500 follower! Cue to celebrations and icookies. No, I didn't take the idea from Wargon-sempai, torn gave it to me.

Also, VINCE~~~~~~~Take the Spoiler out of your review! There are children reading

Enjoy!

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The expedition members returned to the city to face cheers from the other guard members around the gate. Their heads help up high, they made their way through the main city street, the carriages loaded with the mana crystals that would give new life to the town. They made their to the lord's manor at the highest point of the city.

Only one member of the expedition was sitting silently. Steel sat in the back of the carriage, rolling a pink crystal in his hand, the only memento of his friend and servant Hunie who lost her life in the expedition due to an accident. Well, something that seemed like an accident. The leader of the expedition, Sergeant Hamilton, had placed the dungeon heart crystal that had drawn Hunie into it before realizing his mistake. A proud, but racist, man of honor the sergeant didn't seem like the kind of guys who would do that kind of thing on purpose. His adviser, however, raised Steel's suspicion everytime he looked at him.

Rothen had been the one to tell Steel and his squad to explore the forest by themselves, and had tried to take Hunie for his own amusement before that. Even now, he seemed to be shooting a smirk in Steel's direction, and Steel would have liked to twist his neck. However, he had no proof of misdeeds, so he was left stewing in the carriage

A tap on his shoulder caused him to look over. As tiny girl in a leather guard outfit smiled sadly at him. Nina was a player who had served as part of Steel's squad during the expedition. She had served an important part in the final fight, distracting the alpha wolf long enough for Hamilton to recover. She had managed to level up after the expedition from all the fighting, and had kept Steel in silent company during the way back.

"I'm sorry sir about your maid, I liked her myself." She said, patting his back as the carriage hit a bump. She gave a surprised shriek and fell onto her butt. Steel couldn't help put chuckle at her.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Nina had agreed to become Steel's slave online. Besides any nefarious purposes that lay in his head, he had enslaved her to help preserve her psych as a result of battle trauma the system had failed to prevent. Now, in the absence of Hunie, she had on her own decided to take care of him until he felt better.

"Careful there Nina, can't have you hurting yourself before we meet the lord." He teased her, "You'll break a finger nail."

She gave him an annoyed look, "Foolish sir, compared to being thrown by that overgrown puppy, breaking a finger nail would be nothing."

Laughing in spite of himself, Steel leaned back into the wall and watched the lord's manor grow closer.

While a castle would have been appropriate as well, the manor had a certain feel to it that suited the frontier town of Rostwood. Sitting inside a stone wall, the manor was separated into the main house and duty house. Sergeant Hamilton had explained to them on the way back that the expedition members would announce themselves at the duty house in the main hall. All the major members of the city would be there, and the rewards would announced by the lord himself.

"So Nina, what are your plans after this?" Steel asked curiously.

"Serving you sir." She stated bluntly, her eyes pleading.

He shook his head, "That won't work Nina, I have to get stronger. The sergeant is going to introduce me to a shield master, so I'll be training for a while."

"Then I'll come with you sir, just order me to help you."

"No Nina." He said firmly, "Shield training is worthless to an assassin like you, and you have to get your new class cleared with the captain. This is something I have to do myself."

"But.."

"Noted and denied soldier. Your job is to work on your class, understand?" He barked, watching her stiffen and take in the orders.

"Yes sir." She muttered glumly, hugging her legs and refusing to look at him. He shook his head, turning to admire the city at twilight. He couldn't help her if he didn't get stronger, and she didn't have the strength to protect herself yet either.

'This is necessary.' He reasoned, 'This is to keep her safe.' It was only a game, but to him it was his life. After all, he'd be in here for four years. Watching Hunie disappear had reminded him that death existed in the game, that things could happen with consequences.

Another bump broke him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see the stone gates of the manor looming in front of him. He smiled, it was time for the loot party.

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The carriages stopped in front of a pair of large oak doors, two guards standing outside them. At the sight of the expedition members, one had entered to announce their arrival. Hamilton ordered the men to gather up the mana crystals and bring them inside. He himself picked up the large black chest the alpha wolf had dropped and led the men inside.

