19 Lazy River

"Hey guys wait a second there's something here." Markus called out to the group. He had the option to enter solo or enter with a group of up to 6 people. Additionally, there was a nightmare mode that allowed up to 25 people to enter. This was the dream for any massive multiplayer roleplaying game: A dungeon!

Markus took out a [Mysterious Coin] and inspected it once again.

[Mysterious Coin

Rank: Hero

Effect: Use to enter a dungeon up to the rank of the coin.

Message: I'm sure someone would accept it.]

"What's going on?" Fists was the first time come over and ask. He saw a coin he hadn't seen before.

Markus gestured to the end of the cave, and everyone followed him. When he brought up the menu for the dungeon, he could see a faint glow coming from the spring. He clicked the coin into the water, and it whistled in the air as it flipped over and over. An old decrepit hand caught it just before it hit the water and then faded away with the coin.

[Entering… Welcome to <Edge of the Styx>

Difficulty: Normal

Time limit: 01:30:00

Fastest Clear: --:--:--

Recommended level: 3]

"No way! Gaming God, please accept me as your follower and thank you for your blessings!" Fists got on his knees and started kowtowing towards Markus. Meanwhile the other 3 were just as shocked but also excited. A dungeon was the ultimate promise of experience and rewards. This was also probably the first dungeon discovered on the server!

Markus ignored Fists and watched the cave change around them. Green flames lit up in a line beyond the cave wall that was slowly turning transparent. The cave mouth behind them had already turned into a large stone door. At the end of the hallway was a similar stone door. This was exactly like the dream he had. The group walked forward and when they arrived at the entrance, there was a blank stone plaque.

"Looks like first clear gets their names etched in stone at the entrance." Lloyd said with a fire in her eyes. This would be a great way to catapult their group to top popularity. She looked over at Markus with a complicated expression. Markus didn't notice this at all since he was focused on his own thoughts.

'Just what was that dream? And who were those children?' He opened the stone door with a casual push and decided to forget about the dream. If it was important, it would come up again. He was certain that the dream was most likely a game cinematic to hint toward a dungeon's existence.

When the stone door opened, they didn't need to walk forward. Instead, they suddenly appeared on a gray sandy bank. It seemed the ground was often flooded because the sand was still heavy with moisture. In the distance, a slow-moving river could be seen. The sky was gray and foggy, and visibility was very restricted in the twilight.

"What a creepy place." Punch broke the silence. She shivered while rubbing her arms. No one replied as they were all mentally focused for combat. However, nothing arrived. They moved forward slowly. Their steps left behind a perfect impression. The soft crunch was the only thing in this place that broke the eerie stillness. Once they got close to the edge of the sand, and the water become clearer, they saw a small boat pulled halfway up.

The boat was long, it could only fit a single person by its width but seemed to be able to fit 6 people by its length. The group looked at each other and seemed to understand where this dungeon was leading them.

"Looks like we have to—" Markus started.

"No! I don't want to get on the boat!" Punch exclaimed and covered her eyes.

"Punch, it'll be okay, its just a game." Lloyd consoled her. Markus didn't pry and approached the boat to investigate it. Luckily, it seemed to have an ability, so he was able to get an idea of the details for this dungeon.

[Ancient Bireme

Rank: Mortal

Effect: Resists the effects of the [Water of Styx]. Passengers also benefit from this resistance.

Message: This ancient boat has been tempered by the waters of the Styx. However, it has lost all its oars during its endless voyage.]

"Looks like the boat will take us to the next area on its own. We need it to resist whatever effects the water has." The others also investigated the boats details and understood the situation. However, this only made Punch more nervous. Her problem with boats was falling out of them.

"Come on, the dungeon has a time limit." Lloyd dragged Punch to the boat and set her in the center position. She moved to the front and the remaining three filled in the gaps. Markus took the rear to provide cover fire followed by Fists and then Baby between Lloyd and Punch. As soon as they boarded, the boat magically slid off the coast and successfully got onto the river current.

Since the boat was designed for 6 people, they had plenty of room to move around. This allowed for each person to have slightly more than an arm's length between each other. This would be enough to draw a weapon if needed. As Markus stood at the back of the boat looking around the horizon, he suddenly ducked his head and laid flat on the boat. Due to space constraints, he ended up leaning against Fists.

[Danger Sense] had activated in time. Due to the commotion, everyone turned to see a water-logged old witch. It had one bulbous red eye while the other one was sewn shut. Its skin looked like it was about to slough off. Its hand was sticking out and at the end of her pointer finger was a long hook-like claw. It scraped against the wooden board after missing and then dived back into the water. However, it was not before the group was able to get a glimpse of its details.

[River witch (hero) level 2

Message: A lost soul that was unable to pay Charon's Obol. Wandering the depths of the river Styx seeking a way across, it preys on those who wish to cross in the hopes that it will take their place.]

Markus took out his bow and arrows when he realized he forgot to make new arrows. He only had 2 shots left. He would have to make them count. He activated [Vital Strike] causing the light blue glow to cover the arrow-tip. He had a suspicion that the eye was a good target. His gamer sense was screaming for him to hit it. The others didn't slack off either and got ready.

Lloyd started activating her taunt continuously in the hopes of attracting its attention. Since they couldn't see it underwater, all she could do was repeat it over and over. Typically, a taunted opponent couldn't be taunted again until a certain period of time was up. As long as the monster showed itself before that duration, it would be fine.

"Here it comes!" Fists was able to detect it after its initial sneak attack this time. However, it was only at the moment that it broke the surface of the water. The river witch's claw went straight for Lloyd's neck. She scoffed and easily deflected the hook. However, she underestimated the monster. A moment was all it needed. The red bulbous eye pulsated and blood dripped down its face. A black aura appeared around Lloyd.

Twaaang

An arrow soared and pierced the disgusting eye. The witch screamed in pain and fell back into the water. However, it wasn't before a second arrow pierced its back. This time, it ignited in flame. When the witch fell into the water, the flame wasn't extinguished immediately.

[Vital Strike]!

Critical!

-12

Burn!

-4

-2

-2

The witch floated back to the surface and a prompt appeared when Markus inspected it. His decision was quick and decisive since they were slowly wandering away from the body.

[River witch (hero) level 2. /Loot | /Offer]

[Offering… /Choice

-Hades (+4 favor)

-Dionysus (+2 favor)

-Hermes (+1 favor)]

[Offering to Dionysus…

Favor x2

Underworld's Gift x1]

[Level 2 River witch offered… 3 exp gained.]

The underworld's gift appeared directly in his inventory which allowed him to let out a sigh of relief. He was worried that it would need to be fished out. In the process of doing this, he didn't realize that there was something strange going on with Lloyd. The group had backed away from her.

"Come on Punch, just a little dip in the water, it'll be fun…" Her voice carried a trace of madness as she tried to get a grab of Punch from behind Baby.

"Stop it, that's not funny." Fists said, switching spots with Punch leaving her and Markus at the back of the boat while the other two tried to restrain Lloyd.

"Hehe, hey Fists, how about we…" She didn't resist Fists approach and when he restrained her, she gave him a seductive look and started making circles on his chest with her index finger. This caused him to let her go, practically dropping her since she was leaning on him.

Markus saw the ridiculous scene. Just before dying, there was some sort of ability activated in the last moment. He suddenly remembered how the cave was filled with a certain moss. His intuition told him that this wasn't a coincidence. He took a handful of moss and walked forward.

"Hold her down and force this into her mouth."