“Silence!”

An authoritative voice rings throughout the amphitheater. The meaningless chatter quickly dies down as everyone’s attention gathers to the front. The source of the voice is situated on the centre stage where three players are standing: two males and one female. All are clothed in luxurious, high quality armours in addition to having powerful looking weapons on their person.

On the left is a man who stands 5’10” tall. He has messy dark brown hair and an average build. He looks like a warrior and has a short sword at his hip while a shield rests on his back. His armour does not consist of full plate mail, but rather is combination of light and heavy armours. It is dyed a mixture of green with white trim to match his guild’s colours.

On the other side is a 5’3” tall female dressed in a white cloth armour with light blue trim over top of bronze. Her blonde hair is worn loose and hangs to her waist. A smile does not adorn her face, but nonetheless, her beauty is enough to steal the hearts of many men. She has duel blades equipped on her hips and daggers attached to her legs. This woman gives off an indifferent expression, as if she would not blink twice to kill someone.

The man in the centre is the source of the previous voice. Based on his equipment, he is obviously a high ranking member of the Sacred Order. The other two players on stage stand as if in his shadow. He has short black hair in a crew cut and a massive stature compared to the average player. He is equipped with full bronze plate armour over top of red dyed leather. On his back is a 5 feet long bronze broadsword with a sharp double edged blade. On his shoulders sits a red cape similar to the ones seen outside; however, his cape contains thick golden trim and massive pauldrons that sit upon his shoulders.

These three are indisputably the top players of the server and leaders of their respective guilds. The leader of the Shadowguard, Davion, who commands the second largest guild. He has sent many probing parties to find the dungeon’s location and finally located it yesterday. The leader of Wings of Liberty, Celeritas, who advocated for female gamers. She founded a female only guild and has, against odds, become the leader of the third largest guild. Lastly, the leader of the Sacred Order, Zhaos. The tyrant who rules over the majority of the city.

The seats are packed full with an endless sea of players. Those from high ranking guilds, or level 10 players are seated towards the front, while the level 9’s are seated in the nosebleeds. From My seat, I can get a clear view of the proceedings. In addition, the seats are more comfortable and consist of wooden chairs with backs and armrests, compared to the stone benches appointed to the rest. There are probably no less than 5,000 players currently attending this meeting.

"It has been two weeks since EndGame Online launched. As I am sure all of you are aware, we are stuck here until the game is cleared.

“Until now, no progress has been made towards this end. However! Yesterday my friends at Shadowguard have located the first dungeon!"

Cheers erupted throughout the amphitheater and they took a while die down. On the stage, Zhaos is watching the players with a grandiose smile. Davion stands next to him, proudly inflating his chest.

"We have invited you all here today to discuss this very event. You are the top players in this game and the hope for everyone.

“I hope that you will give it your all and join the fight against the system!” Zhaos spreads his arms wide. “I’ll pass it off to Davion and he can fill you in on the details."

Zhaos steps back and motions for Davion to step forward. The crowd remains silent in anticipation, awaiting what will be said.

"Hello everyone!” Davion says in a modest tone, “Thank you for coming."

Davion doesn't have the same public speaking skills as Zhaos, which is evident after only a few words. However, if I were on that stage I would not be able to speak or even think clearly. I'm fine with working in background, but to be able to go up in front of thousands of emotional people is behind my capabilities.

Since this is the first glimpse of hope for the past two weeks, a lot of feelings and emotions will be brought up. Some people have even been drawn to insanity, while others have locked away their emotions and chosen to mindlessly fight. The advent of this dungeon's discovery is a reminder of our present situation, as well as the requirements for freedom.

In my daily life of smithing, I have not been exposed to too many distraught players, but I have still seen the looks on many faces within the Prancing Mare as they spend their money on alcohol.

“Yesterday evening, a party from our guild came across what looked to be an abandoned mine shaft. I’m sure you know these types of mine shafts are common throughout the island, but this one was different in that it was guarded by a heavy stone door.

“Our scouting team delved into the shallows of this dungeon, but were assaulted by an endless stream of previously unseen monsters. Unfortunately, they were overwhelmed and had to retreat, otherwise we would have more information.”

This provokes many discussions amongst the seated players.

“Our scouting party had 6 members of levels 7 and 8; therefore, we have unanimously come to a conclusion and deem the dungeon unsafe for those under level 9. We have set up a temporary base at the dungeon’s entrance guarded by level 9 players on rotating shifts to ensure no one falls victim unnecessarily to those monsters.

“Now, here is where we require your cooperation. Tomorrow at 1400 hours we intend on sending a surveying party of 30 players into the dungeon to map out the interior. This will be done in the form of a quest funded by the combined wealth of our three guilds. These players will be required to be at least level 10. as well as in possession of the cartography skill. It is also recommended to have bronze level equipment.

“For those of you who wish to participate, but do not yet have the cartography skill, there is a simple job that can be completed. It can be obtained from a retired soldier by the name of Vlodimir. He is located at the park near the central market.”

I had completely forgotten about the existence of quests in this world, Normally in these types of games, quests would play a larger role, but with this sandbox world they had slipped my mind. There was no main quest line, or anything along that line, other than to clear the dungeons. Rather, smaller tasks that required fulfilling certain requirements for NPCs such as hunting a certain number of creatures, or making X amount of items, existed.

Quests and/or jobs are required in order to learn certain skills such as tailoring and blacksmithing. Other skills could be learnt by going through the required motions, such as cooking and swordsmanship. And then there is the category of skills acquired through levelling up other skills, as was the case in learning one-handed sword skill after reaching level 2 swordsmanship.

