- So, this is the eighth floor. (Leon)
- Finally, the landscape has changed. I'm sick of all those swamps full of lizards and snakes. (Gilgamesh)
- Let's see what kind of monsters we find around here. (Alexis)
After exploring the surroundings for a bit, the group enters a forest, and areas full of monsters start to appear.
~Treant(C), Lv. 68~
~Treant(C), Lv. 68~
~Treant(B), Lv. 70~
~Treant(B), Lv. 71~
- Now we must fight with trees? (Dante)
- There are probably other monsters around. (Gilgamesh)
- I think we should get to the city first to find a map or some details about the floor. (Alexis)
The boys advance further through the forest, a seemingly endless forest...
- Do you think there's a town on this floor? We've been walking for almost an hour already and we're still not out of this damn forest... (Gilgamesh)
- Maybe there are villages or a town in the forest? (Leon)
- Be careful! Apollo shouts as arrows fly toward the group.
~Forest Elf(B), Lv. 74~
~Forest Elf(B), Lv. 74~
~Forest Elf(B), Lv. 74~
- Elves? Now this is really getting interesting. (Leon)
- Yes... What can I say, it'll be fun to watch our backs all the time from arrows... (Alexis)
- Who knew there were elves in the game? (Apollo)
- They're probably just monsters we have to defeat. After all, they have a grade and level. (Gilgamesh)
The group encounters more and more groups of elves, barely defeating the sword-wielding ones, running away from the archers, and eventually making it out of the forest. After advancing further and skirting another forest, fighting other monsters that were at the edge of the forest, they finally spot a town that appears to be the main town on the 8th floor.
- I knew that some floors change completely, but this is too much of a change, both in difficulty and area. It's like walking through a maze because of those forests. (Alexis)
- It was expected to get harder. I'm curious how the other players will do. (Gilgamesh)
- I'm going to go find the town blacksmith. I want to see if he can do something with that Black Cobra skin. (Leon)
- I think I'll take a break, too. All this running around has got me a little tired. (Apollo)
- I'm trying to get some more information about the floor for now. (Alexis)
- Meeting tomorrow in front of this fountain? (Apollo)
- Sure. (Leon)
- Yeah. (Alexis) (Gilgamesh)
- I'm going to kill some more monsters around town. I want to outdo you in level. says Dante to the group with a maniacal look like a beast preparing to hunt.
After 2 days, Leon returns to town to pick up the suit he ordered from the blacksmith.
- What do you think of my new suit? It's a leather armour made up of 5 pieces and it even has a set bonus. Although it cost me 20 gold to make it, I say it's worth it. (Leon)
~Black Leather Chestplate – level 70, B-grade, +99 Defence, +20 Stamina~
~Black Leather Gauntlet – level 70, B-grade, +65 Defence, +28 Agility, +15 Critical~
~Black Leather Leggins – level 70, B-grade, +85 Defence, +17 Stamina~
~Black Leather Boots – level 70, B-grade, +58 Defence, +31 Agility~
~Black Leather Larp Shoulder – level 70, B-grade, +70 Defence, +15 Stamina, +10 Agility~
~5-piece bonus set - +30 Stamina, +50 Agility
Have a slight chance to evade enemy attacks.~
- With this agility, I think I'm the fastest of the group when it comes to killing monsters. (Leon)
- You think being faster can kill more monsters than me? (Gilgamesh)
- Let him enjoy his new armour. (Alexis)
- Want to make a wager? (Leon)
- How about who kills the most monsters by the end of the day? (Gilgamesh)
- I'm in. (Dante)
- Do you really love games? Then I think I'll join in too. (Alexis)
- Um... (Clears throat) What about me? I don't think I can defeat too many monsters by myself. (Apollo)
- You can handle it. Then I'm off. says Leon as he starts running away from the group, stealing the start.
