Forming a Party

"So the best theory is that there's a bug in my character. That must be it. Whenever they see me they feel this urge to screw me."

WindBow resupplied and was currently on his way to the mine. He was making theories why almost every NPC he met until now gave him quests way above his league.

"I know! There's a luck hidden stat and my value is probably very high or very low! Nah, I guess my first one is still more plausible."

As he arrived, he saw a few miners there. Although there's something inside, if they don't go deep they will not provoke whatever is there. Also, they can't stop working. They have families to protect.

WindBow approached a burly middle aged man. He was sometimes giving orders so he looked the leader here.

"Hello, my name is WindBow. Are you the leader here?"

The man paused for a moment.His rugged expressions gave the impression of a rude man. His body was burly, each arm was almost as thick as Samuel's thigh, though his skinny thighs aren't the best compare material.

"Ye, I am. You want something?"

"I'm here by Grom's request besides my own interest. I heard you could teach me mining."

"By Grom's? Hmph, he told you I would teach you mining?"

"No, that was the blacksmith. Grom's asked me to investigate the deeper reaches."

"If that old man told you then I could teach you, but... Are you sure you're going to the deeper parts? Nobody who went in there ever came back, youngster."

"I just have to bring information, I'm probably not strong enough to deal with whatever is in there."

"Your choice, youngster. I'll teach ya for that old fart's sake. Grab a pick and come here."

He accompanied Gus, the miner, until he got the mining skill unlocked. Also he decided to mine here since it was good spot. After 3 hours and 122 ores mined, his mining finally leveled up.

Samuel started his next quest then. He explored slowly the tunnels going deeper. At some point, all the tunnels connected to a cave. Although it was wider, there was a single passage leading even deeper. You could ser a few ores protruding out of the stone wall. There was water dripping from the ceiling, but it wouldn't form a lake.

Then there was a passage, it was as if this area was buffer before going into the real passage. Why real? Because even with his improved vision he couldn't see what's inside the passage, as if a dark fog existed there.

Samuel tension started to rise. His natural talent to concentrate on pressure was kicking in. His reflexes were heightening.

"This ominous feeling means that's probably my quest. I have the feeling that I won't be able to do this alone this time. I'll get more equips first then I might at least try it. As I am I'll certainly die."

Samuel went left the mine and told Grom that he found an ominous passage under the mine. Although he didn't go in, it's not like he didn't find anything so he was checking if he could get something from him. He just got himself even deeper in s***.

[Mission Updated.]

After hearing you, Grom believes that something is dwelling in that passage and can't calm down. He asked you to exterminate whatever is there if you can.

Warning: This quest has been triggered by the players relationship. It's difficulty does not match the recommended for the player.

Rank: E++ (Special Rank)

Recommended Level:

Level 10 Party (Maximum of 6 members)

Time Limit: 7 Days

Failure Conditions: Dying inside the passage.

Samuel felt cold sweat at his brows and hands. This quest was getting more outrageous. Even the system was warning him. He felt lucky to trust his instincts of not entering the passage at the time.

Knowing he has seven days to find partners, he decided to leave it for now. He got to the blacksmith shop and brought the ores. This time he gave him 60 ores. He wanted check something.

"You're not that bad! I guess those extra ores deserves something extra."

In the quest completion he got his expected rewards and one hidden extra. Not a skill book this time, he got a ring.

[Little bronze ring]

Rank: Common

Critical Damage: +2%

[You have received a title: Overachiever]

[Title: Overachiever]

You're not content with just what's asked of you and always complete with even better results than expected.

Allows player to check hidden rewards requirements of accepted quest. Doesn't work on quest not accepted by the user.

"As I thought, there are hidden parameters in those quests. Let's check my old ones."

[Wolf Extermination - First Time]

...

Hidden Rewards Mission

- Complete the mission without dying and players level must be below 2.

[Herb Collection]

...

Hidden Rewards Mission

- Bring at least double the amount asked of you.

[Moon Herb Collection]

...

Hidden Rewards Mission

- Complete the mission without dying. Player must be below level 6.

"Although the difficulty is higher, completing the hidden parameters gives the best rewards. If the conditions are not insane like this one I guess it's worth trying it."

[Mine Exploration -> Mine Extermination]

...

Hidden Mission:

Complete the mission without a party. Player must be level 10 or below.

Samuel quickly gave up on the hidden mission. Last time an E appeared there was that big turtle. Samuel only completed it because it was not an extermination quest but a collection one. So he can expect at least a boss in that cave and this time it is a extermination quest. If he could try many times then he would go for it. But dying means failing the quest so he doesn't want to risk it. Although it's difficult, rewards are plenty even without the hidden ones.

