Chapter 0065

The ambience of the random spawn dungeon was what Leviene expected out of a dungeon with its portal located under the river of a canyon - damp, murky and enclosed.

For a race that rules the skies, the last adjective was the important one.

Enclosed.

Leviene wasn’t aware she was affected by the racial characteristic of the Perrian Let but she can tell she didn’t like this random spawn dungeon one bit. She attributes the sensation to the issues of her wings. A fat bird with a large wingspan built for long-distance flight like her need her space.

Also, she didn’t want to force herself to squeeze through narrow openings. The scenario with her wings came to mind.

“Grease me up and pull me out.”

“What are you talking about?” Erica looked at Leviene as if she was a patient that escaped from the asylum. Long gone was her perception that Leviene was a saint.

“There isn’t much space in the cave for maneuverability especially for me because I don’t have complete control over my character yet. I’m worried I might not fight in tight, narrow openings and you guys have to grease me up and pull me out.” Leviene explained her thought process although she could have saved her breath from all the attention she was receiving.

The other members of the group are too busy assessing the dungeon to give her rambling their utmost attention.

The area they arrived in was like any beginners area in an instance, quite, secluded and devoid of any mobs. Programers gave the player a safe spot when they create the instances because there is a load time and if they put mobs too close to the entrances, the mobs would attack the players before they can react.

Arashia followed the programmer’s unspoken rule. Although there was no load time like there would be in a game, a safe spot to start the instance is very necessary.

Leviene change into Altreyes and cast Camouflage on herself then went to survey the area.

The entrance they came through was literally a hole in a wall, 50 meters above ground which lead to a gigantic cave dotted with ponds. Altreyes saw [Peon Lizardman] scattered here and there.

[Peon Lizardman] as the name suggests were bipedal lizards. They vary from a light blue to an almost neon green shade with yellow slitted eyes, sharp claws used for digging and long fangs sticking out of their mouths.

Some of the [Peon Lizardman] were literally digging into the walls of the cave, expanding the already large cavern.

Random spawn dungeons, unlike static dungeons, can grow in size and difficulty. The longer it remains unexplored, the stronger the mobs in the dungeons becomes and the difficulty becomes harder and harder.

The growth of the random spawn dungeons occurs through the efforts of the mobs in the dungeon. Therefore, even though the actions of the [Peon Lizardman] seems scripted like the actions of the regular mob in any MMO games, it serves a purpose here.

Every once in a while, a [Lizardman Overseer] would come by and whip the peons back to work with their tails. The [Lizardman Overseer] looks no different from a [Peon Lizardman] except they are level 45 where as the [Peon Lizardman] level range from 40 to 44.

Along with the [Lizardman Overseer], there is another set of patrols going around, except there are four mobs in this group instead of a lone patrol. They range from level 47 to 50. A few groups had a [Lizardman Shaman] in their group while others have [Lizardman Assassin] or [Lizardman Mage].

Altreyes made note of each the patrol group. Single mob test the tanks aggro generating abilities as well as the dps ability to deal damage. A pack of mobs test the group’s coordination and communication abilities. The tanks select the mob order to kill and the dps kills it without pulling aggro and breaking the crowd controlled mobs.

Altreyes made her way back to report her findings. The others stayed back since they didn’t have a stealth abilities and they didn’t want to alert the enemies. They didn’t know what to expect out of a random spawn dungeon and since a sacrifice took the initiative to explore the area, they might as well let her do it.

“Lone [Peon Lizardman] scatter in the area approximately 40 meters apart with levels ranging from 40 to 44. [Lizardman Overseer] comes around once in a while, levels 45 or 46. Group patrols walked the area, four mobs in a group, some with groups have mobs with specialized skills.”

“We can’t complete the dungeon with our current group.”

Everyone wanted to protest Sylphie’s conclusion but they knew they couldn’t do it. Aetharious is the youngest and the lowest level player in the group at 36 while Altreyes three characters are either level 37 or 38 with Egarious at the highest at level 42.

The [Lizardman Overseer] pose no threats to the group, but the group patrol isn’t something they can take on right now. They might be able to do it if their teamwork and coordination was a better but Sylphie already pointed out the flaw to the thought already.

