21 Chapter 11.1
I saw an angel standing alone under the shade of an oak tree a little further away from the entrance of the crowded dungeon. A dungeon cave that leads to the next town with many players camping at the entrance in hopes of finding the same leveled party members to help them in defeating the boss. The boss is a little bit difficult since it can be considered an initiation for newbies to earn their right to become intermediate players of CoA.
I identified the said angel.
Clarissa
Hp: 100%
Mp: 100%
Lvl: 28
Guild: none
Duel wr: 0%
wins: 0
matches: 1
Team Rank matches wr: N / A
1v1 Rank matches wr: N / A
id#:***********
Introduction: I'm new to this game so please take care of me. Also, I don't like duels so don't invite me to a PVP match, please!
"Sorry, I'm late! Have you been waiting long? "I asked apologetically.
"No, it's ok, I just got here," Clarissa replied
What's with this setting? And what's with that reply, is this some kind of a date?! No no no we're just going to a dungeon to do main quests and level up, nothing to be gung-ho about. Entertaining guests at my apartment took a lot longer especially with Lenna pestering me for a sleepover so I'm a little late at our agreed time. I can't just shoo them away and say I'm going to meet someone, that would be rude. We had a good time though and watching a match as good as that renewed my motivation to play and improve my skills.
"Then let's go to the entrance. This dungeon would be a little harder than usual so stay close to me at all times."
As we approached the hustle and bustle of the entrance to the dungeon, the noise of the players became louder. There are many players today, especially so since it's a weekend.
"Need healer please add me"
"Any healer here?"
"Need tank!"
"Need only 1 more support!"
Honestly, all the newbies want to become DPS which is why we always lack healers or other support in this area. Though I can't really judge them since I was a DPS myself.
As we were nearing the entrance, 2 men approached us. One was wearing a newbie knight set with a sword on his left plus a round silver shield on his right and a helmet covering his entire face. He probably has a shield weapon skill which is why his shield is equipped in his right arm. He has a stoic posture and a serious atmosphere around him. The other was wearing casual newbie traveler's clothing and a scimitar attached to his belt. He has handsome rugged features and a demeanor full of confidence. I immediately thought he was too artificially handsome, he probably fiddled a lot with the character avatar customization. I identified them both.
Hecct
Hp: 100%
Mp: 100
Lvl: 32
Guild: Round Table
Duel wr: Hidden
Team Rank matches wr: N / A
1v1 Rank matches wr: Hidden
id#:***********
Introduction: This player has no introduction.
Xeno
Hp: 100%
Mp: 100
Lvl: 30
Guild: none
Duel wr: Hidden
Team Rank matches wr: N / A
1v1 Rank matches wr: N /A
id#:***********
Introduction: Any female players can add me anytime ;)
"Hello ladies, Looks like you two could use some help. How about you two join our party and we'll carry you? I'll promise I'll protect you girls from any harm." Xeno said confidently then winked.
I might have swooned there and then if he was cute. But he's not really my type. So I crossed my shoulders and remained unimpressed while Clarissa hides behind me clearly wary of the man's straightforwardness. Good, she should be always on her guard against these kinds of people. She's amazingly cute so a lot of strangers may suddenly approach her with ill intentions.
His friend suddenly butted in when he realized we were cautious of them both.
"Forgive me for my friend's rudeness but you two seem to lack party members and we also lack support players. May I ask that we form a party to help each other out?" Hecct asked politely
"I'm not a support though."Clarissa chimed from behind me
That is right, she's a pure DPS-oriented mage. I suggested that she focus on increasing her int stats and mp so that I could just aggro the monsters while she dishes out most of the damage for our party. That is the most efficient build for our party since I'm already a healer and can act as a dodge tank.
"But you're a DPS mage and your friend is a support healer is she not?"
Clarissa just nodded silently. He must've known our role judging by the color of our staff orbs.
"Then it would even be perfectly fine. So would you please join our party?" he pleaded.
I deliberated if we should join or not. We don't really need their help in finishing this dungeon, heck I could even do it solo. But it would not do any good for Clarissa to be overly reliant on me. She needs to meet different kinds of people in-game, both rivals and party mates for her own personal growth. Also, one of the best experiences in playing VR games is meeting new kinds of people you both share the same hobbies with and I want her to experience it fully.
After pondering for a moment, I conceded.
"....Fine we'll join, but the loot should be evenly distributed."
"Of course. My party loot is already set to be evenly distributed to party members regardless of who gets the last hit or has the most DPS." Hecct explained
After a brief introduction and Hecct cementing our battle positions, we headed for the dungeon.
In CoA, dungeons are only available for at most a party of 4 people. Upon entering a dungeon stage, you teleport to a new dungeon instance, meaning only 4 players may exist in the specified dungeon no matter how many enter the said dungeon. Other parties that enter the same dungeon as you at the exact same time are separated into another instance of a dungeon that is generated specifically for them.
Upon entering the dungeon we were teleported to the inside of a limestone cave. The ceilings are full of stalactites with an alluring blue-green glow while the ground is littered with stalagmites of the same color.
"Beautiful" Clarissa murmured
"It is, but we're not here on a picnic so keep your guard up. There are monsters everywhere." Our impromptu leader Hecct reminded us.
He charged forward leaving us behind with Xeno.
"Is it ok for him to go ahead on his own?" Clarissa anxiously asked.
"Don't worry, he's actually a veteran player, I'm pretty sure he can even solo this dungeon if he wants. He just wants to help new players like you who don't seem to have a front-liner. What a softy right?" Xeno informed us.
Our battle plan was that he will first check the area ahead of us and aggro all the monsters he could. He proposed that the two of us stay back and focus on monsters that get past him while Xeno protects us. Quite a bold battle plan but if he really is skilled, I'm sure he can pull it off. It also means I don't have to do much so it works well for me too.
How many times have you tried this dungeon? Xeno asked
It's only our first time
Really? well then it's your lucky day! we will save you two the time from dying a bunch of times in this dungeon.
He's pretty laid back and relaxed for someone going dungeon diving, he must really trust his friend's skills or he might even be a veteran player himself.
as Xeno was conversing with us, A group of goblins approached our front liner. There are only 3 of them but will be hard for a newbie to defeat all three at them at once.
He rushed forwards without any caution. He did a quick precise stab at the head of the 1st goblin, killing it instantly then he blocked the 2nd goblin's attack with his shield while simultaneously slashing the neck of the 3rd goblin which instantly killed it. That leaves the 2nd goblin which he also killed instantly by stabbing its head. All of his attacks are quick headshots, he's pretty skilled and experienced to be able to pull that off.
"Whoa he's so fast, I can barely follow his sword," Clarissa said with awe.
Is it just me, or are his eyes glowing red while slaughtering those goblins? Is that a cosmetic item or does he have a thing for goblins that his eyes glow even when we can't see his face through that helmet?
"Told ya he can handle his own!" Xeno stated proudly.
The dungeon run continued just like that with Hecct leading ahead of us and Xeno leisurely chatting with us. Only 2 or 3goblins or a single hobgoblin at most got past him and was easily defeated by Clarissa with a fireball or two. Xeno and I haven't even done anything. With the way the dungeon run is currently going, I doubt we even need to do any work.
That's fine I guess, it means I can just leisurely appreciate the sights of the cave and let Hecct do all the heavy lifting.
