The mood around the table instantly turned sour as everyone mulled over the fact they might be doomed already.
"Are you sure there isn't any other way to make money?" Freya asked as she glanced at Fenrir.
Taking a moment to think, Fenrir hummed to himself, "There's a way, but if it doesn't pay off, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot."
Hunter grunted in annoyance, "We don't really have a choice. We can't afford to sit around doing nothing."
"Alright then, first off, we need to get everyone to level five and unlock their class. That means we're going to the Grotto and farming for drops every day. Level five is the minimum requirement for the next Domain, which has a jungle environment. A lot of the plants and animals have a chance to drop reagents and ingredients for alchemy." Fenrir explained before his eyes slid to Freya, "There's a low-tier nature spell that can reveal any living thing with alchemical properties. If we save up from the Grotto, we might be able to afford the spell."
"That's not a bad idea," Luci said with a thoughtful look on her face, "What's the downside?"
"The recommended level for the Domain is eight. It's also full of poisonous monsters, and most have a stealth ability. So that means most likely we're going to be dying a lot." Fenrir answered, and everyone around the table fell silent.
"I say we go for it," Freya said.
"I agree," Hunter seconded quickly, followed by the twins and Luci.
Fenrir grinned, "Well then, there's no time to waste."
---
"Alright, is everyone ready?" Hunter asked when it was finally their turn to enter the Domain as they stepped up in front of the stone archway.
Looking over his friends, Hunter couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. They wore rough tunics and pants that wouldn't stop a strong poke from a butter knife.
Freya and Luci were utterly unarmed, with only magic to assist them in a fight.
The twins both wielded dual daggers attached to sheaths on their legs, while Fenrir was an outlier with his giant spiked club almost the same size as him attached to his back.
"Let's just get this over with," Freya said dryly, but there was a hint of humor, and Hunter saw Fenrir smirk.
[Would you like to enter Goblin's Grotto as a party? Y/N]
Hunter selected yes, and a portal sprung to life between the arch, and he quickly walked through.
The world spun before Hunter felt the ground solidify underneath him, and he appeared in a large straight tunnel that seemed to go on forever, spotted with glowing mushrooms and moss.
Five more flashes of light appeared as his friends materialized next to him, "Um, this looks a little different."
Freya commented as she stepped forward and peered into the inky darkness of the tunnel, "Are you sure this is the same Domain?"
Before anyone could answer, a screen popped up, blocking everyone's view.
[You have entered Goblins Grotto as a party. Labyrinth mode has been activated.]
[You have entered: Goblins Grotto]
Minimum Level: 1
Recommended Level: 2
Monster Types:
Goblin Scout(C)
Goblin Warrior(UC)
Goblin Wargmaster(R)
Hobgoblin Chieftain(B)
Drops:
Goblin Fang(C)
Goblin Ears(C)
Underdark Mushrooms(UC)
Labyrinth Mode:
Drops are lost on death
Chance to spawn Monster Variants
Domains can only be left within safe zones
"Fenrir, did you know about this?" Freya asked accusingly as she turned to face him.
"No, I didn't, but it doesn't change anything," Fenrir said as he reached behind his back and grabbed his club, "We stick with the plan, right Hunter?"
Blinking, Hunter didn't expect Fenrir to defer to him, but he quickly nodded, "Right, we already said we're doing it, so no going back now."
Hunter equipped his shield and sword from his inventory before squaring his shoulders and beginning to walk forward, leading the way for his party.
---
It wasn't long before they came across their first group of goblins, but Hunter was a little dismayed at the makeup of the monster party.
"Two warriors and three scouts. Twins, you take care of the scouts while Fenrir and I take on the warriors. Luci, make sure to stick close to me so you can heal at a moment's notice. Freya support where you can." Hunter gave up their chance at a surprise attack as he shouted out command and charged forward with his shield raised.
The group of monsters quickly spun around and snarled at him before charging their crude weapons raised over their oblong heads.
Bracing himself as the first warrior reached him, Hunter almost missed it when Fenrir shot forward as he swung his giant club through the air.
The Goblin warrior tried to block the blow with his shield, but the shoddy wooden buckler cracked like an egg, sending splinters of wood flying through the air and mangling the monster's arm into a crooked mess.
Forcing himself to look away from the scene, Hunter changed his charge, so he ended up facing the second warrior.
The goblin roared as it lashed out with a wild chop that Hunter caught on the edge of his shield.
Shoving the blade to the side, Hunter took a single step forward as he stabbed out with the tip of his sword.
The goblin, despite its feral nature, demonstrated some understanding of combat as it angled its shield so Hunter's blade slid past.
Remembering the shield forms drilled into him from the class he took, Hunter crouched and crashed his shoulder into the smaller monster's chest, sending it stumbling back.
Following up, Hunter stood up and performed a rising slash, cutting the Goblin across its torso and spraying black ichor into the air.
Turning to the rest of the fight, Hunter watched as Fenrir caved in a Goblin scout's chest as the twins repeatedly stabbed a second.
The third Goblin scout was on the floor, bleeding black ichor with smoke rising from burn marks on its skin from Freya's magic bolts.
Grinning, Hunter felt his hope soar, 'We just might have a chance.'