The doors opened to reveal a long stone foyer decorated tastefully with furnishings and art. Torches traveled the length from the door to a large chair at the other end of the hall, where a noble looking man sat.

The Lord of Rostwood sat forward eagerly in his chair, his face brightening at the entrance of the expedition members. Other people were waiting with him: Steel could see Captain Harkin, Mema and M.M., And a couple of people he didn't know. One was a tall, lanky man with an impressive beard and robes. The other was a shorter man with a bit of a belly, who was fingering a gold coin in his hands.

'The tall one must be the archmage.' Steel reasoned, 'I not sure about the fat guy, but the fact that he has a gold coin must mean he's pretty rich.' Steel had yet to see a gold coin, as silver had been his major currency type so far. 100 silvers made a gold coin, and the sight of it had awoken something within him, something that slobbered at the scent of gold.

The remaining members of the expedition filed into the room, and stood at attention behind Hamilton, who approached the town leaders with the chest. He bowed.

"Sergeant Hamilton reporting in!" He announced, straightening his back and looking ahead, "The mission was a success."

At his words, the surrounding guards let out a hearty cheer and shook their weapons. Mema and M.M. clapped their hands loudly, while the men smiled. The fat one stowed his gold coin and gave a hopeful, greedy look.

The lord stood up, "Congratulations Sergeant Hamilton, you have done well in this endeavor. Give me a summarized report of the results. Leave nothing interesting out, especially what you have acquired." He looked curiously at the chest in Hamilton's hands.

Hamilton put the chest down and saluted, "Sir yes sir! Men, bring forth the spoils!" He commanded. One my one, the members brought forward the mana crystals and deposited them in a pile in front of the leaders. When the last crystal had fallen, a substantial pile of black crystals was left in front of the throne. Everyone in the room was awestruck by the pile, even the members of the expedition. The lord clapped his hands excitedly.

"Wonderful, simply wonderful! Archibald, how are the qualities of the crystals?"

The archmage, apparently named Archibald, strolled over to the pile and inspected a crystal. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, "Hmm, fresh dark mana crystal I see. Purity is mediocre, but the crystals themselves are flawless. The refinement process would destroy quite a bit, but we'd be left with t=some quality ingredients. Rank D or C potential." He looked over at the fat man, "Yorick, care to examine them yourself?"

Yorick inspected a crystal himself, nodding, "I concur Archibald, these would make fine ingredients indeed. I expect the city to make quite a pretty silver with these." He smiled, then looked at the Hamilton, "I take it your members also collected pelts and ears for the bounties?"

Hamilton nodded, "Yes, I'll have them turned into your merchant's guild tomorrow."

Yorick smiled, "Good, I'll have my receptionists prepare the standard reward, with a bonus of course." He added thoughtfully. A feeling of excitement traveled through the members, a bonus!

Hamilton bowed, "As generous as ever Guild Master Yorick." Yorick waved him off as he inspected another crystal.

The lord smiled and said, "Congratulations to the members of the expedition! Your hard work has brought safety and riches to out city, thank you for the hard work."

Quest Completed x3Scout out the forest to find the Corrupted Wolf Lair

Lead the Expedition without casualty

Participate in the lair subjugationDifficulty:HardReward+ 7000exp

+1 gold

+Intimacy with all factions in Rostwood

Choice of boss drop

Commission pay at the Merchant's Guild

Speak to Captain Harkin for further rewards

Steel smiled happily, he had managed to level up twice from the collective experience. He had even managed to collect some experience from the alpha fight, earning a nice start toward his new level. With 10 new points to spend, he was as excited as ever to look at his status menu:

Status WindowName:SteelAlignment:NeutralLevel:4Class:Shield TamerRace:HumanGender:Male

TitlesThe Listener, Milna's Disciple, Strong Neet, One with the CarrotFame:250Infamy:0Experience:2000/10000

Health:220 / 220Health Regen:4/ SecMana:65 / 65Mana Regen:1.3/ SecStamina:80 / 80Stamina Regen:2/ Sec

Vitality:22 (12)Agility:20 (10)Intelligence:13Wisdom:13Strength:16 (11)Endurance:20 (12)Leadership:25 (15)Luck:7 (12)Charm:17 (7)Faith:20

Elemental ResistancesFire:0Water:0Wind:0Earth:10Light:0Darkness:15 (0)

The lord continued, "Now, return to your homes guardsmen and women. Your rewards will be prepared for you tomorrow. To you travelers who participated, know that you have made allies today in Rostwood." The lord turned and returned to his chair, turning his head to talk to M.M.

