-Inside the Crystal Cave-

Ugh, we were trapped inside the cave.

"Hey, Scy! Look at this!" Elou excitedly said.

Wow. This place is magnificent. The place is surrounded by crystals that shine throughout the whole place. The light we saw came out from these crystals, just how much we could earn if we sell these crystals. They were also awed by the appearance of the place. There are no monsters around. Maybe it was still undiscovered that's why even monsters can't visit this place.

(A New Location "Crystal Cave" has been discovered.)

We checked the place and we found that this place is really wide. It looks like we're the first ones to travel here. There are several ways that lead to other paths but this wide passage is kind of weird. It's unnatural to have a passage this wide. It was like the dungeon we explored in the forest but we found a Chimera instead. I've got a bad feeling about this.

"Hey Scy, I think it's better to log out for a bit and explore the place later," Elou suggested as we all are hungry right now.

"Sure, let's go back first to the entrance, this place doesn't look normal," I answered.

After we arrived at the entrance, it was still closed up. Our supply here could still last a day so we don't have a problem overnight but if it still doesn't open that would be a bad news for us. A character can also die from starvation and re-spawn to a friendly place.

We logged out from the game and decided to meet again after two hours.

-Aries' Home-

Hmmm, I missed the show "What's New in New Life Online" because it's already eight pm. Jeez. Even the girls are still playing. I called them out and we started having our dinner.

"So how's your day, guys?" I asked them to lighten up the mood.

"Well it was fine, we managed to rank up quite fast which is really good. We are preparing for the next tournament. The tournament will start after four days," Hmmm, that's weird. When I started playing the game they said we still have two weeks to prepare but Mari said we only have four days left.

"Oh, is that so. I think, we still have around a week to prepare? But you mentioned earlier that it would be four days left? I am kind of confused Sis," I asked her and really want to know the answer.

"Oh, you are right Bro. But because of the conflict between Ravens, our Guild Leader decided to start the tournament early this month. The Game Admins also talked to our Guild Leader because the previous schedule is the exact anniversary of the game which the new expansion will be released. The change also was already broadcast on the news earlier," Oh, that's bad news for us. With our current rank, we might have a problem fighting with those high-ranked players.

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"Well, thanks for the info, Sis," I said while still thinking how to train within three days.

"You really look serious Bro, are you going to participate in the tournament?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, yes. I just want to try it out but I think my rank is not that great," I answered back.

"Aw... what's your rank right now? It's been a week since you started playing right?" She asked. Oh, that's right. I still haven't checked my rank. I'll check it out later.

"My current Rank now is C. I focused on ranking up and using the same masteries." I think that's my current rank now but I haven't really checked since after defeating the orcs.

"Wow, that's great. When you asked me days ago, my rank was A but now after those fight with Scythus party, sleepless hunting and exhausting training with Azzie, I am now close to reaching rank S." Wow, the gap is really going too far.

"That's great Sis. I should probably train more,"

"Ok Bro, we are going to play now. See you tomorrow. Goodnight!" She said while they walked away and entered the room.

I also should log in now. They might be already waiting for me.

-Inside the Crystal Cave-

"Welcome back Scy! How was your dinner?" Akko welcomed me.

"Well, ok I guess. So what are you guys up to?" I asked because the moment I entered the game they are already training.

"Oh, it is just simple training. We ranked up really good this time. From the last time I checked my Rank was at was D before the forest exploration but now it's already Rank C and it says I'm almost at B," She explained. What the heck? Almost B? That's unbelievable.

(AKKO / MAGE: C

EQUIPMENT: BONE MAGIC STAFF / ROBE OF SPELLCASTER

MASTERIES: FIRE MAGIC / CLOTH ARMOR)

"Holy crap! How about Lili and Elou?

"Oh, mine's the same" Elou replied.

(ELOU / ARCHER: C

EQUIPMENT: COMPOSITE BOW / LIGHT LEATHER ARMOR

MASTERIES: ARCHERY / LIGHT ARMOR)

"..." Lili... I guess she has the same progress as the others as we all do the same.

(LILI / SUPPORT: C

EQUIPMENT: BONE MAGIC STAFF / ROBE OF SPELLCASTER

MASTERIES: LIGHT / CLOTH ARMOR)

"Wow, that's great. The fight with Orcs and our training really boosted our masteries," I said.

"Let me check mine," I said while they still are doing their training.

Scythus / THIEF B / MAGE C

Health 100%

Mana 100%

Fatigue 20%

Hunger 25%

STATS

Strength Rank: D

Constitution Rank: D

Dexterity Rank: B

Agility Rank: A

Intelligence Rank: C

Wisdom Rank: E

Charisma Rank: E

MASTERIES

Mid-Rank Battle Mastery

Mid-Rank Light Armor Mastery

Mid-Rank Light Weapon Mastery

Fire Mastery

Stealth Mastery

Bare Hands Mastery

Shield Mastery

EQUIPMENT

Weapons: Light High-Quality Bone Dagger / High-Quality Light Shield

Armor: High-Quality Light Leather Armor Set / Winter Cloak

Accessories: Necklace of Sprint / Ring of Mana Regeneration x2

Unequipped: Theif's Cloak

Key Items: House Ownership Certificate: Vanguard's Stronghold

TITLES

Grassland's Reaper

The Vanguard's Savior

Gold: 89

Wow, already reached Rank B Thief! I ranked up more than I expected. Just how the heck did I do that?! This was awesome. This is why I managed to fight Zeth the last time.

"So what's your Rank Scy?" Elou asked.

"Oh, I think I just reached Rank B. I never thought we could rank up this fast." I replied to him.

"Well if we haven't met you. We might still be weaklings. For some reason, we always get in trouble when we're with you so maybe that's the reason. Haha," We just laughed and rest for a bit.

We ate some food to replenish our hunger and rest for our fatigue. We still can't believe that we were trapped inside this cave covered in shiny crystals. We haven't touch anything yet because we still don't know what the crystals are for.

We chitchatted for a bit and we also talked about the plan for tomorrow. After all that, we decided to explore the place and go deep inside the cave.

"Let's Go, Fellas!" Elou excitedly shouted, as always.