The First Day

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*Whoosh~*

In an instant, everyone's vision had turned blurry before their bodies faded away. They arrive back at the small hub.

"Whew... that was slightly harder than I expected." Elizebeth sighed in relief.

David could see that everyone's expression was much more heavy than intended.

David looked around, "Was it anyone's first time seeing that much blood?" He asked.

Hana, Elizebeth, and Kyle nodded.

"Hmmm... how about we take a small break?" He suggested.

"Good idea, I need to get used to the amount of blood there is in a monster, even if it's fake." Feil sighed.

"You guys did very well for your first time, especially being outnumbered." David leaned back on his chair.

"Thanks..." Hana slouched in her chair, no longer expressing her usual cheerfulness.

'Huh... I'd thought this was normal, especially in a world where monsters could kill you anytime.' David looked at her expression.

In his opinion, to survive, for nobles, peasants... especially royals, they should be prepared to kill. After all, this world... is much more closely related to "The strong eats/trample the weak." than the world he used to live in.

While he was lost in his thoughts, Feil had pulled up the menu, looking at the different options in front of him.

Seeing that Feil was opening up the menu again, David walked over to him to talk about the settings.

He tapped his shoulder, getting his attention, "How about this. Since it's their second time, we should make it harder so that they understand and can easily adapt to what they'll be facing in the outside world?"

"That's..." Feil wanted to speak.

"Wouldn't it be better for them to be vigilant instead of arrogant? Since we're going to be party members in the future, I'd want allies I can trust in, you too, no?" David smiled kindly.

He could tell from Feil's expression that, he agreed with that statement.

"Hmmm. So what should I do then?" He asked.

"Here, don't choose any more than 10 hobgoblins. Also, choose realistically difficult, it should make the hobgoblins around peak second tier to early peak third tier..."

David also put in some credits, "I have some credits saved up, I'll use... 600 credits, 500 for the time dilation 1:5 and the last 100 credits to add extra mobs and increase the size of the 'dungeon'." He took out his card.

"You don't hav-"

"Sure I do, come on, add this, and that..." He looked over Feil's shoulder.

They added several things to make the area more realistic.

David walked back to the others, "Is everyone rested up and better now?"

They took a deep breath and nodded, "We're ready. Let's start the second round!"

'Huh... seems like they adapt much faster than I thought.' David smiled.

"Alright! Start it!" David shouted.

Feil nodded, pressing start, which everyone readying up since they've already picked their weapons and armor.

*Ding~*

[ Due to the difficulty increase, all armor and weapons have been upgraded and enchanted. ]

*Whoosh~*

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**(Forest - Middle)**

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With a whirlwind the flew by, everyone had suddenly appeared.

David looked around, he even took a peek at his {Mini-Map}.

'Huh, it's much larger now. Even I have to zoom out to see the whole place now.' David looked at the area.

Due to the fact that all of this was virtual, he wasn't able to pinpoint any dots since the mobs here were never real.

He turned to everyone, who was currently looking at their armor and weapons in interest. This time, they even received some space pouches to store any items they desired.

"So this is what they meant by upgrades..." Sam looked at the heavy knight-like armor and iron shield and onehanded greatsword he was equipped with.

"It's quite the upgrade indeed." Elizebeth held her staff which was now made of some magic oak that also had a small blue orb at the tip of the staff.

*Ding~*

[ Realistic Setting: Spring Forest (All Population +20%) ]

"Huh... does this count as lucky or unlucky?" David looked at the screen.

He looked at the others, "Come on guys, we don't have all day, even if there is a time dilation." He reminded.

Almost immediately, several wild animals had spawned around them, some were harmless, some were very aggressive and even charged towards them.

Quickly, the small wave of animals and beasts were killed.

After a few minutes of trial and error, they set up a hunting formation.

Sam, Feil, and Benett would be in the front, spread out. Kyle and David would be in the middle, right beside Hana and Elizebeth, yet also giving them some space.

Although David could easily kill those beasts, it was very inconvenient for him to use his staff to bash their bodies, which would kill them in one go. Though it could also potentially explode, which would cover everyone in blood and flesh.

So... he had Feil and Bennett do the hard work, Sam was too slow, Hana and Elizebeth would either burn or freeze them and Kyle would be the same for David, it would be very dirty.

A few hours later...

Feil and Bennett's pouches were full of beast bodies that were dismantled by David.

Usually, they would keep the skin and other items like horns, wings, or a tail, but since they're virtual, the only thing they really needed was meat. Even though it was virtual, their real bodies would get hungry after several hours of combat and walking.

"There's... a lot... more... wild animals and monsters... than... hah... I thought..." Feil panted.

"Oh... well, this forest is quite huge after all." David shrugged.

He placed his hand in his pouch, looking for something.

He accessed his {Inventory} and used a large piece of paper to copy the information he's had from using the {Mini-Map}. The map even had a small circle to tell where they were and a large arrow to show where they were facing.

He also felt that there were some extra items, such as medium health potions, mana potions, a tent, sleeping bags, a scroll of return... and a lot more items.

While he was copying, they arrive at a small plain area where they could settle down for the night.

David pointed to the area, "Guys, it's getting late, we should set up camp here."

"Eh? We never brought any though... did we?" Hana frowned.

"As the announcement said, this is in 'realistic' difficulty. Especially since we're basically playing as adventurers, check your bags." He pulled out some parts for a tent.

"Woah! We really do have tents here!" Bennett shouted.

Soon, everyone had taken their items out, some had more of one item than the other, due to their class, ex: Elizebeth has more mp potions than Sam, who is a tank.

'I overlooked something...'

David had a sudden look of realization, "Has... has anyone here made a tent before?"

In an instant, the atmosphere fell. Everyone was avoiding eye contact.

David saw their expressions and sighed, 'Oh thank god at least Bennett and I received some outdoor training from mother and father.' He winked at Bennett.

"We umm..." Elizebeth stopped Feil from speaking. She knew that he had absolutely no experience.

"Ok... Hana, Sam, Kyle, how about you?" He asked. He saw the embarrassed look the brother and sister gave him.

"I have some experience! My master used to let me tag along when we went to look for herbs!" Hana smiled.

"..." Sam and Kyle didn't say anything.

"Great! Hana, Bennett, and I will set up the camps. Everyone else, go get some stones, wood and sort the clean bodies of the beasts we killed earlier." He wanted to give everyone a task, to make them feel that they can do something, to contribute.

"Got it!" The others cheered up.

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Chapter 98 End...