Enter again

As Mage Marcus expressed his worry, Wallace furrowed his forehead, curious about what this trusted friend had to say.

"What's wrong?"

Wallace asked, trying to sound polite. He glanced at the knights—Rederic, Alistair, Cedric, Eldric, Gideon, Ivander, and Jasper—and noticed their exchanged looks, some accompanied by subtle head movements.

Wallace was confused, trying to understand their silent communication.

Sensing his confusion, Mage Marcus broke the silence, speaking urgently.

"Sir, even though we have many people, we are weak against a strong enemy—a 'True Beast'."

Wallace felt the weight of Mage Marcus's words, realizing the truth. He understood the significance of these mythical creatures, knowing they were stronger than the fearsome Radioactive Beasts.

The concern and fear on his companions' faces affected him deeply.

Wanting to ease their worries, Wallace tried to reassure them, although his words contained a hint of deception.

"They're not that strong as you all thought to be but there are many of them," he declared, adding another lie to his words.

In truth, the existence of the rare 'True Beast' was nothing more than a made-up story, a creation of his imagination to make them spend more of their time away from him so he could get stronger.

By falsely giving them hope, he ensured that these people would never discover the truth. Or even if they did, it would be too late for them.

Wallace became more and more impatient as he spoke to the Mage and the seven knights, his voice filled with urgency.

"Any more worries?" he asked, scanning their faces for any signs of hesitation. But all at once, they shook their heads together, looking serious. "No more, sir, young Baron..."

Just as Wallace was about to dismiss them, the knights in front of him reached into their pockets and took out small bags.

They opened the bags carefully, revealing a collection of shining magic crystals inside.

Wallace, now comfortably seated in a chair and ready to enjoy his meal, observed their actions closely.

To his relief, Wallace managed to control his anger as he received the bags one by one. He skillfully examined the contents and made a surprising discovery. Unlike before, when each bag had contained twenty-five magic crystals, this time there were only ten.

Wallace felt puzzled and couldn't help but express his confusion. "Why are there only ten crystals in each bag?"

In response, Mage Marcus raised his arm, drawing Wallace's attention to a new bracelet on his wrist.

As Wallace looked closer, he understood the significance of the change. The Mage and the seven knights were now residents of the Toraz territory, owned by him.

The realization left him feeling helpless, and he could only nod, his mind filled with a mix of resignation and acceptance.

"Whatever... Since they have a discount now, so be it."

With a sigh of resignation, Wallace carefully placed the magic crystals one by one in his own bag.

It seemed that this new arrangement would still allow them entry, despite the reduced number of crystals.

There's nothing he could really do anything about it anyway, so it doesn't matter.

…

The group of adventurers, including Rederic, Alistair, Cedric, Eldric, Ivander, Jasper, and Mage Marcus, stood at the entrance of the eerie gaming dungeon, their faces filled with excitement.

Their bodies quivered with anticipation as they sought payback for the unforgettable embarrassment they had endured.

They couldn't forget the terrible deed that had been imposed on them. It was not acceptable! They were going after it now!

However, just as they were about to move forward, Gideon, their laziest member who now had an air of mystery around him because he's the only one who advanced in rank among them, raised his hand.

"Wait, I have something to tell all of you..."

His eyes shimmered with hidden knowledge, a secret he had kept to himself until now. The others turned toward him, eager to know more.

"Come closer," Gideon beckoned, his voice authoritative yet gentle. "There's something I need to share with all of you before we confront this dungeon of Noble Wallace once again."

The adventurers formed a tight circle around Gideon, their attention fixated on him.

Gideon's weathered, gentle face didn't resemble someone burdened by countless battles, but the scars on his skin were proof of past encounters.

"I have a secret within the dungeon," Gideon began, his voice filled with intrigue. "A secret that allowed me to level up faster than any of you could imagine. It's not just about skill or experience; there's something more going on here, and it was inside the dungeon itself."

The others exchanged glances, their curiosity mounting. Gideon's words hung in the air, weaving a web of fascination around them.

"I uncovered a hidden secret in the game," Gideon continued, excitement and caution mingling in his voice. "A power that enables me to eliminate enemies with unmatched precision and speed. I've vanquished twenty-two creatures because of it, and now I've advanced in rank."

As Gideon spoke those words, he withdrew something from his waist and raised it for them to see.

"There was a knife inside the spaceship, find it," he said. The adventurers' eyes widened in disbelief.

How could a mere knife be so deadly in the hands of a skilled warrior?

However, before they could voice their questions, Gideon redirected their attention behind them.

"And once you're inside, it was there, at your back, in gang ship, within the ship," Gideon pointed, tracing an invisible path with his finger, "it is the very knife I used to achieve these victories. It's not hidden, and it's waiting for us to claim it."

He would even exaggerate a body language to mimic it, making them fell laugh a little to his actions.

Suddenly, Gideon's voice shattered the silence, snapping the adventurers back to reality. "Remember, you all must find that knife," he urged, his tone urgent. "It possesses a sharpness that can effortlessly slice through flesh, unlike our bare fists or feet. With it, we'll have an unparalleled advantage... Good luck!"

Rederic, Alistair, Cedric, Eldric, Ivander, Jasper, and Mage Marcus felt grateful and admired Gideon, expressing their thanks in their own unique ways.

Rederic firmly held onto Gideon's shoulder, saying, "Thank you," with respect shining in his eyes. Alistair solemnly nodded and said, "You're the best," acknowledging the wisdom Gideon had shared.

Cedric smiled silently, appreciating Gideon's guidance without words. Eldric's eyes gleamed with excitement as he eagerly tested the power of the legendary knife given by Gideon.

Ivander, always calm and observant, simply nodded in acknowledgment. Jasper showered Gideon with an outpouring of gratitude, his enthusiasm overflowing. And the wise Mage Marcus bestowed a rare smile upon Gideon, silently recognizing the warrior's skill.

With that, they all stepped back into the game once more.