"So, that's the story."
The passage was quite dark and only dimly lit by torchlight. Four people from 2 kinds of species walked hand in hand. 2 of them were humans, and 2 of them were Beastkins.
"So, you were trapped by the Slimes?"
"Yes, sort of."
"That's really not cool."
Ar expressed his opinion to the new members of their party. With gray fur all over his body and a green mane that made him quite different, this Wolfkin was someone important to their party.
"Yes, but those Slimes are really annoying enemies."
"But, you can throw the Skunk so easily."
"Yes, I was helped by my natural advantage against it too. But, I was really surprised when the Skunk suddenly appeared in front of me."
This Wolfkin was Coyopus Ranwulf. The main destination of the quest of the Warrior, Stugrd, to continue his quest progress.
From the story, he had confirmed the whereabouts of Stugrd who had arrived at the Hunting Ground to continue the quest. Stugrd's 'GPS' was proof of this. The 'GPS' could only track the place where the quest's destination confirmed it.
Unfortunately, when he had to wait at that place, a monstrous creature flew over his head. Unlike the other three who got the status: [Immobilized], what Ranwulf got was the status: [Fear].
This [Fear] status made his body automatically have to dodge threats and run away. He ran away from the meeting location and in the process attracted a lot of aggro from the monsters around him.
And that's how he got stuck in this cave. Surrounded by Slimes who somehow roamed that location continuously.
"But, to be honest the skills you use are quite interesting. To be able to move such a large area and change the contours of the ground, what kind of skill is that?"
"Yes, you ask a good and interesting question."
Ar walked hand in hand with Ranwulf and exchanged chats while walking down the cave. The two people behind him did not want to lose information on the topics being discussed. They heard it attentively without any thoughts of disturbing it one bit.
"Yes, my skill is very unique and special. And if you successfully complete the given quest, this skill will be able to spread widely throughout Greylhad."
"Is that so? Then why only now? And why Stugrd?"
"Yes, again, that's a good and interesting question."
Stugrd who heard the question was quite interested. He was a Ranker in the PvP category, he spent the majority of his time on the late stage of the previous series in the arena. He knew Ar and had also been invited to the party to clear the dungeon, but he never had the thought of digging deeper into the stories and backgrounds of the NPCs.
He had often heard Ar's stories in the previous series about these things, but this was the first time he was involved and saw them live.
"Yes, that's what happened and was demonstrated through this Visitors Wave. There are some things out there that are still hidden and guarded by the [System] from being disseminated normally. And with the Visitors Wave, 'we' which includes me in it, is allowed to redistribute."
"You mean? What's the difference between that? What's the limitation?"
The passageway they went through was quite far and was formed in the form of complex mazes. During his journey, Ranwulf, who acts as a guide, stops several times to activate the items he carried. The item scanned the area and showed which direction they should go.
"Yes, it relates to the most basic law in this world. Life and death. We are finally allowed to give special quests because they basically cannot be applied to the Natives. [System] firmly refuses and will not provide assistance in the form of 'this' virtual screen."
Ranwulf demonstrates something. What he showed was a virtual screen that Ar was used to seeing.
"This screen can only appear if [System] approves it." He added.
"Sorry, I still don't quite get it."
"Yes, I will conclude in 1 sentence. This 'High Rank Quest' is very dangerous for the Natives."
"Dangerous? But, at Lv 1 City, all Natives can respawn, right?"
"Yes, but respawn is a dangerous thing for us. That's the death tolerance that the [System] gave us, but it still shouldn't be done carelessly. Therefore, those of you who are only [Avatars] are allowed to accept it."
"Avatar?"
"Yes, you don't know?"
Ar also turned to the people behind him to confirm that.
"It was explained during 'rebirth'. Did you daydream when you did it? That's really outside of the textbook." Korka answered while surprised and amazed. He didn't think that anyone would be able to shift his focus from the 'interactive intro screen' when creating characters.
"Yes, hahaha. You're unique enough to get past that explanation. We've been told the [System] what information you got from the rebirth process." Ranwulf also chuckled at that.
"Well... So, can you explain why we are 'avatars'?"
