“A party name,” Lan said, grunting. “We need one.”

“The Five Fools,” Moon said.

“A better party name.”

“The Numbered,” Cijo said, causing Nilbog to wince as the throbbing of his cheeks came back.

“Taken,” Lan said, upon no other comment being made.

“We’re almost there,” Cijo said, glancing back at the rest of the group. “Not much further.”

“You said that last time!” Moon replied, hopping a step. “What's in this shit anyway?”

“It’s parts for a Scout Tower,” Lan said with a grunt.

“What for?” Moon asked. “What for!” He asked again, but slightly louder when Lan did not respond.

“Let the man breath,” Cijo said with a disapproving glare.

“It’s...to map out the area. Device. The people. On horse. They’ll build it. And other stuff,” he said, and then wheezed. Upon glancing back, Nilbog was surprised to see a whole different battalion join them. There were hundreds of them—real soldiers in armor and with weapons that can probably cut. A majority of them were Wolves. There were also a bunch of people that didn’t seem to be combatants.

The rest of the party turned to face forward. It was difficult to walk while looking behind, but Nilbog kept his gaze stern. He could have sworn he saw something orange. Already he felt the needles prickle his skin at the very thought of it being here. His eyes couldn’t spot that grim color again.

“Watcha lookin’ at imp?” the man behind Nilbog said. Humans weren’t attractive, that was no surprise, but the one behind him was on a whole different level than the rest of them. The bones of his face seemed to mold according to how he was pummeled. Symmetry was not his friend. “You pickin’ a figh-”

Two purple stones stared at him from above a horse that was stiff with fear.

Nilbog snapped his head forward, his breath immediately running short.

Oh spirits, please leave me be for just a single day.

Nilbog glanced back, but he couldn’t seem to find her. There were hundreds of them--there was no way she saw him within the crowd. A trick of his fears, it must have been. She didn’t even have eyes.

“Scout Towers are an area that Dlar’s invested in,” Lan began again. “Costed thousands of Kingdom Points to buy from The Game, but it’s worth it. It provides a real-time map showing allies, enemies, points of interest, and relays messaging an—” Lan said, and almost toppled over a depression in the road. Cijo had reached in and caught him by his arm.

“Careful,” he said through clenched teeth. “We’re here. Look, the Dungeon Gate is right there.”

A lone white gate stood in the middle of the road, towering above even the trees. In the center of the gate was a boar’s skull orbited by two golden stars—the first was the Dungeon type, and the second was its difficulty.

“We’re finally here,” Lan said, taking a deep breath. All the other parties in front stopped as well, their eyes focused to their front.

You have entered a Dungeon area!

Hodlen’s Breach

Dungeon Type: Monster Infestation

Dungeon Requirement: At least 100 participants level 50 and lower must be present.

Difficulty Ranking: ★★

Attempts Left: 1

Hodlen’s Breach stands before you, shriveled and haggard. Previously holding mundane beasts, it now harbors legions of ghouls, ents, Stalkers, ogres, and everyone’s favorite: goblins of all shapes and colors.

Experience is increased by 500%.

“Looks like we’re taking a break,” Cijo said, dropping his load on the ground gently. Everyone around them did as well.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Lan began, falling to the floor with his load. “Monster Infestation are the simplest. All we got to do is kill most of the monsters and the boss. We’ll fight alongside other party memb—"

Special Event: Secret Dungeon!

Dungeon Type: Battle Royal

Secret Dungeon Requirement: At least 100 participants level 50 and lower must be present. 75% of participants must be on neutral/hostile terms to fulfill the secret Dungeon requirements.

Difficulty Ranking: ★★★★

Experience is increased by 1000%.

Killing monsters and Sentients will provide points. The first reward will be given based on how many points your party has accumulated in total, and the second will depend on how many points you have individually accumulated.

Being unable to defeat the boss within 60 minutes will cause a Dungeon Fail.

The ground began to shake. With a ground quivering blow the gate shattered. Chunks of stone fell to the ground, revealing its true black and red hue. The Dungeon icon changed into two red crisscrossing swords with four stars orbiting it at a much faster pace.

“It’s a Secret Dungeon,” Lan whispered. “We can’t even back out!”

Once the secret requirements for the Dungeon are met, there was no avoiding it. Everyone would be forced into it, and this one was a death trap. It pitted everyone against each other.

Ah, Khan, I see what you meant.

The gates began to open, pushing aside the shell it had discarded. A blinding white light escaped through it, covering the entire forest. It touched Nilbog’s skin, and then went through it, turning him into a white glimmer. Panic immediately ensued. Yelling, screaming, and screeching were in abundance. Horses panicked and people ran amok for no good reason.

Slightly better off, Nilbog unfastened the weight at his back, retrieved his two daggers and the last of his stone-like bread. The rest of his party did the same, with a mixture of curses and prays.

Nilbog smiled smugly; he was already used to demented situations occurring on daily bases. The rest of his party were less so. They will learn. It always gets worse.

Sentient Killer Activated.

The difference in Danger Ranks has increased Sentient Killer’s effects by 50%.

His ears perked up. Through the shouting and rabid chaos of half a thousand men, Nilbog heard the wind behind him. He turned around, his eyes as he saw The Blind Mage flying through the air, hands outstretched and finger’s sharp. He could not move, could not change his blank facial expression as she flew, tossing aside everyone besides them like they were ragdolls.

Her eyebrows match the color of her hair, Nilbog noted. He could see a hint of them peeking above her cloth. He saw how the veins on her hand pushed against her skin, inches away from his face.

He knew he had to move; something was odd about how her index finger looked. It left behind a yellow fog as it moved. A skill of some sort, probably. Would it track him? Would it kill him? Just what did she want from him?

After he blinked, he was gone.