//** Continuation of chpater 9. (From 9.2) **//

Gerald walked to the entrance stopped before it and started.

-welcome to the first grand trial in Cobolis Cave! Now, APPLAUSE!…

Clap, clap, clap. Anari was the only one that clapped as everyone else did not know how to respond to that so they remain passive.

“…”

-thank you Anari, you got + 2 point to passing grade. The first grand trial in Cobolis Cave will test your ability and see if you are worth of being in soon to be strongest guild in history of EOA…

“Well, he definitely has ambitions.”

-be happy as it is the first time that trial is taking place here, so you will be the pioneers of it. The trial has simple rules. Survive to the end and show the world that you can conquer it. Remember that even if you complete the challenge you still may not be invited to guild but I don’t think that something like that could happen…

“Yes, everyone will probably die in first hour.”

-the trail begins now! For a note, I won’t disturb you until the test is finished. I will be just a silent observer and you won’t even notice my presence. For a note, that also means that when you guys will be dying I won’t do a thing. Anyway the test begins now!

“Ah… and so it started.”

Arata didn’t have much motivation. Moment he heard about level difference he knew how it will probably look like. The other three had the same opinion, but there was one who carefree said.

-let’s go everyone! The test already started.

Looking at her, Arata also got somewhat motivated.

“I am worried about losing? It’s not like me. Whatever happens will happen, anyway game without the challenge is not a game. Let me see how far can I go with level 12 on level 30th dungeon?”

-I hope you won’t freeze this time, Anari.

-I won’t! I am a great White Wizard now.

-the wizard who knows how to use only two spells even though she has six of them.

-wawa, so you heard that part. Anyway I will depend on you to take the front.

-just don’t get in my way.

The three, looked at them not knowing what to do. They eventually followed. And Gerald.

-hahaha.

Only laughed.

They have entered the cave that marked the beginning of the dungeon. At first, it was just one long dark tunnel. Wide enough for two people to walk next to each other. After walking through it they soon reached the huge opening.

-waaaa, so pretty…

There was a light coming in from one big hole. The effect was spectacular as it spread through whole cave. There was also a small brook of water going through the middle of the cave and the light reflected on it. As for the cave itself, it was in gray color of rocks. Then there also were some strange creatures in the middle.

-look! Arata, what are they doing here?

Anari pointed at them.

-it’s a dungeon after all.

-and what are they?

They didn’t look like any creature known in real world. But they were known to Arata.

-simple kobolds.

-kobolds?

-yes kobolds, but somewhat bigger or rather four times bigger than usual kobolds.

He made reference based on other games where kobolds were rather weak thin creatures that were fighting to defend their life and their candles. If the kobolds here were similar to those it would be good. Those Arata saw however were two meters in high and their arms were thick.

‘The three’ catch up soon as well, as they looked around and saw kobolds they shouted.

-aaaa, mutated kobolds!

-quickly check their level!

One of them summoned menu and checked.

-two are on 28 and one on 30. So what do we do?

“Aaaaa, it doesn’t look good.”

Mutated kobolds had more than double Arata’s level. It really didn’t look good following the common sense, still nevertheless Arata asked the three.

-hey, you three?

-yes?

-do you plan to fight them or simply run away? It would be good to know before I go in.

-we will probably be going soon but what about you? You are really going to fight them? Are you crazy? What level are you?

-twelve.

-twelve?! Really? I was sure that you were higher.

-exactly, by look of your gear and how you fought in that duel, no way that you are 12.

They didn’t believe him and they couldn’t check it on their own.

-haha, Arata you are still at level 12. You are lower than me.

Anari ended up laughing at him.

-and whose fault is that?

Arata got a little annoyed by that comment.

-emm you didn’t have time to play?

-no I happened to die because of someone’s stupid quest.

-waaa, I’m sorry! Anyway Arata what are we going to do?

“What to do? Well I can’t do anything else than trying to fight them to my best ability. But still, I guess some tactic won’t hurt.”

-okay so… for start those three are useless …

Arata pointed at other three.

-so let’s simply ignore them.

-hey that’s not nice to say. You are level 12 what can you do?

-wouldn’t it be better with more people?

Anari asked. She also completely ignored incoming comment from one of the three.

-yes, but if they are like this then they will only get in a way. There is no point.

-but they don’t look useless they also said that they completed a dungeon.

-a normal dungeon. Well, that’s show that they are better than your average boar hunter but definitely not good enough for 30 lvl dungeon.

-but I am also not good enough for it.

