Chapter 6: Haunted Cavern

System Notice: Navigation has ended. Destination reached. 

Haunted Caverns..

This place brings back memories. Recalling from my last life this place had been a hotspot for new players. Back then, each skill book spawned in this cave was unique and different for everyone as it was specifically customized to match the player's talent. However, as more players exploited this mechanic, it eventually got nerfed. The cave began spawning in generic skill books which while were still useful, synergized far less effectively to the player compared to talent-specific skills. And unfortunately I joined Realmshaper III right after this patch

I had visited this place numerous times in my past life and knew the exact locations of every mob spawn. If I use strategic manoeuvres and tactical skirmishes I might no even have to fight any creatures.

Relying on my memory, I confidently navigated through the caverns avoiding confrontation to creatures at everywhere possible. After another 30 minutes of careful manouevering, a vague outline of a secluded chamber appeared, exactly as the beta players from my past life described. 

Stepping into the mysterious chamber I was shocked at how finely decorated the interior design was. Luminescent stones of all kinds dimly lit the walls of the chamber. The floor was covered in ancient mosaics of the legends which existed in the myths of the Realmshaper III world. It was impossible to believe such majestic artwork existed in an uninteresting cave. 

Yet these decorations are nothing compared to the emerald pedestal in the centre of the room surrounded by torches flickering purple flame. On the pedestal lays my desired skill book. 

Just as I grabbed the book off the pedestral, a figure emerges behind me from the darkness – a lvl 15 Geo Guardian, one that I didn't anticipate. Seems like they are the owner of this chamber and I have just.. Trespassed his property and tried to steal his skill book.

The guardian's eyes widened menacingly. As it stomps forward I can feel the clear vibration from the floor giving absolute intimidation. It looks like the guardian was about to attack any moment.

My first instinct was to fight, but then this idea shattered as soon as I realised the difference in our levels. Panic surges through me uncontrollably as I contemplate the consequences of dying here, one that I am still unsure of. 

In a desperate act out of panic, I dropped to four legs and walked forward towards the guardian slowly swinging my tail side by side seductively. The guardian hesitated and its menacing posture seems more relaxed now, as if… he was enjoying it!?!?!

Without overthinking I approached the guardian with a soft purr whilst remaining eye contact. "Please guardian, I only wish to borrow your skill book. Let me pass, I promise I will return your book back to you after using it", I said in a soft and harmless voice.

The guardian tilted its head with a confused expression. After a short moment, it slowly backed away allowing me to exit the chamber. I walk pass the guardian with every muscle tensed. When I look up at the guardian again I see that it has no intentions of attacking me now. I immediately sprinted off not looking back for a single second. I hid myself behind a rock a safe distance away from the chamber which I was sure the guardian couldn't find. 

Looking back I couldn't help marvel at how this idiotic act had worked so flawlessly. The NPC from the hidden quest and now a lvl 15 guardian.. Their reactions to my seduction demonstrates far more intelligence than mere coded figures should possess. 

Could this be some sort of bug? Is it triggered by my rebirth, considering my rebirth itself is already a bug?

These questions spinned inside my head but I have no immediate answer to them. For now, my priority is to exit this cave as I am unsure if guardian will change it's mind come back at me.