Chapter 209: A Short Rest In a rare moment of respite, the party gathered in the room, seeking solace amidst the ongoing chaos of the dungeon. The conversation shifted to the final dungeon of the Abandon Fortress.
"Is it true that this final dungeon has four levels?" Yuzuro inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"More accurately, it’s four different dimensions," Rever corrected her, his tone light and carefree as always.
"F-four different dimensions?" Yuzuro gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "How does that even work?"
"Each dimension is like a separate layer of this labyrinthine world, with its own distinct climate and environment," Rever explained, his expression nonchalant.
"What’s even more challenging is that once you decide to log out, you’ll reset back to the very beginning of the dungeon," Victor added, his voice carrying a sense of foreboding.
"T-that’s . . . That’s a problem, isn’t it? It means we can’t replenish our items," Yuzuro stammered, her face turning pale with realization.
A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she realized that she was the only one unaware of this crucial fact.
It became evident that everyone else had done their research while she hadn’t even done her own study.
"I fear we won’t be able to reach the end of this dungeon at this rate. Our items will be completely depleted soon," Yuzuro murmured, her voice carrying the burden of defeat, her shoulders slumping under its weight.
Rever, however, refused to let the negativity settle in. With a swift motion, he slapped Yuzuro on the back. "Stop being so negative. Let’s focus on what we can do."
Yuzuro spat out a mouthful of air as and glared at Rever. "D-do you have to slap my back so hard?" she cried while healing her injury.
Victor chimed in, his voice steady and reassuring. "Consider this: the farthest any guild has reached is level three, and that was one of the top ten guilds. Remember, we are just a temporary group attempting this daunting challenge. Making it this far is nothing short of a miracle."
Yuzuro looked down at her enveloped hands, finding solace in the motion of rubbing them together. She timidly nodded, trying to muster some semblance of hope. "I suppose you’re right. We should be grateful for how far we’ve come."
Rever grinned as he put his hands behind the back of his head, strolling forward without a care in the world. "It’s quite the miracle, especially considering that both you and Lord Schrödinger haven’t even reached level seventy yet."
Xin’s eyebrow raised. "What do you mean by that?"
Rever’s grin widened, revealing his sharp canines. "Don’t worry, Lord Schrödinger. Even if you’re only level 50+, your golems have been real lifesavers."
Yuzuro’s voice was barely a whisper as she curled into herself, feeling like a burden to the group. "I-I’m . . . I’m sorry that I’m such a low level. Maybe I should just log out. I might be in the way . . ."
Yuzuro kept muttering to herself. Her self-doubt hung in the air like a heavy fog as they moved on to the next room, her words lost in the labyrinthine depths, echoing the fear that had settled in her heart.
In the next room, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
As the group navigated the maze’s meandering pathways, they stumbled upon a door that opened into a luxurious bedroom.
The room greeted them with opulence and tranquility. Luxurious carpets adorned with intricate patterns covered the floor, muffling their footsteps as they entered.
Tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes from ancient battles and mythical creatures.
The centerpiece of the room was an exquisite bed, its canopy draped with rich fabrics that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight.
Speaking of candles, the room was bathed in a warm, flickering glow emanating from an array of ornate candle holders scattered throughout the space.
The candlelight cast mysterious shadows, dancing gracefully on the walls and creating an ambiance of both warmth and intrigue.
The air was scented with a delicate aroma, a blend of floral notes and subtle spices that hung in the air, soothing their senses after the challenges they had faced in the maze.
As they marveled at the luxurious surroundings, the group proceeded cautiously, aware that danger could still lurk even in such a peaceful setting.
Their footsteps were almost silent on the plush carpet as they explored the room, eyes sharp for any signs of hidden threats.
Xin and the others then found themselves in a bustling tavern, a stark contrast to the serenity of the luxurious bedroom.
The moment they entered through the magnificent door, they were enveloped in a lively atmosphere.
The chamber was illuminated by the warm, golden glow of candlelight, creating a cozy ambiance that contrasted the harsh reality of their journey outside.
