Chapter 26: Sneaking To A Tiger's Den
World of Haven was a world of possibilities. Many unbeatable and outrageous records have been set by players that are either amazing or just insane. One good example of this record is those who can accomplish something for the first time, like being the first to conquer a newly formed Hell-mode dungeon or the first to subjugate a Grand Lord Boss Monster with only 10 members. There are thousands of these records but those set by individuals are considered to be the best records, it could either be seen as unbelievable or just ridiculous like becoming the first player to reach level 200 in just 1 year or the first player to die 1000 times straight. It wasn't recorded by an organization like the Guinness World of Records but rather any interesting events and occurrences are recorded by the system of the virtual game that is immediately set to the God of Haven's Hall of Fame. It's official website or a visitable space in the game which lets you see all the records that had been set by individuals or groups of players and each one was more impressive than the other.
Just recently, a new record was set to the Hall of Fame but rather it wasn't simply one record but four records, and this was done by one player, Alon. Although only 3 of these records were put in public those three records were insane. The first player to solo a Hell-mode Dungeon, the first player to defeat a mutated berserk boss monster, and the first player to stop a calamity monster. Those three feats alone made Kaya an instant celebrity and although they knew that he was helped by a powerful NPC, it doesn't change the fact that he was still able to accomplish such a task. Some call him lucky, some revered him and many hated him. It wasn't due only to the fact that people didn't appreciate him being rewarded since he was only carried by a powerful figure but rather the connections he had with that specific figure set the ire of the billions of players in the game. Marielle de Arc was one of the most famous NPCs in the game despite only appearing recently. Not only was her popularity due to her iconic family name but rather her beauty and elegance set the standard for fashion and beauty in the game. She became the face of the game for quite a while before disappearing but that didn't mean her popularity stagnated, rather she became more popular as time went on, she surpassed a lot of undoubtedly beautiful women in the game including those who exist in real life and was ranked as "The Peerless Beauty" since none could compare her. The clip of Kaya holding the beautiful Marielle in her arms like a lover burst out all the players in anger. In that clip of Alon holding her amassed 2 billion views in just one day and everybody started a petition that rewarded anyone who kills Alon whenever they see them. The reward was 2 Million dollars per kill, that was enough to set the majority of their sights on Alon. That was why not many people talk about his feats since they had already been overshadowed by his relationship with Marielle. If people knew that Marielle wanted Alon to be her husband it's unknown what might happen to Alon but he sure knows it won't be good that was why he decided to stay low. The only reason why Kaya revealed his true identity to Roman was because he had long observed the man to be both upright and of kind personality, the fact that he even went his way to let himself be banned from the game than to give the information was enough of a reason to solidify his claim.
"Holy shit."
That were the only words that Roman could mutter. Everything was going so fast and each one of it had shocked him to the core but the twist he had just found out almost made him faint. Nuclear Fist or rather Alon was not the rumors he had heard about. He had thought he was a pioneer of the game, and one of the leading Apex experts that only those from the peak know of but in reality, he was just a young man who had recently played the game. To think he was younger than him made him embarrassed calling him big bro but it could be justified by his attitude and looks since he was very composed and mature, rather he wanted to remain it that way. Such a young man was able to accomplish a lot of amazing things compared to his own achievements. After finding this out now, he not only felt shocked but he revered Kaya more.
'If only people knew..'
Roman could only sympathize with those people that had ridiculed Kaya. He had seen him first-hand display the might and pressure of what a peak expert is capable of doing and he did not even doubt that Kaya was able to solo the dungeon by himself even without any video evidence. Added to the fact that he easily overwhelmed another expert of level 190 while being level 50 himself, who would believe Roman if he said that it was possible? People would think he was crazy or just looking for clout since the variables between the two were just massive, added to the difference in attributes, there was also the significance of tiers and stages of awakening, one gap margin was enough to differentiate who was weak or strong but Kaya was able to destroy that common sense.
"I'm a huge fan.."
"Thanks, I thought I only had haters."
In reality though, Roman was one of the many haters of Kaya but after knowing the truth he not only became a fan but evolved into a whole air conditioner.
"So will you accept it? Will you become a companion? I need a guy who can guide me to stuff, I'm still bad at information gathering since all I know is those I've seen from the public."
"O-of course I'll accept becoming your companion, I can even be your guide if you want! Do you want to write a contract?"
Roman was exhilarated, not only was he going to be in the wing of a peak expert but also witness more of his incredible feats along the way, his only fear right now was the Blood Carnival Guild since although Kaya was strong, he couldn't face against a Super-first-rate guild by himself, well not with his current Strength that is. He already planned out how to level Kaya up quickly fast so he could have confidence against defending the might of a powerful guild.
