Chapter 51: Into the Luminous Realm

Step by step, a brilliant light began to envelop us.

"Huh, it's already over?" Jenna blinked in surprise.

We were gradually disappearing into the light.

"It's not over yet," I said as I ran along the path. Before returning to the plaza, there was something we needed to learn: the reason this mission was called exploration, to gather information since we would receive a hint about the next stage.

From the introduction of exploration, it was clear it wouldn't be a solitary mission. Although randomized, it didn't mean everything was unpredictable. Building upon past missions and the setting, we could indirectly anticipate the field and task that would unfold. For beginners, exploration seemed like an easily granted mission, but for skilled players, it held a different meaning.

I ran at maximum speed, carefully surveying the surroundings. Gradually, my form became faint. I needed to grasp as many clues as possible within that luminous realm. No matter how much I ran, there were no obstacles ahead.

Through the gaps between trees that sporadically rose on both sides of the road, a particular scene caught my eye. It was a shabby stockade, about 5 meters tall, with ramshackle huts huddled together within the gaps. Dozens of goblins roamed near the huts.

"It's a goblin stronghold," I said, recognizing the village Jenna had seen. I disregarded it and continued to run. It didn't take long for the second goblin stronghold to appear. "Is this a massive goblin habitat?" I wondered aloud.

In this village, goblins were accompanied by wolves. When a goblin rode on one of those wolves, it became a goblin rider. Among the goblin series, they proved to be quite formidable with their distinctive mobility. "Kee!" Just then, my eyes met with a goblin. The goblin dashed toward me with determination but collided with an invisible barrier and tumbled to the ground. I couldn't reach there either, and the goblin couldn't come to this place. Currently, that stronghold was nothing more than an inaccessible backdrop, but it wouldn't be the case in the next mission.

I kept running along the path. Soon, the dense forest gave way to an open plain. The landscape stretched out before me, revealing a clear view. The entire forest seemed to be transformed into a goblin stronghold. It felt more like a forward operating base than a typical stronghold. The goblins were bustling with activity, crafting weapons, donning armor, and taming wolves. Dozens of goblins clung to the edges of the map, their presence clearly visible. They let out strange, menacing cries, but I paid them little heed. I had seen enough.

It was a mere moment before my body completely vanished from sight. I increased my speed, pushing myself even further. As I raced at full throttle, I soon caught sight of a city standing in the distance. And then, I returned through the rift of space and time.

"Why did you rush ahead on your own earlier?" Jenna asked.

"Just wanted to explore," I replied. "I had gathered sufficient information."

"Now, it was time to use what I had just seen as a foundation to anticipate the theme of the upcoming linked missions and plan accordingly. It's what they call estimating the clearance projection," I figured. "In the case of these sudden, special dungeons, there was no choice but to send a scouting party to test the waters. However, in the main dungeons, there were often hints to be found. This flow of linked quests that began with exploration was known as a stream."

"Analyzing the stream was also a skill of the master," I concluded.

"How frustrating," Jenna remarked.

"I wasn't sure if what I had seen had been effectively conveyed to Anytng," I admitted. "Even if he understood, at this point, when both resources and heroes were short, there wasn't much that could be done."

"I had thought the stream would come at a later time, but it arrived sooner than expected," I reflected as I emerged into the plaza.

Chloe came rushing towards me in a panic. "There was an inexplicably uneasy look on her face.

"Han, something terrible happened!" she exclaimed.

"What is it?" I asked, concerned.

"Strange people showed up," Chloe explained.

"So what? Is this the first time you encounter strangers?" I asked.

"It seemed that while we were on the mission, Anytng had summoned someone," Chloe continued.

"Apart from the 10-consecutive summon we had done before, Anytng occasionally brought along one or two 1-star heroes," I recalled. "However, it's not the right time to summon heroes when the mission is still ongoing."

I furrowed my brow in concern. "Getting distracted during a main dungeon run was a bad habit, to say the least."

"They seem different somehow. They're armed, and their vibe feels off," Chloe voiced her concerns.

"Iselle!" I called out.

"What's the matter?" Iselle responded.

"Show me the system logs from when I was away," I requested.

"Okay, hold on!" Iselle replied.

Soon enough, the system message appeared, displaying past events. He had ordered the woodworking station to process branches and sent a sub-party of three to the second floor. And then...

I read through the logs carefully, taking my time.

"If you desire anything right now, make your purchase!" the system prompted.

"Mobius supports the Master's choice!" it continued.

"You have selected the Newbie Potent Package!" the system informed.

"Package Contents: 2,500 Gems, 50,000 Gold, Low-grade Ore, Lumber, Leather x 10," it listed.

"All of this for only 50,000 won!" it advertised.

"The corresponding amount will be added to your phone bill next month. Are you sure you want to proceed with the payment?" the system confirmed.

"Yes," I selected.

"Payment has been completed!" the system confirmed. "The items have been delivered to your mailbox. Please check them!"

"Here they come," I said as I initiated the summoning process.

"Summon Heroes!" the system announced.

"Summon heroes using Gold or Gems. Experience the infinite heroes of Mobius Summon," it explained.

"Master, initiating Advanced Summon! You have chosen 5-consecutive Advanced Summon. It will consume a total of 2,500 Gems. Would you like to proceed with the summon?" it asked.

"Yes," I selected.

"Master, initiating Advanced Summon. I'm excited to see which heroes will emerge!" the system said eagerly.

"Clack, whoosh, whoosh," it described.

"Thud!" it concluded.

"Rare!" the system announced.

"Master Anytng has acquired hero Avant ()!" it declared.

"Rare!" it repeated.

"Master Anytng has acquired hero Zacken ()!" it stated.

"Rare!" it continued.

"Master Anytng has acquired hero Weyf ()!" it proclaimed.

"Rare!" it reiterated.

"Master Anytng has acquired hero Veigin ()!" it exclaimed.

"Rare!" it finished.

"Master Anytng has acquired hero Edis ()!" it announced.

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