"So, shall we collect the first clear rewards and attempt the hell mode of the dungeon?" asked Merlin.
"As good a plan as any," said Mob following him.
"Really! We are going to attempt the hell mode? We aren't even at level 12," said Bitter Beast.
"Yes. From our past observations, we know that it is almost impossible to clear the hell mode if we are not at the highest level allowed in the dungeon. It is going to be extremely hard without good equipment too," added Shadow agreeing with Bitter Beast.
"When are you logging out?" asked Merlin suddenly
It was a few minutes past 4 a.m in real-time. Even if he managed to get to level 12, it would be hard to complete the hell mode before 5 a.m. when Balthazar needed to be out for his daily training. He had already skipped a few lessons and both Lucius and Salazar already mailed him saying that he better not miss any more.
"I need to get out by quarter to 5, can't stay longer than that," said Shadow.
"Is that specific to today?"
"No. It is a regular thing. Need to do it daily and wouldn't usually be back before 7 a.m. Sometimes, it might take more time," said Shadow.
"Come on? Is it really that important?" asked Bitter Beast. He was concerned that if Shadow would go out, the others might consider attempting the hell mode immediately.
"Dude. I am really into playing this game, but I can't let go of my daily routine even during leave. Once, I am medically cleared to get back to my job, I will be spending less and less time in the game," said Shadow.
"Let us leave it at that. It is not that big an issue," said Merlin.
"How about you guys ask the fifth member of your team to join?" asked Shadow. He had already thought about it previously during the dungeon and had wanted to ask them about it. Unexpectedly, the whole lot of them had gone a bit glum, when he asked about it.
"How did you know about him?" asked Merlin. The fifth guy was the main reason that the other four got out of the Magus Shrine. He and Merlin were the two members of the main roster of the Magus Shrine who fell out of odds with the others.
"It is apparent that you guys know each other moves very well and can cooperate without effort. So, you are a team who had practiced together before. Usually, such farming teams have five members, so I guessed that there would be a fifth," replied Shadow.
"Hmm. I guess you really aren't involved much in gaming for the past few years," said Merlin. "Dresden is our fifth member. He is currently a vice-leader of the Magus Shrine and we really can't expect him to join us," he continued.
"Dresden's Ghost?" asked Shadow. He also knew Dresden's Ghost. He was the first vice-leader of the Magus Shrine in his previous life. He was an elementalist second only to the guild leader, Azreal in the Magus Shrine.
"Can you tell me why you sold your shares and got out of the guild?" he messaged privately to Merlin.
"Yes. the guy who played Dresden's Ghost. A couple of players from our roster were about to retire. They had contracted some kind of radiation poisoning in an accident and wanted to get out as they couldn't play. We had some issue in the new recruits that the Azreal was considering. He was a bit adamant to join some players, who aren't that good and had been with us only because they were related to our main sponsors," said Merlin.
"Hmph!," he breathed out. "I was obviously against it as they were definitely going to bring the level of the entire team down. One of them was especially a self-entitled, rude jerk born with a silver spoon up his bottom. That cause a few tensions and it escalated. Sadly, Dresden decided to remain even though we left. He needed the money and can't really fault him for deciding to do so," said Merlin.
"So, can't get Dresden to join us," said Bitter Beast who seemed to be angry and spouting when Merlin was explaining. It was clear from his expression that Bitter Beast was probably one of the players whom Merlin suggested or at the very least was against Azreal in the quarrel.
"Hmm. I'm sorry. Sometimes, things just don't go as we hope," said Shadow.
"It isn't a big thing. I got enough money from my sale of the guild shares to set up a workshop and a new team," said Merlin waving his hand. "Just need to find a good place to move to."
"You looking into it? Found a decent place?"
"Yeah, I tried but those idiots are trying their best to block me. They intentionally bought two sites in cities that I was about to set up camp and set up their workshops just for that purpose. With them as competition, it is hard to get any players. So, I moved to my cousin sister's place and am searching from there while using her ID. So, I set up up an adventurer team and decided not to take any major sponsors this time," said Merlin.
"No sponsors?! That put a break in my plans," said Shadow in a mocking tone.
"Yeah. I am telling this to you beforehand. I knew that you were interested in sponsoring the team. So, consider this prior intimation. Not going to accept any major sponsors and am going to be the owner of the new place holding a majority share always," said Merlin looking at him.
"Fine. It is not big thing. But, let us get back to the problem at hand. You guys need a fifth player for dungeons and other things as you can't expect my presence at all times," said Shadow diverting the topic of conversation.
"Yeah, I already realized that and am contacting few players that might be interested. You don't need to worry much. I already have someone in line and will be meeting them in the city soon," said Merlin.
"Anyone I know?" asked Shadow.
"Hmm. He is a member of Foedus Rex. An old pal. He named himself Sultan-e-Shehzad. He is a rich kid and also wants to sponsor. That is the reason, I am considering whether or not to take him in," said Merlin to all of them.
Merlin's words were news to all of them as the other three apart from Shadow had also never been told about him. There were all very surprised to hear this. Especially, the part that he was a member of Foedus Rex was also quite startling for them.
Apart from that Shadow had an entirely different perspective on this. Sultan-e-Shehzad was the person whose blog he had followed to get to the shrine. He couldn't believe the person who left Foedus Rex after that incident in his previous life was a friend of Merlin's.
"Someone from Foedus Rex? How come we never knew about this?" asked Mob looking at the others for support.
