“Oi, oi, oi. What’s this?”
I watched as the notification appeared, and my “eyebrows” furrowed in disbelief. The knight had returned, just as I expected, but there was something quite unexpected about him. He was now a level 3 knight, a significant upgrade from his previous level 1 status.
I couldn't help but wonder how leveling worked in this world. For me, it had involved using GP to level up my spectral reavers, so seeing the knight's drastic increase in level left me somewhat perplexed. It was clear that he was now well-prepared and had even brought some friends along for the ride.
Five red dots emerged on the screen, representing the invaders – a level 3 knight, another level 2 knight, and two level 1 knights, along with a barbarian. A notification promptly followed.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification
Intrusion Report:
Five entities have invaded your dungeon domain. G.P safety compromised.
Suggestion:
Secure G.P, put an end to the invasion.
Intercept and Slay the invaders
Estimated Reward:
12.3 G.P
_____________________________
I couldn't help but gulp at the estimated reward —12.3 G.P. This was a significant increase from the previous invasion's reward. It was clear that the system had recognized the increased threat and upped the potential reward accordingly.
Through the screen in front of me, I watched as the red dots representing the invaders advanced and encroached upon my two spectral reavers with guarding behaviors.
It began.
I had to admit; while I displayed no symptoms of it, for I lacked the means to, I felt both humanely excited and humanely anxious. The stakes were higher this time, so I really better not mess up. However, with the knight now at level 3 and additional knights and a barbarian by his side, the battle ahead was going to be an unfair one for my spawns.
Watching the unequal battle unfold on the map was nothing short of frustrating. The two Level 2 Spectral Reavers, even with their improved behaviors and enhanced abilities, were no match for the combined force of the invaders. The Level 3 knight, in particular, was dealing significant damage, and my spectral reavers were quickly losing health.
As I watched their health dwindle rapidly, with me being able to do nothing but spectate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. But I remembered that this battle wasn't just about my two guarding spectral reavers; I had a plan in place. Even though the outcome didn't look promising for the two of them, I knew I had to act smart and fast, and most importantly, I had to stay focused and logical.
With a mental click, I designated the Level 3 knight as the primary target for my two spectral reavers, hoping that they could at least lower his health significantly before they met their demise. I knew the sacrifice might be necessary to ensure the invaders were weakened enough for my other spawns to finish the job.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 02
Health: 39%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 02
Health: 32%
Status: In Combat
『Expand』
_____________________________
I mentally steeled myself, fully aware that I had invested heavily in my spectral reavers and improved their behaviors. It was time to see if my preparations would pay off.
Just when it seemed like my two Level 2 Spectral Reavers were about to be overwhelmed by the invading party, the situation took a highly expected turn.
"Sigh, finally."
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_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
Two blue dots closed in on the red dots, representing invaders. Clicking on them, I immediately had them lock the invaders in as their targets. I had the two level 3, focus their aggression toward the two level 1, I had one go for the knight and the other for the barbarian, I was hoping they would finish them faster so that they’ll be able to focus on the biggest threat here: the level 3 knight. So yeah, I was hoping they would finish fast, and on that they delivered.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Barbarian, Level 1]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 02, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 03]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Knight, Level 1]
_____________________________
The red dots representing the Level 1 knights and the barbarian disappear from the map, along with a blue dot representing my Spectral Reaver but in that moment I couldn’t even bring myself to care, for as long as I repelled this invasion, this loss won’t even register as a loss to me.
I promptly designated the Level 1 knight as the target for one of my remaining spawns and directed the other toward the Level 02 knight.
The Level 3 Spectral Reaver made quick work of the Level 1 knight, cornering him with ease. His health dropped at an alarming rate, and soon, he met the same fate as his fellow Level 1 invaders.
Meanwhile, the Level 2 knight put up a more considerable resistance, albeit a very struggling one. He fought valiantly, and it was only when the Level 3 knight managed to fend off the Level 02 Spectral Reaver that he came to the assistance of both the Level 2 and Level 1 knights, that the scale of the battle tipped to a balanced state.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 02, slain by Verdenkind, knight, Level 03]
_____________________________
“Another one, huh? Not a bad tradeoff.” I smiled as I watched, on the screen, two blue dot approaching and almost immediately joining into the frey.
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
_____________________________
[???'s Interface]
System Notification:
Spawn: Spectral Reaver Level 03
Health: 100%
Status: On Patrol
『Expand』
_____________________________
The three knights began to overpower the Level 3 Spectral Reaver, and despite its higher level, it was now the one struggling to maintain its health.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Knight, Level 1]
_____________________________
What happened next was nothing short of a unilateral massacre. With my two additional Level 3 joining the battle, the invaders simply stood no chance. They were outnumbered and outmatched.
Through the map-like interface, the red dots representing the invaders began to disappear one by one, their health plummeting rapidly, I could only imagine the chaotic display of destruction.
_____________________________
[Spectral Reaver (Patrolling Spawn), Level 03, has slain Verdenkind Intruder, Knight, Level 02]
_____________________________
I muttered, "One more to go," as I stared at the only remaining red dot on the screen, representing the Level 3 knight. But just as I said that, I saw the lone blue dot distancing itself from the red ones that surrounded them.
"Oh, not again. Get him, boys!" I shouted, commanding my Spectral Reavers to chase after the knight. They moved swiftly, but once again, just like the last time, the knight managed to escape, running like a coward.
I couldn't help but taunt, "Yeah, that's it, run, run like the coward that you are." Internally, I understood his actions, as there was no shame in wanting to survive. However, from my perspective, there was a sense of shame in allowing him to escape without consequences.
Amidst my disappointment of not being able to take down the biggest threat of this invasion, I was greeted by a notification.
_____________________________
[ ???'s Interface ]
System Notification Intrusion Report:
Invasion successfully repelled, G.P and domain secured, all interfaces are now available.
_____________________________
In spite of my frustration at the knight managing to escape me for the second time, a metaphorical smile formed on the corner of my inexistent mouth as I stared at the celebratory yet unemotional notification in front of me.
***
"Well, that was surprisingly easy," I muttered to myself. I had leveled my Spectral Reavers and had them adapt a behavior that supported a strategy set to intercept Level 1 invaders, as I'd been anticipating retribution from those Level 1 invaders. But the invaders turned out to be Level 3 and Level 1, which initially caught me off guard. However, it was a much easier skirmish than I had expected. I lost two of my Spectral Reavers, but I couldn't even call them losses since my spawns would eventually respawn. So yeah, it had been a rather easy and straightforward skirmish.
But as easy as it was, I understood that I couldn't afford to get too comfortable with this sense of ease. I had to cast that mentality aside. Complaisance and overconfidence were the last things I needed. Last time, they were level 1, and I prepared for that, only to face a tougher challenge this time with level 2 and 3 invaders. Had I better prepared myself, that knight wouldn't have escaped, yet he had. Most likely, just like last time, he will come back even stronger with an even more powerful group. I had to be prepared for that.
I needed to aim higher—always higher. Overpreparation was better than being caught off guard. This world was unpredictable, and I had to be ready for whatever challenges it threw at me.