(Mike's Perspective)

Mike walked back and forth in a hurry as he rushed from one building to the other, dropping off a large package of parcels to the Dragon Express sub-branch inside the dungeon. He jovially worked at the thought of gaining money from the missions that he was given—these days the number of quests increased exponentially.

After the death of the Wendigo, the exploration and new business arrivals were becoming more apparent. The village-like area quickly expanded into a more significant community as the Players population came in large droves. Everyone was hungrily looking for fame and fortune.

Lately, he had read about the difficulty that the other Dungeon raids were having and clearing. The one in Atlantis had the fastest clearing time, allowing them to become the forefront of dungeon diving in their forum. This news has become the number one dungeon diving spot for all Players around for the amount of rewards that were a lot better compared to the other dungeons because it was backed up by the Dragon Express. He remembers seeing his picture used for the Wendigo slaying as he stood on top.

Pleased with his actions, he couldn't help but laugh internally at the amount of publicity that he was getting for his group, especially himself, that he wanted. The name of his group was becoming widely known; eventually, he was getting ready to start a guild of his own. Since then, the number of requests from other Players to join had increased rapidly. Even the amount of missions were given like flowing water, allowing him to pick and choose.

With a satisfied expression, he picked up another box and walked up the stairs and dropped it carefully on top of the other.

Looking around, he saw Heather and Snow busy with work. Their nose in a stack of books and papers that seem to reach high. A few more other people were busily coming in and out, giving him a small greet without saying much.

Walking over, he stopped in front of Snow's desk. He couldn't help but stare at her; she gave him the usual cold aura that froze him in the spot. It wasn't often that he would feel a sickening chill that rumbled in his guts, telling him that the person in front of him was dangerous.

Mr. Everrett, Tamaki, and even Tommy had a dense, strong aura around them, even dangerous, but it was different with Snow. He couldn't help but wonder what it was about her that bothered him. She didn't have the same magical sparkle as Heather that charmed every man and woman alive. Even though Snow's smile was breathtakingly pleasant, it still threw him off many times as he felt the cold chill that told him that one wrong move would get him in deep trouble.

He rechecked her information out of pure habit.

Name: Snow Drezellion

Status "Field Manager of Dragon Express

Level: ???

Magic: ?????

Title: The three beauty of Dragon Express, The silent one, The mystery lady, Hardworker, ????, ????, ????, ????,????, ?????

Info: An awakened human being. ??????????

Still, nothing. Snow was one of the very rare few that he couldn't read. Many others had the same problem, unable to see why. They have tried different ways and even leveled up in the hopes of finding some answers.

The others like Tommy, Tamaki, and Mr. Everrett and many of the other NPC were easily read without many problems. Only she had too many question marks that wouldn't budge from the screen, and it was scarce to see information updated.

There weren't many Players who were able to sway this lady's interest. Honestly, it was even painful to get her to talk to them for more than a simple job interaction. A lot of female players would label her as stuck up or pompous, probably even out of jealousy from the high position that she was given.

Others didn't care and approached her relentlessly to obtain some form of special mission that Dairen and himself was able to get. For they all wanted to be part of whatever she had planned. The amount of reward from her was a lot more profitable than the other quest that only shelved a few silver. He brought the mission up in front of him to see the status.

Main Storyline Mission

Protect Snow Drezellion and help her solve the mystery of the dungeon.

Snow is curious in finding out the secrets of the Dungeon mystery. Even though she is not the only one, she is the closest one to understanding the appearance of it. Keep her safe from enemies until the dungeon falls.

Quest Level: D (The danger level of the dungeon increases every day.)

If Snow dies, the mission is terminated. The loss of ten levels and all fame.

Reward: 1000 gold coins and an increase in fame.

Completion: 45/100

Side Mission: Dragon Express Delivery

Bring back the package that needs to be delivered to the Field Manager, Snow, in the dungeon.

Quest Level: E

Reward: 5 Silvers

Failure: compensation of the whole Cargo 5 Silvers.

The quest levels ranged from SSS to E as E being the lowest threat level. Most of the days, the amount of low leveled mission ranged from D to E. It wasn't often a high-level mission that appeared like the dungeon level boss.

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Even still, Snow's presence was important as she worked tirelessly to move the products and coins that the Players dearly needed. She was efficient and driven, almost mindlessly dedicated to what she does.

"Hello again, Ms. Snow." Mike coughed once, trying to get her attention. "I brought the usual delivery."

Snow looked up, she nodded. "Thanks." She ruffled around in her desk as she pulled out a slip of paper. Scribbling down the slip that she would usually give to the Players. With a loud tear, she reached over to give it to him.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Snow went back to work, forgetting about his presence in an instant.

He uncomfortably shuffled in his spot, standing there as he thought of something to ask her.

"Ms. Snow." He coughed once again to catch her attention.

Stopping what she was doing, she looked up with annoyance but was quickly replaced with her usual soul calming smile. "Yes?"

"Is there anything else that you need me to help you with?"

Snow thought it over; she then shook her head. "No. I'll look for you if there is something else that comes up."

Without any room for him to talk, she went back to work.

Mike frowned, clenching his fist. He knew that she was difficult, but it got to the point where it was a bit annoying. Getting ready to leave, the door opened as Dairen appeared.

Dairen came in with a few boxes in hand as he walked past Mike. Mike shuffled out of the way to let him through.

"Snow. I got your other packages." Dairen said with a pleasant vibe as he placed the box on the floor.

"Dairen," Snow took the effort to get up in excitement. One would have thought it was her birthday present by the way she acted. "Oh my god, thank you." She started to peel the box open in a flurry.

"No problem."

"I've been waiting for this for so long." She sighed, ruffling through the box as she used her body to hide whatever was in the box. "Thanks, Dairen. I mean it."

