18: Discussion

'Logia, do you know anything about the permanent party?'

'Well, I did add something like that to your system, because you can't deal with Tray alone, you'll have to find people you can trust to help you.'

This was very true, although Sage became a little stronger and smarter, he alone would not be able to take down Tray, he was going to need some allies.

'Alright! I trust your judgment, but what else is there?.'

'Well, there is also temporary partying, for example, if you want someone to be part of your party but not for good, you can add them to it. I also added this function to the other system.'

Sage was satisfied with the explanation Logia provided, but there was something else bothering him.

'Logia, can I tell Mark about you? and everything that's happened so far? I...I mean since his a loyal friend of mine and I can trust him with my life.'

Logia was hesitant about letting Mark know of his existence because this could put not only himself but Sage in danger.

'I did say you could tell him but we need to test him first, he needs to prove his strength, you've seen his status but I want to see if he could handle the process of levelling up faster than normal humans.'

'Wait! The system can do that!?'

'Of course! you can share the ability, but only certain humans can withstand the pressure.'

Sage was joyous by the fact that there was a possibility for Mark to level up as well as he does, but his happy mode sunk down to zero quickly because he realised something.

'Wait a minute, If the system was like that then why did you give it to me!? How did you know that I would be able to dominate the pressure of the system?'

'Well... I didn't hehe, but it was worth the risk, right? Haha.'

Sage's face turned red with anger, which made Mark confused, thinking the anger was expressed towards him.

"Okay, I get it, if you don't want to tell me fine, you don't have to look so angry."

"No, no it's not because of you Mark, it's because of a certain fly."

Sage explained with an awkward smile. He was really excited to add Mark to his permanent party, but he had to give Mark a trial first.

"Mark, I can tell you what's going on but... How do I say this? You'll have to do something first."

"Let me guess, I'll have to go true with some test to prove if I'm trustworthy right?"

Sage was astonished, he couldn't believe how well Mark knew him.

"How did you_"

"You mean how I know what you're thinking? Do you know how long I've known you for? I'm your best friend aren't I"

Sage sighed with a favourable expression plastered of his face. Within a second a blue screen materialized above Mark and a red one for Sage. They were given different missions but the destination was the same.

(Sage's mission )

[*ping*]

[Mission> Survive the Sand dune ]

[Time> 3hrs ]

[Reward > 50Exp, ??? ]

[Penalty > Death ]

[*Do you accept?*]

{*Yes*} {*No*}

(Mark's mission)

[*ping*]

[Mission > Find the guide]

[Time > 70mins ]

[Reward > 30Exp,???]

[Penalty > Death ]

[*DO you accept?*]

{*Yes*} {*No*}

The room's atmosphere became uneasy due to the mission the boys were given. They looked at each other and then to their screen.

(*Click*)

{*Yes*}

They clicked yes at the same time and were both teleported to a desert.

(*swish*)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

~The Desert~

They teleported to the middle of nowhere, the bright sun was present and there was no sign of clouds in the sky. Sage and Mark were sweating as if they were melting like a pair of popsicles.

"Ah!! It's so hot, why couldn't the system give us a mission somewhere else like a tropical island!? It just had to be a desert!"

"You seem quite used to this Sage."

Mark implied to Sage with a curious tone.

"Eh...Well, let's focus on the mission, we don't have that much time!" Sage stuttered while trying to make up an excuse.

'Logia do you know where we are?'

'Hm, I actually don't, as I said before the system is self-operated, but I could check for the name of the place. ah I got it, it's called the

'Never Desert'.'

'You mean like that's there's never danger?'

Sage had eyes filled expectations.

'No! I mean people who come here never return!'

But Logia demolished his hope.

'Ah! what did I expect from this danger loving system.'

Sage scratched his head due to the irritation he felt from the heat. He turned to face Mark and asked him about his mission.

"So, Mark what mission did you get?"

"Well, I'm supposed to find a guide of some sort and I have seventy minutes, we'll at least I did have 70 minutes."

They Look above their heads, the timers for each of their missions had already begun.

Mark >(*69:01*)

Sage>(*3:30:02*)

"Let's get going, so we don't die here."

They ventured forward to look for Mark's guide but on their way, they encountered some gigantic scorpions emerging from the sand, they were black and had green liquid spilling out of their sharptails, which rattled like a snake's. A green screen emerges to warn Sage.

[*ping*]

[Speice > Dark Deathstalkers ]

[Level> 10 ]

[Bewear of its rattling tail, it contains a deadly poison.]

[Possesses a rank 1 core crystal ]

"Monsters that embodies a core crystal, finally! I've been waiting, how many are they?

one, two, oh! twelve of them! this is getting fun."

Sage mumbled to himself.

"Dude, what are you mumbling about in this kind of situation!?"

Mark who was in a panic and confused was still conscious enough to care about Sage's safety.

"It's nothing, by the way, what do you have in your inventory?"

Mark pulled out his inventory.

[*ping*]

[Inventory]

[ Blazing gauntlets ]

[Phone]

"I have gauntlets!"

"Then take it out!"

At the same time, Sage summoned his crescent sabres.

[*ping*]

[Blazing gauntlets]

[Rank > Passive ]

[A weapon made from the flames of a phoenix.]

"Dude! you have a great weapon, well then are you ready to fight!?"

"I'll try my best."

They ran towards the stalkers with courage.

<End of chapter>