Watching the bright sunrise in silence, it felt as if it was declaring the start of a new era and not a new day. To be fair, it wasn't far from the actual truth...
I closed my Status Page with a sigh, highly pissed off at the fact that I had to start from scratch one more. I swore to myself, the promise of a lifetime at that moment:
"Next time I see that shitty game-God, I must sock him in that smug mug of his with all my strength. At least one time! With a chair if possible!"
I realized that my throat was a bit sore since I shouted at full force previously, when giving the wake up signal to the entire camp. Even more than my complaints about the slight discomfort however, for two of the three girls that just underwent their first ‘reset’, this situation appeared to be pure torture.
[My stats decreased so much! Michael, what do I do? I even lost most of my skills...](Alexandra)
"But you still are well above me in terms of attributes and number of skills, even after I acquired Pandora's Gifts, aren't you, you cheat elf!?"
[Uuuuu... so many centuries of hard work went down the drain... Master! Uuu...](Decarbia)
"What do you mean 'centuries'!? Just how old are you?"
[Master, master! What should I do? I finally have a Status Page as well! I can go dungeon diving with all of you now!](Mia)
"And you... Ugh! While I am quite happy for you, enjoying yourself while the others are wallowing in their own misfortune, it is quite unbecoming of that pretty and innocent face of yours to be unable to read the atmosphere! Although, it might be because of that innocence of hers..."
I sighed once again and realized that I am doing that quite often these last couple of days. After looking at the notification that was counting down the remaining time until the start of the invasion, I acquiesced that it couldn't be helped. Therefore, the only thing I could do was to stick to my original plan and head out to level up like lunatics before the attack occurs.
"We're short on time, so you girls get ready as well! This time, we are starting for real and this can be considered Day 1 for our camp, in its true meaning. It is no exaggeration to say that the survival of our camp rests on our shoulders. After all..."
[Given that the rest of the elves are level 1 and aren't as overpowered as the people here, we need to 'carry' and power-level them. Right, master?](Mia)
"Yeah... Get dressed and let us go to the Dinner Hall as well. It would be quite embarrassing if after shouting at everyone to gather there, we would be the ones last to arrive..."
There were many other things I would have loved to check and prepare in advance for, but given the limited amount of time at our disposal...
“…we’ll just have to wing it again!"
[...](Alexa)
[...](Decarbia)
[...](Mia)
Ignoring the pitying gazes thrown my way, I washed my face with the clear and cold water, allowing myself to sober up from the sticky and tiring feeling last night brought. I couldn't help but remember about Khrone, the other 'side' of my ancestor, as well as the 'gift' he promised.
"Since he said something about passive skills and how nothing new appeared in my Status Page, I guess my level should be insufficient. Maybe once I reach level 10 and get my 'Elf Lord' Job back, it will automatically appear..."
All four of us headed towards the meeting place, while I was still mulling over the information I had and trying my best to formulate a plan. I did say that I will 'just wing it', however… it truly isn’t that simple given the many lives in this camp for which I am responsible.
[Michael, big sisters, you have arrived!](Claudia)
"Ugh... these guys!?"
Everyone had big smiles on their faces and expectant eyes, making their thoughts stupidly obvious. Their reactions to, what could just as well be our destruction, were this... It truly made one wonder if they were Orcs rather than Elves with all that battle-lust boiling atmosphere in the Dinner Hall.
"… everything was prepared Andrea?"
[Yes, Michael! The rations you mentioned have been prepared since last night and should last us for the entire day. Also, it is highly nutritional food rich in proteins, so that everyone will have enough energy for the entire day!](Andrea)
"So she went with meat..."
"G..Good! Ahem! Okay people! If everyone collected their rations, let us prepare for dungeon diving! We have 6 hours and 10 minutes left, so we must make it to the Eastern Water Dungeon within the next ten minutes! Get a move on!"
[[[Yes, sir!]]]
While pretty much sprinting to our destination, 203 people (200 elves, one pseudo-God, one pretty AI and a truly alluring demoness) made their way to meet the Murlocs in battle. Or rather, they were looking forward to squashing them like the bugs they were and grind them for experience until they reach level 10... If we had enough time that is...