-don’t worry. I know perfectly how useless you are.

-… .

-but at least you are not afraid like them right?

-you will protect me after all.

“I still have no idea where her confidence in me coming from, well it’s good if she doesn’t get scared like last time.”

-yes, believe in that and you will be fine, whatever happens don’t be afraid, because if you are afraid you won’t be able to do a thing. Like the last time.

-sorry.

-if you fear your opponent then you already lose. This is something that I was taught and it’s really true. Anyway as enemies have higher level than us we must take every advantage that we can, first of all buffs. Anari, do you have some buffs? As a mage you should have.

-emm, what are buffs?

Arata face palmed himself with his left hand.

“Yes, I forgot that she is complete newbie.”

-okay, check your spell book and see if something increases some stat for given time. Or no wait. Just read all your spells loudly so I can hear them. You can’t go into the fight without knowing them. In the meantime I will make some food.

-waaaa, you can cook Arata.

-it won’t give much stats but it’s always better than nothing, also it’s better to fight on full belly. You focus on learning your spells.

Twenty minutes have passed, this time Arata made grilled boar meat with vegetables that he bought in village. Even with Marco’s spice it still didn’t give much stats, +2 one’s main stat, to be exact. Ingredients were from low level area and Arata’s cooking skills were low as well. Sole fact that it gave any stat at all was a great thing.

-waaaa, Arata’s so yummy.

-less saying, more eating.

They ate it fast.

-didn’t really believe that you can cook Arata. You don’t seem like cook to me.

-everyone knows how to make food for themselves, don’t they? It’s an essence of survival.

-I can make a sandwich or something small but not full flagged meal.

“Carefree people who never experienced hunger. If you want to learn how to cook you first need get hungry.”

This was a quote that Marco thought him.

-anyway did you read your spells?

-yes I have six of them now I think now I can use the all.

-and why couldn’t you use earlier?

-because, because.

-yes?

-I was in dark forest alone. Bandits were around me so I didn’t have time for it. I just learn first ones that I read and used it on them.

“There weren’t bandits in that forest, you know.”

Arata really didn’t want to touch that subject.

-anyway what does your spells do?

-the first one is the fireball that I already knew. It is… .

-next!

Arata didn’t need to hear an explanation of how fireball worked.

-the other one is something called frost bolt.

-okay, ignore that spell for now, next.

-why should I ignore it?

-don’t ask questions, just tell me the spells and follow what I say.

-the one called mana shield, it’s creates a magic bubble that will protect me against attacks and reduce my mana instead.

-okay, use it when I tell you or when enemy is close to you but that will not happen today and if it happens you are dead anyway, next.

-the once called the blessing. It increases someone’s main stat by 5% for an hour.

-okay Anari, this is the buff spell that I mentioned before. Use it now and try to reuse it every time the duration wears of which is one hour in this case.

-I don’t think I will remember about it in an hour.

-I don’t expect it from you in the first place so I will remind you if forget about it. Still good players shouldn’t need to be reminded of keeping up their buffs so try on your own to not forget about it. It doesn’t even have to be exactly each hour. You can cast it again every 50 minutes or so as well.

-okay I will try hard! First I need to note it down.

Anari did have a real notebook right now and did end up noting everything down. Then she casted the buff spell. Crystal in Anari’s staff shined for a second and white light appeared on Arata and Anari for a second.

-okay next!

-spell called frost freeze. It colds down atmosphere making it harder to move and even stops people with ice. But it might work on allies as well.

-okay Anari, listen well. This spell, don’t even think about using it!

-why? It seems useful.

-just no, and I am not looking for opinions from you…

“I already can see that the only person that would get caught by that spell would be me.

-now what is your last sixth spell?

-the last spell uses much more mana then previous one. It’s called Light of dawn. I didn’t understand this part so listen. Light of dawn. Spell that help you allies and attack your enemies. AOE type which catch everything around you. The allies are healed, and the enemies are blinded and take damage.

“Ah, it’s nice to be a mage, you use one spell and everything around you dies. Did I go for a wrong class?”

-anyway how many times can you use it?

-its eat half of my mana so two times.

-okay Anari, listen carefully now as I will tell you our main tactic.

-I listening. But firstly, what does AOE means?

-it means area of effect. Try to remember it. It’s an attack that damage many enemies at once that are in given area. Although it can also mean a support spell that help your allies in a given area. Anari there are many things that you need to know if you want be a good player… .

-yes, yes?

-…but I don’t want to explain them to you as it would take forever, it would be also really painful experience for me, so I will tell just few things that I want you all the way while we complete this dungeon or die during it.

