Chapter 107: Another Top Player "THAT DWARVEN FORTRESS?!" Rever’s initial disbelief was laced with laughter, assuming it was a jest. "Ah, you got me there. Good one."
However, the solemn expressions on both Victor’s and Xin’s faces wiped the amusement on his face.
Rever’s laughter faltered, his jaw hanging open in astonishment.
"You’re serious?" Rever’s voice was a mixture of astonishment and incredulity.
Victor affirmed his statement with a nod, his tone steady. "Indeed."
Yuzuro, not deeply versed in the game’s intricacies, couldn’t fully grasp the weight of the conversation.
Rever, on the other hand, was a seasoned gamer with an established position in The Syndicate, making him well-acquainted with the game’s challenges.
"Are you out of your minds?" Rever’s shock couldn’t be contained. "Do you have any idea how brutal that new dungeon is? And not to mention the player limit of just five, and you’re proposing we tackle it with a level forty cat and a level sixty sprite healer?"
His incredulous words hung in the air, but his tone quickly shifted as he directed an apologetic glance at Xin and Yuzuro. "No offense meant to either of you."
Victor was unperturbed by Rever’s skepticism, and offered a nonchalant shrug. "We can always abandon the quest and leave the dungeon if things take a turn for the worse. I believe it’s worth the attempt."
"Yeah, but . . ." Rever’s gaze shifted between Xin and Yuzuro, his doubt palpable as he contemplated the feasibility of their endeavor.
Yuzuro interjected with a note of optimism, her voice gentle. "Remember, we can exit freely unless we engage the boss. Let’s at least give it a shot."
Her reassurance seemed to lift the uncertainty from Rever’s shoulders, and he turned to Victor, his enthusiasm returning. "All right then, let’s do this."
For Yuzuro, this prospect was a thrilling change from the endless loop of beginner dungeons that had become her routine due to the guild’s assignments.
This circumstance largely contributed to her infrequent appearances in the guild’s activities. Attempting to join other dungeons often proved futile as her level fell far below the preferences of other players.
For Yuzuro, this was an ideal chance to break free from the cycle and explore different dungeons, savoring a change of pace.
This was her chance to explore a high-level dungeon, and her excitement was evident in the newfound light in her eyes.
Rever’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on the eagerness shimmering in Yuzuro’s eyes. He let out a resigned sigh. "All right, all right. But if we’re attempting this, let’s at least have a full team. We’re short by one."
Xin asked, "Do you have someone in mind?"
Rever smirked and shifted his focus. "How about that dwarf girl from your sister’s guild? What’s her name? Hilda? She seems pretty strong."
Rever’s observation wasn’t surprising; he had a knack for identifying formidable players just like Victor even if Hilda only showed a little bit of her strength.
However, Xin had already made it clear to Rever and Yuzuro that his true identity and connections were to remain concealed.
They didn’t have any problems with that.
"Hilda and the others are occupied," Xin replied simply.
"Is that so?" Rever reached for his menu to check his contacts, but before he could, a voice emerged from behind them.
"Need one more member to tackle The Abandoned Dwarven Fortress?"
The unexpected words grabbed everyone’s attention.
Approaching the group was a player shrouded in a cloak that concealed his features.
Xin couldn’t help but wonder if this cloak was a rare Legend Grade equipment, as they were known to mask a player’s face, name, and level.
If so, this player was likely a high-caliber individual.
As the newcomer unraveled the cloak, astonishment spread across the faces of Xin, Victor, and Rever.
What had been anticipated as a male player turned out to be a woman –– someone Xin was acquainted with.
"Midnight . . . Duchess . . . ," Xin murmured the name under his breath, its soft syllables carrying a mixture of surprise and recognition.
Emerging from the folds of her cloak was a figure that held an undeniable aura of both danger and allure.
Midnight Duchess, as she was known, possessed an air that could captivate and chill in equal measure.
Her hair was a raven-black cascade that fell like a shadow down her back, framing a face of striking symmetry and fierce beauty.
A pair of piercing, amethyst eyes gleamed like polished gemstones, their intensity promising secrets that only she held. Her fair skin, pale as moonlight, contrasted with the dark locks and gave her an ethereal quality that was hard to ignore.
The contours of her face bore an enigmatic expression, an almost imperceptible smirk that hinted at the depths of her cunning.
Sharp cheekbones and a delicate jawline framed lips that, while soft in appearance, conveyed the potential to deliver deadly words as easily as a lethal strike.
A hint of darkness lingered in the curve of her smile that was hidden beneath a mask, leaving an indelible impression of both intrigue and intimidation.
Her attire was a masterful blend of mystery and power. Clad in a form-fitting ensemble of ebony leather, each piece was meticulously designed to allow fluidity of movement while maintaining an air of lethal grace.
A hooded cloak cascaded down her shoulders, its folds concealing much of her upper body in an enshrouding shroud of shadow.
A pair of black, fingerless gloves adorned her hands, offering both protection and dexterity. Thin straps of obsidian fabric crisscrossed her body, securing various pouches and compartments that hinted at her arsenal of tools and poisons.
Her footwear, sleek and silent, spoke of a silent approach to her craft.
Every aspect of Midnight Duchess exuded an aura that was akin to a top assassin, someone who could eliminate a target with the flick of a hand or the whisper of a blade.
Her presence alone held the power to evoke a sense of vulnerability in those who dared cross her path while simultaneously stirring a fascination that compelled further inquiry.
As she unveiled her features from beneath the cloak’s shroud, the group’s collective astonishment painted a portrait of awe and recognition.
The woman who stood before them was not just a player; she was a force to be reckoned with, a living embodiment of the shadows she so expertly navigated.