Just a few minutes into the game and already millions of players are logging on, some to admire and see what augmented reality feels like, others to be the first to grab a seat to grow up. Our protagonists get in on the ground floor too, heading without a second thought to areas further away from the main city.
Hours go by, most people are already starting to form groups to grow because of too much swarming in the monster fields near the town, or because of areas where monsters are higher level than the players' current level, while the 5 protagonists are fending for themselves.
After several days, players are just as active as on the first day, if not more active, with some advancing more than others, but after more than a week, there is still no word on the Floor Boss Dungeon either in-game or on the official game forum.
Alexis, trying to level up, goes to a forest further away on the map where there are higher-level monsters and where not many players dare to go on their own, as it takes groups of 3-4 people to deal with the monsters in this area. Being aware that he could hardly grow alone, he wanders around the area watching the monsters and players. After a few minutes, he spots a lone player wielding a spear and tries to single-handedly defeat a level 20 Wolf(D), the current level of the top players being between levels 16-18, making fighting a level 20 monster tough even for them. After a long fight, the spear player manages to defeat the wolf, after which he notices Alexis watching him.
- If you're just gonna watch or steal my loot, you might as well forget it. (Leon)
- I'm not planning to do that, but the way you handle that spear caught my eye. Don't you want to team up to take down these local wolves? It'll make the whole job a lot quicker and more efficient if we do it in two. (Alexis)
- In short, you need someone to help you because you're not capable of beating some poor wolves. (Leon)
After Leon makes this statement, Alexis turns his gaze to a wolf, drawing his sword and beginning to attack it. After a shorter time than Leon, he manages to defeat the wolf, turning back to Leon...
- As you can see, I do pretty well on my own, but I like to do things more efficiently. With two of us, we could take down more wolves in that time. (Alexis)
- Just because you beat him faster than I did doesn't make you better. I for one am trying to enjoy the fight I have with these monsters, not just slaughter them, but yes, I agree it would be faster in 2. (Leon)
As Leon continues talking, Alexis sends him a group request.
- I am Alexis, and my main weapon is my sword.
- Leon. I prefer spears. I want at level 50 to choose my Lancer class. I take it you're focusing on the Swordsman class?
- I haven't thought of any particular class. For now, I use what I find works with my style to beat monsters faster and grow as fast as possible. (Alexis)
After they are talking some more, they start hunting monsters for the rest of the day. Over the next few days, they reconnect and continue the job, slowly befriending and growing together. After a while, when they both reach level 25, they head to a dungeon they discovered while growing, a D-grade dungeon that requires level 25 to enter. In front of the dungeon, they spot a warrior with a shield on his back looking towards the entrance.
- You think he's alone? Or is he waiting for his friends to enter and conquer the dungeon? (Leon)
- Whatever it is, I think it would be better if we got ahead of it. As it turns out, the dungeon hasn't been discovered by many people, and the reward for the first clear hasn't been taken by anyone yet. (Alexis)
As these 2 pass the shield-bearer, a voice is heard:
- Um. Do you want to go to the dungeon? (Apollo)
- Yes. Is there a problem? Do you want to stop us? (Alexis)
- No. Not at all. Actually, I was going to ask if I could join you. As you can see, I'm alone, and my strength is defence, so I don't think I could clear the dungeon by myself. (Apollo)
- Let's take him with us. We don't know what's inside, and a tank would do us good. (Leon)
- I can guarantee I'm stronger than I look. Also, I've been here almost an hour and haven't seen another group come by. (Apollo)
- Okay. said Alexis as he sent a request to join the group to Apollo.
After the group of 3 is formed, they enter the dungeon. As they enter, a message appears in front of them saying:
~Kobold Dungeon(D)~
~Defeat all dungeon monsters in the allocated time. Time left: 00:59:59.~
Apparently, they must defeat all 100 Kobolds in the dungeon in 60 minutes to conquer the dungeon.
- I can see now why no one has done this dungeon yet. Doesn't look like an easy task even for a group of 8. (Alexis)
- As far as I can see, these Kobolds' average level is 24-25. I think we can handle them, especially since we have a tank with us now. (Leon)
Apollo doesn't even think of joining in the discussion, instead, he grabs his shield and starts to draw the attention of a group of 3 Kobolds in front of them. Alexis and Leon also go into attack mode and start attacking and taking out as many Kobolds as they can. After about 40 minutes, there is a pile of Kobolds on the ground, most of them being defeated by the 3, but they are already feeling the fatigue after a continuous fight at high intensity. Finally, with 7 minutes left in this dungeon, they defeat the last Kobold, managing to finish the dungeon. After the last Kobold falls to the ground, a notification appears for each:
~Congratulations on finishing the dungeon. Your reward is: 200 silver coins, Exp..., 2 pieces of D-grade armour~
~Congratulations on being the first to conquer this dungeon. As a reward, each member of the group will receive a C-grade accessory~.
Leon's eyes began to twinkle after reading the second message, then he quickly checked his inventory to see what he had received.
- I can't believe I got a C-grade accessory. C-grade items are pretty rare on this floor. I haven't seen too many items like that on the market. (Leon)
- At least it was worth the effort. If I was getting something useless, I think I would have avoided other dungeons for a while. (Alexis)
- So... What did you get? I got a ring that increases my strength and agility by +10. It's like I've done two levels. (Leon)
- I got a necklace that gives me +15 resilience and +5 stamina. Not too bad. (Apollo)
- Hm... A ring that gives me +10 agility and +15 critical. (Alexis)
- Really? Why does yours look better? (Leon)
- It's still a C-grade like yours. (Alexis)
- Aren't you going to sell it to me? Or don't you want to trade? (Leon)
- 2 gold. (Alexis)
- 2 gold? Are you trying to pull the skin off me? (Leon)
- Then, 3 gold. (Alexis)
- Why did you increase the price? I don't think there are too many players that would have 2-3 gold to offer you per ring, so the price doesn't seem fair to me. (Leon)
- Exactly. Not many can afford C-grade items and accessories these days, which makes them valuable. Anyway, I'm not selling it, I just said a price to lower your spirits. (Alexis)
As they head for the exit, they continue talking, the atmosphere becoming relaxed as if the dungeon raid had never happened. On their way out, they pass a group of players who look like they are going to enter the dungeon. As they pass each other, 2 members of the group outside chat amongst themselves.
- Looks like someone beat us to the dungeon. And they did it in just three men. (Player 2)
- Never mind that. From how relaxed and cheerful they seem, the reward of the dungeon is probably pretty good, so let's go in. (Player 1)
So, the group of players enter the dungeon, while Alexis, Leon, and Apollo head to a monster field to farm more and grow. At the end of the day, with Apollo forced to leave, he bids farewell to the two and sends each of them a friend request.
- It's been fun farming and doing a dungeon with you two. I hope to see you again in the future. (Apollo)
- Yes. It was also much easier for us to have a tank to draw the attention of the monsters while we defeated them. I'll be in touch. (Leon)
- If you find something interesting and need help, you know where to find us. (Alexis)
- Sure. I'll contact you if I come across anything else. So do you, if you need a tank, feel free to contact me. (Apollo)
Apollo disconnects and the other 2 head to the city to sell their spoils from defeating the monsters.