- That son of a bitch... Hold it right there! I'm not letting you get ahead of me. (Gilgamesh)
- Sorry Apollo, try to do a mission or kill some monsters around town in the meantime. (Alexis)
- They all ran away... Still, I'm curious about the outcome of their contest. murmurs Apollo with a smile on his face.
At the end of the day, they all meet at the town gate to see who won. Alexis defeated 175 monsters, Dante 153 monsters, Leon 189 monsters, and Gilgamesh 201 monsters.
- How did you defeat 200 monsters? says Leon a little frustrated.
- I told ya that you couldn't beat me. (Gilgamesh)
- I've had a good run. I did another level in the meantime. (Alexis)
- I'm happy for you, but let's do this as a group next time. I don't like being left behind like this. (Apollo)
- Yes! I'm on the same level as Apollo now. (Dante)
- Good for you, Dante. I for one can't catch Gilgamesh no matter how hard I try... (Leon)
~Gilgamesh(Swordsman) – Level 73, place 106th~
~Alexis(Samurai) – Level 72, place 640th~
~Apollo(Guardian) – Level 70, place 2.402nd~
~Leon(Lancer) – Level 72, place 857th~
~Dante(Berserker) – Level 70, place 2.733rd~
The 8th floor was getting quieter after a while, with several days passing without anything too notable, our boys still growing, completing various missions.
- Have you heard of that special dungeon? (Leon)
- They say nobody's been able to complete it yet. They say the Dungeon Boss is S-grade. The first such monster since the game opened. (Gilgamesh)
- It would be interesting to give it a try. I'm curious how strong an S-grade monster is. (Alexis)
After more discussion, they head to the location of this special dungeon. Outside the entrance are several groups of people, some just watching to see if anyone manages to complete the dungeon, while others lick their wounds after a total failure.
- There seem to be a lot of players here. (Leon)
- Let's look at the details of the dungeon. (Alexis)
~Elderwood Guardian Dungeon(A-S)~
~The protector of the forests is lying inside. Only strong warriors can try to defeat it.
This is a unique dungeon. After clearing, the dungeon will disappear.
Players must be between levels 70-80 to enter this dungeon.~
- Hey, looks like the dungeon's open again. (Player A)
- That means the Blue Divine Dragon guild has failed as well. (Player B)
- Look, those guys want to try to get in. (Player C)
- Are you serious? The big guilds went in with 3-4 parties and failed. And they want to do it in 5 people? (Player B)
- Let them talk. Let's go in and take a look. (Alexis)
- I can't wait to see their look after we do this dungeon. (Leon)
- I just hope we can do it... (Alexis)
- I'll make firewood from that tree! (Dante)
The five enter the special dungeon. Here they encounter and defeat all sorts of monsters, from Treant(B) to Giant Treant(A), arriving in front of the Elderwood Guardian(S) eventually. After a lengthy battle and an unexpected attack from the boss, the whole group dies and respawns in front of the dungeon.
- Looks like they failed too. Still, they've been inside long enough. (Player A)
- Ah damn! Why does it have AoE attacks too? (Leon)
- I know... We were caught off guard by that attack after it reached half-life. (Alexis)
- We need to think of a plan to ward off those annoying AoE attacks. (Gilgamesh)
- Let's go grow up a bit and think of a plan in the meantime. (Alexis)
- Do you think the dungeon will still be available by then? (Leon)
- I don't think anyone's going to be able to clear it for now. (Gilgamesh)
- That's right. From what some of the players at the dungeon gate have said, even the big guilds haven't been able to do it with many more players, so we have some hope. (Alexis)
After 2 days, the guys return to the dungeon front to try again to complete it.
- I've heard that most guilds have given up on this dungeon until core party members hit levels 75-80. (Player A)
- Hey look. That group is trying to do the dungeon. (Player C)
- I know them. They tried 2 days ago, but they were unsuccessful. (Player A)
- Still, they managed to stay long enough, probably even reaching the Boss. (Player B)
The group doesn't even think about it and goes into the dungeon. They advance through the dungeon slowly but surely until they arrive back in front of the Elderwood Guardian.