-but I want to learn!

-did I ever tell you that I will teach you how to play?

-em… yes.

-no I didn’t, don’t lie. Anyway just listen to this. First, don’t you dare attack until I start the fight. Wait at least five to ten seconds.

-why?

-because it would be hard for me to gather agro from everyone. I am not tank.

-agro? Tank? Arata I am already lost.

-as I said you don’t need to understand everything, just don’t attack until I start. Second, as your attack, you should just focus on your fireball spell because I heard you have experience with them already. If some monster starts to run at you use the mana shield although I will keep them at bay so something like that shouldn’t happen.

-reliable as always.

-and lastly don’t use ‘Light of dawn’ unless I tell you to do so.

-okay, but what about other spells?

-I already explained the buff spell to you so remember to keep it up and rest would do more harm to us than good so don’t use them.

-okay.

-to sum up everything I want you do to do, just use your fireballs and fire it in the area where I fight.

-so I need to just support you from behind and fireball at your position right?

“Wow, she really understood.”

Arata still had doubts if she actually does anything useful though. He actually expected her to blow up herself with her own fireball. Still for him it would have been a blessing.

-well that’s the gist of it, you ready?

-yes I will do my best.

“Now, let’s see how far can we go with this.”

[Sword enchant: Wind]

Arata started to run into kobolds direction and the first battle was about to begin. When he was close enough, the kobolds picked up their weapons from the ground. They were pickaxes. Those pickaxes were more of mining tools than fighting weapons but still, the looked dangerous in the hands of those large monkeys. Kobolds looked at Arata ominously. When he got in a distance of six meters they also started to move in his direction.

“For now, I need to learn their patterns.”

As they were 5 meters from each other one kobold in front jumped high in the air and started to fall down in Arata direction. Arata just continued forward to the other two.

‘The jumping one’ after landing ended up with pickaxe in the ground and couldn’t get it out.

The other two lunched their attack from overhead downward on Arata, but Arata simply keep on running forward and they also ended up with their weapons in the ground as well.

“Compared to bear they are rather slow, well if I got hit by those pickaxes I will die on the spot in one shot but dodging those guys shouldn’t be that hard.”

Then he spotted that both of them had some problems with moving their weapons out from the ground.

“I definitely can use this.”

Arata moved to their backs and from behind slashed them with his swords few times. Still kobolds hp went down only by little.

“It will take forever, and my left hand weapon is a crap.”

The copper sword didn’t do enough damage to reduce opponent hp even by 1%. The other one did 5%.

“Well it’s more than I expected anyway, must be my stat bonuses.”

Arata had three good items equipped right now which weren’t really at beginner level and boosted his stats quite well. He also had buffs which helped as well. Not to mention class of rank two and four.

The kobolds once again attacked him, but Arata dodged it with ease and countered. After that he looked to see if the other kobold ‘the jumping one’ is coming, but to his surprise Arata saw that ‘the three’ that came with him for this trial were ‘fighting’ against that kobold. Well fighting is a big word. They simply picked up kobold’s attention and now were running in circles away from him around the cave and that kobold was running after them. They catch his agro.

-run!

One of them screamed as they continued to run.

“Oh, I just found a use for them. But what is Anari doing? I know I can’t expect much from her but did I really waste my breath on explaining everything?”

Arata give fast glance in Anari direction as so far she still didn’t attack. But after he looked back, he had to make a desperation roll to the left so he can dodge a surprise attack. Pickaxes landed at his spot few seconds later but that wasn’t a reason to for desperation escape. The reason was rather the barrage of fireballs that was coming his direction, it hit the kobolds making some damage to them. There were about 5 of those fireballs casted at the same time, so they did even more damage than all Arata’s attacks so far.

“Mages have it easy they just shot spells at things and opponents die. But why is she shooting at me!?”

The fireballs did indeed land on kobolds but they were more like flying towards Arata rather than his enemies.

“Well, she is just starting, and probably doesn’t know how to aim, it went in right direction at least so she should get used to it soon… I hope.”

As fight continued the fireballs indeed become more accurate. But it only made it harder for Arata.

“I have another enemy at my back.”

At some point, despite large level difference the fight became easy for Arata. Apart from random fireballs that were coming at him, he could easily dodge kobolds attack as they were rather slow.

At some point he looked at how the other three were doing. They continued to do more and more laps around the cave. But then one of them tripped and fell to the ground. The kobold that was chasing him lunched his jump attack.

