Chapter 14: First Dungeon - Forest of Beasts
The setting inside the Forest of Beasts grew excessively dim after entering the greatest difficulty.
In addition to the monsters becoming stronger and the dungeon facing considerable expansion, the environment was also altered to benefit the monsters inside.
Beast-type monsters were famed for their keen senses, chiefly hearing, sight, and smell, which removed the need for large amounts of light. On the other hand, players would be at a huge disadvantage in such an environment.
After stabilizing inside the dungeon, Aspaira paled while looking at Kieran with a furious expression. "Are you crazy?! I told you Difficult was hard to clear, and you've decided to enter the hardest setting?"
The increased Recommended Level should have deterred Kieran in Aspaira's eyes, but it didn't. What player even came close to Lv.9, let alone Lv.12?
Part of Aspaira wanted to abandon the run before they began.
Although she was aware of the penalty for doing so, she felt it was more practical to suffer losses now and avoid false hope. The punishment of failing a dungeon run grew more severe with each increase in difficulty.
While the exact terms of the penalty hadn't been stated, it wouldn't surprise Aspaira if the failure penalty set back their leveling progress immensely.
Sithik chimed in and supported Aspaira's argument. "We didn't even test how well we work together. How can we succeed if we're unaware of how well we work together?"
Despite Aspaira and Sithik's reasonable yet vehement protests, Kieran's expression remained dull. "I understand that it may feel like an impossible task for you all, but I entered this place because I'm confident in clearing it. If I told you beforehand, you would have run away."
"Ah-..." Aspaira blinked wordlessly because Kieran's reasoning wasn't wrong.
Aside from Altair and Kieran, most players would rather wait until enough information was compiled on the dungeon before attempting it.
Thus, Aspaira found it hard to fathom that he only entered this place because he desired vigorous opponents.
"How can you say you're confident in clearing the hardest setting when you haven't entered the other difficulties?" Cygnus asked with a frown.
Because Altair and Kieran's dungeon progress was on display, they knew Kieran hadn't made prior attempts to clear the Forest of Beasts. However, they were willing to overlook this thanks to the fact Altair and Kieran's equipment looked decent.
Of course, their assumptions of Kieran were incorrect.
During his first experience with Zenith Online, he diligently tackled the dungeon's every difficulty, so when it came to familiarity with the dungeon, no one could claim to be more accustomed.
Nevertheless, he couldn't just reveal all the gimmicks that existed to clear the dungeon while under-leveled.
First, he needed to go through the motions for appearance's sake, like presenting the option to map out the dungeon layout as many parties had done in the two preceding difficulties.
"Why you ask?" Kieran glanced toward Cygnus, noticing her fiery spirit blazing within her mannerisms. "Because Altair and I have been at this level for a few hours now. If not for me asking him to find capable people, I wouldn't be surprised if he reached Lv.10 by now."
The rest of the team gave skeptical glares, but Kieran and Altair both seemed unaffected. Whether or not they wanted to accept it, Kieran told the truth.
If not for him visiting Grandma Agatha, his current level would be significantly higher.
However, Kieran didn't regret his decision.
The effects of the Enriched Mystic Tea pierced deeper than just improving his Perception; his spirit felt exuberant.
'It must have something to do with what that fairy mentioned.'
Apparently, Kieran's soul was confined by some unknown limit that even he couldn't feel, which was understandable given his circumstances.
Who could claim to be experienced in the principles of rebirth? What if his rebirth caused or awakened some inexplicable change within him?
"Ignoring this dungeon's difficulty, I must ask—what are your intentions in playing this game?" Kieran asked. He knew well the effects of playing Zenith Online. It could pierce reality and create a new environment of competition on Earth.
If these players merely entered Zenith Online for lighthearted pleasure, they would soon fall into the depths of normalcy.
Kieran didn't just play this game to become strong again; he also played the game because a desire to conquer erupted from within.
"Honestly, I picked this game up because it was super hyped up in the global advertisements. I had to see all the fuss," Sithik answered. His tone denoted a lack of desire. It was only a game to him.
Aspaira somewhat agreed. "Games are a good stress reliever for when the pressure of everyday problems become too great."
