Chapter 34: "Gear Up and Level Up"(1)

The Expert's logins had become more frequent, catching everyone's attention.

Every day, the sky would light up, showing he connected to the world. That meant he logged in three times each day in Earth time. Sometimes he would log out without doing anything, but other times, Han, Jenna, Aaron, and I, the members of Party 1, would take charge on the lower levels. He even formed sub-parties after finishing the screening process.

During the second round of ten free draws, we struck gold by getting a smithy and a leatherworker, which kicked off the gear-making process.

And guess who was the lucky one to get picked as the blacksmith? Me, Han.

The reason was pretty simple. I had managed to make a C-rank weapon before using the most basic materials. I might not have had any blacksmithing skills to boast about, but the computer saw something in me and assigned me to the forge. After a bunch of times where I ruined the materials several times, I was finally sent to my rightful place.

The production process was fully automated, leaving it all to the skilled craftsmen. Luckily, our new blacksmith knew how to make weapons. Working together with the leatherworker and the woodworker, they started making various equipment.

The main focus was on making basic E-rank swords and wooden shields. These items were given to the new heroes who had just joined us, making their chances of staying alive much better.

For the main group, they got better gear.

Aaron and I got E-rank leather armor, while Jenna got a handy short knife as her backup weapon. Actually, the quality wasn't the best, but it was better than nothing, so we decided to make it work.

Since Anytng found out about me, I didn't want to make any bigger gear. If I were to craft something, it would be after learning how to fool the Expert's watchful eye.

Unfortunately, the three who hadn't helped much were removed from the group. They were the ones trying to escape without ever showing up in the training grounds. Among them was Dorph, who had tricked all of us on his very first day here.

With the fusion done, everyone in Party 1 went up one level.

I reached level 8, Jenna got to level 6, and Aaron went up to 4.

Even though my knowledge took a hit, my strength, endurance, and agility got a lot better.

Luckily, it seemed that intelligence didn't matter much for my actual smarts. I wasn't eager to become dumb, after all.

"Let's make a party!"

"Time to move heroes!"

"Zeeth joins Party 1!"

"Hanson joins Party 1!"

Finally, two of the three friends joined the main party.

With them, Party 1 was at its max. Anytng didn't waste time and quickly opened a portal, seeming eager to ask us something.

"We're counting on you, older brothers!"

"Relax, take it easy."

Aaron gave Zeeth and Hanson a friendly pat on the shoulders.

I couldn't help but laugh. Look how far he had come.

"Anyway, are we up for another round with those guys?"

"Sure."

"But I'm starting to get tired of this routine."

Jenna couldn't help but yawn, looking a bit bored.

When we beat a floor, trying it again meant facing the same mission. We had already fought shrews and trolls many times.

[Floor 4.]

[Mission Type: Subjugation]

[Goal: Defeat the enemies!]

[Troll Lv.4 X 3]

[Harpie Lv.6 X 2]

Same place.

Same enemies.

The trolls and harpies saw us, excited to fight.

Aaron stood behind me, while Jenna, with her bow and arrows, stayed further away.

Zeeth and Hanson came up, one on each side of me.

They had swords and shields.

"Don't panic. Keep moving," I said.

"Got it!"

They both answered determinedly.

"Good, none of them are scared. Before joining us, they probably went through the lower floors, so they knew a bit about real fights.

"You guys protect us. Don't charge in. We have spears and arrows from the back."

"Got it!"

"Lessons for weaker ones. It's called formation—a plan that uses group power instead of just one person's skill.

"I stayed out of the fight. Honestly, I could do it alone. But if I led, we wouldn't practice formations.

"Kiyaaa!"

Two harpies flew in from opposite sides.

Jenna didn't shoot yet. She watched, ready to act.

"Hiyaaat!"

Zeeth and Hanson fought back.

They swung their swords, defending with their shields. Their hits were strong. Zeeth's sword cut a harpy's wing.

Aaron saw a chance and attacked.

The troll screamed as Aaron's spear hit it.

"Kek!"

Jenna's arrow hit a harpy's head.

Zeeth and Hanson kept defending, attacking when they could. Aaron and Jenna found weak points.

"We're getting better."

We showed we could fight well together. The trolls and harpies lost without fighting back.

[Stage Cleared!]

[Zeeth and Hanson leveled up!]

[Reward: 2,000G, Iron Ore (C) X 2, Leather (C) X 1]

[MVP: Jenna]

We went back.

"That was great!"

Zeeth and Hanson smiled and high-fived.

Dica, the last of the trio, was waiting. He rushed over when the portal opened.

"How'd it go?"

"Good, really good!"

Zeeth smiled.

They all went inside.

Anytng made a main group of five.

This meant we'd face the fifth floor soon. I thought a 3-star member would join, but it hadn't happened yet.

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