In his excitement, Popo temporarily forgot to breathe. He was right to trust his guts. The half-ling was a hidden master. One that would often cause sensations. And these types of people were essential for his line of work. They were walking business opportunities!
He looked toward the spooked mice couple and the glaring back Ro, paced around the broken cup, and asked, "What should we do? Should we go and intercept him before he leaves the cave?" This could be the long-awaited chance to satisfy his curiosity. He wanted to know the other party's conditions. Was he injured? Did he bring back loot? The details regarding the mentioned Hole of Darkness. What monsters lived inside the cave? What did the Gnolls look like? How, he stole their treasure? What tricks were hidden up his sleeve? And if the man could escape their nest at all after earning their ire?
But next, he thought about the half-ling's aura and his pupils shook. It was eerie, deep, and terrifying. That man looked like a child and on the surface acted calm, but deep inside he was nothing but a monster. Alone, he killed a Lord. It happened barely a week after Euclex's launch. Then he hunted monsters like a madman. And now, he stole a hidden treasure. One that Popo didn't even know that may exist.
What am I even doing?
As if doused in icy water, Popo thought in shock.
All this time I was teetering on the edge of a cliff. Th...This announcement means that he grasps a lot of information. I-I was wrong. It's not that he couldn't find me. He just let me be out of pure amusement. If...if I continue to bug him any longer he will kill me! I'm in danger!
The more he thought the more fearful he became.
Previously, Midnight looked like a curious, powerful, and strange existence. He looked like a player with whom Popo could collaborate, curry favor, and from whom he could milk some benefits and information. But, now, the half-ling's image changed. Others wouldn't know, but he was well aware. In these past weeks, Midnight hoarded all important public statements. Except for the first to pass his test and leave the village, he was the sole player mentioned by the system.
Why did he miss the chance to snatch another 'first'? Did he truly miss it?
Yes, now that I think, he wasn't in a rush to leave at all. He hunted monsters and earned a lot of cash, but he didn't try to leave!
With his ability, he would have passed the Monster Subjugation at least a hundred times. He didn't do so because he was aiming for this treasure! This explains his prior preparations. This explains his explorations. Holy fuck, it all makes sense!
B..but this begs the question where did he learn this info? I know every single native in Lesotte and I was confident enough to say that I knew the most about this village. There were no clues pertaining to the mountain or the cave. Th..that means I have underestimated him. He grasps much more information than I thought.
He sucked a breath and tensed. This person wasn't just a powerful existence. No, he was so enigmatic that it felt creepy. At that moment, in his heart, Midnight's image warped into a horrifying being cast in dense and murky shadows.
He shivered, broke in cold sweat, and his heart thumped louder about to break his chest.
Before the mouse could answer, he rushed to speak again, "No, forget it! It's too dangerous! If...If we go and meet him now, he will take it as an indisputable offense. Fuck, he may even dispose of us directly..."
After thinking for a second, he scanned the room in trepidation. In the shadow-cast corner, under the table and the bed, behind the cheap and frilly curtains. He felt that countless Midnights lurked in hiding. They stifled their breaths and prepared spells to kill him.
This won't do. I can't continue gambling with my life!
He clenched his fists to calm the trembling and looked toward his mouse.
"We are too close to his abode. We can't stay here any longer! We have to hurry and escape! Ro, pack your stuff. We are going to a city! We will go to Weist. From now on, we shall stay away from Midnight! We will go to Raven and Renata. They are powerful and well renowned. They are flawless business partners and we can seek protection if we need it!"
Squeak!!! Squeak~
Ro didn't argue. It thought that his master finally appeared smart. It swiftly gave the order and the other mice ran toward the table and began to pack its snacks.
Meanwhile, Popo quickly squatted to collect the shards. He wiped the milk away, rushed to pack his stuff, and walked toward the table. He took a couple of coins and left them as compensation for the broken cup.
Outside, the storm drew closer. The prior mellow rain was now a full-fledged downpour. It matched perfectly with the emotions that he felt.
Five minutes later everything was done. With all three mice standing on his shoulders, he fiddled with the system and chose his city-state. A flash of lightning lit the gloomy night. Before the thunder roared, they all had vanished in thin air.
...
Thick silence ruled the small conference room. Inclined against the walls or sitted on the shabby wooden chairs, more than ten players stilled their breaths and strained their ears. For a minute, no one made a noise. They all listened to the AI.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
The first to break the calm was a woman in her thirties. She played with her curly black hair, rolling it around her fingers, and casually spoke, "Leader, Vice, wasn't Silver Lane located in your village? Do you know anything about this Hole of Darkness or the treasure of the Gnolls? Can you guess that pal's identity?"
Raven rubbed his chin and didn't speak. He shot a look toward Renata, implying that she should explain. Blabbering and gossiping suited her the most.
Cough
Annoyed by his lazy attitude, the elf cleaned her throat in resignation. She looked toward Leticia and nodded but then shook her head as well. "We know about the cave. We even tried to go inside, but attempting exploration was impossible."
"Not difficult but impossible? What do you mean?" Leticia was intrigued and surprised. The twisty symbols and patterns engraved into her skin betrayed her emotional fluctuations. As if alive, they crept around and swirled, changing their meanings.
Renata read between the lines, and denied her speculations, "It isn't what you think. There weren't any monsters that we couldn't kill. It's just that The Hole of Darkness is under a restriction. An environmental rule that prohibits non-organic light. It was too dark for us to see and venture deeper. Unlike you, demonoids, elves, and humans lack the necessary skills."
