The Valley of Death is a major dungeon in Darkstone, located beyond the snow-capped mountains, shrouded in a mysterious fog-enshrouded forest.
At present, many players have breached level 10, finding their leveling progression decelerating.
The minor dungeons surrounding the newbie village no longer quench their thirst for challenge.
Thus, the five major guilds decided to assemble an elite team of a hundred players to delve into this massive dungeon.
In contrast to the smaller ones, the primary distinction of these vast dungeons, aside from the higher-level monsters, is the potential onslaught of monster waves.
Indeed, in the minor dungeons, monsters confine their movements within specified zones.
During combat, players won't be interrupted by adjacent monsters—it's typically a mano a mano fight.
However, in the massive dungeons, it's an entirely different story.
Monsters are interconnected, meaning while engaging one beast, nearby monsters might also rally to its aid, intensifying the challenge of leveling up.
But as the saying goes, greater risks reap grander rewards.
The official guidelines highlight that monsters within these extensive dungeons provide double the experience points compared to their minor dungeon counterparts.
This is a subtle nudge from the game developers, enticing players to venture into the bigger challenges.
Currently, players from other newbie villages in the [Original Realm] have already embarked on these vast dungeon expeditions, though the outcomes have been rather disheartening.
To date, no news has surfaced about any newbie village successfully clearing a major dungeon.
It's rumored that the first group of players who manage to conquer such a dungeon will receive additional official rewards.
This has set the stage for a heated race amongst all the newbie villages, each meticulously planning their strategies for dungeon exploration.
Initially, Rock Guild was part of this expeditionary force.
Regrettably, after losing their bet to the North Wind Team and enduring a horrifying attack the previous night, they withdrew.
The remaining elite guilds in the fray are the Dawn Guild, Prosperity Guild, Apex Guild, and Dragonstrike Guild.
The North Wind Team, though independent from the big five guilds, was invited to join this expedition due to the formidable prowess of its members.
By the time Mia led the team to the entrance of the Valley of Death dungeon, the area was already brimming with players.
Members of the four major guilds congregated in their designated areas, immersed in conversation.
As the North Wind Team arrived, every eye turned their way, with over ninety pairs of eyes fixating on Sebastian.
A plethora of emotions played across their faces: admiration, envy, caution, and jealousy...
"MelodiousDance, long time no see," voiced a tall, imposing figure donned in black beast hides, stepping forward from a group of four guild leaders.
He was DragonPrime, the guild leader of the Dragonstrike Guild.
Beside him stood the leaders of the other three guilds: DreamMaker of the Dawn Guild, DeathShotter of the Prosperity Guild, and Apex of the Apex Guild.
Each greeted Mia in turn, but their attention invariably lingered on Sebastian.
Without Sebastian's presence, these leaders wouldn't be nearly as congenial.
The footage from that video was simply too overwhelming, causing all three leaders to tread lightly, fearing they might provoke the North Wind Team.
Nobody wanted to become the next "Rock Guild" under a rain of celestial fire.
Mia greeted each leader in kind.
"You must be the esteemed ShepherdWind," the leader of the Dawn Guild, DreamMaker, initiated, offering his hand to Sebastian. The other leaders followed suit.
Sebastian nodded in acknowledgment, remaining silent.
His haughty demeanor didn't offend the guild leaders.
If anything, they believed that's just how the truly powerful carried themselves.
After some initial pleasantries, DragonPrime said, "I've privately sent you some of the dungeon's information. I hope we can cooperate effectively to conquer this dungeon."
Prior to this expedition, DragonPrime had sent some of his men into the Valley of Death. They had secured some vital information, albeit at a significant cost.
"Considering your generosity, DragonPrime, my Dawn Guild will take the lead," DreamMaker proposed.
"I suppose my Apex Guild can provide the Teleportation Scroll," stated Apex nonchalantly.
Upon hearing the term "Teleportation Scroll," a subtle shock passed through the assembled crowd.
The Teleportation Scroll mentioned by Apex is a ritual capable of tearing through the void and transporting players to a designated location.
Even within a dungeon, its power can be harnessed, offering a strategic advantage to evade the deadly consequences of dungeon failure.
Such a scroll is priceless and rarely traded.
The fact that the Apex Guild was willing to part with one was astounding.
Soon after, the Prosperity Guild too announced they could contribute a Teleportation Scroll.
A single scroll can only transport 40 players, thus having two would significantly increase the group's chances of survival.
Regarding the North Wind Team, the four guild leaders tactfully refrained from asking anything.
Sebastian himself was the greatest commitment that the North Wind Team could offer.
With discussions concluded and a team of a hundred players solidified, they collectively faced the swirling, crimson entrance.
In an orderly fashion, they leaped in.
[Valley of Death]
[Difficulty: Easy]
[Description: The epic Battle of the Gods and Demons left countless beings fallen. The land was drenched in rivers of blood, and mountains of corpses piled high. This valley was tainted by demon blood, turning its remaining inhabitants into bloodthirsty monsters.]
[Recommended Level: 15]
[Caution: Monsters within the dungeon possess the ability to infect. Avoid contamination from the demon blood, or you too will become an irrational monster.]
Upon entering the dungeon, these details appeared before everyone's eyes.
They were prepared. As Sebastian stepped in, the world seemed to spin and twist, blurring his vision.
When clarity returned, he stood on desolate ground.
Before him lay a dark valley, beneath a blood-red sun casting an eerie, crimson hue over the land.
Standing at the valley's entrance, chilling gusts blew, and haunting howls echoed, unsettling the bravest of hearts.
The hundred players stood their ground, faces etched with caution, their gazes unwaveringly fixed on the entrance.
"Dawn Guild members, move forward!" DreamMaker commanded loudly.
The next moment, over thirty players stepped forward, positioning themselves at the vanguard, serving as the leading force.
Sebastian and his North Wind Team, on the other hand, were consciously shielded in the middle of the formation.
Surrounded by the crowd, as he stared at the seemingly serene entrance, an inexplicable sense of unease gripped him.
In such a place, the quieter it was, the more eerie it felt.
Yet, they had to venture into the valley.
Without delay, DreamMaker dispatched a team of warriors to forge ahead.
This 10-member warrior team, wielding shields, moved cautiously towards the entrance.
Reaching the threshold without incident, the players collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
But just then, the unexpected struck!