~Elderwood Guardian(S), Lv. 81~
- We meet again. (Alexis)
- This time we kick his ass. (Dante)
- Just be careful when he starts his AoE attacks. (Gilgamesh)
- We're counting on you Leon to get his attention during those attacks. (Alexis)
- Count on me! (Leon)
The 5 discuss the final details of the plan in front of the giant monster. It's like a giant tree, with four legs, a huge shield in its left hand, and a spear in its right. Although it appears to be made of wood, its bark is like armour, harder than steel, which makes it hard to defeat.
The fight continues until they almost reach the point where they failed last time.
- Get ready. Soon the AoE attacks will begin. (Alexis)
- Leon, try to get agro on the boss. (Gilgamesh)
And suddenly, when the boss reaches midlife, the real struggle begins. In addition to his basic attacks, he has vine and root attacks.
- Hey! Get his fucking attention! (Gilgamesh)
- I'm trying! (Leon)
- Fall back a little, Dante, Apollo. (Alexis)
- Don't worry. I'll try to block as much as I can. (Apollo)
- Okay, he's looking at Leon right now. Now's our chance to attack. (Alexis)
- Be careful, he's turning back to you guys! (Leon)
- What the fuck is this attack? He hasn't done this before. (Gilgamesh)
- I got you. (Apollo)
- Thanks. (Gilgamesh)
- Be careful! Apollo! (Alexis)
- Shit! He died. (Dante)
- Focus on the fight. He only has 15% of his HP left. (Gilgamesh)
- Leon, change of plans, try to finish it while we withstand his attacks. (Alexis)
- Leave it to me. I'll ace him for sure. (Leon)
As the boss is almost dead, after Apollo, Alexis dies too. So does Dante.
- Come on. Just die already. (Leon)
- It's starting to piss me off. (Gilgamesh)
- Hey. Let's climb on him. Then we don't have to worry about those root attacks. (Leon)
With the final powers, they managed to kill the Elderwood Guardian, with only a brief of HP left.
They grabbed the rewards and exited the dungeon to meet with their colleagues and split the rewards.
- Look, the dungeon is cleared. (Player A)
- What? Did that group of 5 really do it? (Player B)
- This is a big deal. We must post it on the forum. (Player C)
- Let's take some screenshots fast. (Player A)
- But where are they? Have they already exited the dungeon while we weren't paying attention? (Player C)
- There are too many people so we can't see who are the ones who cleared it. (Player B)
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh and Leon met up with Alexis, Apollo, and Dante.
- So... Have you done it? (Alexis)
- At last. If we were going to fight for another 5 minutes, we'd have been done for. (Gilgamesh)
- The dropped items were pretty good. Look what we got from that dungeon. (Leon)
~Guardian's Protective Shield - level 80, A-grade, +250 Defence, +39 Strength
has a chance to successfully negate the damage of some blocked attacks.~
~Spear of Punisher - level 80, 699 Attack Power, A-grade, +33 Agility, +17 Critical
has a chance to do pierce attacks which are 1.5x damage of normal attacks.~
~Katana of the Forest - level 80, 585 Attack Power, A-grade, +20 Agility, +15 Strength, +15 Critical
has a chance to do chain attacks while using Samurai skills.~
- Now we have to hit level 80 fast. (Alexis)
- I think after reaching the next floor, is doable. (Gilgamesh)
- Yeah. We will go soon to the next floor. I've heard some guilds are already planning on attacking the Floor Dungeon. (Apollo)
And as Apollo said, after a couple more days, the Floor Dungeon Boss was finally defeated and the 9th floor was open.
Information about the level of the 5 protagonists:
Alexis – 75, Leon – 76, Gilgamesh – 77, Apollo – 74, Dante – 74.