dazzling the Black Knight's swordsmanship was, she, as a skilled warrior, could parry it all.

[This might work.]

In the midst of the flashing swords and the deafening roar, the Black Knight muttered to himself in a daze.

Lin Miao also roamed around it, waiting for an opening. Once Lillie was suppressed, he would immediately cut in to block the attack.

This is a combined attack method that Lin Miao figured out.

Even if a successful counterattack is impossible, at least the body can be used to block and defend. Under this pincer attack, the Black Knight's body was cleaved in two, his severed arm flew off, and he quickly collapsed.

The final, fatal blow came from Lin Miao's series of powerful skill attacks, which completely shattered his body.

The Black Knight, who could not find peace even in death, thus attained eternal sleep.

Next up is the boss battle.

After activating the mechanism guarded by the Black Knight, the puzzles to be solved and the enemies to be defeated have all been cleared, leaving only the final boss lurking deep within the castle.

Lin Miao looked down at the scattered corpses of the Black Knights.

If even elite monsters have become this strong, how terrifying must the true demon lords be?

Although he hasn't regained his full power according to the setting, that guy is a terrifying monster from the moment he appears.

"Um?"

Just as the two were taking a short break to help Lillie recover her strength, Lin Miao was a little confused by her rummaging around.

She crawled into the collapsed building and came back carrying something—it turned out to be the gold coins that had fallen to the ground in the background.

She glanced at Lin Miao's expression and respectfully handed over the gold coins with both hands.

"No way."

Lin Miao stared blankly at the gold coin lying in her palm, only then realizing that she must have misunderstood the gold ring from last time.

Although Lin Miao does like gold, he can't take anything else except for specific items like potions and weapons.

How should I explain this? Lin Miao tried to express her difficulty with a shrug. The flustered Lillie turned around twice helplessly, and finally stuffed the gold coin into her pocket.

Unlike Lin Miao, Lillie can freely use any item here.

Maybe if we keep it like this, we can get it when we can use the file transfer function.

"You might become rich overnight."

After all, this kind of setting is everywhere in the game's background. Even the castle we're going to visit next is filled with the treasures accumulated by the former noble lord during his lifetime.

"let's go."

Lin Miao smiled and led her toward the castle.