Chapter 28: Rhino Conquest!

"This is the mine," Michu said before one of many passageways scattered across the whole mountain. It was dim and no sight of players could be seen. However, the soldiers already told Michu that this was one of the least used entrances.

They would surely meet some people at the intersections!

Michu raised his eyes in the corridor. It was a little too narrow but high. The monke took out his staff and extended his hand with the staff in a horizontal position, "It would be hard to fight here." He said to himself.

Behind him, the soldiers nodded with contentment. Their good companion had been asking a lot of questions and he began to assess the situation and environment more. How couldn't they shed a glittering tear from happiness?

The future looked bright for this monke!

"This mine has many passageways, but there is also a wide-open area in the middle with elevators." Carlos added, then another soldier voiced out his opinion, "Narrow corridor isn't exactly disadvantageous to you, Michu. It will allow you to taste a different battle style where you would need to be careful of each of your steps. Not only steps but also your weapon and its position."

"It's a good training ground for me," Michu concluded.

The monke team stepped further into the mine. At first, the darkness embraced them, but the forgotten torches lit up in a pleasant surprise after a few passed meters. The torches were one of the magical items that slightly startled Michu.

He jumped back when the first torch lit up and his staff even threatened him.

"Haha!" The wave of laughter calmed down the monkey and he awkwardly scratched his nose! The journey continued forward and after taking a few more detours, Michu could spot the first player within the cave.

It was a newbie player that was fed up with other mines.

The popular mines were close to the newbie cities and they had been swarmed by players ever since the first day. Though abundant resources, the mine couldn't satisfy all players and a lot of arguments often happened between them.

The dropped core wouldn't straight fly toward the player's equipment, but first, tumble onto the ground.

"The worst is when there are some pests called thieves! This class is just outrageous!" The newbie player in the mine had been already talking with Michu for more than ten minutes. It was one-sided talk with the miner pouring down all his grief out.

Though many wouldn't like it, Michu enjoyed the new knowledge entering his mind. He felt like he had made significant progress already when it came to world exploration!

The newbie miner concluded, "To become a thief, you need 25 level! And those bastards first begin their class quests on us, newbies! What can we do if they target us?! I hate those bastards!" Kumo-chan, because that was his name, openly complained even at the end of his words.

He swung his pickaxe with all those feelings within!

It struck heavily onto the wall, then a wide crack spread on it. From within, a core with alluring yellowish glint popped off. It rolled onto the ground and struck Michu's boot.

"Ah!" The allure wasn't because this mine had such goods! It was because the core had at least a unique grade, filling the protruding gem with a myriad of stars.

It was already a beautiful core, so what would it look like after melting? Kumo-chan and the soldiers wondered inwardly while Michu picked it up.

He glanced for a second on it, then extended his hand, "Good job!" He giggled and stuffed the miner's hands with the dirty core.

Kumo-chan raised his eyes with disbelief, "Aren't you… going to-"

"You have worked hard for it! Isn't it great to finally see the fruits of your hard work? Why do you look so weird? Haha!" The monkey's words erased Kumo-chan's disbelief.

It got replaced by a sudden outburst of emotions, "What the hell! Look at me! I am so happy! So happy I am crying! Stupid good guy… Don't you dare to go for the thief subclass! You wouldn't be a good thief anyway!" Kumo-chan shouted while wiping his falling tears.

The soldiers faintly smiled, then Carlos patted Michu's shoulder.

"Haha! I would never become a gangster!" Michu smiled and thanked the miner for his time. He waved back at him, then entered further into the mine. On his way, he exclaimed, "I think Yumi would praise me if she knew! I will surprise her with this thief story and their bad deeds."

"Oh, I am sure she will be glad!" Carlos snickered, "Maybe she would kiss you on a cheek? No matter how scary her eyes are, she is a top beauty! That would be the best reward, wouldn't it be, Michu?"

"A kiss! Hehe, I will ask for a strawberry kiss." Michu responded. For him, the lips were like tasty strawberries unique to the ladies. When one of the popular female players puckered their lips, Michu would enter into a dilemma where to look! Melons or strawberries? The former was the most eye-catching, but things often changed after enough exploration.

The soldiers learned about the strawberry term and nodded with an understanding.

After a few rounds, Michu entered one of the lowest floors that lacked players. The torches lit up only due to him and the soldiers, conjuring an eerie scene with the coldness and silence dominating the whole area.

It felt weird as even those torches lacked any sound as if the flames were scared as well.

"Rhino must be here. He is lurking around…" Michu caressed his chin while looking around. He couldn't find any signs of the monster other than the cold silence and his wits finding the whole case weird.

The ground then shook and Rhino pounced out from the wall! It aimed from the side, its tall and huge horn shattering the wall first! Its wild head shook off all pebbles off his head, but the soldiers were already alerted by this sudden entrance.

Furthermore, Michu also knew the monster's pattern, "Thanks, guys! I think I would've been flung away if not for you!" Even though he knew, Michu felt like he would lose around half of his HP if this monster were to hit him like that.

He thanked the soldiers, then probed through his enemy's stats.

[Cave Frenzy Rhino Lv. 35 HP: 14050/17000 MP: 4000/5000]