"No need, trust is simply what I needed the most since I hate backstabbers."
Kaya simply smiled at Roman who stared at his eyes and he couldn't help but swallow his nervous saliva seeing such dark-colored pupils. It was as if his eyes were staring directly into his soul and as he stared at him back, it felt like he was being pulled into the dark abyss.
'If you stare at the abyss, the abyss stares back at you and rams your ass.'
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Kaya returned to his previous look as Nuclear Fist since it was still too dire to walk out in public with his original looks. Roman followed him from behind his back like a dog following its owner. He lost the usual energetic vibe after finding out the truth, rather he stared at Kaya's back uncomfortably as if he had just met a stranger.
"So where should we go now? I plan on going to Shellcon City to enter their Adventurer's Association since I have the De Arc's Plaque."
"You have the family plaque of de Arc!?"
"Yeah, it was the reward for saving Marielle de Arc."
"Oh! So you did solo the dungeon since you are helping her rather than her helping you."
"..?"
Kaya shifted his gaze at Roman who quickly closed his mouth and stared down thinking that he might have said something wrong or offensive but in reality, Kaya was just confused. He thought 'Was that really how people think had happened?' and wanted to correct them badly by showing the video evidence but since Goodman had told him not to reveal any of his videos to anyone except to them, he had to tighten his lid shut.
"Since you have the plaque then you should register in their Adventurer's Association, I'll tell you what you need to prepare when joining the association. You need to be at the very least a level 50 player who has obtained a class upgrade, you have to complete at least 5 dungeon raids and defeated 500 monsters."
"I have done the majority of the list but I have yet to conquer 4 more dungeon raids, the Goblin Farm Dungeon was my first dungeon raid."
"Aahhh...I see."
Roman could only sigh, he wasn't disappointed but rather amazed, to think a single dungeon raid changed him so much. He could only wonder what rewards he had obtained from the dungeon and he was sure to it that it was incomparable to the treasures of most guilds.
"Then how about we go to dungeon areas first? Are you confident about raiding level 100 dungeons?"
"How about level 150? I'd like a challenge."
"O-okay...sure."
Roman could only reply with a 'Yes' to anything he wanted. If the man wanted to conquer a level 150 dungeon then they'll have to conquer it, if they want to jump a pit of fire then they'll have to jump. He had no power to refuse.
"You can say no, of course, I mean it was just a joke. You know a level 69 player can't enter a level 150 dungeon."
Kaya gleefully responded with a slight chuckle. Seeing that Roman was rather in deep thought, Kaya was surprised.
'Is it possible?'
"It's possible, the Demon Shrine dungeon is one of the biggest dungeons in the world, and any level lower than 160 can enter it. What's more, is that it's an open dungeon so any number of players are allowed to enter it. The only problem is that its modes are only Hard and Hell difficulty."
Hearing Roman's words, Kaya's eyes gleamed at the information he heard. To think there was a dungeon that he had hoped there to be.
"It was the right decision to be your companion, so where is this dungeon located?"
"It's in Hawksbill Empire, it was a dungeon formed after the great demon war and the majority of the monsters there range from demonkins, demonic beasts, and demons. Our only problem is that it's the headquarters of the majority of the dark guilds including Blood Carnival Guild who is one of its overlords."
"Now that makes it more of a challenge."
Kaya grinned after knowing this fact. He wanted to estimate the power of Blood Carnival Guild and what more to test it than in their own territories.
"If you say so brother Alon I mean Fist, then we will go to the dungeon."
Roman brought out his cloak and both started to traverse the Hawksbill Empire by a teleportation gate.
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Concurrently, the Blood Carnival Guild was in a state of brief uproar after seeing that one of Mammon's apostles had died and had given the location of the killer yet it had disappeared shortly after so they couldn't pinpoint their opposer anymore. Bird who had just respawned felt sullen, she had just died a painful death and had to pay a portion of her demonic energy so she could be revived immediately since being killed as a demonic apostle banned her from entering the game for 2 days in real-time.
A shirtless man that was covered in tattoos and a red mohawk immediately went to comfort Bird who was shaking.
"Honey, what happened? Why did you die? Who did it?"
This shirtless mohawk man was level 192 named Rhino and he was one of the upper echelons of the guild. He embraced her with his body as means to comfort her as he kissed her on the neck. She cried as a result.
"What's wrong honey?"
"I...was killed painfully by an unknown player.."
"Who is this player!?"