“Well it’s not like I have to help him, but.”

[Lighting speed activated]

In instant Arata ran towards to the one that fell. There Arata dragged him a little out from the area of the attack so he doesn’t get hit.

-ah thank you, I will leave rest to you.

-what are you saying? Keep running!

-no, no, no, we were just about to get out from here.

-keep running!

Arata shouted at him and guy started to run again, the kobold went after him completely passing by Arata. It seems like he already had another prey on his mind and decided to leave Arata to his breathen.

Arata stood there for a second and saw as the fireballs came at him yet again, despite the fact that all enemies were nowhere near him as of now. Arata moved out their line of attack and they crushed into the wall.

“No really, why is she attacking me!?”

Arata could really not understand that girl. After all there were limits to how bad someone could be. Still ‘this one’ was not limited by anything in her bad plays.

The two kobolds that he fought were still a little behind as he used lighting speed to get there. When they were close they lunched jump attack.

“So if you move away they use this jump.”

Arata move away from their landing position and knowing that they will have stuck their weapons into the ground instantly as they land.

When that happened Arata made multiple attacks on one. In combination to another few fireballs the first kobold was soon dead. The second one followed soon after as Arata fought against only one enemy at that time. He could now do much more damage without worrying about attacks from another one. Also instead of moving away upon attacks, he now moved to flank the enemy and attack him from there. Second kobold died as well without problems.

“Only one left. Well it isn’t that bad. But it’s just the first pack so it’s not the time to relax yet.”

Arata then moved to the place where three were ‘fighting’ against last kobold. Why that kobold still had full HP? Arata did not know.

“Maybe I should tell them what to do as well. They would have a better use.”

Using the fact that kobold wasn’t lock on him and Arata attacked him few times before he even turned around. After that, it went similar to previous fight.

[You have leveled up by 120%]

[You have gained a level current level 13]

“At least they give some good exp.”

That was indeed quite a lot. One level after one fight was huge. It was also divided by two as Arata was in group with Anari. He didn’t invite the rest three as they said that they are not going to fight. And even though they decided to join in the end, Arata still didn’t plan to give them any of his exp.

-we are alive!

-we defeated the pack of 30 lvl monsters!

-yee!

-who defeated it?

The three were happy but Arata stopped their cheers of glory.

-well of course it was your victory.

-ah really, but don’t you guys feel pathetic when you can’t be of any use?

Arata commented on them.

-we are sorry but we can’t fight like you, we would die on first or second strike and we don’t have range class to do what Anari does.

-well, I have a range class but I don’t have the bow which I could use to activate my skills.

“Archer without a bow… sad.”

Still even after depressing information like that, Arata didn’t send them away.

-anyway you can come with us and look around but I won’t give you any of experience from kobolds.

-don’t worry we are not taking anything that we don’t deserve.

-I see that you are honorable gamers at least.

-we are not ‘ninjas’ who take things which aren’t theirs.

-well, you won’t have ability to take items in the first place.

-you are right. Anyway I think we should leave and exp up a little somewhere else, as you said, we won’t be of any use anyway.

They realized that there was no reason for them to stay, but Arata didn’t want to let them go that easily.

-but don’t you want to see the dungeon at least?

-it hurts our pride to not do anything in the fight and just look from afar. We will return to ‘stoneground’ and exp up there before returning.

-so… if you could do something meaningful you would stay, right?

Arata asked with ‘pure’ intentions.

-sure but what can the three of us do?

At that moment Arata grinned a little, well it was an evil grin. His plan that involved getting their help without giving them any of his experience worked.

“Hahaha all experience is mine.”

Well, he was already in group with Anari so not all but even though she was just as clueless and useless as the rest, she at least did some damage so it didn’t matter if she was in the group or not, she would get experience anyway. If two people that are not from party fight against one mob, experience is divided based on their contribution.

-I will find some use for you when I see the next pack. You will gain precious information about the dungeon and when you come back here later with new party you will have an easy time.

-thank you, you are a good fellow

-oh, you don’t have to thank me,

“They are even happy about it.”

Then out of sudden, Anari appeared in the flash out of nowhere on Arata’s left. Arata on instinct jumped to the right while unexpected light appeared and pointed his sword in that direction.

-hey Arata, I reached level 15 and now I have new spell called Blink. Cool, isn’t it?

“Aaaaa mages always have best skills, I want teleport as well!”

-good for you, Anari. Use it to teleport away instead of mana shield if something comes at you.

Arata made a fast adjustment although he was still irritated.

