Chapter 106: [Bonus Chapter] Rever and Yuzuro "By the way, have your friends arrived?" Victor inquired of Xin.
"They should be here soon. Sorry, they have part-time jobs, so their arrival might be delayed."
"No worries."
As the conversation continued, Xin brought up a pertinent question. "Speaking of which, what happens if the system logs you out while we’re in the middle of the exploration?"
Victor’s response was reassuring, laced with familiarity. "You don’t need to fret. As usual, the game will pause your progress, and the rest of the team will wait for you to return. If, for instance, you can’t log in until the next day, we have the option to either log out as well and resume tomorrow or continue onward, with you joining us whenever you can."
Xin’s contemplative expression conveyed the potential challenges this system might pose. "That could potentially disrupt a team’s strategy."
Victor nodded in agreement, his tone turning more serious. "Indeed. In more organized settings, guilds often synchronize their playtimes and make thorough preparations, ensuring the team can efficiently clear dungeons without this kind of handicap. But for our current context of casual play, there’s no rush. We can take our time exploring this dungeon."
Xin’s sentiment aligned with the approach. "Agreed."
Victor’s next question shifted to another member of their team. "By the way, will that dwarf, Hilda, be joining us?"
As Xin guessed, even though Hilda only demonstrated a tiny bit of her power, top players with discerning eyes would still notice it.
Xin’s reply was straightforward, accompanied by a shake of his head. "No, she won’t. She’s occupied with . . . other matters."
In truth, Xin had reservations about Hilda’s participation, fearing that her true nature as an NPC might be exposed.
The weight of the secret hung in the air –– if Hilda were present, her non-player status would become apparent if they attempt this dungeon that had a player limit.
The system would definitely not recognize her as a player.
Unbeknownst to Xin, Hilda held her own determination to join the adventure. She was resolute despite Xin’s hesitations. She insisted on accompanying him, and Xin only conceded with the condition that she remain in the shadows, hidden from view.
As their conversation continued, Xin’s attention was momentarily diverted when he spotted familiar figures approaching –– Rever and Yuzuro.
Rever cut an imposing figure, his avatar a beastly Lycanthrope with the barbarian class. Standing tall and robust, his red hair and eyes contrasted with his rugged, feral appearance.
His avatar, known as Red Dragon, was a striking representation of his tenacious nature.
Beside him, Yuzuro emanated a gentle and serene aura. Her avatar embodied a sprite healer, exuding an air of tranquility that matched her personality perfectly.
Named Hikari, her character reflected her role as a healer, a beacon of support in their adventures to come.
Rever’s beaming grin was unmistakable when he approached Xin.
"Man, you really went for the cat look, huh?" he chuckled.
Xin was immune to it by now. "Yes, yes, I did."
Yuzuro, on the other hand, offered a kinder perspective, her smile warm. "It suits you well. It’s quite you, Xin."
Although Xin didn’t entirely know what she meant by that, he accepted it as a compliment.
Steering the conversation, Xin introduced each member to the other.
Rever’s eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and admiration as he looked at Victor.
"Wait a minute," Rever’s surprise was palpable, "You weren’t kidding when you said Grey Smoke was joining us. We have a top player with us?" he couldn’t believe it!
The sheer awe in Rever’s voice wasn’t lost on anyone. He extended his hand eagerly to Victor, his enthusiasm blowing by the seconds. "I’m a massive fan! You’re like the ultimate dual wielder out there!"
Victor’s response was modest and humble. "Well, there aren’t many dual-wielders around. I’m ranked in the hundreds if you consider the global leaderboards across all categories."
Rever was having none of it, shaking Victor’s hand with an eager grin. "No way, man! Being in the top one hundred among millions of players worldwide is beyond impressive!"
"I can’t believe you’re Xin’s classmate! When he said Grey Smoke was coming, I immediately thought of you. At first, I was like, ’Nah, impossible!’ And now, here you are! Right in front of me! This is beyond awesome. Can I shake your hand again?" Though he was already shaking it nonstop.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of Rever’s fervent interaction with Victor, Yuzuro leaned in to speak to Xin. Her voice, as always, carried a gentle and soothing quality.
"I apologize for Rever’s exuberance. He tends to get carried away when he encounters top players. His enthusiasm for the game is at an all-time high."
Xin responded with understanding, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It’s all right. Victor seems to handle it quite well."
Seizing the opportunity to delve into the conversation, Xin shifted the topic slightly and addressed Yuzuro’s level.
"Yuzuro, about your level—"
Yuzuro’s demeanor became slightly embarrassed, her voice tinged with a touch of embarrassment. "Oh, you must have gotten confused. Rever is already at level ninety, whereas I’ve remained in the sixties."
Xin’s nod held a hint of hesitancy. He realized he might have touched a sensitive topic.
"It’s because I don’t play the game as frequently as Rever does, and also, the guild we’re in — The Syndicate — doesn’t often include me in their raids. That’s why I’ve fallen behind in levels."
There was a brief pause, and Yuzuro’s laughter infused the moment with a lightness. "But truly, don’t worry about it. It’s entirely my fault. The guild understandably prioritizes active players for raids."
". . . I see."
Just as the atmosphere started to feel a bit awkward, Rever intervened with his characteristic exuberance, a question bubbling forth.
"So, where are we heading, folks? Grinding? Questing? Or are we up for some dungeon raiding?"
It was Victor who supplied the response, his voice calm. "We’re going to attempt The Abandoned Dwarven Fortress."
Rever’s initial excitement remained, his grin wide. "Ah, yes! Yes! The Abandoned Dwarven Fortress! Augh . . . Wait. WHAT?!" His expression transformed dramatically, his eyes widening in realization.
"THAT ABONDONED DWARVEN FORTRESS?!"