Hahaha
A bulky, hairy man with mane-like golden hair, laughed out loud and slapped his leg. He didn't mince his words and roared, "The both of you gave up just because you couldn't see? Pathetic. I expected more from the first and second in the guild. Since when did the Magister and the Frozen Witch become such pussies? Aren't you ashamed?"
Before he finished speaking, Renata's eyes turned colder. The air shook and the temperature inside the room plummeted by five degrees. She ground her teeth and spoke, "If you don't want to die a pointless death, I suggest you use that vacant accessory above your shoulders and shut that yapping trap. Euclex is not a common VR game. Here I am not the Frozen Witch and you are not Unbreakable. Leonid, it's about time for you to stop depending on your previous achievements. Can't you see the world as it is? Currently, we all are not much better than the newbies. We lack the experience and knowledge to climb the ladder as of yet."
"How scary~" Despite his words, Leo wasn't bothered in the slightest. He picked his ear and ridiculed her, "Your speech would have been convincing if you didn't sound like a random weakling. Indeed, the times have changed. At least, the Frozen Witch is no longer what she was. Now, she is nothing but a lukewarm melted puddle. How saddening and pitiful..."
"Wanna see how this lukewarm puddle kicks your ars again? They say that meatshields have a worse memory than chickens. Today, I can finally confirm this to be a fact. You seemed to have forgotten the countless times you lost to me. Don't worry, this beauty will gladly help you to remember!"
Leo pulled his shield and stood up glaring menacingly at the elf. In turn, Renata laughed and her eyes glazed reflecting mystic symbols. In an instant, the argument heated uncontrollably. The room felt cold yet stifling. Some members cheered and urged the couple, some tried to dissuade them, some sighed with resignation, while Harumi, the healer, alone trembled in the corner.
Thud
Raven used force and rapped the table with his index finger. His temples bulged and he spoke in a calm but scary voice. "Renata, Leonid, both of you shut up. We don't have time for your childish antics. You can resolve whatever frictions that you have when we get the fucking dungeon cleared. I won't stay silent if you continue this bullshit anymore."
Hiccup
Harumi's glowing halo dimmed and she hiccuped breaking up the tension. She blushed and looked around the room, trembling like a yeanling.
Partly grateful, partly worried for the future of his guild filled with all these crazy bastards, Raven pursed his lips and glared at his vice.
"Fine~" Renata took her glasses off and cleaned away the frost, then slowly placed them on her nose again, carefully adjusting the position. Raven was correct. He was rather reliable when she lost her cool. She took a mental note and straightened her priorities as the second in command. "I apologize for the sudden outburst. I agree with you. The dungeon is the most important. I'll whip his ass at a later date."
"Good. And you?" Raven accepted the feigned apology and smartly chose to ignore her disturbing last comment. He swiped his gaze toward the guardian.
Leo was a trusty person and a stable member of their core. Excluding his short fuse, narrow vision, and uninhibited tongue that often irked the other members, he was rather nice. He was just that typical example of a battle junkie. It was unknown why he even played a guardian when he loved to fight so much.
"If I can wrestle her after we are done, I will follow your arrangements." Leo glared at the elf. In their past skirmishes, he mostly lost, but he was itching for another showdown.
"I happily accept. As the vice, I must cater to the members. Even if they are masochistic perverts like this guy."
"Meh, and I wanted to enjoy the drama..." A hooded black-robed man sighed with disappointment, butting in the conversation.
My sub is a magician with a nasty mouth and awkward interests and habits. The party's tank is a simpleton and battle junkie. Our healer is a cowardly high school girl. And the assassin enjoys inciting others just to have some fun. They are capable and hardworking, but there is not a single normal person in this bunch. Have I murdered someone in my past life?
Raven had a headache. He ignored the hoodie and clapped his hands. "Then all of you sit back. I will share the dungeon information." While speaking, he slid his hands across the air and pulled two windows from his log presenting them for all to see.
|Dungeon: Land of the Lustrous
Lifespan: Medium (4 years)
Age: Mature (2 years and 11 months)
Type: Combat/Material; Sub-World; Confined; Solitary
Grade: Rare
Size: Small (3 floors)
Applicants: 1-7
Reset Time (after entry): 12 hours (Euclex Time).
Time Frequency: slower 1.5/1
State: Uncleared, Curbed, Ownerless|
|Congratulations. You found a hidden dungeon - Land of The Lustrous.
Detected achievements:
1) First to pass the Test of Worthy.
2) First to find a hidden dungeon.
Because of your achievements, you will receive the following rewards.
Rewards:
1) Dungeon Death Penalty Reduction from 5 to 1 hour (Euclex time).
2) Protection Period Extension from 24 to 72 hours (Euclex time).
3) A Legendary Grade Material Chest
Information:
1) The Dungeon-related rewards apply only to the Land of The Lustrous.
2) The Dungeon-related rewards will take effect from the moment you enter the dungeon.
3) The Dungeon-related rewards will apply to all members of the exploration party.
4) When you enter the dungeon for the first time, a Continental Announcement will take place. The dungeon's name and your rewards will be revealed. Your personal information and the dungeon's location will be kept a secret until the Protection Period ends.
5) Upon clearance a reward will be bestowed depending on the factors: number of challengers, clearance time, number of attempts, number of alive challengers and their state upon success, and time required to obliterate the boss.
Note: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat! To have a feast, work harder!|