Chapter 115: Loop in the Dungeon The next chamber unveiled itself as an icy expanse that had dutifully served as a natural freezer for centuries within the royal kitchen.
Delicate frost had painstakingly etched exquisite patterns onto every available surface in the frigid air. This freezing chamber had long played host to the role of preserving frozen meats and vegetables for the kingdom.
A mesmerizing display greeted Xin and the other’s eyes.
The room’s walls were artfully lined with an impressive variety of frozen provisions. The thin layers of ice emitted an ethereal, almost magical glow, casting an otherworldly ambiance throughout the room.
Victor stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chilled air like a knife through butter. "The Earl’s coffin is situated within this chamber, but there’s a catch. We still need to locate the key that will open the door leading to his final resting place."
Yuzuro couldn’t help but gaze around with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this room was more of a burial ground than a pantry. She hesitated with each step, her footsteps echoing in the frigid silence.
"Why is it so cold in here?" she shivered, eyeing the frosty surfaces.
Rever nodded in response, his breath forming visible puffs of vapor. "It makes sense; this is the coldest area on the map."
Xin’s curiosity piqued. He voiced a question that had been on his mind. "What happens to other players once we retrieve the key and find the Earl’s coffin?"
Victor assured him, "Don’t worry about that. The game has designed this as a loop dungeon. In other words, it’s not a one-time clear. If we get the key and find the coffin, other groups can achieve the same. It’s all about who gets there first."
Understanding dawned on Xin. "So there’s no respawn timer?"
Rever shook his head. "In dungeons like these, there’s no respawn timer. Once one group clears the objective, another set of key and coffin can respawn for the next group."
Yuzuro chuckled softly. "Isn’t it kind of ironic that the Earl gets to receive his father’s coffin every day?"
Rever raised an eyebrow, a wry smile forming. "You certainly have a unique sense of humor, Yuzu. But you’re right; that’s precisely how the quest functions."
Victor nodded in agreement. "There are, however, special dungeons and bosses that can only be cleared once."
Xin recalled. "You mean the Seven Wonders of Eternia?"
"That’s correct," Victor affirmed. "And those formidable World Bosses."
The group continued to embarked on their quest within the frosty confines of the chamber while chatting about the game.
Victor was acting as their guide through this chilly maze.
"Now, let’s see . . . the coffin should be . . . over there." He raised his hand and pointed towards a particular area where a sizable congregation of players had gathered.
Rever cast a resigned glance in the direction Victor had indicated. "Looks like there’s a line forming over there. It’s a bit anticlimactic when you already know what to expect with all these players around."
Victor offered a comforting reassurance. "All explored dungeons tend to be like this but don’t worry. I believe the developers imposed a group limit on this dungeon to prevent overcrowding."
Yuzuro inquired, "So, what’s our plan?"
Victor observed the surroundings, his thoughts forming a strategy. "Shadow hasn’t detected anything unusual here, so let’s focus on obtaining the keys and be prepared for any potential confrontation."
Xin was vigilant as ever, and sensed a subtle breeze near one of the rooms, a sign that they were on the right track.
However, their path forward was obstructed by a sturdy, locked iron door. To gain entry, they’d need to explore other sections of the dungeon and secure the elusive key that would unlocked it.
Amidst the crowd, they observed other groups who had already found the key, now standing in line at the very door they needed to access, eager to complete their quest.
Xin contemplated the situation and couldn’t help but feel that this aspect of the game could use some refinement.
Perhaps the developers should have imposed a daily group limit or implemented a scheduling system.
However, the influx of players might have necessitated the current approach, even if it did dampen the sense of adventure.
"Try not to be too disappointed."
Xin was caught off guard by the low, melodious voice of Midnight Duchess. He turned to her and found her gaze resting on him, her expression inscrutable, as if she held knowledge or insights beyond his reach.
"Remember, there are plenty of dungeons still unexplored that offer a lot of excitement. It just so happens that this one has been cleared for a while. But trust me, once we get to the third and fourth quests, that’s when the real fun begins," she explained and it was the first time that Xin heard her say something so long.
Xin found himself at a loss for words. How did she manage to read his thoughts so accurately? He was certain his facial expressions remained stoic most of the time. Xiaxia was the only one who could read him like an open book.
. Rever agreed with a hearty laugh. "Midnight Duchess is absolutely right, Lord Schrodinger. It might feel like a walk in the park right now, but once we reach the third and fourth quests, you’ll be wishing for the simplicity of this map." He finished with a sly chuckle.
Victor took charge once again, refocusing their efforts. "Let’s proceed and find that key. The sooner we have it, the less time we’ll have to spend waiting to explore the other parts of the map and the less competition we would have."
As the group was preparing to proceed into the next room, a sudden and deadly threat materialized. An invisible strike, swift and malevolent, nearly found its mark on Xin, aiming for a critical spot that would have undoubtedly ended him.
However, in the nick of time, Victor’s reflexes kicked into action. He deftly and decisively flung aside the unseen, deadly projectiles, ensuring Xin’s survival.
Simultaneously, Midnight Duchess reacted swiftly, delivering a precise strike into the empty air.