-but it’s have a long coldown so I won’t be able to use it for another half an hour.

-why did you use it then?

-because it sounded fun. Suddenly warping in place that is 100 meters away from you that is.

“Eh… well testing the skill is also important and it would be rather unbalanced if she could blink all day long without the coldown.”

-never mind, let’s us continue.

They entered one of three tunnels that were in this cave. First tunnel was the way they come from and apart from that there were two other new paths. Arata choose the left one as it was closer to where they stood.

“It’s not like I can tell which way is better so the closer is better.”

If you don’t know something, just trust you luck and go to the closest route. Arata was experienced in RPGs dungeons so he knew this simple logic.

Gerald was silently walking after them in distance. He already yawed few times as the fight took rather long. It was hard to burn down the health of kobolds with Arata’s level after all. Gerald looked with interest at first but with time, it went the same pattern so he got bored. Still, he didn’t plan to say anything and interrupt participants in any way. He told them after all that he was there only as observer. At some point Arata and others completely forgotten about him.

They reached another open space to fight. It was a little darker than last time as less light were coming in but it was still bright enough to see everything. This time there were four kobolds instead of three.

-four this time, so Arata what do you want us to do?

The three asked with a little worry.

-I will explain in second, first Anari!

-yes?

-answer me this question please. What was the target of your spells in the last fight?

-of course as you said. I shoot them at your position. I had some problems doing it as you were moving so fast but I managed somehow.

“So she really was shooting at me.”

Arata tried his best to calm down. He couldn’t let ‘this creature’ disturb his calmness.

-so Anari why did you fire it at me?

-didn’t you tell me that enemies will be around you so I should just shoot at you.

-and you never thought for a second that it was strange that you have to attack me?

-well, it did sound strange when you first told me to do so, but I thought that you have some plan and also that I shouldn’t ask any questions. I was not sure but in the fight it went alright so I just continued without worry.

-… .

-anyway did you saw my barrage of fireballs, it’s my own idea. The monsters are thought so it is better to use my spells in series rather than just one. But you know it is really hard to pull that off as it’s not just casting your spells normally. It’s even harder as I need to aim at you with them. Still I managed to do all that. See I am a great wizard!

“Shooting barrage of fireballs using simple fireball spell indeed looks hard, but again why is she shooting at me? No never mind, it’s easier to just…”

-good job Anari.

-waaa! I got complemented by Arata!

-anyway this time shoot the enemies that are around me instead of me, okay?

-it should be much easier to attack those big monkeys.

-they are kobolds.

-so attack the monkeys that you are attacking, sounds easy enough, I will do it!

“That solves one problem. Hopefully.”

Arata still had a bad feeling about it. Last time he also thought he explained it the right way.

-now, you three.

-YES!

-you wanted to be useful so I prepared you a task that only you can pull off. But first, I have to ask again do you accept? Remember there is no turning back as I don’t want any surprises.

-we can even die doing it!

-that’s the spirit! In the first place we all can die any second in this dungeon as it is for high levels, but it’s a simple task I prepared for you and if you do it right you won’t die. Also the task doesn’t require you to have high level so you don’t have to worry about anything.

-okay I accept.

-me too.

-and me.

“Haha, got you.”

Arata made the last pact with his new acquired slaves… teammates.

-great, here is what you need to do. Each of you will pull one of kobolds and run around the cave with them so I can focus on finishing the remaining kobold, one at the time. You did a great job in last fight so you are the best for this job.

Arata explained the plan simply and quickly but the three didn’t like the idea.

-but if we get hit we will die, won’t we?

One of them asked.

-just make it so you won’t and you will be fine, they are slow anyway.

-I don’t think that it’s that simple. Maybe we should give up.

-don’t worry if something happen I will save you like last time I saved you Archer.

-my name is Steven and my profession isn’t archer.

-you said that you don’t have bow, so I thought you have an archer class.

-well it’s not exactly an Archer.

-well let’s leave it at that. I will call you Archer for now as I have bad memory to names. Anyway you all already agreed that you are going to do it. There is no turning back now, we don’t have full day and dungeon is still far away from being complete.

Even though chances were low, their levels were low and their skills were low, Arata didn’t think about losing at all.

“If I doing it, I might as well do it seriously. There will be more experience for me thanks to that, and they said that level is hard to get. If you think about it, what is a better way than exping on too high level dungeon if you can do it?”

-Arata, we are going to complete whole dungeon, right? As excepted of good strange hero.

“Motivation is also important so I will leave it at that.”

