As with most dungeons in Jianghu, players have to clear low-level monsters, bandits, or other characters before reaching the boss.
"Rumours have it that the Snow Mountain Sect was once an established name in the martial arts world. But after their master was betrayed by a trusted friend, the entire sect perished overnight. Some said Heaven took pity on them and erected a snow mountain to bury the bodies. Others say this is mountain holds the vengeance of the people who died, spirits of the disciples were sometimes seen…" Ash Knight began to narrate the history of the Snow Mountain Sect as they enter the mountain cave.
"Are you telling a bedtime story?" Snowman was puzzled, history lessons were not his cup of tea.
"Knowing the enemy is half the battle won. Sometimes these 'bedtime stories' are the key to getting the first kill." Ash continued to feed them the 'bedtime story' though he know they were not interested at all.
Jianghu wasn't just a game about clearing dungeons. As a veteran, he knew the game designers were passionate about every character and map they created. Every sect had an elaborate history written about them, and sometimes these 'history lessons' were key to identifying the boss's weaknesses. But not every player has the patience to read these things.
"Okay, just let us know the important points…" Snowman yawned.
"Look out for monsters in 5, 4, 3…" Ash's sudden change of topic alerted everyone. "Just a bunch of low-level monsters. Guardians of the mountains, they'll appear from every corner. Push them towards that corner and finish them off."
MysticSlayer knew this was his job. His elemental attacks were useful in pushing enemies into the same spot. When the monsters appeared, he knew exactly what to do. Within seconds, they had cleared those low-level creatures.
"Piece of cake," MysticSlayer remarked.
"I think your DPS is higher than mine! We'll leave you to take care of the boss, I shall take a back seat today!" PandaHero joked.
After clearing the bunch of monsters, they marched deeper into the mountain. There were two paths ahead of them. The path on the left had the words "Friendship" carved on top of the entrance while the path on the right bear the words "Victory".
"Hmm, what now? Victory?" everyone was keen to choose the Victory path.
"Friendship." Ash took the lead and the rest followed. They knew he must have a reason for choosing it.
"WHO THE HECK SAID TO CHOOSE VICTORY?? NOW WE HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN!!" some guy from another section of the Internet cafe screamed. Other players soon join in the conversation:
"Thanks there! We were just deciding which path to go!"
"Lots of traps and nasty monsters there. You'll be dead if you can't endure the damage."
"Even if you can clear them, it's gonna take some time!"
MysticSlayer clapped his hands, "Our clan leader is indeed wise."
"Why is it that you never praised me? Just because my damage is a tiny bit higher than yours?" PandaHero never shuts up.
"I'm glad I've never met you in real life, Panda. Or I'll beat you up till you look like a panda."
"Pandas are cute, and you want to turn me into a panda. I appreciate that!"
"…"
PandaHero has sent you a flower.
"...."
Seeing that gift message appear on his screen, Janson wondered whether this or his game with the random team earlier was worse.
"He doesn't send flowers to everyone, you know. Only girls, and you." Ash Knight added fuel to the fire.
"Ahem, if you don't want everyone here to know who you are…" Janson threatens him.
"Ahem, that means you'll reveal yourself too. If anyone from our rival clan is here, you'll help me bear the damage if they decide to seek revenge."
"......."
Lucas enjoyed teasing his teammates. It was something he never got to do with his "elite friends". Despite having lived for 21 years, he did not have any real friends to confide in. He was glad to have met Janson at university. This guy loved gaming as much as he does and was not like one of those people who always tried to take advantage of him. The "friends" he had were either those that befriended him because of his family or socialites who gossiped about him behind his back.
Janson knew he was one of the Yangs but they weren't friends because of that. They bonded over a game, it was that simple.
Though he hadn't met his other teammates, he felt closer to them than his family. They seemed like real people. People who cared about him.
"Guys, did we choose the right path?" Snowman stopped walking. They had reached a dead end. It was the first time they encountered something like this in the game.
Time is ticking. If they did not find a way out of here fast, someone else might just beat them to it.