Rhino angrily exclaimed, he didn't want to see her lover in pain as he summoned both crescent knives in his arms hoping to kill this player back to level zero. He loved two things in the world: the blood of his victims and Bird, he did not care whether it was a child or a bypasser that had hurt her lover, he'd beat the shit off a kid if it meant that it could appease her pain. This was the first time he had seen her so sad, unlike the last time when she failed an assassination quest and was punished by the Guild Leader himself that only made her tear up a bit.
"D-don't! He... he's too strong...he's like guild leader.."
"What the hell are you talking about the guild leader?"
Another man appeared between a pillar as he curiously asked Bird who was crying.
"Mind your damn business Redhead! We know that you're so obsessed with Guild Leader but why do you have to butt in with other people's lives?"
Rhino refuted at Redhead who was level 197 and wore a gray robe fashioned with his two tonfas in his hands. He looked like a 60-year-old Irish man that had his bright red long hair designed to be a bob cut.
"Any matter that comes to the guild leader comes to me first. If you talk badly about him then you can only face it with my Rabid Tonfas being clogged to your throat. If you don't want that to happen then it is best to shut up."
Redhead spoke in a rather threatening tone. Bird could only close her mouth as Rhino caressed her by wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Don't listen to him honey, it's okay, don't cry. Tell me what happened, and I'll be sure to avenge you."
Rhino smiled as he stared angrily at Redhead who clicked his tongue and left rather annoyed by the two lovebirds (An old virgin beta).
"You better fix your mistakes before the guild leader finds out about this, remember, one more strike and you're out of the seat. Reserved members would be happy to take that vacant seat of yours. Kekekeke!"
Redhead spoke cunningly as he left the area. Rhino simply hugged her trying to refrain her from his provocations.
"Don't worry honey, no matter what happens, we both stick together, even if it means leaving this shithole. I won't let anyone hurt you, I already told you that I'm your light and shining armor."
"Thank you, Hunny."
Bird gave Rhino a romantic french kiss as Rhino carried her petite body on his arms as they entered a private room and bare themselves naked. Their bodies touch each other as Rhino inserted his average size penis inside her. She moaned aloud and both had a passionate sex. Redhead who was listening to the loud moans could only grit his teeth as he had a boner from the sounds of the squelching sex.
'Mohawk bastard, just you wait. I'll have my turn with her.'
He angrily spoke to himself as he cummed even without touching himself (How the hell do you do that old man!?). He cleaned the cum stainin his torso by drinking a cleansing potion.
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On the other hand, Kaya and Roman had finally arrived at Hawksbill Empire. The place was 5 times bigger than the Springfield Kingdom and it was more advanced and bustled with players on everywhere you go.
"So this is Hawksbill Empire, despite being home for dark guilds, players still choose to go here huh?"
"Dark guilds just don't go around threatening players. It would ruin the reputation of the empire. Dark guilds have one of the most successful business trades which made the Hawksbill Empire one of the safest trade routes for goods since the dark guilds assigned strict protection for any trading business that enter the territory of the empire. If one did not know the game, they would probably think that the guilds in this area are good Samaritans but in reality, the trading business that wish to enter here had to pay a huge sum of gold just to gain access and protection. It wasn't that they have no choice but how the geographical landmark of Hawksbill Empire being stationed in the center of both the many neighboring kingdoms of the continent and the main river route that allows cargo ships to pass through making their territory a landmark for the trading business."
"Wow, half of what you said made no absolute sense to me."
"Basically, Hawksbill Empire is the rulers when it comes to making money from traveling businesses."
"Oh, I see...now I understand."
Roman couldn't tell whether Kaya was a genius or just averagely dumb. A normal person should've known this fact if they even lived in a society unless of course if he had lived his whole life isolated from the world (Plot twist: he does).
"We should be arriving at the dungeon."
"Huh? Aren't we in the capital? How can there even be a dungeon here?"
"Oh right you didn't know, the capital became the capital today because it was where the demon king Belphegor was sealed. The place is abundant with Mana and minerals and this is also where the dungeon appeared so it became a huge tourist attraction for players in the game."
"Aren't they afraid that the demon king might be summoned again?"
"That's unlikely, even if this place was a stronghold for demonic followers, they wouldn't just summon a demon king just for their properties to be destroyed, that's just a bad business move. Only a rookie would do something like that."
Kaya gained more information as time went on. Upon arriving at the area, they were immediately stopped by level 200 guards who were on standby from the gate.
"Pay the toll, 5 silver coins per person."
"What? Why do we have to pay the fee while those people are free to enter?"
"They are citizens of the empire, any outsiders will have to pay the fee."
"Damn it, fine."
Roman pulled out 10 silver coins giving them entrance to the area and immediately as soon as they entered, a murderous gaze fell upon them.
'This is gonna be annoying.'