Through a fiery debate on our way there, the conclusion was that the original 49 people of the dungeon diving unit plus myself will participate, while also having Alice, Claudia, Decarbia, Mia and... well, pretty much every head of each department and a couple of other people with strong potential (all elves had that, but these guys were exceptional even by the normal Elven standard) reaching about 60 in numbers.
"Would it be possible with so many of us? We didn't exactly check for the limit of people that can enter up to this point..."
[It should not be a problem master. Rather, the issue is the amount of experience we will get after clearing a floor...](Mia)
[Mhm... big sister is right. With so many of us and at the same level, the shared experience would be quite meager even after clearing 100 Murlocs...](Alexa)
"Nothing we can do about that since the other dungeons aren't possible at this point due to our lack of mana and skills. Speaking of which..."
After turning my head to the wide array of girls and realizing that we barely had 16 Elf dudes in the group predetermined to level up first, I smiled bitterly and continued with my question.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"...now that everyone's levels dropped, what sort of skills can you still use. Do you have enough mana for them?"
A look of realization dawned upon the faces of everyone present, including Alice, Decarbia and Alexandra, which without a doubt were the pillars of this party. I suddenly felt like crying and sent another inquisitive and pleading look their way.
[... I can probably still use Fireball or Lightning Chain a couple of times.](Decarbia)
"Then why do you avoid eye contact!?"
[...I-I m-might be able to shoot some Wind Bullets... maybe...](Alexa)
"Not with that a-a-a-attitude, you won't!!!"
[I can still use regular Heal about 20 times and one big Area Heal before I run out of mana!](Alice)
"Why are you the only reliable one!?"
Nope! My knees weren't shaking at all... We manage to beat the Murlocs once without cheats, so now that we still have some, it shouldn't be an issue... Right?
Yeah... with better equipment, better weapons and the light cheats (Pandora's Gifts) we will not have any issues in trampling a mere 100 Murlocs...
"Flag... that was a flag for sure!!! Damn it!"
[Michael, sir! You should not worry so much. Compared with the first time, not only do we have plate armors and sharper weapons, but we also have the battle experience required to deal with low-leveled monsters such as the Murlocs.](Laurence)
"Mhm! That's true..."
Arriving in front of the dungeon, I nodded and turned to face the 200+ people waiting for instructions. If there was a point in time where I loathed the fact that only one group could enter the dungeon at a time, it was definitely this one…
"Well then, we're here and we will follow the previously mentioned arrangements! The 60 of us will go in first and after we do a run of the first floor, we will return to inspect the wait time before the floor refresh. After that, we will move depending on the results. Is that clear?"
[[[Yes!]]]
"Good! We literally have less than six hours left, so let's make each second count! New dungeon diving unit... commence expedition!"
[[[Yes, sir!!!]]]
With Claudia and her huge tower shield leading the way (while I stood by her side), I sighed again and complained quietly in my heart about the absurdity of the current situation, as well as the difficulty level of the shitstorm I was randomly thrown into.
I mean... the game just took a 180 degree turn from a friendly LAN game you play against your friends with a bet of a couple of beers, to a 12 hours Monopoly game where everyone is more or less a shark that will pounce on the other players at the first whiff of blood...
"And it's not only my ass on the line, but many other Gods from this faction I belong to, Eternity included. Somehow, it feels like I was just promoted to the MC of a novel from which many things are expected and I truly dislike that..."
Passing through the all-too-familiar film covering the entrance of the water dungeon, I kept muttering curses under my breath at the stupid situation caused by a certain shitty game God and all because he was bored…
"Alright, we're in! Everyone in formation like we talked!"
In seconds, a group of spear wielders, sword and shield or hammer and shield like Claudia, stood at the front of the group as a total of 15 people. They represented the tanks of this unit.
Directly behind them, another 10 people including Decarbia and Alexandra which were the mages, focusing on mid to close range magic damage, while also able to shield and protect the tanks therefore having a position of damage dealers. The third line in this formation represented the archers with most promise in our group, archers that would rival even Legolas himself, numbering 30 in total that could be counted as hunters that are able kite. The last row was comprised of only four people including Alice, obviously being the healer unit.