"Yeah, we never heard that you were such good pals with someone from Foedus Rex," said Grenadier Mage supporting him.
"I didn't think that he would leave his guild anytime soon, but he recently contacted me. He had already contacted other teams before as he isn't being offered a job on the main roster and felt like he might be related to the back seat always," said Merlin.
"What does he even play as? Can he fit our team?" asked Mob.
"He is a paladdin. He isn't that popular, but he was once a member of Magus Shrine and had also got out because he didn't like Azreal," said Merlin.
"We need someone for physical combat, and he is very good at it. Moreover, our team is full of mages and need a strong character for hand-to-hand combat. It is a good fit, but he is a bit eccentric and I have managed to convince him against the sponsorship thing that I just discussed with you guys. He actually wanted to meet him in the city, and he told that he would be free in an hour," said Merlin.
"You could check him out and see, but be a bit careful," said Shadow suggesting a bit of caution. It was not a bad option as far as Balthazar could see. There is a chance that the guild Foedus Rex might just be messing with Merlin, but at such an early stage in the game, they could be afraid that Merlin had joined Crimson Realm and was trying to build a new super guild like he did the last time and wanted someone to observe him close by.
"I get your point, but he had wanted to get out of the Foedus Rex and was waiting for an opportunity to join a strong team for quite some time and I know his real identity due to which I can confidently say that he would consider it beneath him to actually be a corporate spy," said Merlin.
"OK. We can try it out and see. Nothing wrong with a few first trials,' said Bitter Beast. "But you better be sure about it."
"He is fine. As I told you before, he finds any two-faced things despicable. In fact, he called Azreal, a two-faced bastard in front of Dresdon, me and a few others. So, at the very least, I don't expect him to be on the side of Magus Shrine," said Merlin.
Though Merlin explained his views and beliefs about Sultan pretty strongly, the background of the Sultan made it hard for the four of them to believe Merlin. They were looking concernedly at each other not sure what to tell him. Shadow walked close to Merlin and pulled him aside
"You do understand the predicament and the confusion of the others and me, right? Can you at least tell me his real identity? I won't inform anyone else and you don't need to be worried about my safety," asked Shadow in a whisper.
"Your safety. He wouldn't harm you just because you know his identity. More than a few know his actual identity, even though he doesn't make much public appearances. Your words tend to frighten me sometimes, you know," replied Merlin in a surprised tone. "His name is Shehzad Malik. They say he is the second grandson of patriarch of the Malik family."
"A member of the Malik family? Huh? Royalty? He might actually be just like you told. Those idiots do consider loyalty and honour more important than their lives, but that makes them equally stupid," said Shadow.
"You know them?" asked Merlin surprised that Shadow might be acquainted with someone like Maliks. The Maliks were a prominent family and were the rulers of a certain part of the human occupied universe. Though, their name is known to many, not much information about them would be available as they don't usually publicize it. Both Maliks and Khans had been known to be extremely security conscious for the past few decades.
"I have a decent idea and heard a few things about them. It is not a bad Idea to join him in your team, if you seriously intend to have him a part of your team. But if you think of not putting him in the main roster and just try to tag him along, he might end up being a lot of trouble in the game," suggested Shadow.
"Well, he is a Malik. I obviously have no intention of jerking him around. He is a close combat player and suits well in the team. So, even if he isn't in the one-on-one competitions, I definitely intend to put him in the main roster for the team competitions," answered Merlin.
"OK. Why don't you guys check him out then? I will take my leave. I can join again at 7.30 am. We can meet up again at that time. Probably try out the 10-man dungeon then. In the meantime, why don;t we explore the bandit lair at the edge of the grasslands," said Shadow.
He had been away from the town for quite some time and apart from the Cave of Wargs, he had not yet explored the Quingol Bandit Camp. The camp was filled with quingols at level 10 and as usual an encampment would provide a good amount of loot. He had previously only checked and escaped from the Bandit lookouts who were level 10 monsters. He also got his first crossbow from them.
"Not a bad idea," said Merlin as he realized that they hadn't yet explored that part of the Blackrock Town. "Everyone was in a craze to reach the city that the place had probably been left alone. I will meet with him Sultan first and have a small chat with him. In the meantime, why don't you four try to explore that area."
Once, they went out the dungeon, they immediately checked their mail and found the first clear rewards. They immediately set to allocating the skill points to their skills. A skill point can be used to upgrade a player's skills. Upgrades usually improve the effects of the skills or reduce the cooldown and cast time.
The skill points could only be used on skills which aren't provided by any equipment. They can only be used on the skills of the occupation or those learned through skill books. Shadow immediately set his skill point to the backstab skill which he obtained at level 10.
Backstab at a 90% completion rate caused about 200% the normal damage caused by the basic strike attacks and caused more damage based on the completion rate. Once, it is updated to level 2, it would have dealt about 300% the normal damage onto the opponent
Shadow's had to skills which were obtained from the occupation trainer, stab and backstab. Stab skill had already been very close to reaching level 2 due to repeated usage. Though the skills learned at this stage and many try to save the skill points for stronger skills learned through skill books, these basic skills are very useful as they have low cooldowns and can be used quickly.
Once, he set the skill point, he channeled his hearthstone to get back to the Blackrock Town. He immediately contacted Rudra and Slaine about his plan to explore the bandit camp. He waited at the back gate of the town along with the other three for Slain to arrive.