I don’t quite understand the logic between what determines how one acquires the skill, but it seems everyday ones can be learnt automatically, while production related or specialized skills require a job to learn.

“After the surveying party finishes mapping the immediate area, the dungeon will be open to the rest of you. I will now open up the floor to questions.”

With this, everyone starts talking at once. The noise level in the amphitheater reaches new heights. Some people even stand up as if that will make their voice be heard.

“Be Quiet!”

Zhaos’s voice drowns out the unnecessary chatter. Many players have looks of apprehension as they settle back in their seats.

“That’s better.” Zhaos squints his eyes as he looks through the crowd. “You will ask questions one at a time by raising your hand. We will then select the question to be answered. If anyone has any qualms with this, they are welcome to leave.”

Zhaos is treating us in a similar manner to children; however, no players leave the area. This meeting is too important to miss for a thing such as pride. Hundreds of players raise their hands, but I am not one of them.

“You there! In the brown robe with black hair.” I look over to see who he is pointing at, but from this angle it is impossible.

“How will the survey party be decided?”

“First of all, you are level 9, so you will not be selected. Second, the team will consist of 10 members from the Sacred Order, 5 from Wings of Liberty, 5 from Shadowguard, and 10 from the remaining guilds and freelance players.”

““What?!””

“That is bullshit!”

“You just want to monopolize the drops and hunting grounds!”

Many players are outraged with this and I would be too if I were not level 10. At least I have a chance to make the team, because there are not many level 10 players outside of the three big guilds. I was the 87th player to reach level 10 yesterday, so there would be at least 100 by now, and at least half of those would be attached to the guilds.

Despite this, I do agree with sending an elite party into the dungeon. It makes sense considering death in game is the end.

“Next!” Zhaos points at a man near the front of the stage.

“Where is the dungeon located?”

“As of right now, that information is classified. This is to keep those reckless players from overestimating themselves and running off and getting killed.”

By monopolizing on the information, they can remain in control.

“Next question!” Zhaos’s voice once more rings out. “You! With the weird spiked hair and copper chainmail.”

“Ahem.” I look over and see the player’s hair is shaved on both sides and long on top. ”Why limit the party to 30 people?”

“We imposed this limit to keep the party at a manageable size.”

“In order words, so you can control them?”

“Yes.”

He doesn’t even deny it. This kind of blind arrogance is something I cannot tolerate; however, currently I am not in a position to do anything about it. His small piece of authority will not last if this goes on. If a people are oppressed for too long, they will fight back. Similar to a trapped animal.

“Why should we have to listen to you?”

“Yeah! We are all players in this game!”

I watch Zhaos on the stage whisper something to one of his guild members. Very shortly, guards similar to those outside walk through the stands. They approach the players who voiced their opinions and escort them outside. Those players are mostly from the level 9 seating section, but even in that section many of the members are lower ranking members of those three big guilds.

Only freelance players are being targeted. This sends a message that they are in control and if you want information you should join them. I am somewhat surprised they even allowed other players to join in the meeting, but I guess it is a form of publicity.

“Any more people wish to be escorted outside?” Silence spreads throughout the amphitheater, “No? Let’s carry on then.”

I notice a hostile light flicker in Celeritas’ eyes when she looks towards Zhaos. Davion appears rather oblivious and docile. Davion has barely said anything while on stage, whereas Celeritas has not even spoken yet.

This talk continues back and forth for some time. Zhaos has been the primary one responding to the questions, but Davion has answered a few. Celeritas still has not spoken, rather it seems like she is not allowed to speak. Not every question was answered adequately and there are still tens of players still wanting to ask questions.

Two hours in, it looks like the meeting is about to end.

“And such, the 30 players will be decided tomorrow before 1400. The members will be decided by a collaboration between our three guilds based on who we believe deserves to have a spot. Remember, there are only 10 slots available for those not associated with Sacred Order, Shadowguard, or Wings of Liberty.

“If you are interested in being a member of the party, we will be meeting at the north gate at 1300 hours. That will allow you enough time to get the cartography skill.

“We will be leaving by means of a purple teleport crystal, so those who planned on following us can give up. You are dismissed.”

We were dismissed rather abruptly. Many players have conflicting looks on their faces. Countless players have been left unsatisfied by this meeting, but are powerless to do anything about it. Once we expand to new islands and get stronger this power differential will have to change.

When I step out of the amphitheater, I can see looks of hope amidst the crowds outside. Players of all ages have stayed out here while the conversation was going on within. Truly this is a major breakthrough for the players, but to have it controlled like that is too much.

It is getting late by the time I arrive back at the Prancing Mare. As soon as I get within arms reach of my bed, I plop down in a release of tension. While I am laying their looking at the ceiling, the door opens and footsteps can be heard on the hardwood floor.

“How did it go?” A soft feminine voice inquires.

“Sigh, A group of 30 players will survey the dungeon tomorrow afternoon. However, the information gained from the meeting was pitiful at best.”

“Hehe, Sounds like it didn’t hold up to your expectations.”

“They are withholding the dungeon’s location, and there are only 10 slots available for solo players or those from smaller guilds.”

“Once a man has a taste of power, he is likely to desire more and never be satisfied until he is on top. These things are to be expected from a power hungry egomaniac.”

“Haha, that they are.” I turn my head and see Gem sitting on the bed opposite me.