Stone Village was not a starting village for players, but there were a lot of players already.

There were lots of Peddlers doing trade. Players who think their starting villages were too crowded and decided to look for somewhere else. Players like Samuel who tried to obtain something that was not available in their starting villages. Because of that he had plenty of possible party members.

But after looking at the rankings, he gave up looking for partners here.

His name was 5th now, the first place was level 8 and all other level 7. From rank 41st onwards, all top 100 were level 6. That means he couldn't form a party with players level 7 here. Most probably he could at most find 4 other level 5 on his own.

Samuel was about to call George in his friend list when saw another name.

Moon Reflection: Online

('Moon... She's a vice guild leader and looks to be online most of the time. I've never heard about that Heaven's Might guild, but they should be strong if they have that many people already. Let's try it. At best, there will be n change from the situation right now.')

=============================

Moon Reflection was leveling inside the forest with her guild members. Her ranking was 24th as a Level 7. When she was about to give some orders, she received a call.

"Hello, Moon. Are you busy now?"

She frowned. There was no "miss", "sister" or even "fellow expert" there. Remembering that this game run on a global server, she let it pass as a cultural thing and replied politely.

"Brother WindBow, I'm leveling right now. I should catch up to you soon. Do you need anything?"

"I think my quest is leading me to a dungeon. I can't complete it solo, but I doubt this dungeon is easy enough for some level 5 casual players. Could you find 4 more good party members? If you feel like coming, of course."

"Dungeon?! Are you sure?"

Heaven's Might guild members were shocked. Their second in command is a very cold and aloof woman. She hardly shows any emotion even at the toughest situation. She probably heard something very big to get her a surprise reaction like that.

Moon Reflection's surprise is because no dungeon has been found until now. She has people looking the forums for any useful information. There are a lot of people complaining about not having any dungeons for farming. Even her spies in other big clans tell her that no dungeon were found in secret by them.

"No, I'm not sure actually. My quest doesn't let me die, so I'm afraid to test the waters. But descriptions give me 80% certainty."

"... Alright, where are you?"

"Stone Village, west from Seregard."

Moon Reflection class was mage. She got 2 warriors a thief and a healer to form a party. She got to stone village around one hour later and found Samuel in the potion shop.

"Hi, sorry for inconveniencing you. I don't have many friends."

"It's fine. The first dungeon to be found would be good to Heaven's Might reputation."

"I see. I'll lead there."

Before arriving she told her companions to not look down upon him and to don't mind any disrespectful calling. But when the other members saw he was the trash class, archer, they felt disdain. Though they kept that feeling to themselves. They know they shouldn't anger their miss.

"We're here. I got an ominous feeling about this cave and came back. After reporting my exploration quest it recommended me to come back with a party so there's at least a boss guaranteed."

"I see. Thank you for this opportunity."

Her mood was really good right now. If there's at least a boss they would probably have decent drops. The drop rates are very low in this game, so people have been looking for dungeons and bosses with all their might.

"So before coming in, let's set drops to be 50-50. I get half and you get half."

"I agree."

Her guild members were about to make a fuss so she agreed quickly.

"Great let's go."

Entering that dark cave, it was as if there was a film at the entrance. As soon as they got past it, the scenery... didn't change much.

They were still in a cave, but there were strange green lights around making it spooky. It didnt look as humid as before also.

[Discovered Spider Mine Dungeon]

[You received the title: Dungeon Pioneer]

[Your title "Small Pioneer" has fused with Dungeon Pioneer]

[You received the title: Pioneer]

[As the first party to discover this dungeon, you receive additional 100% exp and drop rate until clearance.]

Samuel was overwhelmed by multiple notifications as soon as he got in. He would check that title later.

"Miss, this is really the first dungeon in the world! Our guild will become famous for clearing the first Dungeon in the world!"

"Let's raid it first. We can get excited later."

Moon maintained her calm, though she was excited she followed her instincts. That archer really did it.

Their formation had the warriors in front, Moon and the thief just behind and Samuel and the healer at the back. As they started advancing they soon found monster. It was two spiders actually.

"Warriors get ready to tank it. We don't have skills yet so just use your shields. All others know what to do. Healer just stay back."

Samuel waited for the warrior to hit sometimes before releasing double shot. He aimed for one of the spiders many eyes and succeeded so both arrows gave crits hitting for a total of 40 damage.

[Small Black Spider]

Level: 10

HP: 740 / 780

"This dungeon is going to be hard, so everyone, brace yourselves."