Dismissed, everyone except Sergeant Hamilton turned to leave. Steel also turned, but felt a strong hand on his shoulder. He looked up into Hamilton's serious face.

"Stay for a moment Scout Steel." He said, his eyes unreadable. Steel nodded, and resumed standing at attention in front of the leaders of the town. Once all the other expedition members had left, some of the players giving him a curious look, Hamilton turned back to the Lord.

"My lord, this is the brave Scout who not only found the lair, but also led us through the grasslands without a single casualty." He reported. The leaders turned, curious.

"Really, not a single casualty?" The lord asked. Hamilton nodded.

"Yes sir, he was instrumental in finding the lair as well."

The lord turned to Captain Harkin, "Do you know this young traveler Captain?"

Captain Harkin nodded, smiling, "I do indeed your lordship, this here is my finest Scout, Steel. He's been a handful since day one, but his effectiveness is second to none."

Steel had the full attention of everyone in the room now: Mema and Harkin were smiling at him, M.M. had a gruff, but warm look on her face, the archmage had a strange mixed look on his face, and Yorick and the Lord were giving him once overs.

"I see." The lord stroked his chin, "I assume he has been promised a suitable reward?"

Captain Harkin nodded, "Yes my lord, a choice in the boss drops."

Yorick's head snapped around, "I didn't hear of this Harkin. What gives you the right to promise valuable goods to random travelers?" His eyes glared dangerously at the captain.

Harkin gave him an even look of his own, "I'd say he earned it all on his own Yorick. In fact." He turned to the sergeant, "How did the boy do?"

Hamilton gave a brief report, starting with Steel's squad effectiveness and ending with Hunie's loss into the dungeon heart. The news of Hunie caused distress on everyone's face, though not for the same reasons.

"The soul escaped? That's not good." The archmage said, shaking his head, "How did you all escape with your lives after my wards failed?"

"She didn't seem aggressive sir." Hamilton said, "Rather, I doubt she would have attacked given her relationship to the scout."

"Is the dungeon stable?" M.M. asked, her hand itching toward her sword, "Any indication of integration failure?"

"No ma'am, I believe it was a perfect integration, and the dungeon will be ready soon."

Yorick spoke up, wringing his hands in frustration, "You didn't bring back any of the crystals? Such a shame that, you should have tried to take some." He shook his head sadly.

Harkin spoke up, his voice angry, "How dare you you greedy little swine." He reached down and unsheathed his sword, "How dare you propose such an travesty!" He lunged at Yorick, but was held back by M.M. and Hamilton. Yorick shrank back in fear, hiding himself behind the archmage.

"Harkin, control yourself!" The lord barked, glaring at the captain. At his words, Harkin calmed down, but still shot murderous eyes at Yorick. The lord turned to Yorick, "And you, you should no better than to say such heartless things, especially in front of men who have experienced that pain." Yorick bowed his head at the reproach.

"Sir? What do you mean?" Steel asked confused.

The lord turned and regarded him with sad eyes. "The dark pink crystal you saw was the crystallization of your friend's soul. Being rare, those gems would be valued greatly as rank B or A ingredients. However, the use of the crystals would have an adverse affect on whatever remains of her."

Steel's eyes widened, and his fingers twitched behind his back. He resolved to ask Harkin about the crystal he had taken later, since he had some experience. He didn't want to talk about in front of Yorick.

Sighing, the lord shook his head, "After hearing about your deeds and loss, I can't help but agree that you should have a choice in the boss drop. Go ahead and open the chest for us, lets see what's inside."

Nodding, Steel reached over to the chest, and opened the lid.

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And so it begins again