Hearing Anari the three lost their fear and looked with admiration on Arata.

-he is good man.

-yes even though we can’t do anything, he let us stay here.

-and he said that he will help us if needed.

-the girl is also calling him a hero.

-just look at him and look how he fights.

-yeee, The Twilight Swordsman title is not for nothing.

-yep and not only it looks good with his coat floating everywhere during the fight but it’s also effective.

-he even saying that he can clean whole dungeon no problem.

-it is an honor to play with someone like him.

They saw him in different light. From the moment he fought in the duel they knew that he is skilled but now they saw him as someone who cares for their life and want to show them the dungeon and how to beat it, even though he didn’t need to do it.

Naturally they couldn’t be more wrong in that statement as all Arata thought about was how to use them without him losing anything. He would gladly sacrifice their lives to make his fight easier.

-anyway you two take care of the two on the back. Go get in the position already! Archer, you take the left one from the front line.

-got it.

Their motivation was at highest gear right now. They forgot their fear and moved as commanded.

“They are not as bad if they aren’t scared, they follow my command nicely, as suspected from experienced gamers.”

Arata thought like that and then looked with disappointment at the girl behind him who just fired fireballs at him nonstop.

“…”

And so another fight began.

Arata was the first to start as he didn’t want anything to go wrong. He instructed the others that the moment kobolds start to move, they have to throw at them their weapons and make some damage so kobolds will follow them. Normally you don’t use your only melee weapon as throwing weapon but they didn’t have anything else and didn’t need weapon later on anyway as they were going to just run around. Rather it would only slow them down.

The pull went nicely and they did their job as instructed.

Arata could see that they weren’t doing it for the first time. Even if it was their first time in EOA they must have do it in other games as well. It was common tactic. Split enemies in different regions so it’s easier to focus only on one. The three seemed to know at least that as they managed somehow, although as soon as two and half meters in height monsters started to head their way, they once again started to run away in panic. Still even then, they all were running clockwise so they don’t run into each other. Although Arata didn’t mention it, they manage to conduct it on their own.

-good job!

Arata shouted to them as he was about to start the fight. They did the thing he asked them for after all. Despite the fact that it still looked as if they were simply running once again and learned nothing.

-aaaaaaa!

“If this were a normal dungeon I wouldn’t mind them as a party.”

After Arata saw players that were fighting boars, he didn’t have much expectation from other people on his levels. The game was skill based. Normal players didn’t know left from right so they couldn’t fight like Arata in melee range. Fight against higher level creatures was impossible for them but those three would do well at normal level dungeons. Those were Arata’s thoughts. Their classes weren’t bad either and they had gaming experience which will definitely help them to be better in the future once they come up with their own style of fighting.

Arata started his fight against the kobold. He was the same as previous ones so it wasn’t that hard, especially when there was only kobold at the time.

Kobold strikes. Arata dodges. Counter. If kobold uses attack that will make his pickaxe stuck in ground, Arata would made series of attacks with his swords on him. The health was going down much faster than before, especially with heavy artillery from behind. Anari was sending waves of attacks one after another and to Arata’s surprise they weren’t meant for him. He still could get hit by some so he still needed to check his backs but fireballs were mostly coming for the kobold this time. 5 minutes and first one was dead. After that Arata went to get one that was running around. One by one fall in similar manner. After 30 minutes the whole fight was done. Arata dinged level 15 on this one, new message appeared.

[You have leveled up by 140%]

[You have gained a level, Current level 15]

[New skills available]

“Perfect maybe I will get something as useful as black dash.”

Although he was happy to gain more skills he didn’t plan use them left and right. So far he used only Sword enchant and lighting speed to help the one from the three that he called archer. Arata wanted to save mana for emergency.

[Leap

You can jump as high as the three meters up. The range increases as you level up this skill. This ability can’t be used while wearing heavy armor.

Cost: 150 Stamina.

Coldown: none

Skill level 1(0%)]

“Three meters, ah games are awesome after all. Well, it can be useful later on but not really in close off battles like here, I was hoping for something of twilight swordsman tree but it looks rather common.”

So far Arata had only one skill which was specific for his class and that was skill called black dash. Others were rather common warrior skills.

“And now the sword enchanter, passive ability that allows you to save enchant after using sword slash? Eh, I wanted teleport!”

Anari interrupted his thoughts.

-Arata should we take a break?

She asked.

-two fights and you already want a break?

-but they were running for the whole time.

The three were lying on the ground after they run for their life for 30 minutes. But Arata didn’t know any mercy.