Myself? Mhm... well, I could use sword and shield for close range, spear for mid-range, or magic and the custom D-eagles for long distances. Therefore, I played the role of the wildcard as well as the commander of the party.
"The village is up ahead, so let's rile them up and attract them our way! We will use the terrain to our advantage just like the first time."
With loud shouts and swords clanging against shields, we easily attracted the agro of the puny Murlocs. Over 100 of them were already rushing at us.
"Let's start with a big one... Oh, right! Let's experiment! Pandemonium, activate! Fire storm!"
WARNING!
Pandemonium activation, unsuccessful!
Reason: Insufficient mana!
"Tsk! So it's like that after all... Wind Bullets, Fireballs or Chain lightning huh?" – I complained while clicking my tongue
With my meager 180MP, activating and sustaining something like Fire storm should be downright impossible until I reach at least 500 points in my mana pool most likely.
"But I should still be able to do this... Archers! Draw!"
The simultaneous sound of bowstrings being pulled and aimed at the sky was surprisingly satisfying. It truly made me realize that I was more or less on a battlefield already and I couldn't help but smile, since the feeling itself was forcing me to accept the amount of power I was wielding right now. Moreover, it wasn't brute physical strength or magical power, rather the power of a group which can easily surpass my own cheats.
"Release!"
Standing on the same hill as in the previous traumatic time I 'visited' this dungeon, a rain of piercing arrows hit with unerring accuracy the rampaging monsters heading our way. Unlike the first time though, each time an arrow struck, a Murloc died.
"Again! Archers, reload and remain on standby! Tanks create the openings! Mages prepare and shoot first level magic at them. Conserve mana and for those with AOE attacks, focus on the spots with larger numbers."
Big balls of fire (hehe), wind blades and coiling chains of lightning struck the small monster horde, but failed to reduce their numbers as much as I initially hoped. Including the first wave of arrows, not even half their original numbers died, leaving more than our entire numbers still climbing the hill in our direction, obviously in a berserk condition due to their clansmen being brutally murdered in front of their eyes.
I wanted to retort to the uselessly close relationship between the fishes, but I could not afford to at this point. Even if unfortunate...
"…it seems like this is the best we can do at our current level from a distance. Tanks, prepare to engage and draw agro! Mages, prepare to shield and attack at the same time. Archers, fire at will! Healers, put priority on the tanks holding the frontlines... We shou..."
[Michael! I can take care of them!](Claudia)
"Eh!? What do you mean???"
[These stupid fishes are fighting an uphill battle in front of an earth elemental mage? Hmpf! Tremor!](Claudia) – she answered with a snort
Without waiting for an answer on my end, she stomped the ground with her light foot and ripple of mana was sent into the ground. Following her action, cracks began spreading from her position onwards to the Murlocs, disrupting their movement speed and taking away from them the footholds.
"Good idea, however we're also on this hill, woman! We will come rolling in their midst if the hill collapses! Hmm? The hill collapses?"
[Uhm... master? Please don't do anything reckless...](Mia)
[Master, maybe we should...](Decarbia)
"Everyone back away with five steps each! Hurry! Pandemonium, activate! Tremor!"
Pandemonium activated successfully!
The Tremor spell has been reproduced!
MP used: 50 points!
With the extra incentive, the hill decided to migrate to the position of the Murlocs in a grand fashion. This mini-landslide was quite effective as most of the Murlocs were buried underneath the earth and rocks, while the remaining ones had their movement sealed partially or entirely.
"Wao! It was more effective than I expected..."
[...](Mia)
[...](Decarbia)
[...](Claudia)
"What are you all ogling at!? Can't you see that there are still some alive? Hurry up and shoot them down! In addition, it's barely one meter of dirt that swallowed them... It is unlikely that they were killed that easily. Advance carefully and..."
[I can take care of them!](Claudia)
"Is that becoming your catchphrase!?"
[Tremor!](Claudia)
Another ripple of mana was sent into the scattered dirt, however it felt slightly different from before as it applied and increased the pressure put on the buried Murlocs. The rocks and dirt themselves increased their weight while trying to solidify around the monsters buried underneath.
"Are you Ga*ra!? We're going to get sued for that!!!"