“Then what do we do? Given how rare a random spawn dungeon is, I don’t want to give up the chance.”

“Can we come back?” Aetharious asked using the weapon all spoiled brats mastered. His enlarged eyes have tears forming at the corner as if he was about to cry but held it back at the last moment. The little brat also masters the pout, his big lower lips chewed with anxiety puff out a bit. As his little hand clung to Sylphie’s gear, Aetharious gives off an image of a sweet little child being denied his basic rights.

Altreyes was truly envious of the little boy right now. Everytime she tried the sad little child act, tears stream down her face, snot comes out of her noses and forget about getting ahold of the person clothes in question, she can’t even get near to pout.

“We will come back once we can the boss in the area. For now, we should work towards our designated rolls. Altreyes, gear and skill Leviene towards utility and healing and Rayael for moderate damage with tanking as a focus. Egarious will be off tank and off healer. Aetharious and Erica, hone your skills so you both can manage aggro.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“What spec are you going aiming towards for your Druid and Stancer?” Altreyes asked. She accepted the roles Sylphie assigned to her but she wants to know what she is going for.

“My Druid would be geared towards healing caster with some utility and Ayrez will be off tank dps.”

“Not healer utility huh?”

“Do I sense resentment over your assigned role?” Sylphie squinted her red eyes. Her demeanor began to take an aggressive stance while a dominating aura expands from Sylphie, pressuring everyone around her.

Everyone except Altreyes sense Sylphie’s aura and froze. Altreyes, perhaps due to her status as Sylphie’s ward or due to the fact she experiences Sylphie’s aura on many occasions, is immune to dominating force emanating from the Tajin Nost.

“Yes. I will follow your directions right now. However, I will spec as I see fit.” If Altreyes doesn’t stand up for her right to choose the way she wishes to play on her class then Sylphie will take over. Sooner or later, she’d start dictating everyone’s spec regardless on the player’s feeling.

Altreyes learned over the years to set limits and stick with it. Do not budge! Sylphie has an annoying habit for bulldozing her way through obstacles when she can, scheme her way through when she can’t. Sylphie means well. Altreyes acknowledge Sylphie’s well meaning intent. Sylphie may want what is best for her and take actions to accomplish it but she has to realize only Altreyes can decide what is best for Altreyes.

“Do you think it is premature to call for a healing utility spec for your Priest?”

“Until an establishment of a stable guild or until we meet up with Kaleseze and Wraith, I think it is premature to focus solely on healing and utility. It leaves me too vulnerable.”

“I assure you, I have no ulterior motives.” Egarious tried to assure the group of his intent. He didn’t lie. He never had any ulterior motives aside from protecting his brother. Through their interaction, he realizes they need more people they can trust and despite Altreyes weird actions, they are dependable.

“You bastards are annoying but I set aside my suspicions after our grindfest outside. I’m merely stating my unease over the current situation.” Altreyes did set aside her grudge. It won’t prevent her from getting her revenge over any perceived slight she might feel, but trust was built over their time together. She still believes they have ulterior motives, but it isn’t as nefarious as she believed.

“What is the feeling you are getting?” Sylphie steered the conversation back to the main point.

“End of the world scenario as people realize the laws of society isn’t there to protect the weak. Arashia has protections in place in their cities, but that is it. There is no protection once you leave. Until I can be assured of a regular supply money making grinders farming with me, I don’t want to go healing utility.”

“Ha, you just want a group of insane people grinding money with you because if you go healing utility you can’t do it on your Priest!” Sylphie understood Altreyes’ concern. She didn’t want to address her premonition about moral breakdown so she diverts the conversation towards a more humorous topic. It isn’t time yet.

“Huh?” Confusion mars the expression on the others. They didn’t understand the shift in the topic.

“The money grubber wants a group to work with her grind gold.” Sylphie clarified. Everyone had an ‘Ah-ha’ moment.

“Hey who are you calling a money grubber?”

“You!”

“I want financial resources to ensure my comfort in retirement. I am not a money grubber!”

“Same thing.”

“Take it back!”

“No way.”

Everyone smiled as they watch the childish interaction between Sylphie and Altreyes.