"Well, that's reasonable since it is how most people view the old VR titles. But my reasoning differs from yours. I won't impose my views on you all. Now that we're inside the dungeon, if you wish to abandon it alone, I won't blame you. However, I must warn you that should you ever see my name in the announcements, you will understand at that time that your opportunity has come and gone," Kieran stated clearly and solemnly.
Besides Altair, everyone else knitted their brows.
The confidence and decisiveness in Kieran's tone alarmed them. Why did he make it seem as if there was no greater party to be a part of?
The thoughts of abandoning the run gradually dissipated from their minds.
"Are you truly confident that we'll clear the dungeon?" Aspaira cautiously inquired.
"I am," Kieran nodded. "As long as you all perform your roles well, Altair and I will defeat the enemies as quickly as possible."
Cygnus, Sithik, and Aspaira begrudgingly agreed with a sigh.
"Then it is settled. Since we have dealt with the issue of confidence, we need to map the dungeon as quickly as possible. Or…." Kieran turned and looked into the dark forest's depths, where menacing eyes lingered within.
He then continued, "We can simply map the areas that you all feel are unknown, especially you, Aspaira, since you have experience with the Difficult setting."
Despite the expansion of the dungeon layout, the structure didn't undergo a substantial change. There were some additions, but they were negligible and only existed to lengthen the run if players chose to tackle the dungeon in an orthodox manner.
"I think it will be safer to go with the former option. But, if you are really interested in the second option… I recall some of the dungeon's layout from my last run, primarily the beginning."
Before answering, Kieran turned to Altair. "Are you open to rushing this expanded dungeon, or would you like to take the safe route?"
Altair chuckled, finding Kieran's question amusing. "What do you think? Our progress has stagnated due to whatever you were doing, so we need to play catch up."
Altair unsheathed his daggers and snatched them out of the air with eyes as sharp as a hawk. "There's no such thing as a safe route. We kill everything before us."
"I couldn't agree more," Kieran remarked. He removed the greatsword from his back and used 10 UAPs simultaneously.
〈System: Strength has risen from 26 to 31.〉
〈System: Agility has risen from 30 to 35.〉
"Follow us. Since there is no designated tank, and I have the highest Health and Defense in the party, I'll take the lead," Kieran said.
A few seconds later, a notification appeared before Kieran's eyes.
〈System: This is a reminder that the user's stream will begin within 60 seconds.〉
'60 seconds? Will it be long enough?' Kieran wondered.
Kieran pushed his concerns to the back of his mind and walked into the dense murkiness of the dim forest. The lingering eyes grew hostile as Kieran and the rest ran deeper into the darkness.
Thirty seconds later, the party arrived before a series of fallen trees that etched out a path forward. It was the quickest way to the dungeon's depths, but it was also where all the monsters were located.
Kieran sensed enemies nearby and heard the faint rustle of leaves being stepped on and the crunch of a twig being snapped.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kieran pushed off his back foot, narrowly avoiding three shadowy blurs. After landing, he gained a clear view of his enemies.
Three giant wolves cloaked in shadowy fur blended in with the environment. If not for their glowering amethyst eyes, detecting their presence would be problematic.
'Elites… my first formidable foes,' Kieran inwardly thought.
「Lv.11 Shadow Wolf (Elite)
Beast Type, Dark Type
Health: 1,650/1,650 (100%) 」
Elite Monsters were a common occurrence within this difficulty standard, which is why the Recommended Level increased greatly.
Despite their Health, Kieran fearlessly stepped forth while the cerulean hue of Warrior's Aura blazed around his dull silver armor.
Under the watchful gaze of the Shadow Wolves, Kieran dashed toward a putrescent tree.
"Altair, maintain the Shadow Wolf on the far right," Kieran commanded.
"On it," Altair answered.
Aowoo!
Two Shadow Wolves pounced toward Kieran, who remained focused. One misstep and these monsters would tear his Health Bar to shreds.
Just before the beasts could catch up, Kieran cut to the left.
Bang! Bang!
The two wolves crashed into the tree while Kieran withdrew his forward advance and spun violently.
"Savage Break!"
Bang!
Crrrrrck…
BOOM!
The large tree fell over, trapping the two Shadow Wolves underneath with pained whimpers.
At that moment, Kieran received another notification.
〈System: This is a notice to alert you that your stream has begun.〉
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