The scent of ancient wood and liquor hung in the air, mingling with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of glasses.
The walls were adorned with shelves showcasing an impressive selection of beverages, from exotic wines to rare spirits. The polished bar counter, reflecting the soft glow of the candles, invited weary travelers to sit and find solace in a drink.
Despite the weariness from their difficult journey, the tavern offered a promise of relief.
Players gathered here, momentarily forgotten in the camaraderie of the moment. The room buzzed with energy, a mix of excitement and relaxation as patrons raised their glasses in toasts and exchanged tales of their adventures.
As the group stepped into the bustling tavern, they were met with a surprising sight.
Rever’s bewildered comment hung in the air, his voice barely audible amidst the chatter and clinking of glasses.
"There are a lot of players here," Yuzuro observed, her eyes widening in amazement at the sheer number of adventurers gathered in the tavern.
Victor nodded, his expression reflecting a mix of surprise and understanding. "I heard rumors about a congregation area in this dungeon, a resting place for all players who attempted this place, but I didn’t expect it to be this lively."
Yuzuro pointed towards a corner of the tavern. "Look over there. It seems like you can buy potions there."
Rever wasted no time and swiftly made his way toward the bar counter, leaving the others in his wake.
When Xin caught up with him, he found Rever engaged in a discussion with the barista, who, despite being a ghost, exuded an aura of hospitality rather than hostility.
"What? You can only sell ten potions to each player? Why is that?" Rever argued, his tone laced with irritation.
The barista rubbed its transparent hands together. "I’m sorry, but as you can see, there’s a significant number of players here, and our supply is limited. We can only offer ten potions per player."
"That’s disappointing," Rever grumbled, clearly dissatisfied with the limitation.
Yuzuro chimed in, her voice echoing with a touch of resignation. "The prices here are exorbitant as well."
Victor sighed and interjected, "Do we have a choice? It might not be much, but at least we can replenish our items to some extent. We’ll take them."
With a dramatic exhale, Rever reluctantly handed over the required coins in exchange for the potions. His disappointment was palpable as he inspected the ordinary potions in his hands.
"This is just a basic potion. What good will this do when you’re facing enemies in the hundreds?"
Victor’s response was pragmatic. "It’s better than nothing. In this dungeon, every resource, no matter how limited, is valuable."
Xin felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he acquired MP potions, even if they were just basic ones.
Given the stringent limits on their inventory, he couldn’t afford to carry too many potions. Doing so would compromise the materials he needed to create golems, an essential part of his strategy.
This dungeon had put him at a significant disadvantage.
Fortunately, he had Pudding, who could generate basic materials for creating Basic Golems.
Although it took time, the little creature had proven to be an invaluable asset since he acquired it, aiding him immensely in this journey.
The group, though dissatisfied with the situation, accepted the reality of their circumstances. They knew that even these meager supplies could make a difference between life and death in the treacherous depths of this dungeon.
"Hey, isn’t that Grey Smoke?!" one of the players from the approaching guild exclaimed, nudging his companion beside him.
Midnight Duchess fixed her cloak that was hiding her face, making sure that no one recognized her in the tavern.
The guild, known as "Shadow Requiem," was one of the top twenty guilds in the game.
The players from Shadow Requiem, recognizable by their distinctive armor and formidable aura, approached Victor with a mix of surprise and annoyance on their faces.
Leading the group was a player named Erratic Blade, one of the core members of the guild. He was a tall, imposing figure clad in dark, intricately designed armor that reflected his guild’s name.
Beside him stood Stormbreaker, the guild’s veteran strategist, known for his sharp intellect and precise battle tactics.
Their discontent was palpable. Their expressions hardened as they addressed Victor.
"We’ve invited you numerous times to join Shadow Requiem," Erratic Blade said, his voice cold and disapproving.
"And yet, here you are, surrounded by a bunch of amateurs. Is this the level of players you choose to associate with?" he added, his eyes flickering towards Lord Schrodinger and the rest of the group.
Victor only smiled. "I think it’s none of your business on who I choose to ally with."