"Yes, while in Greylhad, you use [Avatars] that resemble your bodies in the original world. You can respawn many times and what you lose will only be Exp, Items, and some Levels."
Ar digested and tried to connect the puzzles he received. For him, this was the thing he liked the most. Get information and list the possibilities that can occur.
"But, so far, I don't think there is anything so dangerous about taking that 'High Rank Quest'. I didn't even experience a single death."
"Yes, really? Have you completed the 'High Rank Quest'? That's amazing! That means, this quest will really go well."
Korka who heard that was quite confused. From the very beginning, this 'Mr Stug' he followed only introduced Ar as his skilled and reliable friend.
Other times, Stugrd would explain this to him, but not now. He still wanted to hear the rest of the story regarding this 'High Rank Quest'.
In response to Ranwulf's question, Ar only nodded in response. While stopping to wait for an answer about which direction they should take from the device he was holding, Ranwulf continued the topic.
"Yes, but I think there is a misunderstanding here. Let me ask, how did you get your [Path] and [Class]?"
Ar couldn't answer that easily and instructed the other two who should have had a more general experience.
"After being shown various [Path] and [Class] during the 'rebirth', I headed to the [Mentor] of the Warrior Class. There, with many people aiming the same, we touched an item and were teleported to a place called 'Trial. Zone '. "
Stugrd answered and was followed by a nod from the Human next to him. It seemed, Korka also experienced the same thing although with a few different details.
"Yes, that's what's different. Trial Zone and your introduction to energy is something that has never been done by Natives. In simple terms, only [Mentors] and Natives have the authority to open and enter it."
Ar also tried to remember what happened. If he remembered correctly, there was indeed a disturbing experience when he 'introduced himself' to the blue-black energy that was now flowing in his 'Avatar' body.
"Okay, I seem to understand enough. Shit."
Ar complained after receiving the information. With a frown drawn on his face, he expressed a sense of annoyance. However, the word 'shit' that he issued was quite soft and did not reach the others. That resentment was related to the NPCs who were part of his main party.
The journey continued with other topics to fill in the blanks. From the journey so far, it seemed that Ar has also gotten quite useful information about Ranwulf. He has repeatedly received notifications about his affinity for Ranwulf leveling up. Even he didn't get this much notification with the 'NPC' who was going through a fierce battle with him.
"Yes, so is this cave. In fact, the mysterious creature that made me run and get trapped in this cave is also part of the 'Fate' set up from the [System]."
Ar also began to lead to topics that he heard very often from the NPCs he met. Of the many background stories he has heard since playing this game, the concepts of 'Fate', [Path], and [System] often ring in his ears.
"Then, you do have the tools for motivation, believe in the 'Fate' who brought us here, but can we trust you? We have already gone through many winding lanes in this maze. And this is very long. With no clear purpose. "
"Yes, you are asking about clear objectives? This is the guarantee."
Ranwulf showed a virtual screen with the words listed on it. What Ar saw and read was something he had seen before.
"Then?"
"Yes, as it appears. It's not like a 'bounty quest' paper that anyone can make. Its authenticity is guaranteed by [System]."
"That's not what I mean. It's just an empty passage with nothing. For a 'High Rank Quest', isn't this ... too monotonous?"
Hearing that, Ranwulf responded with a giggle.
"Yes, but for your information, this quest has been started since you entered this cave."
"Huh?"
"Yes, you will find out for yourself in a moment."
What Ar said illustrated the facts. The cave they went through was indeed very long and clearly very monotonous with the dark color of the ground as far as the eye could see.
However, this complaint might be louder to utter if this long journey took place in the real world. Without a break and keep going, what was in Ar's mind when he heard: 'this quest has begun', was related to it.
Endurance Test. That's what was instantly reflected in his brain when Ranwulf said this.
"If you're talking that this 'long journey' is part of the quest, it looks like you should evaluate it again. The 'Endurance Test' has no effect on us 'Visitors'."
"Yes, of course. I know that. And I'm not saying that this is an 'Endurance Test', right?"
At an intersection, Ranwulf turns on his item again.
"Yes, and by going through this passage, the quest will enter the next stage."