Saad brushed off the weight of Penelope's gaze, aware that she was likely questioning his absence for such a long time and Verena's disappearance. The tension lingered, but Saad opted not to provide explanations just yet for various reasons. Firstly, the battlefield demanded attention, and secondly, it was none of his concern what Penelope thought about the situation. Despite her righteous act, she was just a bad person in Saad's vocabulary. They were on a team and instead of trying to keep her friend in check, she had left Saad on her mercy, clearly knowing the advantage she had over Saad.
'What a bunch of backstabbers.'
Saad was going to tell it to all other team members as well but for now, he dove straight into the hunt, putting aside any interpersonal concerns.
Saad faced the Rainbow Ladies, their small, mushroom-like bodies swaying with an otherworldly grace. With their rainbow-colored petals and the glittering ambiance surrounding them, they exuded an enchanting yet dangerous aura.
Saad quickly assessed their attributes, noting their moderate attack power and agility. Knowing their weaknesses, he readied his whips for a series of strikes. The Rainbow Ladies retaliated with swift movements, attempting to use their Flower Cutter ability. Saad, relying on his agility and newly acquired combat prowess, dodged their attacks with nimble footwork.
Seizing an opportunity, Saad unleashed a flurry of slashes with his whips, exploiting the Rainbow Ladies' vulnerability to slashing damage. The vibrant threads produced by the defeated monsters fell to the ground, and Saad couldn't help but marvel at the seven-colored materials. As the battle continued, Saad's proficiency in handling his dual whips became increasingly apparent, and he efficiently dispatched the Rainbow Ladies one by one. The more he used the whips, the more he felt as if he could sense each snap and twist. Or perhaps it was just an illusion.
As the team battled, Saad, feeling a bit more at ease with Crimson Sovereign's presence, instructed the ego shield to keep an eye out for Penelope.
"Don't let that girl get closer to me."
The shield responded with a silent swirl, leaving Saad uncertain about its acknowledgment.
During his fight, Saad had gotten inside the Carrion Flower Field and the intricate door, conspicuous in the midst of the Carrion Flower Field, drew Saad's attention. It stood as the gateway to the second floor of the dungeon, a passage into uncharted territory that had opened up because of getting all four pieces of map.
With only two hours remaining on their time limit, the team refrained from engaging in casual conversation. The familiarity of each other's play styles made strategizing unnecessary, and the monsters posed little threat.
As the hour concluded, a message window materialized, signaling their return to the enigmatic starting room.
[The allocated time is over.]
[Calculating Loot….]
[The loot is being distributed.]
Rather than revealing the total loot for the team, the dungeon system in CWS was set to distribute it individually. Saad observed the messages with anticipation, hoping for a satisfactory reward. The loot included various materials from the creatures they faced, as well as Dungeon Coins, which intrigued him. Saad knew these coins held value in otherworldly shops within dungeons, offering unique items and supplies.
Thread of Rainbow Ladies: 500
Thread of Yellow Worm: 900
Thread of Brown Blossom Bug: 100
Galactic Chickweed: 30
Dungeon Coins: 4
Saad couldn't help but feel pleased with the substantial haul, especially the Dungeon Coins that promised potential treasures that helped in fighting the dungeon monsters effectively or could also be used for a bulk of supplies. However, his satisfaction was short-lived as a disconcerting message followed.
[You are being sent back to Seraphia.]
[A mysterious and ominous fate is at play.]
[You have fallen into the negative status 'chirping stars.' Your focus has decreased temporarily.]
Saad felt a sinking sensation in his stomach as the ominous message about the negative status 'chirping stars' flashed before him. The cryptic warning left him bewildered, and his unease grew when he found himself standing in room where they had entered in the dungeon, facing a furious Verena.
The negative status seemed to have a direct impact on his focus and agility, critical components for a whip-wielding player like Saad. He cursed inwardly, realizing that the mysterious fate had once again thrown a curveball his way, making his life inside the game more complicated.
Verena's angry glare bore into him, and Saad knew he had to come up with an explanation, or at least a way to defuse the situation. The one hour of Ascendance left felt both like a blessing and a curse, given the compromised state of his focus and agility.
Saad took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts, and then look at Verena who was approaching him with a scowl on her face, "Look, Verena, I didn't mean for things to get out of hand back there. It was just a duel, and I didn't expect—"
It's not that Saad wanted to be so pathetic but what choice he had. The other teammates were also looking at them weirdly. Saad felt uncomfortable how no one was trying to help. But it was on him to expect any decency.
Verena, cutting him off with a sharp tone, snapped, "Save your excuses! You ruined my chance to level up, and now you're going to pay for it. But first, give my spear back!"
Verena's eyes bore into Saad with an intensity that matched her fury. "Kael! we're talking now. Alone!!!" she demanded, her tone seething with frustration.
Saad, maintaining his composure, shook his head. "I've got nothing to talk about. If you've got an issue, take it up with the dungeon or whoever else, not me," he replied, crossing his arms defensively.
Penelope, perhaps sensing the tension, stepped in and attempted to pacify the situation.
"Verena, calm down. Let's talk about this later," Penelope urged, trying to restrain her teammate.
However, Verena was having none of it. "No, Penelope! This guy ruined everything. I won't let him get away with it!" she fumed.
Saad, unwilling to be drawn into unnecessary drama, raised his hands defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not interested in your drama," he retorted, attempting to distance himself from the brewing conflict. He wasn't planning on giving that spear back. The easiest way was to deny everything.