Dairen blushed red, scratching the back of his head. "Like I said, it's no big deal."

Something about the way Dairen blushed bothered Mike, he wanted to shake him to man up and stop being a sissy.

Snow took the box as she shuffled it into one of the rooms. She came back out and handed him a little box.

"My small thank you." Snow grabbed his hand and shoved it into his palm. "Nothing much, but it should help you with your goal."

"Wow, is this what I think it is? Thanks!" Dairen giddily wrapped his hand around the small box, which made Mike a bit jealous of their warm interaction. It was not often to see her give anyone a genuine smile that was more brilliant than the one she wore for the customer, and Mike fell in that line of customer.

"You guys help me out a lot, especially you. I know I can count on you on some task," said Snow. "Anyways, I got another task for you…." She saw Mike, who didn't leave, realizing he was still there.

"Mike?"

   "Yes?" Mike quickly came over at the thought of another quest. "Is there something to do, princess?"

Her lips became thin, and her cheeks twitched when he called her Princess, but that didn't bother Mike. He enjoyed seeing her give him such an expression that he would typically not see when he was talking to another girl. Almost everyone that he spoke with would blush or even flirt back. This was a different side to the females and found it a lot more refreshing than the constant squeals he would hear.

"I need you guys here at the gates at 6 a.m. I have another objective that would require some extra people. This is probably going to be a day's trip."

Mike pounded his chest once, standing up straight. He looked at her with excitement at the quest that he was given. His screen flashed with an update.

"What exactly would I be doing?" Dairen asked, interested in the task ahead.

"Grabbing a few rare Blue Flame flowers in the Raven tooth Cave. Just a quick in and out. You can bring your teammates along."

"What about Mr. Everrett, Tommy, or even Tamaki, would they be coming along?"

"No. They aren't available today."

"Oh."

A message popped up.

Side Mission: Finding Blue Flame Flowers

Assist and escort Snow in picking out some flowers near the Raven tooth hidden cave.

Quest Level: C

Reward: 10 Silvers

A sharp increase in quest difficulty could be seen as both Dairen and Mike looked at each other, realizing this could be a bit of a problem, but luckily it wasn't as bad as the high-level quest that they got during Boss fights. Mike knew that this wasn't going to be easy, mostly because he had seen Snow's personality: Brash, a bit airheaded, bat-shit crazy in the face of danger, and brave.

The number of times that she would fight headfirst into the pit of monsters would be too high of a count that his fingers and toes wouldn't be able to keep up, which was already challenging in itself to protect. He felt his ego feel bruised at the thought that she was a lot more powerful than him, making him want to grow as quickly as possible to correctly protect her like that Hero title that he was given.

"You'll see me there for sure," Mike spoke out. He was glad to be able to interact with Snow a bit more as he was honestly curious about who she really was. A new case of mystery was something that Mike wanted to solve no matter what, even if it made him look like a fool. This world felt too real and new that he couldn't help but get excited.

"Thanks." This time gave Mike a gentle smile that made his heart leap up to his throat.

"Y-You're welcome." Mike coughed to cover his daze, trying hard not to get embarrassed but was failing miserably. He cursed in his mind at his body's illogical reaction. Quickly looking away, he stood up straighter and glanced towards Dairen as if he won.

Dairen rolled his eyes at him for his childish behavior. He then turned towards Snow and nodded. "I'll see you then." He left, leaving behind both.

Mike stayed behind.

Snow was wondering why Mike stayed behind.

"Ms. Snow," Mike spoke, taking a step towards her. "I have a personal question. If you don't mind me asking?"

Snow curiously gazed upon Mike, wondering what he had to say. She walked over and sat on top of the table and crossed her arms in front of her. She was on guard.

"Do you like Dairen?"

His words were like a sledgehammer, shaking Snow into confusion. He has always been curious about their interaction.

"He's a good person to be around." She replied without hesitation.

"That didn't answer my question."

"Isn't that the answer?" She asked, unsure what he was trying to get out of her.

Mike shook his head, trying to figure out the best way to ask to get through her thick skull. He didn't have any feelings for her, but his curiosity got the better of him as he wanted to know the relationship between Dairen and Snow. It was like watching a slow going drama that he tried to kick into high gear, which was fun to observe. But nothing was going on. He wanted to stir the pot just to see what would happen and even see if there was anything between them.

"What I meant to say is that you seem to have favorable thoughts about Dairen."

Snow quickly replied, "it's because he is my friend."

"Then, you don't feel anything else with him but more than friendship?"

For a moment, Snow hesitated, not sure how to reply. Eventually, she said something that piqued his interest more.

"When Dairen came into the Dragon Express store, I thought he was a Sleeper. When I found out that Players couldn't be wiped clean of the memory of this world, everything changed. He helped me in many things, some he probably don't know, and others are more apparent as bringing in the existence of the Player to the leaders."

Mike was shocked to hear this side of the story about Dairen. There wasn't any information about this, making him realize that Dairen was a lot more important than he thought.

"If you are asking for any love or something like that, I don't think I have any. I only have a feeling of respect and strong friendship." She replied, telling him that there was no more than what he was dying to know.

Clicking his tongue, he frowned, but just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared away with his usual cheerful chuckle.

"Makes sense. A friend is worth keeping close."

"Yes." Snow replied she got up to retake a seat. "Now, if you will excuse me, I gotta finish this up before I go meet Heather." She signed away a few more forms, leaving Mike standing.

Mike understood it was time to leave as he left to meet a few of his friends. He thought about the conversation between them, but he stored it away for later as he walked through the busy streets towards one of the food stalls. Picking out a stall that sold cold beer, he went over to buy himself one.

A few of his friends saw him, waving at him as they came over with an excited chatter.