-hey, why are you tired!? Running doesn’t take stamina you know. Running is the same as holding a button in game you shouldn’t get tired from that.

-but this is VR it’s different.

Archer complained.

-I doing the fighting here and I am still not tired and you lazy your asses are on the ground already, move! We are not spending here the whole week.

So far Arata was disappointed in their progress. Sure it was high level dungeon but so far they managed to clean only two packs of monsters and over an hour have already passed since they first entered.

-but the dungeons take that much time in this game, right guys?

-yea the Stoneground took my group five days to complete. Finding the way was the hard part as well. Then we found the last boss and somehow killed it after few tries.

-bosses are that easy?

Arata was surprised by what they said.

-no they are hard as hell. They have unique abilities and their level is way higher than that of other monsters in the dungeon.

-so how did you defeated it?

-we combined three parties that also were hunting there and we somehow managed it. Anyway it took 5 days together and it was just a normal dungeon.

Arata heard what Archer said and gathered some information but still continued.

-nonsense, the ones that are saying 5 days for dungeon is normal are just lazy newbies who never played a game before. You are not lazy newbies, are you?

-of course not, we had many experience in other games before.

-so how long did it take to clean a dungeon in those?

-one would take an 1 hour other 4 hours, mostly in that range. The highest level content however, took much more.

-see 1-4 hours and we already spent nearly 2 hours here.

-but as we said, it takes more time in this game.

-and as I said it only a remark from lazy newbies! Prepare for next battle!

If Arata is doing it, he is doing it seriously, although rushing is not a good thing he didn’t want to spend here unreasonable amount of time.

They soon reached another cave where another 4 kobolds were standing. Fight went with the same pattern and Arata reached 16th level.

The others were now tired as hell. Arata was as well as he needed to keep 100% focus all the time to pull off everything without getting hit even once.

“They only have to run around and they can’t do even that. Hmm, I guess that after at least two fights break won’t be bad idea.”

He still didn’t plan to take break though.

-Arata how long till we are done?

Anari asked. She looked tired as well as for the whole time she was doing her best in shooting out the fireballs.

-don’t worry, break will be when needed.

-but I think it’s needed now.

-let’s move on!

Once again they took the closest route. They reached another cave but this time it looked a little different. At the opposite side of the cave there was a huge door instead of other tunnels. Although there were many other tunnels as well, about one hundred of them in fact. They were much smaller compared to previous ones though. They were all around the cave. The celling was also way higher than previously around 8 meters or so. Door itself was 7 meters height.

In the middle of the cave there was already familiar looking kobolds but this time there were eight of them.

-looks like boss room is behind those door.

Archer commented.

-wow we got lucky that we found it this fast.

And then the other one.

-well there are more enemies but this is the last time we will have to run. Arata, we should take a break after all, we found the gate so quickly and there shouldn’t be problem with time. We might even do it in 4 hours like you wanted.

Archer added.

-well it’s nice to have beginner luck in finding the boss room but I don’t want to fight boss just yet.

Arata answered to their happy remarks.

-why not? When you kill it we can finally get out from here.

Getting out of there and seeing the way to the boss was the three’s objective but for Arata there was different one. He wanted experience and levels. He soon thought up a plan that would allow him for it.

-hey guys you want to see the boss, right?

-that what we are staying here for.

-but you also don’t want to die and loss your experience.

-of course we don’t. You know how hard it is to get even one level here also dying is… .

-even if it’s just a game I always feel strange after it. It’s definitely not healthy.

It looked like they also experienced it few times. Arata continued

-you see if we go to the boss now some of you might die. But I thought up a plan as how to prevent that.

-ah, you are always thinking about us first!

Their admiration was already on highest level so they couldn’t see his real motive, Anari was the same. Well the fact that they would die if they went for a boss was the truth though. Even fighting those eight right now would not be easy.

-Arata is a strange good hero after all, just listen to him and we will all return safety.

“Having her saying that is the best argument that I could ask for.”

-for now you guys stay here and have a break, I will look around and see what lies in other routes.

-maybe we should call you a hero as well.

-no, no, Arata is fine.

Arata went back and checked three ways that they didn’t choose before. All other ways were similar to previous caves. Also Arata didn’t limit himself only to first three. He could easily reach other caves if he simple went around the cave next to the wall. That way he didn’t pull kobolds that were staying in the middle. Although it took him some time he managed to check most of the caves. Some were smaller and had more kobolds in it so he didn’t try to pass through those. After that he prepared the best route in which number of kobolds was from lowest to highest. He went back to the party which was now waiting back in third cave.

-okay guys I found the least dangerous locations so let’s go.

In the end they went around the whole dungeon and cleared every kobold that they could find and even with breaks which longest lasted 30 minutes, they hunted nonstop at Arata command for 8 hours. As the time went on fights become easier for Arata as his level was getting higher and higher. The enemies stayed the same and he already saw everything that there was too see from them. Nothing could surprise him anymore. At level 20, from one fight Arata didn’t receive one level anymore but nevertheless it’s still was going up like crazy compared to normal exping.

After those eight hours Arata and Anari were both at level 28. The last pack has been slain. The last fight was really easy as the difference in levels was no more. For some time now, Arata didn’t even asked the three to run around anymore but instead he just rushed in alone and slaughtered everything in his way.

-okay guys! That was the last room.

The moment Arata said that the four of his comrades collapsed on the floor. They breathed hard for some time now. Last pack wasn’t the only one that Arata slashed down by himself. He tried to convince others to do their job but at some point he decided that it’s just better to ignore them and solo it instead. They still had to follow him though as they didn’t want to be left alone and die after all that hard work. But now they could finally lie down.

-finally over!

-I can’t believe it, we can sleep?

-pinch me because I think it’s a dream.

Anari was already sleeping on the ground the moment she heard the words ‘last room’. But it was not the last room. Arata said right away.

-you are right it is a dream so wake up, it’s time for boss!

-you want to fight a boss right now? No, this is a time for break! Long break!

=Long break! Long break!

The three protested.

“Maybe I indeed rushed it a little too much. Still wouldn’t it be better to finish the boss first then have the break for as long as you want?”

Arata was also little irritated, even though he got so many levels he still didn’t get many skills when Anari got tons of them and she didn’t forget to mention all of them. Well they were mostly the same attack like fireball just with different element to it but still the only skill that Arata got was passive which improved his sword enchant, Arata didn’t even read it when he read the word passive. Still, in the end he decided that it might be good time for break.

-okay we are having a break. I guess I am tired as well.

-hey that monster said that he is tired!

-careful now! We don’t want to get fooled, again.

At some point they realized that they are dragged around and that Arata doesn’t care about them in the least and was just using them for his own goals.

-now he saying that he is tired but just in two minutes it will be like “-you said that you want to be useful. So be a man and keep up your world.”

Even Anari changed her opinion on Arata a little. She added to her every so long description of him that he is S and M at the same time which she turned into CSM- combined sadist and masochist.

-it’s different this time.

Arata tried to explain and calm them down.

-you said the same thing four hours ago.

-and two hours ago.

-and five hours ago.

It didn’t work though.

-I might have said that once or twice.

-you said that after each cave!

-no this time we have a long break! First we take short nap for two hours you can also just lay and rest, then…

At the moment Arata said word nap they were already asleep. They decided that even if he was lying to them if they fall asleep fast there will be nothing he can do.

“I should go sleep as well. I guess.”

Before Arata did that though, he set up an option in the menu that would wake him up after two hours no matter what. It was great option especially when you planned something. Although nothing stopped you from continuing to sleeping after waking up once.

Arata lay down and was going to sleep. But before he went to sleep however, he heard that others had sleep talking habit.

-kobolds incoming be ready!

-this way you beast!

Even in sleep, the three were still running away from kobolds. Then Arata heard that Anari also has that habit.

-Arata, don’t! We can’t… don’t force me…

“Hey… what is her dream about?”

-no I can’t say that, Arata is doing his best and fight them alone, I can’t give up if he still wants to go…

It looked like Anari also dreamed about things that just happened today.

During last thirty minutes, Arata had to kill everything alone but two hours before, after the three were out of use, Anari still stayed and shoot her fireballs, although they lost on accuracy and number. In the end, she also stopped helping and last three groups were on Arata’s head.

-no why is it happening? I can’t stop here. He will think again that I am useless again. But I really can’t keep it up.

Arata felt slightly bad now as he heard what Anari’s thoughts were. In those 8 hours he turned into machine with one function installed which was kobold killing.

If kobold uses this move, he would attack him three times then move to the left then another slash. If kobold uses this move he would move behind him but after that move kobold could use this move so he could attack him only once.

The patterns were in his head and Arata didn’t look at his party member condition at all so it ended up like that. Still Arata wouldn’t apologize. He just ignored what Anari just said and went to sleep.

//** This chapter is nearly over. Continue to part _9.4 **//

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=333&t=3045